[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 21, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H5304-H5308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS INFORMATION MODERNIZATION ACT
Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2256) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report on the
Veterans Health Administration and the furnishing of hospital care,
medical services, and nursing home care by the Department of Veterans
Affairs, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2256
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 a the ``Veterans Information
Modernization Act''.
SEC. 2. ANNUAL REPORT ON VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION AND
FURNISHING OF HOSPITAL CARE, MEDICAL SERVICES,
AND NURSING HOME CARE.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration
and furnishing of hospital care, medical services, and
nursing home care
``(a) Report Required.--Not later than March 1 during each
of years 2016 through 2020, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives a report on the furnishing of hospital care,
medical services, and nursing home care under the laws
administered by the Secretary and on the administration of
the provision of such care and services by the Veterans
Health Administration during the calendar year preceding the
calendar year during which the report is submitted.
``(b) Contents of Report.--Each report required by
subsection (a) shall include each of the following for the
year covered by the report:
``(1) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Veterans
Health Administration program in increasing the access of
veterans eligible for hospital care, medical services, and
nursing home care furnished by the Secretary to such care.
``(2) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Veterans
Health Administration in improving the quality of health care
provided to such veterans, without increasing the costs
incurred by the Government or such veterans, which includes
the relevant information for each medical center and Veterans
Integrated Service Network of the Department set forth
separately.
``(3) An assessment of--
``(A) the workload of physicians and other employees of the
Veterans Health Administration;
``(B) patient demographics and utilization rates;
``(C) physician compensation;
``(D) the productivity of physicians and other employees of
the Veterans Health Administration;
``(E) the percentage of hospital care, medical services,
and nursing home care provided to such veterans in Department
facilities and in non-Department facilities and any changes
in such percentages compared to the year preceding the year
covered by the report;
``(F) pharmaceutical prices; and
``(G) third party health billings owed to the Department,
including the total amount of such billings and the total
amounts collected, set forth separately for claims greater
than $1000 and for claims equal to or less than $1000.
``(c) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `hospital
care', `medical services', `nursing home care', and `non-
Department facilities' have the meanings given such terms in
section 1701 of this title.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 7330A the following new item:
``7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration and furnishing
of hospital care, medical services, and nursing home
care.''.
SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF HOMELESS VETERAN FOR
PURPOSES OF BENEFITS UNDER THE LAWS
ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
Section 2002(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by inserting ``or (b)'' after ``section 103(a)''.
SEC. 4. IDENTIFICATION AND TRACKING OF BIOLOGICAL IMPLANTS
USED IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL
FACILITIES.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38,
United States Code, as amended by section 2, is further
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 7330C. Identification and tracking of biological
implants
``(a) Standard Identification System for Biological
Implants.--(1) The Secretary shall adopt the unique device
identification system developed for medical devices by the
Food and Drug Administration pursuant to section 519(f) of
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360i(f)),
or implement a comparable standard identification system, for
use in identifying biological implants intended for use in
medical procedures conducted in medical facilities of the
Department.
``(2) In adopting or implementing a standard identification
system for biological implants under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall permit a vendor to use any of the accredited
entities identified by the Food and Drug Administration as an
issuing agency pursuant to section 830.100 of title 21, Code
of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
``(b) Biological Implant Tracking System.--(1) The
Secretary shall implement a system for tracking the
biological implants referred to in subsection (a) from human
donor or animal source to implantation.
``(2) The tracking system implemented under paragraph (1)
shall be compatible with the identification system adopted or
implemented under subsection (a).
``(3) The Secretary shall implement inventory controls
compatible with the tracking system implemented under
paragraph (1) so that all patients who have received, in a
medical facility of the Department, a biological implant
subject to a recall can be notified of the recall, if based
on the evaluation of appropriate medical personnel of the
Department of the risks and benefits, the Secretary
determines such notification is appropriate.
``(c) Consistency With Food and Drug Administration
Regulations.--To the extent that a conflict arises between
this section and a provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) or sections 351 or 361
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262) (including
any regulations issued under such Acts), the provision the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or Public Health Service
Act (including any regulations issued under such Acts) shall
apply.
