1.Short
title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited
as the Women Veterans Health Care
Improvement Act of 2008
.
(b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of
contents.
TITLE I—Studies and Assessments of Department of Veterans Affairs
Health Services for Women Veterans
Sec. 101. Long-term study of health of women members of the
Armed Forces serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Sec. 102. Assessment of barriers to women veterans to health
care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 103. Comprehensive assessment of womens' health care
programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 104. Institute of Medicine study on health consequences
for women veterans of military service in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
Enduring Freedom.
TITLE II—Improvement and Expansion of Department of Veterans
Affairs Health Care Programs for Women Veterans
Sec. 201. Care for newborn children of women veterans receiving
maternity care.
Sec. 202. Training and certification for mental health care
providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs on care for veterans suffering
from sexual trauma.
Sec. 203. Training and certification for health care
professionals on effective treatment of women veterans with post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD).
Sec. 204. Pilot program on child care for certain veterans
receiving health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 205. Pilot program on for counseling in retreat settings
for women veterans newly separated from service in the Armed
Forces.
Sec. 206. Requirement for full-time women veterans program
managers at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers.
Sec. 207. Service on certain Department of Veterans Affairs
advisory committees of women recently separated from service in the Armed
Forces.
<enum>I</enum><header>Studies and
Assessments of Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services for Women
Veterans</header>
<section id="ID9d0883ca5fb44f598822734230d4f34e"><enum>101.</enum><header>Long-term
study of health of women members of the Armed Forces serving in Operation Iraqi
Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom</header>
<subsection id="IDa1ed30803a0943bea8328716bab4ed0e"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Prospective,
population-based long-term study</header>
<paragraph id="id4F7940575D4E4357AB4603CA3D1F5D60"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter in
contracts with one or more qualified entities or organizations to conduct a
long-term epidemiologic study on the health of women veterans who served on
active duty in the Armed Forces in the combat theaters of Operation Iraqi
Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5D7BE1C05E804577AFD6C23DA829FA78"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Scope</header><text>The
study shall include information on general health, mental health, reproductive
health, and mortality of such women veterans, and shall include physical
examinations and diagnostic testing of a representative sample of such women
veterans.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idFEBE16C75E514615BCFC176C041BD05A"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Collaboration</header><text>The
entities or organizations conducting the study shall conduct the study in
collaboration with the War-Related Injury and Illness Study Centers of the
Veterans Health Administration.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID185aa4e1c94a44dda7f509ee2797cdf3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Cohort;
length</header>
<paragraph id="id10336ADEC9304AF9BDCD145D0B4A8217"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Cohort</header><text>The
study required by this section shall utilize a cohort of women veterans
sufficiently large to provide meaningful data for purposes of the study.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id6E42EEC86A464EAEBD100A1E4042A2F3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Follow-up
period</header><text>The follow-up period under the study shall be such period
not less than 10 years as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of the
study.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID0655a491cf1b42e8971d49f66dbb3735"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Arrangements
with Department of Defense</header>
<paragraph id="idB1F64A5AD5204AE2A8D103617907DC25"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into
arrangements with the Secretary of Defense to carry out this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id35E78389D8454DD980F73DC42054F930"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>As
part of the arrangements under this subsection, the Secretary of Defense shall
make available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs health care data in the
possession of the Department of Defense with respect to women veterans covered
by the study required by this section, and shall provide access to the members
of the cohort of such women who are still serving in the Armed Forces. The
health care data so provided shall include relevant predeployment health and
health risk assessments with respect to such women veterans.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDa54f22d8a6b74619910fffcb43ef81f5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reports</header>
<paragraph id="id7ED9140C33924B44A86D748F2B830B14"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Initial
report</header><text>Not later than six months after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress an
initial report on the status of the implementation of this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID52c2c0bf11854f97a9a14f8b182ec159"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Annual
reports</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of the submittal
to Congress of the report required by paragraph (1), and annually thereafter
through 2018, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the progress
and results of the study required by this section as of the date of such
report. The final report under this paragraph shall include a detailed
description of the cumulative findings of the study, and shall include such
recommendations for administrative and legislative action as the Secretary
