Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
White House Announces Expanded Health Coverage For Veterans
The Hill: Biden Expands Veterans’ Health Care Coverage
The White House on Friday announced the expansion of health care coverage for the nation’s veterans, creating a no-cost system for World War II veterans seeking care and accelerating enrollment for all veterans applying for benefits after exposure to toxins. Starting this month, all living World War II veterans can access health care services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at no cost, including nursing home care, the White House said in a press release. (Dress, 11/10)
In news on veterans' mental health —
Axios: VA "Committed" To Studying Psychedelics For PTSD
The Department of Veterans Affairs says it's committed to studying whether psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin are effective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder ahead of a House hearing expected to touch on the substances. It shows growing recognition that hallucinogenic drugs, when paired with psychotherapy, could potentially have mental health benefits. (Millman, 11/13)
Fox News: Military Mental Health Is Focus As AI Training Simulates Real Conversations To Help Prevent Veteran Suicide
A new product by ReflexAI called HomeTeam was just released this week, with the goal of preventing veteran suicide. Each day, 17 veterans die by suicide, according to the company, amid an ongoing mental health crisis across the country. ReflexAI found that 92% of veterans are open to supporting or being supported by another veteran when they're in crisis — yet only 25% are prepared to do so. (Stabile, 11/13)
Also —
AP: Nonprofits Progress In Tackling Veterans Homelessness, But Challenges Remain
Along a busy Atlanta residential road, a 68-year-old Vietnam War-era Army veteran has found what he calls a “match made in heaven. ”Harold Tilson Jr. found himself homeless earlier this year but for the past few months has been living in transitional housing run by the nonprofit Veterans Empowerment Organization, or VEO. It provides emergency and permanent housing for dozens of previously homeless military veterans. (Rico, 11/11)
