<enum>I</enum><header>POLICY ON CARE, MANAGEMENT, AND TRANSITION OF SERVICEMEMBERS WITH SERIOUS INJURIES OR ILLNESSES</header> <section id="id6858013B60EC48B98CA0392B2C83707B"><enum>101.</enum><header>Comprehensive policy on care, management, and transition of members of the Armed Forces with serious injuries or illnesses</header> <subsection id="idE9EBCEA28D784589BFB35BF9507FA6F7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Comprehensive policy required</header> <paragraph id="id76B831D9795E4B85929B535F22A7A534"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than January 1, 2008, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the extent feasible, jointly develop a comprehensive policy on the care and management of members of the Armed Forces who are undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, or are otherwise in medical hold or medical holdover status, for a serious injury or illness (hereafter in this section referred to as a <quote>covered servicemembers</quote>).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idA4D365DFE215486491B57884757C4554"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Scope of policy</header><text>The policy shall cover each of the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id1365CF183ACE48E88A3EC676F29B10A7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The care and management of covered servicemembers while in medical hold or medical holdover status.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0CCEECA9A32A4CA99EF3CCC8CF862FA6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The medical evaluation and disability evaluation of covered servicemembers.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id98F4FFED9EE649939F8E5C73D5BF4A9D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The return of covered servicemembers to active duty when appropriate.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC4B252DB1E7249B793F8287484DE61D4"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The transition of covered servicemembers from receipt of care and services through the Department of Defense to receipt of care and services through the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idCC50CF55A9E04EC6B66BF23A38BC0F9F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop the policy in consultation with the heads of other appropriate departments and agencies of the Federal Government and with appropriate non-governmental organizations having an expertise in matters relating to the policy.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id116ED8E23CFC42BDA35B1A19059C057B"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Update</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly update the policy on a periodic basis in order to incorporate in the policy, as appropriate, the results of the reviews under subsections (b) and (c) and the best practices identified through pilot programs under section 304.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id911D0C3D0DD74BF6B4112212DE8AD5FE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Review of current policies and procedures</header> <paragraph id="idAD100C5C7B844B7FA0FB735BBE73D2FB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Review required</header><text>In developing the policy required by this section, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the extent necessary, jointly and separately conduct a review of all policies and procedures of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs that apply to, or shall be covered by, the policy.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id5E375421954C43F48F464B03809F5FAD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The purpose of the review shall be to identify the most effective and patient-oriented approaches to care and management of covered servicemembers for purposes of—</text> <subparagraph id="id77F925990C8143FAAEB50D1BA546256C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>incorporating such approaches into the policy; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFD66AF49D4B641B7B4F546697DE50704"><enum>(B)</enum><text>extending such approaches, where applicable, to care and management of other injured or ill members of the Armed Forces and veterans.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idA8EF8041502047ED953B4CC7148EB460"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>In conducting the review, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—</text> <subparagraph id="id3D6F73F7E74346A8BA0BB0C6E9C97858"><enum>(A)</enum><text>identify among the policies and procedures described in paragraph (1) best practices in approaches to the care and management described in that paragraph;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idBCC675B54B7342B787DC8AE32EAC5FCF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>identify among such policies and procedures existing and potential shortfalls in such care and management, and determine means of addressing any shortfalls so identified;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id02FFA03ABF554EB2B3C48F2EFC23B7C0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>determine potential modifications of such policies and procedures in order to ensure consistency and uniformity among the military departments and the regions of the Department of Veterans Affairs in their application and discharge; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idBBE259FB5D274EF8A743B5F18BD68C1C"><enum>(D)</enum><text>develop recommendations for legislative and administrative action necessary to implement the results of the review.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id5B1770459EEF45EDADB87C2F689F3D48"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Deadline for completion</header><text>The review shall be completed not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id2C4C3D8B3F1F4D9BA4B63E3E561E3391"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Consideration of findings, recommendations, and practices</header><text>In developing the policy required by this section, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take into account the following:</text> <paragraph id="id3CC2E9FD47884F7EBCCE54A2470D4051"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The findings and recommendations of applicable studies, reviews, reports, and evaluations that address matters relating to the policy, including, but not limited, to the following:</text> <subparagraph id="idDFE8C65198FA460F9486C31F2E920941"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Independent Review Group on Rehabilitative Care and Administrative Processes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center appointed by the Secretary of Defense.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4EF257571AEF4BE99724776CC08E629C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes appointed by the President.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0DEA1FF9074D4D2598C82CEF80E640F5"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC3F31A33CC754B74B035E62C4AC39224"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission established by title XV of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108–136; 117 Stat. 1676; 38 U.S.C. 1101 note).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id81E16A778D1D488B8C0F2AA680FA672E"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The President's Commission on Veterans' Pensions, of 1956, chaired by General Omar N. Bradley.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA0A673107C9F42479B8E6587354C0285"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The Report of the Congressional Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Assistance, of 1999, chaired by Anthony J. Principi.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id213567243DA545D9A951F7E583D02EFF"><enum>(G)</enum><text>The President's Task Force to Improve Health Care Delivery for Our Nation's Veterans, of March 2003.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id749A94781C9A4E859F070E9FC0524398"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The experience and best practices of the Department of Defense and the military departments on matters relating to the policy.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id548E355E2DBD4B85AD79212EFF00F6B2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The experience and best practices of the Department of Veterans Affairs on matters relating to the policy.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="IDf5a2241968d74c509554b4e2f84036ed"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Such other matters as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs consider appropriate.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idB4A69400940542CC810A7BB37280E46C"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Particular elements of policy</header><text>The policy required by this section shall provide, in particular, the following:</text> <paragraph id="idEE7CB5B3808F488AAEA226351F25F9AA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Responsibility for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status</header><text>Mechanisms to ensure responsibility for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, including the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id74E70845062D4488B87E4CC5BA1E9233"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Uniform standards for access of covered servicemembers to non-urgent health care services from the Department of Defense or other providers under the TRICARE program, with such access to be—</text> <clause id="id63AAE4407D144AC596A87B9E88660DB8"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for follow-up care, within 2 days of request of care;</text> </clause><clause id="id2A6078CED50D451FA78780B663CB396F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>for specialty care, within 3 days of request of care;</text> </clause><clause id="id60C328722E074F239E61A3835F28126D"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>for diagnostic referrals and studies, within 5 days of request; and</text> </clause><clause id="id648C133666E24D38AE6AE016A8B6CF61"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>for surgery based on a physician's determination of medical necessity, within 14 days of request.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID9699afa8233845ca96f0e98d78fbf176"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Requirements for the assignment of adequate numbers of personnel for the purpose of responsibility for and administration of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID124238ca08ce435e80b83ecb591af519"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Requirements for the assignment of adequate numbers of medical personnel and non-medical personnel to roles and responsibilities for caring for and administering covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, and a description of the roles and responsibilities of personnel so assigned.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id53C6EDF1C05240109E3F870FCA9E3EB7"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Guidelines for the location of care for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, which guidelines shall address the assignment of such servicemembers to care and residential facilities closest to their duty station or home of record at the earliest possible time.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID13abd346647b471fa82e835a9e7e7aeb"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Criteria for work and duty assignments of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, including a prohibition on the assignment of duty to a servicemember which is incompatible with the servicemember’s medical condition.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id42896567C4884223A4E838E3E5B0771F"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Guidelines for the provision of care and counseling for eligible family members of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1cf68b131a514315ae18ca0d9af6f588"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Requirements for case management of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, including qualifications for personnel providing such case management.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID53386f3a65ea414f875c0669de69decc"><enum>(H)</enum><text>Requirements for uniform quality of care and administration for all covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, whether members of the regular components of the Armed Forces or members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID43bf76d6eab342faa561db53b47b2857"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Standards for the conditions and accessibility of residential facilities for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status who are in outpatient status, and for their immediate family members.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID0ba8a32ccdaa4052911160baa2719884"><enum>(J)</enum><text>Requirements on the provision of transportation and subsistence for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, whether in inpatient status or outpatient status, to facilitate obtaining needed medical care and services.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID7c2da6eee3ac4034bb2078723377aacf"><enum>(K)</enum><text>Requirements on the provision of educational and vocational training and rehabilitation opportunities for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID3ef3f28c29544c0caa6f4e4b4795c942"><enum>(L)</enum><text>Procedures for tracking and informing covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status about medical evaluation board and physical disability evaluation board processing.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1a3f9d2a004f465cba0fcdfd3f839a9e"><enum>(M)</enum><text>Requirements for integrated case management of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status during their transition from care and treatment through the Department of Defense to care and treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDa1701de94c9c481d80d7d7b52ed4016e"><enum>(N)</enum><text>Requirements and standards for advising and training, as appropriate, family members with respect to care for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status with serious medical conditions, particularly traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9343ED2E5ACB4722A569DDD6939A6E12"><enum>(O)</enum><text>Requirements for periodic reassessments of covered servicemembers, and limits on the length of time such servicemembers may be retained in medical hold or medical holdover status.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9E02B4F7B86F480591ABAFB14A88FA10"><enum>(P)</enum><text>Requirements to inform covered servicemembers and their family members of their rights and responsibilities while in medical hold or medical holdover status.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idE572078D45604C2DAC1900F69FFE0F6E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Medical evaluation and physical disability evaluation for covered servicemembers</header> <subparagraph id="id3D8C7E5994A5429A858F3C24B31388C5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Medical evaluations</header><text>Processes, procedures, and standards for medical evaluations of covered servicemembers, including the following:</text> <clause id="idA728E0827C014120B052F49861B89BB4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Processes for medical evaluations of covered servicemembers that are—</text> <subclause id="id3BBB3F35A45F444D86AEEEB49A6F5432"><enum>(I)</enum><text>applicable uniformly throughout the military departments; and</text> </subclause><subclause id="idA512EA4CF3444F5C8E36744BDF86C7AD"><enum>(II)</enum><text>applicable uniformly with respect to such servicemembers who are members of the regular components of the Armed Forces and such servicemembers who are members of the National Guard and Reserve.</text> </subclause></clause><clause id="idDF89585838F04FC3BCD9A1E091E29D7A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Standard criteria and definitions for determining the achievement for covered servicemembers of the maximum medical benefit from treatment and rehabilitation.</text> </clause><clause id="idCF84A3F3B68E4F4D86DFA60A7D1D5EC2"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Standard timelines for each of the following:</text> <subclause id="id3EC03AF1E9C347F5BAE6BBB1CC110246"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Determinations of fitness for duty of covered servicemembers.</text> </subclause><subclause id="idD3D87460AB284861BE849C9E103A1905"><enum>(II)</enum><text>Specialty consultations for covered servicemembers.</text> </subclause><subclause id="idA8F4F8036E944603ACC8F23ACCAA5643"><enum>(III)</enum><text>Preparation of medical documents for covered servicemembers.</text> </subclause><subclause id="id2D77302F435F4369806973FFBEDB5FF0"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>Appeals by covered servicemembers of medical evaluation determinations, including determinations of fitness for duty.</text> </subclause></clause><clause id="idFA30F81F7E804C429D93BFEFFE46C707"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Uniform standards for qualifications and training of medical evaluation board personnel, including physicians, case workers, and physical disability evaluation board liaison officers, in conducting medical evaluations of covered servicemembers.</text> </clause><clause id="id8CC92EFA65F14283AB10095A6DC3339B"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Standards for the maximum number of medical evaluation cases of covered servicemembers that are pending before a medical evaluation board at any one time, and requirements for the establishment of additional medical evaluation boards in the event such number is exceeded.</text> </clause><clause id="id09DC6CCCAD964A6BB5E9CE05C27654F8"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Uniform standards for information for covered servicemembers, and their families, on the medical evaluation board process and the rights and responsibilities of such servicemembers under that process, including a standard handbook on such information.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE9663E57C5D3485A940713A8F3681234"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Physical disability evaluations</header><text>Processes, procedures, and standards for physical disability evaluations of covered servicemembers, including the following:</text> <clause id="id00E1423BE523425EB436F94712CC67E9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>A non-adversarial process of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs for disability determinations of covered servicemembers.</text> </clause><clause id="idFED3BF2B28CE4A2B8DC52C489AC09756"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>To the extent feasible, procedures to eliminate unacceptable discrepancies among disability ratings assigned by the military departments and the Department of Veterans Affairs, particularly in the disability evaluation of covered servicemembers, which procedures shall be subject to the following requirements and limitations:</text> <subclause id="id28D93E75CBA547C5A30F8E3EFC0E3F76"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Such procedures shall apply uniformly with respect to covered servicemembers who are members of the regular components of the Armed Forces and covered servicemembers who are members of the National Guard and Reserve.</text> </subclause><subclause id="id8C30647368BF4D6ABCEC24FA53329309"><enum>(II)</enum><text>Under such procedures, each Secretary of a military department shall, to the extent feasible, utilize the standard schedule for rating disabilities in use by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including any applicable interpretation of such schedule by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, in making any determination of disability of a covered servicemember.</text> </subclause></clause><clause id="id5BCC1BA9174E44A68868694299B4D45C"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Standard timelines for appeals of determinations of disability of covered servicemembers, including timelines for presentation, consideration, and disposition of appeals.</text> </clause><clause id="idF2CBB9261D2F46BF9AF6AD1FA774817C"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Uniform standards for qualifications and training of physical disability evaluation board personnel in conducting physical disability evaluations of covered servicemembers.</text> </clause><clause id="idB740B2E61FB74AABA2D065A2E701A93D"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Standards for the maximum number of physical disability evaluation cases of covered servicemembers that are pending before a physical disability evaluation board at any one time, and requirements for the establishment of additional physical disability evaluation boards in the event such number is exceeded.</text> </clause><clause id="id9171A04B9B374386A5B70ABBAA6F9769"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Procedures for the provision of legal counsel to covered servicemembers while undergoing evaluation by a physical disability evaluation board.</text> </clause><clause id="idC70B9EC3919D4ACC836A69851B97D1C4"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>Uniform standards on the roles and responsibilities of case managers, servicemember advocates, and judge advocates assigned to covered servicemembers undergoing evaluation by a physical disability board, and uniform standards on the maximum number of cases involving such servicemembers that are to be assigned to such managers and advocates.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id126B3135E02A43FDA6C3DD84B7C085C8"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Return of covered servicemembers to active duty</header><text>Standards for determinations by the military departments on the return of covered servicemembers to active duty in the Armed Forces.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFB9B51661E9C4D3FA2D34ED5C862EC70"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Transition of covered servicemembers from DoD to VA</header><text>Processes, procedures, and standards for the transition of covered servicemembers from care and treatment by the Department of Defense to care and treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs before, during, and after separation from the Armed Forces, including the following:</text> <clause id="id3CBDD399E8304B27ACEE8E4271A95131"><enum>(i)</enum><text>A uniform, patient-focused policy to ensure that the transition occurs without gaps in medical care and the quality of care and services.</text> </clause><clause id="id58A9171944CA4D6EBC648EF2BE2DC48B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Procedures for the identification and tracking of covered servicemembers during the transition, and for the coordination of care and treatment of such servicemembers during the transition, including a system of cooperative case management of such servicemembers by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs during the transition.</text> </clause><clause id="id8895FBED955141A986AC1C42A49B396D"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Procedures for the notification of Department of Veterans Affairs liaison personnel of the commencement by covered servicemembers of the medical evaluation process and the physical disability evaluation process.</text> </clause><clause id="id7985E10901904BC9ACD3EFBD322DD9DF"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Procedures and timelines for the enrollment of covered servicemembers in applicable enrollment or application systems of the Department of Veterans with respect to health care, disability, education, vocational rehabilitation, or other benefits.</text> </clause><clause id="id318632CB8B844584B8EED4336878754A"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Procedures to ensure the access of covered servicemembers during the transition to vocational, educational, and rehabilitation benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </clause><clause id="id588C463D120843C7A8108F4D757A0FC1"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Standards for the optimal location of Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs liaison and case management personnel at military medical treatment facilities, medical centers, and other medical facilities of the Department of Defense.</text> </clause><clause id="idAFE0AA4D4FDF45DA86DC371235CC3388"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>Standards and procedures for integrated medical care and management for covered servicemembers during the transition, including procedures for the assignment of medical personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs to Department of Defense facilities to participate in the needs assessments of such servicemembers before, during, and after their separation from military service.</text> </clause><clause id="id6989B59E8C7E41ED81415912CED8CBCA"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>Standards for the preparation of detailed plans for the transition of covered servicemembers from care and treatment by the Department of Defense to care and treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which plans shall be based on standardized elements with respect to care and treatment requirements and other applicable requirements.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id61951B5B82AE49F7B086E451D45E7B69"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Other matters</header><text>The following additional matters with respect to covered servicemembers:</text> <clause id="IDbf833753650d40bea33ae19064a68700"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Access by the Department of Veterans Affairs to the military health records of covered servicemembers who are receiving care and treatment in Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities.</text> </clause><clause id="ID64f2d1843b3044479ea0c9061301269a"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Requirements for utilizing, in appropriate cases, a single physical examination that meets requirements of both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs for covered servicemembers who are being retired, separated, or released from military service.</text> </clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8d2a1f850d9b4dccbd185a7ea9e53a33"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Surveys and other mechanisms to measure patient and family satisfaction with the provision by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs of care and services for covered servicemembers, and to facilitate appropriate oversight by supervisory personnel of the provision of such care and services.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id87B2287CB22B421EB8510401E809D66E"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Reports</header> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id53443AB05294442FBE6E35502A748A61"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Report on policy</header><text>Upon the development of the policy required by this section but not later than January 1, 2008, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the policy, including a comprehensive and detailed description of the policy and of the manner in which the policy addresses the findings and recommendations of the reviews under subsections (b) and (c).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id6199CB4C19CC4CC7BD7BF0ACADC00696"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Reports on update</header><text>Upon updating the policy under subsection (a)(4), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the update of the policy, including a comprehensive and detailed description of such update and of the reasons for such update.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>

Calendar No. 203 110th CONGRESS 1st Session

S. 1606

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 13, 2007

Mr. Levin (for himself, Mr. Akaka, Mr. McCain, Mr. Warner, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Graham, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Rockefeller, Ms. Collins, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Obama, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Thune, Mr. Reed, Mr. Martinez, Mr. Brown, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Tester, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, Mr. Bayh, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Webb, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Durbin, and Ms. Stabenow) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

June 18, 2007

Reported by Mr. Levin, with an amendment

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

A BILL

To provide for the establishment of a comprehensive policy on the care and management of wounded warriors in order to facilitate and enhance their care, rehabilitation, physical evaluation, transition from care by the Department of Defense to care by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and transition from military service to civilian life, and for other purposes.

Short title; table of contents

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act

. (b)

Table of contents

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. General definitions.

TITLE I—POLICY ON CARE, MANAGEMENT, AND TRANSITION OF SERVICEMEMBERS WITH SERIOUS INJURIES OR ILLNESSES

Sec. 101. Comprehensive policy on care, management, and transition of members of the Armed Forces with serious injuries or illnesses.

TITLE II—HEALTH CARE

Subtitle A—Enhanced Availability of Care for Servicemembers

Sec. 201. Medical care and other benefits for members and former members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses.

Subtitle B—Care and Services for Dependents

Sec. 211. Medical care and services and support services for families of members of the Armed Forces recovering from serious injuries or illnesses.

Subtitle C—Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Sec. 221. Comprehensive plans on prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, and treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 222. Improvement of medical tracking system for members of the Armed Forces deployed overseas.

Sec. 223. Centers of excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sec. 224. Funding for improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sec. 225. Reports.

Subtitle D—Other Matters

Sec. 231. Joint electronic health record for the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Sec. 232. Enhanced personnel authorities for the Department of Defense for health care professionals for care and treatment of wounded and injured members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 233. Personnel shortages in the mental health workforce of the Department of Defense.

TITLE III—DISABILITY MATTERS

Subtitle A—Disability Evaluations

Sec. 301. Utilization of veterans' presumption of sound condition in establishing eligibility of members of the Armed Forces for retirement for disability.

Sec. 302. Requirements and limitations on Department of Defense determinations of disability with respect to members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 303. Review of separation of members of the Armed Forces separated from service with a disability rating of 20 percent disabled or less.

Sec. 304. Pilot programs on revised and improved disability evaluation system for members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 305. Reports on Army action plan in response to deficiencies in the Army physical disability evaluation system.

Subtitle B—Other Disability Matters

Sec. 311. Enhancement of disability severance pay for members of the Armed Forces.

TITLE IV—IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES HOUSING PATIENTS

Sec. 401. Standards for military medical treatment facilities, specialty medical care facilities, and military quarters housing patients.

Sec. 402. Reports on Army action plan in response to deficiencies identified at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Sec. 403. Construction of facilities required for the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, District of Columbia.

TITLE V—OUTREACH AND RELATED INFORMATION ON BENEFITS

Sec. 501. Handbook for members of the Armed Forces on compensation and benefits available for serious injuries and illnesses.

General definitions

In this Act: (1)The term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A)the Committees on Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and (B)the Committees on Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives. (2)The term congressional defense committees has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code. (3)The term covered member of the Armed Forces 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 medical holdover status, for a serious injury or illness. (4)The term family member, with respect to a member of the Armed Forces or a veteran, has the meaning given that term in section 411h(b) of title 37, United States Code. (5)The term medical hold or medical holdover status means— (A)the status of a member of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or Reserve, assigned or attached to a military hospital for medical care; and (B)the status of a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who is separated, whether pre-deployment or post-deployment, from the member's unit while in need of health care based on a medical condition identified while the member is on active duty in the Armed Forces. (6)The term serious injury or illness, in the case of a member of the Armed Forces, means an injury or illness incurred by the member in line of duty on active duty in the Armed Forces that may render the member medically unfit to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating. (7)The term TRICARE program has the meaning given that term in section 1072(7) of title 10, United States Code.

<enum>I</enum><header>POLICY ON CARE, MANAGEMENT, AND TRANSITION OF SERVICEMEMBERS WITH SERIOUS INJURIES OR ILLNESSES</header> <section id="id6858013B60EC48B98CA0392B2C83707B"><enum>101.</enum><header>Comprehensive policy on care, management, and transition of members of the Armed Forces with serious injuries or illnesses</header> <subsection id="idE9EBCEA28D784589BFB35BF9507FA6F7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Comprehensive policy required</header> <paragraph id="id76B831D9795E4B85929B535F22A7A534"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than January 1, 2008, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the extent feasible, jointly develop a comprehensive policy on the care and management of members of the Armed Forces who are undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, or are otherwise in medical hold or medical holdover status, for a serious injury or illness (hereafter in this section referred to as a <quote>covered servicemembers</quote>).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idA4D365DFE215486491B57884757C4554"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Scope of policy</header><text>The policy shall cover each of the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id1365CF183ACE48E88A3EC676F29B10A7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The care and management of covered servicemembers while in medical hold or medical holdover status.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0CCEECA9A32A4CA99EF3CCC8CF862FA6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The medical evaluation and disability evaluation of covered servicemembers.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id98F4FFED9EE649939F8E5C73D5BF4A9D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The return of covered servicemembers to active duty when appropriate.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC4B252DB1E7249B793F8287484DE61D4"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The transition of covered servicemembers from receipt of care and services through the Department of Defense to receipt of care and services through the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idCC50CF55A9E04EC6B66BF23A38BC0F9F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop the policy in consultation with the heads of other appropriate departments and agencies of the Federal Government and with appropriate non-governmental organizations having an expertise in matters relating to the policy.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id116ED8E23CFC42BDA35B1A19059C057B"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Update</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly update the policy on a periodic basis in order to incorporate in the policy, as appropriate, the results of the reviews under subsections (b) and (c) and the best practices identified through pilot programs under section 304.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id911D0C3D0DD74BF6B4112212DE8AD5FE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Review of current policies and procedures</header> <paragraph id="idAD100C5C7B844B7FA0FB735BBE73D2FB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Review required</header><text>In developing the policy required by this section, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the extent necessary, jointly and separately conduct a review of all policies and procedures of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs that apply to, or shall be covered by, the policy.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id5E375421954C43F48F464B03809F5FAD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The purpose of the review shall be to identify the most effective and patient-oriented approaches to care and management of covered servicemembers for purposes of—</text> <subparagraph id="id77F925990C8143FAAEB50D1BA546256C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>incorporating such approaches into the policy; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFD66AF49D4B641B7B4F546697DE50704"><enum>(B)</enum><text>extending such approaches, where applicable, to care and management of other injured or ill members of the Armed Forces and veterans.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idA8EF8041502047ED953B4CC7148EB460"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>In conducting the review, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—</text> <subparagraph id="id3D6F73F7E74346A8BA0BB0C6E9C97858"><enum>(A)</enum><text>identify among the policies and procedures described in paragraph (1) best practices in approaches to the care and management described in that paragraph;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idBCC675B54B7342B787DC8AE32EAC5FCF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>identify among such policies and procedures existing and potential shortfalls in such care and management, and determine means of addressing any shortfalls so identified;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id02FFA03ABF554EB2B3C48F2EFC23B7C0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>determine potential modifications of such policies and procedures in order to ensure consistency and uniformity among the military departments and the regions of the Department of Veterans Affairs in their application and discharge; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idBBE259FB5D274EF8A743B5F18BD68C1C"><enum>(D)</enum><text>develop recommendations for legislative and administrative action necessary to implement the results of the review.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id5B1770459EEF45EDADB87C2F689F3D48"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Deadline for completion</header><text>The review shall be completed not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id2C4C3D8B3F1F4D9BA4B63E3E561E3391"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Consideration of findings, recommendations, and practices</header><text>In developing the policy required by this section, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take into account the following:</text> <paragraph id="id3CC2E9FD47884F7EBCCE54A2470D4051"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The findings and recommendations of applicable studies, reviews, reports, and evaluations that address matters relating to the policy, including, but not limited, to the following:</text> <subparagraph id="idDFE8C65198FA460F9486C31F2E920941"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Independent Review Group on Rehabilitative Care and Administrative Processes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center appointed by the Secretary of Defense.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4EF257571AEF4BE99724776CC08E629C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes appointed by the President.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0DEA1FF9074D4D2598C82CEF80E640F5"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC3F31A33CC754B74B035E62C4AC39224"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission established by title XV of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108–136; 117 Stat. 1676; 38 U.S.C. 1101 note).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id81E16A778D1D488B8C0F2AA680FA672E"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The President's Commission on Veterans' Pensions, of 1956, chaired by General Omar N. Bradley.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA0A673107C9F42479B8E6587354C0285"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The Report of the Congressional Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Assistance, of 1999, chaired by Anthony J. Principi.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id213567243DA545D9A951F7E583D02EFF"><enum>(G)</enum><text>The President's Task Force to Improve Health Care Delivery for Our Nation's Veterans, of March 2003.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id749A94781C9A4E859F070E9FC0524398"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The experience and best practices of the Department of Defense and the military departments on matters relating to the policy.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id548E355E2DBD4B85AD79212EFF00F6B2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The experience and best practices of the Department of Veterans Affairs on matters relating to the policy.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="IDf5a2241968d74c509554b4e2f84036ed"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Such other matters as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs consider appropriate.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idB4A69400940542CC810A7BB37280E46C"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Particular elements of policy</header><text>The policy required by this section shall provide, in particular, the following:</text> <paragraph id="idEE7CB5B3808F488AAEA226351F25F9AA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Responsibility for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status</header><text>Mechanisms to ensure responsibility for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, including the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id74E70845062D4488B87E4CC5BA1E9233"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Uniform standards for access of covered servicemembers to non-urgent health care services from the Department of Defense or other providers under the TRICARE program, with such access to be—</text> <clause id="id63AAE4407D144AC596A87B9E88660DB8"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for follow-up care, within 2 days of request of care;</text> </clause><clause id="id2A6078CED50D451FA78780B663CB396F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>for specialty care, within 3 days of request of care;</text> </clause><clause id="id60C328722E074F239E61A3835F28126D"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>for diagnostic referrals and studies, within 5 days of request; and</text> </clause><clause id="id648C133666E24D38AE6AE016A8B6CF61"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>for surgery based on a physician's determination of medical necessity, within 14 days of request.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID9699afa8233845ca96f0e98d78fbf176"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Requirements for the assignment of adequate numbers of personnel for the purpose of responsibility for and administration of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID124238ca08ce435e80b83ecb591af519"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Requirements for the assignment of adequate numbers of medical personnel and non-medical personnel to roles and responsibilities for caring for and administering covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, and a description of the roles and responsibilities of personnel so assigned.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id53C6EDF1C05240109E3F870FCA9E3EB7"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Guidelines for the location of care for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, which guidelines shall address the assignment of such servicemembers to care and residential facilities closest to their duty station or home of record at the earliest possible time.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID13abd346647b471fa82e835a9e7e7aeb"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Criteria for work and duty assignments of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, including a prohibition on the assignment of duty to a servicemember which is incompatible with the servicemember’s medical condition.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id42896567C4884223A4E838E3E5B0771F"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Guidelines for the provision of care and counseling for eligible family members of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1cf68b131a514315ae18ca0d9af6f588"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Requirements for case management of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, including qualifications for personnel providing such case management.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID53386f3a65ea414f875c0669de69decc"><enum>(H)</enum><text>Requirements for uniform quality of care and administration for all covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, whether members of the regular components of the Armed Forces or members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID43bf76d6eab342faa561db53b47b2857"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Standards for the conditions and accessibility of residential facilities for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status who are in outpatient status, and for their immediate family members.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID0ba8a32ccdaa4052911160baa2719884"><enum>(J)</enum><text>Requirements on the provision of transportation and subsistence for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status, whether in inpatient status or outpatient status, to facilitate obtaining needed medical care and services.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID7c2da6eee3ac4034bb2078723377aacf"><enum>(K)</enum><text>Requirements on the provision of educational and vocational training and rehabilitation opportunities for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID3ef3f28c29544c0caa6f4e4b4795c942"><enum>(L)</enum><text>Procedures for tracking and informing covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status about medical evaluation board and physical disability evaluation board processing.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1a3f9d2a004f465cba0fcdfd3f839a9e"><enum>(M)</enum><text>Requirements for integrated case management of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status during their transition from care and treatment through the Department of Defense to care and treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDa1701de94c9c481d80d7d7b52ed4016e"><enum>(N)</enum><text>Requirements and standards for advising and training, as appropriate, family members with respect to care for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status with serious medical conditions, particularly traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9343ED2E5ACB4722A569DDD6939A6E12"><enum>(O)</enum><text>Requirements for periodic reassessments of covered servicemembers, and limits on the length of time such servicemembers may be retained in medical hold or medical holdover status.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9E02B4F7B86F480591ABAFB14A88FA10"><enum>(P)</enum><text>Requirements to inform covered servicemembers and their family members of their rights and responsibilities while in medical hold or medical holdover status.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idE572078D45604C2DAC1900F69FFE0F6E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Medical evaluation and physical disability evaluation for covered servicemembers</header> <subparagraph id="id3D8C7E5994A5429A858F3C24B31388C5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Medical evaluations</header><text>Processes, procedures, and standards for medical evaluations of covered servicemembers, including the following:</text> <clause id="idA728E0827C014120B052F49861B89BB4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Processes for medical evaluations of covered servicemembers that are—</text> <subclause id="id3BBB3F35A45F444D86AEEEB49A6F5432"><enum>(I)</enum><text>applicable uniformly throughout the military departments; and</text> </subclause><subclause id="idA512EA4CF3444F5C8E36744BDF86C7AD"><enum>(II)</enum><text>applicable uniformly with respect to such servicemembers who are members of the regular components of the Armed Forces and such servicemembers who are members of the National Guard and Reserve.</text> </subclause></clause><clause id="idDF89585838F04FC3BCD9A1E091E29D7A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Standard criteria and definitions for determining the achievement for covered servicemembers of the maximum medical benefit from treatment and rehabilitation.</text> </clause><clause id="idCF84A3F3B68E4F4D86DFA60A7D1D5EC2"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Standard timelines for each of the following:</text> <subclause id="id3EC03AF1E9C347F5BAE6BBB1CC110246"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Determinations of fitness for duty of covered servicemembers.</text> </subclause><subclause id="idD3D87460AB284861BE849C9E103A1905"><enum>(II)</enum><text>Specialty consultations for covered servicemembers.</text> </subclause><subclause id="idA8F4F8036E944603ACC8F23ACCAA5643"><enum>(III)</enum><text>Preparation of medical documents for covered servicemembers.</text> </subclause><subclause id="id2D77302F435F4369806973FFBEDB5FF0"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>Appeals by covered servicemembers of medical evaluation determinations, including determinations of fitness for duty.</text> </subclause></clause><clause id="idFA30F81F7E804C429D93BFEFFE46C707"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Uniform standards for qualifications and training of medical evaluation board personnel, including physicians, case workers, and physical disability evaluation board liaison officers, in conducting medical evaluations of covered servicemembers.</text> </clause><clause id="id8CC92EFA65F14283AB10095A6DC3339B"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Standards for the maximum number of medical evaluation cases of covered servicemembers that are pending before a medical evaluation board at any one time, and requirements for the establishment of additional medical evaluation boards in the event such number is exceeded.</text> </clause><clause id="id09DC6CCCAD964A6BB5E9CE05C27654F8"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Uniform standards for information for covered servicemembers, and their families, on the medical evaluation board process and the rights and responsibilities of such servicemembers under that process, including a standard handbook on such information.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE9663E57C5D3485A940713A8F3681234"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Physical disability evaluations</header><text>Processes, procedures, and standards for physical disability evaluations of covered servicemembers, including the following:</text> <clause id="id00E1423BE523425EB436F94712CC67E9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>A non-adversarial process of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs for disability determinations of covered servicemembers.</text> </clause><clause id="idFED3BF2B28CE4A2B8DC52C489AC09756"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>To the extent feasible, procedures to eliminate unacceptable discrepancies among disability ratings assigned by the military departments and the Department of Veterans Affairs, particularly in the disability evaluation of covered servicemembers, which procedures shall be subject to the following requirements and limitations:</text> <subclause id="id28D93E75CBA547C5A30F8E3EFC0E3F76"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Such procedures shall apply uniformly with respect to covered servicemembers who are members of the regular components of the Armed Forces and covered servicemembers who are members of the National Guard and Reserve.</text> </subclause><subclause id="id8C30647368BF4D6ABCEC24FA53329309"><enum>(II)</enum><text>Under such procedures, each Secretary of a military department shall, to the extent feasible, utilize the standard schedule for rating disabilities in use by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including any applicable interpretation of such schedule by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, in making any determination of disability of a covered servicemember.</text> </subclause></clause><clause id="id5BCC1BA9174E44A68868694299B4D45C"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Standard timelines for appeals of determinations of disability of covered servicemembers, including timelines for presentation, consideration, and disposition of appeals.</text> </clause><clause id="idF2CBB9261D2F46BF9AF6AD1FA774817C"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Uniform standards for qualifications and training of physical disability evaluation board personnel in conducting physical disability evaluations of covered servicemembers.</text> </clause><clause id="idB740B2E61FB74AABA2D065A2E701A93D"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Standards for the maximum number of physical disability evaluation cases of covered servicemembers that are pending before a physical disability evaluation board at any one time, and requirements for the establishment of additional physical disability evaluation boards in the event such number is exceeded.</text> </clause><clause id="id9171A04B9B374386A5B70ABBAA6F9769"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Procedures for the provision of legal counsel to covered servicemembers while undergoing evaluation by a physical disability evaluation board.</text> </clause><clause id="idC70B9EC3919D4ACC836A69851B97D1C4"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>Uniform standards on the roles and responsibilities of case managers, servicemember advocates, and judge advocates assigned to covered servicemembers undergoing evaluation by a physical disability board, and uniform standards on the maximum number of cases involving such servicemembers that are to be assigned to such managers and advocates.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id126B3135E02A43FDA6C3DD84B7C085C8"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Return of covered servicemembers to active duty</header><text>Standards for determinations by the military departments on the return of covered servicemembers to active duty in the Armed Forces.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFB9B51661E9C4D3FA2D34ED5C862EC70"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Transition of covered servicemembers from DoD to VA</header><text>Processes, procedures, and standards for the transition of covered servicemembers from care and treatment by the Department of Defense to care and treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs before, during, and after separation from the Armed Forces, including the following:</text> <clause id="id3CBDD399E8304B27ACEE8E4271A95131"><enum>(i)</enum><text>A uniform, patient-focused policy to ensure that the transition occurs without gaps in medical care and the quality of care and services.</text> </clause><clause id="id58A9171944CA4D6EBC648EF2BE2DC48B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Procedures for the identification and tracking of covered servicemembers during the transition, and for the coordination of care and treatment of such servicemembers during the transition, including a system of cooperative case management of such servicemembers by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs during the transition.</text> </clause><clause id="id8895FBED955141A986AC1C42A49B396D"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Procedures for the notification of Department of Veterans Affairs liaison personnel of the commencement by covered servicemembers of the medical evaluation process and the physical disability evaluation process.</text> </clause><clause id="id7985E10901904BC9ACD3EFBD322DD9DF"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Procedures and timelines for the enrollment of covered servicemembers in applicable enrollment or application systems of the Department of Veterans with respect to health care, disability, education, vocational rehabilitation, or other benefits.</text> </clause><clause id="id318632CB8B844584B8EED4336878754A"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Procedures to ensure the access of covered servicemembers during the transition to vocational, educational, and rehabilitation benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </clause><clause id="id588C463D120843C7A8108F4D757A0FC1"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Standards for the optimal location of Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs liaison and case management personnel at military medical treatment facilities, medical centers, and other medical facilities of the Department of Defense.</text> </clause><clause id="idAFE0AA4D4FDF45DA86DC371235CC3388"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>Standards and procedures for integrated medical care and management for covered servicemembers during the transition, including procedures for the assignment of medical personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs to Department of Defense facilities to participate in the needs assessments of such servicemembers before, during, and after their separation from military service.</text> </clause><clause id="id6989B59E8C7E41ED81415912CED8CBCA"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>Standards for the preparation of detailed plans for the transition of covered servicemembers from care and treatment by the Department of Defense to care and treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which plans shall be based on standardized elements with respect to care and treatment requirements and other applicable requirements.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id61951B5B82AE49F7B086E451D45E7B69"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Other matters</header><text>The following additional matters with respect to covered servicemembers:</text> <clause id="IDbf833753650d40bea33ae19064a68700"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Access by the Department of Veterans Affairs to the military health records of covered servicemembers who are receiving care and treatment in Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities.</text> </clause><clause id="ID64f2d1843b3044479ea0c9061301269a"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Requirements for utilizing, in appropriate cases, a single physical examination that meets requirements of both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs for covered servicemembers who are being retired, separated, or released from military service.</text> </clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8d2a1f850d9b4dccbd185a7ea9e53a33"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Surveys and other mechanisms to measure patient and family satisfaction with the provision by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs of care and services for covered servicemembers, and to facilitate appropriate oversight by supervisory personnel of the provision of such care and services.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id87B2287CB22B421EB8510401E809D66E"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Reports</header> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id53443AB05294442FBE6E35502A748A61"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Report on policy</header><text>Upon the development of the policy required by this section but not later than January 1, 2008, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the policy, including a comprehensive and detailed description of the policy and of the manner in which the policy addresses the findings and recommendations of the reviews under subsections (b) and (c).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id6199CB4C19CC4CC7BD7BF0ACADC00696"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Reports on update</header><text>Upon updating the policy under subsection (a)(4), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the update of the policy, including a comprehensive and detailed description of such update and of the reasons for such update.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>HEALTH CARE</header> <subtitle id="id90735867498748469AF2F2531EF9A5E6"><enum>A</enum><header>Enhanced Availability of Care for Servicemembers</header> <section id="id1FEBCABE33614FC095A5C8FAB9A1303E"><enum>201.</enum><header>Medical care and other benefits for members and former members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses</header> <subsection id="idB969B71CE5404683BBB19D5513567A49"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Medical and dental care for members and former members</header> <paragraph id="id5FF7674B78F249F5984E2DAD87DDDD8D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Effective as of the date of the enactment of this Act, any covered member of the Armed Forces, and any former member of the Armed Forces, with a severe injury or illness is entitled to medical and dental care in any facility of the uniformed services under section 1074(a) of title 10, United States Code, or through any civilian health care provider authorized by the Secretary to provide health and mental health services to members of the uniformed services, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as if such member or former member were a member of the uniformed services described in paragraph (2) of such section who is entitled to medical and dental care under such section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idECD21E1703DB4D839A843AF4D77A7CDF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Period of authorized care</header><text>A member or former member described in paragraph (1) is entitled to care under that paragraph during the three-year period beginning on the date the member or former member leaves active duty, except that such period may be extended by the Secretary concerned for an additional period of up to two years if the Secretary concerned determines that such extension is necessary to assure the maximum feasible recovery and rehabilitation of the member or former member. Any such determination shall be made on a case-by-case basis.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id2F381B29374F4623A6D9FA1D76677DEA"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Integrated care management</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall provide for a program of integrated care management in the provision of care and services under this subsection, which management shall be provided by appropriate medical and case management personnel of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs (as approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs) and with appropriate support from the Department of Defense regional health care support contractors.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idA40EE181B652476DA2E85649E0701590"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Waiver of limitations to maximize care</header><text>The Secretary of Defense may, in providing medical and dental care to a member or former member under this subsection during the period referred to in paragraph (2), waive any limitation otherwise applicable under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, to the provision of such care to the member or former member if the Secretary considers the waiver appropriate to assure the maximum feasible recovery and rehabilitation of the member or former member.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id91757A72CFB14062971F1D0CFE83DD67"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Construction with eligibility for veterans benefits</header><text>Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to reduce, alter, or otherwise affect the eligibility or entitlement of a member or former member of the Armed Forces to any health care, disability, or other benefits to which the member of former member would otherwise be eligible or entitled as a veteran under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id11A0BB4EDAC3416C9FFCC44FFAA8D3CF"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Sunset</header><text>The Secretary of Defense may not provide medical or dental care to a member or former member of the Armed Forces under this subsection after December 31, 2012, if the Secretary has not provided medical or dental care to the member or former member under this subsection before that date.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9DD3A0FBF0784F44B485811FB1D6FC08"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Recovery of certain expenses of medical care and related travel</header> <paragraph id="idF381BAB65A3A4AFA8CDAAE68F2AD29AE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Commencing not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the military department concerned may reimburse covered members of the Armed Forces, and former members of the Armed Forces, with a severe injury or illness for covered expenses incurred by such members or former members, or their family members, in connection with the receipt by such members or former members of medical care that is required for such injury or illness.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id1F0E01021F1D4873BC655642E626A662"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered expenses</header><text>Expenses for which reimbursement may be made under paragraph (1) include the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id2C755C8E641048E49CBB16C6C62F375B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Expenses for health care services for which coverage would be provided under section 1074(c) of title 10, United States Code, for members of the uniformed services on active duty.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD78ABD5213F841E2A5ED7619801FAA00"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Expenses of travel of a non-medical attendant who accompanies a member or former member of the Armed Forces for required medical care that is not available to such member or former member locally, if such attendant is appointed for that purpose by a competent medical authority (as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for purposes of this subsection).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0D3549B923584498B4CD47882C34F1E8"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Such other expenses for medical care as the Secretary may prescribe for purposes of this subsection.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idB364AF8B559A4782B6A8319BB71FA26A"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Amount of reimbursement</header><text>The amount of reimbursement under paragraph (1) for expenses covered by paragraph (2) shall be determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for purposes of this subsection.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id50076FC99FC44A05B4931BCD6BC949CE"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Severe injury or illness defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>severe injury or illness</term> means any serious injury or illness that is assigned a disability rating of 50 percent or higher under the schedule for rating disabilities in use by the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="id7B6DEB995F5D47F1923154AE557EBB1D"><enum>B</enum><header>Care and Services for Dependents</header> <section id="id09261F258D534FCEBE7643BDC62A1F9F"><enum>211.</enum><header>Medical care and services and support services for families of members of the Armed Forces recovering from serious injuries or illnesses</header> <subsection id="id2C9EC02CA766493E923C4575BA217790"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Urgent and emergency medical care</header> <paragraph id="idE72387CD7BE44C1F8D3F9420C9A14FC7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>A family member of a covered member of the Armed Forces who is not otherwise eligible for medical care at a military medical treatment facility shall be eligible for urgent and emergency medical care and counseling at military medical treatment facilities and medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs if the family member is—</text> <subparagraph id="id747B39EE4A444ED5B49028214A8079D0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>on invitational orders while caring for the covered member;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id83B526546A6C4533B477E7DDB6449894"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a non-medical attendee caring for the covered member; or</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id62C671BA651744839957E70A5493C33E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>receiving per diem payments from the Department of Defense while caring for the covered member.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id8265C17044684217A68D3024D1CEB429"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Specification of family members</header><text>Notwithstanding section 2(4), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly prescribe in regulations the family members of covered members of the Armed Forces who shall be considered to be a family member of a covered member of the Armed Forces for purposes of paragraph (1).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idA340EDFCCBA2473EA5F1DCAC5807F2D5"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Specification of care</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id7D72B012A1734FE2BE2DB89647CFA87C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe in regulations the urgent and emergency medical care and counseling that shall be available to family members under paragraph (1) at military medical treatment facilities.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="deleted" id="idD53991386D4C47D8830D0E3782017392" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe in regulations the urgent and emergency medical care and counseling that shall be available to family members under paragraph (1) at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id4EBD124821A047DABF4AB8D2674D50DD"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Recovery of costs</header><text>The United States may recover the costs of the provision of medical care and counseling under paragraph (1) as follows (as applicable):</text> <subparagraph id="id1DF9794511C44992AC889C78DE726085"><enum>(A)</enum><text>From third-party payers, in the same manner as the United States may collect costs of the charges of health care provided to covered beneficiaries from third-party payers under section 1095 of title 10, United States Code.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id01004029C4CD48BABBA8F8627CC7D1F7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>As if such care and counseling was provided under the authority of section 1784 of title 38, United States Code.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2353A9884B7D44E28C6EC5F8F018D3D3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Job placement services</header><text>A family member who is on invitational orders or is a non-medical attendee while caring for a covered member of the Armed Forces for more than 45 days during a one-year period shall be eligible for job placement services otherwise offered by the Department of Defense.</text> </subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="id67F2BEC2DAC4402280A339400502F61F"><enum>C</enum><header>Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder</header> <section id="id368C08EEEA7F490389FA1520BB339C70"><enum>221.</enum><header>Comprehensive plans on prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, and treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="idF61EA66A492144368240423F2B044298"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Plans required</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, submit to the congressional defense committees one or more comprehensive plans for programs and activities of the Department of Defense to prevent, diagnose, mitigate, treat, and otherwise respond to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in members of the Armed Forces.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id3AAA2D435930485882ED896ECDF87CC7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>Each plan submitted under subsection (a) shall include comprehensive proposals of the Department on the following:</text> <paragraph id="idFFB9512AB07148359ECE44A5E2113ECE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The designation by the Secretary of Defense of a lead agent or executive agent for the Department to coordinate development and implementation of the plan.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idAB275B92E1EA42A0B79DD6947DA50CC3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The improvement of personnel protective equipment for members of the Armed Forces in order to prevent traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idBEBA07EEB75C40C689AFF4C62B32F24F"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The improvement of methods and mechanisms for the detection and treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces in the field.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idD1AB2F54D3E647AF8F5F37D5FCA67DF7"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The development and deployment of diagnostic criteria for the detection and evaluation of the range of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces, which criteria shall be employed uniformly across the military departments in all applicable circumstances, including provision of clinical care and assessment of future deployability of members of the Armed Forces.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idEFCCD81AACA5462781D1665A7FB5F8C1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The development and deployment of effective means of assessing traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces, including a system of pre-deployment and post-deployment screenings of cognitive ability in members for the detection of cognitive impairment, as required by the amendments made by section 222.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id45C87A4C10C04E41B6DCC140B5315134"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The development and deployment of effective means of managing and monitoring members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder in the receipt of care for traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder, as applicable, including the monitoring and assessment of treatment and outcomes.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idD15FA5A7B5A24C9CBE76BE019EFAE28B"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The requirements for research on traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, including (in particular) research on pharmacological approaches to treatment for traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder, as applicable, and the allocation of priorities among such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7799825F5B3442DDA1CA8CD0B79A1605"><enum>(8)</enum><text>The provision of education and outreach to families of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder on a range of matters relating to traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder, as applicable, including detection, mitigation, and treatment.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6C77D68ACF4B49A7B763030104341363"><enum>(9)</enum><text>The assessment of the current capabilities of the Department for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA4606D4C90264C81B404FCB157DB8DF4"><enum>(10)</enum><text>The identification of gaps in current capabilities of the Department for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2EA228D8F8364820AE180CC1B0960E11"><enum>(11)</enum><text>The identification of the resources required for the Department in fiscal years 2009 thru 2013 to address the gaps in capabilities identified under paragraph (10).</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC6EB097635C54AE7A679B5423582F2F7"><enum>(12)</enum><text>The development of joint planning among the Department of Defense, the military departments, and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces, including planning for the seamless transition of such members from care through the Department of Defense care through the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id961060BAEF504248A103548861168A94"><enum>(13)</enum><text>A requirement that exposure to a blast or blasts be recorded in the records of members of the Armed Forces.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id669FDA3942C949EFA4D287BE10503881"><enum>(14)</enum><text>The development of clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of blast injuries in members of the Armed Forces, including, but not limited to, traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id08F7BCC956874937B5E179FCC55E39F3"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Coordination in development</header><text>Each plan submitted under subsection (a) shall be developed in coordination with the Secretary of the Army (who was designated by the Secretary of Defense as executive agent for the prevention, mitigation, and treatment of blast injuries under section 256 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109–163; 119 Stat. 3181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note)).</text> </subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id33AE1B04A1254C649696C45E67AB4EE6"><enum>222.</enum><header>Improvement of medical tracking system for members of the Armed Forces deployed overseas</header> <subsection id="idB9539F9B322B43E680647F3A682C7F06"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Protocol for assessment of cognitive functioning</header> <paragraph id="idC28AD875A2AC46D8BDC813405FA28BF0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Protocol required</header><text>Subsection (b) of section 1074f of title 10, United States Code, is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="id01129DAB18BF4B15B9E9D3DEB9DA79FE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idDF50D801FECF41F094378D093D39F66B" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="id3165AFBEFDED4664A0F720DE010A5EA3" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>An assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8E2A657CA88A4EA68FB160DCE3E32045"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA24276206CE44ADFAAD71AFA05F6E3CA" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="id60F2090A75F744F28F3207CB1500177E" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idBB919EBFC86846A89EC13CF73ACA7D6B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Secretary shall establish for purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2) a protocol for the predeployment assessment and documentation of the cognitive (including memory) functioning of a member who is deployed outside the United States in order to facilitate the assessment of the postdeployment cognitive (including memory) functioning of the member.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="deleted" id="id0AFE7DEAD0D64C7F859C914B855D8728" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The protocol under subparagraph (A) shall include appropriate mechanisms to permit the differential diagnosis of traumatic brain injury in members returning from deployment in a combat zone.