[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/andyslaw.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Andrew-Barnes-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Andrew-Barnes” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font_size=”48px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
10\/7\/1975 – 03\/29\/2020 [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/andyslaw.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Logo.png” title_text=”Logo” _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”48%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#395225″ divider_weight=”6px” _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto Slab||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Allows all veterans, regardless of combat duty, who suffer with depression, PTSD or suicidal thoughts, to\u00a0seek treatment outside of the VA from a local community care qualified professional with no out of pocket expense to the Veteran.<\/p>\n The veteran will have the option to seek the treatment when the VA providers or the VA\u2019s already approved community care providers\u00a0cannot see them within 7 days. As soon as the appointment is scheduled for the veteran to see the local community care qualified professional, that professional will then immediately call the VA and send\u00a0their credentials, license,\u00a0Tax I.D. and any other information needed to the VA to be immediately verified and approved and then expedited to the VA\u2019s list of\u00a0community care providers. All this will be completed before the veteran\u2019s scheduled appointment with that local community care qualified professional. The newly approved VA community care provider will be reimbursed\u00a0appropriately as\u00a0customary and reasonable\u00a0benefits \u00a0and if that provider recommends more treatment for the veteran than is allowed, then the provider will be allowed to receive a 100% tax write off for the remaining treatment.<\/p>\n I met with a mental health Nurse Practitioner at a psychiatric group in Franklin, TN. I explained to her\u00a0Andy\u2019s LAW\u00a0and how it works. She said not only are they very well equipped to treat the veterans with 4 mental health NP on staff, 4 licensed therapists and 1 Psychiatrist, but they would be happy to accept and treat all veterans under\u00a0Andy\u2019s LAW.\u00a0She also said she believes its needed because her boyfriend has been in the Army for 14 years and said he often talks about the problem and how we need a solution for our veterans. That\u2019s just one facility with 9 qualified professionals who could be\u00a0immediately expedited to the VA\u2019s list of approved community care providers and\u00a0immediately\u00a0treat many veterans!!!<\/p>\n I spoke with a Veteran Crisis Line Professional in Atlanta and\u00a0knowing she said the VA has the funds they just need\u00a0to be reallocated, I decided to do some research on the VA\u2019s budget. In 2020 the fiscal budget was $217 billion allotted for VA operations. 3\/5 on medical benefits, $92 billion is discretionary. $80.2 billion for veteran health\u00a0administration. And $94 billion for mental health care. Now, I’m no\u00a0mathematician by any means, but I put some numbers together to show just how\u00a0Andy\u2019s LAW\u00a0can save lives AND money!<\/p>\n These numbers are based on a provider being paid per treatment an estimated customary and reasonable fee of $80\/treatment and the\u00a0estimated\u00a0number of 22 veterans a day\u00a0committing suicide\u2026<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say that instead of 22 vets a day taking\u00a0their life, that 5 of those 22 choose to seek treatment thru\u00a0Andy\u2019s LAW\u00a0instead of suicide.<\/p>\n 5 veterans a day for one month= 155 veterans<\/p>\n 155 veterans for 12 months = 1860 veterans<\/p>\n 1860 veterans seeking treatment 4x\/month for 12 months @$80\/treatment\u2026<\/p>\n So, for the cost of $7,142,400 we have just save 1860 veteran\u2019s lives in one year through\u00a0Andy\u2019s LAW!<\/p>\n I realize that some may get less\u00a0therapy and maybe meds instead and some may have meds\u00a0and therapy but this is a simple and realistic estimation based on the data and benefits allowed, of just how many veteran\u2019s lives we can save!\u00a0Andy\u2019s LAW\u00a0will expedite the process of local community care\u00a0qualified professionals to\u00a0become VA approved community care providers and allow their treatment to become available quicker so they can choose to continue Living and Winning over suicide! Each day that passes with this, so do 22 of our veterans!<\/p>\n Thank you\u00a0for taking the time and action to help save the lives of our veterans!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This bill was written by Andy\u2019s sister, Leigh Kentof, and has not yet been written into law and passed. To show your support , please comment under \u201cshare your story\u201d page.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/andyslaw.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Unknown.jpeg” title_text=”Unknown” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”12px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Gone but never forgotten!<\/em><\/p>\n(Living and Winning)<\/em><\/h2>\n