S 882 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To require a pilot program on the facilitation of the transition of members of the Armed Forces to receipt of veterans health care benefits upon completion of military service, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

March 14, 2007

Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. CASEY, Mr. DURBIN, and Mr. KERRY) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To require a pilot program on the facilitation of the transition of members of the Armed Forces to receipt of veterans health care benefits upon completion of military service, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. PILOT PROGRAM ON FACILITATION OF TRANSITION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES TO RECEIPT OF VETERANS HEALTH CARE BENEFITS AFTER COMPLETION OF MILITARY SERVICE.

(a) Program Required-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of utilizing eligible entities to assist members of the Armed Forces, particularly members described in paragraph (2), in applying for and receiving health care benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs and otherwise after completion of military service in order to ensure that such members receive a continuity of care and assistance in and after the transition from military service to civilian life.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) TARGET POPULATIONS- The pilot program shall focus on providing assistance to all members of the Armed Forces, with particular emphasis on the following members:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Members with serious wounds or injuries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Members with mental disorders.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Women members.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Members of the National Guard and the Reserves.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) VETERAN NAVIGATOR- Eligible entities shall provide assistance under the pilot program through qualified individuals who provide such assistance on an individualized basis to members of the Armed Forces described in paragraph (1) as they transition from military service to civilian life and during the commencement of their receipt of health care benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs and otherwise. An individual providing such assistance may be referred to as a `veteran navigator'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) CONSULTATION- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out the pilot program in consultation with the Secretary of Defense.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Duration of Program- The pilot program shall be carried out during the five-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Program Locations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The pilot program shall be carried out at locations selected by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for purposes of the pilot program. Of the locations so selected--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) at least one shall be in the vicinity of a military medical treatment facility (MTF) that treats members of the Armed Forces who are seriously wounded or injured in Afghanistan or Iraq;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) at least one shall be in the vicinity of a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center located in a rural area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) at least one shall be in the vicinity of a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center located in an urban area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS- Any locations for the pilot program that are in addition to the locations selected under paragraph (1) shall be selected by the Secretary in consultation with the grant application evaluation panel appointed under subsection (f)(3).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Grants-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out the pilot program through the award of grants to eligible entities for the provision of assistance to members of the Armed Forces as described in subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DURATION- The duration of any grant awarded under the pilot program may not exceed three years. However, any such grant may be renewed for a period not to exceed one year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Eligible Entities- For purposes of this subsection, an eligible entity is any entity or organization that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) is independent of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) has or can acquire the capacity, including appropriate personnel, to provide assistance under the pilot program as described in subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Selection of Grant Recipients-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) APPLICATION- An eligible entity seeking a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs an application therefor in such form and in such manner as the Secretary considers appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ELEMENTS- Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) A description of the population of members of the Armed Forces to be provided assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) A description of the outreach to be conducted by the eligible entity concerned to notify members of the Armed Forces of the availability of such assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) If the population of veterans described in subparagraph (A) consists of members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (a)(2), the particular actions to be taken to provide such assistance to such members of the Armed Forces.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) EVALUATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall be evaluated by a panel appointed by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) MEMBERSHIP OF PANEL- Members of the panel shall be appointed from among individuals as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Officers and employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) With the approval of the Secretary of Defense, officers and employees of the Department of Defense.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) Representatives of veterans service organizations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) Representatives of organizations that provide services to members of the Armed Forces.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) RECOMMENDATION- Upon completion of the evaluation of an application under this subsection, the panel shall recommend to the Secretary whether or not to approve the application.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) RECUSAL- No member of the panel may evaluate an application that is submitted by an entity with which such member is affiliated.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) APPROVAL- The Secretary shall approve or disapprove each application submitted under paragraph (1). In determining whether to approve or disapprove an application, the Secretary shall take into account the recommendation on such application by the panel appointed by the Secretary under paragraph (3).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Use of Grant Funds-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant to recruit, assign, train, and employ individuals to provide assistance on an individualized basis to members of the Armed Forces, particularly members described in subsection (a)(2), as they transition from military service to civilian life and during the commencement of their receipt of health care benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs and otherwise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) QUALIFICATIONS- Any organization providing assistance under the pilot program shall employ individuals who collectively--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) have an understanding of the unique health care needs of members of the Armed Forces as they transition from military service to civilian life;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) have an understanding of the military medical treatment system of the Department of Defense; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) have an understanding of eligibility for benefits and services, mechanisms for enrollment or participation, and receipt of benefits and services in and through various systems and programs of health care benefits and services for veterans, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) other health care systems and programs, including health care systems and programs of other departments and agencies of the Federal Government, State and local governments, and other public and private entities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) SCOPE OF ASSISTANCE- In providing assistance to a member of the Armed Forces under the pilot program, an individual shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) assist the member in identifying the unique health care needs of the member (including mental health care);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) assist the member in enrolling in the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs after separation from military service;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) assist the member in identifying and applying for any other health care benefits or services to which the member may be entitled after military service; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) assist the member in obtaining the timely commencement of health care benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the timely commencement of other veterans health care benefits and services, so that the member receives a continuity of health care and assistance in and after the transition from military service to civilian life.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) COORDINATION- In providing assistance to members of the Armed Forces under the pilot programs, individuals providing such assistance shall coordinate closely with appropriate personnel of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) develop relationships (including information sharing) that enhance the effectiveness of such assistance;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) eliminate overlap or duplication of effort; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) otherwise facilitate a continuity of care and assistance for such members in and after the transition from military service to civilian life.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) TRAINING- An eligible entity awarded a grant under the pilot program may use grant funds for the provision of training to individuals who provide assistance under the pilot program on matters covered by the pilot program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) REPORTS- Each eligible entity awarded a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the Secretary, with such frequency as the Secretary shall specify, reports on the activities undertaken under the pilot program. Each report of an eligible entity shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a description of the activities undertaken by such eligible entity during the period covered by such report; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an assessment of the effectiveness of such activities in ensuring that members of the Armed Forces receive a continuity of care and assistance in and after the transition from military service to civilian life.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Duplication of Services- The Secretary may not award a grant under subsection (d) to an eligible entity that is receiving federal funds for activities described in paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (g) on the date on which the eligible entity submits an application subsection (f)(1) unless the Secretary determines that the eligible entity will use amounts received under the grant to expand services or provide new services to individuals who would not otherwise be served.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Report on Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than six months after the completion of the pilot program, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress report on the pilot program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ELEMENTS- The report shall include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) A description of the activities undertaken under the pilot program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) An assessment of the effectiveness of such activities in ensuring that members of the Armed Forces receive a continuity of care and assistance in and after the transition from military service to civilian life.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action, including action to extend, expand, or make permanent the pilot program, as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of the pilot program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Authorization of Appropriations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- There is authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out this section, amounts as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) For fiscal year 2008, $2,000,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) For fiscal year 2009, $5,000,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) For fiscal year 2010, $8,000,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) For fiscal year 2011, $6,500,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) For fiscal year 2012, $3,500,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AVAILABILITY- Any amount authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1) shall remain available for obligation through the end of fiscal year 2012.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink