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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) held a hearing today to discuss the importance of enhancing outreach to better support the mental health of veterans across the nation.

During the hearing, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) questioned Dr. Thomas O’Toole, Acting Assistant Under Secretary of Health for Clinical Services at the Veterans Health Administration, about the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP). Cramer also asked Dr. O’Toole about his legislation, the Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act.

Cramer and U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the bipartisan Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act earlier this month to provide priority consideration of SSG Fox SPGP applications to entities in states which have not previously received a grant. Neither North Dakota nor Delaware, or entities serving these states, have received any funding.

The SSG Fox SPGP represents a key program to proactively reach veterans in their communities before a mental health crisis presents. While Cramer said he strongly supports the intent of the program, he is concerned many veterans are being missed due to the current distribution of funds.

“Neither North Dakota nor Delaware received any of the funds, despite a very, very good application,” said Cramer. “Particularly the one I'm most familiar with, the state of North Dakota through the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs.”

Cramer further highlighted how there are many qualified entities who may not get selected for the SSG Fox SPGP. He said his legislation is a simple, one-time adjustment.

“[The Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act] recognizes that a couple of states didn't receive funds from the program, and we want to prioritize states that haven't received funds previously,” said Cramer. “It's a one-time deal. We want to get these other states in the loop, so to speak, and then clear the deck, particularly very rural states. North Dakota is a big state, a 350- by about 200- miles rectangle in the middle of the North American continent. Literally, we have a monument to prove it, and a lot of miles between veterans. But 55,000 of them need this service. We think that's pretty important criteria.”

Cramer said he has read the VA’s objections to his legislation and some of them reference multiple applicants within the state.

“I think when it comes to an entire state, regardless of the small population, is after all why there are two senators from every one of them,” concluded Cramer. “That every state does matter. Our founders made sure of that. I just think it's worth fixing in a way that prioritizes states that have not received funding previously and just adding that. It’s not complicated. […] It's very simple, and we want to make it simple.”

Dr. O’Toole said the department is interested in working with SVAC to figure out a good way to approach changes to the program.