[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE AMENDMENTS OF 1994
Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 386, S. 1226,
relating to readjustment counseling services for veterans.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 1226), to amend title 38, United States Code, to
provide for the organization and administration of the
Readjustment Counseling Service, to improve eligibility for
readjustment counseling and related counseling, and for other
purposes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate
consideration of the bill?
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill,
which had been reported from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, with
an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and inserting in
lieu thereof the following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Readjustment Counseling
Service Amendments of 1994''.
SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Section 7305 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new
paragraph (7):
``(7) A Readjustment Counseling Service.''.
(b) Organization.--The Readjustment Counseling Service
shall have the organizational structure and administrative
structure of that service as such structures were in
existence on January 1, 1993.
(c) Revision of Organizational Structure.--(1) The
Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not alter or revise the
organizational structure or the administrative structure of
the Readjustment Counseling Service until--
(A) the Secretary has submitted to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives
a report containing a full and complete statement of the
proposed alteration or revision; and
(B) a period of 60 days has elapsed after the date on which
the report is received by the committees.
(2) In the computation of the 60-day period under paragraph
(1)(B), there shall be excluded any day on which either House
of Congress is not in session because of an adjournment of
more than 3 calendar days to a day certain.
(d) Budget Information Relating to the Service.--Each
budget submitted to Congress by the President under section
1105 of title 31, United States Code, shall set forth the
amount requested in the budget for the operation of the
Readjustment Counseling Service in the fiscal year covered by
the budget and shall set forth separately the amount
requested for administrative oversight of the activities of
the service (including the amount requested for funding of
the Advisory Committee on Readjustment of Veterans).
SEC. 3. DIRECTOR OF THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE.
(a) Director.--Section 7306(b) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2);
(2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (3)
and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) one shall be a person who (A)(i) is a qualified
psychiatrist, (ii) is a qualified psychologist holding a
diploma as a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology
from an authority approved by the American Psychological
Association and has successfully undergone an internship
approved by that association, (iii) is a qualified holder of
a master in social work degree, or (iv) is a registered nurse
holding a master of science in nursing degree in psychiatric
nursing or any other mental-health related degree approved by
the Secretary, and (B) has at least 3 years of clinical
experience and 2 years of administrative experience in the
Readjustment Counseling Service or other comparable mental
health care counseling service (as determined by the
Secretary), who shall be the director of the Readjustment
Counseling Service.''.
(b) Status of Director.--Section 7306(a)(3) of such title
is amended by striking out ``eight'' and inserting in lieu
thereof ``nine''.
(c) Organizational Requirement.--The Director of the
Readjustment Counseling Service shall report to the Under
Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs
through the Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Clinical Programs.
SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR READJUSTMENT COUNSELING
AND CERTAIN RELATED COUNSELING SERVICES.
(a) Readjustment Counseling.--(1) Subsection (a) of section
1712A of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows:
``(a)(1)(A) Upon the request of any veteran referred to in
subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the Secretary shall
furnish counseling to the veteran to assist the veteran in
readjusting to civilian life.
``(B) A veteran referred to in subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph is any veteran who--
``(i) served on active duty during the Vietnam era; or
``(ii) served on active military, naval, or air service in
a theater of combat operations (as determined by the
Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense)
during a period of war or in any other area during a period
in which hostilities (as defined in subparagraph (D) of this
paragraph) occurred in such area.
``(C) Upon the request of any veteran other than a veteran
referred to in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the
Secretary may furnish counseling to the veteran to assist the
veteran in readjusting to civilian life.
``(D) For the purposes of subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph, the term `hostilities' means an armed conflict in
which the members of the Armed Forces are subjected to danger
comparable to the danger to which members of the Armed Forces
have been subjected in combat with enemy armed forces during
a period of war, as determined by the Secretary in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense.
``(2) The counseling referred to in paragraph (1) shall
include a general mental and psychological assessment of a
covered veteran to ascertain whether such veteran has mental
or psychological problems associated with readjustment to
civilian life.''.
(2) Subsection (c) of such section is repealed.
(b) Other Counseling.--Such section is further amended by
inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection
(c):
``(c)(1) The Secretary shall provide the counseling
services described in section 1701(6)(B)(ii) of this title to
the surviving parents, spouse, and children of any member of
the Armed Forces who is killed during service on active
military, naval, or air service in a theater of combat
operations (as determined by the Secretary, in consultation
with the Secretary of Defense) during a period of war or in
any other area during a period in which hostilities (as
defined in subsection (a)(1)(D) of this section) occurred in
such area.
``(2) The Secretary may provide the counseling services
referred to in paragraph (1) to the surviving parents,
spouse, and children of any member of the Armed Forces who
dies while serving on active duty or from a condition (as
determined by the Secretary) incurred in or aggravated by
such service.''.
(c) Authority To Contract for Counseling Services.--
Subsection (e) of such section is amended by striking out
``subsections (a) and (b)'' each place it appears and
inserting in lieu thereof ``subsections (a), (b), and (c)''.
SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE READJUSTMENT OF VETERANS.
(a) In General.--(1) Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title
38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section
1712B the following:
``Sec. 1712C. Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of
Veterans
``(a)(1) There is in the Department the Advisory Committee
on the Readjustment of Veterans (hereafter in this section
referred to as the `Committee').
``(2) The Committee shall consist of not more than 18
members appointed by the Secretary from among veterans who--
``(A) have demonstrated significant civic or professional
achievement; and
``(B) have experience with the provision of veterans
benefits and services by the Department.
``(3) The Secretary shall seek to ensure that members
appointed to the Committee include persons from a wide
variety of geographic areas and ethnic backgrounds, persons
from veterans service organizations, and women.
``(4) The Secretary shall determine the terms of service
and pay and allowances of the members of the Committee,
except that a term of service may not exceed 2 years. The
Secretary may reappoint any member for additional terms of
service.
``(b)(1) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult
with and seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the
provision by the Department of benefits and services to
veterans in order to assist veterans in the readjustment to
civilian life.
``(2)(A) In providing advice to the Secretary under this
subsection, the Committee shall--
``(i) assemble and review information relating to the needs
of veterans in readjusting to civilian life;
``(ii) provide information relating to the nature and
character of psychological problems arising from service in
the Armed Forces;
``(iii) provide an on-going assessment of the effectiveness
of the policies, organizational structures, and services of
the Department in assisting veterans in readjusting to
civilian life; and
``(iv) provide on-going advice on the most appropriate
means of responding to the readjustment needs of veterans in
the future.
``(B) In carrying out its duties under subparagraph (A),
the Committee shall take into special account veterans of the
Vietnam era, and the readjustment needs of such veterans.
``(c)(1) Not later than March 31 of each year, the
Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on the
programs and activities of the Department that relate to the
readjustment of veterans to civilian life. Each such report
shall include--
``(A) an assessment of the needs of veterans with respect
to readjustment to civilian life;
``(B) a review of the programs and activities of the
Department designed to meet such needs; and
``(C) such recommendations (including recommendations for
administrative and legislative action) as the Committee
considers appropriate.
``(2) Not later than 90 days after the receipt of each
report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit to
the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House
of Representatives a copy of the report, together with any
comments and recommendations concerning the report that the
Secretary considers appropriate.
``(3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such
other reports and recommendations as the Committee considers
appropriate.
``(4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report
submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this
title a summary of all reports and recommendations of the
Committee submitted to the Secretary since the previous
annual report of the Secretary submitted pursuant to that
section.
``(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.
App.) shall apply to the activities of the Committee under
this section.
``(2) Section 14 of such Act shall not apply to the
Committee.''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of
such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 1712B the following:
``1712C. Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans.''.
(b) Original Members.--(1) Notwithstanding subsection
(a)(2) of section 1712C of such title (as added by subsection
(a)), the members of the Advisory Committee on the
Readjustment of Vietnam and Other War Veterans on the date of
the enactment of this Act shall be the original members of
the advisory committee recognized under such section.
(2) The original members shall so serve until the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs carries out appointments under such
subsection (a)(2). The Secretary shall carry out such
appointments as soon after such date as is practicable. The
Secretary may make such appointments from among such original
members.
SEC. 6. PLAN FOR EXPANSION OF VIETNAM VETERAN RESOURCE CENTER
PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Requirement.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a plan for the expansion
of the Vietnam Veteran Resource Center program established
pursuant to the amendment made by section 105 of the
Veterans' Administration Health-Care Amendments of 1985
(Public Law 99-166; 99 Stat. 944). The plan shall include a
schedule for, and an assessment of the cost of, the
implementation of the program at or through all Department of
Veterans Affairs readjustment counseling centers.
(2) The Secretary shall submit the plan not later than 4
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``Department of
Veterans Affairs readjustment counseling centers'' has the
same meaning given the term ``center'' in section 1712A(i)(1)
of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 7. REPORT ON COLLOCATION OF VET CENTERS AND DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINICS.
(a) Requirement.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the
feasibility and desirability of the collocation of Vet
Centers and outpatient clinics (including rural mobile
clinics) of the Department of Veterans Affairs as current
leases for such centers and clinics expire.
(2) The Secretary shall submit the report not later than 6
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Covered Matters.--The report under this section shall
include an assessment of the following:
(1) The results of any collocation of Vet Centers and
outpatient clinics carried out by the Secretary before the
date of the enactment of this Act, including the effects of
such collocation on the quality of care provided at such
centers and clinics.
(2) The effect of such collocation on the capacity of such
centers to carry out their primary mission.
(3) The extent to which such collocation will impair the
operational independence or administrative integrity of such
centers.
(4) The feasibility of combining the services provided by
such centers and clinics in the course of the collocation of
such centers and clinics.
(5) The advisability of the collocation of centers and
clinics of significantly different size.
(6) The effect of the locations (including urban and rural
locations) of the centers and clinics on the feasibility and
desirability of such collocation.
(7) The amount of any costs savings to be achieved by
Department as a result of such collocation.
(8) The desirability of such collocation in light of plans
for the provision of health care services by the Department
under national health care reform.
(9) Any other matters that the Secretary determines
appropriate.
SEC. 8. VET CENTER HEALTH CARE PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
carry out a pilot program for the provision of health-related
services to eligible veterans at readjustment counseling
centers. The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in
accordance with this section.
(b) Services.--(1) In carrying out the pilot program, the
Secretary shall provide the services referred to in paragraph
(2) at not less than 10 readjustment counseling centers in
existence on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) The Secretary shall provide basic ambulatory services
and health care screening services by such personnel as the
Secretary considers appropriate at each readjustment
counseling center under the pilot program. The Secretary
shall assign not less than one-half of a full-time employee
equivalent at each such center in order to provide such
services under the pilot program.
(3) In determining the location of the readjustment
counseling centers at which to provide services under the
pilot program, the Secretary shall select centers that are
located in a variety of geographic areas and that serve
veterans of a variety of economic, social, and ethnic
backgrounds.
(c) Period of Operation.--(1) The Secretary shall commence
the provision of health-related services at readjustment
counseling centers under the pilot program not later than 4
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) The pilot program shall terminate 2 years after the
date on which the Secretary commences the provision of
services under paragraph (1).
(d) Report.--(1) The Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report on the pilot program established under this section.
The report shall include the following:
(A) A description of the program, including information
on--
(i) the number of veterans provided basic ambulatory
services and health care screening services under the pilot
program;
(ii) the number of such veterans referred to Department of
Veterans Affairs general health-care facilities in order to
provide such services to such veterans; and
(iii) the cost to the Department of Veterans Affairs of the
pilot program.
(B) An analysis of the effectiveness of the services
provided to veterans under the pilot program.
(C) The recommendations of the Secretary for means of
improving the pilot program, and an estimate of the cost to
the Department of implementing such recommendations.
(D) An assessment of the desirability of expanding the type
or nature of services provided under the pilot program in
light of plans for the provision of health care services by
the Department under national health care reform.
(E) An assessment of the extent to which the provision of
services under the pilot program impairs the operational or
administrative independence of the readjustment counseling
centers at which such services are provided.
(F) An assessment of the effect of the location of the
centers on the effectiveness for the Department and for
veterans of the services provided under the pilot program.
(G) Such other information as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(2) The Secretary shall submit the report not later than 18
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(e) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
(1) The term ``Department of Veterans Affairs general
health-care facility'' has the meaning given such term in
section 1712A(i)(2) of title 38, United States Code.
(2) The term ``eligible veteran'' means any veteran
eligible for outpatient services under paragraph (1), (2), or
(3) of section 1712(a) of such title.
(3) The term ``readjustment counseling center'' has the
same meaning given the term ``center'' in section 1712A(i)(1)
of such title.
amendment no. 1596
(Purpose: To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide
counseling to family members of individuals who are prisoners of war or
who are missing in action)
Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Leahy, I send an
amendment to the desk, ask for its immediate consideration, and I ask
unanimous consent that the amendment be agreed to; that the motion to
reconsider be laid upon the table; that the committee substitute, as
amended, be agreed to; that the bill be deemed read a third time,
passed; that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; and that
any statements appear at the appropriate place in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
So the amendment (No. 1596) was agreed to, as follows:
On page 20, strike out line 20 and insert in lieu thereof
the following:
by such service.
``(3) The Secretary may provide to the parents, spouse, and
children of any member of the Armed Forces who (as determined
by the Secretary) is a prisoner of war, or is missing in
action, such counseling as the Secretary determines
appropriate to assist such persons with the mental or
psychological problems associated with the status of such
member as a prisoner of war or as missing in action, as the
case may be.''.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am proud to offer an amendment to S. 1226
that extends bereavement counseling services to the families of
prisoners-of-war and those missing-in-action. Our Government has an
obligation to help these families cope with the emotions surrounding
the uncertain fate of their loved ones.
While our Government officially acknowledges that only one service
person is still missing from the conflict in southeast Asia, thousands
of family members do not know with certainty what happened to their
loved ones. When these doubts remain about the final fate of loved
ones, family members can find it difficult to heal.
It has been 18 years since the end of the Vietnam war. During this
time family members of POW and MIAs have suffered great emotional and
psychological distress. I have been contacted by many POW/MIA family
members in Vermont who have been trying to find out what happened. What
had happened to their father or their son or their brother?
You can read stories in any paper over the past 18 years about
sightings of Americans in southeast Asia or stories about the Korean
war POWs--stories that have reopened emotional wounds for the families
whose loved ones were left behind. Many family members understandably
need assistance to cope with these feelings.
In recent years the U.S. Government has made significant progress in
repatriating the remains of servicemen from both Vietnam and Korea and
releasing information to family members of those whose fate is still
unknown. On Veterans Day, last year, President Clinton could proudly
state that virtually all Vietnam War POW/MIA documents had been
declassified. Despite this progress, there is still so much more that
needs to be done. I will continue to support efforts to locate the
remains of all of the POW/MIA from past wars.
Finally, Mr. President, I applaud Senator Akaka for his efforts to
improve counseling services for our veterans. The legislation before
the Senate today takes our vet center program into a new era by
expanding eligibility and services.
Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I support the amendment offered by my good
friend and colleague from Vermont [Mr. Leahy] to the pending
legislation, S. 1226, the ``Readjustment Counseling Service Amendments
of 1994.''
As you know, one of the provisions of S. 1226 calls for Vet Centers
to offer bereavement counseling services to the families of those
service members who die in combat or as a result of service-connected
conditions. Unfortunately, in drafting the original legislation, I
inadvertently excluded eligibility for these counseling services for
the families of prisoners-of-war and those missing-in-action. The Leahy
amendment would correct this oversight by making the survivors of POW's
and MIA's fully eligible for the bereavement services that would be
provided by Vet Center counselors under S. 1226.
Mr. President, I strongly support the Leahy amendment. It materially
improves the underlying legislation, is consistent with our obligation
to assist those who have worn the uniform, and is fully supported by
the Veterans' Affairs Committee. I commend the Senator from Vermont for
his vigilance in protecting the interests of those who have yet to
return from war. I urge adoption of this measure.
So the bill (S. 1226), as amended, was deemed read a third time and
passed, as follows:
S. 1226
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 ``Readjustment Counseling
Service Amendments of 1994''.
SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Section 7305 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new
paragraph (7):
``(7) A Readjustment Counseling Service.''.
(b) Organization.--The Readjustment Counseling Service
shall have the organizational structure and administrative
structure of that service as such structures were in
existence on January 1, 1993.
(c) Revision of Organizational Structure.--(1) The
Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not alter or revise the
organizational structure or the administrative structure of
the Readjustment Counseling Service until--
(A) the Secretary has submitted to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives
a report containing a full and complete statement of the
proposed alteration or revision; and
(B) a period of 60 days has elapsed after the date on which
the report is received by the committees.
