Comment on AN73-Proposed Rule-Womble, Derrick

Under eligibility requirements, it is required that the veteran’s serious mental illness or substance abuse must be caused by their homeless. What about those veteran’s whose serious mental illness or substance abuse problem cannot be clinically proven to be caused by their homeless? Are they not eligible for the program or its services? Any veteran regardless of the reason why they have a mental illness or substance problem should be eligible for services provided by the HCHV. It can be inferred that veterans with serious mental illnesses or substances abuse problems will need more than 6-months to put their lives back in order. By accepting those veterans without any mental illness or substances problems, those veterans may have a better advantage of getting stable within a 6-month period. This could also lead to a higher rehabilitative rate within the HCHV. In my opinion it would take individual with a mental illness or substance abuse problem longer to improve their “quality of life” thus lengthening their services and adding to the financial assistance needed to care for that individual. Veterans without any serious mental or substance problems might not require the additional financial assistance needed for a veteran with those particular issues. In order to improve this proposed rule, I suggest opening up the health care to all homeless veterans, so any individual wishing to use the services offered. However, I do think that health care for homeless veterans is a very good idea. Statistics have shown that a high number of veterans make up the homeless population especially in downtown metropolitan type areas. It is commendable that the VA is supporting this legislation to help those whom served our country that are no longer able to care for themselves.