Bill Overview
Title: Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021
Description: This bill modifies and implements policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), which is generally defined as physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment that occurred while the veteran was serving in the military. The VA must report on MST in the digital age. In the case of any veteran who claims that a covered mental health condition (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) based on MST was incurred or aggravated by active service, the VA must accept specified diagnoses and evidence as proof of service-connection. The VA may not deny a veteran's claim of compensation for a covered mental health condition based on MST without first (1) advising the veteran that nonmilitary evidence and behavioral evidence may constitute credible corroborating evidence, and (2) allowing the veteran an opportunity to furnish the corroborating evidence or advise the VA of potential sources of such evidence. The Veterans Benefits Administration must conduct an annual special focus review on the accuracy of the processing of claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to MST. Additionally, the bill (1) expands access to mental health care at VA facilities for survivors of MST, and (2) requires the Government Accountability Office to report on access to such care for individuals who have experienced MST.
Sponsors: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Target Audience
Population: People who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST) and are involved with the Department of Veterans Affairs
Estimated Size: 300000
- This bill targets individuals who have served in the military and have experienced military sexual trauma (MST).
- Military sexual trauma is defined as sexual assault or harassment that occurs during military service.
- Both veterans and current active military members could potentially be impacted by this, though the bill seems focused on veterans.
- According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, around 1 in 4 women and 1 in 100 men reported experiencing MST when screened by their VA provider.
- The impacted population will primarily include those veterans currently seeking or likely to seek VA health care and benefits related to mental health conditions due to MST.
Reasoning
- The target population is primarily U.S. military veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST). Statistics indicate 1 in 4 female veterans and 1 in 100 male veterans have reported MST experiences.
- Considering there are about 19 million veterans in the U.S., potentially 300,000 could be significantly impacted by this policy.
- The policy is particularly beneficial to those who currently seek or are likely to seek mental health care benefits related to MST from the VA.
- We focused on veterans across different age groups, genders, and locations to represent a wide range of experiences and impacts.
- The budgetary restrictions necessitate prioritizing those most in need of immediate mental health and support services.
- Not all veterans with MST will utilize the VA, and not all will meet the criteria for significant benefits under this policy, hence varying degrees of impact.
Simulated Interviews
Veteran Affairs Caseworker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is crucial for veterans like me who need more support from the VA.
- The acknowledgment of MST-related mental health issues and wider access to care is a step in the right direction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Veteran (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill might actually help me prove my need for mental health support and make the process smoother.
- Getting recognition for mental health issues from MST has been challenging.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that this legislation will provide better mental health resources at VA facilities.
- Having clear guidelines for MST-related benefits is empowering.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Retired (New York, NY)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm skeptical about how much this can change after so many years of limited support.
- It's positive, but the process better be easy to navigate for older vets like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Social Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy gives a voice to MST survivors, which is a huge win.
- I hope this leads to real changes in how cases are handled and veterans are treated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Police Officer (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I haven’t used the VA for MST support, knowing the option is there now makes a big difference.
- I might reconsider accessing benefits if ever needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired RN (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 56 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill finally recognizes our struggles and supports us in healing.
- Comprehensive care for MST survivors is long overdue.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Tech Developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to targeted mental healthcare through this policy is pivotal in my transition process.
- The stigma around MST needs more addressing, but this is a start.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Fitness Coach (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might not directly impact me as I rely on non-VA services, but it's comforting to see institutional acknowledgment of MST issues.
- Hopefully, it brings more awareness and change broadly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Student (Denver, CO)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy addresses some critical issues in the VA system around MST support.
- I hope it means quicker access to therapy and treatment programs for people like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $260000000 (Low: $210000000, High: $310000000)
Year 3: $270000000 (Low: $220000000, High: $320000000)
Year 5: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 10: $350000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $400000000)
Year 100: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Key Considerations
- This policy is focused on improving outcomes for MST affected veterans, primarily through VA benefit modifications.
- The implementation requires coordination across various VA departments to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
- Potential challenges include the need for additional qualified mental health professionals and successful outreach to MST survivors.