considers appropriate in light of the study.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDf3be0745d2c540b5adea40db63071684"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs such sums as are necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID21a3da45b90545cbaee467d4a5c1f36e"><enum>102.</enum><header>Assessment of
barriers to women veterans to health care from the Department of Veterans
Affairs</header>
<subsection id="ID773109d96a3e4e27950b6d4a139c8d2e"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Assessment</header>
<paragraph id="id0322137128DC48ED8BD21C9A52A3A63E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a
comprehensive assessment of the barriers to the receipt of comprehensive health
care through the Department of Veterans Affairs that are encountered by women
veterans, especially veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring
Freedom.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id55C002709C3348A3A5C852E460CEB4A3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Utilization of
surveys</header><text>The studies carried out for purposes of the assessment
should include surveys of women veterans who seek or receive health care
services from the Department and of women veterans who do not seek or receive
such services.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID75f27f99a09c4e2f95d443a82afd4468"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>In
conducting the assessment required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall
conduct research on the effects of the following:</text>
<paragraph id="IDfcdf14ca5fbe4b8fa5db33b73bb1158e"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Any stigma
perceived or associated with seeking mental health care services through the
Department of Veterans Affairs.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1d8048e480c04564b32760aa39725835"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The effect on
access to care through the Department of driving distance or availability of
other forms of transportation to the nearest appropriate facility of the
Department.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5adb106ec8b64e2d94cef97bba2b7f20"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The availability
of child care.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDea67afad0ab049e9ac28331db077c5bd"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The receipt of
health care through women's health clinics, integrated primary care clinics, or
both.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID53c21143ac114cee9830c8641b35bd96"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The extent of
comprehension of eligibility requirements for health care through the
Department, and the scope of health care services available through the
Department.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1c128171c9d44c369b227dc7e56b7303"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The quality and
nature of the reception of women veterans by Department health care providers
and other staff.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID281d855bbe8749628473f9d695e229f4"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The perception of
personal safety and comfort of women veterans in inpatient, outpatient, and
behavioral health facilities of the Department.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID021060a097d84ab19952fe0f88647eb2"><enum>(8)</enum><text>The sensitivity
of Department health care providers and other staff to issues that particularly
affect women.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID70d807e9ab224adfac7e9bba58822559"><enum>(9)</enum><text>The effectiveness
of outreach on health care services of the Department that are available to
women veterans.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID89f2605219af4a8a9393c00843214cf6"><enum>(10)</enum><text>Such other
matters as the Secretary identifies for purposes of the assessment.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDd26b1d6ea45149159ac3ad5dff43331d"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Review of data
within the department</header>
<paragraph id="idC4333F42F487416FB44F26A30ED1B10D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary shall ensure that the head of each element
of the Department of the Veterans Affairs specified in paragraph (2)—</text>
<subparagraph id="id7DFEF034335047A5A67058306A332799"><enum>(A)</enum><text>reviews the
results of the assessment conducted under subsection (a); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7DE446DCF7CC4EFC8E1FD2CC0FB182A0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>submits to the
Under Secretary for Health, and to such other offices of the Department having
responsibilities relating to health care services for women veterans as the
Secretary shall specify for purposes of this subsection, the findings of such
element with respect to the assessment.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id8225956AAAAF434BBBCBFD64EBCE4BDE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered
elements</header><text>The elements of the Department specified in this
paragraph are the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="ID25e3da5886d9461ea20e244558c97a88"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Center for
Women Veterans under section 318 of title 38, United States Code.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID9f2f19d757a84f45bcffa4ead2b9206c"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Advisory
Committee on Women Veterans under section 542 of title 38, United States
Code.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID806c17792f0b4a499b39a0c205d5f168"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reports</header>
<paragraph id="id766C351CCAB84D70A866D0807138B388"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Initial
report</header><text>Not later than six months after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the status of
the implementation of the section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDe15a08ad2c5841289ba260cfc7f33a8a"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Final
report</header><text>Not later than 30 months after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the assessment
conducted under this section. The report shall include the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="id003A241ABEFB45F4A7B7B1D97D878024"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Such