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idD93AA8FCD556485B94F5C251757CF236"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Pilot projects</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idF08A5FE404234D84AFE5974B5D2CBF64"><enum>(A)</enum><text>In developing the protocol required by paragraph (3) of section 1074f(b) of title 10, United States Code (as amended by paragraph (1) of this subsection), for purposes of assessments for traumatic brain injury, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct up to three pilot projects to evaluate various mechanisms for use in the protocol for such purposes. One of the mechanisms to be so evaluated shall be a computer-based assessment tool.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="deleted" id="id45401858D2DF49A897FFEDBEB76C3D36" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Not later than 60 days after the completion of the pilot projects conducted under this paragraph, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the pilot projects. The report shall include—</text> <clause id="idF88CF9E6634144388849015D4EBB22DC"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a description of the pilot projects so conducted;</text> </clause><clause id="id6D3494DE02FC45DAA9AE9FFCCB796DB6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an assessment of the results of each such pilot project; and</text> </clause><clause id="id2D1B687FCFAD4DFD9A9E7F558CFFCB18"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a description of any mechanisms evaluated under each such pilot project that will incorporated into the protocol.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph changed="deleted" id="id3B1444570A3D49319C50E29404D3EA3E" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(C)</enum><text>There is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Defense, $3,000,000 for the pilot projects authorized by this paragraph. Of the amount so authorized to be appropriated, not more than $1,000,000 shall be available for any particular pilot project.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1E5B1FA3A3054E9FA909A9CA3073A315"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Quality assurance</header><text>Subsection (d)(2) of section 1074f of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD967F7ACBF2744E4AA98978EC8506771" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="id55C6A0C1A31B45C6AAE0E95BE57AEDD7" indent="up1"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="id05E743C9244F452D8912ADDA81BC36D7"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Standards for deployment</header><text>Subsection (f) of such section is amended—</text> <paragraph id="idF79C2C51DA0247C999610E84F9C22832"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the subsection heading, by striking <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="OLC">mental health</header-in-text></quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id955AA2ED5E7A4A5093D3301428CAC3ED"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)(B), by striking <quote>or</quote> and inserting <quote>, traumatic brain injury, or</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id64635E82E83340C280B93B736B0E25D9"><enum>223.</enum><header>Centers of excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder</header> <subsection id="id573B2B2488CB4B71BC4F11A98CD97B37"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Center of excellence on traumatic brain injury</header><text>Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1105 the following new section:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0EB3A7AD8E4448B684B008207E4410E7" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="USC"> <section id="idCD9AA4DDE4634861BFA59EDA629E3D83"><enum>1105a.</enum><header>Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury</header> <subsection id="id6190CF36B8AB47388B6B987367E8A20C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Department of Defense a center of excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury (TBI), including mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injury, to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c). The center shall be known as a <quote>Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury</quote>.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idB73CF220EA49493EA1A00443BAC42816"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Partnerships</header><text>The Secretary shall authorize the Center to enter into such partnerships, agreements, or other arrangements as the Secretary considers appropriate with the Department of Veterans Affairs, institutions of higher education, and other appropriate public and private entities (including international entities) to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c).</text> </subsection><subsection id="id90D0FC9FB52A4209A8B177B9AC759629"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The Center shall have responsibilities as follows:</text> <paragraph id="IDb5afb71eb5fb47e2a1bbf90393451765"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To direct and oversee, based on expert research, the development and implementation of a long-term, comprehensive plan and strategy for the Department of Defense for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ID241685bd502448aaa0e49df61adf1567"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To provide for the development, testing, and dissemination within the Department of best practices for the treatment of traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="IDb5001af176b7427fb7b61a632d4a8f46"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To provide guidance for the mental health system of the Department in determining the mental health and neurological health personnel required to provide quality mental health care for members of the armed forces with traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ID94cea397b7ab41928da2c794e9dc9779"><enum>(4)</enum><text>To establish, implement, and oversee a comprehensive program to train mental health and neurological health professionals of the Department in the treatment of traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ID4d73b1b8e57341dab21f6ab6d90ec122"><enum>(5)</enum><text>To facilitate advancements in the study of the short-term and long-term psychological effects of traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ID3c164913e86d478bbea2434e160a3a91"><enum>(6)</enum><text>To disseminate within the military medical treatment facilities of the Department best practices for training mental health professionals, including neurological health professionals, with respect to traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ID1b2a9f279f684d9db3c3f33c35495667"><enum>(7)</enum><text>To conduct basic science and translational research on traumatic brain injury for the purposes of understanding the etiology of traumatic brain injury and developing preventive interventions and new treatments.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="IDad4e09d1ac9742bfbc38318491a92e1d"><enum>(8)</enum><text>To develop outreach strategies and treatments for families of members of the armed forces with traumatic brain injury in order to mitigate the negative impacts of traumatic brain injury on such family members and to support the recovery of such members from traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ID1c13d8df67ff4edcb9983fd0c525d9c6"><enum>(9)</enum><text>To conduct research on the unique mental health needs of women members of the armed forces with traumatic brain injury and develop treatments to meet any needs identified through such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ID2b1e581d16694eaba6f37b33a3a6731f"><enum>(10)</enum><text>To conduct research on the unique mental health needs of ethnic minority members of the armed forces with traumatic brain injury and develop treatments to meet any needs identified through such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ID6887776face14f5eb720dff5fdca81c6"><enum>(11)</enum><text>To conduct research on the mental health needs of families of members of the armed forces with traumatic brain injury and develop treatments to meet any needs identified through such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ID72d535653e06455c972639534965cb50"><enum>(12)</enum><text>To develop and oversee a long-term plan to increase the number of mental health and neurological health professionals within the Department in order to facilitate the meeting by the Department of the needs of members of the armed forces with traumatic brain injury until their transition to care and treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id191B8B1DDB5647D2A34F045882E0D8F2"><enum>(13)</enum><text>Such other responsibilities as the Secretary shall specify.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="id95DB23228A814BDC885189D8541870CD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Center of excellence on post-traumatic stress disorder</header><text>Chapter 55 of such title is further amended by inserting after section 1105a, as added by subsection (a), the following new section:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0A0249FADA0D40F59208B3406EFD2738" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="USC"> <section id="id47F43B9307FD4A75B2118B800E83060F"><enum>1105b.</enum><header>Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder</header> <subsection id="idD5A545CD497B455DAF475B620AC727AE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Department of Defense a center of excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including mild, moderate, and severe post-traumatic stress disorder, to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c). The center shall be known as a <quote>Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder</quote>.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idA28FA6444F5D45A0ABA2CEDAF25BA84F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Partnerships</header><text>The Secretary shall authorize the Center to enter into such partnerships, agreements, or other arrangements as the Secretary considers appropriate with the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder of the Department of Veterans Affairs, institutions of higher education, and other appropriate public and private entities (including international entities) to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c).</text> </subsection><subsection id="id2932B5F10EB047D7B35A5579EDBD5BC4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The Center shall have responsibilities as follows:</text> <paragraph id="idFD8383864CD74B97886979A36C36D936"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To direct and oversee, based on expert research, the development and implementation of a long-term, comprehensive plan and strategy for the Department of Defense for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id87E09D39BC294F4CB1FFCA90D611EC36"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To provide for the development, testing, and dissemination within the Department of best practices for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id2D173D24F1D84272A10EA7C29D335661"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To provide guidance for the mental health system of the Department in determining the mental health and neurological health personnel required to provide quality mental health care for members of the armed forces with post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id74C1F0D529C94156B3C3277FA46BF966"><enum>(4)</enum><text>To establish, implement, and oversee a comprehensive program to train mental health and neurological health professionals of the Department in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id6B710DCD66CA49668935C2F5419AC51A"><enum>(5)</enum><text>To facilitate advancements in the study of the short-term and long-term psychological effects of post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id023C7AD9B43442FF877BCF84DC85851D"><enum>(6)</enum><text>To disseminate within the military medical treatment facilities of the Department best practices for training mental health professionals, including neurological health professionals, with respect to post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id17B9D5696D3D4579B3F0497C7DF1B02E"><enum>(7)</enum><text>To conduct basic science and translational research on post-traumatic stress disorder for the purposes of understanding the etiology of post-traumatic stress disorder and developing preventive interventions and new treatments.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idFC62ADC71DB64904AC583FCD3B0CF6EF"><enum>(8)</enum><text>To develop outreach strategies and treatments for families of members of the armed forces with post-traumatic stress disorder in order to mitigate the negative impacts of traumatic brain injury on such family members and to support the recovery of such members from post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idED8F40B1856447C1B40BA186890C943F"><enum>(9)</enum><text>To conduct research on the unique mental health needs of women members of the armed forces, including victims of sexual assault, with post-traumatic stress disorder and develop treatments to meet any needs identified through such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idDAED9F614C414DDBBFD6BAEC74C4368A"><enum>(10)</enum><text>To conduct research on the unique mental health needs of ethnic minority members of the armed forces with post-traumatic stress disorder and develop treatments to meet any needs identified through such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id073A32F08CF64E4D9D55D6D86FB8C22F"><enum>(11)</enum><text>To conduct research on the mental health needs of families of members of the armed forces with post-traumatic stress disorder and develop treatments to meet any needs identified through such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id4E6F8C0D5DFA40FB81261C209FF334A1"><enum>(12)</enum><text>To develop and oversee a long-term plan to increase the number of mental health and neurological health professionals within the Department in order to facilitate the meeting by the Department of the needs of members of the armed forces with post-traumatic stress disorder until their transition to care and treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id71F896BFE4544017A0BEB19552F616DF"><enum>(13)</enum><text>Such other responsibilities as the Secretary shall specify.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="idE97BACD17E03489B9BB24BE43A59D40E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 55 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1105 the following new items:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" id="id0432505f-dc68-432a-bcf7-70ba3283a162" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="USC"> <toc changed="deleted" reported-display-style="strikethrough"> <toc-entry idref="idCD9AA4DDE4634861BFA59EDA629E3D83" level="section">1105a. Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury.</toc-entry> <toc-entry idref="id47F43B9307FD4A75B2118B800E83060F" level="section">1105b. Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.</toc-entry> </toc> <after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="idF75FA04ECD63424B91F7DF31C029F957"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Report on establishment</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the establishment of the Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury required by section 1105a of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), and the establishment of the Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder required by section 1105b of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (b)). The report shall, for each such Center—</text> <paragraph id="id93D8AD0861F54AA98285B8B61CED162B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>describe in detail the activities and proposed activities of such Center; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8669A44254C34E64B3EC13C8A1248134"><enum>(2)</enum><text>assess the progress of such Center in discharging the responsibilities of such Center.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2F934104C06A45BEB2A51F29B65AA515"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2008 for the Department of Defense for Defense Health Program, $10,000,000, of which—</text> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7C214A2FAD01402FA0F91513DC52A5F8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$5,000,000 shall be available for the Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury required by section 1105a of title 10, United States Code; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id47F214522A7549508685AD5C08C500A0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$5,000,000 shall be available for the Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder required by section 1105b of title 10, United States Code.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0B8528E8D5364436A1AEC5F318C464E3"><enum>224.</enum><header>Funding for improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder</header> <subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC2FBAD86EFEA452DA4E00A7F30CB9BEC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4F0EC82636F044B3A4BE1E804D01FC38"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2008 for the Department of Defense for Defense Health Program in the amount of $50,000,000, with such amount to be available for activities as follows:</text> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2115646E44614712A32C28F615996698"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Activities relating to the improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury (TBI).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5499535B164A47718443CF883A13929B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Activities relating to the improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members of the Armed Forces with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB5A3097F011A496AA30FDD7EC31CA2DA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability of amount</header><text>Of the amount authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1), $17,000,000 shall be available for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center of the Department of Defense.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9D535BC30C0E47668E35CF3CB12A78F6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Supplement not supplant</header><text>The amount authorized to be appropriated by subsection (a) for Defense Health Program is in addition to any other amounts authorized to be appropriated by this Act for Defense Health Program.</text> </subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE705DC2784074143AC4C46EDBA30D511"><enum>225.</enum><header>Reports</header> <subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idBB2F15734F7A446EBBE7C512CAFB87B7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reports on implementation of certain requirements</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report describing the progress in implementing the requirements as follows:</text> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7D32E16DECB240A8977D7EE90DCA6477"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The requirements of section 721 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109–364; 120 Stat. 2294), relating to a longitudinal study on traumatic brain injury incurred by members of the Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id003591B109B7477BBBF9F1C704BDFC05"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The requirements arising from the amendments made by section 738 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (120 Stat. 2303), relating to enhanced mental health screening and services for members of the Armed Forces.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD045F483EEEC465C97C1CDF35A92D1FB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The requirements of section 741 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (120 Stat. 2304), relating to pilot projects on early diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7771E4C306E84E87B5A316CB4B567E7B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Annual reports on expenditures for activities on tbi and ptsd</header> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA12E040102694DEB926110A00D709407"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Reports required</header><text>Not later than March 1, 2008, and each year thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth the amounts expended by the Department of Defense during the preceding calendar year on activities described in paragraph (2), including the amount allocated during such calendar year to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center of the Department.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id57BC3017B9594055BF1BB52A687490E4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered activities</header><text>The activities described in this paragraph are activities as follows:</text> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC5A2511F75254173AA4BE8F6854C7ACA"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Activities relating to the improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury (TBI).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id956AA67694E04E7BA2FCFC9A7B3D6643"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Activities relating to the improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members of the Armed Forces with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id23445BBEFE83415FB9EC917DD164FA2C"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>Each report under paragraph (1) shall include—</text> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC01649D2063442BDB65B8C9411BF90D1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a description of the amounts expended as described in that paragraph, including a description of the activities for which expended;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD35B7CC0EC21457FBB74C4ECC4EA00D8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a description and assessment of the outcome of such activities;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD8655BAC9AF34671996F76848E77606C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a statement of priorities of the Department in activities relating to the prevention, diagnosis, research, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury in members of the Armed Forces during the year in which such report is submitted and in future calendar years; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB356302345034FB69D6A76122C35548B"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a statement of priorities of the Department in activities relating to the prevention, diagnosis, research, treatment, and rehabilitation of post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces during the year in which such report is submitted and in future calendar years.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="id9EC6F58533B444F5AAA28EB6B43C4536"><enum>D</enum><header>Other Matters</header> <section id="id2AAA5F3464014D3CA2AE0E6F6E22A385"><enum>231.</enum><header>Joint electronic health record for the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs</header> <subsection id="id5DE339C54C884A9C8C78D38343347A57"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly—</text> <paragraph id="id0E1515B06328462C8F92661432AC745C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>develop and implement a joint electronic health record for use by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id659AB42568174D02913A7A6715D666C4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>accelerate the exchange of health care information between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to support the delivery of health care by both Departments.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idE7EAD3244DD74E2FA9AA7AA86B68FE61"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program Office for a Joint Electronic Health Record</header> <paragraph id="idB8F1166A6E534DC8937499A6EF366754"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There is hereby established a joint element of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to be known as the <quote>Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program Office for a Joint Electronic Health Record</quote> (in this section referred to as the <quote>Office</quote>).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id578C158A28CC47E4842BFE8A48250D70"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Purposes</header><text>The purposes of the Office shall be as follows:</text> <subparagraph id="idF00D2F84CA294EFDB102DA08CB384137"><enum>(A)</enum><text>To act as a single point of accountability for the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in the rapid development, test, and implementation of a joint electronic health record for use by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id30C5EBA52BBE43AFB87E4C9B51BB261F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>To accelerate the exchange of health care information between Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to support the delivery of health care by both Departments.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id74B08A12FA9F4885B27C86DC518CC9EA"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Leadership</header> <paragraph id="id22BE5AAC12CF463581AA8CE5C8C569C1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Director</header><text>The Director of the Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program Office for a Joint Electronic Health Record shall be the head of the Office.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id175B18814E7B434CBDF8D724F94DDD03"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Deputy director</header><text>The Deputy Director of the Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program Office for a Joint Electronic Health Record shall be the deputy head of the office and shall assist the Director in carrying out the duties of the Director.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id2DBB3532A6C34BA2AE1F4E365B616AF1"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Appointments</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id36A6E29A1551431D9A83597DCE77C7EB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Director shall be appointed by the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, from among employees of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Senior Executive Service who are qualified to direct the development and acquisition of major information technology capabilities.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="deleted" id="id0B371A74CEEA4E9A86C8E4F205C4A0A4" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Deputy Director shall be appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Defense, from among employees of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Senior Executive Service who are qualified to direct the development and acquisition of major information technology capabilities.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idAF75DC8C3A7646D8BBEC51B7CC12056F"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Additional guidance</header><text>In addition to the direction, supervision, and control provided by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Office shall also receive guidance from the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee under section 320 of title 38, United States Code, in the discharge of the functions of the Office under this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idDBD94C8606BC42E99B75DAF4D8043579"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Testimony</header><text>Upon request by any of the appropriate committees of Congress, the Director and the Deputy Director shall testify before such committee regarding the discharge of the functions of the Office under this section.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idF0B938CB59384B5FA0E00C3B72592D92"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Function</header><text>The function of the Office shall be to develop and prepare for deployment, by not later than September 30, 2010, a joint electronic health record to be utilized by both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in the provision of medical care and treatment to members of the Armed Forces and veterans.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id6CAA66E5C2A9415D9AE3DC97382B4AAC"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Schedules and benchmarks</header><text>Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly establish a schedule and benchmarks for the discharge by the Office of its function under this section, including each of the following:</text> <paragraph id="id5D7B72D3A21545F587A494C3D1A2DB78"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A schedule for the establishment of the Office.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idBA68A9C3D293454293E3A359A6E1184E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A schedule and deadline for the establishment of the requirements for the joint electronic health record described in subsection (d).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id3CA1BB319C8C4C18B18E6CC6A2BA3D6A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>A schedule and associated deadlines for any acquisition and testing required in the development and deployment of the joint electronic health record.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id6F0EFE3D290E4D319F45279320A3A8B4"><enum>(4)</enum><text>A schedule and associated deadlines and requirements for the deployment of the joint electronic health record.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id14197B6059B04EF5A10D6B6FD4017FCF"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Proposed funding for the Office for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013 for the discharge of its function.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7F32263156E543248B06ADFB588DAEE6"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Pilot projects</header> <paragraph id="id3AA091A66D5943AF9E29288BAEFF9D4D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>In order to assist the Office in the discharge of its function under this section, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may, acting jointly, carry out one or more pilot projects to assess the feasability and advisability of various technological approaches to the achievement of the joint electronic health record described in subsection (d).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id4EB9A267E61241E79A62EF3ECAED1FE0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Treatment as single health care system</header><text>For purposes of each pilot project carried out under this subsection, the health care system of the Department of Defense and the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be treated as a single health care system for purposes of the regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d–2 note).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id26DCBE7127CD4A88B1B1F517DA7E5F2B"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Staff and other resources</header> <paragraph id="idA86D5B50108D4BCB8FAF57C328D5017B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall assign to the Office such personnel and other resources of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs as are required for the discharge of its function under this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id510C16120D404AE194563755F5C063FE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Additional services</header><text>Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Director may utilize the services of private individuals and entities as consultants to the Office in the discharge of its function under this section. Amounts available to the Office shall be available for payment for such services.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idEE9456E481E14935A1493C40D96B3172"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Annual reports</header> <paragraph id="idB9678A5CD7C948DB85C2D3A670F1E774"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than January 1, 2009, and each year thereafter through 2014, the Director shall submit to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and to the appropriate committees of Congress, a report on the activities of the Office during the preceding calendar year. Each report shall include, for the year covered by such report, the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id9E978D127AE94290A8E90A99B197888E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A detailed description of the activities of the Office, including a detailed description of the amounts expended and the purposes for which expended.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id02DCE2A8F8C2499DB41A466E8CF2FD3F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An assessment of the progress made by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in the development and implementation of the joint electronic health record described in subsection (d).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id1A5FE081A54D40C8AC868BED5318EAAA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability to public</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available to the public each report submitted under paragraph (1), including by posting such report on the Internet website of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, respectively, that is available to the public.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id40358B92612040149A16BBD848310FDF"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Comptroller General assessment of implementation</header><text>Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act and every six months thereafter until the completion of the implementation of the joint electronic health record described in subsection (d), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report setting forth the assessment of the Comptroller General of the progress of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in developing and implementing the joint electronic health record.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id1B52AF35EB33477DB652249F2C8AC01D"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Funding</header> <paragraph id="idF9830E1669C841F6AD18EB9326714F4D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall each contribute equally to the costs of the Office in fiscal year 2008 and fiscal years thereafter. The amount so contributed by each Secretary in fiscal year 2008 shall be up to $10,000,000.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id96A474ED93DE4E1C8149E57A10831591"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Source of funds</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id09A8982A8F6A44E18B40DA6BD73F2759"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Amounts contributed by the Secretary of Defense under paragraph (1) shall be derived from amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Defense for the Defense Health Program and available for program management and technology resources.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="deleted" id="idCF40DEF4B2FF4E0E8FBB473E46DD275E" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Amounts contributed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under paragraph (1) shall be derived from amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs for Medical Care and available for program management and technology resources.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idB6EDF1CC1FA44FDEA5BD9F1A93823540"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Joint electronic health record defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>joint electronic health record</term> means a single system that includes patient information across the continuum of medical care, including inpatient care, outpatient care, pharmacy care, patient safety, and rehabilitative care.</text> </subsection></section><section id="id310C3E58ECB946859D411B1CAC1B0BAC"><enum>232.</enum><header>Enhanced personnel authorities for the Department of Defense for health care professionals for care and treatment of wounded and injured members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="idE806060B1E4E40569E8D37F5AF665AB9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 1599c of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA5DDD321E03246DBA178EF39753A48F0" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="USC"> <section id="id63E376868AB5433780110438DF45369D"><enum>1599c.</enum><header>Health care professionals: enhanced appointment and compensation authority for personnel for care and treatment of wounded and injured members of the armed forces</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary of Defense may, in the discretion of the Secretary, exercise any authority for the appointment and pay of health care personnel under chapter 74 of title 38 for purposes of the recruitment, employment, and retention of civilian health care professionals for the Department of Defense if the Secretary determines that the exercise of such authority is necessary in order to provide or enhance the capacity of the Department to provide care and treatment for members of the armed forces who are wounded or injured on active duty in the armed forces.</text> </section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="id4D1138DF21B0450FB79A40D4913EB1BC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 81 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 1599c and inserting the following new item:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" id="idcefe8c7f-0990-4584-922c-562a6dc0e637" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="USC"> <toc changed="deleted" reported-display-style="strikethrough"> <toc-entry idref="id63E376868AB5433780110438DF45369D" level="section">1599c. Health care professionals: enhanced appointment and compensation authority for personnel for care and treatment of wounded and injured members of the armed forces.</toc-entry> </toc> <after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section><section id="id0F134A82E5D244749A1ECEB34D64F0F2"><enum>233.</enum><header>Personnel shortages in the mental health workforce of the Department of Defense</header> <subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE7CEE1BE71B54AC992385D1488595A27"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Recommendations on means of addressing shortages</header> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2BB3A296B72C4F53B4F54AF441A7A19C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report setting forth the recommendations of the Secretary for such legislative or administrative actions as the Secretary considers appropriate to address current personnel shortages in the mental health workforce of the Department of Defense.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id354B3CBCD7854ADD8B687A1CDD0C4557"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The report required by paragraph (1) shall address the following:</text> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id36BBA8A311E94FA2AD095583866736AE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Enhancements or improvements of financial incentives for personnel in the mental health workforce of the Department of Defense in order to enhance the recruitment and retention of such personnel, including recruitment, accession, or retention bonuses and scholarship, tuition, and other financial assistance.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idCFEEFF7A48994D84A6252B6D32A051CB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Modifications of service obligations of personnel in the mental health workforce.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE971FDB65A0143A1B36D2D023056D637"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id70E1EBB35B14406B9E3C42D01E09F2BF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Recruitment</header><text>Commencing not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall implement programs to recruit qualified individuals in mental health fields to serve in the Armed Forces as mental health personnel of the Armed Forces.</text> </subsection></section></subtitle><enum>III</enum><header>DISABILITY MATTERS</header> <subtitle id="id69519F3366CF41BD806690A44DFDFF95"><enum>A</enum><header>Disability Evaluations</header> <section id="idCD8FD79FC0E34D78BCA7F3EBA19D5BE3"><enum>301.</enum><header>Utilization of veterans' presumption of sound condition in establishing eligibility of members of the Armed Forces for retirement for disability</header> <subsection id="id7E98A116945E4044AF13F1771BDEFD35"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Retirement of regulars and members on active duty for more than 30 days</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Clause (i) of section 1201(b)(3)(A) of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id37373304C3BA4DA2A97A2A4942F500AB" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="OLC"> <clause id="idF30D3B4BDE1848FA9AF88468044F60D6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the member has six months or more of active military service and the disability was not noted at the time of the member's entrance on active duty (unless compelling evidence or medical judgment is such to warrant a finding that the disability existed before the member's entrance on active duty);</text> </clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="id029FF8B60F6C4428BD73709885B53905"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Separation of regulars and members on active duty for more than 30 days</header><text>Section 1203(b)(4)(B) of such title is amended by striking <quote>and the member has at least eight years of service computed under section 1208 of this title</quote> and inserting <quote>, the member has six months or more of active military service, and the disability was not noted at the time of the member's entrance on active duty (unless evidence or medical judgment is such to warrant a finding that the disability existed before the member's entrance on active duty)</quote>.</text> </subsection></section><section id="id3D536717787B41D3895513C9F97C7849"><enum>302.</enum><header>Requirements and limitations on Department of Defense determinations of disability with respect to members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="id438F82D4BE8B4641BCF30C57EC2E8C25"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1216 the following new section:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idBD741B2646B74788B23BD7D49069EC9F" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="USC"> <section id="idDE1AEACFEF184178A4921390FCCA0CC4"><enum>1216a.</enum><header>Determinations of disability: requirements and limitations on determinations</header> <subsection id="idE6B8A54E44964B9283C768499DED1048"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Utilization of VA schedule for rating disabilities in determinations of disability</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id01A28CA5AA094725AADE9945309CF494"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In making a determination of disability of a member of the armed forces for purposes of this chapter, the Secretary concerned—</text> <subparagraph changed="deleted" id="id1C1BA729546947ED8441DEDDA56F4729" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall, to the extent feasible, utilize the schedule for rating disabilities in use by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including any applicable interpretation of the schedule by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="deleted" id="idB33E0A0DA41249A393B011CCFC83913A" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(B)</enum><text>except as provided in paragraph (2), may not deviate from the schedule or any such interpretation of the schedule.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="deleted" id="idDA5DD3E2B92247A89D2952F5F599494D" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In making a determination described in paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned may utilize in lieu of the schedule described in that paragraph such criteria as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may jointly prescribe for purposes of this subsection if the utilization of such criteria will result in a determination of a greater percentage of disability than would be otherwise determined through the utilization of the schedule.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id74B6BC84C989484C87566AE2BB8516A3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Consideration of all medical conditions</header><text>In making a determination of the rating of disability of a member of the armed forces for purposes of this chapter, the Secretary concerned shall take into account all medical conditions, whether individually or collectively, that render the member unfit to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating.</text> </subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="idD69D23CF3C774DB2A93EF28701307AC9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 61 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1216 the following new item:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" id="id840dd4a2-4345-44cf-b50e-45bff60dfa26" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="USC"> <toc changed="deleted" reported-display-style="strikethrough"> <toc-entry idref="idDE1AEACFEF184178A4921390FCCA0CC4" level="section">1216a. Determinations of disability: requirements and limitations on determinations.</toc-entry> </toc> <after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section><section id="id1816223C01CD4B80AC9DEA16E7461DF3"><enum>303.</enum><header>Review of separation of members of the Armed Forces separated from service with a disability rating of 20 percent disabled or less</header> <subsection id="id757FD0A926F84FFAB7181B5ED41C4553"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Board required</header> <paragraph id="idAD239048148046FAA272405E924920D6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Chapter 79 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1554 adding the following new section:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id65D33355AD8B4707A2D9D0F193D24F5F" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="USC"> <section id="id82EC2579F4D942DEBFB8C84743092729"><enum>1554a.</enum><header>Review of separation with disability rating of 20 percent disabled or less</header> <subsection id="IDd1598c8fd7df4f039987bbec6413695a"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id3F71C0C475AF4DBC8134E0820197DE68"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Office of the Secretary of Defense a board of review to review the disability determinations of covered individuals by Physical Evaluation Boards. The board shall be known as the <quote>Physical Disability Board of Review</quote>.