``(d) Definition of Biological Implant.--In this section,
the term `biological implant' means any animal or human cell,
tissue, or cellular or tissue-based product--
``(1) under the meaning given the term human cells,
tissues, or cellular or tissue-based products in section
1271.3 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any
successor regulation; or
``(2) that is regulated as a device under section 201(h) of
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter, as amended by section 2, is
further amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 7330B, as added by section 2, the following new item:
``7330C. Identification and tracking of biological implants.''.
(c) Implementation Deadlines.--
(1) Standard identification system.--
(A) In general.--With respect to biological implants
described in paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of section 7330C
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a),
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall adopt or implement a
standard identification system for biological implants, as
required by subsection (a) of such section, by not later than
the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
(B) Implants regulated as devices.--With respect to
biological implants described in paragraph (2) of subsection
(d) of such section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
adopt or implement such standard identification system in
compliance with the compliance dates established by the Food
and Drug Administration pursuant to section 519(f) of the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360i(f)).
(2) Tracking system.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall implement the biological implant tracking system
required by section 7330C(b), as added by subsection (a), by
not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(d) Reporting Requirement.--
(1) In general.--If the biological implant tracking system
required by section 7330C(b) of title 38, United States Code,
as added by subsection (a), is not operational by the date
that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives a written explanation for why the system is
not operational for each month until such time as the system
is operational.
(2) Elements.--Each explanation submitted under paragraph
(1) shall include a description of the following:
(A) Each impediment to the implementation of the system
described in such paragraph.
(B) Steps being taken to remediate each such impediment.
(C) Target dates for a solution to each such impediment.
SEC. 5. PROCUREMENT OF BIOLOGICAL IMPLANTS USED IN DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITIES.
(a) Procurement.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 81 of such title
is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
[[Page H5305]]
``Sec. 8129. Procurement of biological implants
``(a) In General.--(1) The Secretary may procure biological
implants of human origin only from vendors that meet the
following conditions:
``(A) The vendor uses the standard identification system
adopted or implemented by the Secretary under section
7330C(a) of this title and has safeguards to ensure that a
distinct identity code has been in place at each step of
distribution of each biological implant from its donor.
``(B) The vendor is registered as required by the Food and
Drug Administration under subpart B of part 1271 of title 21,
Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation, and
in the case of a vendor that uses a tissue distribution
intermediary or a tissue processor, the vendor provides
assurances that the tissue distribution intermediary or
tissue processor is registered as required by the Food and
Drug Administration.
``(C) The vendor ensures that donor eligibility
determinations and such other records as the Secretary may
require accompany each biological implant at all times,
regardless of the country of origin of the donor of the
biological material.
``(D) The vendor agrees to cooperate with all biological
implant recalls conducted on the vendor's own initiative, on
the initiative of the original product manufacturer used by
the vendor, by the request of the Food and Drug
Administration, or by a statutory order of the Food and Drug
Administration.
``(E) The vendor agrees to notify the Secretary of any
adverse event or reaction report it provides to the Food and
Drug Administration, as required by section 1271.350 of title
21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation,
or any successor regulation, or of any warning letter from
the Food and Drug Administration issued to the vendor or a
tissue processor or tissue distribution intermediary it uses
by not later than 60 days after the vendor receives such
report or warning letter.
``(F) The vendor agrees to retain all records associated
with the procurement of a biological implant by the
Department for at least 10 years after the date of the
procurement of the biological implant.
``(G) The vendor provides assurances that the biological
implants provided by the vendor are acquired only from tissue
processors that maintain active accreditation with the
American Association of Tissue Banks or a similar national
accreditation specific to biological implants.
``(2) The Secretary may procure biological implants of non-
human origin only from vendors that meet the following
conditions:
``(A) The vendor uses the standard identification system
adopted or implemented by the Secretary under section
7330C(a) of this title.
