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6/3/2008--Passed Senate amended. Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 - Title I: Health Care Matters - (Sec. 101) Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to repeal a requirement that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs adjust the amounts deducted from payments or allowances made by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for beneficiary travel expenses in connection with health care whenever the payment or allowance is adjusted. Requires the Secretary, in determining the amount of travel reimbursement, to use the mileage reimbursement rate for the use of privately owned vehicles by government employees on official business. Authorizes the Secretary to use a rate in excess of such rate, subject to the availability of appropriations. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees on additional costs incurred by the VA due to implementation of this section. (Sec. 102) Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary to reimburse a veteran for the costs of emergency treatment received in a non-VA facility prior to transfer to a VA facility. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to designate at least six VA health-care facilities as locations for epilepsy centers of excellence. Requires the: (1) VA's Under Secretary for Health to establish a peer review panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals submitted for designation as such a center; and (2) Secretary to follow the panel's determinations in making designations. Directs the Secretary to designate an individual in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) as a national coordinator for VHA epilepsy programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 104) Establishes as qualifications for appointment as a peer specialist within the VHA that the person: (1) be a veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition; and (2) is certified as having met the criteria for such position. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with nonprofit entities to provide peer specialist training and certification for veterans. Title II: Pain Care - (Sec. 201) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a comprehensive policy on the management of pain experienced by veterans enrolled for VA health care services; (2) periodically update the policy; and (3) report annually through FY2018 to the veterans' committees on such policy. Title III: Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Care - (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to ensure the provision of the following services and treatment to each veteran enrolled in the VA health care system and in need of services and treatment for a substance use disorder: (1) short-term motivational counseling; (2) intensive outpatient or residential care; (3) relapse prevention; (4) ongoing aftercare and outpatient counseling; (5) opiate substitution therapy; (6) pharmacological treatments to reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol; and (7) detoxification and stabilization. Requires a report from the Secretary to the veterans' committees concerning the provision of such care at each VA medical facility. (Sec. 303) Requires the Secretary to ensure that treatment for a substance use disorder and a comorbid mental health disorder is provided concurrently through a health professional with training and expertise in the treatment of both disorders, by separate services for each disorder, or by a team of experienced clinicians. (Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary to establish at least six national centers of excellence on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders for the provision of comprehensive inpatient or residential treatment and recovery services for veterans diagnosed with both PTSD and a substance use disorder. (Sec. 305) Requires the Secretary to conduct a: (1) review of all VHA residential mental health care facilities; and (2) follow-up review, within two years after the first review, to evaluate any improvements made or problems remaining with respect to such facilities. Requires a report from the Secretary to the veterans' committees after the initial review. (Sec. 306) Enacts this title in tribute to Justin Bailey, who, after returning to the United States from service in Operation Iraqi Freedom, died in a VA domiciliary facility while receiving care for PTSD and a substance use disorder. Title IV: Mental Health Accessibility Enhancements - (Sec. 401) Directs the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and, in particular, veterans who served in such operations as a member of the National Guard or reserves, with: (1) peer outreach; (2) peer support provided by licensed providers or veterans with personal experience with mental illness; and (3) readjustment counseling and other mental health services. Authorizes the provision of such services through community mental health centers or the Indian Health Service with respect to veterans residing in rural areas or otherwise having insufficient access to such services through the VA. Requires: (1) the Secretary to carry out a program of appropriate training for veterans and clinicians providing such services; (2) each center or Indian Health Service facility providing such services to report annually to the Secretary; and (3) the Secretary to design and implement a strategy for evaluating the pilot program. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Mental Health Research - (Sec. 501) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of research into comorbid PTSD and substance use disorder through the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 502) Amends the Veterans' Health Care Act of 1984 to extend through 2012 (currently, 2008) the reporting requirement for the Special Committee on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Title VI: Assistance For Families of Veterans - (Sec. 601) Includes marriage and family counseling within authorized VA care for veterans. (Sec. 602) Directs the Secretary to carry out, through a non-VA entity, a three-year pilot program (with authorized one-year extensions) to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing readjustment and transition assistance to veterans and their families in cooperation with ten VA Vet Centers. Requires a report from the Secretary to the veterans' committees at the conclusion of the pilot program. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Homeless Veterans Matters - (Sec. 701) Repeals a requirement that the Secretary adjust per diem payments made to veterans' homeless service centers by the amount a center receives from other sources of income. (Sec. 702) Revises provisions establishing a demonstration program of referral and counseling services for at-risk veterans transitioning from institutional living to: (1) remove the "demonstration" designation; (2) require the program to be carried out in at least 12 (currently, six) locations; and (3) extend the program through FY2012. (Sec. 703) Allows funds from grants to homeless veterans service centers to be used to fund staffing necessary to meet center requirements. (Sec. 704) Requires the Secretary to ensure that VA domiciliary care programs are adequate, with respect to capacity and safety, to meet the needs of women veterans. (Sec. 705) Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to eligible entities (private nonprofit organizations or consumer cooperatives) to provide and coordinate the provision of supportive services for very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing. Requires: (1) an assistance preference with respect to families transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing; (2) equitable geographic distribution of such assistance; and (3) the Secretary to provide training and technical assistance to participating entities regarding the planning, development, and provision of such services. Includes within authorized services outreach, case management, and assistance in obtaining VA and other federal, state, or local benefits. Provides funding. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a two-year study of the effectiveness of the assistance program in meeting the needs of very low-income veteran families; and (2) report study results to the veterans' committees.

