H.R. 1969 — No Wrong Door for Veterans Act

This section reauthorizes the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program through September 30, 2026 (from three years after the date of the first grant award under the program) and provides additional funding of $52.5 million for FY2026 (in addition to $174 million for FY2021 through 2025). The program awards grants to eligible entities (e.g., nonprofits and health care providers that have continuously provided mental health care or support services for the prior two years) to provide or coordinate suicide prevention services for veterans and family members at risk of suicide. This section further (1) requires grantees to notify eligible individuals of potential eligibility for emergent suicide care under 38 U.S.C. 1720J and to notify the Secretary if the individual elects such care; (2) deems such individuals eligible for emergent suicide care if the VA does not provide services within 72 hours of a grantee referral; (3) requires use of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (also known as the Columbia Protocol) to assess suicide risk for grants awarded on or after enactment of the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act; and (4) makes technical and conforming changes to program definitions and requirements.

This section expands the definition of medical services in VA health care programs to include, as artificial limbs, adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and other recreational activities. (Thus, eligible veterans receiving care under 38 U.S.C. ch. 17 may receive such devices, in addition to wheelchairs, trusses, and similar appliances.)