Veterans Mental Health Treatment First Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 30, 2008

Veterans Mental Health Treatment First Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program of mental health care and rehabilitation for veterans who: (1) are diagnosed by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physician with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, anxiety, or substance abuse that is either related to the PTSD or service-related; and (2) agree to participation conditions, including compliance with a treatment regimen and rehabilitation plan prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Requires each participant to be paid a stipend during successful program participation, limiting to $11,000 the total stipend paid to each individual.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC] · R–NC

Committees

Veterans' Affairs Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Craig, Larry E. [R-ID]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 30, 2008
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 30, 2008
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S493-496)
Jan 30, 2008
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jan 30, 2008 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.2573 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.2573, 110th Congress: Veterans Mental Health Treatment First Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-bill/2573

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2008-01-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/s2573/BILLS-110s2573is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T18:13:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.2573 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.2573 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.2573, 110th Congress: Veterans Mental Health Treatment First Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-bill/2573

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2008-01-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/s2573/BILLS-110s2573is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T18:13:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2573 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.2573 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2573, 110th Congress: Veterans Mental Health Treatment First Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-bill/2573

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2008-01-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/s2573/BILLS-110s2573is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T18:13:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2573 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.2573 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2573, 110th Congress: Veterans Mental Health Treatment First Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-bill/2573

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2008-01-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/s2573/BILLS-110s2573is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T18:13:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2573 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.