1223611200 2008-10-10 Tue Nov 18 11:10:54 -0600 2008 introduced 46700 'use':26 'bill':2 'post':20 'affair':15 'depart':12 'disord':23,27 'improv':4 'provid':9 'purpos':31 'servic':8 'stress':22 'traumat':21 'veteran':14,17 'substanc':25 'treatment':6 'post-traumat':19 52812 false official introduced 46700 'act':4 '2007':6 'health':2 'improv':3 'mental':1 53741 false short passed senate 46700 'act':8 '2008':10 'care':6 'health':3 'improv':7 'mental':2 'veteran':1 60299 false short reported to senate 46700 'act':5 '2008':7 'health':3 'improv':4 'mental':2 'veteran':1 59638 false short passed house 46700 'act':8 '2008':10 'care':6 'health':3 'improv':7 'mental':2 'veteran':1 64891 false short enacted 46700 'act':8 '2008':10 'care':6 'health':3 'improv':7 'mental':2 'veteran':1 65378 false short signed 46700 1223611200 Fri Oct 10 00:00:00 -0500 2008 176870 Signed by President. A000069 1924-09-11 4399 141 Hart Senate Office Building http://akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home 202-224-2126 Daniel 'd':4 'hi':5 'sen':1 'akaka':3,7,9 'daniel':2,6,8 M 300001 Akaka Don_Cazayoux Kahikina Sen. Daniel Akaka [D, HI] 2319 N00007653 10043 Democrat 202-224-6361 Congregationalist HI Daniel Akaka 2.26666666666667 http://akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm B000468 1943-10-03 7505 703 Hart Senate Office Building http://bingaman.senate.gov/contact/ 202-224-2852 Jeff 'd':4 'nm':5 'sen':1 'jeff':2,6,8 'bingaman':3,7,9 M 300009 Bingaman Jeff_Bingaman Sen. Jeff Bingaman [D, NM] 4069 N00006518 10317 Democrat 202-224-5521 Methodist NM Jeff Bingaman 4.46153846153846 http://bingaman.senate.gov B001135 1955-11-30 6516 217 Russell Senate Office Building http://burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm 202-228-2981 Richard 'r':4 'nc':5 'sen':1 'burr':3,7,9 'richard':2,6,8 M 400054 Burr Richard_Burr M. Sen. Richard Burr [R, NC] 3379 N00002221 11445 Republican 202-224-3154 Methodist NC Richard Burr 4.51785714285714 http://burr.senate.gov/public/ senatorrichardburr C001041 1947-10-26 38260 Hillary 'd':4 'ny':5 'sen':1 'clinton':3,7,9 'hillari':2,6,8 F 300022 Clinton Hillary_Clinton Rodham Sen. Hillary Clinton [D, NY] 14835 N00000019 25564 Democrat Methodist NY Hillary Clinton 3.34848484848485 C001035 1952-12-07 10927 413 Dirksen Senate Office Building http://collins.senate.gov/public/continue.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSenatorCollins.EmailIssue 202-224-2693 Susan 'r':4 'sen':1 'susan':2,6,8 'collin':3,7,9 F 300025 Collins Susan_Collins M. Sen. Susan Collins [R, ME] 5775 N00000491 11860 Republican 202-224-2523 Catholic ME Susan Collins 2.53225806451613 http://collins.senate.gov SenatorSusanCollins D000601 1936-07-29 4765 Elizabeth 'dole':2,4,6 'elizabeth':1,3,5 F 300035 Dole Elizabeth_Dole H. Elizabeth Dole 2257 N00008071 7491 Republican Presbyterian Elizabeth Dole 5.0 E000194 1958-03-25 7615 119 Russell Senate Office Building http://ensign.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm 202-228-2193 John 'r':4 'nv':5 'sen':1 'john':2,6,8 'ensign':3,7,9 M 300040 Ensign John_Ensign Eric Sen. John Ensign [R, NV] 3899 N00006619 10219 Republican 202-224-6244 Christian NV John Ensign 3.94871794871795 http://ensign.senate.gov/public/ SenatorEnsign I000024 1934-11-17 7451 453 Russell Senate Office Building http://inhofe.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm 202-228-0380 James 'r':4 'ok':5 'jim':8 'sen':1 'jame':2,6,9 'inhof':3,7,10 M 300055 Inhofe James_Inhofe M. Sen. James Inhofe [R, OK] 2571 Jim N00005582 9629 Republican 202-224-4721 Presbyterian OK Jim James Inhofe 3.96610169491525 http://inhofe.senate.gov/public/ JimInhofePressOffice M000702 1936-07-20 5501 503 Hart Senate Office Building http://mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm 202-224-8858 Barbara 'd':4 'md':5 'sen':1 'barbara':2,6,8 'mikulski':3,7,9 F 300073 Mikulski Barbara_Mikulski A. Sen. Barbara Mikulski [D, MD] 2606 N00001945 9907 Democrat 202-224-4654 Roman Catholic MD Barbara Mikulski 2.66666666666667 http://mikulski.senate.gov/ R000361 1937-06-18 4895 531 Hart Senate Office Building http://rockefeller.