Save Veteran Lives 🎖️ Support HR 4837 & S.3314: Written Informed Consent Act
Save Veteran Lives 🎖️ Support HR 4837 & S.3314: Written Informed Consent Act
The Issue
Summarized from an article by veteran Derek Blumke
💔 The Crisis
155,000+ veterans have died by suicide since 2001—an average of 6,500 per year. Among young veterans (18-34), suicide rates have more than doubled. Despite $16.6 billion in VA mental health spending, veterans continue dying at alarming rates.
🚨 The Problem
Nearly 70% of VA patients are prescribed psychiatric medications with FDA "black box warnings" for suicidal thoughts—yet most are NEVER warned about these risks.
Real Lives Lost:
- Hunter Whitley (23, Marine veteran) died by suicide one month after being prescribed mirtazapine, without being warned about suicide risks.
- Connor Brumfield (22, Army veteran) killed himself 8 days after being prescribed bupropion, also without warning
VA Inspector General investigations reveal 27-30% of veteran records show NO evidence that doctors discussed medication risks with patients.
⚡ The Solution: HR 4837 (House) & S.3314 (Senate)
This bipartisan legislation will:
✅ Require written informed consent before prescribing psychiatric medications
✅ Extend existing opioid consent policies to antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and stimulants
✅ Could reduce VA suicides by 25%—saving 600 veteran lives annually
Sponsored by:
- House: Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Jack Bergman, Keith Self
- Senate: Senators Tim Sheehy, Tommy Tuberville
🏆 Strong Veteran Support
17+ veteran organizations endorse this bill, including:
- The American Legion
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
- Air Force Sergeants Association
- Association of the United States Navy
What Veterans Deserve
Veterans have the right to know:
- What medications they're taking
- The risks and side effects
- Available alternatives
- Warning signs to watch for
No veteran should die by suicide because they weren't warned about medication risks.
📞 Take Action Now!
- Sign this petition
- Contact your Representative to support HR 4837
- Contact your Senators to support S.3314
- Share this petition widely
Honor Our Veterans. Demand Transparency. Support HR 4837 & S.3314. 🎖️
#Veterans #Suicide #Prevention #HR4837 #S3314 #InformedConsent #SupportOurTroops
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The Issue
Summarized from an article by veteran Derek Blumke
💔 The Crisis
155,000+ veterans have died by suicide since 2001—an average of 6,500 per year. Among young veterans (18-34), suicide rates have more than doubled. Despite $16.6 billion in VA mental health spending, veterans continue dying at alarming rates.
🚨 The Problem
Nearly 70% of VA patients are prescribed psychiatric medications with FDA "black box warnings" for suicidal thoughts—yet most are NEVER warned about these risks.
Real Lives Lost:
- Hunter Whitley (23, Marine veteran) died by suicide one month after being prescribed mirtazapine, without being warned about suicide risks.
- Connor Brumfield (22, Army veteran) killed himself 8 days after being prescribed bupropion, also without warning
VA Inspector General investigations reveal 27-30% of veteran records show NO evidence that doctors discussed medication risks with patients.
⚡ The Solution: HR 4837 (House) & S.3314 (Senate)
This bipartisan legislation will:
✅ Require written informed consent before prescribing psychiatric medications
✅ Extend existing opioid consent policies to antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and stimulants
✅ Could reduce VA suicides by 25%—saving 600 veteran lives annually
Sponsored by:
- House: Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Jack Bergman, Keith Self
- Senate: Senators Tim Sheehy, Tommy Tuberville
🏆 Strong Veteran Support
17+ veteran organizations endorse this bill, including:
- The American Legion
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
- Air Force Sergeants Association
- Association of the United States Navy
What Veterans Deserve
Veterans have the right to know:
- What medications they're taking
- The risks and side effects
- Available alternatives
- Warning signs to watch for
No veteran should die by suicide because they weren't warned about medication risks.
📞 Take Action Now!
- Sign this petition
- Contact your Representative to support HR 4837
- Contact your Senators to support S.3314
- Share this petition widely
Honor Our Veterans. Demand Transparency. Support HR 4837 & S.3314. 🎖️
#Veterans #Suicide #Prevention #HR4837 #S3314 #InformedConsent #SupportOurTroops
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Petition created on August 11, 2025