recommendations for administrative and legislative action as the Secretary
considers appropriate in light of the assessment.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDA3189FE52AC4608BA60A71AC3213B7A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The findings of
each element of the Department under subsection (c)(1)(B), and of the Under
Secretary for Health, with respect to the assessment.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID099eece0512a46728a6976f954216799"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Facility of the
department defined</header><text>In this section, the term <quote>facility of
the Department</quote> has the meaning given that term in section 1701(3) of
title 38, United States Code.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID3cfcd904044e4828b5f3404e9371a889"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs such sums as are necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDf346c24272ae4a3c9133ae542612501f"><enum>103.</enum><header>Comprehensive
assessment of womens' health care programs of the Department of Veterans
Affairs</header>
<subsection id="ID0a74af0e2db040adb2e0438c8c55021d"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Assessment
required</header>
<paragraph id="id769ACB6B1B854474871C0374CB8CF6BF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a
comprehensive assessment of all services and programs of the Department of
Veterans Affairs intended to address the health care needs of women
veterans.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5A7C025E1EA64C9A86F546D667E3E479"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Focus on
certain specialized programs</header><text>The assessment shall include a study
of the specialized health care programs of the Department as follows:</text>
<subparagraph id="id467DEA3468CF4159997F2A522E09D436"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Programs for
women veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id390766E196B444EE803F03E198EA403C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Programs for
women veterans who are homeless.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id91D2AEE5E8264637B329E70A48B163B9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Programs for
women veterans who require care for substance abuse or mental illnesses.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id96B471BE1313498C991F472E66CD0EB8"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Programs for
women veterans who require pregnancy care.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id75CE7A29E74E4F748983203DCD03772A"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Contract
authority</header><text>The Secretary may enter into one or more contracts with
a qualified independent entity or organization having expertise in matters
relating to women’s health to carry out the assessment, or any study conducted
as part of the assessment.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID184b492d67bc4d4ebe8ad6e7d7d2272c"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Specific
elements</header>
<paragraph id="idF61957EC839C466DA86E1A4A1A829414"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Ready access to
effective services</header><text>The assessment required by subsection (a)
shall include a determination whether effective health care services (including
evidenced-based health care services) are readily available to and easily
accessed by women veterans under each category of programs as follows:</text>
<subparagraph id="IDcf234b04dfcc47a38074c2d98d387ffb"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Health promotion
programs.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5e25d3a9128d49e8916aba13bdd19b8a"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Disease
prevention programs.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDd47cc405b25b4bcc9d331a95f19630de"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Reproductive
health programs.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idBCD87ABFA1AB4BE0B22B573F628CA908"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Such other health
care programs as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of this
subsection.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDfbce471d34e34a49b5a0c6eb17bf59e0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Scope of
determinations on access</header><text>In making a determination under
paragraph (1) with respect to a category of programs, the assessment shall
address—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID8a15de2e7caf42b986301c4f7d31885c"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the frequency
with which such services are available and provided to women veterans under
such category of programs;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4ee0536792544ff8a9c10b18e138beee"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the demographics
of the women veteran population, including the population of women veterans who
would seeks health care services under such category of programs;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID73f0bc5c0b2141189ff4d28a52f80cef"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the sites where
services under such category of programs are available and provided to women
veterans; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDb065842f20314964a6ab05fe4e1238db"><enum>(D)</enum><text>whether, and to
what extent, waiting lists, geographic distance, and other factors obstruct the
receipt by women veterans of any services under such category of programs at
any site covered by subparagraph (C).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDdeada639afb247fab4b33eef79d98e12"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Program to
improve services</header>
<paragraph id="idA0DE0C5C86BA49FEBE8713D34BD08109"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>After completion of the assessment required by subsection
(a), the Secretary shall develop a program to—</text>
<subparagraph id="id921820E2EFD34529A766F3586D3E1DDD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>improve the
provision of health care services to women veterans; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFE6ACF5EB3584D09B682D68A8DC49EAD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>plan
appropriately for the future health care needs, including mental health care
needs, of women serving on active duty in the Armed Forces in the combat
theaters of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id9240DD29E6B848F3AEADCC92ED0C3136"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Required
actions</header><text>In developing the program required by this subsection,
the Secretary shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="idCE445A9A106C4EF688A1209E4A99338F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>identify the
types of health care services to be available to women veterans under the
program at each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD796854770D54DF9BFA651206284FF91"><enum>(B)</enum><text>identify the
personnel and other resources required to provide such services to women
veterans under the program as each such medical center.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID5d7d363a54834b14ab4750a0705c6993"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on the assessment conducted under this
section. The report shall include such recommendations for administrative and
legislative action as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of the
assessment.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID651c3bcf10a748569ffd3427e1bf96fd"><enum>(e)</enum><header>GAO
report</header><text>Not later than six months after the date on which the
Secretary submits to Congress the report required by subsection (d), the
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report
containing the findings of the Comptroller General with respect to the report
of the Secretary under subsection (d), including such recommendations for
administrative or legislative actions as the Comptroller General considers
appropriate.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID2d7c30554bbd4e28862920c80c041260"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs such sums as are necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID7f2d24788a5f46038d9e8ae73d73b14d"><enum>104.</enum><header>Institute of
Medicine study on health consequences for women veterans of military service in
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom</header>
<subsection id="ID404bce248a034ab4925267a5db16566a"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study
required</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an
agreement with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences
for the purpose of conducting a study on health consequences for women veterans
of service on active duty in the Armed Forces in deployment in Operation Iraqi
Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID6517e7e2aacb477b85addf9ff41383c2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Specific
matters studied</header><text>The study under subsection (a) shall include the
following:</text>
<paragraph id="idA8129CB80135446F8FCFF4AF482A2DA7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A determination
of any association of environmental and occupational exposures and combat in
Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom with the general health,
mental health, or reproductive health of women who served on active duty in the
Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id107B25A5E8984EB6885293AC61058B15"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A review and
analysis of published literature on environmental and occupational exposures of
women while serving in the Armed Forces, including combat trauma, military
sexual trauma, and exposure to potential teratogens associated with
reproductive problems and birth defects.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID87bfde60638e46c8bf5571d17a94a8e4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header>
<paragraph id="id518F49D123444502AFE7DAE78C893DFA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 18 months after entering into the
agreement for the study under subsection (a), the Institute of Medicine shall
submit to Congress, and to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, a report on the
study containing such findings and determinations as the Institute of Medicine
considers appropriate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDb267f273fbdc4e488001e2f054c59cf9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Responsive
report</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the receipt of the report
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report setting
forth the response of the Secretary to the findings and determinations of the
Institute of Medicine in the report under paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Improvement and
Expansion of Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs for Women
Veterans</header>
<section id="ID5b6debb122f848349b503f68513fa53f"><enum>201.</enum><header>Care for
newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity care</header>
<subsection id="ID49997b1538814faa83667f0a5722e5b6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Newborn
care</header><text>Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id57FABFE4664C46569BC0E64CA1686002" style="USC">
<section id="IDf75d951b24984f51824ff41a91f60cff"><enum>1786.</enum><header>Care for
newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity care</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary may furnish care to a newborn
child of a woman veteran who is receiving maternity care furnished by the
Department for not more than 30 days after the birth of the child if the
veteran delivered the child in a Department facility or in another facility
pursuant to a Department contract for the delivery
services.</text>
</section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="IDeec43fd40ef24a7185d2b67e312891b9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of
such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1785 the
following new item:</text>
<quoted-block id="id90ef269d-0022-4a55-aa29-9cc860902f0e" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry idref="IDf75d951b24984f51824ff41a91f60cff" level="section">1786. Care for newborn children of women veterans receiving
maternity
care.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="ID55576d0812b64074947d350691024652"><enum>202.</enum><header>Training and
certification for mental health care providers of the Department of Veterans
Affairs on care for veterans suffering from sexual trauma</header>
