Page 21 - Desert Oracle December 2020

VA CONFIRMS AUTHORITY FOR ITS HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO PRACTICE
ACROSS STATE LINES

• On November 13 , the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it published
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an interim final rule affirming VA’s current policy allowing VA health care professionals to
practice across state lines in accordance with the scope and requirements of their VA
employment, regardless of conflicting state requirements.
• This regulation allows VA the flexibility to mobilize and hire qualified health care

professionals from any state and quickly place them in areas of need — which is
especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• VA maintains and continues to exercise this authority. Reaching beyond the coronavirus
pandemic and as identified in “VA’s Fourth Mission”, the rule confirms VA’s authority to
allow VA health care professionals, who may regularly cross state lines, to deliver care at
other VA medical centers, as well as specific private hospitals, state Veterans homes and
nursing homes.
• Members of the public may comment on this interim-final rule so long as received on or
before Jan. 11, 2021 at www.regulations.gov and search for RIN 2900-AQ94.

VA RELEASES 2020 NATIONAL VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION ANNUAL REPORT

• On November 12 , the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released the 2020
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National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report which found no significant increases in
the Veteran suicide rate from 2017-2018, average suicide deaths per day or total count of
Veteran suicides — however, there were positive trends related to VA health care and
suicide prevention efforts overall.

• The report includes analyses of Veteran suicide from 2005-2018 and findings from
ongoing monitoring of VA health system suicide-related indicators during the COVID-19
pandemic.
• Suicide data and monitoring presented in this report are critical elements of VA’s ongoing
implementation of the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide. See the full report
and accompanying state data sheets.
• The SAVAHCS Suicide Prevention Coordinator can be reached at (520) 792-1450 ext. 1-
6415
o Some SAVAHCS initiatives include:
▪ Our Mental Health Open House is a national best practice where we talk
about mental health services available at the SAVAHCS
▪ We push firearm safety and training. We have a robust gun lock program
where individual providers are provided gun lock supplies for Veterans who
request them
▪ We’ve started an evidence-based program called Honest, Open, and Proud
(HOP). This program promotes group story sharing to destigmatize Mental