Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8793
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-05T15:44:37Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create and maintain a public "preferred provider list" of community care providers who complete annual, evidence-based suicide prevention training for veterans. The goal is to help veterans identify trained providers when using the Veterans Community Care Program.
Key Provisions
- The Secretary must offer annual, evidence-based suicide prevention training to covered providers within 180 days of enactment.
- A preferred provider list must be established and made publicly available to eligible veterans; providers who complete equivalent training meeting military health care competency standards may also be included.
- Covered providers may opt out of the list upon request.
- The Secretary must conduct an annual review to confirm providers have completed required training.
- The Secretary must submit annual reports to the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees detailing training completion numbers, list participation, veteran utilization patterns, and recommendations for improvement.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds new requirements to sections 1703 and 1703A of title 38, United States Code, by creating a voluntary preferred provider designation tied to suicide prevention training. It does not alter eligibility for care or reimbursement rates but introduces a public listing mechanism not previously required under the Veterans Community Care Program.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The Department of Veterans Affairs gains new administrative duties for training delivery, list maintenance, and annual reporting.
- Citizens: Veterans may gain easier access to providers with suicide prevention training; community providers face an optional incentive to complete training.
- International relations: None identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (implementation and oversight).
- Veterans eligible for community care.
- Community health care providers and entities participating in Veterans Care Agreements.
- Congressional committees on Veterans’ Affairs (oversight via required reports).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure imposes no new mandates on providers and includes an opt-out provision, reducing potential legal challenges. It operates within existing VA authority under title 38 and reflects bipartisan sponsorship, with no apparent constitutional concerns regarding separation of powers or individual rights.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-05-13: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-13 — PDF (5 pages)