``(B) The vendor is a registered establishment as required
by the Food and Drug Administration under sections 807.20 and
807.40 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any
successor regulation, (or is not required to register
pursuant to section 807.65(a) of such title) and in the case
of a vendor that is not the original product manufacturer of
such implants the vendor provides assurances that the
original product manufacturer is registered as required by
the Food and Drug Administration.
``(C) The vendor agrees to cooperate with all biological
implant recalls conducted on the vendor's own initiative, on
the initiative of the original product manufacturer used by
the vendor, by the request of the Food and Drug
Administration, or by a statutory order of the Food and Drug
Administration.
``(D) The vendor agrees to notify the Secretary of any
adverse event report it provides to the Food and Drug
Administration as required in part 803 of title 21, Code of
Federal Regulations, or any warning letter from the Food and
Drug Administration issued to the vendor or the original
product manufacturer it uses by not later than 60 days after
the vendor receives such report or warning letter.
``(E) The vendor agrees to retain all records associated
with the procurement of a biological implant by the
Department for at least 10 years after the date of the
procurement of the biological implant.
``(3)(A) The Secretary shall procure biological implants
under the Federal Supply Schedules of the General Services
Administration unless such implants are not available under
such Schedules.
``(B) With respect to biological implants listed on the
Federal Supply Schedules, the Secretary shall accommodate
reasonable vendor requests to undertake outreach efforts to
educate medical professionals of the Department about the use
and efficacy of such biological implants.
``(C) In the case of biological implants that are
unavailable for procurement under the Federal Supply
Schedules, the Secretary shall procure such implants using
competitive procedures in accordance with applicable law and
the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
``(4) Section 8123 of this title shall not apply to the
procurement of biological implants.
``(b) Penalties.--In addition to any applicable penalty
under any other provision of law, any procurement employee of
the Department who is found responsible for a biological
implant procurement transaction with intent to avoid or with
reckless disregard of the requirements of this section shall
be ineligible to hold a certificate of appointment as a
contracting officer or to serve as the representative of an
ordering officer, contracting officer, or purchase card
holder.
``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `biological implant' shall have the meaning
given such term in section 7330C(d) of this title.
``(2) The term `distinct identity code' means a code that--
``(A) relates a biological implant to the human donor of
the implant and to all records pertaining to the implant;
``(B) includes information designed to facilitate effective
tracking, using such code, from the donor to the recipient
and from the recipient to the donor; and
``(C) satisfies the requirements of section 1271.290 of
title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulation.
``(3) The term `tissue distribution intermediary' means an
agency that acquires and stores human tissue for further
distribution and performs no other tissue banking functions.
``(4) The term `tissue processor' means an entity
processing human tissue for use in biological implants
including activities performed on tissue other than donor
screening, donor testing, tissue recovery and collection
functions, storage, or distribution.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end of
the items relating to such subchapter the following new item:
``8129. Procurement of biological implants.''.
(b) Effective Date.--Section 8129 of title 38, United
States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on
the date that is 180 days after the date on which the
tracking system required under subsection (b) of section
7330C of such title, as added by section 4(a) is implemented.
(c) Special Rule for Cryopreserved Products.--During the
three-year period beginning on the effective date of section
8129 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection
(a), biological implants produced and labeled before that
date may be procured by the Department of Veterans Affairs
without relabeling under the standard identification system
adopted or implemented under section 7330C of such title, as
added by section 4(a).
SEC. 6. EXTENSION OF ROUNDING DOWN OF PERCENTAGE INCREASES OF
RATES OF CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) Montgomery GI Bill.--Section 3015(h)(2) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``fiscal year 2014'' and inserting ``fiscal
year 2020''; and
(2) by striking ``fiscal year 2013'' and inserting ``fiscal
year 2019''.
(b) Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance.--
Section 3564(b) of such title is amended--
(1) by striking ``fiscal year 2014'' and inserting ``fiscal
year 2020''; and
(2) by striking ``fiscal year 2013'' and inserting ``fiscal
year 2019''.
SEC. 7. VETERANS EXPEDITED RECOVERY COMMISSION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the Veterans
Expedited Recovery Commission (in this section 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.
[[Page H5306]]
(4) Study the potential increase of claims relating to
mental health issues submitted to the Secretary by veterans
who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi
Freedom, or Operation New Dawn, including an assessment of
the resources available within the Department to ensure that
quality health care demands relating to such claims can be
delivered in a timely manner.
(c) Membership.--
(1) Number and appointment.--
(A) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 10
members, appointed as follows:
(i) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, at least one of whom shall be a veteran.
(ii) Two members appointed by the Minority Leader of the
House of Representatives, at least one of whom shall be a
veteran.
(iii) Two members appointed by the Majority Leader of the
Senate, at least one of whom shall be a veteran.
(iv) Two members appointed by the Minority Leader of the
Senate, at least one of whom shall be a veteran.
(v) Two members appointed by the President, at least one of
whom shall be a veteran.
(B) Qualifications.--Members of the Commission shall be--
(i) individuals who are of recognized standing and
distinction within the medical community with a background in
treating mental health;
(ii) individuals with experience working with the military
and veteran population; and
(iii) individuals who do not have a financial interest in
any of the complementary alternative treatments reviewed by
the Commission.
(2) Chairman.--The President shall designate a member of
the Commission to be the chairman.
(3) Period of appointment.--Members of the Commission shall
be appointed for the life of the Commission.
(4) Vacancy.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled
in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
(5) 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.
(d) Powers of Commission.--
(1) Meeting.--
(A) Initial meeting.--The Commission shall hold its first
meeting not later than 30 days after a majority of members
are appointed to the Commission.
(B) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) Information from nongovernmental organizations.--In
carrying out subsection (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.
(5) 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.
(6) 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.
(7) 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 subsection (b), including per diem in lieu
of subsistence, at rates authorized under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
(8) 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.
(9) Personnel as federal employees.--
(A) 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.
(B) Members of the commission.--Subparagraph (A) shall not
be construed to apply to members of the Commission.
(10) 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 section.
(11) 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.
(12) 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.
(13) 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 section. These
administrative services may include human resource
management, budget, leasing, accounting, and payroll
services.
(e) Report.--
(1) Interim reports.--
(A) 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 paragraph (2), 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.
(B) Other reports.--In carrying out the duties pursuant to
subsection (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.
(2) 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:
(A) Recommendations to implement in a feasible, timely, and
cost-effective manner the solutions and remedies identified
within the findings of the Commission pursuant to subsection
(b).
(B) 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.
(C) The findings of the patient-centered survey conducted
within each of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks
pursuant to subsection (b)(2).
(D) An examination of complementary alternative treatments
described in subsection (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.
(3) 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:
(A) 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.
(B) A feasible timeframe on when complementary alternative
treatments described in subsection (b)(3) can be implemented
Department-wide.
(C) With respect to each recommendation established by the
Commission, including regarding any complementary alternative
treatment, that the Secretary determines is not appropriate
or feasible to implement, a justification for each 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.
(f) Termination of Commission.--The Commission shall
terminate 30 days after the Commission submits the final
report under subsection (e)(2).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Benishek) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
General Leave
Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
to
[[Page H5307]]
add extraneous material on H.R. 2256, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 2256, as amended, the Veterans Information
Modernization Act.
I developed and introduced this legislation following an oversight
hearing in January where the subcommittee attempted to determine the
cost and value of the care that the Department of Veterans Affairs
provides to our Nation's veterans.
Through the course of that hearing, it became painfully obvious that
VA leaders were unable to provide basic information about, for example,
how much the VA spends on a single patient encounter in a VA primary
care clinic.
As a doctor who served veterans at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical
Center in my hometown of Iron Mountain, Michigan, for 20 years, it is
unbelievable to me that the VA either does not have or is unwilling to
share key information about the care that it provides.
The Congressional Budget Office testified in January that the VA ``.
. . provided limited data to Congress and the public about its costs
and operational performance.''
The CBO went on to state, ``. . . if this data was provided on a
regular and systemic basis, it could help inform policymakers about the
efficiency and cost-effectiveness of VA's services.''
