[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 18, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5109-H5110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VA PEER SUPPORT ENHANCEMENT FOR MST SURVIVORS ACT
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2724) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for peer support specialists
for claimants who are survivors of military sexual trauma, and for
other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2724
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROCESSING OF CLAIMS BY
VETERANS FOR COMPENSATION FOR CERTAIN MENTAL
HEALTH CONDITIONS BASED ON MILITARY SEXUAL
TRAUMA.
(a) In General.--Section 1166 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``or air service'' both places it appears
and inserting ``air, or space service'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``In General'' and
inserting ``Processing'';
(B) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(2) A peer support specialist of the Department--
``(A) shall not be responsible for providing any assistance
to a veteran regarding a claim described in paragraph (1),
other than counseling services, guidance, and support,
pursuant to duties determined by the Under Secretary for
Health; and
``(B) shall not participate in the adjudication of such a
claim.'';
(3) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections
(c) and (d), respectively;
(4) by inserting, after subsection (a), the following new
subsection (b):
``(b) Referrals to MST Coordinators.--The Secretary shall
include, in forms for claims described in subsection (a), an
option for a veteran to elect to be referred to a military
sexual trauma coordinator of the Veterans Health
Administration at the facility of the Department nearest to
the residence of such veteran.''; and
(5) in subsection (c), as redesignated--
(A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that peer support
specialists of the Department receive annual training on how
to provide peer support regarding military sexual trauma.
``(3) The Secretary shall provide annual training,
regarding the processing of claims described in subsection
(a), to the following individuals:
``(A) Military sexual trauma coordinators of the Veterans
Health Administration.
``(B) Peer support specialists of the Department.'';
(b) Clerical Amendments.--
(1) Section heading.--The heading of such section is
amended by striking ``Specialized teams to evaluate claims''
and inserting ``Claims''.
(2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 11 of such title is amended by striking
the item relating to section 1166 and inserting the
following:
``1166. Claims involving military sexual trauma.''.
[[Page H5110]]
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
to insert extraneous material on H.R. 2724, as amended.
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. 2724, as amended, the
VA Peer Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act, introduced by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Delgado).
VA has provided peer support specialists for recently discharged
veterans transitioning to civilian life, veterans with mental health or
substance abuse issues, and caregivers of veterans.
Peer support programs have proven successful for these communities
and may prove to be a beneficial tool during the claims process for
survivors of military sexual trauma. Victim advocacy can serve as a
bridge between survivors and the Veterans Benefits Administration
adjudicators processing their cases.
Within the MST context, a highly trained peer support specialist can
serve as an advocate who can provide counsel, assistance, and
coordination to navigate a process that may be stress-inducing and
anxiety-provoking.
If the MST claimant chooses to utilize the services of a peer support
specialist, the MST claims experience may go more smoothly and
potentially reduce the emotional strain on an inherently difficult
process.
This bill was amended in committee with thoughtful input from Ranking
Member Bost, who sought to clarify that the role of the peer support
specialist in assisting an MST claimant is to act as a shepherd for the
MST claimant rather than a surrogate who speaks on behalf of a claimant
during proceedings. As such, a peer support specialist can provide
guidance, support, and counseling and help claimants navigate a
difficult and potentially retraumatizing process.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important
legislation, 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. 2724, the VA Peer
Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act, which is sponsored by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Delgado).
Veterans who file disability claims based on MST report that the
process can be difficult and emotional. Peer support specialists can
help these veterans through this stressful time. Peer support
specialists provide critical help to veterans.
Unfortunately, many veterans who file a claim for conditions based on
MST may not be aware of, or eligible for, VHA peer support services.
This bill would better ensure that these claimants are eligible for
peer support services or are connected with an MST coordinator at VHA.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage 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. 2724, as amended, and maybe, hopefully, the gentleman from
Montana will allow this to go on a voice vote. I thought I would just
mention that. I yield back the balance of my time.
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. 2724, as amended.
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. ROSENDALE. 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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