I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3441 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 31, 2009 Mr. Arcuri (for himself, Mr. Maffei, Mr. Sires, Mr. Massa, Mr. Boccieri, Mr. Patrick J. Murphy of Pennsylvania, Mr. Kagen, Mr. Minnick, and Mr. Filner) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To provide for automatic enrollment of veterans returning from combat zones into the VA medical system, and for other purposes.

1.

Automatic enrollment of veterans returning from combat zones into the VA medical system

(a)

In general

Not later than 45 days after the date on which a veteran described in section 1710(e)(1)(D) of title 38, United States Code, is discharged or separated from service in the active military, naval, or air service, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in cooperation with the Secretary of Defense, shall— (1)enroll such veteran in the patient enrollment system maintained by the Secretary under section 1705 of that title; and (2)provide such veteran with— (A)a veterans identification card that— (i)demonstrates that such veteran is enrolled in such system; and (ii)allows such veteran to access hospital care and medical services at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities; (B)a list of Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities (including hospitals, outpatient centers, and mental health clinics) located within 100 miles of the home of the veteran; and (C)a description of available Federal veterans benefits and programs, including educational benefits and job training and placement programs, which the veteran may be eligible for due to the veteran’s service in the active military, naval, or air service. (b)

Opt out provisions

(1)

Prior to enrollment

(A)

Option not to enroll

During the discharge or separation process for a person from active military, naval, or air service, and prior to enrolling the person pursuant to subsection (a)(1), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall provide the person with the option to decline such enrollment. (B)

Notice to Secretary; prohibition on enrollment

If a person provides notice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that the person is declining enrollment under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may not enroll the person pursuant to subsection (a)(1). (2)

Subsequent to enrollment

(A)

Notice to Secretary

Not later than 6 months after the date on which a veteran is enrolled under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, pursuant to subsection (a)(1), a veteran so enrolled may disenroll from the patient enrollment system under such section by providing notice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (B)

Disenrollment

Not later than 60 days after receiving notice from a veteran under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall disenroll such veteran from such patient enrollment system. (c)

Effective date

This section shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.