Version	Word Count	Changes From Previous Version	Percent Change
Introduced in House	2,887	n/a	n/a
Reported in House	3,192	11	10%
Engrossed in House	2,866	13	12%
Referred in Senate	2,828	5 Show Changes Hide Changes	2%

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HR 1211 EHRFSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

111th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

H. R. 1211CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

AN ACTCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, 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. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--STUDIES AND ASSESSMENTS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH SERVICES FOR WOMEN VETERANS

Sec. 101. Study of barriers for women veterans to health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Comprehensive assessment of women’s health care programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--IMPROVEMENT AND EXPANSION OF HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR WOMEN VETERANS

Sec. 201. Medical care for newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 202. Training and certification for mental health care providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs on care for veterans suffering from sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 203. Pilot program for provision of child care assistance to certain veterans receiving certain types of health care services at Department facilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 204. Addition of recently separated women and minority veterans to serve on advisory committees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--STUDIES AND ASSESSMENTS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH SERVICES FOR WOMEN VETERANSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 101. STUDY OF BARRIERS FOR WOMEN VETERANS TO HEALTH CARE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) Study Required- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a comprehensive study of the barriers to the provision of comprehensive health care by the Department of Veterans Affairs encountered by women who are veterans. In conducting the study, the Secretary shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) survey women veterans who seek or receive hospital care or medical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs as well as women veterans who do not seek or receive such care or services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) build on the work of the study of the Department of Veterans Affairs entitled ‘National Survey of Women Veterans in Fiscal Year 2007-2008’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) administer the survey to a representative sample of women veterans from each Veterans Integrated Service Network; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) ensure that the sample of women veterans surveyed is of sufficient size for the study results to be statistically significant and is a larger sample than that of the study of the Department of Veterans Affairs entitled ‘National Survey of Women Veterans in Fiscal Year 2007-2008’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Elements of Study- In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct research on the effects of the following on the women veterans surveyed in the study:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The perceived stigma associated with seeking mental health care services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The effect of driving distance or availability of other forms of transportation to the nearest medical facility on access to care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The availability of child care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The acceptability of integrated primary care, women’s health clinics, or both.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The comprehension of eligibility requirements for, and the scope of services available under, hospital care and medical services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) The perception of the personal safety and comfort of women veterans in inpatient, outpatient, and behavioral health facilities of the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) The gender sensitivity of health care providers and staff to issues that particularly affect women.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) The effectiveness of outreach for health care services available to women veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) The location and operating hours of health care facilities that provide services to women veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) Such other significant barriers as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may identify.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Authority To Enter Into Contracts- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into a contract with a qualified independent entity or organization to carry out the studies and research required under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Mandatory Review of Data by Certain Divisions Within the Department-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the head of each division of the Department of Veterans Affairs specified in paragraph (2) reviews the results of the study conducted under this section. The head of each such division shall submit findings with respect to the study to the Under Secretary for Health and to other pertinent program offices within the Department of Veterans Affairs with duties relating to health care services for women veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SPECIFIED DIVISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT- The divisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs specified in this paragraph are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Center for Women Veterans, established under section 318 of title 38, United States Code; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, established under section 542 of title 38, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Reports-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION- Not later than 6 months after the date on which the Department of Veterans Affairs publishes a final report on the study entitled ‘National Survey of Women Veterans in Fiscal Year 2007-2008’, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the status of the implementation of the section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORT ON STUDY- Not later than 30 months after the date on which the Department publishes such final report, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the study required under this section. The report shall include recommendations for such administrative and legislative action as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to be appropriate. The report shall also include the findings of the head of each specified division of the Department and of the Under Secretary for Health.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Definition of Facility of the Department- In this section the term ‘facility of the Department’ has the meaning given that term in section 1701(3) of title 38, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $4,000,000 to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) In General- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of all health care services and programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the health care needs of women veterans. Such comprehensive assessment shall include assessments of specialized programs for women with post-traumatic stress disorder, for women who are homeless, for women who require care for substance abuse or mental illnesses, and for women who require obstetric and gynecologic care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Specific Matters Studied-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IDENTIFICATION OF PROGRAMS- For each medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall identify each of the following types of programs for women veterans provided by the Department and determine whether effective health care services, including evidenced-based health care services, are readily available to and easily accessed by women veterans:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Health promotion programs, including reproductive health promotion programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Disease prevention programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Health care programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) IDENTIFICATION OF RELEVANT ISSUES- In making such determination, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall identify, for each medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the frequency with which such services are available and provided,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the demographics of the women veterans population,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the sites where such services are available and provided, andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) whether, and to what extent, waiting lists, geographic distance, and other factors obstruct the receipt of any of such services at any such site.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Authority To Enter Into a Contract- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into a contract with a qualified independent entity or organization to carry out the studies and research required under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Development of Plan To Improve Services-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) PLAN REQUIRED- After conducting the comprehensive assessment required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop a plan to improve the provision of health care services to women veterans and to project the future health care needs, including the mental health care needs of women serving in the combat theaters of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) LIST OF SERVICES- In developing the plan under this subsection, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall list the types of services available for women veterans at each medical center of the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Report- Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the assessment conducted pursuant to subsection (a) and the plan required under subsection (d). The report shall include recommendations for such administrative and legislative action as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to be appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) GAO Report- Not later than 6 months after the date on which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits the report required under subsection (e), the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report containing the findings of the Comptroller General with respect to the report of the Secretary, which may include such recommendations for administrative or legislative actions as the Comptroller General determines to be appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $5,000,000 to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--IMPROVEMENT AND EXPANSION OF HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR WOMEN VETERANSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 201. MEDICAL CARE FOR NEWBORN CHILDREN OF WOMEN VETERANS RECEIVING MATERNITY CARE.

