[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 20, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H4193-H4196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




JUSTIN BAILEY VETERANS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS PREVENTION AND TREATMENT 
                              ACT OF 2008

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5554) to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and 
improve health care services available to veterans from the Department 
of Veterans Affairs for substance use disorders, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5554

       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 ``Justin Bailey Veterans 
     Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act of 
     2008''.

     SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF VETERANS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER 
                   PROGRAMS.

       Subsection (d) of section 1720A of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(3)(A) Each plan under paragraph (1) shall ensure that 
     the medical center provides ready access to a full continuum 
     of care for substance use disorders for veterans in need of 
     such care.
       ``(B) In this paragraph, the term `full continuum of care' 
     includes all of the following care, treatment, and services:
       ``(i) Screening for substance use disorder in all settings, 
     including primary care settings.
       ``(ii) Detoxification and stabilization services.
       ``(iii) Intensive outpatient care services.
       ``(iv) Relapse prevention services.
       ``(v) Outpatient counseling services.
       ``(vi) Residential substance use disorder treatment.
       ``(vii) Pharmacological treatment to reduce cravings, and 
     opioid substitution therapy referred to in paragraph (2).
       ``(viii) Coordination with groups providing peer to peer 
     counseling.
       ``(ix) Short-term, early interventions for substance use 
     disorders, such as motivational counseling, that are readily 
     available and provided in a manner to overcome stigma 
     associated with the provision of such interventions and 
     related care.
       ``(x) Marital and family counseling.
       ``(C) The Secretary shall provide for outreach to veterans 
     who served in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi 
     Freedom to increase awareness of the availability of care, 
     treatment, and services from the Department for substance use 
     disorders.''.

     SEC. 3. REQUIREMENT FOR ALLOCATION OF DEPARTMENT RESOURCES TO 
                   ENSURE AVAILABILITY FOR ALL VETERANS REQUIRING 
                   TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.

       (a) Equitable Allocation of Funding; Annual Report.--
     Section 1720A of title 38, United States Code, as amended by 
     section 2, is further amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subsection:
       ``(e)(1) The Secretary shall ensure that amounts made 
     available for care, treatment, and services provided under 
     this section are allocated in such a manner that a full 
     continuum of care (as defined in subsection (d)(3)(B)) is 
     available to veterans seeking such care, treatment, or 
     services, without regard to the location of the residence of 
     any such veterans.
       ``(2)(A) In addition to the report required under section 
     1703(c)(1) of this title (relating to furnishing of contract 
     care and services under this section), the Secretary shall 
     include in the budget documents which the Secretary submits 
     to Congress for any fiscal year a detailed report on the 
     care, treatment, and services furnished by the Department 
     under this section during the most recently completed fiscal 
     year.
       ``(B) Each report under subparagraph (A) shall include data 
     on the following for each medical facility of the Department:
       ``(i) The number of veterans who have been provided care, 
     treatment, or services under this section at the facility for 
     each 1,000 veterans who have received hospital care (if 
     applicable) or medical services at the facility.
       ``(ii) The number of veterans for whom substance use 
     disorder screening was carried out under subsection 
     (d)(3)(B)(i) at the facility.
       ``(iii) The number of veterans for whom a substance use 
     disorder was identified after a screening was carried out 
     under subsection (d)(3)(B)(i) at the facility.
       ``(iv) The number of veterans who were referred by the 
     facility for care, treatment, or services for substance use 
     disorders under this section.
       ``(v) The number of veterans who received care, treatment 
     or services at the facility for substance use disorders under 
     this section.
       ``(vi) Availability of the full continuum of care (as 
     defined in subsection (d)(3)(B)) at the facility.
       ``(C) Each report prepared under subparagraph (A) shall be 
     reviewed by the Committee on Care of Severely Chronically 
     Mentally Ill Veterans authorized by section 7321 of this 
     title. The Committee shall provide an independent assessment 
     of the care, treatment, and services furnished directly by 
     the Department under this section to veterans. Such 
     assessment shall include a detailed analysis of the 
     availability, the barriers to access (if any), and the 
     quality of such care, treatment, and services.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply to fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 
     2009.

