Jared Golden (D-ME)
Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act
A Democratic bill with 6 Republican cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act," directs the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee to evaluate specific mental health activities. It requires an inventory of programs and processes that help people access mental health services during the transition spectrum. The Committee must also assess how effective these programs and processes actually are. A report detailing these findings, including any identified gaps or inefficiencies, must be submitted to Congress within 180 days. Additionally, the bill mandates a biennial review of the joint separation health assessment to update its questions.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill directly benefits veterans by improving the oversight and accessibility of mental health services.
- Scored +6
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill enhances veteran care by requiring an assessment of mental health service effectiveness and updating health assessments.
- Scored +5
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill seeks to improve mental health service access by assessing programs and identifying gaps in the transition spectrum.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Access to Mental Health Services: By requiring an inventory and assessment of programs that facilitate access to mental health services, the bill aims to understand how to better support people across the transition spectrum (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Identification of Service Gaps: The report required by this act must identify any deficiencies, gaps, or inefficiencies, such as duplicative programs, which could lead to better resource allocation (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Actionable Improvements: The assessment process requires recommendations to address identified issues, including specific plans of action, milestones, and metrics (Section 2(a)(2)(C)).
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Updated Health Assessments: The requirement to review the joint separation health assessment at least every two years allows for the validation, removal, revision, or addition of questions to ensure they remain relevant (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are identified in the text of the bill.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill enhances veteran care by requiring an assessment of mental health service effectiveness and updating health assessments. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill seeks to improve mental health service access by assessing programs and identifying gaps in the transition spectrum.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill directly benefits veterans by improving the oversight and accessibility of mental health services.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill enhances veteran support through improved assessment and oversight of mental health services.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill increases transparency by requiring a detailed report to Congress on mental health program effectiveness.
- 6/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/30/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 3/3/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/26/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Lauren BoebertRepublican · Colorado
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Jack BergmanRepublican · Michigan
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Ashley HinsonRepublican · Iowa
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York