[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4977 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4977

    To establish a commission to examine the evidence-based therapy 
treatment model used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for treating 
      mental illnesses of veterans and the potential benefits of 
  incorporating complementary alternative treatments available in non-
Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities within the community.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 26, 2014

Mr. Bilirakis (for himself and Mr. Ruiz) introduced the following bill; 
        which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To establish a commission to examine the evidence-based therapy 
treatment model used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for treating 
      mental illnesses of veterans and the potential benefits of 
  incorporating complementary alternative treatments available in non-
Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities within the community.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Creating Options for Veterans 
Expedited Recovery Act'' or the ``COVER Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT AND DUTIES.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established the Veterans Expedited 
Recovery Commission (in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'').
    (b) Duties.--The Commission shall perform the following duties:
            (1) Examine the efficacy of the evidence-based therapy 
        model used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for treating 
        mental health illnesses of veterans and identify areas to 
        improve wellness-based outcomes.
            (2) Conduct a patient-centered survey within each of the 
        Veterans Integrated Service Networks to examine--
                    (A) the experience of veterans with the Department 
                of Veterans Affairs when seeking medical assistance for 
                mental health issues through the health care system of 
                the Department;
                    (B) the experience of veterans with non-Department 
                medical facilities and health professionals for 
                treating mental health issues;
                    (C) the preferences of veterans regarding available 
                treatments for mental health issues and which methods 
                the veterans believe to be most effective;
                    (D) the experience, if any, of veterans with 
                respect to the complementary alternative treatment 
                therapies described in subparagraphs (A) through (I) in 
                paragraph (3);
                    (E) the prevalence of prescribing prescription 
                medication among veterans seeking treatment through the 
                health care system of the Department as remedies for 
                addressing mental health issues; and
                    (F) the outreach efforts of the Secretary regarding 
                the availability of benefits and treatments for 
                veterans for addressing mental health issues, including 
                by identifying ways to reduce barriers to and gaps in 
                such benefits and treatments.
            (3) Examine available research on complementary alternative 
        treatment therapies for mental health issues and identify what 
        benefits could be made with the inclusion of such treatments 
        for veterans, including with respect to--
                    (A) music therapy;
                    (B) equine therapy;
                    (C) training and caring for service dogs;
                    (D) yoga therapy;
                    (E) acupuncture therapy;
                    (F) meditation therapy;
                    (G) outdoor sports therapy;
                    (H) hyperbaric oxygen therapy;
                    (I) accelerated resolution therapy; and
                    (J) other therapies the Commission determines 
                appropriate.
            (4) Study the potential increase in the approval by the 
        Secretary of claims for compensation relating to mental health 
        issues for veterans who served Operation Enduring Freedom, 
        Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn.

SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) Number and Appointment.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 10 
        members, appointed as follows:
                    (A) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the 
                House of Representatives, at least one of whom shall be 
                a veteran.
                    (B) Two members appointed by the Minority Leader of 
                the House of Representatives, at least one of whom 
                shall be a veteran.
                    (C) Two members appointed by the Majority Leader of 
                the Senate, at least one of whom shall be a veteran.
                    (D) Two members appointed by the Minority Leader of 
                the Senate, at least one of whom shall be a veteran.
                    (E) Two members appointed by the President, at 
                least one of whom shall be a veteran.
            (2) Qualifications.--Members of the Commission shall be--
                    (A) individuals who are of recognized standing and 
                distinction within the medical community with a 
                background in treating mental health; and
                    (B) individuals with experience working with the 
                military and veteran population.
    (b) Chairman.--The President shall designate a member of the 
Commission to be the chairman.
    (c) Period of Appointment.--Members of the Commission shall be 
appointed for the life of the Commission.
    (d) Vacancy.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the 
manner in which the original appointment was made.
    (e) Appointment Deadline.--The appointment of members of the 
Commission in this section shall be made not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Meeting.--
            (1) Initial meeting.--The Commission shall hold its first 
        meeting not later than 30 days after a majority of members are 
        appointed to the Commission.
            (2) Meeting.--The Commission shall regularly meet at the 
        call of the Chairman. Such meetings may be carried out through 
        the use of telephonic or other appropriate telecommunication 
        technology if the Commission determines that such technology 
        will allow the members to communicate simultaneously.
    (b) Hearing.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act at 
such times and places, take such testimony, and receive evidence as the 
Commission considers advisable to carry out the responsibilities of the 
Commission.
    (c) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may secure 
directly from any department or agency of the Federal Government such 
information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out the 
duties of the Commission.
    (d) Information From Nongovernmental Organizations.--In carrying 
out section 2(b), the Commission may seek guidance through consultation 
with foundations, veterans service organizations, nonprofit groups, 
faith-based organizations, private and public institutions of higher 
education, and other organizations as the Commission determines 
appropriate.
    (e) Commission Records.--The Commission shall keep an accurate and 
complete record of the actions and meetings of the Commission. Such 
record shall be made available for public inspection and the 
Comptroller General of the United States may audit and examine such 
record.
    (f) Personnel Matters.--Upon request of the chairman of the 
Commission, the head of any department or agency of the Federal 
Government may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any personnel of that 
department or agency to assist the Commission in carrying out the 
duties of the Commission.
    (g) Compensation of Members; Travel Expenses.--Each member shall 
serve without pay, except that each member shall receive travel 
expenses to perform the duties of the Commission under section 2(b) of 
this Act, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates 
authorized under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
Code.
    (h) Staff.--The Chairman, in accordance with rules agreed upon by 
the Commission, may appoint and fix the compensation of a staff 
director and such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the 
Commission to carry out its functions, without regard to the provisions 
of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the 
competitive service, without regard to the provision of chapter 51 and 
subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification 
and General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of pay fixed under 
this subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable for a 
position at a level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of 
title 5, United States Code.
    (i) Personnel as Federal Employees.--
            (1) In general.--The executive director and any personnel 
        of the Commission are employees under section 2105 of title 5, 
        United States Code, for purpose of chapters 63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 
        87, 89, and 90 of such title.
            (2) Members of the commission.--Paragraph (1) shall not be 
        construed to apply to members of the Commission.
    (j) Contracting.--The Commission may, to such extent and in such 
amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts, enter into contracts to 
enable the Commission to discharge the duties of the Commission under 
this Act.
    (k) Expert and Consultant Service.--The Commission may procure the 
services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of 
title 5, United States Code, at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid 
to a person occupying a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.
    (l) Postal Service.--The Commission may use the United States mails 
in the same manner and under the same conditions as departments and 
agencies of the United States.
    (m) Physical Facilities and Equipment.--Upon the request of the 
Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the 
Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support 
services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities 
under this Act. These administrative services may include human 
resource management, budget, leasing, accounting, and payroll services.

SEC. 5. REPORT.

    (a) Interim Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date on 
        which the Commission first meets, and each 30-day period 
        thereafter ending on the date on which the Commission submits 
        the final report under subsection (b), the Commission shall 
        submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives and the Senate and the President a report 
        detailing the level of cooperation the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs (and the heads of other departments or agencies of the 
        Federal Government) has provided to the Commission.
            (2) Other reports.--In carrying out the duties pursuant to 
        section 2(b), at times that the Commission determines 
        appropriate, the Commission shall submit to the Committees on 
        Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
        Senate and any other appropriate entities an interim report 
        with respect to the findings identified by the Commission.
    (b) Final Report.--Not later than 18 months after the first meeting 
of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the 
President, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a final report on the 
findings of the Commission. Such report shall include the following:
            (1) Recommendations to implement in a feasible, timely, and 
        cost-effective manner the solutions and remedies identified 
        within the findings of the Commission pursuant to section 2(b).
            (2) An analysis of the evidence-based therapy model used by 
        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for treating veterans with 
        mental health care issues, and an examination of the prevalence 
        and efficacy of prescription drugs as a means for treatment.
            (3) The findings of the patient-centered survey conducted 
        within each of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks 
        pursuant to section 2(b)(2).
            (4) An examination of complementary alternative treatments 
        described in section 2(b)(3) and the potential benefits of 
        incorporating such treatments in the therapy model used by the 
        Secretary for treating veterans with mental health issues.
    (c) Plan.--Not later than 90 days after the date on which the 
Commission submits the final report under subsection (b), the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the 
following:
            (1) An action plan for implementing the recommendations 
        established by the Commission on such solutions and remedies 
        for improving wellness-based outcomes for veterans with mental 
        health care issues.
            (2) A feasible timeframe on when complementary alternative 
        treatments described in section 2(b)(3) can be implemented 
        Department-wide.
            (3) If the Secretary determines that implementing the 
        recommendations established by the Commission, including with 
        respect to such complementary alternative treatments, is not 
        appropriate or feasible, a justification for such determination 
        and an alternative solution to improve the efficacy of the 
        therapy model used by the Secretary for treating veterans with 
        mental health issues.

SEC. 6. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.

    The Commission shall terminate 30 days after the Commission submits 
the final report under section 5(b).
                                 <all>