Senior Lawmaker Promises to Make Veteran Mental Health Care a Priority

A bill to improve veterans' access to mental health care and reduce veteran suicide rates will get a committee vote next year if, as expected, Sen. Jerry Moran becomes chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Moran and co-sponsor Sen. Jon Tester said Nov. 6. The measure was introduced in March to improve health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans across the country. The bill also would allow veterans to be treated with innovative suicide prevention initiatives such as animal therapy, yoga, meditation and acupuncture. Tester said that, in parts of Montana, private groups are already taking veterans out on fly-fishing trips, helping many of them manage mental health issues. Read more on Military.com.