[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 74 (Thursday, May 26, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1540) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense and for military 
     construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for 
     fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes:

  Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the Thompson/
Berkley amendment.
  This amendment would expand the DoD state licensure exception to 
allow health care professionals to practice across state borders--as 
long as they are qualified and practicing within regulations of their 
authorized federal duties. It would change the definition of these 
exempted health care professionals to include qualified civilians and 
contractors. However, nothing in this amendment is intended to change 
state-based scope of practice laws or regulations nor is it intended to 
be used as the basis for any future scope of practice changes through 
DoD regulations. This amendment also removes cumbersome location 
requirements, promoting increased use of tele-medicine, tele-healthcare 
services, and tele-behavioral health programs.
  One of my long-standing goals in Congress has been to expand the 
availability of mental health services for our brave men and women in 
uniform. Increasing servicemembers' treatment options by eliminating 
outdated restrictions on well-qualified health care professionals is an 
important step toward meeting that goal. This amendment addresses the 
changing medical needs of America's men and women in uniform and 
reduces barriers to ensure full access to quality health care--
regardless of their location. This amendment is based on H.R. 1832, the 
Portability (STEP) Act, which has the support of the Air Force 
Association (AFA), American Servicemembers' Telemedicine & E-Health 
Legion, the Association of the United States Navy (AUSN), the Enlisted 
Association of the National Guard (EANGUS), Iraq and Afghanistan 
Veterans of America (IAVA), Mental Health America, Military Officers 
Association of America (MOAA), National Guard Association of the United 
States (NGAUS), Reserve Enlisted Association (REA), and Veterans of 
Foreign Wars (VFW).
  This amendment addresses DoD's limited ability to allow its health 
care professionals to provide care when the patient is in a different 
state while adhering to DoD's current system of core and supplemental 
privileges for each respective specialty, ensuring high quality care 
and patient safety. It also unties the hands of the DoD when it comes 
to civilians or contractors who have stepped up to fill shortages in 
desperately needed positions--especially mental health. Many in the 
military will no longer have to travel long distances to get help, 
relieving financial burdens and stress. We must honor the dedication 
and sacrifice of our troops by making sure DoD has the resources and 
qualified treatment providers needed to care for our heroes in Nevada 
and across the nation. That includes even more assistance for our 
troops who are coping not only with physical injuries, but with the 
challenges of PTSD and other mental health issues we are still working 
to better understand. This amendment recommits us as a nation to 
honoring the service of America's military, modernizing DoD for the 
21st Century and increasing the quality and convenience of support and 
services for our returning servicemembers.
  I want to thank Representative Thompson for his dedication to this 
very important issue and I urge my colleagues to support our amendment.

                          ____________________