[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 165 (Wednesday, September 23, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H4763-H4770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS COMPREHENSIVE PREVENTION, ACCESS TO CARE, AND TREATMENT ACT OF
2020
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 8247) to make certain improvements relating to the
transition of individuals to services from the Department of Veterans
Affairs, suicide prevention for veterans, and care and services for
women veterans, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 8247
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans
Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act
of 2020'' or the ``Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSITION OF INDIVIDUALS TO SERVICES FROM
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Sec. 101. Pilot program on information sharing between Department of
Veterans Affairs and designated relatives and friends of
veterans regarding assistance and benefits available to
the veterans.
Sec. 102. Annual report on Solid Start program of Department of
Veterans Affairs.
[[Page H4764]]
TITLE II--SUICIDE PREVENTION
Sec. 201. Department of Veterans Affairs provision of emergent suicide
care.
Sec. 202. Education program for family members and caregivers of
veterans with mental health disorders.
Sec. 203. Interagency Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans.
Sec. 204. Contact of certain veterans to encourage receipt of
comprehensive medical examinations.
Sec. 205. Police crisis intervention training of Department of Veterans
Affairs.
TITLE III--IMPROVEMENT OF CARE AND SERVICES FOR WOMEN VETERANS
Sec. 301. Gap analysis of Department of Veterans Affairs programs that
provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless.
Sec. 302. Report on locations where women veterans are using health
care from Department of Veterans Affairs.
TITLE I--IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSITION OF INDIVIDUALS TO SERVICES FROM
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
SEC. 101. PILOT PROGRAM ON INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DESIGNATED
RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF VETERANS REGARDING
ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO THE
VETERANS.
(a) Pilot Program Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall commence carrying out a pilot program--
(A) to encourage members of the Armed Forces who are
transitioning from service in the Armed Forces to civilian
life, before separating from such service, to designate up to
10 persons to whom information regarding the assistance and
benefits available to the veterans under laws administered by
the Secretary shall be disseminated using the contact
information obtained under paragraph (7); and
(B) provides such persons, within 30 days after the date on
which such persons are designated under subparagraph (A), the
option to elect to receive such information.
(2) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot
program during a period beginning on the date of the
commencement of the pilot program that is not less than two
years.
(3) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall disseminate
information described in paragraph (1)(A) under the pilot
program no less than quarterly.
(4) Types of information.--The types of information to be
disseminated under the pilot program to persons who elect to
receive such information shall include information regarding
the following:
(A) Services and benefits offered to veterans and their
family members by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(B) Challenges and stresses that might accompany
transitioning from service in the Armed Forces to civilian
life.
(C) Services available to veterans and their family members
to cope with the experiences and challenges of service in the
Armed Forces and transition from such service to civilian
life.
(D) Services available through community partner
organizations to support veterans and their family members.
(E) Services available through Federal, State, and local
government agencies to support veterans and their family
members.
(F) The environmental health registry program, health and
wellness programs, and resources for preventing and managing
diseases and illnesses.
(G) A toll-free telephone number through which such persons
who elect to receive information under the pilot program may
request information regarding the program.
(H) Such other matters as the Secretary, in consultation
with members of the Armed Forces and such persons who elect
to receive information under the pilot program, determines to
be appropriate.
(5) Privacy of information.--In carrying out the pilot
program, the Secretary may not disseminate information under
paragraph (4) in violation of laws and regulations pertaining
to the privacy of members of the Armed Forces, including
requirements pursuant to--
(A) section 552a of title 5, United States Code; and
(B) the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
of 1996 (Public Law 104-191).
(6) Notice and modifications.--In carrying out the pilot
program, the Secretary shall, with respect to a veteran--
(A) ensure that such veteran is notified of the ability to
modify designations made by such veteran under paragraph
(1)(A); and
(B) upon the request of a veteran, authorize such veteran
to modify such designations at any time.
(7) Contact information.--In making a designation under the
pilot program, a veteran shall provide necessary contact
information, specifically including an email address, to
facilitate the dissemination of information regarding the
assistance and benefits available to the veteran under laws
administered by the Secretary.
(8) Opt-in and opt-out of pilot program.--
(A) Opt-in by members.--A veteran may participate in the
pilot program only if the veteran voluntarily elects to
participate in the program. A veteran seeking to make such an
election shall make such election in a manner, and by
including such information, as the Secretary shall specify
for purposes of the pilot program.
(B) Opt-in by designated recipients.--A person designated
pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) may receive information under
the pilot program only if the person makes the election
described in paragraph (1)(B).
(C) Opt-out.--In carrying out the pilot program, the
Secretary shall, with respect to a person who has elected to
receive information under such pilot program, cease
disseminating such information to that person upon request of
such person.
(b) Survey and Report on Pilot Program.--
(1) Survey.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the commencement of the pilot program and not less frequently
than once each year thereafter for the duration of the pilot
program, the Secretary shall administer a survey to persons
who ever elected to receive information under the pilot
program for the purpose of receiving feedback regarding the
quality of information disseminated under this section.
(B) Elements.--Each survey conducted under subparagraph (A)
shall include solicitation of the following:
(i) Feedback on the following:
(I) The nature of information disseminated under the pilot
program.
(II) Satisfaction with the pilot program.
(III) The utility of the pilot program.
(IV) Overall pilot program successes and challenges.
(ii) Recommendations for improving the pilot program.
(iii) Reasons for opting in or out of the pilot program.
(iv) Such other feedback or matters as the Secretary
considers appropriate.
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than three years after the date
on which the pilot program commences, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a final report on the pilot
program.
(B) Contents.--The report submitted under subparagraph (A)
shall include the following:
(i) The results of the survey administered under paragraph
(1).
(ii) The number of participants enrolled in the pilot
program who are veterans.
(iii) The number of persons designated under subsection
(a)(1)(A).
(iv) The number of such persons who opted in or out of the
pilot program under subsection (a)(8).
(v) The average period such persons remained in the pilot
program.
(vi) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of
making the pilot program permanent.
(vii) Identification of legislative or administrative
action that may be necessary if the pilot program is made
permanent.
(viii) A plan to expand the pilot program if the pilot
program is made permanent.
(ix) If the Secretary finds under clause (vi) that making
the pilot program permanent is not feasible or advisable, a
justification for such finding.
SEC. 102. ANNUAL REPORT ON SOLID START PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Reports Required.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter
for a period of five years, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the Solid
Start program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(b) Elements.--Each report under subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) With respect to each veteran called or emailed under
the Solid Start program:
(A) The Armed Force in which the veteran served.
(B) Age.
(C) Gender.
(D) Whether the veteran responded to the call or email.
(E) Whether the call or email resulted in a call to the
Veterans Crisis Line established pursuant to section 1720F(h)
of title 38, United States Code.
(F) Whether the call or email resulted in a referral to--
(i) compensation and pension determination;
(ii) enrollment in the patient enrollment system of the
Department; or
(iii) any other program or benefit under the laws
administered by the Secretary.
(2) Any change to the Solid Start program implemented by
the Secretary since the date of the previous such report.
(c) Prohibition on Personally Identifiable Information.--No
report under subsection (a) may contain any personally
identifiable information regarding a veteran.
TITLE II--SUICIDE PREVENTION
SEC. 201. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION OF
EMERGENT SUICIDE CARE.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 1720J. Emergent suicide care
``(a) Emergent Suicide Care.--Pursuant to this section, the
Secretary shall--
[[Page H4765]]
``(1) furnish emergent suicide care to an eligible
individual at a medical facility of the Department;
``(2) pay for emergent suicide care provided to an eligible
individual at a non-Department facility; and
``(3) reimburse an eligible individual for emergent suicide
care provided to the eligible individual at a non-Department
facility.
``(b) Eligibility.--An individual is eligible for emergent
suicide care under subsection (a) if the individual is in an
acute suicidal crisis and is either of the following:
``(1) A veteran (as defined in section 101).
``(2) An individual described in section 1720I(b) of this
title.
``(c) Period of Care.--(1) Emergent suicide care provided
under subsection (a) shall be furnished to an eligible
individual--
``(A) through inpatient or crisis residential care, for a
period not to exceed 30 days; or
``(B) if care under subparagraph (A) is unavailable, or if
such care is not clinically appropriate, as outpatient care
for a period not to exceed 90 days.
``(2) If, upon the expiration of a period under paragraph
(1), the Secretary determines that the eligible individual
remains in an acute suicidal crisis, the Secretary may extend
such period as the Secretary determines appropriate.
``(d) Notification.--An eligible individual who receives
emergent suicide care under subsection (a) at a non-
Department facility (or a person acting on behalf of the
individual) shall notify the Secretary of such care within
seven days of admission to such facility.
``(e) Outreach.--During any period when an eligible
individual is receiving emergent suicide care under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
``(1) ensure that--
``(A) in the case of an eligible individual whom the
Veterans Crisis Line recommends to seek emergent suicide care
at a medical facility of the Department, the Veterans Crisis
Line notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordinator of such
medical facility;
``(B) in the case of an eligible individual who presents at
a medical facility of the Department in an acute suicidal
crisis without a recommendation by the Veterans Crisis Line,
the Secretary notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordinator;
``(C) in the case of an eligible individual whom the
Veterans Crisis Line recommends to seek treatment at a non-
Department facility, the Veterans Crisis Line notifies the
Suicide Prevention Coordinator and the Office of Community
Care at the medical facility of the Department located
nearest to the eligible individual; and
``(D) in the case of an eligible individual who presents at
a non-Department facility in an acute suicidal crisis without
a recommendation by the Veterans Crisis Line and for whom the
Secretary receives a notification under subsection (d), the
Secretary notifies the Suicide Prevention Coordinator and the
Office of Community Care at the medical facility of the
Department located nearest to the eligible individual;
``(2) determine the eligibility of the eligible individual
for other programs and benefits under the laws administered
by the Secretary (or shall make such determination as soon as
practicable following the period of such emergent suicide
care); and
``(3) make referrals for care following the period of such
emergent suicide care, as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
``(f) Prohibition on Charge.--(1) If the Secretary provides
emergent suicide care to an eligible individual under
subsection (a), the Secretary--
``(A) may not charge the eligible individual for any cost
of such emergent suicide care; and
``(B) shall pay for any costs of emergency transportation
to a facility for such emergent suicide care (as such costs
are determined pursuant to section 1725 of this title, to the
extent practicable).
