II 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2736 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 4, 2006 Mr. Craig (for himself and Mr. Akaka) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish centers to provide enhanced services to veterans with amputations and prosthetic devices, and for other purposes.
1.
Amputation and prosthetic rehabilitation centers for veterans
(a)
Establishment
(1)
In general
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish not less than five centers to provide rehabilitation services to veterans with amputations or prosthetic devices. (2)
Purpose
The purpose of each center established pursuant to paragraph (1) are— (A)to provide regional clinical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs with special expertise in prosthetics, rehabilitation with the use of prosthetics, treatment, and coordination of care for veterans who have an amputation of any functional part of the body; and (B)to provide information and supportive services to all facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs concerning the care and treatment of veterans with a prosthetic device. (3)
Designation
Each center established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be known as an Amputation and Prosthetic Rehabilitation Center (in this section referred to as a Center). (b)
Geographic distribution
In identifying appropriate facilities for the location of the Centers established pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that such Centers are geographically located so as to be accessible to as many veterans as possible in the United States. (c)
Staff and resources
Each Center shall include the following: (1)A modern, well-equipped, and appropriately certified laboratory facility capable of providing state-of-the-art and complex prosthetic devices to all veterans with an amputation, including veterans with an amputation incurred in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. (2)Certified and experienced prosthetists, including prosthetists with certifications in new fabrication techniques. (3)An accredited Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) service with staff who are well-trained in current prosthetic services and emerging trends for treatment of amputations. (4)A modern gait laboratory, permanently located within such Center. (d)
No duplication of services of Polytrauma Centers
(1)
In general
The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, ensure that the services provided by the Centers established pursuant to subsection (a) do not duplicate the services provided by the polytrauma centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs designated as Tier I or Tier II Polytrauma centers. (2)
Construction
Paragraph (1) shall not be construed to prohibit the location of a Center so as to facilitate the ready support of a polytrauma center, referred to in that paragraph.