</text> </paragraph><paragraph changed="deleted" id="id7F95FFC55D73472C90A6BC3C6FB91051" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Board shall consist of not less than three members appointed by the Secretary.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID8835ec9c121e460eb9be90377e172d6e"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered individuals</header><text>For purposes of this section, covered individuals are members and former members of the armed forces who, during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on December 31, 2009—</text> <paragraph id="idB91F8EC252FB4B1F90DEC79F78ACF53F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>are separated from the armed forces due to unfitness for duty due to a medical condition with a disability rating of 20 percent disabled or less; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id1547018B63C547F38A7061D465B86B2E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>are found to be not eligible for retirement.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDfe4bf90c00f24b7dba4cd07c5f684ebc"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Review</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idB366888B72C24555B20EF593076AFE83"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Upon its own motion, or upon the request of a covered individual, or a surviving spouse, next of kin, or legal representative of a covered individual, the Board shall review the findings and decisions of the Physical Evaluation Board with respect to such covered individual.</text> </paragraph><paragraph changed="deleted" id="id5C0F93BF61004198A2D0E04E7F3CD221" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The review by the Board under paragraph (1) shall be based on the records of the armed force concerned and such other evidence as may be presented to the Board. A witness may present evidence to the Board by affidavit or by any other means considered acceptable by the Secretary of Defense.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDa7bb9929048d4aab830065d579123244"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorized recommendations</header><text>The Board may, as a result of its findings under a review under subsection (c), recommend to the Secretary concerned the following (as applicable) with respect to a covered individual:</text> <paragraph id="idA4F1A80B83C64639800C2BFB0A2B4BAF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>No recharacterization of the separation of such individual or modification of the disability rating previously assigned such individual.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idD22321B8AC4B4E5C816A010EE8C571E2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The recharacterization of the separation of such individual to retirement for disability.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idF8769BD732484DFBBCAFEE0A4B179FE1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The modification of the disability rating previously assigned such individual by the Physical Evaluation Board concerned.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id134403857A13485B9435DB9680D2B6EA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The issuance of a new disability rating for such individual.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID8695c2da26b74e338bd0abd0b8173c69"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Correction of military records</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id23B06B7234B34871AFC9BBFC8A3AA561"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary concerned may correct the military records of a covered individual in accordance with a recommendation made by the Board under subsection (d). Any such correction may be made effective as of the effective date of the action taken on the report of the Physical Evaluation Board to which such recommendation relates.</text> </paragraph><paragraph changed="deleted" id="id911DB8BD8D5D497487C48382AA7051AA" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In the case of a member previously separated pursuant to the findings and decision of a Physical Evaluation Board together with a lump-sum or other payment of back pay and allowances at separation, the amount of pay or other monetary benefits to which such member would be entitled based on the member's military record as corrected shall be reduced to take into account receipt of such lump-sum or other payment in such manner as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.</text> </paragraph><paragraph changed="deleted" id="ID99742a131fd74859824040d3f3aedfff" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(3)</enum><text>If the Board makes a recommendation not to correct the military records of a covered individual, the action taken on the report of the Physical Evaluation Board to which such recommendation relates shall be treated as final as of the date of such action.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID2656b1c615da4f0e8af4a3a2712f73f5"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Regulations</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idD3EEB97303A741D9ACCDFCB336B3365F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>This section shall be carried out in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.</text> </paragraph><paragraph changed="deleted" id="id3485D63FAF5E42249EA648BDFDB0A18E" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The regulations under paragraph (1) shall specify the effect of a determination or pending determination of a Physical Evaluation Board on considerations by boards for correction of military records under section 1552 of this title.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph><paragraph id="idFC107A95B3784A1C9A45C476213E1D37"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 79 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1554 the following new item:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" id="idf12dfae2-3698-4a81-965b-4b918e46faee" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="USC"> <toc changed="deleted" reported-display-style="strikethrough"> <toc-entry idref="id82EC2579F4D942DEBFB8C84743092729" level="section">1554a. Review of separation with disability rating of 20 percent disabled or less.</toc-entry> </toc> <after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE682550D0A71443787F79B035C42BF96"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Implementation</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall establish the board of review required by section 1554a of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), and prescribe the regulations required by such section, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text> </subsection></section><section id="id038D9B5ECDA440A0857FFB84B8D89C6E"><enum>304.</enum><header>Pilot programs on revised and improved disability evaluation system for members of the Armed Forces<italic></italic></header> <subsection id="IDbd5401e95fdc4865b0b27e0250258027"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot programs</header> <paragraph id="id494916310185451D87ED9B0C30966081"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, carry out pilot programs with respect to the disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense for the purpose set forth in subsection (d).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idE8782C2046194FC2B4B22DB1DEB0D2E0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Required pilot programs</header><text>In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Defense shall carry out the pilot programs described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (c). Each such pilot program shall be implemented not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id13D8DE07A23C452785231E3F35FD641A"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Authorized pilot programs</header><text>In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Defense may carry out such other pilot programs as the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, considers appropriate.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id510AD12D4E814120969B10A1E7DE971C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense</header><text>For purposes of this section, the disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense is the system of the Department for the evaluation of the disabilities of members of the Armed Forces who are being separated or retired from the Armed Forces for disability under chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id25AD6F612B434C9DBDE5CA0F3D30E4CF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Scope of pilot programs</header> <paragraph id="idA41DA07A435F46BBBCD5BD0C39493DC7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Disability determinations by dod utilizing va assigned disability rating</header><text>Under one of the pilot programs under subsection (a), for purposes of making a determination of disability of a member of the Armed Forces under section 1201(b) of title 10, United States Code, for the retirement, separation, or placement of the member on the temporary disability retired list under chapter 61 of such title, upon a determination by the Secretary of the military department concerned that the member is unfit to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating because of a physical disability as described in section 1201(a) of such title—</text> <subparagraph id="id8D90D0F3D95745A79A20C7B1DB66EE88"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—</text> <clause id="idBA29CD88B01F4CBC846DF9D82DF5AB29"><enum>(i)</enum><text>conduct an evaluation of the member for physical disability; and</text> </clause><clause id="id7112FDAE23A648C980A6DBD4A0921A3D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>assign the member a rating of disability in accordance with the schedule for rating disabilities utilized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs based on all medical conditions (whether individually or collectively) that render the member unfit for duty; and</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id75F6F360AC264AB5A583D3E8FEB3E496"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of the military department concerned shall make the determination of disability regarding the member utilizing the rating of disability assigned under subparagraph (A)(ii).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idFDEA78CD159F4111ABEF427677E2F972"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Disability determinations utilizing joint dod/va assigned disability rating</header><text>Under one of the pilot programs under subsection (a), in making a determination of disability of a member of the Armed Forces under section 1201(b) of title 10, United States Code, for the retirement, separation, or placement of the member on the temporary disability retired list under chapter 61 of such title, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall, upon determining that the member is unfit to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating because of a physical disability as described in section 1201(a) of such title—</text> <subparagraph id="idA99DD1B1EE3042CE8792412F3D3FFC2B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>provide for the joint evaluation of the member for disability by the Secretary of the military department concerned and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, including the assignment of a rating of disability for the member in accordance with the schedule for rating disabilities utilized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs based on all medical conditions (whether individually or collectively) that render the member unfit for duty; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id673C7D2FA79F4949A8F54104E85B7502"><enum>(B)</enum><text>make the determination of disability regarding the member utilizing the rating of disability assigned under subparagraph (A).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id96015E9FA174436393E726C9644D64E9"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Electronic clearing house</header><text>Under one of the pilot programs, the Secretary of Defense shall establish and operate a single Internet website for the disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense that enables participating members of the Armed Forces to fully utilize such system through the Internet, with such Internet website to include the following:</text> <subparagraph id="idC185BBF7A8CE45228A6C9A14EB483F8E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The availability of any forms required for the utilization of the disability evaluation system by members of the Armed Forces under the system.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6ECCEC02FBA04FF29385C1BCF1356471"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Secure mechanisms for the submission of such forms by members of the Armed Forces under the system, and for the tracking of the acceptance and review of any forms so submitted.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8F32160F207B41798F71DA0F9FBFE439"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Secure mechanisms for advising members of the Armed Forces under the system of any additional information, forms, or other items that are required for the acceptance and review of any forms so submitted.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4825E2611FB5496092405FB7851A8BB5"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The continuous availability of assistance to members of the Armed Forces under the system (including assistance through the caseworkers assigned to such members of the Armed Forces) in submitting and tracking such forms, including assistance in obtaining information, forms, or other items described by subparagraph (C).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1C7591FAD91E4B4FB20E865C21EA158E"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Secure mechanisms to request and receive personnel files or other personnel records of members of the Armed Forces under the system that are required for submission under the disability evaluation system, including the capability to track requests for such files or records and to determine the status of such requests and of responses to such requests.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id717D2C4CBFC44432B055BDE2AC488363"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Other pilot programs</header><text>Under any pilot program carried out by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (a)(3), the Secretary shall provide for the development, evaluation, and identification of such practices and procedures under the disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense as the Secretary considers appropriate for purpose set forth in subsection (d).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDcb2628aa72af4d82ab27e92e0bc50fbb"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The purpose of each pilot program under subsection (a) shall be—</text> <paragraph id="id018AAB95E08446579394711E4F2383DA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to provide for the development, evaluation, and identification of revised and improved practices and procedures under the disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense in order to—</text> <subparagraph id="ID1978a4f3f85e49118b29faacc366ba04"><enum>(A)</enum><text>reduce the processing time under the disability evaluation system of members of the Armed Forces who are likely to be retired or separated for disability, and who have not requested continuation on active duty, including, in particular, members who are severely wounded;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDfef8626eb6544a149b2471ed9e507593"><enum>(B)</enum><text>identify and implement or seek the modification of statutory or administrative policies and requirements applicable to the disability evaluation system that—</text> <clause id="id5BFE45BD7E4540CAA4899FB6CD0ADAF7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>are unnecessary or contrary to applicable best practices of civilian employers and civilian healthcare systems; or</text> </clause><clause id="id533FA28FBFD745E885AD035DC162AC8C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>otherwise result in hardship, arbitrary, or inconsistent outcomes for members of the Armed Forces, or unwarranted inefficiencies and delays;</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDca48a948a74d42c1b2475d49f9591b85"><enum>(C)</enum><text>eliminate material variations in policies, interpretations, and overall performance standards among the military departments under the disability evaluation system; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDc252413e11ab4bba8ff5cff11ab749c5"><enum>(D)</enum><text>determine whether it enhances the capability of the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive and determine claims from members of the Armed Forces for compensation, pension, hospitalization, or other veterans benefits; and</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id082547166FB64FECAB4F3A5BC65691BE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in conjunction with the findings and recommendations of applicable Presidential and Department of Defense study groups, to provide for the eventual development of revised and improved practices and procedures for the disability evaluation system in order to achieve the objectives set forth in paragraph (1).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id038A3A7732FF49EBBF77DF51BD9F64B3"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Utilization of results in updates of comprehensive policy on care, management, and transition of covered servicemembers</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly incorporate responses to any findings and recommendations arising under the pilot programs required by subsection (a) in updating the comprehensive policy on the care and management of covered servicemembers under section 101.</text> </subsection><subsection id="IDab76dc7eac5c494fb1311b7aaa41e37b"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Construction with other authorities</header> <paragraph id="idBB750A81DFAE440A972E498DF06A159B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), in carrying out a pilot program under subsection (a)—</text> <subparagraph id="id4704DE95EE1445579693820C688A51C6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the rules and regulations of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to methods of determining fitness or unfitness for duty and disability ratings for members of the Armed Forces shall apply to the pilot program only to the extent provided in the report on the pilot program under subsection (h)(1); and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1721852D2FF34227B749680EE2CF8FBB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may waive any provision of title 10, 37, or 38, United States Code, relating to methods of determining fitness or unfitness for duty and disability ratings for members of the Armed Forces if the Secretaries determine in writing that the application of such provision would be inconsistent with the purpose of the pilot program.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id0BED539D525D49BFB7250672C0851E75"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to authorize the waiver of any provision of section 1216a of title 10, United States Code, as added by section 302 of this Act.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDcd82ed28fff5438d94b764696c5c0427"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>Each pilot program under subsection (a) shall be completed not later than one year after the date of the commencement of such pilot program under that subsection.</text> </subsection><subsection id="ID9f5cb6f37043451b94cac527c0eba30a"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Reports</header> <paragraph id="ID0ecb8a99d6d64d10a4afa0e65a3be859"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Initial report</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the pilot programs under subsection (a). The report shall include—</text> <subparagraph id="id870CCA5303304BE2BBA033291DE221F4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a description of the scope and objectives of each pilot program;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id41549D8C39DD4AB2BF34486F9C929ABC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a description of the methodology to be used under such pilot program to ensure rapid identification under such pilot program of revised or improved practices under the disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense in order to achieve the objectives set forth in subsection (d)(1); and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3BD28F307A9F4B7D8AFBF8F0DC23FA76"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a statement of any provision described in subsection (f)(1)(B) that shall not apply to the pilot program by reason of a waiver under that subsection.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idFA0C9FFBFC1048C0BBE7B4D236160761"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Interim report</header><text>Not later than 150 days after the date of the submittal of the report required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the current status of such pilot program.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID70df3682f55d4052ab48b702d63b629f"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Final report</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the completion of all the pilot programs described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (c), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report setting forth a final evaluation and assessment of such pilot programs. The report shall include such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of such pilot programs.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idC8F83FC0DA1F4E70A1806D530518EA26"><enum>305.</enum><header>Reports on Army action plan in response to deficiencies in the Army physical disability evaluation system</header> <subsection id="id7354010C06024E20BFD8C435BFF5A457"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reports required</header><text>Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 120 days thereafter until March 1, 2009, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the implementation of corrective measures by the Department of Defense with respect to the Physical Disability Evaluation System (PDES) in response to the following:</text> <paragraph id="idAB5EF44D4E46488CAF8822745881D1FE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The report of the Inspector General of the Army on that system of March 6, 2007.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id66AC83E1D1504D22A6F108D3E5443825"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The report of the Independent Review Group on Rehabilitation Care and Administrative Processes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idA6080E10923649A488BB344411193255"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The report of the Department of Veterans Affairs Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id3C0E70A4B73D4BB996DFEC2C9590D1A7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements of report</header><text>Each report under subsection (a) shall include current information on the following:</text> <paragraph id="id61E5A34CFBBB4621BA5E803E707CEEF2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The total number of cases, and the number of cases involving combat disabled servicemembers, pending resolution before the Medical and Physical Disability Evaluation Boards of the Army, including information on the number of members of the Army who have been in a medical hold or holdover status for more than each of 100, 200, and 300 days.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id060EE5E4CFF341D9A8D66AC31D8CA70C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The status of the implementation of modifications to disability evaluation processes of the Department of Defense in response to the following:</text> <subparagraph id="idDDB5616ED92F4311A24BDF0309766634"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The report of the Inspector General on such processes dated March 6, 2007.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5213054B45114C719EB08EDB7DEB27ED"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The report of the Independent Review Group on Rehabilitation Care and Administrative Processes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA5103DE6B14447F2A5D5AA3A920322B4"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The report of the Department of Veterans Affairs Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id86A0F270B49A4B2DB13798F54CC84455"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Posting on internet</header><text>Not later than 24 hours after submitting a report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall post such report on the Internet website of the Department of Defense that is available to the public.</text> </subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="id32EEEFC3DB8B4F7686D87B1B9F49D475"><enum>B</enum><header>Other Disability Matters</header> <section id="id7BFAD5471BC445C280EBB011051A04A1"><enum>311.</enum><header>Enhancement of disability severance pay for members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="id3BF1EA27443F414D81B57C7CEDEA3818"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 1212 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—</text> <paragraph id="id602396E051FE47249DBE3C46422B69FB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(1), by striking <quote>his years of service, but not more than 12, computed under section 1208 of this title</quote> in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and inserting <quote>the member's years of service computed under section 1208 of this title (subject to the minimum and maximum years of service provided for in subsection (c))</quote>;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id49026553EEFE4B23BD96B793F7A8D3A1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id81BA948161B4460B8B6AE5832A7AACF2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1F02CD1AFB0E40EE85EC2A8B40E2CEA5" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="OLC"> <subsection id="id0FC78AA4619E4447ADB720E8C0B03832"><enum>(c)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idC10C5EC57B3D4584B9BE5FAF54A571C9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The minimum years of service of a member for purposes of subsection (a)(1) shall be as follows:</text> <subparagraph changed="deleted" id="idA2F00219811D487CB13506F591207313" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Six years in the case of a member separated from the armed forces for a disability incurred in line of duty in a combat zone (as designated by the Secretary of Defense for purposes of this subsection).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="deleted" id="id5ED17DCC389B4988B5A09AA2E3B6724D" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Three years in the case of any other member.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="deleted" id="id0F8EABD15DD94ED19218DFCB3161F3F8" indent="up1" reported-display-style="strikethrough"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The maximum years of service of a member for purposes of subsection (a)(1) shall be 19 years.</text> </paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id08793793A0214280995E36B947AC2971"><enum>(b)</enum><header>No deduction from compensation of severance pay for disabilities incurred in combat zones</header><text>Subsection (d) of such section, as redesignated by subsection (a)(2) of this section, is further amended—</text> <paragraph id="id9212CECDFB5D4185890FA7BE9711441A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>(1)</quote> after <quote>(d)</quote>;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idD440F00908E6435ABF22FED0F2D13B03"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking the second sentence; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id123BAAF90BF545A783656F85AF4737FD"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:</text> <quoted-block changed="deleted" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA64ECC720D5A42ABADF31F56688C4E9C" reported-display-style="strikethrough" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="idCDE62243B83F46049FEF0B5DB5C55C36" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>No deduction may be made under paragraph (1) in the case of disability severance pay received by a member for a disability incurred in line of duty in a combat zone.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id71300D6161594E6BA973979E2D01F8FF" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>No deduction may be made under paragraph (1) from any death compensation to which a member's dependents become entitled after the member's death.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id23D212A4D12E4FE5B731EA8C7450A9A3"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply with respect to members of the Armed Forces separated from the Armed Forces under chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code, on or after that date.</text> </subsection></section></subtitle><enum>IV</enum><header>IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES HOUSING PATIENTS</header> <section id="idDBD3F18E19764F83BBB4C31968C8DB52"><enum>401.</enum><header>Standards for military medical treatment facilities, specialty medical care facilities, and military quarters housing patients</header> <subsection id="idD43D6BBF5A254A3799BED240963FC6B6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of standards</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall establish for the military facilities referred to in subsection (b) standards with respect to the matters set forth in subsection (c). The standards shall, to the maximum extent practicable—</text> <paragraph id="id0813997A9D3C4103A98F641847620808"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be uniform and consistent across such facilities; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id6FB527E6B647450BB0AA198AB26AEB64"><enum>(2)</enum><text>be uniform and consistent across the Department of Defense and the military departments.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idE2472F226C9640D9814AE96240CB4166"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered military facilities</header><text>The military facilities referred to in this subsection are the military facilities of the Department of Defense and the military departments as follows:</text> <paragraph id="id14B25742B8684E07A9C944493E2C214D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Military medical treatment facilities.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idE33D0FE7CA5745018A9C34DA10FC651A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Specialty medical care facilities.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idE8CDC7499C9548A7A0D8A93FD7C1BD5E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Military quarters housing patients.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id2BF0B399D6084DBAAEA4F18EC9F0D71F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Scope of standards</header><text>The standards required by subsection (a) shall provide minimally acceptable conditions for the following:</text> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id10324631E6A04BD7B2FC87FCA423A0FF"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Appearance and maintenance of facilities generally, including the structure and roofs of facilities.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id950EA5207E7E4A86AE11EB7EF3DDFA44"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Size, appearance, and maintenance of rooms housing or utilized by patients, including furniture and amenities in such rooms.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id2923AC50438B498E8E32E33BB6A28EB5"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Operation and maintenance of primary and back-up facility utility systems and other systems required for patient care, including electrical systems, plumbing systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, communications systems, fire protection systems, energy management systems, and other systems required for patient care.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id6F74F8CC4BBA4B1EB0EBFD0B0ECD224F"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Compliance with Federal Government standards for hospital facilities and operations.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idBD7043B3A63E40F2A8BD2DDD1BCBD065"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Compliance of facilities, rooms, and grounds, to the maximum extent practicable and appropriate, with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id100A7ED2D046440FBE72135BD58CA95D"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Such other matters relating to the appearance, size, operation, and maintenance of facilities and rooms as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1DCCBBB442924C5583026CB6A30E1493"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Compliance with standards</header> <paragraph id="id70543A49F35F4053A0D01D6460D4087C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Deadline</header><text>In establishing standards under subsection (a), the Secretary shall specify a deadline for compliance with such standards by each facility referred to in subsection (b). The deadline shall be at the earliest date practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be uniform across the facilities referred to in subsection (b).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idBC55886C758A41C4949CF1E827121448"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Investment</header><text>In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall also establish guidelines for investment to be utilized by the Department of Defense and the military departments in determining the allocation of financial resources to facilities referred to in subsection (b) in order to meet the deadline specified under paragraph (1).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idB7AAF7F40C424E65BB649C95B53DE3A9"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Report</header> <paragraph id="idCF08169879564E24B5BE0899D566A039"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than December 30, 2007, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the actions taken to carry out this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id05497797BEB249638702F89F8675670A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The report under paragraph (1) shall include the following:</text> <subparagraph id="idBB458ABC17774370A760E3682810DD3A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The standards established under subsection (a).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id27F03BE13A584D97A4EF0EB3C2B16C52"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An assessment of the appearance, condition, and maintenance of each facility referred to in subsection (a), including—</text> <clause id="idC89535E5211C45DB8CDD529F06B85150"><enum>(i)</enum><text>an assessment of the compliance of such facility with the standards established under subsection (a); and</text> </clause><clause id="id9511E8B8C9F74815A3A9D6139AB9F80E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a description of any deficiency or noncompliance in each facility with the standards.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3B08869676F4487A975CA73E1FA97780"><enum>(C)</enum><text>A description of the investment to be allocated to address each deficiency or noncompliance identified under subparagraph (B)(ii).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idFE0971AD58C94E0D9433DB8DBFCD0987"><enum>402.</enum><header>Reports on Army action plan in response to deficiencies identified at Walter Reed Army Medical Center</header> <subsection id="IDa1f735b816d1430badd0c308100731b6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reports required</header><text>Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 120 days thereafter until March 1, 2009, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the implementation of the action plan of the Army to correct deficiencies identified in the condition of facilities, and in the administration of outpatients in medical hold or medical holdover status, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and at other applicable Army installations at which covered members of the Armed Forces are assigned.</text> </subsection><subsection id="IDd042da6247604c5ebc501f21fef3e17f"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements of report</header><text>Each report under subsection (a) shall include current information on the following:</text> <paragraph id="ID606f7368794240049bac715c2ecfb896"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The number of inpatients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and the number of outpatients on medical hold or in a medical holdover status at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, as a result of serious injuries or illnesses.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ID4540e0f3da7d40a58f2a47a61b281d58"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A description of the lodging facilities and other forms of housing at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and at each other Army facility, to which are assigned personnel in medical hold or medical holdover status as a result of serious injuries or illnesses, including—</text> <subparagraph id="id0C577EBDB88F45C68382F763FF3E8FB5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an assessment of the conditions of such facilities and housing; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id701564D464FF42EEB48069EFAA6C13DA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a description of any plans to correct inadequacies in such conditions.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID5eadd661cc854332983620952dddb6b2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The status, estimated completion date, and estimated cost of any proposed or ongoing actions to correct any inadequacies in conditions as described under paragraph (2).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="IDb5991f0a12dc42eb915b694db31e7f6c"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The number of case managers, platoon sergeants, patient advocates, and physical evaluation board liaison officers stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and at each other Army facility, to which are assigned personnel in medical hold or medical holdover status as a result of serious injuries or illnesses, and the ratio of case workers and platoon sergeants to outpatients for whom they are responsible at each such facility.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ID94f8f2f39b514b9280fbb3929c745bcc"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The number of telephone calls received during the preceding 60 days on the Wounded Soldier and Family hotline (as established on March 19, 2007), a summary of the complaints or communications received through such calls, and a description of the actions taken in response to such calls.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ID28baabc2322346559217a031d436e6f6"><enum>(6)</enum><text>A summary of the activities, findings, and recommendations of the Army tiger team of medical and installation professionals who visited the major medical treatment facilities and community-based health care organizations of the Army pursuant to March 2007 orders, and a description of the status of corrective actions being taken with to address deficiencies noted by that team.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ID8491e8eea0474216b2c1b2b64e7666be"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The status of the ombudsman programs at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and at other major Army installations to which are assigned personnel in medical hold or medical holdover status as a result of serious injuries or illnesses.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc03c5e86e977499dbb8082f9cddd6532"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Posting on internet</header><text>Not later than 24 hours after submitting a report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall post such report on the Internet website of the Department of Defense that is available to the public.</text> </subsection></section><section id="id8420CAEA0B44478B915D31000A129486"><enum>403.</enum><header>Construction of facilities required for the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, District of Columbia</header> <subsection id="id512C5851B90449CEA25493D44EBB6EBE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Assessment of acceleration of construction of facilities</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall carry out an assessment of the feasibility (including the cost-effectiveness) of accelerating the construction and completion of any new facilities required to facilitate the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, District of Columbia, as required as a result of the 2005 round of defense base closure and realignment under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101-510; U.S.C. 2687 note).</text> </subsection><subsection id="IDe215a76035ff40c4b3279d03cf5859fb"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Development and implementation of plan for construction of facilities</header> <paragraph id="idEF57062806B04ED586E933D8D0399A69"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall develop and carry out a plan for the construction and completion of any new facilities required to facilitate the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center as required as described in subsection (a). If the Secretary determines as a result of the assessment under subsection (a) that accelerating the construction and completion of such facilities is feasible, the plan shall provide for the accelerated construction and completion of such facilities in a manner consistent with that determination.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id7ACA19CC368B439FA3E56C21FD03F3EA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Submittal of plan</header><text>The Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees the plan required by paragraph (1) not later than September 30, 2007.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID6170989962c84b08856c614d383db182"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Certifications</header><text>Not later than September 30, 2007, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a certification of each of the following:</text> <paragraph id="id5D823B397B1C464284FBB9F2D356C346"><enum>(1)</enum><text>That a transition plan has been developed, and resources have been committed, to ensure that patient care services, medical operations, and facilities are sustained at the highest possible level at Walter Reed Army Medical Center until facilities to replace Walter Reed Army Medical Center are staffed and ready to assume at least the same level of care previously provided at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id70D920FB21154DE2BC713E16AA1C5E8C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>That the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center will not result in a net loss of capacity in the major military medical centers in the National Capitol Region in terms of total bed capacity or staffed bed capacity.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id93646ADBF4E64B839493DE19725BAA60"><enum>(3)</enum><text>That the capacity and types of medical hold and out-patient lodging facilities currently operating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center will be available at the facilities to replace Walter Reed Army Medical Center by the date of the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idA10080C398B24C7294011FFEBA8BA884"><enum>(4)</enum><text>That adequate funds have been provided to complete fully all facilities identified in the Base Realignment and Closure Business Plan for Walter Reed Army Medical Center submitted to the congressional defense committees as part of the budget justification materials submitted to Congress together with the budget of the President for fiscal year 2008 as contemplated in that business plan.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID7f5962dafbda41848b1e0755cb02f3e3"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Environmental laws</header><text>Nothing in this section shall require the Secretary or any designated representative to waive or ignore responsibilities and actions required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) or the regulations implementing such Act.</text> </subsection></section><enum>V</enum><header>OUTREACH AND RELATED INFORMATION ON BENEFITS</header> <section id="id938E9F3472724453B32174F1D644F532"><enum>501.</enum><header>Handbook for members of the Armed Forces on compensation and benefits available for serious injuries and illnesses</header> <subsection id="id0AC789F08BC84CBE96DF1C6D26339733"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Information on available compensation and benefits</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, develop and maintain in handbook form a comprehensive description of the compensation and other benefits to which a member of the Armed Forces, and the family of such member, would be entitled upon the member's separation or retirement from the Armed Forces as a result of a serious injury or illness. The handbook shall set forth the range of such compensation and benefits based on grade, length of service, degree of disability at separation or retirement, and such other factors affecting such compensation and benefits as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id31A42D5EB2B5404CB96E3B3CEDBB3811"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Provision to members</header><text>The Secretary of the military department concerned shall provide the descriptive handbook under subsection (a) to each member of the Armed Forces described in that subsection as soon as practicable following the injury or illness qualifying the member for coverage under that subsection.</text> </subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id48E8ABDE106B4EA894E2302D02EBC26B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Provision to representatives</header><text>If a member is incapacitated or otherwise unable to receive the descriptive handbook to be provided under subsection (a), the handbook shall be provided to the next of kin or a legal representative of the member (as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned for purposes of this section).</text> </subsection></section>

