S. 2991 would give our nation’s servicemembers more access to essential mental health professionals and help reduce the epidemic of veteran suicide.
August 24, 2020
The Honorable Dan Sullivan
Senator from Alaska
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Sullivan,
On behalf of the 2.2 million members of AMAC – Association of Mature American Citizens, including over 7,636 residing in the state of Alaska, I write to offer our support for S. 2991, the Veteran Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act of 2019.
As an organization comprised of many veterans of America’s armed forces, AMAC is vested in ensuring that our nation’s heroes are able to take advantage of all the benefits they have rightfully earned as a result of their service to our country. These brave patriots who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, deserve all the assistance we can provide for them once their duty has been fulfilled.
S. 2991 directs the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) to conduct an independent study to determine if there is a direct correlation between overprescribing of medication and veteran suicide. Additionally, this legislation would also direct the VA to conduct a comprehensive review of their mental health workforce to address potential personnel shortages. Your bill would give our nation’s servicemembers more access to essential mental health professionals and help reduce the epidemic of veteran suicide.
Thank you, Senator Sullivan, for sponsoring bipartisan legislation that has an enormous impact on improving mental health care for all those who have served and sacrificed all for our country. Your endeavor to combat veteran suicide is appreciated and AMAC is pleased to join other veterans’ groups in offering our organization’s support for S. 2991, the Veteran Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act of 2019.
Sincerely,
Bob Carlstrom
President, AMAC Action
