[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 120 (Thursday, July 13, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2963-S2964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AMENDING TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE, TO STRENGTHEN BENEFITS FOR
CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS BORN WITH SPINA BIFIDA
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 101, S. 112.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 112) to amend title 38, United States Code, to
strengthen benefits for children of Vietnam veterans born
with spina bifida, and for other purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. CARDIN. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read
a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered
made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (S. 112) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading,
was read the third time, and passed, as follows:
S. 112
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS
AND CERTAIN OTHER VETERANS.
(a) Definitions.--Section 1831 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
paragraphs:
``(2) The term `covered child' means a child who is
eligible for health care and benefits under this chapter.
``(3) The term `covered veteran' means an individual whose
children are eligible for health care and benefits under this
chapter.''.
(b) In General.--Subchapter IV of chapter 18 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new sections:
``Sec. 1835. Advisory council
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish an
advisory council on health care and benefits for covered
children.
``(b) Membership.--The advisory council established under
subsection (a) shall be composed of Federal employees.
``(c) Duties.--The advisory council established under
subsection (a) shall solicit feedback from covered children
and covered veterans on the health care and benefits provided
under this chapter and communicate such feedback to the
Secretary.
``Sec. 1836. Care and coordination teams
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish care and
coordination teams for covered children.
``(b) Outreach.--A care and coordination team established
under subsection (a) shall attempt to contact each covered
child--
``(1) not less frequently than once every 180 days, to
ensure the continued care of the child and assist with any
changes in care needed due to a changed situation of the
child; and
``(2) as soon as practicable after the identification of a
condition listed in the report required by subsection (c).
``(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this section, the
[[Page S2964]]
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 setting forth a list of
conditions that will trigger outreach to covered children
under subsection (b)(2).
``Sec. 1837. Duration of health care and benefits provided
``The Secretary shall provide a covered child with health
care and benefits under this chapter--
``(1) for the duration of the life of the child; and
``(2) notwithstanding any death of a parent of the child
that precedes the death of the child.
``Sec. 1838. Biennial report
``Not less frequently than once every two years, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report setting forth the
following:
``(1) The number of covered children receiving health care
or benefits under this chapter as of the date on which the
report is submitted.
``(2) The number of covered children for which the
Department is paying for or providing a social worker as of
such date.
``(3) Metrics on outreach conducted under section 1836(b)
of this title.''.
(c) Memorandum of Understanding.--Not later than 90 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under
Secretary for Benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs
and the Under Secretary for Health of the Department shall
enter into a memorandum of understanding--
(1) to better assist covered children (as defined in
section 1831 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by
subsection (a)); and
(2) to establish conditions to be included in the report
required by section 1836(c) of title 38, United States Code,
as added by subsection (b).
(d) Implementation.--
(1) Advisory council.--Not later than 270 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall establish the advisory council required under
section 1835 of title 38, United States Code, as added by
subsection (b).
(2) Care and coordination teams.--Not later than one year
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall establish the care and coordination
teams required under section 1836 of such title, as added by
subsection (b).
(e) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new items:
``1835. Advisory council.
``1836. Care and coordination teams.
``1837. Duration of health care and benefits provided.
``1838. Biennial report.''.
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