WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) reintroduced the Military Families Mental Health Services Act. This bipartisan legislation would improve access to mental health care services for military families by waiving out-of-pocket costs on TRICARE for their first three outpatient mental health visits per year.

“Ensuring our servicemembers in North Dakota and across the U.S. have access to treatment and other mental health services must be a top priority. These men and women have bravely served our country and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep our country safe,” said Senator Cramer. “We made great strides last Congress by enacting the same benefit for our veterans, it is only right we break down these barriers for our active-duty as well.”

“Our bipartisan bill will expand free access to counseling and mental health services for military families, who make great sacrifices for our nation, endure great stress in so doing, and deserve nothing less than the care they need when they need it,” said Senator Ossoff.

Click here for bill text.

In addition, Senator Cramer has led the following legislative efforts:

  • The REMOVE Copays Act prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from imposing or collecting any co-payment for a veteran's first three mental health outpatient care visits in a calendar year. This bill was included as part of the FY2023 Omnibus package with a 5 year sunset provision to evaluate the provisions impact of health costs and utilization.
  • The Solid Start Act, which became law last year, codifies a VA program to contact veterans three times within their first year of separation, prioritizing outreach to veterans who accessed mental health resources before separating to quickly connect them with services.
  • The VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act implements a Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program at five U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers across the country, including one that must serve primarily veterans who live in rural areas.