Press Releases

Today U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright introduced the Expedited Hiring for VA Trained Psychiatrists Act, legislation that would create a fast track hiring process for psychiatrists who train at Veterans Affairs facilities.  The legislation was introduced with the support of four Republican and four Democratic Representatives.

The legislation aims to reduce the wait times for veterans seeking to access mental health services by reducing the time it takes to fill these critical positions.

“We have a responsibility to do all we can to make sure the brave men and women who served get the care they need and deserve when they return,” said Cartwright.  “This legislation simply speeds up the process for recruiting trained, talented mental health professionals into a career caring for the invisible wounds of our nation’s veterans.”

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 29% of OEF/OIF veterans within the VA healthcare system have PTSD, and a similar proportion of Vietnam veterans are believed to be affected. VA policy requires that new patients requesting or referred for mental health services receive an initial assessment within 24 hours and a full evaluation within 14 days. Yet congressional testimony has raised questions about the extent to which these policies are implemented in practice.

This legislation is endorsed by American Veterans for Equal Rights, Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Retired Enlisted Association, the Blinded Veterans Association, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) announced their support for Congressman Cartwright’s legislation yesterday. BVA Government Relations Director Tom Zampieri said his organization "supports the changes to expedite the hiring of these mental health providers instead of the current slow VA credentialing process for individuals who have already treated veterans as residents in numerous clinics."

Larry Madison of the Retired Enlisted Association added, “Your legislation is an important part of the solution that is needed to deal with this urgent issue and we are grateful you have put it forth.  We urge the House and the Senate to quickly pass this bill and improve the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs to hire psychiatrists and thereby help give the VA the resources it needs to handle the growing number of veterans with mental health issues.”

“Ensuring timely access to quality mental health care for all veterans should be a priority for everyone, regardless of party,” said Cartwright. “I am grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support of this important legislation.”