President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday expanding mental healthcare resources for new veterans with the goal of reducing the group's suicide rate, according to The Washington Post.
The executive order will provide all transitioning veterans with mental healthcare for at least one year after they leave the military, effective March 9. Nearly 265,000 service members leave the military each year, and Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, MD, estimates the growth in coverage will cost hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
Dr. Shulkin said roughly 40 percent of new veterans currently have mental health coverage, which he regarded as intolerable given the high rate of suicide among veterans.
"That is just an unacceptable number, and we are focused on doing everything we can to prevent these veterans' suicides," said Dr. Shulkin, according to The Hill. "We will be covering all separating military members who are transitioning into civilian life. 100 percent will have a mental health benefit for 12 months."