New VA Policy Provides Free Suicide Prevention Care to Nearly 50K Veterans in First Year

The initiative, which covers emergency and outpatient care at any health facility, has reportedly saved over $64 million in healthcare costs.

Nearly 50,000 veterans accessed free suicide prevention care in the first year of a new policy implemented by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The policy allows veterans to receive emergency care at any VA or non-VA health facility, covering emergency room care, crisis residential care for up to 30 days, and outpatient care for up to 90 days.
Transportation costs are also covered under the policy, which extends to any veteran, even those not enrolled in the VA.
According to the VA, 6,392 veterans died by suicide in 2021, an increase of 114 from the previous year.
The policy has reportedly saved more than $64 million in healthcare costs.