[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 597 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 597
To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and improve health
care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, from the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 16, 2009
Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Rockefeller, Ms.
Mikulski, Mrs. Boxer, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Lincoln,
Ms. Stabenow, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Brown, Ms. Collins, and Mr.
Lautenberg) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and improve health
care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, from the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
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 ``Women Veterans
Health Care Improvement Act of 2009''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--STUDIES AND ASSESSMENTS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
HEALTH SERVICES FOR WOMEN VETERANS
Sec. 101. Report on barriers to receipt of health care for women
veterans.
Sec. 102. Independent study on health consequences of women veterans of
military service in Operation Iraqi Freedom
and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sec. 103. Report on full-time program managers for women veterans
programs at medical centers.
TITLE II--IMPROVEMENT AND EXPANSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN VETERANS
Sec. 201. Plan to improve provision of health care services to women
veterans.
Sec. 202. Training and certification for mental health care providers
on care for veterans suffering from sexual
trauma.
Sec. 203. Pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for women
veterans newly separated from service in
the Armed Forces.
Sec. 204. Service on certain advisory committees of women recently
separated from service in the Armed Forces.
Sec. 205. Pilot program on subsidies for child care for certain
veterans receiving health care.
Sec. 206. Care for newborn children of women veterans receiving
maternity care.
TITLE I--STUDIES AND ASSESSMENTS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
HEALTH SERVICES FOR WOMEN VETERANS
SEC. 101. REPORT ON BARRIERS TO RECEIPT OF HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN
VETERANS.
(a) Report.--Not later than June 1, 2010, 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 barriers to the receipt of
comprehensive health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs
that are encountered by women veterans, especially veterans of
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
(b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include
the following:
(1) An identification and assessment of the following:
(A) Any stigma perceived or associated by women
veterans in seeking mental health care services through
the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(B) The effect on access by women veterans to care
through the Department of driving distance or
availability of other forms of transportation to the
nearest appropriate facility of the Department.
(C) The availability of child care.
(D) The receipt of health care through women's
health clinics, integrated primary care clinics, or
both.
(E) The extent of comprehension by women veterans
of eligibility requirements for health care through the
Department, and the scope of health care services
available through the Department.
(F) The quality and nature of the reception of
women veterans by Department health care providers and
other staff.
(G) The perception of personal safety and comfort
of women veterans in inpatient, outpatient, and
behavioral health facilities of the Department.
(H) The sensitivity of Department health care
providers and other staff to issues that particularly
affect women.
(I) The effectiveness of outreach on health care
services of the Department that are available to women
veterans.
(J) Such other matters as the Secretary identifies
for purposes of the assessment.
(2) Such recommendations for administrative and legislative
action as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of the
report.
(c) Facility of the Department Defined.--In this section, the term
``facility of the Department'' has the meaning given that term in
section 1701 of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 102. INDEPENDENT STUDY ON HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF WOMEN VETERANS OF
MILITARY SERVICE IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND OPERATION
ENDURING FREEDOM.
(a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter
into an agreement with a non-Department of Veterans Affairs entity for
the purpose of conducting a study on health consequences for women
veterans of service on active duty in the Armed Forces in deployment in
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
(b) Specific Matters Studied.--The study under subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) A determination of any association of environmental and
occupational exposures and combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom or
Operation Enduring Freedom with the general health, mental
health, or reproductive health of women who served on active
duty in the Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom or
Operation Enduring Freedom.
(2) A review and analysis of published literature on
environmental and occupational exposures of women while serving
in the Armed Forces, including combat trauma, military sexual
trauma, and exposure to potential teratogens associated with
reproductive problems and birth defects.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after entering
into the agreement for the study under subsection (a), the
entity described in subsection (a) shall submit to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs and to Congress a report on the
study containing such findings and determinations as the entity
considers appropriate.
(2) Responsive report.--Not later than 90 days after the
receipt of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a report setting forth the response of the
Secretary to the findings and determinations of the entity
described in subsection (a) in the report under paragraph (1).
SEC. 103. REPORT ON FULL-TIME PROGRAM MANAGERS FOR WOMEN VETERANS
PROGRAMS AT MEDICAL CENTERS.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, acting through the Under
Secretary for Health, submit to Congress a report on employment of
full-time managers for women veterans programs at Department of
Veterans Affairs medical centers to ensure that health care needs of
women veterans at such medical centers are met. The report shall
include an assessment of whether there is at least one full-time
employee at each Department medical center who is a full-time women
veterans programs manager.
TITLE II--IMPROVEMENT AND EXPANSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN VETERANS
SEC. 201. PLAN TO IMPROVE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO WOMEN
VETERANS.
(a) Plan To Improve Services.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
develop a plan--
(A) to improve the provision of health care
services to women veterans; and
(B) to plan appropriately for the future health
care needs, including mental health care needs, of
women serving on active duty in the Armed Forces in the
combat theaters of Operation Iraqi Freedom and
Operation Enduring Freedom.
(2) Required actions.--In developing the plan required by
this subsection, the Secretary shall--
(A) identify the types of health care services to
be available to women veterans at each Department of
Veterans Affairs medical center; and
(B) identify the personnel and other resources
required to provide such services to women veterans
under the plan at each such medical center.
(b) Submittal of Plan to Congress.--Not later than 18 months 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 the plan required by
this section, together with such recommendations for administrative and
legislative action as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of
the plan.
SEC. 202. TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
ON CARE FOR VETERANS SUFFERING FROM SEXUAL TRAUMA.