Short title; table of contents

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act

. (b)

Table of contents

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. General definitions.

TITLE I—POLICY ON CARE, MANAGEMENT, AND TRANSITION OF SERVICEMEMBERS WITH SERIOUS INJURIES OR ILLNESSES

Sec. 101. Comprehensive policy on care, management, and transition of members of the Armed Forces with serious injuries or illnesses.

Sec. 102. Consideration of needs of women members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

TITLE II—HEALTH CARE

Subtitle A—Enhanced Availability of Care for Servicemembers

Sec. 201. Medical care and other benefits for members and former members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses.

Subtitle B—Care and Services for Dependents

Sec. 211. Medical care and services and support services for families of members of the Armed Forces recovering from serious injuries or illnesses.

Subtitle C—Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Sec. 221. Comprehensive plans on prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, and treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 222. Improvement of medical tracking system for members of the Armed Forces deployed overseas.

Sec. 223. Centers of excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sec. 224. Review of mental health services and treatment for female members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

Sec. 225. Funding for improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sec. 226. Reports.

Subtitle D—Other Matters

Sec. 231. Joint electronic health record for the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Sec. 232. Enhanced personnel authorities for the Department of Defense for health care professionals for care and treatment of wounded and injured members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 233. Personnel shortages in the mental health workforce of the Department of Defense, including personnel in the mental health workforce.

TITLE III—DISABILITY MATTERS

Subtitle A—Disability Evaluations

Sec. 301. Utilization of veterans' presumption of sound condition in establishing eligibility of members of the Armed Forces for retirement for disability.

Sec. 302. Requirements and limitations on Department of Defense determinations of disability with respect to members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 303. Review of separation of members of the Armed Forces separated from service with a disability rating of 20 percent disabled or less.

Sec. 304. Pilot programs on revised and improved disability evaluation system for members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 305. Reports on Army action plan in response to deficiencies in the Army physical disability evaluation system.

Subtitle B—Other Disability Matters

Sec. 311. Enhancement of disability severance pay for members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 312. Electronic transfer from the Department of Defense to the Department of Veterans Affairs of documents supporting eligibility for benefits.

Sec. 313. Assessments of temporary disability retired list.

TITLE IV—IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES HOUSING PATIENTS

Sec. 401. Standards for military medical treatment facilities, specialty medical care facilities, and military quarters housing patients.

Sec. 402. Reports on Army action plan in response to deficiencies identified at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Sec. 403. Construction of facilities required for the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, District of Columbia.

TITLE V—OUTREACH AND RELATED INFORMATION ON BENEFITS

Sec. 501. Handbook for members of the Armed Forces on compensation and benefits available for serious injuries and illnesses.

TITLE VI—OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 601. Study on physical and mental health and other readjustment needs of members and former members of the Armed Forces who deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and their families.

General definitions

In this Act: (1)The term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A)the Committees on Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and (B)the Committees on Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives. (2)The term congressional defense committees has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code. (3)The term covered member of the Armed Forces 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, is otherwise in medical hold or medical holdover status, or is otherwise on the temporary disability retired list for a serious injury or illness. (4)The term family member, with respect to a member of the Armed Forces or a veteran, has the meaning given that term in section 411h(b) of title 37, United States Code. (5)The term medical hold or medical holdover status means— (A)the status of a member of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or Reserve, assigned or attached to a military hospital for medical care; and (B)the status of a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who is separated, whether pre-deployment or post-deployment, from the member's unit while in need of health care based on a medical condition identified while the member is on active duty in the Armed Forces. (6)The term serious injury or illness, in the case of a member of the Armed Forces, means an injury or illness incurred by the member in line of duty on active duty in the Armed Forces that may render the member medically unfit to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating. (7)The term TRICARE program has the meaning given that term in section 1072(7) of title 10, United States Code.

<enum>I</enum><header>POLICY ON CARE, MANAGEMENT, AND TRANSITION OF SERVICEMEMBERS WITH SERIOUS INJURIES OR ILLNESSES</header> <section id="id548077bf-fdee-4265-8e20-0531f9876bd5"><enum>101.</enum><header>Comprehensive policy on care, management, and transition of members of the Armed Forces with serious injuries or illnesses</header> <subsection id="id90e5e858-d6b9-408d-a3a4-44237e2f508c"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Comprehensive policy required</header> <paragraph id="idcecf2223-538a-4ef8-bc28-99fd695d034a"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than January 1, 2008, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the extent feasible, jointly develop and implement a comprehensive policy on the care and management of members of the Armed Forces who are undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, are otherwise in medical hold or medical holdover status, or are otherwise on the temporary disability retired list for a serious injury or illness (hereafter in this section referred to as a <quote>covered servicemembers</quote>).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ided8047ef-7956-45d4-9e76-e3063e40f78b"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Scope of policy</header><text>The policy shall cover each of the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id53258cd9-21fb-45d4-bfda-03b6169f1d6c"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The care and management of covered servicemembers while in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id32cfe3fe-7f6f-4ad3-92eb-8d604758a012"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The medical evaluation and disability evaluation of covered servicemembers.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2b0bb8e9-212d-447d-91e1-9ab1fd890bf6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The return of covered servicemembers to active duty when appropriate.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id41326bd4-3adb-4af4-b7e3-78ec71ca1f71"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The transition of covered servicemembers from receipt of care and services through the Department of Defense to receipt of care and services through the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id606e9025-f736-43cd-981a-3a2b6a7d6b57"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop the policy in consultation with the heads of other appropriate departments and agencies of the Federal Government and with appropriate non-governmental organizations having an expertise in matters relating to the policy.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="iddb59c66b-fcb4-4f8a-a808-eba9f4969d48"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Update</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly update the policy on a periodic basis, but not less often than annually, in order to incorporate in the policy, as appropriate, the results of the reviews under subsections (b) and (c) and the best practices identified through pilot programs under section 304.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="iddb55cfb8-9f75-4304-9c0f-8ecbe710f6f9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Review of current policies and procedures</header> <paragraph id="idbaee4a4f-ecde-47ab-8331-e05fe20f9c25"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Review required</header><text>In developing the policy required by this section, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the extent necessary, jointly and separately conduct a review of all policies and procedures of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs that apply to, or shall be covered by, the policy.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id169284c2-f311-4049-8895-5b75e2322f3e"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The purpose of the review shall be to identify the most effective and patient-oriented approaches to care and management of covered servicemembers for purposes of—</text> <subparagraph id="id909b082d-7d8c-4542-862e-6bcf97cb5d72"><enum>(A)</enum><text>incorporating such approaches into the policy; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb201ee90-85ff-4927-9167-1a1876cc77e4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>extending such approaches, where applicable, to care and management of other injured or ill members of the Armed Forces and veterans.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id565f355e-6d10-476c-abfe-d85e84b18a9b"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>In conducting the review, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—</text> <subparagraph id="id38dc1bab-7ee5-4f59-8084-d3df02d0e31a"><enum>(A)</enum><text>identify among the policies and procedures described in paragraph (1) best practices in approaches to the care and management described in that paragraph;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ide6a40f8c-ca52-4235-8634-b99095f71546"><enum>(B)</enum><text>identify among such policies and procedures existing and potential shortfalls in such care and management (including care and management of covered servicemembers on the temporary disability retired list), and determine means of addressing any shortfalls so identified;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3c690ebf-d403-4d5c-85d2-6e88a8fec23c"><enum>(C)</enum><text>determine potential modifications of such policies and procedures in order to ensure consistency and uniformity among the military departments and the regions of the Department of Veterans Affairs in their application and discharge; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd86f2bc7-0f1a-405f-aafc-fe9de63eaeec"><enum>(D)</enum><text>develop recommendations for legislative and administrative action necessary to implement the results of the review.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id226bf2c3-9fd5-4860-b8af-c0689ea9e1a0"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Deadline for completion</header><text>The review shall be completed not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ideecfc723-7d83-43ea-8588-bd3d1283689a"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Consideration of findings, recommendations, and practices</header><text>In developing the policy required by this section, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take into account the following:</text> <paragraph id="id3adda2d0-f537-4375-828c-10044f8bb77e"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The findings and recommendations of applicable studies, reviews, reports, and evaluations that address matters relating to the policy, including, but not limited, to the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id85c4fd63-0ac4-49cd-add0-549c8a6f6ea0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Independent Review Group on Rehabilitative Care and Administrative Processes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center appointed by the Secretary of Defense.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id66dfb70f-14e4-4316-a0bc-f761f9301bb5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes appointed by the President.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ide8c8d0ea-7890-4f2e-9f36-6426fa1a599b"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1333acdb-bda7-4996-a5c8-14b3f56235e6"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission established by title XV of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108–136; 117 Stat. 1676; 38 U.S.C. 1101 note).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd9d3db5b-d426-4e08-a716-59db92c7aa23"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The President's Commission on Veterans' Pensions, of 1956, chaired by General Omar N. Bradley.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf7afd143-14c1-4ef3-8860-c85f11e5dfe6"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The Report of the Congressional Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Assistance, of 1999, chaired by Anthony J. Principi.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id61ba66c6-1d45-4eb4-86ff-2647ad111dbe"><enum>(G)</enum><text>The President's Task Force to Improve Health Care Delivery for Our Nation's Veterans, of March 2003.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id0bdc53fd-5205-494e-b84e-139b64578bd1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The experience and best practices of the Department of Defense and the military departments on matters relating to the policy.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id1d56331d-efa3-4eda-8d78-17595a287ada"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The experience and best practices of the Department of Veterans Affairs on matters relating to the policy.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id1426e854-e710-41b1-a5ee-a1baff894927"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Such other matters as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs consider appropriate.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id481d0d49-d02c-4c8e-8061-ff43b9037976"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Particular elements of policy</header><text>The policy required by this section shall provide, in particular, the following:</text> <paragraph id="id1bedf7de-96db-4d05-b363-54e7589dcf13"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Responsibility for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on temporary disability retired list</header><text>Mechanisms to ensure responsibility for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list, including the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id61e7bac2-b8af-43aa-9813-5c36711eb42a"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Uniform standards for access of covered servicemembers to non-urgent health care services from the Department of Defense or other providers under the TRICARE program, with such access to be—</text> <clause id="ida762b590-787a-4aa2-b069-4491a23b7b14"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for follow-up care, within 2 days of request of care;</text> </clause><clause id="idb5285a1b-c8a6-4eb1-bfae-9167bdcc8a4c"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>for specialty care, within 3 days of request of care;</text> </clause><clause id="ida2ce4ffc-c297-405f-9779-fa8596114b67"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>for diagnostic referrals and studies, within 5 days of request; and</text> </clause><clause id="id985a5eb6-ac65-4a42-8825-f037a5b05efc"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>for surgery based on a physician's determination of medical necessity, within 14 days of request.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ide2b2a2aa-9ddf-4a75-afb3-1d1a59928561"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Requirements for the assignment of adequate numbers of personnel for the purpose of responsibility for and administration of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1c8fae51-3e68-4b0a-acb8-6c4b80d41db6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Requirements for the assignment of adequate numbers of medical personnel and non-medical personnel to roles and responsibilities for caring for and administering covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list, and a description of the roles and responsibilities of personnel so assigned.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id879bcc94-07c0-403f-974a-3c84f10e2f9e"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Guidelines for the location of care for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list, which guidelines shall address the assignment of such servicemembers to care and residential facilities closest to their duty station or home of record or the location of their designated caregiver at the earliest possible time.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ida3b50e53-782f-4cc3-8b4c-799eaab3b4d8"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Criteria for work and duty assignments of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list, including a prohibition on the assignment of duty to a servicemember which is incompatible with the servicemember’s medical condition.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5a92d8d2-b79e-46b3-ba7e-b0916516be59"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Guidelines for the provision of care and counseling for eligible family members of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id221447da-5d1d-47e3-938a-356978c4c03b"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Requirements for case management of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list, including qualifications for personnel providing such case management.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ida83f421f-48e8-4384-a0b9-b34a1cdce8e0"><enum>(H)</enum><text>Requirements for uniform quality of care and administration for all covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list, whether members of the regular components of the Armed Forces or members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4a377824-93e9-409a-9e55-ac920da71db3"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Standards for the conditions and accessibility of residential facilities for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list who are in outpatient status, and for their immediate family members.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id42c3e658-801a-46d4-8fd1-110c4cf4a82d"><enum>(J)</enum><text>Requirements on the provision of transportation and subsistence for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list, whether in inpatient status or outpatient status, to facilitate obtaining needed medical care and services.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3ad18dff-b9d5-474e-a589-e6e79a0ac21b"><enum>(K)</enum><text>Requirements on the provision of educational and vocational training and rehabilitation opportunities for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idca87f0d8-6f92-4452-b922-db484d179be6"><enum>(L)</enum><text>Procedures for tracking and informing covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list about medical evaluation board and physical disability evaluation board processing.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ide5817ac2-0e24-4bb7-b111-75c1649efb3d"><enum>(M)</enum><text>Requirements for integrated case management of covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list during their transition from care and treatment through the Department of Defense to care and treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idbefb8f5c-924d-43c1-b4cf-f7a29cd1062d"><enum>(N)</enum><text>Requirements and standards for advising and training, as appropriate, family members with respect to care for covered servicemembers in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list with serious medical conditions, particularly traumatic brain injury (TBI), burns, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7a531af7-9013-4eb6-b97a-4d77723c3437"><enum>(O)</enum><text>Requirements for periodic reassessments of covered servicemembers, and limits on the length of time such servicemembers may be retained in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idce263280-c1d2-4214-a249-6d7ac3a63de4"><enum>(P)</enum><text>Requirements to inform covered servicemembers and their family members of their rights and responsibilities while in medical hold or medical holdover status or on the temporary disability retired list.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2A4F2DCA77AA4414A1989EE30975DB53"><enum>(Q)</enum><text>The requirement to establish a Department of Defense-wide Ombudsman Office within the Office of the Secretary of Defense to provide oversight of the ombudsman offices in the military departments and policy guidance to such offices with respect to providing assistance to, and answering questions from, covered servicemembers and their families.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ideefcf857-3a90-4810-b519-299a78a1da20"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Medical evaluation and physical disability evaluation for covered servicemembers</header> <subparagraph id="idaa09099e-7d1c-4bf2-bd4f-3ddac10d751a"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Medical evaluations</header><text>Processes, procedures, and standards for medical evaluations of covered servicemembers, including the following:</text> <clause id="idaa2db375-d4c2-49a9-a883-d0d4d4b9b63a"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Processes for medical evaluations of covered servicemembers that are—</text> <subclause id="idb277255f-17cb-4973-bdaa-cb7d8d395ac7"><enum>(I)</enum><text>applicable uniformly throughout the military departments; and</text> </subclause><subclause id="id2ee7879a-3411-4666-9d7d-fa1d3c41d0c9"><enum>(II)</enum><text>applicable uniformly with respect to such servicemembers who are members of the regular components of the Armed Forces and such servicemembers who are members of the National Guard and Reserve.</text> </subclause></clause><clause id="id20f2fd38-25ce-40f1-8eed-e4c180e18a93"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Standard criteria and definitions for determining the achievement for covered servicemembers of the maximum medical benefit from treatment and rehabilitation.</text> </clause><clause id="idf965cd7d-6b0c-49e9-8559-9306afe38d52"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Standard timelines for each of the following:</text> <subclause id="idb1b7d38d-c1cf-44dd-ac9d-5324d9221d6d"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Determinations of fitness for duty of covered servicemembers.</text> </subclause><subclause id="id68727083-7308-41f2-9d88-761eae9711d6"><enum>(II)</enum><text>Specialty consultations for covered servicemembers.</text> </subclause><subclause id="id0081524d-6bc6-4be2-887c-d40b0de803cd"><enum>(III)</enum><text>Preparation of medical documents for covered servicemembers.</text> </subclause><subclause id="id3c0b34b1-d1c2-4cee-b1df-edd64570f662"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>Appeals by covered servicemembers of medical evaluation determinations, including determinations of fitness for duty.</text> </subclause></clause><clause id="ide6248cda-5e98-4478-b013-0462eedf3999"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Uniform standards for qualifications and training of medical evaluation board personnel, including physicians, case workers, and physical disability evaluation board liaison officers, in conducting medical evaluations of covered servicemembers.</text> </clause><clause id="idcfbf4e13-0b0c-4e66-8202-5a9f43ad21f5"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Standards for the maximum number of medical evaluation cases of covered servicemembers that are pending before a medical evaluation board at any one time, and requirements for the establishment of additional medical evaluation boards in the event such number is exceeded.</text> </clause><clause id="id8d7ae580-e7d5-4a1f-b716-7485c666b88e"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Uniform standards for information for covered servicemembers, and their families, on the medical evaluation board process and the rights and responsibilities of such servicemembers under that process, including a standard handbook on such information.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id95cfa43e-43c1-4455-8bd2-a3a1899c2c0f"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Physical disability evaluations</header><text>Processes, procedures, and standards for physical disability evaluations of covered servicemembers, including the following:</text> <clause id="id5ff3d6b9-85c3-4001-9a3f-57d969d16e50"><enum>(i)</enum><text>A non-adversarial process of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs for disability determinations of covered servicemembers.</text> </clause><clause id="ida755fb3e-45be-4293-a8ef-3f9b255ecebf"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>To the extent feasible, procedures to eliminate unacceptable discrepancies among disability ratings assigned by the military departments and the Department of Veterans Affairs, particularly in the disability evaluation of covered servicemembers, which procedures shall be subject to the following requirements and limitations:</text> <subclause id="idb515c0f8-a201-492e-a983-61cada9b8b74"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Such procedures shall apply uniformly with respect to covered servicemembers who are members of the regular components of the Armed Forces and covered servicemembers who are members of the National Guard and Reserve.</text> </subclause><subclause id="id8b9f9ede-8b38-48fc-84fe-37fc7ea27a86"><enum>(II)</enum><text>Under such procedures, each Secretary of a military department shall, to the extent feasible, utilize the standard schedule for rating disabilities in use by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including any applicable interpretation of such schedule by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, in making any determination of disability of a covered servicemember.</text> </subclause></clause><clause id="id340731bc-387c-4949-9ae7-4507ae0ace7c"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Standard timelines for appeals of determinations of disability of covered servicemembers, including timelines for presentation, consideration, and disposition of appeals.</text> </clause><clause id="id9a6185dc-ff0c-46ee-b527-b12bc6ad0e96"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Uniform standards for qualifications and training of physical disability evaluation board personnel in conducting physical disability evaluations of covered servicemembers.</text> </clause><clause id="idf8bb45e1-891e-4411-a3bc-54b9c3140391"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Standards for the maximum number of physical disability evaluation cases of covered servicemembers that are pending before a physical disability evaluation board at any one time, and requirements for the establishment of additional physical disability evaluation boards in the event such number is exceeded.</text> </clause><clause id="id05f59167-db30-4f06-8fb9-2d9e328c7024"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Procedures for the provision of legal counsel to covered servicemembers while undergoing evaluation by a physical disability evaluation board.</text> </clause><clause id="ide1fb76e0-f119-4115-8490-29214f774158"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>Uniform standards on the roles and responsibilities of case managers, servicemember advocates, and judge advocates assigned to covered servicemembers undergoing evaluation by a physical disability board, and uniform standards on the maximum number of cases involving such servicemembers that are to be assigned to such managers and advocates.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id73f61da7-fadb-4375-94d4-be6f6eb5269f"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Return of covered servicemembers to active duty</header><text>Standards for determinations by the military departments on the return of covered servicemembers to active duty in the Armed Forces.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id21111a43-35cf-4f49-b1fe-5277e8783146"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Transition of covered servicemembers from DoD to VA</header><text>Processes, procedures, and standards for the transition of covered servicemembers from care and treatment by the Department of Defense to care and treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs before, during, and after separation from the Armed Forces, including the following:</text> <clause id="ide012b4c1-90de-44c2-bda1-f652b468f779"><enum>(i)</enum><text>A uniform, patient-focused policy to ensure that the transition occurs without gaps in medical care and the quality of medical care, benefits, and services.</text> </clause><clause id="ida990cb11-b158-446c-8551-fae5e8db84ab"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Procedures for the identification and tracking of covered servicemembers during the transition, and for the coordination of care and treatment of such servicemembers during the transition, including a system of cooperative case management of such servicemembers by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs during the transition.</text> </clause><clause id="id3d6c4ebe-8bc9-4ef5-99bf-cae88e31549c"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Procedures for the notification of Department of Veterans Affairs liaison personnel of the commencement by covered servicemembers of the medical evaluation process and the physical disability evaluation process.</text> </clause><clause id="id1d34179c-e3ab-4c95-9c23-d2ff168edf0c"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Procedures and timelines for the enrollment of covered servicemembers in applicable enrollment or application systems of the Department of Veterans with respect to health care, disability, education, vocational rehabilitation, or other benefits.</text> </clause><clause id="id229d91a8-7fe6-44b4-a9cb-6e8259170e8e"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Procedures to ensure the access of covered servicemembers during the transition to vocational, educational, and rehabilitation benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </clause><clause id="idc23ae0ff-15cd-4d75-a418-d412f94de112"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Standards for the optimal location of Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs liaison and case management personnel at military medical treatment facilities, medical centers, and other medical facilities of the Department of Defense.</text> </clause><clause id="idd462999d-8805-44b0-b0b1-c00f382742c2"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>Standards and procedures for integrated medical care and management for covered servicemembers during the transition, including procedures for the assignment of medical personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs to Department of Defense facilities to participate in the needs assessments of such servicemembers before, during, and after their separation from military service.</text> </clause><clause id="id25a5b5eb-c1d5-47d9-a7a9-5217f7a9aea3"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>Standards for the preparation of detailed plans for the transition of covered servicemembers from care and treatment by the Department of Defense to care and treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which plans shall be based on standardized elements with respect to care and treatment requirements and other applicable requirements.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id15dca467-1a3a-47b9-bcf7-3d8ea6685c20"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Other matters</header><text>The following additional matters with respect to covered servicemembers:</text> <clause id="id370bcd70-890a-467e-86b4-c07db4d8a3f3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Access by the Department of Veterans Affairs to the military health records of covered servicemembers who are receiving care and treatment, or are anticipating receipt of care and treatment, in Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities.</text> </clause><clause id="id219552b6-eaf9-44d1-8784-86d1ab3b3fb8"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Requirements for utilizing, in appropriate cases, a single physical examination that meets requirements of both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs for covered servicemembers who are being retired, separated, or released from military service.</text> </clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf2f05d7a-7a61-4c12-a414-e5e944604f7d"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Surveys and other mechanisms to measure patient and family satisfaction with the provision by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs of care and services for covered servicemembers, and to facilitate appropriate oversight by supervisory personnel of the provision of such care and services.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id63ff4752-05bd-4e74-8b3d-7c9a150c6c6c"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Reports</header> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide9d51e20-8f87-4994-9cda-8f394d7514e0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Report on policy</header><text>Upon the development of the policy required by this section but not later than January 1, 2008, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the policy, including a comprehensive and detailed description of the policy and of the manner in which the policy addresses the findings and recommendations of the reviews under subsections (b) and (c).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id04e101f3-bd26-4e9c-9721-33b0bcbf0793"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Reports on update</header><text>Upon updating the policy under subsection (a)(4), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the update of the policy, including a comprehensive and detailed description of such update and of the reasons for such update.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idED4CC0FDF6124B8EA929F4D6D4BA845B"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Comptroller General assessment of implementation</header><text>Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act and every year thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report setting forth the assessment of the Comptroller General of the progress of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in developing and implementing the policy required by this section.</text> </subsection></section><section id="idB6B38E92AC3B428492989C3BE0C00FB7"><enum>102.</enum><header>Consideration of needs of women members of the Armed Forces and veterans</header> <subsection id="idE776C10A282F48D7BCCFB408F74590EC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In developing and implementing the policy required by section 101, and in otherwise carrying out any other provision of this Act or any amendment made by this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take into account and fully address any unique specific needs of women members of the Armed Forces and women veterans under such policy or other provision.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id3A1217D00DA0423D85134E5BEB63512C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reports</header><text>In submitting any report required by this Act or an amendment made by this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the extent applicable, include a description of the manner in which the matters covered by such report address the unique specific needs of women members of the Armed Forces and women veterans.</text> </subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>HEALTH CARE</header> <subtitle id="id0b3cf613-9899-4acc-8673-2ac3d6609ee2"><enum>A</enum><header>Enhanced Availability of Care for Servicemembers</header> <section id="idbedbb60b-2e84-4763-8455-1b4e54736a05"><enum>201.</enum><header>Medical care and other benefits for members and former members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses</header> <subsection id="id19db801c-d740-41f9-bb9d-4c2459d0d5c2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Medical and dental care for members and former members</header> <paragraph id="ided932057-2f69-4faa-9c1d-9997936bbd27"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Effective as of the date of the enactment of this Act and subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, any covered member of the Armed Forces, and any former member of the Armed Forces, with a severe injury or illness is entitled to medical and dental care in any facility of the uniformed services under section 1074(a) of title 10, United States Code, or through any civilian health care provider authorized by the Secretary to provide health and mental health services to members of the uniformed services, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as if such member or former member were a member of the uniformed services described in paragraph (2) of such section who is entitled to medical and dental care under such section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id2B2FFCA2F0D44D7EBD0C563B2CD49BC2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Period of authorized care</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idB00D534D42BE49889E40A6080E5CB4B7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a member or former member described in paragraph (1) is entitled to care under that paragraph—</text> <clause changed="added" id="id754C3FECD1D84B4992E27F5981FE15C2" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the case of a member or former member whose severe injury or illness concerned is incurred or aggravated during the period beginning on October 7, 2001, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act, during the three-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, except that no compensation is payable by reason of this subsection for any period before the date of the enactment of this Act; or</text> </clause><clause changed="added" id="id364CDC38C56B4AAEB6399818540FC77A" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the case of a member or former member whose severe injury or illness concerned is incurred or aggravated on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, during the three-year period beginning on the date on which such injury or illness is so incurred or aggravated.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" id="id3EC08CBBB3C14B0B8ED3943D4EA31DD7" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The period of care authorized for a member or former member under this paragraph may be extended by the Secretary concerned for an additional period of up to two years if the Secretary concerned determines that such extension is necessary to assure the maximum feasible recovery and rehabilitation of the member or former member. Any such determination shall be made on a case-by-case basis.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6174d391-e32e-485b-819f-be966d42906e"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Integrated care management</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall provide for a program of integrated care management in the provision of care and services under this subsection, which management shall be provided by appropriate medical and case management personnel of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs (as approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs) and with appropriate support from the Department of Defense regional health care support contractors.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ide01d1b6e-4dc9-44c8-b657-6d9b0de5c9d8"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Waiver of limitations to maximize care</header><text>The Secretary of Defense may, in providing medical and dental care to a member or former member under this subsection during the period referred to in paragraph (2), waive any limitation otherwise applicable under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, to the provision of such care to the member or former member if the Secretary considers the waiver appropriate to assure the maximum feasible recovery and rehabilitation of the member or former member.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ida01a0b86-01c6-43eb-a8ec-987ec12a8f0b"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Construction with eligibility for veterans benefits</header><text>Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to reduce, alter, or otherwise affect the eligibility or entitlement of a member or former member of the Armed Forces to any health care, disability, or other benefits to which the member of former member would otherwise be eligible or entitled as a veteran under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idc9ad8eb3-7e74-4c11-b3a6-27a3ace0b0b6"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Sunset</header><text>The Secretary of Defense may not provide medical or dental care to a member or former member of the Armed Forces under this subsection after December 31, 2012, if the Secretary has not provided medical or dental care to the member or former member under this subsection before that date.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA199629C32A6446CA540623FC8712FA3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Rehabilitation and vocational benefits</header> <paragraph id="idDA858229478440A186A98194022B2673"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Effective as of the date of the enactment of this Act, a member of the Armed Forces with a severe injury or illness is entitled to such benefits (including rehabilitation and vocational benefits, but not including compensation) from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to facilitate the recovery and rehabilitation of such member as the Secretary otherwise provides to members of the Armed Forces receiving medical care in medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities in order to facilitate the recovery and rehabilitation of such members.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id5AB47539594E4803BE6CE09EE6EAA6CF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitations</header><text>The provisions of paragraphs (2) through (6) of subsection (a) shall apply to the provision of benefits under this subsection as if the benefits provided under this subsection were provided under subsection (a).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id79192F14F5C14BB5AC9E5656CDAE3B62"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Reimbursement</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall reimburse the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the cost of any benefits provided under this subsection in accordance with applicable mechanisms for the reimbursement of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the provision of medical care to members of the Armed Forces.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4900c6b0-093a-4afc-95f9-8b2181b65113"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Recovery of certain expenses of medical care and related travel</header> <paragraph id="id3014e4f9-39c7-4897-9c52-67b3bea3a1b8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Commencing not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the military department concerned may reimburse covered members of the Armed Forces, and former members of the Armed Forces, with a severe injury or illness for covered expenses incurred by such members or former members, or their family members, in connection with the receipt by such members or former members of medical care that is required for such injury or illness.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idf5410538-0741-4784-b871-88c5e08132fc"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered expenses</header><text>Expenses for which reimbursement may be made under paragraph (1) include the following:</text> <subparagraph id="ida9da5d83-7d73-483e-8be8-98777ac9a5cf"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Expenses for health care services for which coverage would be provided under section 1074(c) of title 10, United States Code, for members of the uniformed services on active duty.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4b962e4a-0d88-46ba-8e79-82b1ca6b5ea2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Expenses of travel of a non-medical attendant who accompanies a member or former member of the Armed Forces for required medical care that is not available to such member or former member locally, if such attendant is appointed for that purpose by a competent medical authority (as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for purposes of this subsection).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4df82b0d-37e1-4380-b15b-d9d227914684"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Such other expenses for medical care as the Secretary may prescribe for purposes of this subsection.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id1a1ddfb4-dd50-4cdc-9ebe-1c360743693b"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Amount of reimbursement</header><text>The amount of reimbursement under paragraph (1) for expenses covered by paragraph (2) shall be determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for purposes of this subsection.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc429fa72-e907-4c0e-ad93-99f799d4c919"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Severe injury or illness defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>severe injury or illness</term> means any serious injury or illness that is assigned a disability rating of 30 percent or higher under the schedule for rating disabilities in use by the Department of Defense.</text> </subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="id85b1d0a9-dc4f-4dd3-acc9-16dd4a7ac56f"><enum>B</enum><header>Care and Services for Dependents</header> <section id="id8bf29f65-873f-43d2-83c5-2f4c35a515a7"><enum>211.</enum><header>Medical care and services and support services for families of members of the Armed Forces recovering from serious injuries or illnesses</header> <subsection id="id7bccdebf-49b8-4fed-ad91-ecfb7f82fff9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Medical care</header> <paragraph id="idCD628FAB0E154A049F555FB739D0D033"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A family member of a covered member of the Armed Forces who is not otherwise eligible for medical care at a military medical treatment facility or at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be eligible for such care at such facilities, on a space-available basis, if the family member is—</text> <subparagraph id="id5e7e5435-934d-4232-8c08-bdbe7abdb9e9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>on invitational orders while caring for the covered member of the Armed Forces;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id02ca2803-5091-46ba-ba73-c7cf929f317b"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a non-medical attendee caring for the covered member of the Armed Forces; or</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9f15545f-c51b-47b7-a624-307583803099"><enum>(C)</enum><text>receiving per diem payments from the Department of Defense while caring for the covered member of the Armed Forces.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idc2b8f19c-8350-4448-b06b-04fe40bb1812"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Specification of family members</header><text>Notwithstanding section 2(4), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly prescribe in regulations the family members of covered members of the Armed Forces who shall be considered to be a family member of a covered member of the Armed Forces for purposes of paragraph (1).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="iddd1df2a2-6106-48b5-bbee-415de66ebc74"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Specification of care</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id0347d4c4-1583-4a0c-af0a-ad8c00c03134"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe in regulations the medical care and counseling that shall be available to family members under paragraph (1) at military medical treatment facilities.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" id="id7804d2fc-9e9c-4bdd-8c82-520942d39399" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe in regulations the medical care and counseling that shall be available to family members under paragraph (1) at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id84db08bd-9958-4dba-8b2b-3201029df474"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Recovery of costs</header><text>The United States may recover the costs of the provision of medical care and counseling under paragraph (1) as follows (as applicable):</text> <subparagraph id="id4a6eae82-bd43-4b7e-9bad-612dddaaae90"><enum>(A)</enum><text>From third-party payers, in the same manner as the United States may collect costs of the charges of health care provided to covered beneficiaries from third-party payers under section 1095 of title 10, United States Code.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd30accfb-d3a6-4a6c-a951-0c39d008c05f"><enum>(B)</enum><text>As if such care and counseling was provided under the authority of section 1784 of title 38, United States Code.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id128c93d8-6db4-41d6-9961-557858b48477"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Job placement services</header><text>A family member who is on invitational orders or is a non-medical attendee while caring for a covered member of the Armed Forces for more than 45 days during a one-year period shall be eligible for job placement services otherwise offered by the Department of Defense.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id800747EBECFF4CD7B77024DF610FD383"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report on need for additional services</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth the assessment of the Secretary of the need for additional employment services, and of the need for employment protection, of family members described in subsection (b) who are placed on leave from employment or otherwise displaced from employment while caring for a covered member of the Armed Forces as described in that subsection.</text> </subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="idb00782f6-afb7-4baa-9e9e-47f61efb44af"><enum>C</enum><header>Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder</header> <section id="idd7cfc144-beae-4b66-9cb2-6102aae77b43"><enum>221.</enum><header>Comprehensive plans on prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, and treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="idf9ad8fdc-0f4e-4172-be6d-57d9178c1ae0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Plans required</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, submit to the congressional defense committees one or more comprehensive plans for programs and activities of the Department of Defense to prevent, diagnose, mitigate, treat, and otherwise respond to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in members of the Armed Forces.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id14b0e04f-2122-4717-97b2-0276b271d3da"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>Each plan submitted under subsection (a) shall include comprehensive proposals of the Department on the following:</text> <paragraph id="id81f5636d-1c71-4123-abfb-7e381596b3c4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The designation by the Secretary of Defense of a lead agent or executive agent for the Department to coordinate development and implementation of the plan.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id3c409d38-a8bf-49d3-826f-87c61d532416"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The improvement of personnel protective equipment for members of the Armed Forces in order to prevent traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id174ed98b-dc3d-45be-8a53-9cec62e01585"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The improvement of methods and mechanisms for the detection and treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces in the field.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id7D628BC672A944E299C00F3EC037FDCF"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The requirements for research on traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, including (in particular) research on pharmacological approaches to treatment for traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder, as applicable, and the allocation of priorities among such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id9df88e7a-b42e-4883-a8c7-8326c481ac9c"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The development, adoption, and deployment of diagnostic criteria for the detection and evaluation of the range of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces, which criteria shall be employed uniformly across the military departments in all applicable circumstances, including provision of clinical care and assessment of future deployability of members of the Armed Forces.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ide97714fe-ad14-4bff-8829-b83d7ab0d449"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The development and deployment of effective means of assessing traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces, including a system of pre-deployment and post-deployment screenings of cognitive ability in members for the detection of cognitive impairment, as required by the amendments made by section 222.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id5dc226fe-502b-4556-afdb-25f73e58510d"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The development and deployment of effective means of managing and monitoring members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder in the receipt of care for traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder, as applicable, including the monitoring and assessment of treatment and outcomes.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id7590A6D2842347B1BDF0F6C35BED41AE"><enum>(8)</enum><text>The development and deployment of an education and awareness training initiative designed to reduce the negative stigma associated with traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and mental health treatment.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idef8ac747-186a-4d78-90d5-f03be71e2602"><enum>(9)</enum><text>The provision of education and outreach to families of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder on a range of matters relating to traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder, as applicable, including detection, mitigation, and treatment.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0bdfcc00-6560-4958-87de-8cc0c5e98d7a"><enum>(10)</enum><text>The assessment of the current capabilities of the Department for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4c9f8716-dca0-4633-a498-a6e418f42de7"><enum>(11)</enum><text>The identification of gaps in current capabilities of the Department for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id57fffe30-2075-496e-b5f2-b4f0f65345f4"><enum>(12)</enum><text>The identification of the resources required for the Department in fiscal years 2009 thru 2013 to address the gaps in capabilities identified under paragraph (11).</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida0076bd7-339e-44a5-915f-10c63bb946de"><enum>(13)</enum><text>The development of joint planning among the Department of Defense, the military departments, and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces, including planning for the seamless transition of such members from care through the Department of Defense care through the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id633cf129-fc27-4aa2-8609-39cd42d9867e"><enum>(14)</enum><text>A requirement that exposure to a blast or blasts be recorded in the records of members of the Armed Forces.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcb9815ec-3606-459a-a5c8-a2069ff0dbdf"><enum>(15)</enum><text>The development of clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of blast injuries in members of the Armed Forces, including, but not limited to, traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2ab439bf-b468-4ac4-96c4-52e5a2c4c237"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Coordination in development</header><text>Each plan submitted under subsection (a) shall be developed in coordination with the Secretary of the Army (who was designated by the Secretary of Defense as executive agent for the prevention, mitigation, and treatment of blast injuries under section 256 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109–163; 119 Stat. 3181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note)).</text> </subsection><subsection id="id32BCFE3F0D124F4A83E82368FB233075"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Additional activities</header><text>In carrying out programs and activities for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, and treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces, the Secretary of Defense shall—</text> <paragraph id="idE6E1D1EC30504E6DBECBB09EFAE50820"><enum>(1)</enum><text>examine the results of the recently completed Phase 2 study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, on the use of progesterone for acute traumatic brain injury;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idA5BCAB486D6F4C289AC9610D4FB67DF8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>determine if Department of Defense funding for a Phase 3 clinical trial on the use of progesterone for acute traumatic brain injury, or for further research regarding the use of progesterone or its metabolites for treatment of traumatic brain injury, is warranted; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idD75EEE7B97B04549A5798B80196245D7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>provide for the collaboration of the Department of Defense, as appropriate, in clinical trials and research on pharmacological approaches to treatment for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder that is conducted by other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbf862664-391d-4a0f-97e1-a682a34bca59"><enum>222.</enum><header>Improvement of medical tracking system for members of the Armed Forces deployed overseas</header> <subsection id="id9cd25768-f78f-4533-b4a6-2c56cf728cf1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Protocol for assessment of cognitive functioning</header> <paragraph id="id0e234778-106d-42ab-8f32-1d6a7af5a790"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Protocol required</header><text>Subsection (b) of section 1074f of title 10, United States Code, is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="id86f9c89c-7c79-4cb5-af56-589d211733ab"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ideee10e7d-f5f8-4382-b32f-0594249dda45" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="id043fe75e-48df-4e47-ac64-7774c0cd76c0" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>An assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id473e2d37-2029-4eb4-8f79-208d450f804e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0ca411cc-ecad-43fe-a762-2db4d0d476ef" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="id00c39a4b-a346-414c-8694-d3096d37f4f5" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id9e12df53-06ff-4365-98c9-d1322d3454e1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Secretary shall establish for purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2) a protocol for the predeployment assessment and documentation of the cognitive (including memory) functioning of a member who is deployed outside the United States in order to facilitate the assessment of the postdeployment cognitive (including memory) functioning of the member.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" id="id6646150c-7231-45d8-9ad9-f33af638c412" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The protocol under subparagraph (A) shall include appropriate mechanisms to permit the differential diagnosis of traumatic brain injury in members returning from deployment in a combat zone.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idf2612b76-1be8-482d-a22e-a3111085e188"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Pilot projects</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id99100013-3a5b-415f-b5fd-4b352c671b81"><enum>(A)</enum><text>In developing the protocol required by paragraph (3) of section 1074f(b) of title 10, United States Code (as amended by paragraph (1) of this subsection), for purposes of assessments for traumatic brain injury, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct up to three pilot projects to evaluate various mechanisms for use in the protocol for such purposes. One of the mechanisms to be so evaluated shall be a computer-based assessment tool.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" id="ide3c7694a-76d0-4939-b641-bff2e000cef3" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Not later than 60 days after the completion of the pilot projects conducted under this paragraph, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the pilot projects. The report shall include—</text> <clause id="ida3ea2b9c-49be-4e34-a44c-e799ca90325f"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a description of the pilot projects so conducted;</text> </clause><clause id="id2d949b90-05b8-4188-901e-b6fea93b0305"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an assessment of the results of each such pilot project; and</text> </clause><clause id="id69c7dd33-1a73-41fa-90cc-0fb34dd837b1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a description of any mechanisms evaluated under each such pilot project that will incorporated into the protocol.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" id="id8AF38C04C64048B1B0AEE81548AC4ABE" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Not later than 180 days after completion of the pilot projects conducted under this paragraph, the Secretary shall establish a mechanism for implementing any mechanism evaluated under such a pilot project that is selected for incorporation in the protocol.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" id="id5aedcc21-6899-4846-b656-03794771a416" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(D)</enum><text>There is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Defense, $3,000,000 for the pilot projects authorized by this paragraph. Of the amount so authorized to be appropriated, not more than $1,000,000 shall be available for any particular pilot project.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ida54be07f-ef76-4bcf-84f3-fcbe567830c2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Quality assurance</header><text>Subsection (d)(2) of section 1074f of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7bdb0589-5124-43a1-8736-c3e411a2d233" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="idd09b1864-db51-48a2-a3b5-5cc2f1248638" indent="up1"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="id12b61cdf-af98-416b-b9a5-4eed4dc54201"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Standards for deployment</header><text>Subsection (f) of such section is amended—</text> <paragraph id="idf049681e-1739-472c-a728-4b5bb5f9c3f2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the subsection heading, by striking <quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="OLC">mental health</header-in-text></quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id357872f9-c01d-4f1c-84b9-e5690b76c8e6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)(B), by striking <quote>or</quote> and inserting <quote>, traumatic brain injury, or</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idfffaded5-83f3-46bf-a003-0ce2aa2e18e2"><enum>223.