WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) today announced he is an original co-sponsor of the Prioritizing Veterans’ Access to Mental Health Care Act. The bill was introduced by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Tillis joins Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) as original co-sponsors.

The legislation prioritizes access to mental health care by providing incentives to hire more mental health care professionals at the VA and granting veterans instant authorization of non-VA care if the veteran provides an electronic or hard-copy statement that they are not receiving adequate or timely mental health care at VA facilities.

“North Carolina is home to nearly 800,000 veterans, and that population is growing every day,” said Senator Tillis. “Unfortunately, we have not even begun to get a handle on the mental health needs of the many brave men and women who have served our nation. This legislation is an important first step towards getting more mental health professionals into the VA system and giving veterans the ability to quickly access mental health services when the VA cannot meet their needs.”

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