<subsection id="IDbaf244aa46cf4a74b334d0fbdc4f8108"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Program
required</header><text>Section 1720D of title 38, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID435927ace8cf4da9899f275e0088f1f5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsection (d) as subsection (f); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDb0551cf6a27f4e9ca9d6cac7164bd5ab"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting
after subsection (c) the following new subsections:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD5EB10F93FAE4AB89ABE3FC50849E283" style="OLC">
<subsection id="ID0db59516374e40eab07381e5a5360cbe"><enum>(d)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id2BF86A98C2E2453288981B0A9CF54989"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary shall
implement a program for education, training, certification, and continuing
medical education for mental health professionals to specialize in the
provision of counseling and care to veterans eligible for services under
subsection (a). In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall ensure that
all such mental health professionals have been trained in a consistent manner
and that such training includes principles of evidence-based treatment and care
for sexual trauma.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1ca8d5107c0649bfa826006116b9cfa5" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Secretary shall determine the
minimum qualifications necessary for mental health professionals certified by
the program under paragraph (1) to provide evidence-based treatment and therapy
to veterans eligible for services under subsection (a) in facilities of the
Department.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID4a21233f071547d3bbcaf98d82131342"><enum>(e)</enum><text>The Secretary
shall submit to Congress an annual report on the counseling and care and
services provided to veterans under this section. Each report shall include
data for the year involved with respect to the following:</text>
<paragraph id="IDa1ec48efd2ab48cfad0fae86aa2dab4b"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The number of
mental health professionals and primary care providers who have been certified
under the program under subsection (d), and the amount and nature of continuing
medical education provided under such program to professionals and providers
who have been so certified.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDa99cecf89c0b4317839f4d1656f11561"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The number of
women veterans who received counseling and care and services under subsection
(a) from professionals and providers who have been trained or certified under
the program under subsection (d).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID22d8a69636644c18b3bc2ca244317f6f"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The number of
training, certification, and continuing medical education programs operating
under subsection (d).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd364aaf5aaea4f0fb9a43dffd50c963b"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The number of
trained full-time equivalent employees required in each facility of the
Department to meet the needs of veterans requiring treatment and care for
sexual trauma.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID276d65fb7a7a45939a3189e6a677d340"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Such other
information as the Secretary considers
appropriate.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDe04ad746136e48d6b847363627abcb88"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Standards for
personnel providing treatment for sexual trauma</header><text>The Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall establish education, training, certification, and
staffing standards for Department of Veterans Affairs health-care facilities
for full-time equivalent employees who are trained to provide treatment and
care to veterans for sexual trauma.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDd5cc948269944242b677bc7fc822ca5e"><enum>203.</enum><header>Training and
certification for health care professionals on effective treatment of women
veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)</header>
<subsection id="ID4344664ce11f48cc888e2700d97f16e9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop and
implement a program of education, training, and certification for health care
professionals of the Veterans Health Administration for the treatment,
including evidence-based treatment, of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
and other comorbid conditions (attributable to combat or sexual trauma) that
are proven effective for women veterans. The Secretary shall develop and
implement the plan through the National Center for Post-traumatic Stress
Disorder of the Department of Veterans Affairs.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDed0bbfc79ba8492bbb52f13174989725"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Continuing
medical education</header><text>As part of the program developed under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that health care professionals who
participate in the program—</text>
<paragraph id="ID558e5f7a23e24223b4bdb4641e0ffed0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>are provided
continuing medical education on matters covered by the program;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDb51018f6ef0d45248a654c4dfa7b0e7a"><enum>(2)</enum><text>are regularly
evaluated for competency in such matters; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3962a617dda242be9ec5e360671bbe68"><enum>(3)</enum><text>have regular and
effective mentoring on such matters.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID16a349f2de6f464c8ede969c67c27986"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header>
<paragraph id="idFAF6DE2B9F154E1CAEF3F42F9B2BC253"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Report
required</header><text>Not later than two years after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the program
required by subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1ca2b0cc5ed447c78065e527bf2ea77f"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The
report shall include the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="ID26694bbe63a543748c97723a724e44dc"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A description of
