Dr. Shereef Elnahal, the Under Secretary for Health in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, says their most important clinical care and public health issue right now is preventing veteran suicides. The data show that 17 vets a day die by suicide. Their work includes making sure vets know that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline is available for them.

He also explained that the VA has communicated to the U.S. Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that his department is ready to conduct clinical trials using marijuana when and if the substance is reclassified as a less dangerous drug.

Other topics discussed include why vets should sign up now for new benefits available through the PACT Act, how the VA performs on various metrics and the latest details about innovations they’re bringing to the entire health care sector.

Join hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter for this conversation as we prepare for National Veterans and Military Families Month, starting on November 1.

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