(a) Program Required.--Section 1720D of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (f); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new
subsections:
``(d)(1) The Secretary shall carry out a program of education,
training, certification, and continuing medical education for mental
health professionals to specialize in the provision of counseling and
care to veterans eligible for services under subsection (a). In
carrying out the program, the Secretary shall ensure that all such
mental health professionals have been trained in a consistent manner
and that such training includes principles of evidence-based treatment
and care for sexual trauma.
``(2) The Secretary shall determine the minimum qualifications
necessary for mental health professionals certified by the program
under paragraph (1) to provide evidence-based treatment and care to
veterans eligible for services under subsection (a) in facilities of
the Department.
``(e) The Secretary shall submit to Congress each year a report on
the counseling, care, and services provided to veterans under this
section. Each report shall include data for the preceding year with
respect to the following:
``(1) The number of mental health professionals and primary
care providers who have been certified under the program under
subsection (d), and the amount and nature of continuing medical
education provided under such program to professionals and
providers who have been so certified.
``(2) The number of women veterans who received counseling,
care, and services under subsection (a) from professionals and
providers who have been trained or certified under the program
under subsection (d).
``(3) The number of training, certification, and continuing
medical education programs operating under subsection (d).
``(4) The number of trained full-time equivalent employees
required in each facility of the Department to meet the needs
of veterans requiring treatment and care for sexual trauma.
``(5) Such other information as the Secretary considers
appropriate.''.
(b) Standards for Personnel Providing Treatment for Sexual
Trauma.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish standards on
education, training, certification, and staffing for Department of
Veterans Affairs health care facilities for full-time equivalent
employees who are trained to provide treatment and care to veterans for
sexual trauma.
SEC. 203. PILOT PROGRAM ON COUNSELING IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN
VETERANS NEWLY SEPARATED FROM SERVICE IN THE ARMED
FORCES.
(a) Pilot Program Required.--
(1) In general.--Commencing not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall carry out, through the Readjustment
Counseling Service of the Veterans Health Administration, a
pilot program to evaluate the feasibility and advisability of
providing reintegration and readjustment services described in
subsection (b) in group retreat settings to women veterans who
are recently separated from service in the Armed Forces after a
prolonged deployment.
(2) Participation at election of veteran.--The
participation of a veteran in the pilot program shall be at the
election of the veteran.
(b) Covered Services.--The services provided to a woman veteran
under the pilot program shall include the following:
(1) Information on reintegration into the veteran's family,
employment, and community.
(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 a woman veteran under the pilot
program in reintegration into the veteran's family and
community.
(c) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at
not fewer than five locations selected by the Secretary for purposes of
the pilot program.
(d) Duration.--The pilot program shall be carried out during the
two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot
program.
(e) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the completion of the
pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the
pilot program. The report shall contain the findings and conclusions of
the Secretary as a result of the pilot program and shall include such
recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the pilot program
as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal
years 2010 and 2011, $2,000,000 to carry out the pilot program.
SEC. 204. SERVICE ON CERTAIN ADVISORY COMMITTEES OF WOMEN RECENTLY
SEPARATED FROM SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES.
(a) Advisory Committee on Women Veterans.--Section 542(a)(2)(A) of
title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after clause (iii) the following new
clause:
``(iv) women veterans who are recently separated from
service in the Armed Forces.''.
(b) Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.--Section 544(a)(2)(A)
of such title is amended--
(1) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after clause (iv) the following new
clause:
``(v) women veterans who are minority group members and are
recently separated from service in the Armed Forces.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to appointments made on or after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 205. PILOT PROGRAM ON SUBSIDIES FOR CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN
VETERANS RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.
(a) Pilot Program Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and
advisability of providing, subject to subsection (b), subsidies to
qualified veterans described in subsection (c) to obtain child care so
that such veterans can receive health care services described in
subsection (c).
(b) Limitation on Period of Payments.--A subsidy may only be
provided to a qualified veteran under the pilot program for receipt of
child care during the period that the qualified veteran--
(1) receives the types of health care services described in
subsection (c) at a facility of the Department; and
(2) requires to travel to and return from such facility for
the receipt of such health care services.
(c) Qualified Veterans.--In this section, the term ``qualified
veteran'' means a veteran who is the primary caretaker of a child or
children and who is receiving from the Department one or more of the
following health care services:
(1) Regular mental health care services.
(2) Intensive mental health care services.
(3) Such other intensive health care services that the
Secretary determines that payment to the veteran for the
provision of child care would improve access to those health
care services by the veteran.
(d) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in
not fewer than three Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs)
selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program.
(e) Duration.--The pilot program shall be carried out during the
two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot
program.
(f) Existing Model.--To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall
model the pilot program after the Department of Veterans Affairs Child
Care Subsidy Program established pursuant to section 630 of the
Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2002 (Public Law
107-67; 115 Stat. 552), using the same income eligibility standards and
payment structure.
(g) Report.--Not later than six months after the completion of the
pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the
pilot program. The report shall include the findings and conclusions of
the Secretary as a result of the pilot program and shall include such
recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the pilot program
as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal
years 2010 and 2011, $1,500,000 to carry out the pilot program.
SEC. 206. CARE FOR NEWBORN CHILDREN OF WOMEN VETERANS RECEIVING
MATERNITY CARE.
(a) In General.--Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 1786. Care for newborn children of women veterans receiving
maternity care
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may furnish health care services
described in subsection (b) to a newborn child of a woman veteran who
is receiving maternity care furnished by the Department for not more
than seven days after the birth of the child if the veteran delivered
the child in--
``(1) a facility of the Department; or
``(2) another facility pursuant to a Department contract
for services relating to such delivery.
``(b) Covered Health Care Services.--Health care services described
in this subsection are all post-delivery care services, including
routine care services, that a newborn requires.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 1785 the following new item:
``1786. Care for newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity
care.''.
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