(2) In the computation of the 60-day period under paragraph
(1)(B), there shall be excluded any day on which either House
of Congress is not in session because of an adjournment of
more than 3 calendar days to a day certain.
(d) Budget Information Relating to the Service.--Each
budget submitted to Congress by the President under section
1105 of title 31, United States Code, shall set forth the
amount requested in the budget for the operation of the
Readjustment Counseling Service in the fiscal year covered by
the budget and shall set forth separately the amount
requested for administrative oversight of the activities of
the service (including the amount requested for funding of
the Advisory Committee on Readjustment of Veterans).
SEC. 3. DIRECTOR OF THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE.
(a) Director.--Section 7306(b) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2);
(2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (3)
and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) one shall be a person who (A)(i) is a qualified
psychiatrist, (ii) is a qualified psychologist holding a
diploma as a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology
from an authority approved by the American Psychological
Association and has successfully undergone an internship
approved by that association, (iii) is a qualified holder of
a master in social work degree, or (iv) is a registered nurse
holding a master of science in nursing degree in psychiatric
nursing or any other mental-health related degree approved by
the Secretary, and (B) has at least 3 years of clinical
experience and 2 years of administrative experience in the
Readjustment Counseling Service or other comparable mental
health care counseling service (as determined by the
Secretary), who shall be the director of the Readjustment
Counseling Service.''.
(b) Status of Director.--Section 7306(a)(3) of such title
is amended by striking out ``eight'' and inserting in lieu
thereof ``nine''.
(c) Organizational Requirement.--The Director of the
Readjustment Counseling Service shall report to the Under
Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs
through the Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Clinical Programs.
SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR READJUSTMENT COUNSELING
AND CERTAIN RELATED COUNSELING SERVICES.
(a) Readjustment Counseling.--(1) Subsection (a) of section
1712A of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows:
``(a)(1)(A) Upon the request of any veteran referred to in
subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the Secretary shall
furnish counseling to the veteran to assist the veteran in
readjusting to civilian life.
``(B) A veteran referred to in subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph is any veteran who--
``(i) served on active duty during the Vietnam era; or
``(ii) served on active military, naval, or air service in
a theater of combat operations (as determined by the
Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense)
during a period of war or in any other area during a period
in which hostilities (as defined in subparagraph (D) of this
paragraph) occurred in such area.
``(C) Upon the request of any veteran other than a veteran
referred to in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the
Secretary may furnish counseling to the veteran to assist the
veteran in readjusting to civilian life.
``(D) For the purposes of subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph, the term `hostilities' means an armed conflict in
which the members of the Armed Forces are subjected to danger
comparable to the danger to which members of the Armed Forces
have been subjected in combat with enemy armed forces during
a period of war, as determined by the Secretary in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense.
``(2) The counseling referred to in paragraph (1) shall
include a general mental and psychological assessment of a
covered veteran to ascertain whether such veteran has mental
or psychological problems associated with readjustment to
civilian life.''.
(2) Subsection (c) of such section is repealed.
(b) Other Counseling.--Such section is further amended by
inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection
(c):
``(c)(1) The Secretary shall provide the counseling
services described in section 1701(6)(B)(ii) of this title to
the surviving parents, spouse, and children of any member of
the Armed Forces who is killed during service on active
military, naval, or air service in a theater of combat
operations (as determined by the Secretary, in consultation
with the Secretary of Defense) during a period of war or in
any other area during a period in which hostilities (as
defined in subsection (a)(1)(D) of this section) occurred in
such area.
``(2) The Secretary may provide the counseling services
referred to in paragraph (1) to the surviving parents,
spouse, and children of any member of the Armed Forces who
dies while serving on active duty or from a condition (as
determined by the Secretary) incurred in or aggravated by
such service.
``(3) The Secretary may provide to the parents, spouse, and
children of any member of the Armed Forces who (as determined
by the Secretary) is a prisoner of war, or is missing in
action, such counseling as the Secretary determines
appropriate to assist such persons with the mental or
psychological problems associated with the status of such
member as a prisoner of war or as missing in action, as the
case may be.''.
(c) Authority To Contract for Counseling Services.--
Subsection (e) of such section is amended by striking out
``subsections (a) and (b)'' each place it appears and
inserting in lieu thereof ``subsections (a), (b), and (c)''.
SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE READJUSTMENT OF VETERANS.
(a) In General.--(1) Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title
38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section
1712B the following:
``Sec. 1712C. Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of
Veterans
``(a)(1) There is in the Department the Advisory Committee
on the Readjustment of Veterans (hereafter in this section
referred to as the `Committee').
``(2) The Committee shall consist of not more than 18
members appointed by the Secretary from among veterans who--
``(A) have demonstrated significant civic or professional
achievement; and
``(B) have experience with the provision of veterans
benefits and services by the Department.
``(3) The Secretary shall seek to ensure that members
appointed to the Committee include persons from a wide
variety of geographic areas and ethnic backgrounds, persons
from veterans service organizations, and women.
``(4) The Secretary shall determine the terms of service
and pay and allowances of the members of the Committee,
except that a term of service may not exceed 2 years. The
Secretary may reappoint any member for additional terms of
service.
``(b)(1) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult
with and seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the
provision by the Department of benefits and services to
veterans in order to assist veterans in the readjustment to
civilian life.
``(2)(A) In providing advice to the Secretary under this
subsection, the Committee shall--
``(i) assemble and review information relating to the needs
of veterans in readjusting to civilian life;
``(ii) provide information relating to the nature and
character of psychological problems arising from service in
the Armed Forces;
``(iii) provide an on-going assessment of the effectiveness
of the policies, organizational structures, and services of
the Department in assisting veterans in readjusting to
civilian life; and
``(iv) provide on-going advice on the most appropriate
means of responding to the readjustment needs of veterans in
the future.
``(B) In carrying out its duties under subparagraph (A),
the Committee shall take into special account veterans of the
Vietnam era, and the readjustment needs of such veterans.
``(c)(1) Not later than March 31 of each year, the
Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on the
programs and activities of the Department that relate to the
readjustment of veterans to civilian life. Each such report
shall include--
``(A) an assessment of the needs of veterans with respect
to readjustment to civilian life;
``(B) a review of the programs and activities of the
Department designed to meet such needs; and
``(C) such recommendations (including recommendations for
administrative and legislative action) as the Committee
considers appropriate.
``(2) Not later than 90 days after the receipt of each
report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit to
the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House
of Representatives a copy of the report, together with any
comments and recommendations concerning the report that the
Secretary considers appropriate.
``(3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such
other reports and recommendations as the Committee considers
appropriate.
``(4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report
submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this
title a summary of all reports and recommendations of the
Committee submitted to the Secretary since the previous
annual report of the Secretary submitted pursuant to that
section.
``(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.
App.) shall apply to the activities of the Committee under
this section.
``(2) Section 14 of such Act shall not apply to the
Committee.''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of
such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 1712B the following:
``1712C. Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans.''.
(b) Original Members.--(1) Notwithstanding subsection
(a)(2) of section 1712C of such title (as added by subsection
(a)), the members of the Advisory Committee on the
Readjustment of Vietnam and Other War Veterans on the date of
the enactment of this Act shall be the original members of
the advisory committee recognized under such section.
(2) The original members shall so serve until the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs carries out appointments under such
subsection (a)(2). The Secretary shall carry out such
appointments as soon after such date as is practicable. The
Secretary may make such appointments from among such original
members.
SEC. 6. PLAN FOR EXPANSION OF VIETNAM VETERAN RESOURCE CENTER
PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Requirement.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a plan for the expansion
of the Vietnam Veteran Resource Center program established
pursuant to the amendment made by section 105 of the
Veterans' Administration Health-Care Amendments of 1985
(Public Law 99-166; 99 Stat. 944). The plan shall include a
schedule for, and an assessment of the cost of, the
implementation of the program at or through all Department of
Veterans Affairs readjustment counseling centers.
(2) The Secretary shall submit the plan not later than 4
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``Department of
Veterans Affairs readjustment counseling centers'' has the
same meaning given the term ``center'' in section 1712A(i)(1)
of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 7. REPORT ON COLLOCATION OF VET CENTERS AND DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINICS.
(a) Requirement.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the
feasibility and desirability of the collocation of Vet
Centers and outpatient clinics (including rural mobile
clinics) of the Department of Veterans Affairs as current
leases for such centers and clinics expire.