     SEC. 4. PILOT PROGRAM FOR INTERNET-BASED SUBSTANCE USE 
                   DISORDER TREATMENT FOR VETERANS OF OPERATION 
                   IRAQI FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Stigma associated with seeking treatment for mental 
     health disorders has been demonstrated to prevent some 
     veterans from seeking such treatment at a medical facility 
     operated by the Department of Defense or the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs.
       (2) There is a significant incidence among veterans of 
     post-deployment mental health problems, especially among 
     members of a reserve component who return as veterans to 
     civilian life.
       (3) Computer-based self-guided training has been 
     demonstrated to be an effective strategy for supplementing 
     the care of psychological conditions.
       (4) Younger veterans, especially those who served in 
     Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, are 
     comfortable with and proficient at computer-based technology.
       (5) Veterans living in rural areas find access to treatment 
     for substance use disorder limited.
       (6) Self-assessment and treatment options for substance use 
     disorders through an Internet website may reduce stigma and 
     provides additional access for individuals seeking care and 
     treatment for such disorders.
       (b) In General.--Not later than October 1, 2009, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall initiate a pilot program 
     to test the feasibility and advisability of providing 
     veterans who seek treatment for substance use disorders 
     access to a computer-based self-assessment, education, and 
     specified treatment program through a secure Internet website 
     operated by the Secretary. Participation in the pilot program 
     is available on a voluntary basis for those veterans who have 
     served in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi 
     Freedom.
       (c) Elements of Pilot Program.--
       (1) In general.--In designing and carrying out the pilot 
     program under this section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall ensure that--
       (A) access to the Internet website and the programs 
     available on the website by a veteran (or family member) does 
     not involuntarily generate an identifiable medical record of 
     that access by that veteran in any medical database 
     maintained by the Department;
       (B) the Internet website is accessible from remote 
     locations, especially rural areas; and
       (C) the Internet website includes a self-assessment tool 
     for substance use disorders, self-guided treatment and 
     educational materials for such disorders, and appropriate 
     information and materials for family members of veterans.
       (2) Consideration of similar projects.--In designing the 
     pilot program under this section, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall consider similar pilot projects of the 
     Department of Defense for the early diagnosis and treatment 
     of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health 
     conditions established under section 741 of the John Warner 
     National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2007 
     (Public Law 109-364; 120 Stat. 2304).
       (3) Location of pilot program.--The Secretary shall carry 
     out the pilot program through those medical centers of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs that have established Centers 
     for Excellence for Substance Abuse Treatment and Education or 
     that have established a Substance Abuse Program Evaluation 
     and Research Center.
       (4) Contract authority.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     may enter into contracts with qualified entities or 
     organizations to carry out the pilot program required under 
     this section.
       (d) Duration of Pilot Program.--The pilot program required 
     by subsection (a) shall be carried out during the two-year 
     period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot 
     program.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011 to carry 
     out the pilot program under this section.

[[Page H4194]]

       (f) Report.--Not later than six months after the completion 
     of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
     a report on the pilot program, and shall include in that 
     report an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of 
     the pilot program, of any cost savings or other benefits 
     associated with the pilot program, and recommendations for 
     the continuation or expansion of the pilot program.

     SEC. 5. REPORT ON RESIDENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES 
                   OF THE VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) Review and Report.--Not later than six months after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, acting through the Office of the Medical Inspector 
     of the Department of Veterans Affairs, shall--
       (1) conduct a review of all residential mental health care 
     facilities, including domiciliary facilities, of the Veterans 
     Health Administration; and
       (2) 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 review conducted under 
     paragraph (1).
       (b) Elements of Report.--The report required by subsection 
     (a)(2) shall include the following:
       (1) A description of the availability of care in 
     residential mental health care facilities in each Veterans 
     Integrated Service Network (VISN).
       (2) An assessment of the supervision and support provided 
     in the residential mental health care facilities of the 
     Veterans Health Administration.
       (3) The ratio of staff members at each residential mental 
     health care facility to patients at such facility.
       (4) An assessment of the appropriateness of rules and 
     procedures for the prescription and administration of 
     medications to patients in such residential mental health 
     care facilities.
       (5) A description of the protocols at each residential 
     mental health care facility for handling missed appointments.
       (6) Any recommendations the Secretary considers appropriate 
     for improvements to such residential mental health care 
     facilities and the care provided in such facilities.

     SEC. 6. TRIBUTE TO JUSTIN BAILEY.