the methodology and results of the program of training, certification, and
continuing medical education of personnel involved in the program.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1b8013a8190649e0a14d8142cd9ba752"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An assessment of
the effect of the program on the counseling and treatment of women veterans
suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDf449eb3d01984877b8f018ea34f7e523"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Such
recommendations at the Secretary considers appropriate for improvements to the
program or to the treatment of women veterans suffering from post-traumatic
stress disorder.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID08f366c3b7904e6e809fbb5e7acf8037"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Additional
findings and recommendations</header><text>In preparing the report under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall also include any findings or recommendations
of the Director of the Center for Women Veterans under section 318 of title 38,
United States Code, and of the Under Secretary for Health, with respect to the
program and treatment of women veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress
disorder.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID03121ed09246487b81c22d6b70153b42"><enum>204.</enum><header>Pilot program
on child care for certain veterans receiving health care from the Department of
Veterans Affairs</header>
<subsection id="ID702d90c3e87f436cb642cd3af340991c"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot program
required</header><text>Commencing not later than six months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a
pilot program under which, subject to subsection (b), payment is made to a
qualified veteran for the costs of child care incurred by the veteran in order
for the veteran to receive one or more of the health care services described in
subsection (c).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID8162b4852fac4b3d844021e21405b476"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation on
period of payments</header><text>Payment for child care under the pilot program
may only be made for the period of time that the qualified veteran—</text>
<paragraph id="IDc2cc6357937741e18994b2806e758257"><enum>(1)</enum><text>receives the
types of health care services referred to in subsection (c) at a facility of
the Department; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID28c2d0f4f96c4c90b9655757767d4dd7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>requires to
travel to and return from such facility for the receipt of such health care
services.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDe0a52cfbb6354be69aa071de5fa5d48a"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Qualified
veterans</header><text>In this section, the term <term>qualified veteran</term>
means a veteran who is the primary caretaker of a child or children and who is
receiving from the Department one or more of the following health care
services:</text>
<paragraph id="IDec89bb1a48dc4d24997d12f59b711caf"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Regular mental
health care services.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID88830611ece447a48eb7002fb99038b1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Intensive mental
health care services.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4095f69102644b47b0daa0a44f0bffa0"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Such other
intensive health care services that the Secretary determines that payment to
the veteran for the provision of child care would improve access to those
health care services by the veteran.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID8ad88a7d34124af7ae0a2f2dd88d5ab5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Locations</header><text>The
Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in no fewer than three Veterans
Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) selected by the Secretary for purposes of
the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID1a647b9899404844894b6ed3a7e2f224"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>The
pilot program shall be carried out during the two-year period beginning on the
date of the commencement of the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDc1d8035ae27b43538dd6cea173aa36f4"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than six months after the completion of the pilot program, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. The report shall
include the findings and conclusions of the Secretary as a result of the pilot
program, and shall include such recommendations for the continuation or
expansion of the pilot program as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID0e4cfa82c5f94e738be529609e6f1c63"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010,
$1,500,000 to carry out the pilot program.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID401813b123704c91905f5724ea2ac454"><enum>205.</enum><header>Pilot program
on for counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from
service in the Armed Forces</header>
<subsection id="ID78a152550072417dae67cce904c2ddce"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot program
required</header>
<paragraph id="id63D922C7C6974C009858874F6CF3954D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Commencing not later than six months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out,
through the Readjustment Counseling Service of the Veterans Health
Administration, a pilot program to evaluate the feasibility and advisability of
providing reintegration and readjustment services described in subsection (b)
to women veterans who are recently separated from service in the Armed Forces
after a prolonged deployment in group retreat settings.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID338dadd079604b3fa964aa945947e228"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Participation
at election of veteran</header><text>The participation of a veteran in the
pilot program under this section shall be at the election of the
veteran.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID0253b6c81dc440e39554f4d14b2fa792"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Covered
services</header><text>The services provided to a women veteran under the pilot
