[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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