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U.S. Sen. Casey calls for better funding for veteran mental health

Beaver County Times (PA) - 5/25/2016

May 25--In the shadow of Memorial Day, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has called on the federal government to better fund mental health services for veterans.

Casey, D-Scranton, was touched by what his father, former Pennsylvania Gov. Robert Casey Sr., said while taking the oath for his second term in office in early 1991. The inauguration fell in the midst of the Persian Gulf War, and Casey Sr. called on the American public to be "worthy" of the "valor" of returning veterans.

Since then, those words have been a driving force in Casey's power to vote on veteran issues at the congressional level. "You have to earn that (worth) every day," he said.

An estimated 22 veterans commit suicide every day, Casey said -- calling it a number which is hard to comprehend. While many veterans do not suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or related mental health problems, the amount that do calls for improved access.

"Clearly and definitely, not enough progress has been made," he said.

Mental health struggles and PTSD create additional obstacles for veterans returning to civilian life, complicating their ability to seek employment and education as well as their personal lives, Casey said.

He is now urging Senate members to fund better access to mental health care for veterans who struggle with PTSD, suicidal thoughts and other mental health issues associated with their service.

It is not acceptable, he said, for veterans to have to wait long periods of time for doctors appointments or disability benefits, addressing comments made Monday by Veteran's Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald who compared appointment wait times to lines at Disney World.

"We must do better. To be blunt about it, we must do a lot better," he said.

Casey has outlined new actions he believes should be taken to improve veteran access to mental health. "I think it's a good time to ask ourselves whether we are worthy," he said.

He has called on a expansion of the availability of mental health workers at the VA. Senate Bill 1203, sponsored by Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nevada, which passed the Senate in November, deals with a backlog of disability claims and care through the VA. Casey said he "urges" the House to pass the bill as soon as possible.

Casey has also called on additional funding for existing VA mental health programs, including better funding of a crisis hotline.

"No veteran should ever be left alone in times of need," Casey said, calling for whatever amount of money is necessary to ensure veterans have access to emergency help.

"This is in the category of whatever it takes," he said.

Casey has also co-sponsored the Veterans Partners' Efforts to Enhance Re-Integration (PEER) Act, which will fund the VA's effort to implement peer-to-peer specialists at the primary care level. Veterans who have recovered from PTSD and other related problems will meet with recent veterans during their regular care.

This bill could fund a pilot program, Casey said.

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