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H.R. 1997House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Veterans Posttraumatic Growth Act

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot program on posttraumatic growth, and for other purposes.

Sponsored by Tim RyanRep. Tim Ryan (D-OH)
Introduced March 29, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 3:33 AM UTC

The Veterans Posttraumatic Growth Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to run a two‑year pilot study of nonprofit programs that focus on post‑traumatic growth (PTG) for veterans. The pilot will compare PTG outcomes with traditional VA mental‑health care, explore how such programs could be integrated into VA services, and assess any budget effects. The study must include multiple sites—including at least one rural location—and report its findings to Congress.

Key Provisions

  • The VA Secretary must design and conduct a two‑year pilot program, beginning 180 days after the law’s enactment, to evaluate nonprofit PTG programs.
  • The pilot will assess PTG outcomes versus traditional mental‑health treatment, potential integration into VA services, and budgetary impacts.
  • The program must operate at several sites, with at least one in a rural area.
  • Veterans may participate only if they are not at immediate risk of suicide and are not already receiving traditional mental‑health treatment.
  • At least four participant groups must consist solely of female veterans.
  • The VA must partner with nonprofit organizations that have evidence‑based expertise, experience with veterans, and a standardized PTG curriculum.
  • Within one year after the pilot ends, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress comparing PTG care with standard VA clinical care.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

April 29, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 29, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

March 29, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

April 29, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 29, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1997

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 29, 2019

Mr. Ryan (for himself, Mr. Reschenthaler, Mr. Watkins, Mr. Suozzi, Mrs. Radewagen, and Mr. Carson of Indiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot program on posttraumatic growth, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Posttraumatic Growth Act.

2.

Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)

There is a shortage of adequate, timely, and effective mental health care available to veterans across the United States.

(2)

The Department of Veterans Affairs continues to highlight veterans mental health care and suicide prevention as a key priority.

(3)

There is an opportunity to explore effective alternative treatments focused on the area of posttraumatic growth.

3.

Pilot program on posttraumatic growth

(a)

Program

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a pilot program to study the effectiveness and benefits of nonprofit posttraumatic growth programs to determine—

(1)

the outcomes of such programs in contrast to traditional models of mental health care;

(2)

the possible integration of such nonprofit programs into the mental health care programs provided by the Secretary; and

(3)

the budgetary impacts of such integration.

(b)

Review and evaluation

In developing the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

(1)

review relevant literature to summarize the existing knowledge regarding posttraumatic growth programs; and

(2)

evaluate such programs.

(c)

Duration

The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) for a two-year period beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(d)

Locations

The Secretary shall select more than one location at which to carry out the pilot program under subsection (a), of which at least one location shall include a rural area.

(e)

Participants

(1)

Eligibility

A veteran is eligible to participate in the pilot program under subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that the veteran is—

(A)

not at known immediate risk of attempting suicide; and

(B)

not participating in traditional mental health treatment.

(2)

Female veterans

Not fewer than four groups of veterans participating in the pilot program under subsection (a) shall consist only of female veterans.

(f)

Nonprofit organizations

The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) by entering into an agreement with one or more nonprofit organizations that—

(1)

have staff with expertise in evidence-based care and experience working with veterans;

(2)

have experience in the science of posttraumatic growth; and

(3)

uses a standardized, evaluated, and comprehensive curriculum.

(g)

Report

Not later than one year after the date on which the pilot program under subsection (a) is completed, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program, including a comparison of the care provided under the pilot program and the clinical care model of the Department.