[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 135 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S4644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 2502. Mr. SULLIVAN proposed an amendment to the bill S. 850, to 
extend the authorization of appropriations to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for purposes of awarding grants to veterans service 
organizations for the transportation of highly rural veterans; as 
follows:

       Strike section 3 and insert the following:

     SEC. 3. MAKING PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS TO TRANSPORT INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM 
                   FACILITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Section 111A(a) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (2); and
       (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1)''.
       (b) Report Required.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than five years after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on cost savings, 
     performance, and satisfaction of individuals, with respect 
     to--
       (A) the transport by the Secretary of individuals under 
     subsection (a) of section 111A of title 38, United States 
     Code; and
       (B) the program the establishment of which was facilitated 
     under subsection (b) of such section.
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include an assessment of the effect of emerging health care 
     modalities, including telehealth and VA Video Connect, on--
       (A) the transport of individuals described in paragraph 
     (1)(A);
       (B) the satisfaction of such individuals with services 
     described in section 111A(a) of title 38, United States Code; 
     and
       (C) the program described in paragraph (1)(B).
       (3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       (A) Telehealth.--
       (i) In general.--The term ``telehealth'' means the use of 
     electronic information and telecommunications technologies to 
     support and promote long-distance clinical health care, 
     patient and professional health-related education, public 
     health, and health administration.
       (ii) Technologies.--For purposes of clause (i), 
     telecommunications technologies include videoconferencing, 
     the internet, streaming media, and terrestrial and wireless 
     communications.
       (B) VA video connect.--The term ``VA Video Connect'' means 
     the program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to connect 
     veterans with their health care team from anywhere, using 
     encryption to ensure a secure and private session.
       (c) Technical Correction.--Section 111A(b) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``veterans' 
     service organizations'' and inserting ``veterans service 
     organizations''.

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