[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5730 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5730

    To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to display in each 
prosthetic and orthotic clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs an 
              Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 8, 2008

  Mr. Filner introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                     Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to display in each 
prosthetic and orthotic clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs an 
              Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. DISPLAY OF INJURED AND AMPUTEE VETERANS BILL OF RIGHTS.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure 
that the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights described in 
subsection (b) is displayed prominently in each prosthetic and orthotic 
clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights.--The Injured and 
Amputee Veteran Bill of Rights described in this subsection is a sign 
stating that injured veterans should have the following rights:
            (1) The right to access the highest quality prosthetic and 
        orthotic care, including the right to the most appropriate 
        technology and best qualified practitioners.
            (2) The right to continuity of care in the transition from 
        the Department of Defense health program to the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs health care system, including comparable 
        benefits relating to prosthetic and orthotic services.
            (3) The right to select the practitioner that best meets 
        their orthotic and prosthetic needs, whether or not that 
        practitioner is an employee of the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs, a private practitioner who has entered into a contract 
        with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide prosthetic 
        and orthotic services, or a private practitioner with 
        specialized expertise.
            (4) The right to consistent and portable health care, 
        including the right to obtain comparable services and 
        technology at any medical facility of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs across the country.
            (5) The right to timely and efficient prosthetic and 
        orthotic care, including a speedy authorization process with 
        expedited authorization available for veterans visiting from 
        another area.
            (6) The right to play a meaningful role in rehabilitation 
        decisions, including the right to receive a second opinion 
        regarding prosthetic and orthotic treatment options.
            (7) The right to receive appropriate treatment, including 
        the right to receive both a primary prosthesis or orthosis and 
        a functional spare.
            (8) The right to be treated with respect and dignity and 
        have an optimal quality of life both during and after 
        rehabilitation.
            (9) The right to transition and readjust to civilian life 
        in an honorable manner, including by having ample access to 
        vocational rehabilitation, employment programs, and housing 
        assistance.
                                 <all>