The bill would
• Make it easier for veterans to establish that certain mental health conditions were caused by sexual trauma during their military service
• Increase health care services for veterans with mental health conditions that result from sexual trauma during their military service
• Require the Department of Veterans Affairs to institute a 3-year pilot program to provide intensive outpatient mental health care when wait times for residential mental health care exceed 14 days
• Expand eligibility for counseling and treatment of health conditions that result from sexual trauma during military service to all former reservists and National Guard members
• Require several reports and studies
Estimated budgetary effects would mainly stem from
• Increased disability compensation and increased health care costs for veterans determined to have mental health conditions caused by sexual trauma
• Health care costs for veterans who become newly eligible for counseling and treatment
Areas of significant uncertainty include
• Estimating the number of veterans who would have new or higher disability ratings
• Anticipating the number of veterans who would receive additional health care
