I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4315 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 29, 2012 Mr. Carnahan (for himself, Mr. Rangel, Ms. Speier, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Courtney, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Ms. Waters, Ms. Moore, Mr. Altmire, Ms. Chu, Ms. Hahn, and Ms. Richardson) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for unlimited eligibility for health care for mental illnesses for veterans of combat service during certain periods of hostilities and war.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act.

2.

Unlimited eligibility for health care for mental illnesses for veterans of combat service during certain periods of hostilities and war

(a)

Eligibility

Section 1710(e)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (F)Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (3), a veteran who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations (as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Defense) during World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam Era, the Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, or any other period of war after the Persian Gulf War, or in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities (as defined in section 1712A(a)(2)(B) of this title), is eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care under subsection (a)(2)(F) for any mental illness, notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such illness is attributable to such service. . (b)

Effective date

Subparagraph (F) of section 1710(e)(1) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care provided on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.