(a) Newborn Care- Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘Sec. 1786. Hospital care and medical services for newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity care

‘In the case of a child of a woman veteran who is receiving hospital care or medical services at a Department facility (or in another facility pursuant to a contract entered into by the Secretary) relating to the birth of that child, the Secretary may furnish hospital care and medical services to that child at that facility during the seven-day period beginning on the date of the birth of the child.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1785 the following new item:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘1786. Hospital care and medical services for newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity care.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 202. TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ON CARE FOR VETERANS SUFFERING FROM SEXUAL TRAUMA AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

Section 1720D of title 38, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (f); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsections:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) The Secretary shall carry out a program to provide graduate medical education, training, certification, and continuing medical education for mental health professionals who provide counseling, care, and services under subsection (a). In carrying out such program, the Secretary shall ensure that all such mental health professionals have been trained in a consistent manner and that such training includes principles of evidence-based treatment and care for sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) The Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report on the counseling, care, and services provided to veterans pursuant to this section. Each report shall include data for the year covered by the report with respect to each of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) The number of mental health professionals, graduate medical education trainees, and primary care providers who have been certified under the program required by subsection (d) and the amount and nature of continuing medical education provided under such program to such professionals, trainees, and providers who are so certified.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) The number of women veterans who received counseling and care and services under subsection (a) from professionals and providers who received training under subsection (d).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) The number of graduate medical education, training, certification, and continuing medical education courses provided by reason of subsection (d).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) The number of trained full-time equivalent employees required in each facility of the Department to meet the needs of veterans requiring treatment and care for sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) Any recommended improvements for treating women veterans with sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) Such other information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 203. PILOT PROGRAM FOR PROVISION OF CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN VETERANS RECEIVING CERTAIN TYPES OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES AT DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.

(a) In General-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED- Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a two-year pilot program under which, subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide child care assistance to a qualified veteran child care needed by the veteran during the period of time described in paragraph (3).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) FORM OF CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE- Child care assistance under this section may include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) stipends for the payment of child care offered by licensed child care centers (either directly or through a voucher program);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the development of partnerships with private agencies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) collaboration with facilities or programs of other Federal departments or agencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the arrangement of after-school care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PERIOD OF TIME- Child care assistance under the pilot program may only be provided for the period of time that the qualified veteran--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) receives a health care service referred to in paragraph (4) at a facility of the Department; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) requires to travel to and return from such facility for the receipt of such health care service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) QUALIFIED VETERAN DEFINED- In this section, the term ‘qualified veteran’ means a veteran who is the primary caretaker of a child and who is receiving from the Department of Veterans Affairs one or more of the following health care services:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Regular mental health care services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Intensive mental health care services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Any other intensive health care services for which the Secretary determines that the provision of child care would improve access by qualified veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) LOCATION OF PILOT PROGRAM- The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at no fewer than three Veterans Integrated Service Networks.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011 to carry out the pilot program under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Report- Not later than six months after the completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program and shall include recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the pilot program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 204. ADDITION OF RECENTLY SEPARATED WOMEN AND MINORITY VETERANS TO SERVE ON ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

(a) Advisory Committee on Women Veterans- Subsection (a)(2)(A) of section 542 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘and’ at the end of clause (ii);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking the period at the end of clause (iii) and inserting ‘; and’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after clause (iii) the following new clause:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) women who are recently separated veterans.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans- Subsection (a)(2)(A) of section 544 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘and’ at the end of clause (iii);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking the period at the end of clause (iv) and inserting ‘; and’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after clause (iv) the following new clause:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) recently separated veterans who are minority group members.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall first apply to appointments made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Passed the House of Representatives June 23, 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Attest:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1211

AN ACT

To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes LORRAINE C. MILLER, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink