COVER Commission Releases Final Report
Press Release, February 6, 2020
In accordance with the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), the Creating Options for Veterans Expedited Recovery (COVER) Commission has completed its congressionally mandated tasks and provided recommendations to the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Ten commissioners, who represent a variety of backgrounds, came together to offer these recommendations without dissent. It is the commissioners’ collective belief that these recommendations will guarantee our nation’s veterans receive the mental health care they need—when and where they need it.
The COVER Commission’s charge required far-reaching examination of the treatment models used by VA in treating veterans’ mental health. Throughout its research and deliberation processes, the commission put the needs of veterans at the heart of its work. The commission strove to conduct a comprehensive, evidenced-based review of key treatment modalities; held public meetings; met with a broad range of organizations and clinical providers; made site visits to VA facilities in different regions; and, perhaps most importantly, directly engaged veterans throughout the nation using a variety of channels, including listening sessions and focus groups. To read the report click here.
