Starting Jan. 17, U.S. military veterans in “acute suicidal crisis” can get free emergency health care at any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) non-VA health care facility, the agency reported.
According to a press release, the new policy allows veterans to access inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient treatment for as many as 90 days.
Veterans are not required to be enrolled in the VA system to receive the service, which will “increase access to acute suicide care for up to 9 million.”
“Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency health care they deserve—no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they’re enrolled in VA care,” said Secretary for Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough….