Mr. Chairman,

I am pleased to know that a few weeks ago the Senate passed S. 2162, the Veterans Mental Health Improvements Act.  I introduced a House companion to this bill, H.R. 4053.  This essential legislation increases research on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders. 

By establishing at least six national centers of excellence on PTSD and substance use disorders, the bill is designed to focus on how PTSD and substance use disorders affect each other.  These centers will offer comprehensive inpatient and residential treatment programs for our returning heroes diagnosed with PTSD and substance dependency. 

This bill also contains a provision to provide for a review of all residential mental health facilities and to honor Justin Bailey.  These provisions which were also passed by the House in H.R. 5554, the Justin Bailey Substance Use Disorders Treatment and Prevention Act, are vital to ensure that our veterans receive quality care at these residential mental health facilities and to make sure that what happened to Justin does not happen to anyone else.

The Senate amended S.2162 to include a number of provisions to make it a package bill.  Some other initiatives in the Senate package include establishing epilepsy centers of excellence, reimbursements for veterans receiving emergency treatment in non-VA facilities, homeless veteran issues, as well as providing counseling for families of veterans for non-service connected issues.  This is a similar provision to one of the draft bills we are discussing today. 

I am hopeful that the House and the Senate will work together to get this important package to the President and I encourage members of the committee to support this initiative.