Bipartisan bill would eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for military families’ first three mental health appointments each year
Sen. Ossoff passed into law last year bipartisan legislation to expand access to mental health care services for veterans
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing a bipartisan bill to expand free access to counseling and mental health services for Georgia’s military families.
Today, Sens. Ossoff and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced the bipartisan Military Families Mental Health Services Act to help more military families access vital mental health care services.
The bipartisan bill will allow the Secretary of Defense to waive out-of-pocket expenses for military families on TRICARE for their first three outpatient mental health visits per year, lowering costs and helping families access the treatment they need.
“Our bipartisan bill will expand free access to counseling and mental health services for military families, who make great sacrifices for our nation, endure great stress in so doing, and deserve nothing less than the care they need when they need it,” Sen. Ossoff said.
“Ensuring our servicemembers in North Dakota and across the U.S. have access to treatment and other mental health services must be a top priority,” said Senator Cramer. “These men and women have bravely served our country and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep our country safe. We made great strides last Congress by enacting the same benefit for our veterans, it is only right we break down these barriers for our active-duty as well.”
Last year, Sens. Ossoff and Cramer worked together to pass into law similar legislation to help veterans afford mental health treatment.
Click here to read the bipartisan Military Families Mental Health Services Act.