Similar sentiments about the need for the VA to be more forthcoming
were echoed at that hearing by witnesses from the American Legion and
the Independent Budget.
We are all too well aware of the many--seemingly endless--scandals
that have plagued the Department over the last year and a half. A lack
of transparency is at the heart of all of these scandals, and one of
the keys to overcoming them is requiring the Department to regularly
provide specific information about the care that the VA provides.
H.R. 2256, as amended, would accomplish that goal by requiring the VA
to submit an annual report to Congress regarding the provision of
hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care by the VA health
care system.
The report would encompass critical information about the operations
of the Veterans Health Administration, including data regarding access,
quality, workload, patient demographics and utilization, physician
compensation and productivity, purchase care, and pharmaceutical
prices.
The VA would also be required to detail third-party billings and
collections, including information on both small and large claims. This
would ensure that the growing disparity between the amounts that the VA
bills for and the amount that the VA collects is accounted for and that
the VA receives every available dollar that it is owed and uses it to
improve the services that the VA provides. Many of the data points
included in this report are already provided by the Department of
Defense for TRICARE.
The regular receipt of this information would allow Congress,
veterans, and the American taxpayers to make better informed decisions
about the services that the Department is offering and to assist in
creating the VA healthcare system that our veterans truly deserve.
Other provisions included in the Veterans Information Modernization
Act would broaden the VA's definition of a ``homeless veteran'' to
include veterans and their families who are fleeing violent homes,
improve the VA's processes for tracking and procuring biological
implants, and establish a commission to examine the VA's mental health
treatment model and the benefits of incorporating complementary and
alternative treatments.
I would like to offer my sincere gratitude and appreciation to my
friends and colleagues--Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Congressman Phil
Roe, and Congresswoman Janice Hahn--who have sponsored provisions of
this bill.
I would also like to thank Chairman Miller; Ranking Member Brown;
Congresswoman Julia Brownley, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on
Health; and all of the members of the Subcommittee on Health on both
sides of the aisle for their hard work and leadership on this bill.
I am proud to say that this bill, which was reported favorably out of
the full committee earlier this summer and is fully offset, is
supported by many veteran service organizations, including the American
Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Concerned Veterans for
America, the Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Paralyzed Veterans of
America.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting the
Veterans Information Modernization Act.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 2256, the Veterans Information
Modernization Act, as amended.
This bill does a number of things to improve access and quality of
services to our Nation's veterans. This bill requires the Secretary to
submit an annual report on the Department's furnishing of hospital
care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans.
One of our priorities on the committee is to ensure that safe,
quality health care is provided to veterans and their families. This
report will assist us in our oversight duties of the Department.
This bill expands the definition of a ``homeless veteran'' to include
veterans fleeing from domestic violence. As you know, veterans who
experience domestic violence are considered at high risk for
homelessness. This is a very vulnerable population, and anytime we find
a barrier to care, we should remove it.
Further, one of my biggest priorities as ranking member is to ensure
that we provide safe, quality housing for homeless women veterans.
Women veterans are an underserved population, and there is a serious
lack of housing options for those who become homeless.
There is an even greater crisis in attempting to find housing for
women veterans who have children. This is largely due to the fact that
many facilities do not allow women and children to be in the same
facilities as men. This must be corrected immediately.
I have encountered several women--those who have been forced to live
on the streets--in weekly motels and in other housing places that are
not fit to live in due to domestic violence.
This is completely unacceptable. We should be working closely with
the VA and HUD to ensure that there is transitional and emergency
housing available for women veterans during their greatest time of
need.
This bill addresses gaps in the identification, tracking, and the
procurement of biological implants at the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Finally, this bill would establish a commission to examine the
effectiveness of the evidence-based therapy model for treating
veterans' mental health illnesses.
I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for
their interest and support of veterans' issues.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), my colleague and friend and the
vice chairman of the committee.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the chairman.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2256, the Veterans
Information Modernization Act.
This bill makes positive, bipartisan reforms to the VA, which has
become the hallmark of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.
