Advisory Committee on Rural Veterans

(a)

Establishment of Committee

Subchapter III of chapter 5 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

546.

Advisory Committee on Rural Veterans

(a)

Establishment

(1)The Secretary shall establish an advisory committee to be known as the Advisory Committee on Rural Veterans (hereinafter in this section referred to as the Committee). (2)(A)The Committee shall consist of members appointed by the Secretary from the general public, including— (i)representatives of rural veterans; (ii)individuals who are recognized authorities in fields pertinent to the needs of rural veterans, including specific or unique health-care needs of rural veterans and access issues of rural veterans; (iii)individuals who have expertise in the delivery of mental health care in rural areas; (iv)individuals who have expertise in the delivery of long-term care in rural areas; (v)at least one veterans service organization representative from a rural State; and (vi)representatives of rural veterans with service-connected disabilities. (B)The Committee shall include, as ex officio members— (i)the Secretary of Health and Human Services (or a representative of the Secretary of Health and Human Services designated by that Secretary); (ii)the Director of the Indian Health Service (or a representative of that Director); and (iii)the Under Secretary for Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits, or their designees. (C)The Secretary may invite representatives of other departments and agencies of the United States to participate in the meetings and other activities of the Committee. (3)The Secretary shall determine the number, terms of service, and pay and allowances of members of the Committee appointed by the Secretary, except that a term of service of any such member may not exceed three years. The Secretary may reappoint any such member for additional terms of service. (b)

Responsibilities of Committee

The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the administration of benefits by the Department for rural veterans, reports and studies pertaining to rural veterans, and the needs of rural veterans with respect to primary care, mental health care, and long-term care needs of rural veterans. (c)

Report

(1)Not later than September 1 of each odd-numbered year until 2013, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on the programs and activities of the Department that pertain to rural veterans. Each such report shall include— (A)an assessment of the needs of rural veterans with respect to primary care, mental health care, and long-term care needs of rural veterans and other benefits and programs administered by the Department; (B)a review of the programs and activities of the Department designed to meet such needs; and (C)such recommendations (including recommendations for administrative and legislative action) as the Committee considers appropriate. (2)The Secretary shall, within 60 days after receiving each report under paragraph (1), submit to Congress a copy of the report, together with any comments concerning the report that the Secretary considers appropriate. (3)The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other reports and recommendations as the Committee considers appropriate. (4)The Secretary shall submit with each annual report submitted to Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title a summary of all reports and recommendations of the Committee submitted to the Secretary since the previous annual report of the Secretary submitted pursuant to that section.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

546. Advisory Committee on Rural Veterans.