[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 12, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H8763-H8773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEBORAH SAMPSON ACT
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3224) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for
increased access to Department of Veterans Affairs medical care for
women veterans, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3224
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Deborah
Sampson Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 101. Office of Women's Health in the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Sec. 102. Expansion of capabilities of women veterans call center to
include text messaging.
Sec. 103. Requirement for Department of Veterans Affairs internet
website to provide information on services available to
women veterans.
Sec. 104. Report on Women Veterans Retrofit Initiative.
Sec. 105. Establishment of environment of care standards and
inspections at Department of Veterans Affairs medical
centers.
Sec. 106. Additional funding for primary care and emergency care
clinicians in Women Veterans Health Care Mini-Residency
Program.
Sec. 107. Establishment of women veteran training module for non-
Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers.
TITLE II--MEDICAL CARE
Sec. 201. Improved access to Department of Veterans Affairs medical
care for women veterans.
Sec. 202. Counseling and treatment for sexual trauma.
Sec. 203. Counseling in retreat settings for women veterans and other
individuals.
Sec. 204. Improvement of health care services provided to newborn
children by Department of Veterans Affairs.
TITLE III--REPORTS AND OTHER MATTERS
Subtitle A--Reports
Sec. 301. Assessment of effects of intimate partner violence on women
veterans by Advisory Committee on Women Veterans.
Sec. 302. Study on staffing of Women Veteran Program Manager program at
medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs and
training of staff.
Sec. 303. Report on availability of prosthetic items for women veterans
from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 304. Study of barriers for women veterans to health care from the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 305. Report regarding veterans who receive benefits under laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 306. Study on Women Veteran Coordinator program.
Subtitle B--Other Matters
Sec. 321. Anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault policy of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 322. Support for organizations that have a focus on providing
assistance to women veterans and their families.
Sec. 323. Gap analysis of Department of Veterans Affairs programs that
provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless.
Sec. 324. Department of Veterans Affairs public-private partnership on
legal services for women veterans.
Sec. 325. Program to assist veterans who experience intimate partner
violence or sexual assault.
Sec. 326. Study and task force on veterans experiencing intimate
partner violence or sexual assault.
TITLE I--VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 101. OFFICE OF WOMEN'S HEALTH IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Director of Women's Health.--Subsection (a) of section
7306 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (11); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following new
paragraph:
``(10) The Director of Women's Health.''.
(b) Organization of Office.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 73 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end of the
following new sections:
``Sec. 7310. Office of Women's Health
``(a) Establishment.--(1) The Under Secretary for Health
shall establish and operate in the Veterans Health
Administration the Office of Women's Health (hereinafter in
this section referred to as the `Office'). The Office shall
be located at the Central Office of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
``(2) The head of the Office is the Director of Women's
Health (hereinafter in this section referred to as the
`Director'). The Director shall report to the Under Secretary
for Health.
``(3) The Under Secretary for Health shall provide the
Office with such staff and other support as may be necessary
for the Office to carry out effectively its functions under
this section.
``(4) The Under Secretary for Health may reorganize
existing offices within the Veterans Health Administration as
of the date of the enactment of this section in order to
avoid duplication with the functions of the Office.
``(b) Purpose.--The functions of the Office include the
following:
``(1) To provide a central office for monitoring and
encouraging the activities of the Veterans Health
Administration with respect to the provision, evaluation, and
improvement of women veterans' health care services in the
Department.
``(2) To develop and implement standards of care for the
provision of health care for women veterans in the
Department.
``(3) To monitor and identify deficiencies in standards of
care for the provision of health care for women veterans in
the Department, to provide technical assistance to medical
facilities of the Department to address and remedy
deficiencies, and to perform oversight of implementation of
standards of care for women veterans' health care in the
Department.
``(4) To monitor and identify deficiencies in standards of
care for the provision of health care for women veterans
provided through the community pursuant to this title, and to
provide recommendations to the appropriate office to address
and remedy any deficiencies.
``(5) To oversee distribution of resources and information
related to women veterans' health programming under this
title.
``(6) To promote the expansion and improvement of clinical,
research, and educational activities of the Veterans Health
Administration with respect the health care of women
veterans.
``(7) To provide, as part of the annual budgeting process,
recommendations with respect to the amount of funds to be
requested for furnishing hospital care and medical services
to women veterans pursuant to chapter 17 of this title,
including, at a minimum, recommendations that ensure that
such amount of funds either reflect or exceed the proportion
of veterans enrolled in the patient enrollment system under
section 1705 of this title who are women.
``(8) To provide recommendations to the Under Secretary for
Health with respect to modifying the Veterans Equitable
Resource Allocation system to ensure that resource
allocations under such system reflect the health care needs
of women veterans.
``(9) To carry out such other duties as the Under Secretary
for Health may require.
``(c) Recommendations.--If the Under Secretary for Health
determines not to implement any recommendation made by the
Director with respect to the allocation of resources to
address the health care needs of women veterans, the
Secretary shall notify the appropriate congressional
committees of such determination by not later than 30 days
after the date on which the Under Secretary for Health
receives the recommendation. Each such notification shall
include the following:
``(1) The reasoning of the Under Secretary for Health in
making such determination.
``(2) An alternative, if one is selected, to such
recommendation that the Under Secretary for Health will carry
out to fulfill the health care needs of women veterans.
``(d) Standards of Care.--In this section, the standards of
care for the provision of health care for women veterans in
the Department shall include, at a minimum, the following:
``(1) Requirement for--
``(A) at least one designated women's health primary care
provider at each medical center whose duties include, to the
extent practicable, providing training to other health care
providers of the Department with respect to the needs of
women veterans; and
``(B) at least one designated women's health primary care
provider at each community-based outpatient clinic of the
Department who may serve female patients as a percentage of
the total duties of the provider.
``(2) Other requirements as determined by the Under
Secretary for Health.
``(e) Outreach.--The Director shall ensure that--
[[Page H8764]]
``(1) not less frequently than biannually, each medical
facility of the Department holds a public forum for women
veterans that occurs outside of regular business hours; and
``(2) not less frequently than quarterly, each medical
facility of the Department convenes a focus group of women
veterans that includes a discussion of harassment occurring
at such facility.
``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `appropriate congressional committees' has
the meaning given that term in section 7310A of this title.
``(2) The term `facility of the Department' has the meaning
given the term in section 1701(3).
``(3) The term `Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation
system' means the resource allocation system established
pursuant to section 429 of the Departments of Veterans
Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 (Public Law 104-204; 110
Stat. 2929).
``Sec. 7310A. Annual reports on women's Health
``(a) Annual Reports.--Not later than December 1 of each
year, the Director of Women's Health shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report containing the
matters under subsections (b) through (g).
``(b) Office of Women's Health.--Each report under
subsection (a) shall include a description of--
``(1) actions taken by the Office of Women's Health in the
preceding fiscal year to improve the Department's provision
of health care to women veterans;
``(2) any identified deficiencies related to the
Department's provision of health care to women veterans and
the standards of care established in section 7310 of this
title, and the Department's plan to address such
deficiencies;
``(3) the funding and personnel provided to the Office and
whether additional funding or personnel are needed to meet
the requirements of such section; and
``(4) other information that would be of interest to the
appropriate congressional committees with respect to
oversight of the Department's provision of health care to
women veterans.
``(c) Access to Gender-specific Services.--Each report
under subsection (a) shall include an analysis of the access
of women veterans to gender-specific services under
contracts, agreements, or other arrangements with non-
Department medical providers entered into by the Secretary
for the provision of hospital care or medical services to
veterans. Such analysis shall include data and performance
measures for the availability of gender specific services,
including--
``(1) the average wait time between the veteran's preferred
appointment date and the date on which the appointment is
completed;
``(2) the average driving time required for veterans to
attend appointments; and
``(3) reasons why appointments could not be scheduled with
non-Department medical providers.
``(d) Locations Where Women Veterans Are Using Health
Care.--Each report under subsection (a) shall include an
analysis of the use by women veterans of health care from the
Department, including the following information:
``(1) The number of women veterans who reside in each
State.
``(2) The number of women veterans in each State who are
enrolled in the system of patient enrollment of the
Department established and operated under section 1705(a)
this title.
``(3) Of the women veterans who are so enrolled, the number
who have received health care under the laws administered by
the Secretary at least one time during the one-year period
preceding the submittal of the report.
``(4) The number of women veterans who have been seen at
each medical facility of the Department during such year.
``(5) The number of appointments that women veterans have
had at each such facility during such year.
``(6) If known, an identification of the medical facility
of the Department in each Veterans Integrated Service Network
with the largest rate of increase in patient population of
women veterans as measured by the increase in unique women
veteran patient use.
``(7) If known, an identification of the medical facility
of the Department in each Veterans Integrated Service Network
with the largest rate of decrease in patient population of
women veterans as measured by the decrease in unique women
veterans patient use.
``(e) Models of Care.--Each report under subsection (a)
shall include an analysis of the use by the Department of
general primary care clinics, separate but shared spaces, and
women's health centers as models of providing health care to
women veterans. Such analysis shall include the following:
``(1) The number of facilities of the Department that fall
into each such model, disaggregated by Veterans Integrated
Service Network and State.
``(2) A description of the criteria used by the Department
to determine which such model is most appropriate for each
facility of the Department.
``(3) An assessment of how the Department decides to make
investments to modify facilities to a different model.
``(4) A description of what, if any, plans the Department
has to modify facilities from general primary care clinics to
another model.
``(5) An assessment of whether any facilities could be
modified to a separate but shared space for a women's health
center within planned investments under the strategic capital
investment planning process of the Department.
``(6) An assessment of whether any facilities could be
modified to a separate or shared space, or women's health
center with minor modifications to existing plans under the
strategic capital investment planning process of the
Department.
``(7) An assessment of whether the Department has a goal
for how many facilities should fall into each such model.
``(f) Staffing.--Each report under subsection (a) shall
include an analysis of the staffing of the Department
relating to the treatment of women, including the following,
disaggregated by Veterans Integrated Service Network and
State (except with respect to paragraph (4)):
``(1) The number of women's health centers.
``(2) The number of patient aligned care teams of the
Department relating to women's health.
``(3) The number of full- and part-time gynecologists of
the Department.
``(4) The number of designated women's health care
providers of the Department, disaggregated by facility of the
Department.
``(5) The number of health care providers of the Department
who have completed a mini-residency for women's health care
through Women Veterans Health Care Mini-Residency Program of
the Department during the one-year period preceding the
submittal of the report, and the number that plan to
participate in such a mini-residency during the one-year
period following such date.
``(6) The number of designated women's health care
providers of the Department who have sufficient female
patients to retain their competencies and proficiencies.
``(g) Accessibility and Treatment Options.--Each report
under subsection (a) shall include an analysis of the
accessibility and treatment options for women veterans,
including the following:
``(1) An assessment of wheelchair accessibility of women's
health centers of the Department, including, with respect to
each such facility, an assessment of such accessibility for
each kind of treatment provided at the center, including with
respect to radiology and mammography, that addresses all
relevant factors, including door sizes, hoists, and
equipment.
``(2) The options for women veterans to access female
mental health providers and primary care providers.
``(3) The options for women veterans at medical facilities
of the Department with respect to clothing sizes, including
for gowns, drawstring pants, and pajamas.
``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `appropriate congressional committees'
means--
``(A) the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate; and
``(B) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
``(2) The term `gender-specific services' means
mammography, obstetric care, gynecological care, and such
other services as the Secretary determines appropriate.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for such
chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 7309A the following new items:
``7310. Office of Women's Health.
``7310A. Annual reports on women's Health.''.
(c) Initial Report.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit the initial report under section 7310A of title
38, United States Code, as added by subsection (b), by not
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 102. EXPANSION OF CAPABILITIES OF WOMEN VETERANS CALL
CENTER TO INCLUDE TEXT MESSAGING.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall expand the
capabilities of the Women Veterans Call Center of the
Department of Veterans Affairs to include a text messaging
capability.
SEC. 103. REQUIREMENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
INTERNET WEBSITE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON
SERVICES AVAILABLE TO WOMEN VETERANS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
survey the internet websites and information resources of the
Department of Veterans Affairs in effect on the day before
the date of the enactment of this Act and publish an internet
website that serves as a centralized source for the provision
to women veterans of information about the benefits and
services available to them under laws administered by the
Secretary.
(b) Elements.--The internet website published under
subsection (a) shall provide to women veterans information
regarding all of the services available in the district in
which the veteran is seeking such services, including, with
respect to each medical center and community-based outpatient
clinic in the applicable Veterans Integrated Service
Network--
(1) the name and contact information of each women veterans
program manager;
(2) a list of appropriate staff for other benefits
available from the Veterans Benefits Administration, the
National Cemetery Administration, and such other entities as
the Secretary considers appropriate; and
[[Page H8765]]
(3) such other information as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(c) Updated Information.--The Secretary shall ensure that
the information described in subsection (b) that is published
on the internet website required by subsection (a) is updated
not less frequently than once every 90 days.
(d) Outreach.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary
shall ensure that the outreach conducted under section
1720F(i) of title 38, United States Code, includes
information regarding the internet website required by
subsection (a).
(e) Derivation of Funds.--Amounts used by the Secretary to
carry out this section shall be derived from amounts made
available to the Secretary to publish internet websites of
the Department.
SEC. 104. REPORT ON WOMEN VETERANS RETROFIT INITIATIVE.
(a) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and the
Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of
Representatives a report on requirements to retrofit existing
medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs with
fixtures, materials, and other outfitting measures to support
the provision of care to women veterans at such facilities.
(b) Elements.--The report under subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) An assessment of how the Secretary prioritizes
retrofitting existing medical facilities to support provision
of care to women veterans in comparison to other
requirements.
(2) A five-year plan for retrofitting medical facilities of
the Department to support the provision of care to women
veterans.
SEC. 105. ESTABLISHMENT OF ENVIRONMENT OF CARE STANDARDS AND
INSPECTIONS AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
MEDICAL CENTERS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish a policy under which the environment of care
standards and inspections at medical centers of the
Department of Veterans Affairs include--
(1) an alignment of the requirements for such standards and
inspections with the women's health handbook of the Veterans
Health Administration;
(2) a requirement for the frequency of such inspections;
(3) delineation of the roles and responsibilities of staff
at the medical center who are responsible for compliance;
(4) the requirement that each medical center submit to the
Secretary and make publicly available a report on the
compliance of the medical center with the standards; and
(5) a remediation plan.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives certification in writing that the policy
required by subsection (a) has been finalized and
disseminated to Department all medical centers.
SEC. 106. ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR PRIMARY CARE AND EMERGENCY
CARE CLINICIANS IN WOMEN VETERANS HEALTH CARE
MINI-RESIDENCY PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $1,000,000 for each fiscal
year for the Women Veterans Health Care Mini-Residency
Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide
opportunities for participation in such program for primary
care and emergency care clinicians.
(b) Treatment of Amounts.--The amounts authorized to be
appropriated under subsection (a) shall be in addition to
amounts otherwise made available to the Secretary for the
purposes set forth in such subsection.
SEC. 107. ESTABLISHMENT OF WOMEN VETERAN TRAINING MODULE FOR
NON-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH CARE
PROVIDERS.
(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall establish and make available to community providers a
training module that is specific to women veterans.
(b) Community Provider Defined.--In this section, the term
``community provider'' means a non-Department of Veterans
Affairs health care provider who provides health care to
veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs.
TITLE II--MEDICAL CARE
SEC. 201. IMPROVED ACCESS TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
MEDICAL CARE FOR WOMEN VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 1720J. Medical services for women veterans
``(a) Access to Care.--The Secretary shall ensure that
women's health primary care services are available during
regular business hours at every medical center and community
based outpatient clinic of the Department.
``(b) Study on Extended Hours of Care.--The Secretary shall
conduct a study to assess--
``(1) the use of extended hours as a means of reducing
barriers to care;
``(2) the need for extended hours based on interviews with
women veterans and employees; and
``(3) the best practices and resources required to
implement use of extended hours.
``(c) Annual Report to Congress.--Not later than September
30 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on
compliance with subsection (a).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 1720I the following new item:
``1720J. Medical services for women veterans.''.
SEC. 202. COUNSELING AND TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL TRAUMA.
Section 1720D of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``active duty, active
duty for training, or inactive duty training'' and inserting
``duty, regardless of duty status or line of duty
determination (as that term is used in section 12323 of title
10)''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``active duty, active
duty for training, or inactive duty training'' and inserting
``duty, regardless of duty status or line of duty
determination (as that term is used in section 12323 of title
10)'';
(2) by striking ``veteran'' each place it appears and
inserting ``former member of the Armed Forces'';
(3) by striking ``veterans'' each place it appears and
inserting ``former members of the Armed Forces''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(g) In this section, the term `former member of the Armed
Forces' includes the following:
``(1) A veteran described in section 101(2) of this title.
``(2) An individual not described in paragraph (1) who was
discharged or released from the Armed Forces under a
condition that is not honorable but not--
``(A) a dishonorable discharge; or
``(B) a discharge by court-martial.''.
SEC. 203. COUNSELING IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN VETERANS
AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 17 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by inserting after section 1712C the
following new section:
``Sec. 1712D. Counseling in retreat settings for women
veterans and other individuals
``(a) Program.--(1) Commencing not later than January 1,
2021, the Secretary shall carry out, through the Readjustment
Counseling Service of the Veterans Health Administration, a
program to provide reintegration and readjustment services
described in subsection (b) in group retreat settings to
covered individuals, including cohorts of women veterans who
are eligible for readjustment counseling services under
section 1712A of this title.
``(2) The participation of a covered individual in the
program under paragraph (1) shall be at the election of the
individual.
``(b) Covered Services.--The services provided to a covered
individual under the program under subsection (a)(1) shall
include the following:
``(1) Information on reintegration into the family,
employment, and community of the individual.
``(2) Financial counseling.
``(3) Occupational counseling.
``(4) Information and counseling on stress reduction.
``(5) Information and counseling on conflict resolution.
``(6) Such other information and counseling as the
Secretary considers appropriate to assist the individual in
reintegration into the family, employment, and community of
the veteran.
``(c) Biennial Reports.--Not later than December 31, 2022,
and each even-numbered year thereafter, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a report on the program under
subsection (a)(1).
``(d) Covered Individual Defined.--In this section, the
term `covered individual' means--
``(1) Any veteran who is enrolled in the system of annual
patient enrollment under section 1705 of this title.
``(2) Any survivor or dependent of a veteran who is
eligible for medical care under section 1781 of this
title.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 1712C the following new item:
``1712D. Counseling in retreat settings for women veterans and other
individuals.''.
SEC. 204. IMPROVEMENT OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES PROVIDED TO
NEWBORN CHILDREN BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) Expansion.--Section 1786 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``seven days'' and inserting ``14 days'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(f) Annual Report.--Not later than 60 days after the end
of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report on the health care services provided
under subsection (a) during
[[Page H8766]]
such fiscal year, including the number of newborn children
who received such services during such fiscal year.''.
(b) Authority to Furnish Medically Necessary Transportation
for Newborn Children of Certain Women Veterans.--Such section
is further amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter before paragraph (1)--
(i) by inserting ``and transportation necessary to receive
such services'' after ``described in subsection (b)''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, except as provided in subsection
(e),'' after ``14 days'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or'';
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; or''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) another location, including a health care facility,
if the veteran delivers the child before arriving at a
facility described in paragraph (1) or (2).'';
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting before the period at
the end the following: ``, including necessary health care
services provided by a facility other than the facility where
the newborn child was delivered (including a specialty
pediatric hospital) that accepts transfer of the newborn
child and responsibility for treatment of the newborn
child''; and
(3) by inserting before subsection (f), as added by
subsection (a), the following new subsections:
``(c) Transportation.--(1) Transportation furnished under
subsection (a) to, from, or between care settings to meet the
needs of a newborn child includes costs for either or both
the newborn child and parents.
``(2) Transportation furnished under subsection (a) is
transportation by ambulance, including air ambulance, or
other appropriate medically staffed modes of transportation--
``(A) to another health care facility (including a
specialty pediatric hospital) that accepts transfer of the
newborn child or otherwise provides post-delivery care
services when the treating facility is not capable of
furnishing the care or services required; or
``(B) to a health care facility in a medical emergency of
such nature that a prudent layperson reasonably expects that
delay in seeking immediate medical attention would be
hazardous to life or health.
``(3) Amounts paid by the Department for transportation
under this section shall be derived from the Medical Services
appropriations account of the Department.
``(d) Reimbursement or Payment for Health Care Services or
Transportation.--(1) Pursuant to regulations the Secretary
shall prescribe to establish rates of reimbursement and any
limitations thereto under this section, the Secretary shall
directly reimburse a covered entity for health care services
or transportation services provided under this section,
unless the cost of the services or transportation is covered
by an established agreement or contract. If such an agreement
or contract exists, its negotiated payment terms shall apply.
``(2)(A) Reimbursement or payment by the Secretary under
this section on behalf of an individual to a covered entity
shall, unless rejected and refunded by the covered entity
within 30 days of receipt, extinguish any liability on the
part of the individual for the health care services or
transportation covered by such payment.
``(B) Neither the absence of a contract or agreement
between the Secretary and a covered entity nor any provision
of a contract, agreement, or assignment to the contrary shall
operate to modify, limit, or negate the requirements of
subparagraph (A).
``(3) In this subsection, the term `covered entity' means
any individual, transportation carrier, organization, or
other entity that furnished or paid for health care services
or transportation under this section.
``(e) Exception.--Pursuant to such regulations as the
Secretary shall prescribe to carry out this section, the
Secretary may furnish more than 14 days of health care
services described in subsection (b), and transportation
necessary to receive such services, to a newborn child based
on medical necessity if the child is in need of additional
care, including a case in which the newborn child has been
discharged or released from a hospital and requires
readmittance to ensure the health and welfare of the newborn
child.''.
(c) Treatment of Certain Expenses Already Incurred.--
Pursuant to such regulations as the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall prescribe, the Secretary may provide
reimbursement under section 1786 of title 38, United States
Code, as amended by subsection (a), health care services or
transportation services furnished to a newborn child during
the period beginning on May 5, 2010, and ending on the date
of the enactment of this Act, if the Secretary determines
that, under the circumstances applicable with respect to the
newborn, such reimbursement appropriate.
TITLE III--REPORTS AND OTHER MATTERS
Subtitle A--Reports
SEC. 301. ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
ON WOMEN VETERANS BY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
WOMEN VETERANS.
Section 542(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D);
and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new
subparagraph (C):
``(C) an assessment of the effects of intimate partner
violence on women veterans; and''.
SEC. 302. STUDY ON STAFFING OF WOMEN VETERAN PROGRAM MANAGER
PROGRAM AT MEDICAL CENTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS AND TRAINING OF STAFF.
(a) Study.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct
a study on the use of the Women Veteran Program Manager
program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine--
(1) if the program is appropriately staffed at each medical
center of the Department;
(2) whether each medical center of the Department is
staffed with a Women Veteran Program Manager; and
(3) whether it would be feasible and advisable to have a
Women Veteran Program Ombudsman at each medical center of the
Department.
(b) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report on the study conducted under
subsection (a).
(c) Training.--The Secretary shall ensure that all Women
Veteran Program Managers and Women Veteran Program Ombudsmen
receive the proper training to carry out their duties.
SEC. 303. REPORT ON AVAILABILITY OF PROSTHETIC ITEMS FOR
WOMEN VETERANS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report on the availability from the
Department of Veterans Affairs of prosthetic items made for
women veterans, including an assessment of the availability
of such prosthetic items at each medical facility of the
Department. The report shall--
(1) address efforts on research, development, and
employment of additive manufacture technology (commonly
referred to as ``3D printing'') to provide prosthetic items
for women veterans; and
(2) include a survey with a representative sample of 50,000
veterans (of which women shall be overrrepresented) in
amputee care program on satisfaction with prosthetics
furnished or procured by the Department that replace
appendages or their function.
SEC. 304. 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--
(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;
(2) administer the survey to a representative sample of
women veterans from each Veterans Integrated Service Network;
and
(3) 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
referred to in subsection (b)(1).
(b) Use of Previous Studies.--In conducting the study
required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall build on the
work of the studies of the Department of Veterans Affairs
titled--
(1) ``National Survey of Women Veterans in Fiscal Year
2007-2008''; and
(2) ``Study of Barriers for Women Veterans to VA Health
Care 2015''.
(c) Elements of Study.--In conducting the study required by
subsection (a), the Secretary shall conduct research on the
effects of the following on the women veterans surveyed in
the study:
(1) The barriers associated with seeking mental health care
services, including with respect to provider availability,
telehealth access, and family, work, and school obligations.
(2) The effect of driving distance or availability of other
forms of transportation to the nearest medical facility on
access to care.
(3) The effect of access to care in the community.
(4) The availability of child care.
(5) The acceptability of integrated primary care, women's
health clinics, or both.
(6) The comprehension of eligibility requirements for, and
the scope of services available under, hospital care and
medical services.
