BRAVE Act

This bill makes the VA set up a simple outreach system to help veterans with mental health after a traumatic or highly stressful event. Veterans enrolled in VA health care can choose to receive information and resources about mental health and available VA services, rather than having to hunt for help on their own. The VA must also link this effort with the Defense Department’s Transition Assistance Program, so service members moving to civilian life get connected to support sooner. The VA has up to two years after the bill becomes law to get this system up and running.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Veterans enrolled in VA health care who have faced a traumatic or highly stressful event.
• What changes: An opt-in VA outreach system will send mental health information and connect veterans to care; it will coordinate with DoD’s Transition Assistance Program.
• When: The system must be in place within two years of enactment.