</enum><header>Centers of excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder</header> <subsection id="idfb9de996-fba3-4b59-bfdc-42e78f11776d"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Center of excellence on traumatic brain injury</header><text>Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1105 the following new section:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id257e6fe5-57c4-4088-8324-788a09cca665" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC"> <section id="idbf72f3e7-d254-40e5-99e4-f502eb134aa8"><enum>1105a.</enum><header>Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury</header> <subsection id="id6465d4e2-e662-427a-a0c8-3531e1225163"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Department of Defense a center of excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury (TBI), including mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injury, to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c). The center shall be known as a <quote>Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury</quote>.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idfa8ceae8-81c2-4238-a02b-3af9039f77db"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Partnerships</header><text>The Secretary shall authorize the Center to enter into such partnerships, agreements, or other arrangements as the Secretary considers appropriate with the Department of Veterans Affairs, institutions of higher education, and other appropriate public and private entities (including international entities) to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c).</text> </subsection><subsection id="id0a77e518-c02f-4ebd-8183-8dde2ab5af85"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The Center shall have responsibilities as follows:</text> <paragraph id="idfc0e3dc3-1b24-4bc2-bc94-b679f19246a1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To direct and oversee, based on expert research, the development and implementation of a long-term, comprehensive plan and strategy for the Department of Defense for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id0aa3a8a7-a20e-4ab9-81ef-42187783b199"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To provide for the development, testing, and dissemination within the Department of best practices for the treatment of traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idaad69083-cfbc-492c-b960-27742573f99d"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To provide guidance for the mental health system of the Department in determining the mental health and neurological health personnel required to provide quality mental health care for members of the armed forces with traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id657e43e9-ea8b-46ff-8d0b-dc6cf320c03b"><enum>(4)</enum><text>To establish, implement, and oversee a comprehensive program to train mental health and neurological health professionals of the Department in the treatment of traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id11dfba19-4c0d-409c-b826-11a34f4c4280"><enum>(5)</enum><text>To facilitate advancements in the study of the short-term and long-term psychological effects of traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id06a53117-6b93-4bda-a89c-aded7059f044"><enum>(6)</enum><text>To disseminate within the military medical treatment facilities of the Department best practices for training mental health professionals, including neurological health professionals, with respect to traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id4a95deb4-0f4f-4c35-b497-fcd67c4a5986"><enum>(7)</enum><text>To conduct basic science and translational research on traumatic brain injury for the purposes of understanding the etiology of traumatic brain injury and developing preventive interventions and new treatments.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id23057c13-970f-4053-90f7-b32051c414f5"><enum>(8)</enum><text>To develop outreach strategies and treatments for families of members of the armed forces with traumatic brain injury in order to mitigate the negative impacts of traumatic brain injury on such family members and to support the recovery of such members from traumatic brain injury.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id7391bf71-02e7-43c2-89d7-241789e339e4"><enum>(9)</enum><text>To conduct research on the unique mental health needs of women members of the armed forces with traumatic brain injury and develop treatments to meet any needs identified through such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idf41fad1b-5c3a-4a11-a066-872f2ac900f0"><enum>(10)</enum><text>To conduct research on the unique mental health needs of ethnic minority members of the armed forces with traumatic brain injury and develop treatments to meet any needs identified through such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idccc326d3-b00b-478f-8a1c-e12b1c756854"><enum>(11)</enum><text>To conduct research on the mental health needs of families of members of the armed forces with traumatic brain injury and develop treatments to meet any needs identified through such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id11F1F8550D7549FF8FFAB646E80D9E79"><enum>(12)</enum><text>To conduct longitudinal studies (using imaging technology and other proven research methods) on members of the armed forces with traumatic brain injury to identify early signs of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or other manifestations of neurodegeneration in such members, which studies should be conducted in coordination with the studies authorized by section 721 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109–364; 120 Stat. 2294) and other studies of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs that address the connection between exposure to combat and the development of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id978df3fd-63bc-4a17-9373-aadf8eac58e9"><enum>(13)</enum><text>To develop and oversee a long-term plan to increase the number of mental health and neurological health professionals within the Department in order to facilitate the meeting by the Department of the needs of members of the armed forces with traumatic brain injury until their transition to care and treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id195a3180-84b7-4d9d-9c81-114469205b4c"><enum>(14)</enum><text>Such other responsibilities as the Secretary shall specify.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="idf78e5339-edf9-4aff-bc01-3248d429e859"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Center of excellence on post-traumatic stress disorder</header><text>Chapter 55 of such title is further amended by inserting after section 1105a, as added by subsection (a), the following new section:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3b3519f0-f421-436c-97b1-eb2cd9844cc0" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC"> <section id="id09336ff3-f303-440b-bb7a-500a0c8b6d38"><enum>1105b.</enum><header>Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder</header> <subsection id="id5d176dac-d8f4-466f-a5a0-8023b69a6e35"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Department of Defense a center of excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including mild, moderate, and severe post-traumatic stress disorder, to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c). The center shall be known as a <quote>Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder</quote>.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id6394ab9a-c9ab-4f99-80e5-c2d40adc44a0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Partnerships</header><text>The Secretary shall authorize the Center to enter into such partnerships, agreements, or other arrangements as the Secretary considers appropriate with the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder of the Department of Veterans Affairs, institutions of higher education, and other appropriate public and private entities (including international entities) to carry out the responsibilities specified in subsection (c).</text> </subsection><subsection id="idfe037260-a6c0-4ce3-bf5f-54cdca6fc32e"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The Center shall have responsibilities as follows:</text> <paragraph id="id513b20fd-b673-4842-8a69-c0353c0d7792"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To direct and oversee, based on expert research, the development and implementation of a long-term, comprehensive plan and strategy for the Department of Defense for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id0a160eff-5d67-4cc0-8bdb-e77fcaeb843f"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To provide for the development, testing, and dissemination within the Department of best practices for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idd16bd674-c236-4539-9603-80d7675cc6e9"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To provide guidance for the mental health system of the Department in determining the mental health and neurological health personnel required to provide quality mental health care for members of the armed forces with post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id07c45800-985f-451e-8199-4d8e7cf46b8d"><enum>(4)</enum><text>To establish, implement, and oversee a comprehensive program to train mental health and neurological health professionals of the Department in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id242fc860-fc71-4968-a6b2-7961d46dd7c7"><enum>(5)</enum><text>To facilitate advancements in the study of the short-term and long-term psychological effects of post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ided2a98f0-b339-4ea0-aa5c-ffa2c21c9380"><enum>(6)</enum><text>To disseminate within the military medical treatment facilities of the Department best practices for training mental health professionals, including neurological health professionals, with respect to post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id42b0cf02-f198-4cbc-a253-174650cf04f2"><enum>(7)</enum><text>To conduct basic science and translational research on post-traumatic stress disorder for the purposes of understanding the etiology of post-traumatic stress disorder and developing preventive interventions and new treatments.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id51fa9ec9-df07-4a7b-8973-6f32886c5c66"><enum>(8)</enum><text>To develop outreach strategies and treatments for families of members of the armed forces with post-traumatic stress disorder in order to mitigate the negative impacts of traumatic brain injury on such family members and to support the recovery of such members from post-traumatic stress disorder.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idbfaf14a6-5195-4ac4-b0c2-554b4576e113"><enum>(9)</enum><text>To conduct research on the unique mental health needs of women members of the armed forces, including victims of sexual assault, with post-traumatic stress disorder and develop treatments to meet any needs identified through such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id52b25f34-31ca-4130-8ec4-88c6d5463249"><enum>(10)</enum><text>To conduct research on the unique mental health needs of ethnic minority members of the armed forces with post-traumatic stress disorder and develop treatments to meet any needs identified through such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id630ae380-3a6c-4444-8a16-4c50d68ec9ae"><enum>(11)</enum><text>To conduct research on the mental health needs of families of members of the armed forces with post-traumatic stress disorder and develop treatments to meet any needs identified through such research.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id17a1dc75-e44c-4cd0-becf-dbc0e5a0f0ab"><enum>(12)</enum><text>To develop and oversee a long-term plan to increase the number of mental health and neurological health professionals within the Department in order to facilitate the meeting by the Department of the needs of members of the armed forces with post-traumatic stress disorder until their transition to care and treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id8733714b-8df6-4ea5-b369-78ae898279b4"><enum>(13)</enum><text>Such other responsibilities as the Secretary shall specify.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="id6ed6f0f0-efe8-4e6e-ab9f-f3e2154e42ab"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 55 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1105 the following new items:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" id="idfc9e463b-c2aa-41d2-83b7-b9d4b6cfd61c" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC"> <toc changed="added" reported-display-style="italic"> <toc-entry idref="idCD9AA4DDE4634861BFA59EDA629E3D83" level="section">1105a. Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury.</toc-entry> <toc-entry idref="id47F43B9307FD4A75B2118B800E83060F" level="section">1105b. Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.</toc-entry> </toc> <after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="idb53386b2-e3e1-46a7-aa07-c3586752306e"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Report on establishment</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the establishment of the Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury required by section 1105a of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), and the establishment of the Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder required by section 1105b of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (b)). The report shall, for each such Center—</text> <paragraph id="idab043577-586d-4200-a74f-24fad9cb490a"><enum>(1)</enum><text>describe in detail the activities and proposed activities of such Center; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id46211729-d17a-4d45-a06b-e9f769308863"><enum>(2)</enum><text>assess the progress of such Center in discharging the responsibilities of such Center.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1d74f6d6-3a1c-4852-9fac-2004ab1f69b7"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2008 for the Department of Defense for Defense Health Program, $10,000,000, of which—</text> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0e356ebb-0ebb-48cc-aeac-1ddb935caabd"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$5,000,000 shall be available for the Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury required by section 1105a of title 10, United States Code; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd90d7e29-401b-4885-a997-49196a9dfad0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$5,000,000 shall be available for the Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder required by section 1105b of title 10, United States Code.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idF0A456A53305435C9286659DE9A67FAF"><enum>224.</enum><header>Review of mental health services and treatment for female members of the Armed Forces and veterans</header> <subsection id="idAB66A7A2FD44410EAD2C9B83FE70952A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Comprehensive review</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly conduct a comprehensive review of—</text> <paragraph id="id33B379DE5F1240FA8274BBA893CA5E9E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the need for mental health treatment and services for female members of the Armed Forces and veterans; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id2987AF24FD1246D9A029F8709F06EF72"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the efficacy and adequacy of existing mental health treatment programs and services for female members of the Armed Forces and veterans.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idF6F7C85DF9EA4081ABEEECE0502E40E7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The review required by subsection (a) shall include, but not be limited to, an assessment of the following:</text> <paragraph id="idEEC77F1AFC6F4501AECBA1EF7FB81A9E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The need for mental health outreach, prevention, and treatment services specifically for female members of the Armed Forces and veterans.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id3B0C9A22621745999C4880CF06399EAA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The access to and efficacy of existing mental health outreach, prevention, and treatment services and programs (including substance abuse programs) for female veterans who served in a combat zone.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id6804621A8E8C44B99966D06316BD4315"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The access to and efficacy of services and treatment for female members of the Armed Forces and veterans who experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idC855D1DA556A40559E1453036FBDF990"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The availability of services and treatment for female members of the Armed Forces and veterans who experienced sexual assault or abuse.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idD75B77986630499099AC7359265C5B73"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The access to and need for treatment facilities focusing on the mental health care needs of female members of the Armed Forces and veterans.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idBE2885506863451289D969951A3795F1"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The need for further clinical research on the unique needs of female veterans who served in a combat zone.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id25D7A50DE38745D683A65AE035FD2613"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the review required by subsection (a).</text> </subsection><subsection id="id0C7B6EA51BD84569B6EBAF36E0970928"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Policy required</header><text>Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly develop a comprehensive policy to address the treatment and care needs of female members of the Armed Forces and veterans who experience mental health problems and conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The policy shall take into account and reflect the results of the review required by subsection (a).</text> </subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id475cdbbd-bf71-4aa0-8fd1-96660372d45f"><enum>225.</enum><header>Funding for improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder</header> <subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id36a2a3f7-6907-4313-9ac4-109291b9c029"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddb484ebf-0911-4d7e-9ad6-827f894fa525"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2008 for the Department of Defense for Defense Health Program in the amount of $50,000,000, with such amount to be available for activities as follows:</text> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4a2d5e21-25e4-4fba-a35b-9aaeed233680"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Activities relating to the improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury (TBI).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd13e4730-d240-4c1f-84d8-7eabfa6836f6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Activities relating to the improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members of the Armed Forces with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id24c98eab-9df6-4e46-b4c1-806da977d738"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability of amount</header><text>Of the amount authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1), $17,000,000 shall be available for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center of the Department of Defense.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2f68bb99-375d-4655-b59a-07668632837f"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Supplement not supplant</header><text>The amount authorized to be appropriated by subsection (a) for Defense Health Program is in addition to any other amounts authorized to be appropriated by this Act for Defense Health Program.</text> </subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id15e79808-1e42-44e7-b043-f1e4dccdeb6b"><enum>226.</enum><header>Reports</header> <subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1fcc336b-bccd-4ef1-8690-82abeaa325be"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reports on implementation of certain requirements</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report describing the progress in implementing the requirements as follows:</text> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id55bc9e6d-fd4a-44e8-8f63-1bccd59a0784"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The requirements of section 721 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109–364; 120 Stat. 2294), relating to a longitudinal study on traumatic brain injury incurred by members of the Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id35bcffa6-648b-4eb4-976b-7c850bf4aa5c"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The requirements arising from the amendments made by section 738 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (120 Stat. 2303), relating to enhanced mental health screening and services for members of the Armed Forces.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id37ba2063-e802-48c3-96af-1d41e83621da"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The requirements of section 741 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (120 Stat. 2304), relating to pilot projects on early diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddec610bf-49d3-49cf-a0e4-60d89a446e11"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Annual reports on expenditures for activities on tbi and ptsd</header> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8c8d10f6-77ce-4b13-9a6e-306c425eb3cf"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Reports required</header><text>Not later than March 1, 2008, and each year thereafter through 2013, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth the amounts expended by the Department of Defense during the preceding calendar year on activities described in paragraph (2), including the amount allocated during such calendar year to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center of the Department.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2cae0be5-cd7d-48d0-85ab-7afc075fbb9d"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered activities</header><text>The activities described in this paragraph are activities as follows:</text> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6acc51d3-f43d-4c71-a6a3-a40b1c3ce5ff"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Activities relating to the improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury (TBI).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6cfe30cd-7633-43ad-9aaf-913733015982"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Activities relating to the improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members of the Armed Forces with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida282cd34-1e26-4ecd-a7da-03f65a9eb057"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>Each report under paragraph (1) shall include—</text> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idca1ffd3f-0b5d-4326-b37a-bb14489ca683"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a description of the amounts expended as described in that paragraph, including a description of the activities for which expended;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddbd177e1-dea6-40d0-baae-d7a7670cf325"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a description and assessment of the outcome of such activities;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id006b3a85-04a4-47ed-bc84-d29571d01a35"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a statement of priorities of the Department in activities relating to the prevention, diagnosis, research, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury in members of the Armed Forces during the year in which such report is submitted and in future calendar years;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9d59432e-5afa-48f7-a929-7967ca7a327a"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a statement of priorities of the Department in activities relating to the prevention, diagnosis, research, treatment, and rehabilitation of post-traumatic stress disorder in members of the Armed Forces during the year in which such report is submitted and in future calendar years; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8900512E7AF44CCCB56A9CAC7F773A27"><enum>(E)</enum><text>an assessment of the progress made toward achieving the priorities stated in subparagraphs (C) and (D) in the report under paragraph (1) in the previous year, and a description of any actions planned during the year in which such report is submitted to achieve any unfulfilled priorities during such year.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="idac3ca684-92d2-4798-8d6d-48a6d7127fac"><enum>D</enum><header>Other Matters</header> <section id="id8079778d-37e8-45ea-9b38-fdd6c707aabb"><enum>231.</enum><header>Joint electronic health record for the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs</header> <subsection id="id41129e2f-f3f0-404b-8b55-b0d7a5bacaa5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly—</text> <paragraph id="id368e0f60-6bc2-4146-93b8-15738ac69258"><enum>(1)</enum><text>develop and implement a joint electronic health record for use by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id44898a64-146d-443c-a77b-3759fbb31ee8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>accelerate the exchange of health care information between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to support the delivery of health care by both Departments.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idb36888db-8e99-49ab-81b4-2a4db743ec62"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program Office for a Joint Electronic Health Record</header> <paragraph id="id3717b2a9-6068-4e3d-a387-4ff533d942da"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There is hereby established a joint element of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to be known as the <quote>Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program Office for a Joint Electronic Health Record</quote> (in this section referred to as the <quote>Office</quote>).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id62af3501-22ce-42a9-a0ff-a4484543c977"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Purposes</header><text>The purposes of the Office shall be as follows:</text> <subparagraph id="idcd1b4764-b90a-45e3-98db-24f919a595e0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>To act as a single point of accountability for the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in the rapid development, test, and implementation of a joint electronic health record for use by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id47c187be-2b7d-4983-9b66-df1e7826a433"><enum>(B)</enum><text>To accelerate the exchange of health care information between Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to support the delivery of health care by both Departments.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id27ba0be7-c917-431a-b2d7-3cf32bca72f9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Leadership</header> <paragraph id="idbac0d97d-5daf-4716-83d4-6b15fde78861"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Director</header><text>The Director of the Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program Office for a Joint Electronic Health Record shall be the head of the Office.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id39f2a455-21ad-452c-b60e-dca30b8ec15b"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Deputy director</header><text>The Deputy Director of the Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program Office for a Joint Electronic Health Record shall be the deputy head of the office and shall assist the Director in carrying out the duties of the Director.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id932dce43-8bea-4330-bd85-10b08a477944"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Appointments</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id8b8710e2-4127-4d3d-9979-7cea88cc1298"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Director shall be appointed by the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, from among employees of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Senior Executive Service who are qualified to direct the development and acquisition of major information technology capabilities.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" id="idef37a0a5-592b-4cb8-ab2c-59b8cc59d4b5" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Deputy Director shall be appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Defense, from among employees of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Senior Executive Service who are qualified to direct the development and acquisition of major information technology capabilities.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id861bc5cb-1453-4b11-ab5a-4def2288fd19"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Additional guidance</header><text>In addition to the direction, supervision, and control provided by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Office shall also receive guidance from the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee under section 320 of title 38, United States Code, in the discharge of the functions of the Office under this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idb01ca6cb-5e2a-44c4-a120-3be22b138d6e"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Testimony</header><text>Upon request by any of the appropriate committees of Congress, the Director and the Deputy Director shall testify before such committee regarding the discharge of the functions of the Office under this section.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id56ede227-ea0c-4dc9-9c78-d236a8b97674"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Function</header><text>The function of the Office shall be to develop and prepare for deployment, by not later than September 30, 2010, a joint electronic health record to be utilized by both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in the provision of medical care and treatment to members of the Armed Forces and veterans, which health record shall comply with applicable interoperability standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria (including for the reporting of quality measures) of the Federal Government.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id0709fba3-9b90-40dd-84f4-1b41f1eca65c"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Schedules and benchmarks</header><text>Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly establish a schedule and benchmarks for the discharge by the Office of its function under this section, including each of the following:</text> <paragraph id="idf1a4679a-12a4-4686-b4cf-1677dbe2c47d"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A schedule for the establishment of the Office.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id60dd0541-e296-41da-88f3-4df33a908306"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A schedule and deadline for the establishment of the requirements for the joint electronic health record described in subsection (d), including coordination with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology in the development of a nationwide interoperable health information technology infrastructure.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idd9a09ccb-dfe6-4a20-8f99-744d8913fbe9"><enum>(3)</enum><text>A schedule and associated deadlines for any acquisition and testing required in the development and deployment of the joint electronic health record.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idd97799d6-0c59-4825-beef-2e4f655a34c6"><enum>(4)</enum><text>A schedule and associated deadlines and requirements for the deployment of the joint electronic health record.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id109b7370-8574-4b1b-b49c-62529483b798"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Proposed funding for the Office for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013 for the discharge of its function.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id92cb6263-186b-4fbb-8c0e-dd262c8dea2a"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Pilot projects</header> <paragraph id="id1c5d524b-1a44-4799-ace6-5138c75816dc"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>In order to assist the Office in the discharge of its function under this section, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may, acting jointly, carry out one or more pilot projects to assess the feasability and advisability of various technological approaches to the achievement of the joint electronic health record described in subsection (d).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idf1ff9ab7-d47f-4995-a4a4-ff30171e0dfd"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Treatment as single health care system</header><text>For purposes of each pilot project carried out under this subsection, the health care system of the Department of Defense and the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be treated as a single health care system for purposes of the regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1320d–2 note).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9cf0485b-e71b-4bde-8312-aed289ad777d"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Staff and other resources</header> <paragraph id="id8e388026-a1c2-4816-9359-914a5d23acd7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall assign to the Office such personnel and other resources of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs as are required for the discharge of its function under this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idd7e2bf70-69cc-4766-a650-086730193fc0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Additional services</header><text>Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Director may utilize the services of private individuals and entities as consultants to the Office in the discharge of its function under this section. Amounts available to the Office shall be available for payment for such services.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9d0f132c-4d5f-45b1-87f8-c47fb87927ce"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Annual reports</header> <paragraph id="id39b091e3-772f-4027-ae9a-acca408185e6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than January 1, 2009, and each year thereafter through 2014, the Director shall submit to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and to the appropriate committees of Congress, a report on the activities of the Office during the preceding calendar year. Each report shall include, for the year covered by such report, the following:</text> <subparagraph id="idfae51d74-8c77-419d-b303-3ad24b478237"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A detailed description of the activities of the Office, including a detailed description of the amounts expended and the purposes for which expended.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id960b8059-213d-4d84-95ca-ed42428d9b96"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An assessment of the progress made by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in the development and implementation of the joint electronic health record described in subsection (d).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idef5b1e67-cb07-432a-b3fa-67bd0ae3d325"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability to public</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available to the public each report submitted under paragraph (1), including by posting such report on the Internet website of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, respectively, that is available to the public.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id96750eb3-08d9-46e3-8ccd-f5cf2f7053c2"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Comptroller General assessment of implementation</header><text>Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act and every six months thereafter until the completion of the implementation of the joint electronic health record described in subsection (d), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report setting forth the assessment of the Comptroller General of the progress of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in developing and implementing the joint electronic health record.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id47adf55f-838e-43bb-8c73-d5ec40d4a964"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Funding</header> <paragraph id="id46815c7c-c528-4e6b-98f4-e6af6df77a3e"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall each contribute equally to the costs of the Office in fiscal year 2008 and fiscal years thereafter. The amount so contributed by each Secretary in fiscal year 2008 shall be up to $10,000,000.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id6088e3e1-620e-4ba0-ad3e-73d78aa3adb6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Source of funds</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id7235bc1d-e9fd-40be-94a7-7a17ce173cbe"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Amounts contributed by the Secretary of Defense under paragraph (1) shall be derived from amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Defense for the Defense Health Program and available for program management and technology resources.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" id="id84f50ffc-4d5c-4c33-8272-b62499696c9b" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Amounts contributed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under paragraph (1) shall be derived from amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs for Medical Care and available for program management and technology resources.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7a4b3c2a-9557-4893-9959-f482f525ca09"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Joint electronic health record defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>joint electronic health record</term> means a single system that includes patient information across the continuum of medical care, including inpatient care, outpatient care, pharmacy care, patient safety, and rehabilitative care.</text> </subsection></section><section id="idc7ba3d77-e5da-487c-b129-43d1b2c98c84"><enum>232.</enum><header>Enhanced personnel authorities for the Department of Defense for health care professionals for care and treatment of wounded and injured members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="id01f4a032-8f1d-4f36-9d9e-e0021ddc3bca"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 1599c of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id00d8f103-bb6f-4bcb-92e8-a183947c3db4" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC"> <section id="id54d21f5d-77a0-4776-8867-11d806023915"><enum>1599c.</enum><header>Health care professionals: enhanced appointment and compensation authority for personnel for care and treatment of wounded and injured members of the armed forces</header> <subsection id="idCE2480B1C2C2447DBC375F89916EDDA5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Defense may, in the discretion of the Secretary, exercise any authority for the appointment and pay of health care personnel under chapter 74 of title 38 for purposes of the recruitment, employment, and retention of civilian health care professionals for the Department of Defense if the Secretary determines that the exercise of such authority is necessary in order to provide or enhance the capacity of the Department to provide care and treatment for members of the armed forces who are wounded or injured on active duty in the armed forces and to support the ongoing patient care and medical readiness, education, and training requirements of the Department of Defense.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idF0E324B8BEBA4EEE99EE76521E4DD8C7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Recruitment of personnel</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id84CEB1737A3C4AE893ED6BF657A17E59"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretaries of the military departments shall each develop and implement a strategy to disseminate among appropriate personnel of the military departments authorities and best practices for the recruitment of medical and health professionals, including the authorities under subsection (a).</text> </paragraph><paragraph changed="added" id="id82D71334A7104809B1782AF693065A9C" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Each strategy under paragraph (1) shall—</text> <subparagraph id="id9397F51F83774CC2A1B139C6D93FE432"><enum>(A)</enum><text>assess current recruitment policies, procedures, and practices of the military department concerned to assure that such strategy facilitates the implementation of efficiencies which reduce the time required to fill vacant positions for medical and health professionals; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id729B63434760457F8CA94A955B1F7B89"><enum>(B)</enum><text>clearly identify processes and actions that will be used to inform and educate military and civilian personnel responsible for the recruitment of medical and health professionals.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="id6c00e071-6e72-4b18-977c-137b72307590"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 81 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 1599c and inserting the following new item:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" id="ida06c6f06-353d-49a8-8a76-700780f949ff" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC"> <toc changed="added" reported-display-style="italic"> <toc-entry idref="id63E376868AB5433780110438DF45369D" level="section">1599c. Health care professionals: enhanced appointment and compensation authority for personnel for care and treatment of wounded and injured members of the armed forces.</toc-entry> </toc> <after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="idA66770B3226740898C9237196BBD0FB6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reports on strategies on recruitment of medical and health professionals</header><text>Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, each Secretary of a military department shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth the strategy developed by such Secretary under section 1599c(b) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).</text> </subsection></section><section id="idf23c318a-2c9e-49a8-b2fb-bed0ade3aee6"><enum>233.</enum><header>Personnel shortages in the mental health workforce of the Department of Defense, including personnel in the mental health workforce</header> <subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idaca40a8e-eaaa-4667-af64-5a668f1c2112"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Recommendations on means of addressing shortages</header> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id317f51c4-f103-4404-b000-4d7d80201adf"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report setting forth the recommendations of the Secretary for such legislative or administrative actions as the Secretary considers appropriate to address shortages in health care professionals within the Department of Defense, including personnel in the mental health workforce.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb517eae0-ff1f-490f-b6bc-071e187e7e7b"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The report required by paragraph (1) shall address the following:</text> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id89637c83-57de-41a5-827d-514e68799ab9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Enhancements or improvements of financial incentives for health care professionals, including personnel in the mental health workforce, of the Department of Defense in order to enhance the recruitment and retention of such personnel, including recruitment, accession, or retention bonuses and scholarship, tuition, and other financial assistance.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6ae3cc00-1f17-490f-b278-c245c3d7b162"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Modifications of service obligations of health care professionals, including personnel in the mental health workforce.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1b38e7ad-4af0-4b5d-8e78-3eae869d1175"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id43022206-233d-426b-a37e-23149e9dadb1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Recruitment</header><text>Commencing not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall implement programs to recruit qualified individuals in health care fields (including mental health) to serve in the Armed Forces as health care and mental health personnel of the Armed Forces.</text> </subsection></section></subtitle><enum>III</enum><header>DISABILITY MATTERS</header> <subtitle id="id7beeb9e6-804e-4735-b197-3807ccc35736"><enum>A</enum><header>Disability Evaluations</header> <section id="id16253a6c-dbca-474c-98ea-fb7600961d03"><enum>301.</enum><header>Utilization of veterans' presumption of sound condition in establishing eligibility of members of the Armed Forces for retirement for disability</header> <subsection id="idd21194d4-0c34-490d-855b-7736339d6de2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Retirement of regulars and members on active duty for more than 30 days</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Clause (i) of section 1201(b)(3)(B) of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd04c01c2-93e7-41da-96c0-e461241a3bc2" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC"> <clause id="ideafd73b7-b05a-406f-8d37-87636525ac0f"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the member has six months or more of active military service and the disability was not noted at the time of the member's entrance on active duty (unless compelling evidence or medical judgment is such to warrant a finding that the disability existed before the member's entrance on active duty);</text> </clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="id7f5c0ebf-3262-4ca2-83a7-8d8c6db5733a"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Separation of regulars and members on active duty for more than 30 days</header><text>Section 1203(b)(4)(B) of such title is amended by striking <quote>and the member has at least eight years of service computed under section 1208 of this title</quote> and inserting <quote>, the member has six months or more of active military service, and the disability was not noted at the time of the member's entrance on active duty (unless evidence or medical judgment is such to warrant a finding that the disability existed before the member's entrance on active duty)</quote>.</text> </subsection></section><section id="id7b02fbd0-dbbf-4b6f-a5af-52965b988c45"><enum>302.</enum><header>Requirements and limitations on Department of Defense determinations of disability with respect to members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="id14a67331-7dae-4ca3-8e28-32dff7aa1520"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1216 the following new section:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4d5774be-aedf-449a-b788-e7bbe7813d76" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC"> <section id="id52cd63d4-5754-4921-bcbd-918606a63092"><enum>1216a.</enum><header>Determinations of disability: requirements and limitations on determinations</header> <subsection id="id4b150170-240a-497b-bba2-f6f7b8a94a9b"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Utilization of VA schedule for rating disabilities in determinations of disability</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id7c6a6546-4322-46f1-a1bf-b2b431e9afdb"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In making a determination of disability of a member of the armed forces for purposes of this chapter, the Secretary concerned—</text> <subparagraph changed="added" id="id2e7c724b-ab94-4a88-9673-77695327aa97" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall, to the extent feasible, utilize the schedule for rating disabilities in use by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including any applicable interpretation of the schedule by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" id="id90049dc0-9211-421d-947a-9039731c08c2" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>except as provided in paragraph (2), may not deviate from the schedule or any such interpretation of the schedule.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" id="id55555d4b-0752-451b-b6c6-35d7d8ce64ed" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In making a determination described in paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned may utilize in lieu of the schedule described in that paragraph such criteria as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may jointly prescribe for purposes of this subsection if the utilization of such criteria will result in a determination of a greater percentage of disability than would be otherwise determined through the utilization of the schedule.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id094312c3-4ff2-4ca0-9245-2c0ea90d713e"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Consideration of all medical conditions</header><text>In making a determination of the rating of disability of a member of the armed forces for purposes of this chapter, the Secretary concerned shall take into account all medical conditions, whether individually or collectively, that render the member unfit to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating.</text> </subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection id="ida5be6d60-c124-4871-8f1f-de97fa0d3df1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 61 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1216 the following new item:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" id="id52d6cad0-9a75-42da-90d8-c8d3e2268f4c" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC"> <toc changed="added" reported-display-style="italic"> <toc-entry idref="idDE1AEACFEF184178A4921390FCCA0CC4" level="section">1216a. Determinations of disability: requirements and limitations on determinations.</toc-entry> </toc> <after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section><section id="id6bccae8b-ea18-4648-af93-9f2860753d31"><enum>303.</enum><header>Review of separation of members of the Armed Forces separated from service with a disability rating of 20 percent disabled or less</header> <subsection id="idf4d284d3-f5c4-4c31-af27-f35d776434a0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Board required</header> <paragraph id="id6984f561-ebbd-4d48-897f-9f4822f67bfc"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Chapter 79 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1554 adding the following new section:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id637498a6-13a9-4f65-a932-27acc1ae0507" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC"> <section id="idaa5b6a7e-4852-415f-8641-e9805a3b09fc"><enum>1554a.</enum><header>Review of separation with disability rating of 20 percent disabled or less</header> <subsection id="idfc9f83cf-4757-4a0b-a40f-0aea4630a1fb"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="ide44fa3ab-af20-4f75-adfc-7708fdcea681"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary of Defense shall establish within the Office of the Secretary of Defense a board of review to review the disability determinations of covered individuals by Physical Evaluation Boards. The board shall be known as the <quote>Physical Disability Board of Review</quote>.</text> </paragraph><paragraph changed="added" id="ide2eb4ee2-da02-4b14-ab8e-4d7db636b1b6" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Board shall consist of not less than three members appointed by the Secretary.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idf96c4cda-3c4c-4339-a512-0f1fd8ead80c"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered individuals</header><text>For purposes of this section, covered individuals are members and former members of the armed forces who, during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on December 31, 2009—</text> <paragraph id="idade26e65-d963-4ecf-a397-56d32ea536a5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>are separated from the armed forces due to unfitness for duty due to a medical condition with a disability rating of 20 percent disabled or less; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idfd8ec0c5-9f7e-4422-8b87-6a0c85403609"><enum>(2)</enum><text>are found to be not eligible for retirement.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idbb51aaa9-a578-42eb-b13c-2f6751e7c52f"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Review</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id8f58e22e-a4bb-417b-9538-0e8204838132"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Upon its own motion, or upon the request of a covered individual, or a surviving spouse, next of kin, or legal representative of a covered individual, the Board shall review the findings and decisions of the Physical Evaluation Board with respect to such covered individual.</text> </paragraph><paragraph changed="added" id="id35daa45e-eba7-45cb-829e-91adc2a97db5" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The review by the Board under paragraph (1) shall be based on the records of the armed force concerned and such other evidence as may be presented to the Board. A witness may present evidence to the Board by affidavit or by any other means considered acceptable by the Secretary of Defense.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idd21173ed-89ec-44ee-a48b-081152f1ddfa"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorized recommendations</header><text>The Board may, as a result of its findings under a review under subsection (c), recommend to the Secretary concerned the following (as applicable) with respect to a covered individual:</text> <paragraph id="ida3cc41d9-b782-43c1-9d5e-bdbc6a0e3512"><enum>(1)</enum><text>No recharacterization of the separation of such individual or modification of the disability rating previously assigned such individual.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id40862535-4d42-4bb1-8e62-9dcb0fd20111"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The recharacterization of the separation of such individual to retirement for disability.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id650D4E2CB2C24F0AAB823F5AECC75067"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The modification of the disability rating previously assigned such individual by the Physical Evaluation Board concerned, which modified disability rating may not be a reduction of the disability rating previously assigned such individual by that Physical Evaluation Board.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idf71d222a-c3ce-44c1-81cc-bf1a5f8d7db4"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The issuance of a new disability rating for such individual.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idcf11c539-9ee9-4fad-b31e-a68257798758"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Correction of military records</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idd96bd0ea-d9fa-4644-95b5-ba6898c4973a"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary concerned may correct the military records of a covered individual in accordance with a recommendation made by the Board under subsection (d). Any such correction may be made effective as of the effective date of the action taken on the report of the Physical Evaluation Board to which such recommendation relates.</text> </paragraph><paragraph changed="added" id="id236ba54f-425f-4980-9826-990151f4fe4c" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>In the case of a member previously separated pursuant to the findings and decision of a Physical Evaluation Board together with a lump-sum or other payment of back pay and allowances at separation, the amount of pay or other monetary benefits to which such member would be entitled based on the member's military record as corrected shall be reduced to take into account receipt of such lump-sum or other payment in such manner as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.</text> </paragraph><paragraph changed="added" id="idefd04e45-3a69-429e-ace8-bf33a8abdbbc" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>If the Board makes a recommendation not to correct the military records of a covered individual, the action taken on the report of the Physical Evaluation Board to which such recommendation relates shall be treated as final as of the date of such action.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idf4f2a1ee-ec3a-4477-9f7f-03382fdc4cf3"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Regulations</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idd6b886ab-16ac-4c39-aded-2a20be748afb"><enum>(1)</enum><text>This section shall be carried out in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.</text> </paragraph><paragraph changed="added" id="id465D227B92814C62BB00B92CF8F9D61E" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The regulations under paragraph (1) shall specify reasonable deadlines for the performance of reviews required by this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph changed="added" id="id89c76764-8d0e-46a5-a452-042c4e839646" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The regulations under paragraph (1) shall specify the effect of a determination or pending determination of a Physical Evaluation Board on considerations by boards for correction of military records under section 1552 of this title.