BROWN ADOPTS HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION FOR VETERANS
Designed to improve State’s mental health for veterans
BOSTON, MA – State Senator Scott Brown announces that legislation he co-sponsored establishing a special commission to examine the effects of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan on Massachusetts servicemembers, became law. This is the first time the state has established such a commission since the one formed in 1981 to examine the needs of Vietnam War veterans.
In Massachusetts, nearly 29,000 servicemembers have returned home since September 11, 2001, including 5,869 members of the Massachusetts National Guard. A recent report from the Institute of Medicine finds that 25% of returning Iraq/Afghanistan combat veterans will face mental health problems. Yet of those needing care, it is estimated that only 27% will seek treatment at a VA medical center.
Last year, the Veterans & Federal Affairs Committee held a hearing to discuss issues of veterans mental health and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Family members of Massachusetts veterans who took their own lives after emotional battles with post-traumatic stress disorder testified in support of the legislation.
Specifically, the 15-member Commission is tasked to examine three initiatives: 1) the establishment of a mandatory mental health treatment program for national guard members, 2) a state military family leave policy for primary caregivers of returning servicemembers, and 3) a statewide education training program to assist law enforcement, corrections officers and other first responders in recognizing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
The bill, which was the result of the work of the Joined Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, on which Sen. Brown is the ranking Republican, was signed into law by Governor Patrick on April 10, 2008.
In addition to this membership, Sen. Brown is also a member of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Veterans Issues. Brown is a 28 year member of the MA National Guard, where he holds the rank of Lt. Colonel.
###