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm 202-224-7665 John 'd':4 'wv':5 'jay':8 'sen':1 'john':2,6,9 'rockefel':3,7,10 M 300084 Rockefeller John_Rockefeller D. Sen. John Rockefeller [D, WV] 1692 Jay N00001685 10185 Democrat 202-224-6472 Presbyterian WV Jay John Rockefeller 1.0 http://rockefeller.senate.gov/ S001141 1946-12-24 2984 335 Russell Senate Office Building http://sessions.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ConstituentServices.ContactMe 202-224-3149 Jefferson 'r':4 'al':5 'sen':1 'jeff':8 'session':3,7,10 'jefferson':2,6,9 M 300088 Sessions Jeff_Sessions B. Sen. Jefferson Sessions [R, AL] 1343 Jeff N00003062 9324 Republican 202-224-4124 Methodist AL Jeff Jefferson Sessions 3.55555555555556 http://sessions.senate.gov/ S001142 1952-05-25 5160 Gordon 'smith':2,4,6 'gordon':1,3,5 M 300090 Smith Gordon_Smith Harold Gordon Smith 1881 N00007815 7268 Republican Latter Day Saints Gordon Smith 3.71428571428571 S000888 1923-11-18 8197 Ted 'ted':1,3,5 'steven':2,4,6 M 300094 Stevens Ted_Stevens F. Ted Stevens 2728 N00007997 7152 Republican Episcopalian Ted Stevens 0.818181818181818 signed 46700 1223611200 Fri Oct 10 00:00:00 -0500 2008 176870 Signed by President. enacted 46700 1223611200 Fri Oct 10 00:00:00 -0500 2008 176877 Became Public Law No: 110-387. topresident 46700 1222747200 Tue Sep 30 00:00:00 -0500 2008 176100 Presented to President. topresident 46700 1222488000 Sat Sep 27 00:00:00 -0500 2008 175646 Cleared for White House. action 46700 1222488000 Sat Sep 27 00:00:00 -0500 2008 175522 Senate agreed to the House amendment to the bill by Unanimous Consent. action 46700 1222488000 Sat Sep 27 00:00:00 -0500 2008 175523 Message on Senate action sent to the House. action 46700 1222315200 Thu Sep 25 00:00:00 -0500 2008 174176 Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill. vote 46700 1222297800 Wed Sep 24 20:10:00 -0500 2008 by voice vote 173191 pass On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. vote2 h action 46700 1222295580 Wed Sep 24 19:33:00 -0500 2008 173189 Considered under suspension of the rules. action 46700 1222295580 Wed Sep 24 19:33:00 -0500 2008 173188 Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. action 46700 1222295580 Wed Sep 24 19:33:00 -0500 2008 173190 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2162. action 46700 1212596040 Wed Jun 04 13:14:00 -0500 2008 159134 Received in the House. action 46700 1212552000 Wed Jun 04 00:00:00 -0500 2008 159136 Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. action 46700 1212552000 Wed Jun 04 00:00:00 -0500 2008 159135 Message on Senate action sent to the House. action 46700 1212465600 Tue Jun 03 00:00:00 -0500 2008 158902 Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. action 46700 1212465600 Tue Jun 03 00:00:00 -0500 2008 158903 The committee substitute was withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. vote 46700 1212465600 Tue Jun 03 00:00:00 -0500 2008 by Unanimous Consent 158904 pass Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. vote s action 46700 1207627200 Tue Apr 08 00:00:00 -0500 2008 149202 Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Akaka with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-281. calendar 46700 1207627200 Tue Apr 08 00:00:00 -0500 2008 149203 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 632. calendar 46700 1195016400 Wed Nov 14 00:00:00 -0600 2007 176742 Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. action 46700 1195016400 Wed Nov 14 00:00:00 -0600 2007 136702 Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. action 46700 1195016400 Wed Nov 14 00:00:00 -0600 2007 143873 Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Date of scheduled consideration and markup session. SD-562. 9:30 a.m. action 46700 1193198400 Wed Oct 24 00:00:00 -0500 2007 134724 Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. action 46700 1193198400 Wed Oct 24 00:00:00 -0500 2007 143872 Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Date of scheduled hearing. SD-562. 9:30 a.m. introduced 46700 1192420800 Mon Oct 15 00:00:00 -0500 2007 132324 action 46700 1192420800 Mon Oct 15 00:00:00 -0500 2007 132326 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. action 46700 1192420800 Mon Oct 15 00:00:00 -0500 2007 132325 Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12872)