BERKLEY BILL HONORING MEMORY OF NEVADA MARINE JUSTIN BAILEY NOW ON PRESIDENT’S DESK

White House Approval Next Step for Package; Expands Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse Treatment at VA Facilities

(Washington D.C. – October 2, 2008) Legislation authored by Congresswoman Shelley Berkley honoring the memory of Nevada Marine Lance Corporal Justin Bailey has passed both the House and Senate and is now awaiting action by the White House. Included in the bill are provisions authored by Berkley that will expand and improve mental health services for veterans, including treatment for substance use disorders. Berkley added a section to The Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (S. 2162) that pays tribute to Justin Bailey for his service to the nation in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“This bill -- which is now in the hands of the President -- honors the memory and service of Marine Lance Corporal Justin Bailey by expanding and improving VA mental health services for all veterans, including those he bravely served alongside in Iraq,” said Berkley, a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

The bill’s first section pays tribute to Marine Lance Corporal Justin Bailey, a 1998 graduate of Las Vegas High School who served in Iraq. Bailey, who was diagnosed with PTSD following his return from active duty, sought substance abuse treatment through the VA. The 27-year-old veteran died of a prescription drug overdose from medicines he was given while in the care of the VA clinic in Los Angeles, California. Key provisions of the Justin Bailey tribute legislation include:

• A requirement that all VA medical centers provide ready access to a full continuum of care for substance use disorders.

• A requirement that the VA’s Inspector General conduct a review of all residential mental health care facilities within six months after the bill becomes law and that a full report be given to Congress no later than 90 days after completing the first review.

The provisions are designed to ensure that VA facilities are capable of providing high-quality care to America’s veterans, including substance use disorder treatments and other mental health services.

“Lance Corporal Justin Bailey sought help for PTSD and substance use and he was under VA care when his life tragically ended. We owe it to his memory, to the Bailey family and to all veterans, to see that what happened in Justin’s final days at a VA facility is never again repeated,” Berkley said.

With operations on-going in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and studies showing large numbers of troops at risk of PTSD and its effects -- including suicide and substance abuse -- comprehensive mental health care through the VA must be a top priority.

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