(2) The Secretary shall submit the report not later than 6
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Covered Matters.--The report under this section shall
include an assessment of the following:
(1) The results of any collocation of Vet Centers and
outpatient clinics carried out by the Secretary before the
date of the enactment of this Act, including the effects of
such collocation on the quality of care provided at such
centers and clinics.
(2) The effect of such collocation on the capacity of such
centers to carry out their primary mission.
(3) The extent to which such collocation will impair the
operational independence or administrative integrity of such
centers.
(4) The feasibility of combining the services provided by
such centers and clinics in the course of the collocation of
such centers and clinics.
(5) The advisability of the collocation of centers and
clinics of significantly different size.
(6) The effect of the locations (including urban and rural
locations) of the centers and clinics on the feasibility and
desirability of such collocation.
(7) The amount of any costs savings to be achieved by
Department as a result of such collocation.
(8) The desirability of such collocation in light of plans
for the provision of health care services by the Department
under national health care reform.
(9) Any other matters that the Secretary determines
appropriate.
SEC. 8. VET CENTER HEALTH CARE PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
carry out a pilot program for the provision of health-related
services to eligible veterans at readjustment counseling
centers. The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in
accordance with this section.
(b) Services.--(1) In carrying out the pilot program, the
Secretary shall provide the services referred to in paragraph
(2) at not less than 10 readjustment counseling centers in
existence on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) The Secretary shall provide basic ambulatory services
and health care screening services by such personnel as the
Secretary considers appropriate at each readjustment
counseling center under the pilot program. The Secretary
shall assign not less than one-half of a full-time employee
equivalent at each such center in order to provide such
services under the pilot program.
(3) In determining the location of the readjustment
counseling centers at which to provide services under the
pilot program, the Secretary shall select centers that are
located in a variety of geographic areas and that serve
veterans of a variety of economic, social, and ethnic
backgrounds.
(c) Period of Operation.--(1) The Secretary shall commence
the provision of health-related services at readjustment
counseling centers under the pilot program not later than 4
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) The pilot program shall terminate 2 years after the
date on which the Secretary commences the provision of
services under paragraph (1).
(d) Report.--(1) The Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report on the pilot program established under this section.
The report shall include the following:
(A) A description of the program, including information
on--
(i) the number of veterans provided basic ambulatory
services and health care screening services under the pilot
program;
(ii) the number of such veterans referred to Department of
Veterans Affairs general health-care facilities in order to
provide such services to such veterans; and
(iii) the cost to the Department of Veterans Affairs of the
pilot program.
(B) An analysis of the effectiveness of the services
provided to veterans under the pilot program.
(C) The recommendations of the Secretary for means of
improving the pilot program, and an estimate of the cost to
the Department of implementing such recommendations.
(D) An assessment of the desirability of expanding the type
or nature of services provided under the pilot program in
light of plans for the provision of health care services by
the Department under national health care reform.
(E) An assessment of the extent to which the provision of
services under the pilot program impairs the operational or
administrative independence of the readjustment counseling
centers at which such services are provided.
(F) An assessment of the effect of the location of the
centers on the effectiveness for the Department and for
veterans of the services provided under the pilot program.
(G) Such other information as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(2) The Secretary shall submit the report not later than 18
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(e) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
(1) The term ``Department of Veterans Affairs general
health-care facility'' has the meaning given such term in
section 1712A(i)(2) of title 38, United States Code.
(2) The term ``eligible veteran'' means any veteran
eligible for outpatient services under paragraph (1), (2), or
(3) of section 1712(a) of such title.
(3) The term ``readjustment counseling center'' has the
same meaning given the term ``center'' in section 1712A(i)(1)
of such title.
(By request of Mr. Conrad, the following statement was ordered to be
printed in the Record.)
Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, as chairman of the Senate
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I offer my support for S. 1226, the
proposed Readjustment Counseling Services Amendments of 1994, as
reported by the committee and as it will be amended with an amendment
by Senator Leahy.
This bill, introduced by my good friend and colleague on the
committee, Senator Danny Akaka, seeks to strengthen and expand the VA
Vet Center Program. I defer to Senator Akaka to describe the specific
contents of the bill.
Mr. President, I do want to note one particular provision in the
bill. I am delighted that this measure would expand eligibility for vet
center counseling to veterans from World War II and the Korean war.
