[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 18, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5108-H5109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF ASSESSMENTS BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS LINKED TO MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA FOR
PURPOSES OF AWARDING DISABILITY COMPENSATION
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 6064) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to
enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine for a review of examinations, furnished by
the Secretary, to individuals who submit claims to the Secretary for
compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for
mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6064
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF ASSESSMENTS BY THE SECRETARY
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL
CONDITIONS LINKED TO MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA FOR
PURPOSES OF AWARDING DISABILITY COMPENSATION.
(a) Agreement.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (in this Act
referred to as the ``National Academies'') to perform the
services covered by this section.
(b) Comprehensive Review.--Under an agreement between the
Secretary and the National Academies under this section, the
National Academies shall conduct a comprehensive review of
examinations, furnished by the Secretary to individuals who
submit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter
11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical
conditions linked to military sexual trauma (in this Act
referred to as ``MST''), for the purpose of assessing the
impairments of such individuals arising from MST. The review
carried out pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include the
following elements:
(1) A determination of the adequacy of tools and protocols
used by the Secretary to provide examinations described in
this subsection, including--
(A) the Disability Benefits Questionnaires;
(B) the Department's schedule of rating disabilities;
(C) consideration of whether certain conditions linked to
MST should require referral for both a mental health
examination and a physical health examination; and
(D) the necessity of internal pelvic examinations to
diagnose certain conditions linked to MST, and whether
alternatives to such examinations could be considered if a
veteran objects to or cannot complete such examination.
[[Page H5109]]
(2) A determination of what credentials and training are
necessary for a health care specialist or provider to perform
such examinations related to physical conditions linked to
MST, for men and for women, including--
(A) sexual dysfunction;
(B) pelvic pain;
(C) pelvic dysfunction;
(D) musculoskeletal disabilities; and
(E) cardiovascular conditions (including stroke).
(3) A determination of what credentials and training are
necessary for a health care specialist or provider to perform
such examinations related to mental health conditions linked
to MST, for men and for women.
(4) An assessment of the quality of MST training for
individuals who perform such examinations, including
recommendations for improvements to such training.
(c) Reports.--
(1) Report of the national academies.--Not later than 540
days after the date on which the Secretary enters into an
agreement under subsection (a), the National Academies shall
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate
and House of Representatives a report on the comprehensive
review conducted under subsection (b). Such report shall
include the following elements:
(A) The findings of the National Academies under subsection
(b).
(B) Recommendations of the National Academies regarding
legislative or administrative action to improve of the
adjudication of claims described in subsection (b).
(2) Report of the secretary.--Not later than 90 days after
submission of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the plans
of the Secretary to carry out any action based on the
findings and recommendations of the National Academies.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 6064.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6064, introduced by
Representative Nehls.
Given the unfortunate prevalence of military sexual trauma among
veterans and the broad and long-lasting impacts it can have on a
survivor, it makes sense to have a neutral research party assess the
adequacy of compensation examinations conducted by VA examiners to
ensure we are fully addressing the needs of our veterans who have
experienced military sexual trauma.
The sensitive nature of MST evaluations requires competent and
compassionate care. Having a better understanding of the academic
preparation and credentialing of medical and mental health
practitioners will allow the VA to adjust and amend existing policy to
provide more appropriate compensation examinations.
The National Academies of Science provides independent and objective
research that informs public policy. To that end, an empirical review
of the practitioner training associated with MST compensation
examinations will strengthen stakeholder confidence in the overall
process, improve customer service, and enhance claim decisions to
benefit veterans who experienced MST.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Nehls for offering this
legislation. I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6064, and I thank
Congressman Nehls, Congresswoman Luria, and the leaders of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, for
introducing this bill.
This bill would require the VA to partner with the National Academies
to conduct an independent review of the VA's delivery of benefits for
claims related to MST.
The National Academies would also provide recommendations that the VA
could implement to improve the disability claims process for MST
survivors.
{time} 1300
For decades, the National Academies has led research into the VA
disability benefits process, including reports on the health effects of
toxic exposures and VA's handling of traumatic brain injury claims.
This study is needed to help Congress and VA better understand what
changes need to be made in this process to ensure that veterans receive
quality, timely, and compassionate consideration of their disability
claims.
For too long, we have heard that the MST claims process can be
insensitive. This is unacceptable, and VA must do better.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in
passing H.R. 6064, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Panetta). 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. 6064.
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. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
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