II 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1631 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 23, 2011 Mr. Tester (for himself and Mr. Begich) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To authorize the establishment in the Department of Veterans Affairs of a center for technical assistance for non-Department health care providers who furnish care to veterans in rural areas, and for other purposes.

1.

Center for technical assistance for non-Department health care providers who furnish care to veterans in rural areas

(a)

Establishment in Department of Veterans Affairs authorized

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a center for technical assistance to assist non-Department health providers who furnish care to veterans in rural areas. (2)

Designation

The center authorized by paragraph (1) may be known as the Rural Veterans Health Care Technical Assistance Center (in this section referred to as the Center). (b)

Director

The head of the Center shall be the Director of the Rural Veterans Health Care Technical Assistance Center, who shall be appointed by the Secretary from among individuals who— (1)are qualified to carry out the duties of the Director; and (2)have significant knowledge and experience working for or with a non-Department health care provider that furnishes care to veterans in rural areas. (c)

Location

The Secretary shall select the location of the Center. In selecting the location of the Center, the Secretary shall give preference to a location that— (1)has in place infrastructure appropriate for the functions of the Center; (2)is located in a State that has— (A)a high number of veterans in rural and highly rural areas (including veterans not enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment established under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code); and (B)a history of strong collaboration— (i)between the Veterans Health Administration and non-Department health providers who furnish care to veterans; and (ii)between the Veterans Health Administration and a State institution of higher education that maintains links to or contracts with a State office of rural health and another rural health program; and (3)is in proximity to one or more entities carrying out programs and activities relating to health care for rural populations (including rural populations of veterans), including an institution of higher education carrying out such programs and activities that is willing to enter into a partnership with the Center to assist and collaborate with the Center in the discharge of its functions. (d)

Functions

The functions of the Center shall be as follows: (1)To develop and disseminate information, educational materials, training programs, technical assistance and materials, and other tools to improve access to health care services for veterans in rural areas and to otherwise improve the health care provided veterans by non-Department health care providers. (2)To improve collaboration on health care matters, including exchange of health information, for veterans receiving health care from both Department and non-Department providers of health care services between the Department and other health care providers serving rural populations, including rural health clinics, community health centers serving rural populations, critical access hospitals serving rural populations, small rural hospitals, telehealth networks, and other rural health care providers and systems. (3)To establish and maintain Internet-based information (including practical models, best practices, research results, and other appropriate information) on mechanisms to improve health care for veterans in rural areas. (4)To work with existing Government offices and agencies on health care for rural populations and veterans health care, including the Office of Rural Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Office of Rural Health Policy of the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services, on programs, activities, and other mechanisms for improving health care for rural veterans. (5)To track and monitor fee expenditures of the Department relating to non-Department health care providers serving rural populations and to evaluate the Center through the use of an independent entity experienced and knowledgeable about rural health care matters, such non-Department providers, and programs and services of the Department. (e)

Discharge of functions through partnerships

For purposes of discharging its functions under subsection (d), the Center may enter into partnerships with persons and entities (including small business concerns owned by veterans or veterans with service-connected disabilities) that have demonstrated expertise in the provision of educational and technical assistance for veterans in rural areas, health care providers serving rural populations, and persons and entities seeking to enter into contracts with the Federal Government in matters relating to the functions of the Center, including the provision of educational and technical assistance relating to telehealth, reimbursement for health care, improvement of quality of care, and contracting with the Federal Government.