President Biden expected to sign bill expanding rural mental health care for veterans

A bipartisan bill, aimed at expanding access to mental health care for veterans living in rural areas, is expected to be signed by President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

It's named in memory of Iowa Sergeant Brandon Ketchum, who died by suicide after investigators said he was denied access to mental health services through the Iowa City VA Medical Center.

He was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The U.S. Senate unanimously approved the bill on June 24.

It establishes the Sergeant Ketchum Rural Veterans' Mental Health Act, creating new access to programs in rural areas.

Congresswoman Cindy Axne (D) Iowa - District 3 and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R) Iowa - District 1 co-sponsored the bill.

Both shared their excitement for the bill signing Wednesday and hope for better care for veterans.

"It's a big day and I was proud to lead this with the Iowa delegation and have us all on board with and show the country that Iowa cares about our veterans and not only that we don't care what zip code you come from, every veteran deserves to have support when they come home," Rep. Axne said.

"This bill will help to ensure that veterans in rural areas can access the mental health resources that they need once they return home from serving our country," Rep. Hinson said.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, at least one in five veterans returns from combat with at least one serious mental health condition.