HR0267 LRB096 12269 GRL 25072 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are the longest
3 combat operations involving United States soldiers since the
4 Vietnam War; and
 
5     WHEREAS, The length of these conflicts, along with what
6 service members do during the war, the politics around the war,
7 where the war is fought, and the type of enemy they face, all
8 increase the chance of soldiers acquiring post-traumatic
9 stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health problems
10 resulting from their service; and
 
11     WHEREAS, About 19% of service members from Iraq and about
12 11% of service members from Afghanistan have a mental health
13 problem; about 1 out of every 3 (35%) service members from Iraq
14 were seen in a VA hospital for a mental health visit within a
15 year of their return; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Existing health benefits programs from the United
17 States Department of Veterans Affairs require soldiers to go to
18 a VA hospital for mental health treatment, curtailing their
19 ability to see local doctors for their problems; and
 
20     WHEREAS, Enabling veterans to freely choose their health
21 care provider is of great importance to the safety and welfare

 

 

HR0267 - 2 - LRB096 12269 GRL 25072 r

1 of these brave men and women; therefore, be it
 
2     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
3 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
4 urge the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to
5 provide health benefits programs that pay for services from
6 local mental health providers; and be it further
 
7     RESOLVED, That we urge the United States Department of
8 Veterans Affairs to educate mental health providers on
9 post-traumatic stress disorders in order to broaden the base of
10 qualified mental health professionals that can help treat our
11 nation's soldiers; and be it further
 
12     RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
13 presented to President Barack Obama and Eric K. Shinseki,
14 Secretary of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.