       This Act is enacted in tribute to Justin Bailey, who, after 
     returning to the United States from service as a member of 
     the Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom, died in a 
     domiciliary facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     while receiving care for post-traumatic stress disorder and a 
     substance use disorder.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, this bill is named after Justin Bailey, who 
was a veteran of the Iraq War who died in a domiciliary facility of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs while receiving care for PTSD and a 
substance use disorder, a very tragic story but one that seems to be 
becoming all too familiar.
  We have seen in recent weeks internal communications between members 
of the VA staff who we rely on to treat soldiers like Justin Bailey who 
seem to not take the symptoms of PTSD or suicide very seriously. They 
try to manipulate the data so we don't know all the facts. They try to 
get cheaper treatment if a diagnosis other than PTSD is made, and we 
are not serving our veterans when this occurs. We must not take lightly 
the commitment of servicemembers like Justin Bailey who choose to 
defend the country and freedoms that we enjoy.
  We know the problems that veterans who have served in past wars face. 
We know about post-traumatic stress disorder. We know about the high 
reported incidence of substance abuse, and that it is what we call a 
common co-morbidity to mental health issues. And we, of course, 
unfortunately know about the high rate of homelessness. We know about 
these issues because we have seen entire generations of veterans tackle 
these problems, many without proper support from the VA and many who 
find themselves on the streets homeless or we see in statistics on 
suicide.
  We must commit ourselves that whatever is necessary to prevent the 
newest generation of veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq will be done so 
they do not experience these same devastating issues.
  There is growing concern about the reported effects of combat 
deployments on Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom 
servicemembers. The suicide rates are on the rise back to where they 
were in our Vietnam era.
  We know the rate of post-traumatic stress disorder among these 
veterans has been estimated at about a third. I think if you include 
hidden symptoms of traumatic brain injury we're up to probably double 
that or more.
  We know that the rate of homelessness amongst this group is growing. 
The same cycles that we saw with Vietnam are repeating themselves.
  We cannot as a Congress, as a Nation allow this to happen again. We 
must reinforce our commitment to take care of those who have served. 
This is a cost of war. We're spending $1 billion, Madam Speaker, on the 
Iraq and Afghanistan Wars every two days, $1 billion every 2 days. 
Shouldn't our servicemembers get all the treatment they need? We have 
the money. It's a question of our will and our priorities.

                              {time}  1400

  So I urge you to support H.R. 5554. We would improve and expand the 
VA health care services available for veterans for substance use 
disorders, and require that all VA medical centers provide access to 
the full continuum of care for these disorders.
  We also want to make sure that the Secretary reaches out to our OIF/
OEF veterans with substance abuse disorders, and make sure that the 
funding is in place for the full continuum of care no matter where a 
veteran lives.
  We also ask for a complete report on the services furnished by the 
Department in the last fiscal year, and have a 2-year pilot program on 
providing assessment, education and treatment via the Internet to 
veterans with substance use disorders. And finally, we would require 
the VA to conduct a review and report on the residential mental health 
facilities within the system.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5554. We will hear from 
Congressman Michaud from Maine, the chairman of our Health 
Subcommittee, who wrote this bill. And he will have a chance to really 
explain it better after we hear from our ranking member.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 5554, as amended, the Justin Bailey Veterans 
Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act of 2008, would 
amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and improve health care 
services available to veterans from the Department of Veterans Affairs 
for substance abuse disorders.
  Unfortunately, many veterans who have experienced combat trauma have 
difficulty dealing with the demands of military service and/or 
readjusting to home life often turn to alcohol and drugs to ease the 
pain that has become part of their lives. VA has dedicated more than 
$458 million to improve access and quality of care for veterans who 
require substance use treatment since it began implementing the Mental 
Health Strategic Plan in 2005.
  H.R. 5455, however, would be much more comprehensive and require that 
VA provides a ``full continuum of care'' to veterans suffering from 
substance use disorders at all VA medical centers or through contracts 
with local providers. This full continuum of care would include 
comprehensive screening for substance use disorders in all settings, 
detoxification and stabilization services, intensive outpatient and 
residential care, pharmacological treatments, and peer-to-peer and 
family and marital counseling.
  This legislation would also direct VA to conduct a pilot program for 
Internet-based substance use disorder treatment for veterans of 
Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
  Some of our veterans are confronted with a new form of challenge in 
their life, which for some is greater than the warfare which they had 
faced, where it has no clear front and has no clear refuge. And in the 
case of our OIF/OEF veterans in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, over 
30 percent of those veterans who have received VA care have been 
diagnosed with a possible mental health problem and 12 percent of these 
with a possible substance use disorder.
  Outreach to every veteran is critical, and I'm pleased that under the 
leadership of Secretary Peake, VA has started contacting nearly 570,000 
recent combat veterans to talk to them about available VA medical care 
and benefits.
  Providing a full continuum of care in all settings will go a long way 
to enhance access to care and help at-risk veterans recognize the 
signs, treat the symptoms, and overcome the stigma that prevents many 
veterans from seeking care.

