Sen. Moran Introduces Caring For America's Heroes Act

Press Release

This week, as our nation kicks off "National Mental Health Awareness Month," U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) in introducing the bipartisan "Caring For America's Heroes Act" to make certain members of the military, veterans, and their families have access to quality behavioral health treatments.

"Those who served our nation with duty and honor, as well as with the family members who supported them, deserve access to quality health care," Sen. Moran said. "The wounds of war after returning home from service not only impact our military retirees, but also their families. They should be able to seek inpatient mental health services the same way physical injuries are treated."

Sen. Moran serves on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and introduced the legislation so mental health treatment is handled the same way physical injuries are treated under TRICARE. The goal is the Caring for America's Heroes Act will help to reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health challenges and allow the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to provide TRICARE beneficiaries with better care.

"The Retired Enlisted Association wholeheartedly supports this bill," said Rick Delaney, President of the Retired Enlisted Association. "This bill will give America's warfighters the peace of mind to know that their dependents will receive appropriate mental health treatment that will enable them to go and carry out the mission of keeping America safe, and it will give military retirees the knowledge that their sacrifices to our nation are respected and honored as well."

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