Donnelly's 'Care Package' Legislation Now Part Of National Defense Bill

Much of Sen. Joe Donnelly’s proposed Military Servicemember Mental Health Care Package has been included into a bigger defense bill.  But provisions directed at veterans have yet to advance.

Donnelly’s so-called “care package” legislation was amended recently by the Senate Armed Services Committee into the national defense bill, which has been approved every year for more than a half century. The Hoosier Senator says the package helps ensure military men and women have quality local mental health providers by creating a special “servicemember-friendly” designation.  Facilities would earn the label by receiving training in military issues and familiarizing themselves with military culture. 

Donnelly says while the bill won’t be approved for months, providers don’t have to wait to get started.

“Begin working together immediately with the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue or with other organizations where they can learn more each and every day and then start to talk about themselves as being veterans-friendly and servicemember-friendly,” Donnelly said.

Donnelly’s legislation also requires the Department of Defense to use best practices for mental health treatment, and train physician assistants to increase the number of local providers.  An identical provision directed at the Department of Veterans Affairs must go through the Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee – a move Donnelly is confident will happen soon.