[[Page H4195]]

  Problems associated with substance use disorder can have lasting 
effects on the mental and physical health of our veterans, and I 
commend the Subcommittee on Health Chairman Michaud and Ranking Member 
Miller for their leadership on the bill.
  We can make significant progress in ensuring that the mental health 
wellness care that veterans seek and deserve is available with the 
passage of this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the author of the 
bill and the Chair of our Health Subcommittee of the Veterans' 
Committee in the Congress, the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud).
  Mr. MICHAUD. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 5554, the Justin Bailey Veterans 
Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act of 2008. This 
legislation does amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and 
improve health care services available to veterans for substance use 
disorders.
  It requires that all VA medical centers provide ready access to a 
full continuum of care for substance use disorders. And it explicitly 
defines that ``full continuum of care'' as ranging from initial 
screening through outpatient care and family therapy. We have an 
obligation to take care of the men and women who chose to fight for our 
freedom and the freedom of all oppressed people.
  This legislation had strong bipartisan support during its 
development. I want to thank members of the Health Care Subcommittee, 
especially Mr. Miller, for their support and contributions to this 
legislation, as well as the committee staff on both sides of the aisle.
  I also would like to thank Congresswoman Berkley, who has been a true 
advocate for our veterans, and who has been strongly involved in the 
development of this legislation as well.
  I also want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your leadership, as well 
as Ranking Member Buyer for your leadership in this legislation. I 
encourage my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. BUYER. I urge my colleagues to adopt this legislation, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to a very active, 
aggressive member of our committee, who is always there when we need 
her, the gentlelady from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).
  Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, I also would like to thank the chairman 
of our full committee, Mr. Filner, for being so supportive, and the 
chairman of our subcommittee, Mr. Michaud, for helping to make this 
legislation a reality today. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to 
be part of this important piece of legislation.
  Nationally, one in five veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan 
suffer from PTSD. Twenty-three percent of members of the Armed Forces 
on active duty acknowledge that they have a significant problem with 
alcohol. Veterans must receive the help they need to deal with these 
conditions.
  The effects of substance abuse are devastating, including 
significantly increased risk of suicide, exacerbation of mental and 
physical health disorders, breakdown of family support, and increased 
risk of unemployment and homelessness. Veterans suffering from mental 
health problems are at increased risk for developing a substance abuse 
disorder.
  A constituent of mine, Lance Corporal Justin Bailey, was a 1998 
graduate of Las Vegas High School. Upon returning from a tour of duty 
in Iraq, he was diagnosed with PTSD and was discharged from the Marines 
in 2004. He developed a substance abuse disorder, and with the 
encouragement of his parents, checked himself into a VA facility in 
west Los Angeles to get the treatment that he needed and recognized 
that he needed.
  He sought treatment for a drug abuse problem, and yet he was given 
five additional medications on a self-medication program. With those 
five additional medications in his system, Justin overdosed and died on 
January 26, 2007.
  The loss of a child is devastating enough, but what made matters 
worse is the way that Justin's parents were treated by the VA. They 
were treated with indifference and apathy at the West L.A. facility 
that their son died at. They were handed Justin's belongings in a trash 
bag.
  Last August, 8 months after Justin's death, the Baileys returned to 
Los Angeles to meet with the Chief of Staff at the West L.A. facility. 
They came away from the meeting feeling that the Chief of Staff had 
been completely unprepared and seemed out of touch with the needs of 
the veterans. The Chief of Staff went so far as to state that his staff 
didn't know how to treat veterans of the Iraq and Afghan war because 
they were young, and the staff was not tough enough on these younger 
veterans, they tended to give them anything they asked for.
  I'm very pleased that the committee included my amendment to require 
the VA to conduct a review of all residential mental health care 
facilities, including domiciliary facilities, and agree to rename the 
bill in Justin's honor. I know this means a great deal to Justin's 
family.
  Passage of the Justin Bailey Substance Use Disorder Treatment and 
Prevention Act will help to ensure that we have the mental health 
resources and substance abuse treatment programs needed to care for our 
veterans. The assessments of residential mental health facilities 
required will help us to learn how well the VA is performing and what 
we can do to improve these services, including expanded availability at 
VA hospitals.
  The availability of treatment for PTSD, including substance abuse 
disorder counseling, will save many lives. This must remain a top 
priority.
  A review of the services provided to our veterans is needed to ensure 
that what happened to Justin does not happen to anyone else ever again.
  It's imperative that we provide adequate mental health services for 
those who have sacrificed for our great Nation and those who continue 
to serve.
  I wholeheartedly support H.R. 5554 and urge my colleagues to do the 
same.
  Mr. FILNER. I want to thank the gentlelady from Nevada for putting a 
real face to this problem. I know it means a lot to the family, but it 
means a lot to all of us. So thank you.
  Another great member of our committee, Mr. Rodriguez from Texas, 
dealt with mental health issues in his previous life, and I will yield 
to him as much time as he might consume.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I want to personally 
thank you for this piece of legislation.
  I had the pleasure and the opportunity to serve 7 years in the area 
of mental health and work with heroin addicts, substance abusers and 
community mental health.
  One of the things that I've realized is that a lot of people that do 
substance abuse as the result of having mental health problems as well 
as post-traumatic stress. During the Vietnam War, we left our soldiers 
and we abandoned them. A large number of them now find themselves as 
part of those statistics of being homeless. Part of the statistics are 
a large number of veterans that are committing suicide. This program 
that will allow the continuum of care is going to allow an opportunity 
for them to be able to get access to service. I want to thank both 
sides and the chairman for their leadership in this area.
  In addition, let me just say that this area is one of the areas where 
we really need to make an emphasis. I am really pleased to see that, 
because when you do abuse drugs, when people do abuse alcohol, one of 
the difficulties is the fact that the family gets impacted. This allows 
an opportunity for that intervention to occur.
  Thank you very much, and congratulations on this legislation.
  Mr. FILNER. Thank you, Mr. Rodriguez, for your expertise.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 5554, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Tauscher). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I rise to voice my strong support for 
H.R. 5554, the ``Justin Bailey Veterans Substance Use Disorders 
Prevention and Treatment Act of

