AJR 20, as amended, Kim. Veterans Affairs hospitals.
This measure would request the Congress of the United States to support and build a central Veterans Affairs Hospital in Orange County.
Fiscal committee: no.
P2 1WHEREAS, Many service members returning home to Orange
2County face significant barriers to a successful transition back to
3civilian life; and
4WHEREAS, Sixty-one percent of post-9/11 Orange County
5veterans reported difficulties adjusting to civilian life and needing
6time to figure out what to do after service in the military; and
7WHEREAS, About one in five post-9/11 veterans in Orange
8County have considered suicide, and one in six developed a suicide
9plan. Among those Orange County veterans who considered or
10made a plan to commit suicide, about one-half did not seek help;
11and
12WHEREAS, Orange County veterans have reported barriers,
13including not knowing where to access services, difficulty
14scheduling appointments, and concerns about confidentiality and
15treatment; and
16WHEREAS, Twenty-five percent of post-9/11 veterans and 9
17percent of pre-9/11 veterans indicated severe physical health
18symptoms. In addition, post-9/11 veterans were more likely to
19screen positive for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression
20than pre-9/11 veterans; and
21WHEREAS, One-half of all Orange County post-9/11 veterans
22reported their greatest needs as Veterans Affairs service assistance
23and health care assistance; and
24WHEREAS, Only 24 percent of Orange County veterans
25reported that they could handle the challenges on their own, and
26their needs are not being met; and
27WHEREAS, A considerable number of Orange County veterans
28are not receiving care for physical and psychological issues, and
29have a high rate of mental health concerns; now, therefore, be it
30Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of
31California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the Congress of the
32United States to support and build a central Veterans Affairs
33Hospital in Orange County for the mental health care needs of
34local veterans; and be it further
35Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
36of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United
37States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives,
38the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, each Senator and
P3 1Representative from California in the Congress of the United
2States, and to the author for appropriate distribution.
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