There were 6,398 veteran suicides in 2023 which was a decrease of 44 deaths from the year prior. Approximately 61% of veteran suicides were not using VA heath. Veterans suicides represent 14% of all deaths by suicide in US adults, but only make up 6-8% of the US adult population.

-Veterans Administration, NIH

81.7% of Vets finds the VA’s overall performance is improving or holding steady, but it’s time we fill the gaps in service especially for rural vets who travel an average of 44.4 miles one-way for care. The VA has developed Telehealth, transportation service and mobile medical for it’s rural community, but it’s not enough.

VA.gov, 2026

 

US Veterans have long upheld the proud tradition of “Leave No Man Behind”. We, as Americans, need to stop leaving those who have served behind the second their feet touch American soil. It’s time we put our money where our mouths are when we say, “Thank you for your service!”

Although the VA has made great strides in improving mental health care, the current policy is not enough.  We often forget to calculate the true cost of war, and tragically our veterans end up paying the price. Beyond the numbers for suicide, there are physical injuries and injuries that cannot be seen. Conditions like PTSD, anxiety and depression can lead to high rates of alcoholism and other substance abuse issues. The rates of homelessness, divorce and domestic violence are also higher than average for vets.

Leave No One Behind: Expanding TAP is a bill I have drafted which will expand the current exit program, TAP, for service members before they are discharged to include better and more thorough mental health screening. We cannot expect soldiers who have come home in pain to find services on their own or insult their sacrifice by handing them a pamphlet.

Currently, there are too many restrictions on VA care and rural vets have a hard time traveling to the nearest VA. The current restrictions on Community care eligibility are ridiculous full stop, and the system has been abused to block private care even when a vet qualifies. There are discharge discrepancies despite suffering due to service, reproductive and gender affirming bans and restrictions, and worker’s comp and disability restrictions in which VA doctors are not allowed to fill out these form for civil claims forcing people to go to outside medical opinions which takes time and money.

Our mission is to protect them as they have protected us.