``(2)(A) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1),
if the Secretary pays for emergent suicide care provided
under subsection (a) to an eligible individual at a non-
Department facility, the Secretary shall reimburse the
facility for the reasonable value of such emergent suicide
care.
``(B)(i) In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary
may determine the amount to reimburse a non-Department
facility in a similar manner to the manner in which the
Secretary determines reimbursement amounts for that non-
Department facility for medical care and services provided
under another provision of this chapter.
``(ii) The requirements of section 1725(c)(3) of this title
shall apply with respect to payments made under subparagraph
(A) of this paragraph.
``(3) In the case of an eligible individual who receives
emergent suicide care under this section and who is entitled
to emergent suicide care (or payment for emergent suicide
care) under a health-plan contract, the Secretary may recover
the costs of such emergent suicide care provided under this
section, other than for such care for a service-connected
disability.
``(4) In carrying out subsection (d), the Secretary may not
charge an eligible individual for any cost of emergent
suicide care provided under subsection (a) solely by reason
of the Secretary not having been notified of such care
pursuant to such subsection.
``(g) Annual Report.--Not less than once each year, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on
emergent suicide care provided under subsection (a). Each
such report shall include, for the year covered by the
report--
``(1) the number of eligible individuals who received
emergent suicide care under subsection (a);
``(2) demographic information regarding eligible
individuals described in paragraph (1);
``(3) the types of care furnished or paid for this section;
and
``(4) the total cost of providing care under subsection
(a).
``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `acute suicidal crisis' means that an
individual was determined to be at imminent risk of self-harm
by a trained crisis responder or health care provider.
``(2) The term `crisis residential care' means crisis
stabilization care provided--
``(A) in a residential setting; and
``(B) in a facility other than a hospital.
``(3) The term `crisis stabilization care' includes, with
respect to an individual in acute suicidal crisis, care that
ensures, to the extent practicable, immediate safety and
reduces--
``(A) the severity of distress;
``(B) the need for urgent care; or
``(C) the likelihood that the distress under subparagraph
(A) or need under subparagraph (B) will increase during the
transfer of that individual from a facility at which the
individual has received care for that acute suicidal crisis.
``(4) The term `emergent suicide care' means crisis
stabilization care provided to an eligible individual--
``(A) pursuant to a recommendation of the eligible
individual from the Veterans Crisis Line; or
``(B) who presents at a medical facility in an acute
suicidal crisis.
``(5) The term `health-plan contract' has the meaning given
such term in section 1725 of this title.
``(6) The term `Veterans Crisis Line' means the hotline
under section 1720F(h) of this title.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relation to section 1720I the following new item:
``1720J. Emergent suicide care.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The Secretary shall furnish or pay for
emergent suicide care under section 1720J of title 38, United
States Code, as added by subsection (a), beginning on the
date that is 270 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 202. EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND CAREGIVERS
OF VETERANS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 270 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall establish an education program (in this section
referred to as the ``education program'') for the education
and training of caregivers and family members of eligible
veterans with mental health disorders.
(b) Education Program.--
(1) In general.--Under the education program, the Secretary
shall provide a course of education to caregivers and family
members of eligible veterans on matters relating to coping
with mental health disorders in veterans.
(2) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the education
program during the four-year period beginning on the date of
the commencement of the education program.
(3) Scope.--
(A) Caregivers.--The Secretary, with respect to the
component of the education program that relates to the
education and training of caregivers, shall--
(i) include such component in the training provided
pursuant to the program of comprehensive assistance for
family caregivers of the Department of Veterans Affairs
established under section 1720G(a) of title 38, United States
Code; and
(ii) make such component available on the Internet website
of the Department that relates to caregiver training.
(B) Family members.--The Secretary shall carry out the
component of the education program that relates to the
education and training of non-caregiver family members at
facilities of the Department as follows:
(i) Not less than five medical centers of the Department.
(ii) Not less than five clinics of the Department.
(iii) Not less than five Vet Centers (as defined in section
1712A(h) of title 38, United States Code).
(C) Solicitation of applications.--In selecting locations
pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall solicit
applications from eligible facilities of the Department that
are interested in carrying out the education program.
(D) Considerations.--In selecting locations pursuant to
subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall consider the
feasibility and advisability of selecting locations in the
following areas:
(i) Rural areas.
(ii) Areas that are not in close proximity to an active
duty installation.
(iii) Areas in different geographic locations.
(4) Contracts.--
(A) In general.--In carrying out the education program, the
Secretary shall enter into contracts with qualified entities
described in subparagraph (B) to offer the course of
education described in paragraph (5) to family members and
caregivers of eligible veterans and covered veterans.
[[Page H4766]]
(B) Qualified entity described.--A qualified entity
described in this subparagraph is a non-profit entity with
experience in mental health education and outreach, including
work with children, teens, and young adults, that--
(i) uses high quality, relevant, and age-appropriate
information in educational programming, materials, and
coursework, including such programming, materials, and
coursework for children, teens, and young adults; and
(ii) works with agencies, departments, nonprofit mental
health organizations, early childhood educators, and mental
health providers to develop educational programming,
materials, and coursework.
(C) Priority.--In entering into contracts under this
paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to qualified
entities that have demonstrated cultural competence in
serving military and veteran populations, and, to the extent
practicable, use internet technology for the delivery of
course content in an effort to expand the availability of
support services, especially in rural areas.
(5) Course of education described.--The course of education
described in this paragraph shall consist of curriculum that
includes the following:
(A) General education on different mental health disorders,
including information to improve understanding of the
experiences of individuals suffering from such disorders.
(B) Techniques for handling crisis situations and
administering mental health first aid to individuals
suffering from a mental health disorder.
(C) Techniques for coping with the stress of living with an
individual suffering from a mental health disorder.
(D) Information on additional services available for family
members and caregivers through the Department or community
organizations and providers related to mental health
disorders.
(E) Such other matters as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(c) Surveys.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a
comprehensive survey of the satisfaction of individuals that
have participated in the course of education described in
subsection (b)(5). Such survey shall include a solicitation
of feedback on the following:
(A) The general satisfaction of those individuals with the
education and assistance provided under the education
program.
(B) The perceived effectiveness of the education program in
providing education and assistance that is useful for those
individuals.
(C) The applicability of the education program to the
issues faced by those individuals.
(D) Such other matters as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(2) Compilation of information.--The information compiled
as a result of the surveys conducted under paragraph (1)
shall be--
(A) disaggregated by facility type at which the education
program was carried out; and
(B) included in the annual reports under subsection (d)(1).
(d) Reports.--
(1) Annual reports.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the commencement of the education program and not later than
September 30 each year thereafter until 2024, the Secretary
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--
(i) the education program; and
(ii) the feasibility and advisability of expanding the
education program to include the establishment of a peer
support program composed of individuals who complete the
education program (in this section referred to as a ``peer
support program'').
(B) Elements.--Each report submitted under subparagraph (A)
shall include the following:
(i) The number of individuals that participated in the
course of education described in subsection (b)(5) during the
year preceding the submission of the report.
(ii) A detailed analysis of the surveys conducted under
subsection (c) with respect to the individuals described in
clause (i).
(iii) Any plans for expansion of the education program.
(iv) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability of
establishing a peer support program.
(v) The interim findings and conclusions of the Secretary
with respect to the success of the education program and the
feasibility and advisability of establishing a peer support
program.
(2) Final report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the
completion of the education program, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a final report on the
feasibility and advisability of continuing the education
program.
(B) Elements.--The final report under subparagraph (A)
shall include the following:
(i) A detailed analysis of the surveys conducted under
subsection (c).
(ii) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability of
continuing the education program without entering into
contracts for the course of education described in subsection
(b)(5).
(iii) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability of
expanding the education program.
(iv) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability of
establishing a peer support program.
(e) Monitoring of Program.--The Secretary shall select
mental health care providers of the Department to monitor the
progress of the instruction provided under the education
program.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``eligible veteran'' means a veteran who is
enrolled in the health care system established under section
1705(a) of title 38, United States Code.
(2) The terms ``caregiver'' and ``family member'' have the
meaning given those terms in section 1720G(d) of title 38,
United States Code.
SEC. 203. INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON OUTDOOR RECREATION FOR
VETERANS.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 18 months after the date
on which the national emergency declared by the President
pursuant to the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et
seq.) with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
expires, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a
task force to be known as the ``Task Force on Outdoor
Recreation for Veterans'' (in this section referred to as the
``Task Force'').
(b) Composition.--The Task Force shall be composed of the
following members or their designees:
(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(2) The Secretary of the Interior.
(3) The Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(4) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(5) The Secretary of Defense.
(6) The Secretary of Homeland Security.
(7) The Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers.
(8) At least two representatives from veterans service
organizations.
(9) Any other member that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
determines to be appropriate.
(c) Chairpersons.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and
the Secretary of the Interior shall serve as co-chairpersons
of the Task Force (in this section referred to as the
``Chairpersons'').
(d) Duties.--
(1) Task force.--The duties of the Task Force shall be--
(A) to identify opportunities to formalize coordination
between the Department of Veterans Affairs, public land
agencies, and partner organizations regarding the use of
public lands and other outdoor spaces for facilitating health
and wellness for veterans;
(B) to identify barriers that exist to providing veterans
with opportunities to augment the delivery of services for
health and wellness through the use of outdoor recreation on
public lands and other outdoor spaces; and
(C) to develop recommendations to better facilitate the use
of public lands and other outdoor spaces for promoting
wellness and facilitating the delivery of health care and
therapeutic interventions for veterans.
(2) Consultation.--The Task Force shall carry out the
duties under paragraph (1) in consultation with appropriate
veterans outdoor recreation groups.
(e) Reports.--
(1) Preliminary report.--Not later than one year after the
date on which the Task Force is established, the Chairpersons
shall submit to Congress a report on the preliminary findings
of the Task Force.
(2) Final report.--Not later than one year after the date
of the submission of the preliminary report under paragraph
(1), the Chairpersons shall submit to Congress a report on
the findings of the Task Force, which shall include the
recommendations developed under subsection (d)(1)(C).
