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H.R. 7888House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

REACH VET reporting Act

Sponsored by Xochitl Torres SmallRep. Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM)
Introduced July 30, 2020

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 2:26 PM UTC

The REACH VET Reporting Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to deliver a detailed report to Congress about its REACH VET (Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health‑Veterans Enhanced Treatment) program. The report must be submitted within 180 days of the law’s enactment and focuses on how the program affects veteran suicide rates and how it could be improved. It is aimed at lawmakers and the VA, with the goal of improving suicide‑prevention efforts for veterans.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must submit a report to Congress no later than 180 days after the law takes effect.
  • The report must assess the REACH VET program’s impact on veteran suicide rates.
  • It must evaluate how program limits—such as caps on the number of veterans flagged as high‑risk—are adjusted for regional suicide variations.
  • The report must explain, with evidence, why specific health conditions were included or excluded from the program’s risk‑assessment model.
  • It must examine whether economic data (financial and employment information) from the Veterans Benefits Administration could be incorporated into the risk‑assessment model.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

October 6, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 30, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

July 30, 2020

HouseCommittee

Committee Hearings Held.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

September 10, 2020

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

October 6, 2020

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 30, 2020

I

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7888

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 30, 2020

Ms. Torres Small of New Mexico (for herself, Mrs. Radewagen, and Mrs. Lee of Nevada) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the REACH VET program.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the REACH VET reporting Act.

2.

Report on REACH VET program of Department of Veterans Affairs

(a)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the REACH VET program.

(b)

Elements

The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)

An assessment of the impact of the REACH VET program on rates of suicide among veterans.

(2)

An assessment of how limits within the REACH VET program, such as caps on the number of veterans who may be flagged as high risk, are adjusted for differing rates of suicide across the country.

(3)

A detailed explanation, with evidence, for why the conditions included in the model used by the REACH VET program were chosen, including an explanation as to why certain conditions, such as bipolar disorder II, were not included even though they show a similar rate of risk for suicide as other conditions that were included.

(4)

An assessment of the feasibility of incorporating certain economic data held by the Veterans Benefits Administration into the model used by the REACH VET program, including financial data and employment status, which research indicates may have an impact on risk for suicide.

(c)

REACH VET program defined

In this section, the term REACH VET program means the Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health—Veterans Enhanced Treatment program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.