Seeks immediate alternative residential treatment for eligible veterans, not just those whose wait time exceeds 30 days.

According to VHA Directive 1162.02 Appendix A Section 3 Admission Process, "Any Veteran with a scheduled wait time of greater than 30 calendar days must be offered alternative residential treatment or another level of care that meets the Veteran's needs and preferences at the time of screening." However, Veterans in need of Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP) services often have an immediate need for treatment, and they should have immediate access to alternative residential treatment should there be a scheduled wait time. Maintaining a 30-day waiting period may force Veterans experiencing a mental health crisis to wait weeks to receive the help they desperately need. This resolution proposes that "Any Veteran with ANY scheduled wait time must be offered alternative residential treatment or another level of care that meets the Veteran's needs and preferences at the time of screening."

The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States urges the Congress of the United States to remove the requirement for a 30-day wait time in order for a Veteran to have access to alternative mental health residential rehabilitation treatment.