(f) Duration.--The Task Force shall terminate on the date
that is one year after the date of the submission of the
final report in subsection (e)(2).
(g) Nonapplicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not
apply to the Task Force.
(h) Public Lands Defined.--In this section, the term
``public lands'' means any recreational lands under the
jurisdiction of the Federal Government or a State or local
government.
SEC. 204. CONTACT OF CERTAIN VETERANS TO ENCOURAGE RECEIPT OF
COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS.
(a) Notice.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Health of the
Department of Veterans Affairs shall seek to contact each
covered veteran by mail, telephone, or email to encourage
each covered veteran to receive medical examinations
including the following:
(1) A comprehensive physical examination.
(2) A comprehensive mental health examination.
(3) A comprehensive eye examination if the covered veteran
has not received such an examination in the year immediately
preceding the date of such examination.
(4) A comprehensive audiological examination if the covered
veteran has not received such an examination in the year
immediately preceding the date of such examination.
(b) Examinations.--
(1) Va health care facilities.--If a covered veteran elects
to receive more than one examination described in subsection
(a) at a health care facility of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, the Under Secretary of
[[Page H4767]]
Health shall seek to furnish all such scheduled examinations
on the same day.
(2) Community care.--Pursuant to subsection (d) or (e) of
section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, a covered
veteran may receive an examination described in subsection
(a) from a health care provider described in subsection (c)
of that section.
(c) Transportation.--
(1) Beneficiary travel program.--Pursuant to section 111 of
title 38, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs may pay for a rural covered veteran to travel to a
health care facility to receive an examination described in
subsection (a).
(2) Shuttle service.--The Under Secretary of Health shall
seek to enter into agreements with non-profit organizations
to provide shuttle service to rural covered veterans for
examinations described in subsection (a).
(d) Report Required.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall submit to Congress a report regarding how many
covered veterans scheduled examinations described in
subsection (a) after receiving a letter, telephone call, or
email under that subsection.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered veteran'' means a veteran who--
(A) is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the
Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title
38, United States Code; and
(B) has not received health care furnished or paid for by
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs during the two years
immediately preceding the date in subsection (a)(1).
(2) The term ``rural covered veteran'' means a covered
veteran--
(A) who lives in an area served by the Office of Rural
Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(B) whom the Under Secretary of Health determines requires
assistance to travel to a health care facility to receive an
examination described in subsection (a).
(3) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that term in
section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 205. POLICE CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING OF DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Training.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
provide to Department police officers an annual training on
the prevention of suicide among the population served by the
Department police officers.
(b) Curriculum.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Secretary shall update any similar training provided before
the date of the enactment of this Act to ensure that the
curriculum for the training addresses, at a minimum, the
following:
(1) Effective behavioral science procedures for suicide
prevention and risk mitigation.
(2) Crisis intervention and de-escalation skills, including
through the use of interactive training.
(3) Information about mental health and substance abuse
disorders.
(4) Information about local law enforcement crisis
intervention teams and other resources for veterans
experiencing mental health crises available by the Department
of Veterans Affairs, other elements of the Federal
Government, and the community in which the police officers
serve.
(c) Consultation.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
annual training provided to Department police officers at a
medical facility of the Department under subsection (a) is
provided in consultation with law enforcement training
accreditation organizations and the mental health experts at
such facility.
(d) Plan on Community Partnerships.--The Secretary shall
ensure that each police force of a facility of the Department
develops a plan to enter into partnerships with--
(1) local community mental health organizations and
experts, local community veterans organizations, and local
community criminal justice organizations and experts; and
(2) local police departments, including by facilitating the
sharing of training resources with crisis intervention teams
of the local police departments.
(e) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a report on the annual
training under subsection (a), including--
(1) a description of the curriculum of such training;
(2) with respect to the year preceding the date of the
report--
(A) the number of facilities of the Department that
conducted such training;
(B) the number of Department police officers who received
such training; and
(C) any barriers to ensuring that each Department police
officer receives such training;
(3) any recommendations to address the barriers identified
under paragraph (2)(C); and
(4) the number of facilities of the Department that have
entered into partnerships pursuant to subsection (d).
(f) Department Police Officer Defined.--In this section,
the term ``Department police officer'' means an employee of
the Department of Veterans Affairs specified in section
902(a) of title 38, United States Code.
TITLE III--IMPROVEMENT OF CARE AND SERVICES FOR WOMEN VETERANS
SEC. 301. GAP ANALYSIS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO WOMEN
VETERANS WHO ARE HOMELESS.
(a) Analysis.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
complete an analysis of programs of the Department of
Veterans Affairs that provide assistance to women veterans
who are homeless or precariously housed to identify the areas
in which such programs are failing to meet the needs of such
women.
(b) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a report on the analysis
completed under subsection (a).
SEC. 302. REPORT ON LOCATIONS WHERE WOMEN VETERANS ARE USING
HEALTH CARE FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, 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 use by women veterans of health care
from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(b) Elements.--Each report required by subsection (a) shall
include the following information:
(1) The number of women veterans who reside in each State.
(2) The number of women veterans in each State who are
enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department
under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code.
