110 HR 6629 IH: Veterans Health Equity Act of 2008 U.S. House of Representatives 2008-07-29 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6629 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 29, 2008 Ms. Shea-Porter introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that veterans in each of the 48 contiguous States are able to receive services in at least one full-service hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in the State or receive comparable services provided by contract in the State.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Health Equity Act of 2008.

2.

Availability of full-service hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in certain States or provision of comparable services through contract with other health care providers in the State

(a)

In general

Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1716 the following new section:

1716A.

Access to full-service hospitals in certain States or comparable services through contract

(a)

Requirement

With respect to each of the 48 contiguous States, the Secretary shall ensure that veterans in the State eligible for hospital care and medical services under section 1710 of this title have access— (1)to at least one full-service hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in the State; or (2)to hospital care and medical services comparable to the services provided in full-service hospitals through contract with other health care providers in the State. (b)

Rule of construction

Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to restrict the ability of the Secretary to provide enhanced care to an eligible veteran who resides in one State in a hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in another State.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1716 the following new item: 1716A. Access to full-service hospitals in certain States or comparable services through contract.. (c)

Report on implementation

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report describing the extent to which the Secretary has complied with the requirement imposed by section 1716A of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), including the effect of such requirement on improving the quality and standards of care provided to veterans.