(7) The perception of personal safety and comfort in
inpatient, outpatient, and behavioral health facilities.
(8) The gender sensitivity of health care providers and
staff to issues that particularly affect women.
(9) The effectiveness of outreach for health care services
available to women veterans.
(10) The location and operating hours of health care
facilities that provide services to women veterans.
(11) The perception of women veterans regarding the motto
of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
[[Page H8767]]
(12) Such other significant barriers as the Secretary
considers appropriate.
(d) Discharge by Contract.--The Secretary shall enter into
a contract with a qualified independent entity or
organization to carry out the study and research required
under this section.
(e) Mandatory Review of Data by Certain Department
Divisions.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary 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 responsibilities relating to health care
services for women veterans.
(2) Specified divisions.--The divisions of the Department
of Veterans Affairs specified in this paragraph are the
following:
(A) The Under Secretary for Health.
(B) The Office of Women's Health.
(C) The Center for Women Veterans established under section
318 of title 38, United States Code.
(D) The Advisory Committee on Women Veterans established
under section 542 of such title.
(f) Report.--Not later than 30 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary 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 considers appropriate.
The report shall also include the findings of the head of
each division of the Department specified under subsection
(e)(2) and of the Under Secretary for Health.
SEC. 305. REPORT REGARDING VETERANS WHO RECEIVE BENEFITS
UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall publish a report regarding veterans who receive
benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, including
the Transition Assistance Program under sections 1142 and
1144 of title 10, United States Code.
(b) Data.--The data regarding veterans published in the
report under subsection (a)--
(1) shall be disaggregated by--
(A) sex;
(B) minority group member status; and
(C) minority group member status listed by sex.
(2) may not include any personally identifiable
information.
(c) Matters Included.--The report under subsection (a)
shall include--
(1) identification of any disparities in the use of
benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; and
(2) an analysis of the cause of such disparities and
recommendations to address such disparities.
(d) Minority Group Member Defined.--In this section, the
term ``minority group member'' has the meaning given that
term in section 544 of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 306. STUDY ON WOMEN VETERAN COORDINATOR PROGRAM.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to
the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a report containing a study on
the Women Veteran Coordinator program of the Veterans
Benefits Administration of the Department of Veterans
Affairs. Such study shall identify the following:
(1) If the program is appropriately staffed at each
regional benefits office of the Department.
(2) Whether each regional benefits office of the Department
is staffed with a Women Veteran Coordinator.
(3) The position description of the Women Veteran
Coordinator.
(4) Whether an individual serving in the Women Veteran
Coordinator position concurrently serves in any other
position, and if so, the allocation of time the individual
spends in each such position.
(5) A description of the metrics the Secretary uses to
determine the success and performance of the Women Veteran
Coordinator.
Subtitle B--Other Matters
SEC. 321. ANTI-HARASSMENT AND ANTI-SEXUAL ASSAULT POLICY OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 533. Anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault policy
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall establish a comprehensive policy to end harassment and
sexual assault, including sexual harassment and gender-based
harassment, throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs.
This policy shall include the following:
``(1) A process for employees and contractors of the
Department to respond to reported incidents of harassment and
sexual assault committed by any non-Department individual
within a facility of the Department, including with respect
to accountability or disciplinary measures.
``(2) A process for employees and contractors of the
Department to respond to reported incidents of harassment and
sexual assault of any non-Department individual within a
facility of the Department.
``(3) A process for any non-Department individual to report
harassment and sexual assault described in paragraph (1),
including an option for confidential reporting, and for the
Secretary to respond to and address such reports.
``(4) Clear mechanisms for non-Department individuals to
readily identify to whom and how to report incidents of
harassment and sexual assault committed by another non-
Department individual.
``(5) Clear mechanisms for employees and contractors of the
Department to readily identify to whom and how to report
incidents of harassment and sexual assault and how to refer
non-Department individuals with respect to reporting an
incident of harassment or sexual assault.
``(6) A process for, and mandatory reporting requirement
applicable to, any employee or contractor of the Department
who witnesses harassment or sexual assault described in
paragraph (1) or (2) within a facility of the Department,
regardless of whether the individual affected by such
harassment or sexual assault wants to report such harassment
or sexual assault.
``(7) The actions possible, including disciplinary actions,
for employees or contractors of the Department who fail to
report incidents of harassment and sexual assault described
in paragraph (1) or (2) that the employees or contractors
witness.
``(8) On an annual or more frequent basis, mandatory
training for employees and contractors of the Department
regarding how to report and address harassment and sexual
assault described in paragraphs (1) and (2), including
bystander intervention training.
``(9) On an annual or more frequent basis, the distribution
of the policy under this subsection and anti-harassment and
anti-sexual assault educational materials by mail or email to
each individual receiving a benefit under a law administered
by the Secretary.
``(10) The prominent display of anti-harassment and anti-
sexual assault messages in each facility of the Department,
including how non-Department individuals may report
harassment and sexual assault described in paragraphs (1) and
(2) at such facility and the points of contact under
subsection (b).
``(11) The posting on internet websites of the Department,
including the main internet website regarding benefits of the
Department and the main internet website regarding health
care of the Department, of anti-harassment and anti-sexual
assault banners specifically addressing harassment and sexual
assault described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
``(b) Points of Contact.--The Secretary shall designate, as
a point of contact to receive reports of harassment and
sexual assault described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of
subsection (a)--
``(1) at least one individual, in addition to law
enforcement, at each facility of the Department (including
Vet Centers under section 1712A of this title), with regard
to that facility;
``(2) at least one individual employed in each Veterans
Integrated Service Network, with regards to facilities in
that Veterans Integrated Service Network;
``(3) at least one individual employed in each regional
benefits office;
``(4) at least one individual employed at each location of
the National Cemetery Administration; and
``(5) at least one individual employed at the Central
Office of the Department to track reports of such harassment
and sexual assault across the Department, disaggregated by
facility.
``(c) Accountability.--The Secretary shall establish a
policy to ensure that each facility of the Department and
each director of a Veterans Integrated Service Network is
responsible for addressing harassment and sexual assault at
the facility and the Network. Such policy shall include--
``(1) a remediation plan for facilities that experience
five or more incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault,
or combination thereof, during any single fiscal year; and
``(2) taking appropriate actions under chapter 7 or
subchapter V of chapter 74 of this title.
``(d) Data.--The Secretary shall ensure that the in-take
process for veterans at medical facilities of the Department
includes a survey to collect the following information:
``(1) Whether the veteran feels safe at the facility and
whether any events occurred at the facility that affect such
feeling.
``(2) Whether the veteran wants to be contacted later by
the Department with respect to such safety issues.
``(e) Working Group.--(1) The Secretary shall establish a
working group to assist the Secretary in implementing
policies to carry out this section.
``(2) The working group established under paragraph (1)
shall consist of representatives from--
``(A) veterans service organizations;
``(B) State, local, and Tribal veterans agencies; and
``(C) other persons the Secretary determines appropriate.
``(3) The working group established under paragraph (1)
shall develop, and the Secretary shall carry out--
``(A) an action plan for addressing changes at the local
level to reduce instances of harassment and sexual assault;
``(B) standardized media for veterans service organizations
and other persons to use in print and on the internet with
respect to reducing harassment and sexual assault; and
``(C) bystander intervention training for veterans.
``(f) Reports.--The Secretary shall submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of
[[Page H8768]]
the Senate and the House of Representatives an annual report
on harassment and sexual assault described in paragraphs (1)
and (2) of subsection (a) in facilities of the Department.
Each such report shall include the following:
``(1) Results of harassment and sexual assault programming,
including the End Harassment program.
``(2) Results of studies from the Women's Health Practice-
Based Research Network of the Department relating to
harassment and sexual assault.
``(3) Data collected on incidents of sexual harassment and
sexual assault.
``(4) A description of any actions taken by the Secretary
during the year preceding the date of the report to stop
harassment and sexual assault at facilities of the
Department.
``(5) An assessment of the implementation of the training
required in subsection (a)(7).
``(6) A list of resources the Secretary determines
necessary to prevent harassment and sexual assault at
facilities of the Department.
``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `non-Department individual' means any
individual present at a facility of the Department who is not
an employee or contractor of the Department.
``(2) The term `sexual harassment' has the meaning given
that term in section 1720D of this title.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding after the item
relating to section 532 the following new item:
``533. Anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault policy.''.
(c) Definition of Sexual Harassment.--Section 1720D(f) of
such title is amended by striking ``repeated,''.
(d) Deadline.--The Secretary shall commence carrying out
section 533 of such title, as added by subsection (a), not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 322. SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE A FOCUS ON
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO WOMEN VETERANS AND
THEIR FAMILIES.
Section 2044(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) There is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000
for fiscal year 2020 to provide, under subsection (a),
financial assistance to organizations that have a focus on
providing assistance to women veterans and their families.''.
SEC. 323. GAP ANALYSIS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO WOMEN
VETERANS WHO ARE HOMELESS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
complete an analysis of programs of the Department of
Veterans Affairs that provide assistance to women veterans
who are homeless or precariously housed to identify the areas
in which such programs are failing to meet the needs of such
women.
(b) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report on the analysis completed under
subsection (a).
SEC. 324. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PUBLIC-PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIP ON LEGAL SERVICES FOR WOMEN
VETERANS.
(a) Partnership Required.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall establish a partnership with at least one
nongovernmental organization to provide legal services to
women veterans.
(b) Focus.--The focus of the partnership established under
subsection (a) shall be on the 10 highest unmet needs of
women veterans as set forth in the most recently completed
Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and
Networking Groups for Veterans (CHALENG for Veterans) survey.
SEC. 325. PROGRAM TO ASSIST VETERANS WHO EXPERIENCE INTIMATE
PARTNER VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT.
(a) Program Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall carry out a program to assist former members of the
armed forces who have experienced or are experiencing
intimate partner violence or sexual assault in accessing
benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including
coordinating access to medical treatment centers, housing
assistance, and other benefits from the Department.
(b) Collaboration.--The Secretary shall carry out the
program under subsection (a) in collaboration with--
(1) intimate partner violence shelters and programs;
(2) rape crisis centers;
(3) State intimate partner violence and sexual assault
coalitions; and
(4) such other health care or other service providers that
serve intimate partner violence or sexual assault victims as
determined by the Secretary, particularly those providing
emergency services or housing assistance.
(c) Authorized Activities.--In carrying out the program
under subsection (a), the Secretary may conduct the following
activities:
(1) Training for community-based intimate partner violence
or sexual assault service providers on--
(A) identifying former members of the Armed Forces who have
been victims of intimate partner violence or sexual assault;
(B) coordinating with local service providers of the
Department; and
(C) connecting former members of the Armed Forces with
appropriate housing, mental health, medical, and other
financial assistance or benefits from the Department.
(2) Assistance to service providers to ensure access of
veterans to intimate partner violence and sexual assault
emergency services, particularly in underserved areas,
including services for Native American veterans (as defined
in section 3765 of title 38, United States Code).
(3) Such other outreach and assistance as the Secretary
determines necessary for the provision of assistance under
subsection (a).
(d) Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault Outreach
Coordinators.--
(1) In general.--In order to effectively assist veterans
who have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual
assault, the Secretary may establish local coordinators to
provide outreach under the program required by subsection
(a).
(2) Local coordinator knowledge.--The Secretary shall
ensure that each coordinator established under paragraph (1)
is knowledgeable about--
(A) the dynamics of intimate partner violence and sexual
assault, including safety concerns, legal protections, and
the need for the provision of confidential services;
(B) the eligibility of veterans for services and benefits
from the Department that are relevant to recovery from
intimate partner violence and sexual assault, particularly
emergency housing assistance, mental health care, other
health care, and disability benefits; and
(C) local community resources addressing intimate partner
violence and sexual assault.
(3) Local coordinator assistance.--Each coordinator
established under paragraph (1) shall assist intimate partner
violence shelters and rape crisis centers in providing
services to veterans.
SEC. 326. STUDY AND TASK FORCE ON VETERANS EXPERIENCING
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT.
(a) National Baseline Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs,
in consultation with the Attorney General, shall conduct a
national baseline study to examine the scope of the problem
of intimate partner violence and sexual assault among
veterans and spouses and intimate partners of veterans.
(2) Matters included.--The study under paragraph (1)
shall--
(A) include a literature review of all relevant research on
intimate partner violence and sexual assault among veterans
and spouses and intimate partners of veterans;
(B) examine the prevalence of the experience of intimate
partner violence among--
(i) women veterans;
(ii) veterans who are minority group members (as defined in
section 544 of title 38, United States Code, and including
other minority populations as the Secretary determines
appropriate);
(iii) urban and rural veterans;
(iv) veterans who are enrolled in a program under section
1720G of title 38, United States Code;
(v) veterans who are in intimate relationships with other
veterans; and
(vi) veterans who are described in more than one clause of
this subparagraph;
(C) examine the prevalence of the perpetration of intimate
partner violence by veterans; and
(D) include recommendations to address the findings of the
study.
(3) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which
the Secretary completes the study under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs
of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on
such study.
(b) Task Force.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the Secretary completes the study under subsection (a),
the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General and
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall establish a
national task force (in this section referred to as the
``Task Force'') to develop a comprehensive national program,
including by integrating facilities, services, and benefits
of the Department of Veterans Affairs into existing networks
of community-based intimate partner violence and sexual
assault services, to address intimate partner violence and
sexual assault among veterans.
(c) Consultation With Stakeholders.--In carrying out this
section, the Task Force shall consult with--
(1) representatives from veteran service organizations and
military service organizations;
(2) representatives from not fewer than three national
organizations or State coalitions with demonstrated expertise
in intimate partner violence prevention, response, or
advocacy; and
(3) representatives from not fewer than three national
organizations or State coalitions, particularly those
representing underserved and ethnic minority communities,
with demonstrated expertise in sexual assault prevention,
response, or advocacy.
(d) Duties.--The duties of the Task Force shall include the
following:
(1) To review existing services and policies of the
Department and develop a comprehensive national program to
address intimate partner violence and sexual assault
prevention, response, and treatment.
[[Page H8769]]
(2) To review the feasibility and advisability of
establishing an expedited process to secure emergency,
temporary benefits, including housing or other benefits, for
veterans who are experiencing intimate partner violence or
sexual assault.
(3) To review and make recommendations regarding the
feasibility and advisability of establishing dedicated,
temporary housing assistance for veterans experiencing
intimate partner violence or sexual assault.
(4) To identify any requirements regarding intimate partner
violence assistance or sexual assault response and services
that are not being met by the Department and make
recommendations on how the Department can meet such
requirements.
(5) To review and make recommendations regarding the
feasibility and advisability of providing direct services or
contracting for community-based services for veterans in
response to a sexual assault, including through the use of
sexual assault nurse examiners, particularly in underserved
or remote areas, including services for Native American
veterans.
(6) To review the availability of counseling services
provided by the Department and through peer network support,
and to provide recommendations for the enhancement of such
services, to address--
(A) the perpetration of intimate partner violence and
sexual assault; and
(B) the recovery of veterans, particularly women veterans,
from intimate partner violence and sexual assault.
(7) To review and make recommendations to expand services
available for veterans at risk of perpetrating intimate
partner violence.
(e) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than annually
thereafter by October 1 of each year, the Task Force shall
submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Congress a
report on the activities of the Task Force, including any
recommendations for legislative or administrative action.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``Native American veteran'' has the meaning
given that term in section 3765 of title 38, United States
Code.
(2) The term ``State'' has the meaning given that term in
section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David P.
Roe) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
to insert extraneous material on H.R. 3224, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3224, the Deborah Sampson Act,
introduced by Representative Julia Brownley, the chairwoman of the
Veterans Affairs' Health Subcommittee.
This bill comprises 15 bipartisan bills that transform and improve
comprehensive access to healthcare, benefits, and other resources for
America's 2 million women veterans.
This bill is named after Deborah Sampson, a Revolutionary War veteran
from Massachusetts who served in the Continental Army for 17 months and
was wounded in battle more than once.
Deborah Sampson was neither the first nor the only woman to serve in
the Continental Army, nor was she the first woman to be granted a
pension by Congress, but she was the most persistent.
Over 38 years, Congress granted her a pension, backpay, and
ultimately her husband was granted a survivor's pension after her
death.
Mr. Speaker, it is because of the similar persistence of women
warriors who followed in Deborah Sampson's footsteps that we are now
considering this bill today.
The Deborah Sampson Act creates an Office of Women's Health that
reports directly to the Undersecretary of Health. This office will be
responsible for internal oversight and resource allocation, including
inputs to the annual budgeting process.
Currently, 10 percent of VA facilities do not have gender-specific
care for women. H.R. 3224, as amended, also increases staffing and
training for women's health primary care providers so that every single
woman veteran has access to gender-specific care at her nearest VA
facility.
Mr. Speaker, 75 percent of women veterans do not use VA care, often
because they don't realize that they are eligible. This legislation
seeks to expand communication outreach capabilities of the department
to connect more women to VA benefits and healthcare.
Mr. Speaker, the Deborah Sampson Act also authorizes counseling in
retreat settings, expands counseling at vet centers for members of the
Reserve and National Guard who are survivors of military sexual trauma,
and improves resources for veterans experiencing intimate-partner
violence and women veterans facing homelessness.
Throughout this Congress we have addressed the issue of widespread
sexual harassment and assault at VA facilities. At least one in four
women veterans experience sexual and gender harassment at VA
facilities, and that must end.
No veteran, caregiver, employee, contractor, or other public visitor
should experience sexual harassment or assault at VA.
H.R. 3224, as amended, requires that VA develop a comprehensive
policy that includes bystander intervention, mandatory reporting
mechanisms for employees, confidential reporting mechanisms for
veterans, and holds leadership accountable for addressing sexual
harassment and assault at VA facilities.
Today, nearly one in four new recruits joining the military is a
woman. Women veterans are the fastest growing demographic in the
veterans' community, and VA must be prepared to welcome them.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 3224, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3224, as amended, the
Deborah Sampson Act.
For as long as the United States has been a reality, brave women have
been stepping up to serve on behalf of her and defending her from her
enemies.
This bill is named after one of those amazing women, Deborah Sampson,
who so believed in the ideals of the American Revolution that she
disguised herself as a man so that she could join in the fight for
freedom and independence.
Deborah Sampson's spirit of bravery, patriotism, and commitment to
service are still very much alive in the approximately 2 million women
veterans in the United States today and the almost 400,000 women
serving on Active Duty or in the Guard and Reserves.
Those women have fought in defense of the American Dream--on the
frontlines, in the Pentagon, and everywhere in between, in every branch
of the armed services. And, once they leave the military, they are,
increasingly, seeking care from the Department of Veterans Affairs. In
fact, the number of women using the VA healthcare system has more than
tripled since 2001 and is expected to continue rising significantly in
the years ahead.
VA leaders have been working to make the department more welcoming to
women veterans, but the fact remains that the VA healthcare system was
designed for men.
That is, perhaps, most upsettingly evidenced by the VA study
published last December that found that a full quarter of the women
veterans who seek care from the VA are subjected to inappropriate or
unwanted comments from male veterans on VA grounds.
That is tragic and unacceptable, just like it is anytime the VA falls
short of providing the high-quality care, benefits, and services that
women veterans have earned and certainly deserve, which still, sadly,
happens all too often.
The Deborah Sampson Act is legislation introduced by Congresswoman
Julia Brownley from California--and she is to be applauded for that--
the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Health and the bipartisan Women
Veterans Task Force that would help put an end to this.
The bill would create an Office of Women's Health within the VA,
require VA to establish an environment of care standards for women
veterans and ensure that VA medical facilities are retrofitted to meet
those standards, require and fund VA programs to train providers in VA
medical facilities and in the community on women's health,
[[Page H8770]]
and improve access to care for women veterans and their newborn
children.
It also includes provisions that would help all veterans, women and
men alike, who experience military sexual trauma, intimate-partner
violence, sexual assault, or sexual harassment to get the support and
care that they need.
Mr. Speaker, there have been a lot of allegations made by Chairman
Takano, and I make the following remarks with a heavy heart.
There have been a lot of allegations made by Chairman Takano and
others in the 2 weeks since the Deborah Sampson Act was marked up in
the committee about how I and my Republican colleagues feel about this
legislation and about the women that it is intended to serve.
So let me be crystal clear. I stand here in strong support of the
Deborah Sampson Act and all the good it would do for the millions of
women veterans that it would serve.
I intend to call for a recorded vote on this bill, and I fully expect
the vote to prove that there is overwhelming bipartisan support for
this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, when I left the Army in 1974, I returned home to
Tennessee to finish my residency in obstetrics and gynecology and spend
the better part of my life caring for women in private practice.
My dedication to ensuring that women, whether they be civilian or
veteran, have the care that they need is personal, deeply felt, and
informed by three decades of direct action on behalf of the women who
are my patients, my friends, my family, my neighbors, my colleagues,
and my fellow veterans.
That is why it is so disappointing that, when my Republican
colleagues and I walked out of the committee markup where this bill was
being considered in protest to the chairman's actions surrounding it,
he decided to launch a baseless, identity-politics fueled attack on me
and other Republican members of the committee by alleging that we were
walking out on women veterans.
Nothing can be further from the truth. The chairman knows full well
that our decision to leave that markup had nothing to do with our
support for the Deborah Sampson Act, much less our support for women
veterans, and everything to do with the unprecedented partisanship that
he displayed when this bill was being considered by our committee.
So I would like to take this opportunity this afternoon to correct
the record.
Chairman Takano has called this bill historic and monumental, yet,
during the committee's consideration of it, he allowed one Democrat
member, Congresswoman Brownley, exactly 4 minutes to talk about it
before cutting off all debate for every other member in the room by
invoking a procedural tactic that hadn't been used by our committee in
more than a decade.
And I will say this: I never used this when I was chairman, nor did
Chairman Miller.
He did that to avoid debate on certain Republican amendments that he
erroneously characterized as toxic and partisan. They were offered in
good faith to address barriers to care for veteran women and men across
the country that we have been requesting the chairman to act on for the
better part of a year.
One of the amendments that the chairman refused to debate or vote on
was offered by Congressman Andy Barr from Kentucky to prevent those
charged with a serious crime, including violent or sexual crimes
against children, from caring for children while their veteran parent
is receiving care from VA until their case has been favorably resolved.
The lack of childcare services is a serious barrier to care for
veterans, including many women veterans, as the chairman himself has
mentioned many times.
Our committee rightly acted on a bill, H.R. 840, which passed the
House in February, to break down that barrier by authorizing VA to
provide childcare for veterans who are engaged in VA treatment. But if
the veterans cannot rest assured that their children are safe in the VA
childcare program, they won't use it--they won't use the care--and the
lack of childcare services will continue to prevent veterans from
getting the care that they need.
Congressman Barr's amendment would close a loophole in that bill that
would allow an individual charged with a serious offense--like child
molestation--but who is awaiting his or her day in court to be
responsible for caring for a veteran's child in a VA childcare program
while their case is pending before the courts.
Mr. Speaker, I know that there are a lot of things that we cannot
agree on, but protecting vulnerable children should never be one of
those things. Yet Chairman Takano has repeatedly refused to address
this issue and employed a rarely used procedural tactic in our
committee to disallow debate and votes on it twice in recent months.
He has also failed to even respond to 11 committee members who wrote
him in July asking for a legislative hearing on Congressman Barr's
legislation. It defies understanding.
Another amendment that the chairman has repeatedly refused to allow
our committee to debate was offered by Congressman Chip Roy from Texas
to prohibit VA from sending the name of a veteran or other beneficiary
to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Instant Criminal
Background Check System, NICS, solely because VA has determined that a
person has a service-connected disability or solely because a fiduciary
has been appointed on their behalf, without the order or finding of a
judge, a magistrate, or other judicial authority that the person is a
danger to themselves or others.
Infringing on a law-abiding American citizen's constitutionally
protected rights should never occur in a free society unless a very
high bar has been met. For example, criminals must be convicted in a
court of law before their names are provided to the NICS list; but,
under current practice, VA sends veterans' names to the NICS list if
they have been appointed a fiduciary to help manage their compensation
benefits.
This is because, once VA decides that an individual needs help with
their finances, even though there may be no evidence the individual is
a danger to themselves or anyone else, a VA bureaucrat sends that
person's name to the FBI to be added to the NICS list and the veteran
loses their second amendment right to own a firearm. And these are the
very people who gave us those rights, protected those rights.
Legislation that the House passed on a party-line vote earlier this
year, H.R. 1112, would compound this injustice by requiring VA to also
report a veteran or beneficiary to the NICS if they have been
adjudicated by VA as having a mental illness when the veteran files for
a disability claim--for example, PTSD or depression.
I have personally heard from veterans across the country--and I mean
from Long Island to Los Angeles--who tell me that they don't seek VA
care and benefits that they have earned through their hard-fought
service for our country because they fear they will lose their Second
Amendment rights if they do so.
This is unacceptable at any time and is particularly unacceptable
during a national suicide crisis when we know that 14 of the 20 veteran
and servicemember suicide deaths per day already occur among those who
are not engaged in VA care prior to their deaths.
Veterans risk their lives to protect our rights. The least we can do
for them is to protect theirs. But Chairman Takano has once again
refused to do that, despite making a public vow 8 months ago before the
American Legion that he would act, as chairman, to protect the Second
Amendment rights of our Nation's veterans.
He also, once again, failed to respond to 12 committee members who
wrote him in July asking for a legislative hearing to discuss veterans'
Second Amendment issues.
There are precious few avenues available to the minority party in
Congress to influence the legislative agenda of the majority party.
{time} 1800
Since February, my Republican colleagues and I have been asking
Chairman Takano, publicly and privately, to address these issues in our
committee. Our requests have been ignored. Our letters have gone
unanswered.
The only remaining option we have left is to attempt to amend bills
being marked up by the committee so that we can have an open debate and
an up-
[[Page H8771]]
or-down vote on these issues. If we win, we win. If we lose, we lose.
We attempted to amend the Deborah Sampson Act with these amendments 2
weeks ago, on the advice of the Parliamentarian about the
appropriateness of these particular amendments, which address serious
issues facing female and male veterans alike in each one of our States
and districts, to this particular bill. But the chairman denied us even
this opportunity.
That kind of partisanship has never been how this committee has
operated as long as I have been there. Under the 8 previous years of
Republican chairmen, debate was never cut off when Democratic members
offered difficult amendments during committee markups. We allowed our
Democratic colleagues the opportunity to have their say, and we took
tough votes when we needed to.
Mr. Speaker, I wish that we could have had such a different
conversation today, the day after Veterans Day, than this one. But I
would be remiss in my duty as ranking member if I did not call out this
behavior and ways in which it fails our Nation's veterans.
Chairman Takano has spoken movingly about how he wants us to use his
chairmanship to stand up for the rights of minority veterans, and I
commend him for that and have stood alongside him in doing that work,
including in May, when we stood side-by-side to launch the bipartisan
Women Veterans Task Force.
Yet, I urge him now, in carrying out that commitment, not to spurn
the historical bipartisan traditions of the Veterans' Affairs
Committee, not to trounce on the rights of the minority members of that
committee, not to cut corners in favor of expediency over doing our due
diligence, and not to cast aspersions against me or any other member of
our committee when we could be debating the issues at hand like our
constituents sent us here to do.
Despite our deep disagreements here, I consider Chairman Takano a
friend, and I know him to be a good and fair man who is motivated by a
sincere desire to do the right thing for the millions of veterans and
their families who have sacrificed so much for this great Nation. That
desire is shared by me and every member of our committee, Republican
and Democrat alike. I do not doubt that for a second.
I also do not doubt our ability, under the chairman's leadership, to
put this unfortunate recent chapter of the committee's history behind
us and return to the productive bipartisan tradition that our committee
has known and respected throughout the United States Congress and the
Nation. In doing so, we will, once again, live up to the example that
our Nation's veterans, including Deborah Sampson herself, have set.
I thank the chairman in advance for that. I stand ready to assist him
however I can, as ranking member and as his friend.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I appreciate the final comments that the ranking member made, I
believe in good faith and sincerity, and they were words of generosity.
But I have to rebut some of the claims that he has made.
While I spent 6 years of my time in Congress in the minority, and in
the minority on this committee, I can tell you that the minority staff
and I, and other members of the minority, did offer amendments in good
faith, but we never did so in order to derail or to obstruct passage of
important and meaningful legislation. Therefore, the ranking member,
while he was chairman, can point to many great pieces of legislation,
including the Forever GI Bill and numerous other bills. It was a very
productive Congress in the last Congress because the minority worked
with him.
Look, bipartisan spirit means that the minority also works in good
faith. Ms. Brownley, in order to bring the Deborah Sampson Act to the
floor under suspension, made some significant concessions, for which
there was nothing offered in return.
Mr. Barr's amendment on crimes against children has been offered on
the floor as a motion to recommit, interesting enough, to Ms.
Brownley's bill on childcare on the floor. That bill was voted down. It
was voted down on the House floor, and I can only believe that this
very same legislative language was offered as an amendment to the
Deborah Sampson bill in defiance of the House already expressing its
will on that bill.
I refute the contention that it was offered in good faith before we
brought Ms. Brownley's legislation on the Deborah Sampson Act in
committee.
The ranking member fails to mention that three of the amendments
related to antilabor legislation, which was hostile to labor. To say
that this was offered in good faith when he knows that the legislation
we were bringing forward was intended to be suspension legislation,
normally, the majority and the minority come to an agreement for a very
expeditious legislative hearing when it comes to suspension bills.
Finally, I will mention that I watched the ranking member try to
subvert the landmark H.R. 8, the universal background checks bill, by
raising this issue of the NICS list and trying to whip up opposition by
our veterans service organizations, so I have seen him act in a
different context against H.R. 8.
Why he sought in committee to attach legislation related to guns to a
women's health bill and to expanding opportunities for women veterans
to utilize fully the benefits they have earned, I cannot fully
comprehend that attempt.
I can say, in many instances, I responded to the ranking member's
requests to actually go outside of regular order for the minority's
benefit.
Let me say that I want to use this time now to yield 3 minutes the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Brownley), the author of this truly
historic legislation, chairwoman of our Subcommittee on Health, and
also the author of the legislation.
Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for
bringing my bill, the Deborah Sampson Act, to the floor. And I thank
the ranking member for his support as well.
In 1782, Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man so she could
serve in the Revolutionary War to protect and defend our democracy. She
was wounded in that war. Her forehead had a gash from a sword, and she
was shot in the leg. But serving as a man made her invisible.
Too many decades later, Congress finally granted her petitions for
the benefits she deserved, and she became one of the first American
women recognized for her military service.
Women have served on land, air, and sea in every conflict in our
Nation's history, yet their remarkable and brave service is often
overlooked.
Through my work as chair of the Women Veterans Task Force, I have met
with countless women veterans across the country who, like Deborah
Sampson, feel invisible. Their service often goes unnoticed, while
veteran men around them are always thanked.
Sadly, women veterans are often harassed when they go to the VA for
help. This denies them the equitable access to the benefits and care
they have earned and deserve.
On a recent visit to VA's only women-centric residential substance
abuse rehabilitation program, an Army veteran told me the program saved
her life. When women-focused resources exist, women veterans use them,
and they thrive.
That is why this bill is vital for America's 2 million women
veterans. It will ensure that women have consistent access to
comprehensive, gender-specific care and services. It will help stop
harassment and ensure that women veterans are fully recognized for
their service.
In 1836, John Quincy Adams stood on the House floor and called Debra
Sampson's ``heroism, fidelity, and courage'' of the ``very highest and
noblest order.'' Congress recognized Debra Sampson's service and, in
doing so, ensured that she was no longer invisible.
To America's women veterans of today, I stand here to say: We see
you, and you are invisible no longer.
I would like to thank Representatives Allred, Brindisi, Correa,
Cunningham, Delgado, Levin, Lee, Pappas, Rose, Underwood, Velazquez,
and Wild, who contributed to this legislation.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3224 to fully recognize and
honor women veterans' service.
[[Page H8772]]
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time I have
remaining.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California has 9\1/2\
minutes remaining. The gentleman from Tennessee has 6\1/2\ minutes
remaining.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Lexington, Kentucky (Mr. Barr), my good friend who is a
member of our Veterans' Affairs Committee. He has been a tireless
supporter of veterans. I have been in his district on several
occasions, and the veterans have no better friend than Congressman
Barr.
Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, Dr. Roe. I wish the
gentleman a happy belated Veterans Day, and I hope he had a good
weekend. I certainly did back home in Lexington, Kentucky, at Veterans
Park with the Veterans Park Elementary School choir singing to our
great veterans back home.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3224, as amended,
the Deborah Sampson Act.
As my colleagues before me have already pointed out, women have
served our country since the very earliest days of the American
Revolution. But as the fastest growing segment of our veteran
population, they are only now starting to get the recognition that they
deserve.
I am proud to be here today to support this bill that will ensure
that the Department of Veterans Affairs provides them the care and
benefits that their service and their sacrifices have entitled them to.
And I commend the gentlewoman from New York for her leadership on
this important legislation.
I do have to say, Mr. Speaker, however, that any characterization
that my Republican colleagues on the Veterans' Affairs Committee and I
feel anything less than pride in the many women who have served and the
many women who continue to serve today, and a steadfast commitment to
support them and to meet their needs, is simply untrue. Had my
colleagues or I been allowed to speak on this bill in committee, that
would have been very evident to any Member of this House.
What my colleagues and I do object to are the overly partisan tactics
that were deployed by the majority when this important bill was being
considered.
I am new to the Veterans' Affairs Committee in this Congress, but I
know that the committee has a long tradition of bipartisanship, where
Members check their party affiliations at the door and do not shy away
from debates or disagreements in the spirit of living up to the very
democratic ideals that our veterans fought to defend. Unfortunately, we
seem to have lost sight of that great tradition this year.
As Dr. Roe referenced in his comments earlier, I have been trying
since February to address an unintended consequence of a House-passed
bill that could allow an accused child molester who is awaiting
prosecution to care for a veteran's child in a VA childcare program.
I do not know any parent in any political party who would want one of
their own children to be cared for by someone who has been charged with
a serious crime, like a sexual assault against a minor, before they
have been fully cleared. Yet, the majority has twice used parliamentary
procedures rarely if ever seen in the Veterans' Affairs Committee to
refuse to allow our committee to consider my legislation to prevent
that from happening to the child of one of our Nation's veterans.
Most recently, the majority did that when this bill, the Deborah
Sampson Act, was being considered. Their actions were so unexpected
that my colleagues and I left the markup when it became clear that the
chairman was not going to allow us, or any other Member, the
opportunity to speak, much less offer amendments, and declared that we
were done voting on the bill.
I resent the comment that this amendment was not offered in good
faith.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman
from Kentucky another 30 seconds.
Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I can assure you, as the former president of
Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, this amendment was offered very much in
good faith.
It is disappointing, and it is deeply ironic, given that lack of
childcare, while certainly not solely a woman's issue, is a well-known
barrier to care for many women veterans, as my Democratic colleagues
have pointed out over this past year.
{time} 1815
Given that, it continues to astound me that the chairman would not
allow us to even discuss my amendment--much less vote on it--and then
immediately send a press release out after the markup accusing me and
my fellow Republicans of walking out on the women veterans that my
amendment would have helped to better serve.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, it is the essence of bad faith to stand on
this floor and imply that Democrats do not want or care about the
safety of our children.
Let's be clear that the gentleman from Tennessee offered this as a
motion to recommit, this language, to Ms. Brownley's bill and then,
after fervently arguing why it was so necessary to be included in Ms.
Brownley's bill, turned around and voted with every other Member of
this Chamber for Ms. Brownley's bill. I cite that as evidence that
there are some crocodile tears being cried here.
I now yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms.
Underwood), my good friend and a member of the House Veterans Affairs'
Subcommittee on Health.
Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
3224, the Deborah Sampson Act.
This past Sunday, our office honored over 200 Vietnam war period
veterans in my district in northern Illinois at a pinning ceremony to
show our appreciation for their service to our country.
Today, the day after Veterans Day, I am so proud to be on the House
floor to continue our work on behalf of veterans.
I would first like to thank Representative Brownley and my other
colleagues who have worked so hard to compile this important bill in
the House.
In addition to providing better access to resources and benefits
offered by the VA, the Deborah Sampson Act contains several provisions
to ensure that women veterans have equitable access to high-quality,
gender-specific healthcare.
I am proud that my bill, the Caring for Our Women Veterans Act, is
included in the Deborah Sampson Act.
We know that the VA is committed to providing care to all veterans,
but many VA facilities are not sufficiently equipped to provide
comprehensive care to women veterans. The Caring for Our Women Veterans
Act, now sections 305 to 307 of the Deborah Sampson Act, will empower
the VA to fulfill its mission to honor all veterans.
The legislation requires VA to report locations where gender-specific
services are used, how facilities can be improved, and where specialty
staff is most needed to effectively care for women veterans.
This legislation will provide VA with the data it needs to
effectively upgrade clinics and hospitals; to hire, train, and retain
staff; and, most importantly, to provide earned healthcare to women
veterans. These changes are long overdue, and it is now even more
pressing that this legislation is passed.
Women have served honorably in the Armed Forces since the founding of
these United States, and women veterans are the fastest growing group
within the veteran population.
We have a collective responsibility to care for our veterans when
they return home, and the Deborah Sampson Act helps achieve that by
removing barriers that women veterans face on a daily basis. I urge my
colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support my bill, the Caring
for Our Women Veterans Act, and the underlying Deborah Sampson Act.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Correa), my good friend.
Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3224, the Deborah
[[Page H8773]]
Sampson Act, as amended. I am proud to join my colleague,
Representative Brownley of California, in support of this most
important bill to improve the healthcare provided for America's more
than 2 million women veterans.
I thank the chairwoman of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on
Health for including my bipartisan bill, Improving Oversight of Women
Veterans' Care Act.
In 2016, the Government Accountability Office reported that the
Veterans Health Administration had limited information on the VA
medical centers' compliance with certain health standards for women
veterans and access to gender-specific care provided by non-VA doctors.
In response, this legislation requires an annual report on the access
of gender-specific services provided under community care contracts,
including the average wait and driving times.
This bill is also directing the VA to establish a report on
facilities' compliance with environment of care standards.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 20 seconds to the
gentleman from California.
Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 3224.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild), my good friend.
Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bill.
Today, in my community and across our country, far too many Americans
lack adequate access to fair housing, quality healthcare, and simple
legal services, and too many of those Americans are veterans.
Today, women continue to take on new roles and responsibilities in
every branch of our armed services. According to Iraq and Afghanistan
Veterans of America, more than 345,000 women have deployed since 9/11.
When these women return home, they face different challenges than
their male counterparts, and they are disproportionately affected by
crises that affect veterans of both genders, like homelessness, with
women veterans making up the fastest growing portion of the homeless
vet population.
Last week, I had the privilege of speaking with women veterans in my
district about these issues and other issues, and I heard how critical
these problems are for them.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 20 seconds to the
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania.
Ms. WILD. That is why I am so proud to have introduced the Improving
Legal Services for Female Veterans Act, which is included in the
Deborah Sampson Act.
The very least that our men and women in uniform should be able to
expect once they come home is that they won't have to fight for basic
dignity, support, and opportunity after they put their lives on the
line for our country.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am
prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the
balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, certainly I think, on our side of the aisle, we are
going to call for a recorded vote on this. This bill will pass
overwhelmingly, and I congratulate Congresswoman Brownley, who is a
good friend, for bringing this legislation forward. She has worked
tirelessly for this, and I think you are going to see great support.
The VA has a long way to go in doing this.
I will say this. If I am privileged enough to get reelected to this
body and to be placed on the Veterans' Affairs Committee again and to
chair this committee, I will make this statement right here on the
floor now: I will not treat the minority the same way we have been
treated.
The only way we have been able to bring legislation up on this floor
when we are shut out is the amendment process, and we can debate it and
vote it up or down. That is what Americans do.
We should bring these bills up, and if they don't float on their
merit in the majority, I am a big boy, I understand that. If you lose,
you lose, and if you win, you win. But we should be allowed to be
heard.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to hear that the ranking member
recommends to his colleagues and all Members of the House that they
support this excellent legislation by Representative Brownley.
The minority knew in committee that this was excellent legislation. I
am sorry to see that they chose procedural games to play politics with
an excellent piece of legislation that they now say they are
supporting, and I am very pleased that they are going to support this
legislation.
I urge my colleagues to pass this excellent bill. We worked hard to
put this legislation in the form that would be acceptable to all
Members of the House, and that is why we are moving this legislation
under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3224, the Deborah
Sampson Act, which removes barriers faced by women veterans accessing
health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Our country has more than 2 million women veterans who live in every
Congressional district, including the Northern Mariana Islands.
And the number of women veterans seeking VA health care has doubled
since 2000.
While the women veteran population continues to grow, the VA has not
kept up in providing the care and services tailored to their unique
health care needs.
The Deborah Sampson Act, which I cosponsored, improves women's care
at the VA by requiring at least one designated women's health provider
in each VA facility, retrofitting existing medical facilities to
improve privacy and environmental care conditions, and expanding access
to newborn care. The bill also increases funding for legal and support
services to focus on unmet needs among women veterans, like prevention
of eviction and foreclosure and child support issues.
Passage of H.R. 3224 is critical to ensuring the VA has the capacity
and resources to meet the current and future needs of women veterans.
I thank the gentlelady from California, Ms. Brownley, for her
leadership on this legislation and urge my colleagues to support H.R.
3224.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3224, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________