(3) Of the women veterans who are so enrolled, the number
who have received health care under the laws administered by
the Secretary at least one time during the one-year period
preceding the submission of the report.
(4) The number of women veterans who have been seen at each
medical facility of the Department during such year,
disaggregated by facility.
(5) The number of appointments that women veterans have had
at a medical facility of the Department during such year,
disaggregated by--
(A) facility; and
(B) appointments for--
(i) primary care;
(ii) specialty care; and
(iii) mental health care.
(6) For each appointment type specified in paragraph
(5)(B), the number of appointments completed in-person and
the number of appointments completed through the use of
telehealth.
(7) If known, an identification of the medical facility of
the Department in each Veterans Integrated Service Network
with the largest rate of increase in patient population of
women veterans as measured by the increase in unique women
veteran patient use.
(8) If known, an identification of the medical facility of
the Department in each Veterans Integrated Service Network
with the largest rate of decrease in patient population of
women veterans as measured by the decrease in unique women
veterans patient use.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David P.
Roe) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
to insert extraneous material on H.R. 8247, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8247, the Veterans
Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act, or
Veterans COMPACT Act.
While passing S. 785, the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental
Health Care Improvement Act can be viewed as a great success, no single
piece of legislation can comprehensively prevent the tragedy of veteran
suicide.
We must continually find and work to address gaps in prevention and
care for veterans, especially those at heightened risk for suicide,
including women veterans, veterans who have recently separated from the
military service, veterans who haven't used VA healthcare recently, and
veterans in acute crisis.
The COMPACT Act contains nine provisions to further enhance veteran's
mental health and well-being and prevent deaths by suicide.
Madam Speaker, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs approaches
suicide prevention legislation within the CDC's public health
framework, emphasizing upstream prevention, targeted interventions for
those veterans at higher risk, and emergency care for those in suicidal
crisis.
[[Page H4768]]
The COMPACT Act includes my provision to remove financial barriers
and ensure that veterans in acute suicidal crisis or at imminent risk
of self-harm will receive emergency stabilization care and never see a
bill for it.
COMPACT also offers two provisions designed to better understand the
particular needs of women veterans by directing the VA to report on
women veterans' healthcare usage and the specific program needs of
women veterans experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
It also includes two provisions aimed at including veterans' family
members with veterans' permission in education programs to better
support their veterans. When we take care of families, we also take
care of veterans.
Madam Speaker, this bill also mandates that VA report back to
Congress on the details of Solid Start, a relatively new VA approach to
contacting and supporting veterans who have recently separated from the
military. This is a known high-risk period for suicide among veterans.
COMPACT will ensure that veterans who haven't used VA healthcare
recently get a reminder to come back in for VA services, so they don't
inadvertently lose eligibility for some of those services.
Because we know that VA police play important roles in keeping
everyone safe on VA campuses, this bill requires new annual trainings
to make sure that all VA police officers are familiar with mental
health challenges and competent in crisis deescalation techniques.
Madam Speaker, finally, the COMPACT Act sets up an interagency task
force to look at increasing veterans' access to the outdoors and, in
particular, use of our public lands for healing and recreation.
I want to emphasize that the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs is
always willing to work in a bipartisan and bicameral way to advance
policies to support veterans. And to that end, we sought and
incorporated feedback from stakeholders and we worked hard to find
consensus with our House and Senate colleagues.
Madam Speaker, even though the Department of Veterans Affairs
declined to appear and testify before us in the House on this bill, we
incorporated its last-minute technical suggestions in the spirit of
collaboration. And because of their commitment to finding common ground
and for working with the House to reach an agreed-upon bipartisan,
bicameral piece of legislation, I want to thank Senators Moran and
Tester, and Dr. Roe and their staffs for their tireless efforts in
helping craft this bill. Because of their work, we are providing VA
with additional tools and resources to reduce veteran suicide.
We should be clear that while we will pass two important pieces of
legislation today to address the tragedy of veteran suicide, this
certainly does not mark the end of Congress' obligation. We can and we
must do more.
Madam Speaker, we must implement key recommendations from the White
House PREVENTS task force related to lethal means safety and community
provider training. We must increase VA's outreach to and care for
minority and underserved veterans.
We stand ready to move this negotiated bill forward and immediately
get back to work. My hope is that the Senate stands ready as well.
Politics must never come before the debt we owe our veterans.
Before I say my final words in this opening piece about this
legislation, I want to just again reiterate to our veterans out there
who may be experiencing a crisis or who know a veteran who may be
experiencing a crisis, to please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-
800-273-8255 and press 1. As Dr. Roe said earlier today, it is okay not
to be okay.
Again, 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, or text 838255.
For deaf or hard of hearing, please call 1-800-799-4889.
Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of
H.R. 8247, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1345
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8247, as amended, the
Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of
2020. The Veterans COMPACT Act is sponsored by my friend and fellow
leader of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Chairman Mark Takano from
California. I thank the chairman for introducing this bill, and I stand
with him today in full support of it.
This bill is a result of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations with
Senators Jerry Moran from Kansas and Jon Tester from Montana, the
chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans'
Affairs, and I thank them for their efforts as well.
