S. 132 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to jointly carry out a 3-year pilot program that would assist service members who are separating from the U.S. Armed Forces. Under that program, a nurse or social worker from VA would meet with cohorts of at least 50 service members to provide information on the resources that are available to address certain risks such as mental health conditions, addiction, homelessness, and other factors that could contribute to suicide attempts. VA employees would also meet with service members individually to assess their eligibility for health care or counseling services and to help them schedule an initial appointment with VA if they so choose. The bill would require the departments to conduct the program at no fewer than 10 DoD locations that serve at least 300 military members.
