[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3811 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3811

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the 
 quality of care difference between behavioral and mental health care 
provided by health care providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
                 compared to non-Department providers.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 5, 2023

   Mr. Fallon (for himself and Mr. Bishop of Georgia) introduced the 
   following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the 
 quality of care difference between behavioral and mental health care 
provided by health care providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
                 compared to non-Department providers.

    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 ``Veterans Mental and Behavioral 
Health Quality of Care Act''.

SEC. 2. STUDY ON QUALITY OF CARE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEHAVIORAL AND 
              MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDED BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS OF 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMPARED TO NON-DEPARTMENT 
              PROVIDERS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a 
study on the quality of care difference between behavioral and mental 
health care under the laws administered by the Secretary provided by 
health care providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs compared to 
non-Department providers.
    (b) Conduct of Study.--The Secretary shall conduct the study under 
subsection (a) through the use of an independent and objective 
organization outside the Department.
    (c) Matters To Be Studied.--In conducting the study under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall determine--
            (1) any differences in health outcomes for veterans between 
        care from providers of the Department and non-Department 
        providers, including symptom scores and suicide risk;
            (2) if non-Department providers are using evidence-based 
        practices in the treatment of behavioral and mental health 
        issues; and
            (3) potential gaps in coordination between providers of the 
        Department and non-Department providers in responding to 
        individuals seeking behavioral or mental health care.
    (d) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
of the House of Representatives a report on the study conducted under 
subsection (a).
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