To increase access to care to veterans at imminent risk for suicide,
the Veterans COMPACT Act would require VA to cover the cost of emergent
suicide care for veterans, including those with other than honorable
discharges who are in crisis.
To make VA campuses safer places of care and support for veterans in
need, it will require the VA police officers to receive regular
training in suicide prevention.
To ensure that veterans at risk of suicide receive appropriate help
at home and their families are recognized and supported for the vital
roles they play in the recovery process, it would expand training and
support for family members and caregivers of veterans with mental
health disorders.
To support veterans during the vulnerable period of time in which
they transition out of the military and into their civilian lives, the
bill would create a pilot program to allow transitioning servicemembers
to share information about the challenges and stresses of transition
and the benefits and services available through VA and other
governmental and private-sector entities with their loved ones.
To encourage veterans to engage in the VA healthcare system and take
full advantage of the services VA provides, it would require VA to
conduct outreach to veterans who have not been seen by VA within the
prior 2 years. Remember, Madam Speaker, that over 60 percent of those
veterans who commit suicide have not been in a VA healthcare facility
in the last 2 years.
To improve care to the growing number of women who are serving in
uniform and seeking care as veterans, it will require VA to produce an
annual report on women veterans' use of VA care and a gap analysis of
the programs that serve women veterans who are homeless or at risk.
The bill also contains the text of H.R. 2435, the Accelerating
Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act, which is sponsored by my friend,
Congressman Chris Smith from New Jersey, who is a senior Member here.
Congressman Smith is my friend, the former chairman of this committee,
and a longtime champion of our Nation's veterans. His bill would create
a task force to examine what opportunities may exist for veterans to
use our country's bountiful national parks and other beautiful outdoor
spaces to improve their health and wellness. As the saying goes,
nature, time, and patience are the three great physicians.
As an avid outdoorsman myself, I know the healing benefits that
nature offers, and I am grateful to Congressman Smith for his work to
increase outdoor recreation for our Nation's veterans.
Madam Speaker, I hope all of my colleagues will join me in supporting
the Veterans COMPACT Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Illinois (Ms. Kelly) to speak on H.R. 8247.
Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to
support H.R. 8247, the Veterans COMPACT Act. This important package
will help veterans struggling with mental health and slow the alarming
rate of veteran suicides in this country.
This package includes my bipartisan bill, H.R. 7747, which implements
reporting requirements for the VA Solid Start program. The Solid Start
program is a new transitional program designed to contact veterans
three times during the first year after departing military service.
Veterans are often at their most vulnerable as they transition to
civilian life. From waking up to a less structured day to having to
navigate the
[[Page H4769]]
often-frustrating VA benefits system, veterans can feel alone or
overwhelmed. But we can change that.
The proactive engagement from this program has already produced
positive results. In its first year, VA representatives have helped
more than 750 veterans apply for disability benefits, and several
veterans in crisis were immediately connected to suicide prevention
services.
We need to build on that success. Sometimes all it takes is a
friendly voice on the other end of the line to make a difference.
I hope all of my colleagues will join me in supporting the Veterans
COMPACT Act so we can give our veterans the support they deserve.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith). My friend is the previous
chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and a great advocate of our
Nation's heroes.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. First of all, Madam Speaker, I want to thank
Chairman Takano. I give a special thanks to him and the ranking member,
Dr. Roe, for including my bipartisan bill, H.R. 2435, the Accelerating
Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act, into the COMPACT Act that is before the
House today.
Madam Speaker, introduced 17 months ago, I am especially grateful for
the work of my good friend and colleague, Adam Smith from Washington,
the lead Democrat cosponsor, and all 135 cosponsors of this
legislation.
I give special thanks to the veterans service organizations, outdoor
groups, and a big, big shout-out to the Sierra Club for the
groundbreaking work that they have done to advance outdoor recreation
as an extraordinarily effective form of healing for veterans suffering
from PTSD and other psychological consequences from their service.
The legislation requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
establish an interagency task force on the use of public lands to
provide medical treatment and therapy to veterans through outdoor
recreation. Specifically, the task force duties include, first, to
identify opportunities to formalize coordination between the Department
of Veterans Affairs, public lands agencies, and partner organizations
regarding the use of public lands or other outdoor spaces for health
and wellness for veterans; second, to identify barriers that exist to
providing veterans with opportunities for health and wellness through
the use of outdoor recreation on public lands or other outdoor spaces;
and, third, to develop recommendations to better facilitate the use of
public lands or other outdoor spaces for promoting wellness and
facilitating the delivery of health care and therapy for veterans.
After an exhaustive--hopefully, an exhaustive--analysis, it will
provide recommendations to Congress within a year.
Madam Speaker, research has increasingly shown that outdoor
recreation can be an effective form of treatment and healing for
veterans. While many nonprofit organizations, VSOs, and other private
companies have used the outdoors to help heroes to heal, providing
greater coordination among key Federal agencies will open up new
opportunities for veterans on public lands and other outdoor spaces.
Blake, Madam Speaker, is a combat-wounded veteran who served in Iraq.
By the time he was 20, Blake was suffering severe depression, anxiety,
and post-traumatic stress disorder. He made three visits to the VA
psychiatric wards and a substance abuse rehab. But it was a backpacking
trip led by the Sierra Club Military Outdoors that changed his entire
perspective.