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph><paragraph id="idec45dc43-18b0-450c-b229-26d2970858d0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 79 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1554 the following new item:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" id="ide646330b-877f-4e1c-892e-af0809a0b220" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC"> <toc changed="added" reported-display-style="italic"> <toc-entry idref="id82EC2579F4D942DEBFB8C84743092729" level="section">1554a. Review of separation with disability rating of 20 percent disabled or less.</toc-entry> </toc> <after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide4d73f46-0590-46bc-8f23-ffc4b787ee40"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Implementation</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall establish the board of review required by section 1554a of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), and prescribe the regulations required by such section, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text> </subsection></section><section id="idd6acf4f4-2541-4916-9213-86ad8e5e7f53"><enum>304.</enum><header>Pilot programs on revised and improved disability evaluation system for members of the Armed Forces<italic></italic></header> <subsection id="id480ff583-49a9-4612-b7c3-99439b002b4e"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot programs</header> <paragraph id="ide69121b7-b83a-4baf-bc66-6e989da0d5b9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, carry out pilot programs with respect to the disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense for the purpose set forth in subsection (d).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id650502d4-ebbb-4748-88b8-8c1be515e215"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Required pilot programs</header><text>In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Defense shall carry out the pilot programs described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (c). Each such pilot program shall be implemented not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id48a9d0ca-707a-4500-b84f-2543bb9f6166"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Authorized pilot programs</header><text>In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Defense may carry out such other pilot programs as the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, considers appropriate.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id2a743f4c-5f69-4633-b5c8-391cfbc73afb"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense</header><text>For purposes of this section, the disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense is the system of the Department for the evaluation of the disabilities of members of the Armed Forces who are being separated or retired from the Armed Forces for disability under chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id4adca505-8d2e-49f7-b187-dcd65312ccc8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Scope of pilot programs</header> <paragraph id="idb9d67793-16b1-4a50-93bd-8231996d5649"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Disability determinations by dod utilizing va assigned disability rating</header><text>Under one of the pilot programs under subsection (a), for purposes of making a determination of disability of a member of the Armed Forces under section 1201(b) of title 10, United States Code, for the retirement, separation, or placement of the member on the temporary disability retired list under chapter 61 of such title, upon a determination by the Secretary of the military department concerned that the member is unfit to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating because of a physical disability as described in section 1201(a) of such title—</text> <subparagraph id="idaa1109d4-1e5f-425d-a49d-7bd816457d83"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—</text> <clause id="id177a29eb-d336-4913-b506-8a1cc07c2b8f"><enum>(i)</enum><text>conduct an evaluation of the member for physical disability; and</text> </clause><clause id="id64921b0b-149f-4171-917a-05c77320b42a"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>assign the member a rating of disability in accordance with the schedule for rating disabilities utilized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs based on all medical conditions (whether individually or collectively) that render the member unfit for duty; and</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id55b73669-0dda-45c4-abbc-cc1da3831fd7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of the military department concerned shall make the determination of disability regarding the member utilizing the rating of disability assigned under subparagraph (A)(ii).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id33b2f190-00af-4a7e-90a1-dd0d25ac21b5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Disability determinations utilizing joint dod/va assigned disability rating</header><text>Under one of the pilot programs under subsection (a), in making a determination of disability of a member of the Armed Forces under section 1201(b) of title 10, United States Code, for the retirement, separation, or placement of the member on the temporary disability retired list under chapter 61 of such title, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall, upon determining that the member is unfit to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating because of a physical disability as described in section 1201(a) of such title—</text> <subparagraph id="id32124b9a-a299-4ceb-936c-47adff7f6867"><enum>(A)</enum><text>provide for the joint evaluation of the member for disability by the Secretary of the military department concerned and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, including the assignment of a rating of disability for the member in accordance with the schedule for rating disabilities utilized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs based on all medical conditions (whether individually or collectively) that render the member unfit for duty; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0cccde47-3746-4bb0-b59a-b94e2976af5c"><enum>(B)</enum><text>make the determination of disability regarding the member utilizing the rating of disability assigned under subparagraph (A).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id513e2571-9c0a-4171-8312-d7a24790c3fb"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Electronic clearing house</header><text>Under one of the pilot programs, the Secretary of Defense shall establish and operate a single Internet website for the disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense that enables participating members of the Armed Forces to fully utilize such system through the Internet, with such Internet website to include the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id1fefd30f-d661-4ac2-aec8-ede369ec4d5a"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The availability of any forms required for the utilization of the disability evaluation system by members of the Armed Forces under the system.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id59a423ec-4de1-411f-9c38-82bf4921f65e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Secure mechanisms for the submission of such forms by members of the Armed Forces under the system, and for the tracking of the acceptance and review of any forms so submitted.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4ed03717-d332-42f4-a37a-fb47627a15a6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Secure mechanisms for advising members of the Armed Forces under the system of any additional information, forms, or other items that are required for the acceptance and review of any forms so submitted.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ida5848d54-16d3-4249-b791-aec25d1691ea"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The continuous availability of assistance to members of the Armed Forces under the system (including assistance through the caseworkers assigned to such members of the Armed Forces) in submitting and tracking such forms, including assistance in obtaining information, forms, or other items described by subparagraph (C).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7dfbfa69-f260-47dc-a336-c8dfd4c246b2"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Secure mechanisms to request and receive personnel files or other personnel records of members of the Armed Forces under the system that are required for submission under the disability evaluation system, including the capability to track requests for such files or records and to determine the status of such requests and of responses to such requests.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9af8fa33-8212-4671-934e-9d93596aa7b7"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Other pilot programs</header><text>Under any pilot program carried out by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (a)(3), the Secretary shall provide for the development, evaluation, and identification of such practices and procedures under the disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense as the Secretary considers appropriate for purpose set forth in subsection (d).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id05af4fad-6be5-4984-95a6-9f89c2834ae7"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The purpose of each pilot program under subsection (a) shall be—</text> <paragraph id="id51bb1904-b9a7-43d7-91cb-c3a00895cbfc"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to provide for the development, evaluation, and identification of revised and improved practices and procedures under the disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense in order to—</text> <subparagraph id="idb3d34237-28f8-4851-b9f5-09c8066c1f79"><enum>(A)</enum><text>reduce the processing time under the disability evaluation system of members of the Armed Forces who are likely to be retired or separated for disability, and who have not requested continuation on active duty, including, in particular, members who are severely wounded;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2e750ddf-1881-44f7-a532-697c1857f22b"><enum>(B)</enum><text>identify and implement or seek the modification of statutory or administrative policies and requirements applicable to the disability evaluation system that—</text> <clause id="id6bf6cd81-a53f-4c6d-aa71-6c988b16fad0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>are unnecessary or contrary to applicable best practices of civilian employers and civilian healthcare systems; or</text> </clause><clause id="id91be89f8-dead-4bd5-a013-80a20efb4412"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>otherwise result in hardship, arbitrary, or inconsistent outcomes for members of the Armed Forces, or unwarranted inefficiencies and delays;</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id84496b29-5f8b-464f-9d53-1611a19e8987"><enum>(C)</enum><text>eliminate material variations in policies, interpretations, and overall performance standards among the military departments under the disability evaluation system; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5abf0b54-13af-414f-a075-3c0ac931489c"><enum>(D)</enum><text>determine whether it enhances the capability of the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive and determine claims from members of the Armed Forces for compensation, pension, hospitalization, or other veterans benefits; and</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id87766b26-0c99-452a-9fde-f0154658d683"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in conjunction with the findings and recommendations of applicable Presidential and Department of Defense study groups, to provide for the eventual development of revised and improved practices and procedures for the disability evaluation system in order to achieve the objectives set forth in paragraph (1).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id99bbcdf3-f089-4ef2-91f0-b9dd4ef0ccc0"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Utilization of results in updates of comprehensive policy on care, management, and transition of covered servicemembers</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly incorporate responses to any findings and recommendations arising under the pilot programs required by subsection (a) in updating the comprehensive policy on the care and management of covered servicemembers under section 101.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idb4f73a7a-cbfa-431b-a15a-59dbed49f1c5"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Construction with other authorities</header> <paragraph id="id79ebc373-40f1-4dd0-ba87-7613508f5d9a"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), in carrying out a pilot program under subsection (a)—</text> <subparagraph id="id678421b3-2759-4472-9a86-6fbdcb1c7ce6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the rules and regulations of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to methods of determining fitness or unfitness for duty and disability ratings for members of the Armed Forces shall apply to the pilot program only to the extent provided in the report on the pilot program under subsection (h)(1); and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1c8da80a-2488-4e7a-9f1a-27606bab740f"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may waive any provision of title 10, 37, or 38, United States Code, relating to methods of determining fitness or unfitness for duty and disability ratings for members of the Armed Forces if the Secretaries determine in writing that the application of such provision would be inconsistent with the purpose of the pilot program.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6c0b2751-de6c-47f7-b31e-cd3d9990f3c4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to authorize the waiver of any provision of section 1216a of title 10, United States Code, as added by section 302 of this Act.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9fabebb5-9814-4cdf-8dd5-6e733121dba6"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>Each pilot program under subsection (a) shall be completed not later than one year after the date of the commencement of such pilot program under that subsection.</text> </subsection><subsection id="ida5604cbe-b1f3-457a-8f55-48fc3bd1aeea"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Reports</header> <paragraph id="ide709adfc-d180-4b11-8e62-b88b0a8def9b"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Initial report</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the pilot programs under subsection (a). The report shall include—</text> <subparagraph id="idb3da0a25-d00b-442b-bcc5-debcd2b811a9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a description of the scope and objectives of each pilot program;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf183aef7-9ae0-42b5-8945-3fa25a982ba7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a description of the methodology to be used under such pilot program to ensure rapid identification under such pilot program of revised or improved practices under the disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense in order to achieve the objectives set forth in subsection (d)(1); and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idc0cdab30-588a-4365-8809-0abf3632a1b7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a statement of any provision described in subsection (f)(1)(B) that shall not apply to the pilot program by reason of a waiver under that subsection.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id72ce271e-289e-45e9-b0e4-f9b49019a616"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Interim report</header><text>Not later than 150 days after the date of the submittal of the report required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the current status of such pilot program.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2b95439d-6442-40af-b78d-7bab109fdaeb"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Final report</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the completion of all the pilot programs described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (c), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report setting forth a final evaluation and assessment of such pilot programs. The report shall include such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of such pilot programs.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id2b474dfe-dfa2-4a04-bde8-fe14a320f012"><enum>305.</enum><header>Reports on Army action plan in response to deficiencies in the Army physical disability evaluation system</header> <subsection id="id2fb61d68-0ce9-4a3a-9f6b-d885ef19ed45"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reports required</header><text>Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 120 days thereafter until March 1, 2009, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the implementation of corrective measures by the Department of Defense with respect to the Physical Disability Evaluation System (PDES) in response to the following:</text> <paragraph id="idf0988187-bdf6-4fbb-ba6b-6a706858eca9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The report of the Inspector General of the Army on that system of March 6, 2007.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id0ab47516-7e42-4bfc-8566-a4d9224048e7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The report of the Independent Review Group on Rehabilitation Care and Administrative Processes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ida0d5d5dc-deb6-4e0d-a767-44de11817693"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The report of the Department of Veterans Affairs Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id313c2810-2c81-4720-ad47-b891e571343c"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements of report</header><text>Each report under subsection (a) shall include current information on the following:</text> <paragraph id="id5465cd30-d581-4f1a-96dc-ac93771e463d"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The total number of cases, and the number of cases involving combat disabled servicemembers, pending resolution before the Medical and Physical Disability Evaluation Boards of the Army, including information on the number of members of the Army who have been in a medical hold or holdover status for more than each of 100, 200, and 300 days.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id314e2616-b0f8-4d05-bc0f-9d8476d51064"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The status of the implementation of modifications to disability evaluation processes of the Department of Defense in response to the following:</text> <subparagraph id="idaae98fea-65fb-435f-bc1a-0b1f673a94b4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The report of the Inspector General on such processes dated March 6, 2007.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idc545f206-3291-45e2-8700-944332d3dd01"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The report of the Independent Review Group on Rehabilitation Care and Administrative Processes at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idfc5cdef6-4919-4104-8ac6-321d8dbcdb66"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The report of the Department of Veterans Affairs Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcfdfc6db-679c-4edb-9574-2ba9871eb323"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Posting on internet</header><text>Not later than 24 hours after submitting a report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall post such report on the Internet website of the Department of Defense that is available to the public.</text> </subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="id8232be1e-b838-4690-9590-22394e3af4c4"><enum>B</enum><header>Other Disability Matters</header> <section id="id567aba26-5483-4600-b852-f46ad4010687"><enum>311.</enum><header>Enhancement of disability severance pay for members of the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="iddda088cc-4f11-47d1-bf70-f8d6e4ab6a1a"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 1212 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—</text> <paragraph id="idf56bdb82-9519-46f5-a992-66ebd9506a65"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(1), by striking <quote>his years of service, but not more than 12, computed under section 1208 of this title</quote> in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and inserting <quote>the member's years of service computed under section 1208 of this title (subject to the minimum and maximum years of service provided for in subsection (c))</quote>;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id196ec104-4f5a-40fa-9968-04c5c8e9a443"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idd690b29c-6e68-40a5-824b-dc62a34a7130"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):</text> <quoted-block changed="added" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id15558bb8-e9ad-4297-812b-0deeec2874ca" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC"> <subsection id="id2a17838f-28fd-48ba-bc97-22619fb61c30"><enum>(c)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idc2eea274-2fdc-4390-bdd7-e589d5cbb4ef"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The minimum years of service of a member for purposes of subsection (a)(1) shall be as follows:</text> <subparagraph changed="added" id="id01dfea68-5acf-42fa-9684-cf239bc88fbe" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Six years in the case of a member separated from the armed forces for a disability incurred in line of duty in a combat zone (as designated by the Secretary of Defense for purposes of this subsection) or incurred during the performance of duty in combat-related operations as designated by the Secretary of Defense.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" id="id7791bea2-5a02-4372-8795-9a9c0749dcf7" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Three years in the case of any other member.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" id="id0a5a8ad6-d56e-4eea-a808-0fcd28ed695d" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The maximum years of service of a member for purposes of subsection (a)(1) shall be 19 years.</text> </paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id12723966-5a61-47d5-aa39-b60b0c23e742"><enum>(b)</enum><header>No deduction from compensation of severance pay for disabilities incurred in combat zones</header><text>Subsection (d) of such section, as redesignated by subsection (a)(2) of this section, is further amended—</text> <paragraph id="id376c0e28-f277-4378-b75a-36c6706c02bc"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>(1)</quote> after <quote>(d)</quote>;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id5ccf19a1-3cab-4da9-a7e2-d6e60f98eac6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking the second sentence; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id76e658ff-ce03-4adb-a7b9-c96b27138e7a"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:</text> <quoted-block changed="added" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idff8cec1a-0cef-4682-ae09-845a2135ab3e" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="ida63cd63c-3fb5-40c8-a32f-1260c30a6518" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>No deduction may be made under paragraph (1) in the case of disability severance pay received by a member for a disability incurred in line of duty in a combat zone or incurred during performance of duty in combat-related operations as designated by the Secretary of Defense.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id5be75272-c9d8-452c-a795-400d238f63bb" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>No deduction may be made under paragraph (1) from any death compensation to which a member's dependents become entitled after the member's death.</text> </paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7c582dba-1e0f-48b0-a873-e484adf6c739"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply with respect to members of the Armed Forces separated from the Armed Forces under chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code, on or after that date.</text> </subsection></section><section id="id45B7AB4671DD45C7A7D3361E93344622"><enum>312.</enum><header>Electronic transfer from the Department of Defense to the Department of Veterans Affairs of documents supporting eligibility for benefits</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly develop and implement a mechanism to provide for the electronic transfer from the Department of Defense to the Department of Veterans Affairs of any Department of Defense documents (including Department of Defense form DD–214) necessary to establish or support the eligibility of a member of the Armed Forces for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs at the time of the retirement, separation, or release of the member from the Armed Forces.</text> </section><section id="idD0976091337047DAB69DAD7B3BB3FAEE"><enum>313.</enum><header>Assessments of temporary disability retired list</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Comptroller General of the United States shall each submit to the congressional defense committees a report assessing the continuing utility of the temporary disability retired list in satisfying the purposes for which the temporary disability retired list was established. Each report shall include such recommendations for the modification or improvement of the temporary disability retired list as the Secretary or the Comptroller General, as applicable, considers appropriate in light of the assessment in such report.</text> </section></subtitle><enum>IV</enum><header>IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES HOUSING PATIENTS</header> <section id="ideec34f3a-2308-436d-a364-464452bbdede"><enum>401.</enum><header>Standards for military medical treatment facilities, specialty medical care facilities, and military quarters housing patients</header> <subsection id="idcfd928bf-ad20-42b7-a3f3-201c4808140d"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of standards</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall establish for the military facilities referred to in subsection (b) standards with respect to the matters set forth in subsection (c). The standards shall, to the maximum extent practicable—</text> <paragraph id="id08ed5db9-5a94-47cf-bc9f-3b9445e56260"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be uniform and consistent across such facilities; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id38713b0c-071d-4a2d-9b2e-0bd8094c0c8a"><enum>(2)</enum><text>be uniform and consistent across the Department of Defense and the military departments.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id83957458-70f6-4480-bfa1-f20a0542c8bf"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered military facilities</header><text>The military facilities referred to in this subsection are the military facilities of the Department of Defense and the military departments as follows:</text> <paragraph id="id85e8344d-709c-4267-8eeb-88ec584d78f5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Military medical treatment facilities.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id36a42788-ce95-4529-ba4e-baf904080d85"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Specialty medical care facilities.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id3b76047b-7e42-45c1-bf70-cbbe5c766338"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Military quarters or leased housing for patients.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id5DC8E6F7C48444048309FF04B7359445"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Scope of standards</header><text>The standards required by subsection (a) shall include the following:</text> <paragraph id="idE6D8828822BB40BB958321880DF441F8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Generally accepted standards for the accreditation of medical facilities, or for facilities used to quarter individuals that may require medical supervision, as applicable, in the United States.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id42BF11C626624784BE07D99518C04A80"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To the extent not inconsistent with the standards described in paragraph (1), minimally acceptable conditions for the following:</text> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf24b5c79-15ed-41d6-b648-cea1d7ee1cc0"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Appearance and maintenance of facilities generally, including the structure and roofs of facilities.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id98f2d26e-da56-458b-9fec-824caa1a5638"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Size, appearance, and maintenance of rooms housing or utilized by patients, including furniture and amenities in such rooms.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd254164a-cd29-4bd0-9bd0-b9598b1ac71a"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Operation and maintenance of primary and back-up facility utility systems and other systems required for patient care, including electrical systems, plumbing systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, communications systems, fire protection systems, energy management systems, and other systems required for patient care.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id55b0c6eb-bd84-4fec-bf9c-c852b8d02008"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Compliance with Federal Government standards for hospital facilities and operations.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id533ed71f-35fc-4be6-a72d-bca2ce9209a5"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Compliance of facilities, rooms, and grounds, to the maximum extent practicable, with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8de5fcaf-0a53-4bf5-983c-15ed9df16ebe"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Such other matters relating to the appearance, size, operation, and maintenance of facilities and rooms as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idef985543-3f8a-471f-a2ae-2d4fa576307f"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Compliance with standards</header> <paragraph id="id7c46d4dd-52f0-4f9a-bea1-c16dcb724ca1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Deadline</header><text>In establishing standards under subsection (a), the Secretary shall specify a deadline for compliance with such standards by each facility referred to in subsection (b). The deadline shall be at the earliest date practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be uniform across the facilities referred to in subsection (b).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id2053a2a9-93d5-4967-8ad9-745e8b796f19"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Investment</header><text>In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall also establish guidelines for investment to be utilized by the Department of Defense and the military departments in determining the allocation of financial resources to facilities referred to in subsection (b) in order to meet the deadline specified under paragraph (1).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idabb1dd9e-c13d-4811-931f-d07365372b40"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Report</header> <paragraph id="id58ea9674-585a-4353-ae2e-0e82e2c2f983"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than December 30, 2007, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the actions taken to carry out this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id385a64df-d787-414b-bd40-c73f92b38c18"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The report under paragraph (1) shall include the following:</text> <subparagraph id="id388ca620-fddf-4d52-8bfa-20033c4057b0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The standards established under subsection (a).</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id20f30133-ab14-482a-b2bb-5e05a6a6cfae"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An assessment of the appearance, condition, and maintenance of each facility referred to in subsection (a), including—</text> <clause id="id7287f058-4be5-4910-8d2b-b72be884fbbe"><enum>(i)</enum><text>an assessment of the compliance of such facility with the standards established under subsection (a); and</text> </clause><clause id="iddab159bd-9c5e-424d-a8fb-acba00d25d1a"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a description of any deficiency or noncompliance in each facility with the standards.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idefdf6ec8-3588-40f0-8886-ecd31e5f561c"><enum>(C)</enum><text>A description of the investment to be allocated to address each deficiency or noncompliance identified under subparagraph (B)(ii).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id3935d674-1587-47a6-8593-e60807a769d2"><enum>402.</enum><header>Reports on Army action plan in response to deficiencies identified at Walter Reed Army Medical Center</header> <subsection id="idd5ad5c8a-ea3c-498d-928e-1f411d35c85f"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reports required</header><text>Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 120 days thereafter until March 1, 2009, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the implementation of the action plan of the Army to correct deficiencies identified in the condition of facilities, and in the administration of outpatients in medical hold or medical holdover status, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and at other applicable Army installations at which covered members of the Armed Forces are assigned.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idfa0c61d1-b958-4db6-ac0f-fa569c9118ba"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements of report</header><text>Each report under subsection (a) shall include current information on the following:</text> <paragraph id="id81493065-914b-4b5a-b482-08b01bf1b88e"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The number of inpatients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and the number of outpatients on medical hold or in a medical holdover status at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, as a result of serious injuries or illnesses.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idbb52bbdc-4acf-43bd-bc98-9334cd4a853f"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A description of the lodging facilities and other forms of housing at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and at each other Army facility, to which are assigned personnel in medical hold or medical holdover status as a result of serious injuries or illnesses, including—</text> <subparagraph id="id052163c7-403d-4eca-922a-4a17b278382d"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an assessment of the conditions of such facilities and housing; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id38edebd5-ac2c-474f-9fa5-aa92aca679f9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a description of any plans to correct inadequacies in such conditions.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ida88f8e80-d031-4c5f-a611-c7b6a34b0711"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The status, estimated completion date, and estimated cost of any proposed or ongoing actions to correct any inadequacies in conditions as described under paragraph (2).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id5cb8c99e-fa07-4cdd-af90-3d17f7adf4e0"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The number of case managers, platoon sergeants, patient advocates, and physical evaluation board liaison officers stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and at each other Army facility, to which are assigned personnel in medical hold or medical holdover status as a result of serious injuries or illnesses, and the ratio of case workers and platoon sergeants to outpatients for whom they are responsible at each such facility.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idb21440cb-82ad-4b27-9cf0-d48d29dfee50"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The number of telephone calls received during the preceding 60 days on the Wounded Soldier and Family hotline (as established on March 19, 2007), a summary of the complaints or communications received through such calls, and a description of the actions taken in response to such calls.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id774acc00-86e9-46d9-b75f-de8bb58239f1"><enum>(6)</enum><text>A summary of the activities, findings, and recommendations of the Army tiger team of medical and installation professionals who visited the major medical treatment facilities and community-based health care organizations of the Army pursuant to March 2007 orders, and a description of the status of corrective actions being taken with to address deficiencies noted by that team.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id470c8c78-8296-41aa-92e6-6702d9226e8c"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The status of the ombudsman programs at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and at other major Army installations to which are assigned personnel in medical hold or medical holdover status as a result of serious injuries or illnesses.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id76e6008f-aad2-4ff3-a3b1-a463f5d0826e"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Posting on internet</header><text>Not later than 24 hours after submitting a report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall post such report on the Internet website of the Department of Defense that is available to the public.</text> </subsection></section><section id="ida49e8e4b-d633-42f7-a46b-cba60a39cf17"><enum>403.</enum><header>Construction of facilities required for the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, District of Columbia</header> <subsection id="id6c1d8f69-4d4e-470c-bd17-7e54b378c440"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Assessment of acceleration of construction of facilities</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall carry out an assessment of the feasibility (including the cost-effectiveness) of accelerating the construction and completion of any new facilities required to facilitate the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, District of Columbia, as required as a result of the 2005 round of defense base closure and realignment under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101-510; U.S.C. 2687 note).</text> </subsection><subsection id="id07ca712d-8a38-452b-b185-23560623564f"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Development and implementation of plan for construction of facilities</header> <paragraph id="idca8b1586-2885-41d7-bff4-cb30ea1397df"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall develop and carry out a plan for the construction and completion of any new facilities required to facilitate the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center as required as described in subsection (a). If the Secretary determines as a result of the assessment under subsection (a) that accelerating the construction and completion of such facilities is feasible, the plan shall provide for the accelerated construction and completion of such facilities in a manner consistent with that determination.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id0b2430ad-fe60-459e-b1f0-5991af2fab5c"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Submittal of plan</header><text>The Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees the plan required by paragraph (1) not later than September 30, 2007.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id36c98626-31d0-40f5-9083-f064716c21a1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Certifications</header><text>Not later than September 30, 2007, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a certification of each of the following:</text> <paragraph id="id5107c391-f6fd-407d-87f0-f46533ef0689"><enum>(1)</enum><text>That a transition plan has been developed, and resources have been committed, to ensure that patient care services, medical operations, and facilities are sustained at the highest possible level at Walter Reed Army Medical Center until facilities to replace Walter Reed Army Medical Center are staffed and ready to assume at least the same level of care previously provided at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idd8668281-213c-4e12-8d15-428469dea246"><enum>(2)</enum><text>That the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center will not result in a net loss of capacity in the major military medical centers in the National Capitol Region in terms of total bed capacity or staffed bed capacity.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idb0c08852-f370-4538-a125-132436add52b"><enum>(3)</enum><text>That the capacity and types of medical hold and out-patient lodging facilities currently operating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center will be available at the facilities to replace Walter Reed Army Medical Center by the date of the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id3a65c4fb-b9a8-4a9f-8708-88933ba392f0"><enum>(4)</enum><text>That adequate funds have been provided to complete fully all facilities identified in the Base Realignment and Closure Business Plan for Walter Reed Army Medical Center submitted to the congressional defense committees as part of the budget justification materials submitted to Congress together with the budget of the President for fiscal year 2008 as contemplated in that business plan.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idfff002ea-8eb0-4cf4-aa56-2514f30bf455"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Environmental laws</header><text>Nothing in this section shall require the Secretary or any designated representative to waive or ignore responsibilities and actions required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) or the regulations implementing such Act.</text> </subsection></section><enum>V</enum><header>OUTREACH AND RELATED INFORMATION ON BENEFITS</header> <section id="id6688c4bd-45ef-4013-a3d9-e6eac2b8241c"><enum>501.</enum><header>Handbook for members of the Armed Forces on compensation and benefits available for serious injuries and illnesses</header> <subsection id="id260783f6-b990-4d98-b485-5a06fc0b5b67"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Information on available compensation and benefits</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Commissioner of Social Security, develop and maintain in handbook and electronic form a comprehensive description of the compensation and other benefits to which a member of the Armed Forces, and the family of such member, would be entitled upon the member's separation or retirement from the Armed Forces as a result of a serious injury or illness. The handbook shall set forth the range of such compensation and benefits based on grade, length of service, degree of disability at separation or retirement, and such other factors affecting such compensation and benefits as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id865D4368A02C429DB21F2C9C56EDDED8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Update</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall update the comprehensive description required by subsection (a), including the handbook and electronic form of the description, on a periodic basis, but not less often than annually.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id252b9cf6-21bd-463a-96e2-fa3def598ce4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Provision to members</header><text>The Secretary of the military department concerned shall provide the descriptive handbook under subsection (a) to each member of the Armed Forces described in that subsection as soon as practicable following the injury or illness qualifying the member for coverage under that subsection.</text> </subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id365904b6-eafd-402e-ab75-079bf851a8ef"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Provision to representatives</header><text>If a member is incapacitated or otherwise unable to receive the descriptive handbook to be provided under subsection (a), the handbook shall be provided to the next of kin or a legal representative of the member (as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned for purposes of this section).</text> </subsection></section><enum>VI</enum><header>OTHER MATTERS</header> <section id="id22E847892DE842FBB3951D126EAC6949"><enum>601.</enum><header>Study on physical and mental health and other readjustment needs of members and former members of the Armed Forces who deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and their families</header> <subsection id="id56A85046B6444D0CAD12CE0341158FEC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study required</header><text>The Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences for a study on the physical and mental health and other readjustment needs of members and former members of the Armed Forces who deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom and their families as a result of such deployment.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id69B72666F069479BBD5D33B1D6AEFC1E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Phases</header><text>The study required under subsection (a) shall consist of two phases:</text> <paragraph id="id5602D4ADE03C4116BEFCC9079163A1A6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A preliminary phase, to be completed not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act—</text> <subparagraph id="idA1C2D052E7864E90892E1AE59999C5A4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to identify preliminary findings on the physical and mental health and other readjustment needs described in subsection (a) and on gaps in care for the members, former members, and families described in that subsection; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE789B19E32724B99BFEBFE0EDE38C5F6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to determine the parameters of the second phase of the study under paragraph (2).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idDABC26C54A554477A13BC4CC6B386DA3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A second phase, to be completed not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, to carry out a comprehensive assessment, in accordance with the parameters identified under the preliminary report required by paragraph (1), of the physical and mental health and other readjustment needs of members and former members of the Armed Forces who deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom and their families as a result of such deployment, including, at a minimum—</text> <subparagraph id="id1519956011A14A85B2FA31FE5BD79E54"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an assessment of the psychological, social, and economic impacts of such deployment on such members and former members and their families;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idAD1CBAE945F141ECBB5D85C50D918DB9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an assessment of the particular impacts of multiple deployments in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom on such members and former members and their families;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE45B72639AE2477BAA8352235970EF77"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an assessment of the full scope of the neurological, psychiatric, and psychological effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on members and former members of the Armed Forces, including the effects of such effects on the family members of such members and former members, and an assessment of the efficacy of current treatment approaches for traumatic brain injury in the United States and the efficacy of screenings and treatment approaches for traumatic brain injury within the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4C4D83FFE77345E2A8DC975D93BEA0C5"><enum>(D)</enum><text>an assessment of the effects of undiagnosed injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury, an estimate of the long-term costs associated with such injuries, and an assessment of the efficacy of screenings and treatment approaches for post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions within the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF970C380239B4DDB963D07EF2DB74DD0"><enum>(E)</enum><text>an assessment of the particular needs and concerns of female members of the Armed Forces and female veterans;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idEB7EEF4FCA654BBBA714CF6B6FEF009E"><enum>(F)</enum><text>an assessment of the particular needs and concerns of children of members of the Armed Forces, taking into account differing age groups, impacts on development and education, and the mental and emotional well being of children;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA7D1F391153047E4AED77B7432AEB46C"><enum>(G)</enum><text>an assessment of the particular needs and concerns of minority members of the Armed Forces and minority veterans;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9E7093B263764E5E9FE87A8AFBEFD834"><enum>(H)</enum><text>an assessment of the particular educational and vocational needs of such members and former members and their families, and an assessment of the efficacy of existing educational and vocational programs to address such needs;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4296393DB31E4D569ADCC9F37FC4AC72"><enum>(I)</enum><text>an assessment of the impacts on communities with high populations of military families, including military housing communities and townships with deployed members of the National Guard and Reserve, of deployments associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and an assessment of the efficacy of programs that address community outreach and education concerning military deployments of community residents;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6B97F52BF04048D980BECAF9841EEB0A"><enum>(J)</enum><text>an assessment of the impacts of increasing numbers of older and married members of the Armed Forces on readjustment requirements;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idAA3684DABEC249968B43C312A05201A7"><enum>(K)</enum><text>the development, based on such assessments, of recommendations for programs, treatments, or policy remedies targeted at preventing, minimizing or addressing the impacts, gaps and needs identified; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id79E73663551C49D0B44B0BE2DBDF132B"><enum>(L)</enum><text>the development, based on such assessments, of recommendations for additional research on such needs.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idC0288917F0394EDEAB0ED6B5620EE0E5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Populations To be studied</header><text>The study required under subsection (a) shall consider the readjustment needs of each population of individuals as follows:</text> <paragraph id="id5365921910FE4FE59CA668B6535DA8DC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Members of the regular components of the Armed Forces who are returning, or have returned, to the United States from deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id8C7960ACE53C4076BCDDEED6366DBF0B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Members of the National Guard and Reserve who are returning, or have returned, to the United States from deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idFBD939CC59EB4AADBF9B0ADC172E134D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id1327298A42FF45A9A093F5A9C7E56AA1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Family members of the members and veterans described in paragraphs (1) through (3).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id5FDE552ECB1B47FD9714A54851D4CC48"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Access to information</header><text>The National Academy of Sciences shall have access to such personnel, information, records, and systems of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs as the National Academy of Sciences requires in order to carry out the study required under subsection (a).</text> </subsection><subsection id="id6A91DF4A50B14DA7A2BC28F375A020CC"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Privacy of information</header><text>The National Academy of Sciences shall maintain any personally identifiable information accessed by the Academy in carrying out the study required under subsection (a) in accordance with all applicable laws, protections, and best practices regarding the privacy of such information, and may not permit access to such information by any persons or entities not engaged in work under the study.</text> </subsection><subsection id="idBFCE0CA38F7944E5958CCAEDABFF21CD"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Reports by National Academy of Sciences</header><text>Upon the completion of each phase of the study required under subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences shall submit to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a report on such phase of the study.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id8861CDD31DF24AA6877D82A8A4CCA931"><enum>(g)</enum><header>DoD and VA response to NAS reports</header> <paragraph id="id3F3C6F2F63D04FBFAF350206CCC9D8B3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Preliminary response</header><text>Not later than 45 days after the receipt of a report under subsection (f) on each phase of the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly develop a preliminary joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs plan to address the findings and recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences contained in such report. The preliminary plan shall provide preliminary proposals on the matters set forth in paragraph (3).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idA58634121C104502BD1CCF0109DDF392"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Final response</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the receipt of a report under subsection (f) on each phase of the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly develop a final joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs plan to address the findings and recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences contained in such report. The final plan shall provide final proposals on the matters set forth in paragraph (3).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id2DB29520C2A3470583F34F3B4B384AA7"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Covered matters</header><text>The matters set forth in this paragraph with respect to a phase of the study required under subsection (a) are as follows:</text> <subparagraph id="id285BB7063764428A84B2EA2B370CD79F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Modifications of policy or practice within the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs that are necessary to address gaps in care or services as identified by the National Academy of Sciences under such phase of the study.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idAE7F40B7AD9C41289EE97AA0AE4857D2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Modifications of policy or practice within the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs that are necessary to address recommendations made by the National Academy of Sciences under such phase of the study.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6F151CDFE02C4C52ACE58B6CA9327DCE"><enum>(C)</enum><text>An estimate of the costs of implementing the modifications set forth under subparagraphs (A) and (B), set forth by fiscal year for at least the first five fiscal years beginning after the date of the plan concerned.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idA6F0E8373C19438BA316CE3201A33707"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Reports on responses</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to Congress a report setting forth each joint plan developed under paragraphs (1) and (2).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id9C10137A486E46238D679256A5FB40C4"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Public availability of responses</header><text>The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall each make available to the public each report submitted to Congress under paragraph (4), including by posting an electronic copy of such report on the Internet website of the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs, as applicable, that is available to the public.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idF573A19004AF48C79288AD39FD42F047"><enum>(6)</enum><header>GAO audit</header><text>Not later than 45 days after the submittal to Congress of the report under paragraph (4) on the final joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs plan under paragraph (2), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report assessing the contents of such report under paragraph (4). The report of the Comptroller General under this paragraph shall include—</text> <subparagraph id="id915D3E88027647C385530355C910E725"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an assessment of the adequacy and sufficiency of the final joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs plan in addressing the findings and recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences as a result of the study required under subsection (a);</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0798947C550B4685ABCCB3DE372174F3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of the modifications of policy and practice proposed in the final joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs plan;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA7AAD21486D7476CAB04AEBBE10BCB02"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an assessment of the sufficiency and accuracy of the cost estimates in the final joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs plan; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7B3238417FA8459A975E47EFDE652738"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the comments, if any, of the National Academy of Sciences on the final joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs plan.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5F775B0B2F114C0AB2219353D0BBADB2"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Defense such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.</text> </subsection></section>

June 18, 2007

Reported with an amendment