We have such a good committee, Mr. Speaker. I am particularly pleased
about the inclusion of my bill, H.R. 271, the Creating Options for
Veterans Expedited Recovery Act, better known as the COVER Act.
Last year the Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing regarding
veterans' access to the VA's mental health services. At the hearing, we
heard from the mothers and fathers of deceased veterans.
I remember vividly how hearing their testimony moved me. I can't
remember another instance when the Veterans' Affairs Committee room was
so quiet and solemn as on that day.
Statistics show that one in five veterans who serves in Iraq and
Afghanistan has been diagnosed with post-
[[Page H5308]]
traumatic stress. Now we must responsibly ask ourselves: Are we doing
enough when it comes to addressing mental health in our veteran
population?
Recent data has shown that every day in this country approximately 18
to 22 veterans take their own lives. This statistic answers the
question I posed earlier. It is obvious more needs to be done.
Far too often we have heard of situations in which our veterans are
being overprescribed opioids and antipsychotics. While traditional
forms of therapies may work for some, tailoring therapies to the
veterans and finding the balance between traditional and complementary,
alternative treatments could be the difference in saving lives.
Late last year I met with a veteran who was able to tell me just how
much alternative treatments have improved his life. His treatment plan
to address his PTS and physical injuries consisted of over 30 different
pills every day. He told me how much this affected him. He said he felt
hopeless and wasn't quite himself anymore.
He then decided to take control of his life again and looked for an
alternative. He found an alternative treatment in training and in
caring for a service dog.
{time} 1645
Now, his treatment includes one multivitamin, one other medication,
and a four-legged companion that never leaves his side.
The COVER Act is the next piece in a working formula to heal our
veterans, mentally and physically. It will pave the way toward the
inclusion of these complementary alternative therapies at the VA.
These therapies include, but certainly are not limited to, service
animal therapy, yoga therapy, acupuncture, equine therapy, and
accelerated resolution therapy. Mr. Speaker, I have heard the stories
from these veterans, and these therapies really work. They need access
to these therapies. At a recent town hall, I even heard about the
benefits of martial arts. The martial arts were treating PTS.
Mr. Speaker, when treating mental health issues, one size does not
fit all. Please support this good bill.
Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe), my colleague and a fellow physician
on the Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R.
2256, as amended, which includes a bill I introduced, H.R. 1016, the
Biological Implant Tracking and Veteran Safety Act.
A frightening January 2014 GAO report found that the VA does not use
a standardized process for tracking biological tissue from a cadaver to
a living donor veteran patient. In the event of a recall, it would be
virtually impossible to track down which patient had received
contaminated tissue. GAO also found that the Veterans Health
Administration does not always ensure it is purchasing tissue from
biological implant vendors that have registered with the FDA and does
not maintain an inventory system to prevent expired tissue from
remaining in storage alongside unexpired tissues.
The GAO and Veterans' Affairs Committee staff have discovered that VA
often uses a loophole that allows it to purchase biological implants on
the open, unregulated market, which it does in 57 percent of its
biological implant purchases. This bill would require the procurement
of biological implants from vendors on the Federal supply schedules
which have been appropriately vetted. For biological implants not on
the Federal supply schedule but requested by clinicians, my bill
requires justification and approval of open market purchases under the
Federal acquisition regulation on a case-by-case basis rather than
simply granting a blanket waiver.
This bill would also direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
adopt FDA's unique device identification system for labeling of all
biological implant tissue and implement an automated inventory system
to track the tissue from donor to implant recipient. This legislation
would also require all biological implant tissue to be procured through
vendors that are registered with the FDA, accredited by the American
Association of Tissue Banks, and use FDA's unique device identification
system.
The 6 million veterans served annually by VHA deserve the highest
standard of patient care in the Nation. Implementation of H.R. 2256
would help establish the VA as an industry leader in biologic implant
safety and accountability.
I want to thank the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee staff
for their help in developing this legislation which truly puts veterans
first.
Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in
supporting this legislation.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman's support,
and I again encourage all Members to support H.R. 2256, as amended.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Benishek) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2256, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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