BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Senator Jim Nielsen, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AJR 20 Hearing Date: 6/14/16
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|Author: |Kim |
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|Version: |4/11/16 |
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|Urgency: | |Fiscal: |No |
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|Consultant:|Wade Teasdale |
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Subject: Veterans Affairs hospitals
DESCRIPTION
Summary:
This resolution urges the Congress of the United States to
support and build a central federal veterans hospital in Orange
County to meet the mental health care needs of area veterans.
BACKGROUND
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA)
provides physical and mental health care for veterans who meet
requisite eligibility criteria. Through its subordinate Veterans
Health Administration (VHA), USDVA manages the nation's largest
integrated health care system. VHA operates more than 1,700
sites of care and serves approximately 8.76 million veterans
each year.
Currently, USDVA has major hospitals/medical centers in the
following California locations:
Southern California
Long Beach
Los Angeles
Loma Linda
San Diego
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Northern California
San Francisco
Fresno
Livermore
Menlo Park
Palo Alto
Sacramento
COMMENT
Legislative Findings :
Many service members returning home to Orange County face
significant barriers to a successful transition back to civilian
life.
Sixty-one percent of post-9/11 Orange County veterans reported
difficulties adjusting to civilian life and needing time to
figure out what to do after service in the military.
About one in five post-9/11 veterans in Orange County have
considered suicide, and one in six developed a suicide plan.
Among those Orange County veterans who considered or made a plan
to commit suicide, about one-half did not seek help.
Orange County veterans have reported barriers, including not
knowing where to access services, difficulty scheduling
appointments, and concerns about confidentiality and treatment.
Twenty-five percent of post-9/11 veterans and 9 percent of
pre-9/11 veterans indicated severe physical health symptoms. In
addition, post-9/11 veterans were more likely to screen positive
for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression than pre-9/11
veterans.
One-half of all Orange County post-9/11 veterans reported their
greatest needs as USDVA service assistance and health care
assistance.
Only 24 percent of Orange County veterans reported that they
could handle the challenges on their own, and their needs are
not being met.
A considerable number of Orange County veterans are not
receiving care for physical and psychological issues, and have a
high rate of mental health concerns.
POSITIONS
Sponsor: Author.
Support:
American Legion, District 29 Orange County
American Legion Anaheim Post 72
105 individuals
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Oppose: None on file.
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