Data Driven Suicide Prevention and Outreach Act of 2026

The Data Driven Suicide Prevention and Outreach Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a grant program within one year of enactment. This program, managed through the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment, aims to fund eligible organizations. Its primary goal is to develop artificial intelligence-driven predictive models to evaluate risk factors contributing to suicide among veterans.

Eligible organizations for these grants include nonprofit entities, academic institutions, and private research organizations with demonstrated expertise in AI/machine learning and health data analysis. The Secretary will select at least two organizations, prioritizing those in areas with high veteran suicide rates, frequent Veterans Crisis Line calls, or long mental health service wait times. A key requirement is that the developed predictive models must integrate data from both the Veterans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration, including military service records, to create a comprehensive risk profile. The authority for this grant program is set to terminate on September 30, 2029.