While many of these veterans have long ago readjusted to civilian life,
vet center counselors--including many in my home State of West
Virginia--report that a significant number of World War II and Korean
veterans continue to seek counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder
and other long-term problems associated with their service. The Senate
has, on a number of earlier occasions, passed provisions expanding
eligibility to these wartime veterans. I urge the Senate to pass S.
1226 and, once again, support the counseling needs of all our wartime
veterans.
Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise to urge passage of S. 1226, the
Readjustment Counseling Service Amendments of 1994, as reported
unanimously by the Veterans' Affairs Committee on November 3, 1993. S.
1226 as reported is based on original legislation introduced by
Senators Daschle, Inouye, Wellstone, and myself on July 14, 1993, which
proposed numerous changes in the organization, policies, and programs
of the Readjustment Counseling Service [RCS], more popularly known as
the Vet Center Program.
As my colleagues know, vet centers are storefront, community-base
centers operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs [VA] that offer
readjustment counseling services to Vietnam-era veterans and post-
Vietnam combat veterans in an informal, user-friendly environment.
Since the program was first authorized in 1979, it has grown from 87
facilities to 201 today, operating in all 50 States. Together, these
centers have helped more than 1.4 million veterans successfully
readjust to civilian life. In the process, the Vet Center Program has
established unmatched leadership in such areas as post-traumatic stress
disorder, homelessness, disaster assistance, sexual trauma, alcohol and
substance abuse, suicide prevention, the physically disabled, and
minority veterans.
S. 1226 as reported attempts to ensure that the program remains
viable, relevant, and responsive to the needs of today's veterans. It
hopes to accomplish these goals by achieving two general aims. On the
one hand, it preserves what is best in the Vet Center Program by
codifying and improving its organizational structure and those
administrative practices which have hitherto made the program uniquely
effective. On the other, it enhances the ability of vet centers to
undertake new challenges by expanding eligibility and freeing them to
explore the vast potential of vet center-based primary health care and
benefits services.
Specifically, S. 1226 as reported would: Codify the current
organizational structure of RCS and require that funding for the
program be specifically identified in the budget; raise the Director of
RCS to the Assistant Chief Medical Director level; expand eligibility
for vet center services to all combat veterans, regardless of period of
service, and authorize services for all other veterans on a resource-
available basis; authorize bereavement counseling provided through vet
centers for the families of veterans who died in combat, and authorize
such counseling to survivors of veterans who died of other service
related causes on a resource-available basis; establish a statutory
advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans; require VA to
develop a plan to assign additional employment, training, and benefit
counselors at vet centers; require a report on the feasibility and
desirability of collocating vet centers and VA outpatient clinics; and,
undertake a pilot program authorizing the provision of limited, primary
health care services at vet centers.
I believe that the provisions outlined in S. 1226 as reported must be
enacted if the Vet Center Program is to remain a vital, progressive
force in addressing the needs of today's veterans population. This
measure has the full, bipartisan support of the Veterans' Affairs
Committee, which held extensive hearings on this bill on August 3,
1993. The major veterans organizations which testified at the hearing,
including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans,
The American Legion, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, expressed
strong support for S. 1226; in addition, AMVETS and the Vietnam
Veterans of America submitted written testimony supportive of the
measure. All of the RCS field staff who were invited to comment on the
bill made positive statements in behalf of the legislation. With
certain exceptions, the Department commented favorably on many of the
bill's provisions. After making improvements to the bill suggested by
the hearing witnesses and members of the committee, the committee
unanimously voted to report S. 1226 to the Senate floor last November
3.
Thank you, Mr. President. I urge my colleagues to support this
important measure. I wish to thank Senator Rockefeller, the chairman of
the committee, and Senator Murkowski, the ranking minority member, for
their help in facilitating consideration of this legislation. Bill Brew
and Thomas Tighe of the majority staff provided me with exceptional
insights and suggestions that materially improved the bill; Chris Yoder
and Bill Tuerk of the minority staff also made significant
contributions. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not single out for
special recognition Gerry Kifer, formerly of my staff, without whose
hard work and dedication this legislation would not have been possible.
Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.
Mr. DOMENICI. I move to lay that motion on the table.
The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.
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