Dear,

H.R. 7504, the VA Clinical TEAM Culture Act of 2020, would require mental health providers participating in VA’s Community Care Network program to meet the same clinical standards and requirements as those applicable to VA mental health providers.  It would further require that community care providers engage in training on military culture and a number of other courses including, screening and management of suicidal ideation, military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. 

DAV has had longstanding concerns about the inability to gauge the quality and accessibility of services provided by non-VA providers for specialized mental health care—particularly for treatment of conditions unique to military service such as post-traumatic stress disorder related to combat and military sexual trauma.  A 2018 study published by the RAND Corporation found that many non-VA providers surveyed expressed reservations about their lack of preparedness for treating conditions related to veterans’ military service.

DAV strongly believes that veterans deserve the same standard of care when seeking care through VA’s Community Care Network.  We support H.R. 7504, in accordance with DAV Resolution No. 378, which notes that care provided to veterans in the community, when VA care is inaccessible, should be delivered through responsive integrated networks that deliver culturally competent, high quality evidence-based care.

Please use the prepared letter to urge your Representative to support passage of H.R. 7504—the VA Clinical TEAM Culture Act of 2020.

Thank you for your support of the Commander’s Action Network.