With growing hope, Blake began participating in backpacking trips to
Yosemite, Ansel Adams, and Big Bend. He says the shared experiences in
the outdoors taught him purpose, self-reliance, and the healing powers
of nature. Blake reports that ``in every Texas sunrise in the desert or
a sunset next to an alpine lake, I found more beauty and serenity than
I thought existed. I found camaraderie with other veterans in sharing
our stories on the trail. The darkness of what I had experienced
couldn't compare to the light I saw in watching a trout swim in the
Merced River with Half Dome looming nearby. And when the depression,
anxiety, and everything else that comes with PTSD creeps back into my
life, I know just what to do: Strap on a pack and get outside.''
Madam Speaker, I urge support for the legislation, and I thank my
friends for including it in this bill.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am
prepared to close.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
In closing, first of all, I want to thank the chairman for his
persistence in getting this bill done and including Congressman Smith.
It is wonderful.
I was out at Walter Reed a number of years ago. They were talking
about PTSD, and I asked them: Well, do they like to fish? Would that
help?
Chris said: Sure.
I said: Well, I have got some of the best trout streams in the world
in my district.
They said: Well, are they going to catch any fish?
I said: They also have a fish hatchery in my district, and I
guarantee they are going to catch fish.
We had a wonderful event, and it does help. There is no question
about it.
I was just thinking, when Congressman Smith said that, almost every
weekend, I am on the Appalachian Trail, which is very near my home, or
other hiking trails with fellow vets out hiking. It is exactly as he
described. It is therapeutic. I would encourage everyone to do it,
especially now that we can begin to get out in this pandemic. I know
that has kept a lot of people in their homes where they can't get out
and they feel trapped. Again, reach out.
Again, I thank the chairman for his work on making this an important
issue of the committee this year, and I appreciate his leadership on
that.
Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I thank the ranking member for his assistance and partnership in
getting COMPACT to the finish line. I certainly thank Chairman Smith
for his contribution. I agree with the chairman that the great
outdoors--the tremendous resources that we have in our country of our
national parks--should be made more available and accessible to our
veterans who are suffering the unseen wounds of war. So I thank the
gentleman so much for his contribution.
Madam Speaker, I want to urge all of my colleagues to support H.R.
8247. I want to thank the staff; my own staff director, Ray Kelley; and
the tremendous expertise that we brought on and just the tremendous
focus that they were able to achieve during the past 18 months.
This is, indeed, a huge milestone today, to be standing here and to
see H.R. 8247 be passed before the House today.
Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R.
8247, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the Committees
on the Judiciary and Homeland Security, I rise in strong support of
H.R. 8247, the ``Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and
Treatment Act of 2020'', which makes numerous improvements relating to
Department of Veterans Affairs services offered during the transition
period for veterans, suicide prevention for veterans, in addition to
care and services for women veterans.
First and foremost, I want to thank all of our armed servicemen and
women for their selfless dedication to our protection every day.
This country owes you all a great debt for your sacrifice.
It is no secret that the transition from active duty to civilian life
poses numerous challenges and potential triggers to veterans.
We have all heard the saying ``it takes a village''.
Providing support to veterans who have mental illnesses is no
different.
That is why I appreciate this bill's hands-on approach to involve
loved ones in providing care to veterans who are struggling with their
mental health.
For example, this bill creates a pilot program on information sharing
of the assistance and benefits available to veterans between the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and designated loved ones.
This legislation also stipulates that the VA to carry out an
education program for family members and caregivers of veterans with
mental health disorders.
[[Page H4770]]
It is well known that outreach continues to be a major obstacle for
VA prevention efforts.
H.R. 8247 seeks to address this issue by requiring the VA to contact
veterans by mail, telephone, or email to urge them to come in for a VA
exam, so that they remain ``actively enrolled'' in the VA health care
system.
These continuous check-ins are also key to addressing the startling
suicide rates among veterans.
For instance, veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide
than Americans who never served in the military.
For female veterans, the risk factor is 2.2 times more likely to die
by suicide.
In 2017 alone, 6,100 veterans died by suicide.
H.R. 8247 improves upon the status quo of care for veterans with
regards to mental health by promoting coordination between the VA and
the Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the nearest VA facility.
This will help in determining if the individual in crisis is eligible
for other VA benefits and make referrals for appropriate follow-on
care.
Madam Speaker, I also applaud the bill's designation of the VA as the
primary payer.
With this provision, we are not only removing the out-of-pocket costs
for veterans with respect to emergent mental health, but we are also
removing a barrier that prevents so many from seeking help.
Veterans are truly heroes walking among us.
Their sacrifices, and those of their families, allow civilians to
enjoy the benefits of our freedom without a second thought.
Without the brave efforts of all the soldiers, sailors, airmen,
marines and Coast Guardsmen and women and their families, our country
would not live so freely.
I offer my deepest gratitude to our nation's troops and reservists,
their families, and the 19.2 million veterans, including 28,227 in my
own district.
Nine in ten military families believe the public does not understand
or appreciate their sacrifices.
Today, Congress has the opportunity to show its appreciation for our
military personnel by voting for H.R. 8247.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 8247, 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.
____________________