[[Page H4196]]

2008.'' This legislation grants to our veterans access to a 
comprehensive continuum of substance abuse treatment services provided 
by Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. The bill also 
requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to inform veterans of 
Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom about the availability of 
such care.
  Madam Speaker, we have sent thousands of otherwise healthy young men 
and women to Iraq and Afghanistan to fight. Many of those who were 
lucky enough to escape unscathed physically, are suffering agonizing 
symptoms emotionally. Depression, anxiety, and symptoms of post-
traumatic stress disorder plague countless veterans returning from the 
battlefield. Without proper treatment, our veterans turn to self-
medicating these psychiatric symptoms by abusing alcohol and other 
substances.
  It would be negligent, if not hypocritical, of us not to offer 
comprehensive substance abuse treatment for all returning veterans. 
This legislation ensures that a ``continuum'' of services, including 
screening for substance use disorders, detoxification and stabilization 
services, intensive outpatient services, relapse prevention services, 
counseling services, and other necessary services, are offered to our 
returning veterans.
  Of course, these services require funding. H.R. 5554 ensures that 
funding for a full continuum of substance abuse treatment is made 
available to veterans seeking such care. Although H.R. 5554 authorizes 
a pilot program for Internet-based substance use disorder treatment, 
let us not sell our veterans short by cutting corners on care. More 
funding is needed to ensure that enough psychiatrists, nurses, 
psychologists, and social workers are available to care for our 
returning veterans. As well, more research funding is required in order 
to better understand and treat disorders of substance abuse and 
dependence which plague our veterans.
  Madam Speaker, I find it appalling that we ask our young men and 
women in the Armed Forces to sacrifice life and limb overseas in Iraq 
and Afghanistan, yet when those very soldiers return home, we deny them 
vital mental health and substance abuse treatment services. Let us 
begin to right this wrong by supporting H.R. 5554, and improve 
substance abuse treatment services available to our veterans.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5554, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________