program shall include the following:</text>
<paragraph id="ID6ab7ced14a0844b4ab5d20dad6b41196"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Information on
reintegration into the veteran’s family, employment, and community.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4896b7dbae8f4957a1fef92b0ea35251"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Financial
counseling.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDab393d631f954c9b870e51b7954bd9ad"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Occupational
counseling.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID56ee4da9bcd84da7be30f521b908e173"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Information and
counseling on stress reduction.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7e7deb1f4ded4e9190f91da633e5dc2f"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Information and
counseling on conflict resolution.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDe32d733eb239498bae9ed8403c82b275"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Such other
information and counseling as the Secretary considers appropriate to assist
women veterans under the pilot program in reintegration into the veteran's
family and community.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID5211db446c5e4eab931e0a3961283ed6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Locations</header><text>The
Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at not fewer than five locations
selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID8f2dfdc05cc84b218edbe404c1e7647b"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>The
pilot program shall be carried out during the two-year period beginning on the
date of the commencement of the pilot program.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDc97c968a1f2b4580b49b7b41ef9781be"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than six months after the completion of the pilot program, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. The report shall
contain the findings and conclusions of the Secretary as a result of the pilot
program, and shall include such recommendations for the continuation or
expansion of the pilot program as the Secretary considers appropriate.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID70b695fc8b414250ad910448c8f28878"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010,
$2,000,000 to carry out the pilot program.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDbda21bdd73f04c0395c9f77a47887ca5"><enum>206.</enum><header>Requirement
for full-time women veterans program managers at Department of Veterans Affairs
medical centers</header>
<subsection id="ID13b1da28e2eb42a696e6063be387c4b7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB191018AE8EE4FDA8E69640E723D9FCD" style="USC">
<section id="IDdd81b7a4ca46427dadbdefc634fcc0f4"><enum>7330A.</enum><header>Women
veterans program managers</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The
Secretary shall, acting through the Under Secretary for Health, ensure that
there is at least one full-time employee at each Department medical center who
is a women veterans program manager. Each such employee shall meet such
qualifications as the Secretary may specify for appointment to such position in
the Veterans Health Administration to ensure that health care needs of women
veterans are
met.</text>
</section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="IDc6b5814d66404b91a1ffd42af6007e03"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical
amendment</header><text>The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 73 of
such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7330 the
following new item:</text>
<quoted-block id="id3c92c13b-ffc9-4ae2-908e-8ba3d216ae81" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry idref="IDdd81b7a4ca46427dadbdefc634fcc0f4" level="section">7330A. Women veterans program
managers.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="IDcc854e029733468ca3807c098c1e5613"><enum>207.</enum><header>Service on
certain Department of Veterans Affairs advisory committees of women recently
separated from service in the Armed Forces</header>
<subsection id="ID2541d87c3e9645ca98d5018d4fb2f37b"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Advisory
Committee on Women Veterans</header><text>Section 542(a)(2)(A) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="IDab1e2d4bc52043348ea37a070a7831c7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in clause (ii),
by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID8b599562d008401f9943673ac7268126"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in clause (iii),
by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID15ca4c4e47b54256a005effad7918efe"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting
after clause (iii) the following new clause:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id50830CD6975149349FB28887F67839BA" style="OLC">
<clause id="IDa38bdea65ed8406fb917b089d3b11b31" indent="up2"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>women veterans who are recently
separated from service in the Armed
Forces.</text>
</clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID470df77180a34b939d4ec8ac18449b4b"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Advisory
Committee on Minority Veterans</header><text>Section 544(a)(2)(A) of such title
is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID45172b2f1c4b4f26944edf23b6e3c4c2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in clause (iii),
by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDa3b8583aa7e84a7c9a2fe013b4f3e7ac"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in clause (iv),
by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID335fdc1e2f4941f2897a746f401c098e"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting
after clause (iv) the following new clause:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id25D3B266CB5C422A8A22C2C8CE55FC20" style="OLC">
<clause id="ID59a8e90bce81464abdad89665d58451a" indent="up2"><enum>(v)</enum><text>women veterans who are minority group
members and are recently separated from service in the Armed
Forces.</text>
</clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID3948d8e76c7b4d17a9c9dd629d400c5d"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply to
appointments made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection></section>