[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 135 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4647-S4648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HIGHLY RURAL VETERAN TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM EXTENSION ACT
Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 413, S. 850.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A 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.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill,
which had been reported from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, with
an amendment as follows:
S. 850
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 ``Highly Rural Veteran
Transportation Program Extension Act''.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF
HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS.
Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus
Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C.
1710 note) is amended by striking ``2020'' and inserting
``2021''.
SEC. 3. MAKING PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS TO TRANSPORT INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM
FACILITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 111A(a) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (2); and
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1)''.
SEC. 4. MEDICAL EXAMINATION PROTOCOL FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
PARTICIPATING IN PROGRAM OF TRANSPORTATION
SERVICES FOR VETERANS.
Section 111A(b) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2)(A) Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of the Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program
Extension Act, the Secretary shall develop and establish a
national protocol for the administration of medical
examinations for volunteer drivers to participate in the
program described in paragraph (1).
``(B) In developing the protocol required by subparagraph
(A), the Secretary shall consult with such persons as the
Secretary determines have an interest in the program
described in paragraph (1).
``(C)(i) The Secretary shall implement the protocol by
first conducting a one-year pilot program using the protocol.
``(ii) After conducting the pilot program required by
clause (i), the Secretary shall assess the pilot program and
make such changes to the protocol as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
``(iii) After making changes to the protocol under clause
(ii), the Secretary shall implement the protocol in phases
during the course of one year.''.
SEC. 5. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES REPORT ON
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR VETERANS.
(a) Report Required.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of
the United States shall 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 program the
establishment of which was facilitated under section 111A(b)
of title 38, United States Code.
(b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a)
shall include the following:
(1) A description of the program described in subsection
(a), including descriptions of the following:
(A) The purpose of the program.
(B) The activities carried out under the program.
(2) An assessment of the sufficiency of the program with
respect to the purpose of the program.
(3) An assessment of the cost effectiveness of the program
in relation to alternatives.
(4) An assessment of the health benefits for veterans who
have participated in the program.
(5) An assessment of the sufficiency of staffing of
employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are
responsible for facilitating the maintenance of the program.
(6) An assessment, with respect to the purpose of the
program, of the number of vehicles owned by and operating in
conjunction with the program.
(7) An assessment of the awareness and usage of the program
by veterans and their families.
(8) An assessment of other options for transportation under
the program, such as local taxi companies and ridesharing
programs such as Uber and Lyft.
Mr. SULLIVAN. I ask unanimous consent that the Sullivan amendment at
the desk be considered and agreed to; the committee-reported amendment,
as amended, be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be considered read a
third time and passed; and that motion to reconsider be considered made
and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The amendment (No. 2502) was agreed to as follows
(Purpose: To require a report by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on
the transportation of individuals to and from facilities of the
Department of Veterans Affairs)
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--
[[Page S4648]]
(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''.
The committee-reported amendment, as amended, was agreed to.
The bill (S. 850), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a
third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows
S. 850
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 ``Highly Rural Veteran
Transportation Program Extension Act''.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF
HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS.
Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus
Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C.
1710 note) is amended by striking ``2020'' and inserting
``2021''.
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''.
SEC. 4. MEDICAL EXAMINATION PROTOCOL FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
PARTICIPATING IN PROGRAM OF TRANSPORTATION
SERVICES FOR VETERANS.
Section 111A(b) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2)(A) Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of the Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program
Extension Act, the Secretary shall develop and establish a
national protocol for the administration of medical
examinations for volunteer drivers to participate in the
program described in paragraph (1).
``(B) In developing the protocol required by subparagraph
(A), the Secretary shall consult with such persons as the
Secretary determines have an interest in the program
described in paragraph (1).
``(C)(i) The Secretary shall implement the protocol by
first conducting a one-year pilot program using the protocol.
``(ii) After conducting the pilot program required by
clause (i), the Secretary shall assess the pilot program and
make such changes to the protocol as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
``(iii) After making changes to the protocol under clause
(ii), the Secretary shall implement the protocol in phases
during the course of one year.''.
SEC. 5. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES REPORT ON
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR VETERANS.
(a) Report Required.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of
the United States shall 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 program the
establishment of which was facilitated under section 111A(b)
of title 38, United States Code.
(b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a)
shall include the following:
(1) A description of the program described in subsection
(a), including descriptions of the following:
(A) The purpose of the program.
(B) The activities carried out under the program.
(2) An assessment of the sufficiency of the program with
respect to the purpose of the program.
(3) An assessment of the cost effectiveness of the program
in relation to alternatives.
(4) An assessment of the health benefits for veterans who
have participated in the program.
(5) An assessment of the sufficiency of staffing of
employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are
responsible for facilitating the maintenance of the program.
(6) An assessment, with respect to the purpose of the
program, of the number of vehicles owned by and operating in
conjunction with the program.
(7) An assessment of the awareness and usage of the program
by veterans and their families.
(8) An assessment of other options for transportation under
the program, such as local taxi companies and ridesharing
programs such as Uber and Lyft.
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