FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 13, 2023 Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in suicidal crisis can go to any VA or nonVA health care facility for free emergency health care WASHINGTON – Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost – including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit. This expansion of care will help prevent Veteran suicide by guaranteeing no cost, worldclass care to Veterans in times of crisis. It will also increase access to acute suicide care for up to 9 million Veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA. Preventing Veteran suicide is VA’s top clinical priority and a top priority of the BidenHarris Administration. This effort is a key part of VA’s 10-year National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide and the Biden-Harris administration’s plan for Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide. In September, VA released the 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which showed that Veteran suicides decreased in 2020 for the second year in a row, and that fewer Veterans died by suicide in 2020 than in any year since 2006. “Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency health care they deserve – no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they’re enrolled in VA care,” said VA Secretary for Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. “This expansion of care will save Veterans’ lives, and there’s nothing more important than that.” VA has submitted an interim final rule to the federal register to establish this authority under section 201 of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020. The final policy, which takes effect on Jan. 17, will allow VA to: Provide, pay for, or reimburse for treatment of eligible individuals’ emergency suicide care, transportation costs, and follow-up care at a VA or non-VA facility for up to 30 days of inpatient care and 90 days of outpatient care. Make appropriate referrals for care following the period of emergency suicide care. Determine eligibility for other VA services and benefits. Refer eligible individuals for appropriate VA programs and benefits following the period of emergency suicide care. Eligible individuals, regardless of VA enrollment status, are: Veterans who were discharged or released from active duty after more than 24 months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable. Former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Former members of the armed forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces Over the past year, VA has announced or continued several additional efforts to end Veteran suicide, including establishing 988 (then press 1) as a way for Veterans to quickly connect with caring, qualified crisis support 24/7; proposing a new rule that would reduce or eliminate copayments for Veterans at risk of suicide; conducting an ongoing public outreach effort on firearm suicide prevention and lethal means safety; and leveraging a national Veteran suicide prevention awareness campaign, “Don’t Wait. Reach Out.” ### Reporters covering this issue can download VA's Safe Messaging Best Practices fact sheet or visit ReportingOnSuicide.org for important guidance on how to communicate about suicide. If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

From the 64th National Commandant of the Marine Corps League 247th Marine Corps Birthday Message Marines, 247 years ago, a Corps of Marines was founded at Tun Tavern, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since 1921 we who are Marines, celebrate the birth of our Corps on 10 November. For the past 247 years, our citizens have called upon and counted on the Marines to do what we do best, to defend American soil and protect the American way of life and freedoms. It is a mission that we all swore an oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The Marine Corps League is a continuation of the esprit de corps that we all enjoyed while serving on active duty or the reserves. This common spirit and patriotism exist in all members of our League. We all share this inspiring enthusiasm, devotion, and strong honor of being a Marine. Within our Marine Corps League membership today, we have the greatest generation of Marines that served during World War II, Korean War, Vietnam, Beirut, Gulf War in Iraq and Afghanistan, and many other areas threatening our American way of life. Marines rose to the occasion then as they do now. America is proud of their Marines and rightfully so. As Marines, we are extremely proud of our history and our legacy. The Marine Corps League also has its history and legacy and we are just as proud. As each of you celebrates the 247th year of the birth of the Marine Corps, I ask that you please remember our legacy and those that served before us. Think about and remember that esprit de corps that made us who we are today, United States Marines. Celebrate the bond that all Marines enjoy. Be proud of your Marine Corps and your Marine Corps League. Reach out to say “Happy Birthday” to our active and reserve Marines throughout the world. Remind them of the legacy that we are leaving for them and the legacy that they too will someday leave for those that follows. Reminding them of this obligation may spark their enthusiasm and spirit of who we are by leaving the Corps a little better than they found it and leaving their own legacy. So, Happy Birthday Marines. Enjoy your celebrations throughout our country and continue to focus on each other and making our League stronger for all of us to enjoy! If you do not attend a formal celebration on the birth of our Marine Corps, please celebrate this day in your own way. Call a Marine that you haven’t heard from in a while and just say, “Happy Birthday Marine!” Stay healthy and take care of one another. Semper Fidelis, Johnny Baker 64th National Commandant Maine Corps League