Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Veterans’ Care Advocate Act

Ombudsmen for recovering servicemembers

(a)

Ombudsmen for Recovering Servicemembers

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Defense shall establish within each military medical treatment facility of the Department of Defense the position of Ombudsman for Recovering Servicemembers (in this subsection referred to as the Ombudsman or Ombudsmen). (2)

Assignment

The Secretary shall assign to each position established under paragraph (1) a member of the Armed Forces or civilian employee of the Department of Defense who is qualified to discharge the duties of the position. (3)

Duties

Each Ombudsman shall act as a liaison for recovering servicemembers and their family members with respect to the evaluation and care of recovering servicemembers under the physical disability evaluation systems. The duties of the Ombudsmen shall include, at a minimum, the following: (A)Helping servicemembers and their family members complete paperwork. (B)Helping servicemembers and their family members understand administrative guidelines. (C)Providing information to servicemembers and their family members about available benefits. (D)Making recommendations to servicemembers and their family members. (E)Providing such other advice and help to servicemembers and their family members as the Ombudsman considers appropriate. (4)

Outreach

The Secretary shall make available to each recovering servicemember, and to the family members of all recovering servicemembers, information on contacting and utilizing the services of the Ombudsmen. (b)

Definitions

In this section; (1)

Recovering servicemember

The term recovering servicemember means a member of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or a Reserve, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, or is otherwise in medical hold or holdover status, for an injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated while on active duty in the Armed Forces. (2)

Family member

The term family member, with respect to a recovering servicemember, has the meaning given that term in section 411h(b) of title 37, United States Code. (3)

Physical disability evaluation systems

The term physical disability evaluation systems means the following: (A)In the case of the Department of the Army, the Physical Disability Evaluation System (PDES) of the Army. (B)In the case of any other military department, the physical disability evaluation system or similar system or process of such military departments that carries out functions equivalent to the function carried out for the Army by the Physical Disability Evaluation System of the Army.

Progress reports on implementation of Ombudsmen program

(a)

Ongoing report requirement

Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 6 months thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the committees listed in subsection (c) a report on progress in the implementation of section 2. (b)

Matters Covered

The report shall address the following matters; (1)A description of the number and location of Ombudsman positions established. (2)A description of the services being provided by the Ombudsmen. (3)An analysis of the effectiveness of the services being provided, including the timeliness of the services. (4)The adequacy of Federal resources to provide the services and other actual or potential barriers to provision of the services. (5)Any actual and potential conflicts of interest in the administration and operation of the Ombudsmen program. (6)Any other matters the Secretary considers appropriate. (c)

Committees

The committees listed in this subsection are the following: (1)The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. (2)The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives. (3)The Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives.