[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 11800-11805]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 VETERANS INFORMATION MODERNIZATION ACT

  Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2256) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report on the 
Veterans Health Administration and the furnishing of hospital care, 
medical services, and nursing home care by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2256

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited a the ``Veterans Information 
     Modernization Act''.

     SEC. 2. ANNUAL REPORT ON VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION AND 
                   FURNISHING OF HOSPITAL CARE, MEDICAL SERVICES, 
                   AND NURSING HOME CARE.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration 
       and furnishing of hospital care, medical services, and 
       nursing home care

       ``(a) Report Required.--Not later than March 1 during each 
     of years 2016 through 2020, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives a report on the furnishing of hospital care, 
     medical services, and nursing home care under the laws 
     administered by the Secretary and on the administration of 
     the provision of such care and services by the Veterans 
     Health Administration during the calendar year preceding the 
     calendar year during which the report is submitted.
       ``(b) Contents of Report.--Each report required by 
     subsection (a) shall include each of the following for the 
     year covered by the report:
       ``(1) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Veterans 
     Health Administration program in increasing the access of 
     veterans eligible for hospital care, medical services, and 
     nursing home care furnished by the Secretary to such care.
       ``(2) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Veterans 
     Health Administration in improving the quality of health care 
     provided to such veterans, without increasing the costs 
     incurred by the Government or such veterans, which includes 
     the relevant information for each medical center and Veterans 
     Integrated Service Network of the Department set forth 
     separately.
       ``(3) An assessment of--
       ``(A) the workload of physicians and other employees of the 
     Veterans Health Administration;
       ``(B) patient demographics and utilization rates;
       ``(C) physician compensation;
       ``(D) the productivity of physicians and other employees of 
     the Veterans Health Administration;
       ``(E) the percentage of hospital care, medical services, 
     and nursing home care provided to such veterans in Department 
     facilities and in non-Department facilities and any changes 
     in such percentages compared to the year preceding the year 
     covered by the report;
       ``(F) pharmaceutical prices; and
       ``(G) third party health billings owed to the Department, 
     including the total amount of such billings and the total 
     amounts collected, set forth separately for claims greater 
     than $1000 and for claims equal to or less than $1000.
       ``(c) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `hospital 
     care', `medical services', `nursing home care', and `non-
     Department facilities' have the meanings given such terms in 
     section 1701 of this title.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 7330A the following new item:

``7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration and furnishing 
              of hospital care, medical services, and nursing home 
              care.''.

     SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF HOMELESS VETERAN FOR 
                   PURPOSES OF BENEFITS UNDER THE LAWS 
                   ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       Section 2002(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting ``or (b)'' after ``section 103(a)''.

     SEC. 4. IDENTIFICATION AND TRACKING OF BIOLOGICAL IMPLANTS 
                   USED IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL 
                   FACILITIES.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38, 
     United States Code, as amended by section 2, is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``Sec. 7330C. Identification and tracking of biological 
       implants

       ``(a) Standard Identification System for Biological 
     Implants.--(1) The Secretary shall adopt the unique device 
     identification system developed for medical devices by the 
     Food and Drug Administration pursuant to section 519(f) of 
     the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360i(f)), 
     or implement a comparable standard identification system, for 
     use in identifying biological implants intended for use in 
     medical procedures conducted in medical facilities of the 
     Department.
       ``(2) In adopting or implementing a standard identification 
     system for biological implants under paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary shall permit a vendor to use any of the accredited 
     entities identified by the Food and Drug Administration as an 
     issuing agency pursuant to section 830.100 of title 21, Code 
     of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
       ``(b) Biological Implant Tracking System.--(1) The 
     Secretary shall implement a system for tracking the 
     biological implants referred to in subsection (a) from human 
     donor or animal source to implantation.
       ``(2) The tracking system implemented under paragraph (1) 
     shall be compatible with the identification system adopted or 
     implemented under subsection (a).
       ``(3) The Secretary shall implement inventory controls 
     compatible with the tracking system implemented under 
     paragraph (1) so that all patients who have received, in a 
     medical facility of the Department, a biological implant 
     subject to a recall can be notified of the recall, if based 
     on the evaluation of appropriate medical personnel of the 
     Department of the risks and benefits, the Secretary 
     determines such notification is appropriate.
       ``(c) Consistency With Food and Drug Administration 
     Regulations.--To the extent that a conflict arises between 
     this section and a provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and 
     Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) or sections 351 or 361 
     of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262) (including 
     any regulations issued under such Acts), the provision the 
     Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or Public Health Service 
     Act (including any regulations issued under such Acts) shall 
     apply.
       ``(d) Definition of Biological Implant.--In this section, 
     the term `biological implant' means any animal or human cell, 
     tissue, or cellular or tissue-based product--
       ``(1) under the meaning given the term human cells, 
     tissues, or cellular or tissue-based products in section 
     1271.3 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any 
     successor regulation; or
       ``(2) that is regulated as a device under section 201(h) of 
     the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter, as amended by section 2, is 
     further amended by inserting after the item relating to 
     section 7330B, as added by section 2, the following new item:

``7330C. Identification and tracking of biological implants.''.
       (c) Implementation Deadlines.--
       (1) Standard identification system.--
       (A) In general.--With respect to biological implants 
     described in paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of section 7330C 
     of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall adopt or implement a 
     standard identification system for biological implants, as 
     required by subsection (a) of such section, by not later than 
     the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
       (B) Implants regulated as devices.--With respect to 
     biological implants described in paragraph (2) of subsection 
     (d) of such section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     adopt or implement such standard identification system in 
     compliance with the compliance dates established by the Food 
     and Drug Administration pursuant to section 519(f) of the 
     Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360i(f)).
       (2) Tracking system.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall implement the biological implant tracking system 
     required by

[[Page 11801]]

     section 7330C(b), as added by subsection (a), by not later 
     than the date that is 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (d) Reporting Requirement.--
       (1) In general.--If the biological implant tracking system 
     required by section 7330C(b) of title 38, United States Code, 
     as added by subsection (a), is not operational by the date 
     that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the 
     Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives a written explanation for why the system is 
     not operational for each month until such time as the system 
     is operational.
       (2) Elements.--Each explanation submitted under paragraph 
     (1) shall include a description of the following:
       (A) Each impediment to the implementation of the system 
     described in such paragraph.
       (B) Steps being taken to remediate each such impediment.
       (C) Target dates for a solution to each such impediment.

     SEC. 5. PROCUREMENT OF BIOLOGICAL IMPLANTS USED IN DEPARTMENT 
                   OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITIES.

       (a) Procurement.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 81 of such title 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``Sec. 8129. Procurement of biological implants

       ``(a) In General.--(1) The Secretary may procure biological 
     implants of human origin only from vendors that meet the 
     following conditions:
       ``(A) The vendor uses the standard identification system 
     adopted or implemented by the Secretary under section 
     7330C(a) of this title and has safeguards to ensure that a 
     distinct identity code has been in place at each step of 
     distribution of each biological implant from its donor.
       ``(B) The vendor is registered as required by the Food and 
     Drug Administration under subpart B of part 1271 of title 21, 
     Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation, and 
     in the case of a vendor that uses a tissue distribution 
     intermediary or a tissue processor, the vendor provides 
     assurances that the tissue distribution intermediary or 
     tissue processor is registered as required by the Food and 
     Drug Administration.
       ``(C) The vendor ensures that donor eligibility 
     determinations and such other records as the Secretary may 
     require accompany each biological implant at all times, 
     regardless of the country of origin of the donor of the 
     biological material.
       ``(D) The vendor agrees to cooperate with all biological 
     implant recalls conducted on the vendor's own initiative, on 
     the initiative of the original product manufacturer used by 
     the vendor, by the request of the Food and Drug 
     Administration, or by a statutory order of the Food and Drug 
     Administration.
       ``(E) The vendor agrees to notify the Secretary of any 
     adverse event or reaction report it provides to the Food and 
     Drug Administration, as required by section 1271.350 of title 
     21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation, 
     or any successor regulation, or of any warning letter from 
     the Food and Drug Administration issued to the vendor or a 
     tissue processor or tissue distribution intermediary it uses 
     by not later than 60 days after the vendor receives such 
     report or warning letter.
       ``(F) The vendor agrees to retain all records associated 
     with the procurement of a biological implant by the 
     Department for at least 10 years after the date of the 
     procurement of the biological implant.
       ``(G) The vendor provides assurances that the biological 
     implants provided by the vendor are acquired only from tissue 
     processors that maintain active accreditation with the 
     American Association of Tissue Banks or a similar national 
     accreditation specific to biological implants.
       ``(2) The Secretary may procure biological implants of non-
     human origin only from vendors that meet the following 
     conditions:
       ``(A) The vendor uses the standard identification system 
     adopted or implemented by the Secretary under section 
     7330C(a) of this title.
       ``(B) The vendor is a registered establishment as required 
     by the Food and Drug Administration under sections 807.20 and 
     807.40 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any 
     successor regulation, (or is not required to register 
     pursuant to section 807.65(a) of such title) and in the case 
     of a vendor that is not the original product manufacturer of 
     such implants the vendor provides assurances that the 
     original product manufacturer is registered as required by 
     the Food and Drug Administration.
       ``(C) The vendor agrees to cooperate with all biological 
     implant recalls conducted on the vendor's own initiative, on 
     the initiative of the original product manufacturer used by 
     the vendor, by the request of the Food and Drug 
     Administration, or by a statutory order of the Food and Drug 
     Administration.
       ``(D) The vendor agrees to notify the Secretary of any 
     adverse event report it provides to the Food and Drug 
     Administration as required in part 803 of title 21, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, or any warning letter from the Food and 
     Drug Administration issued to the vendor or the original 
     product manufacturer it uses by not later than 60 days after 
     the vendor receives such report or warning letter.
       ``(E) The vendor agrees to retain all records associated 
     with the procurement of a biological implant by the 
     Department for at least 10 years after the date of the 
     procurement of the biological implant.
       ``(3)(A) The Secretary shall procure biological implants 
     under the Federal Supply Schedules of the General Services 
     Administration unless such implants are not available under 
     such Schedules.
       ``(B) With respect to biological implants listed on the 
     Federal Supply Schedules, the Secretary shall accommodate 
     reasonable vendor requests to undertake outreach efforts to 
     educate medical professionals of the Department about the use 
     and efficacy of such biological implants.
       ``(C) In the case of biological implants that are 
     unavailable for procurement under the Federal Supply 
     Schedules, the Secretary shall procure such implants using 
     competitive procedures in accordance with applicable law and 
     the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
       ``(4) Section 8123 of this title shall not apply to the 
     procurement of biological implants.
       ``(b) Penalties.--In addition to any applicable penalty 
     under any other provision of law, any procurement employee of 
     the Department who is found responsible for a biological 
     implant procurement transaction with intent to avoid or with 
     reckless disregard of the requirements of this section shall 
     be ineligible to hold a certificate of appointment as a 
     contracting officer or to serve as the representative of an 
     ordering officer, contracting officer, or purchase card 
     holder.
       ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `biological implant' shall have the meaning 
     given such term in section 7330C(d) of this title.
       ``(2) The term `distinct identity code' means a code that--
       ``(A) relates a biological implant to the human donor of 
     the implant and to all records pertaining to the implant;
       ``(B) includes information designed to facilitate effective 
     tracking, using such code, from the donor to the recipient 
     and from the recipient to the donor; and
       ``(C) satisfies the requirements of section 1271.290 of 
     title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor 
     regulation.
       ``(3) The term `tissue distribution intermediary' means an 
     agency that acquires and stores human tissue for further 
     distribution and performs no other tissue banking functions.
       ``(4) The term `tissue processor' means an entity 
     processing human tissue for use in biological implants 
     including activities performed on tissue other than donor 
     screening, donor testing, tissue recovery and collection 
     functions, storage, or distribution.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end of 
     the items relating to such subchapter the following new item:

``8129. Procurement of biological implants.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--Section 8129 of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on 
     the date that is 180 days after the date on which the 
     tracking system required under subsection (b) of section 
     7330C of such title, as added by section 4(a) is implemented.
       (c) Special Rule for Cryopreserved Products.--During the 
     three-year period beginning on the effective date of section 
     8129 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
     (a), biological implants produced and labeled before that 
     date may be procured by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     without relabeling under the standard identification system 
     adopted or implemented under section 7330C of such title, as 
     added by section 4(a).

     SEC. 6. EXTENSION OF ROUNDING DOWN OF PERCENTAGE INCREASES OF 
                   RATES OF CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Montgomery GI Bill.--Section 3015(h)(2) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``fiscal year 2014'' and inserting ``fiscal 
     year 2020''; and
       (2) by striking ``fiscal year 2013'' and inserting ``fiscal 
     year 2019''.
       (b) Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance.--
     Section 3564(b) of such title is amended--
       (1) by striking ``fiscal year 2014'' and inserting ``fiscal 
     year 2020''; and
       (2) by striking ``fiscal year 2013'' and inserting ``fiscal 
     year 2019''.

     SEC. 7. VETERANS EXPEDITED RECOVERY COMMISSION.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established the Veterans 
     Expedited Recovery Commission (in this section referred to as 
     the ``Commission'').
       (b) Duties.--The Commission shall perform the following 
     duties:
       (1) Examine the efficacy of the evidence-based therapy 
     model used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for treating 
     mental health illnesses of veterans and identify areas to 
     improve wellness-based outcomes.
       (2) Conduct a patient-centered survey within each of the 
     Veterans Integrated Service Networks to examine--

[[Page 11802]]

       (A) the experience of veterans with the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs when seeking medical assistance for mental 
     health issues through the health care system of the 
     Department;
       (B) the experience of veterans with non-Department medical 
     facilities and health professionals for treating mental 
     health issues;
       (C) the preferences of veterans regarding available 
     treatments for mental health issues and which methods the 
     veterans believe to be most effective;
       (D) the experience, if any, of veterans with respect to the 
     complementary alternative treatment therapies described in 
     subparagraphs (A) through (I) in paragraph (3);
       (E) the prevalence of prescribing prescription medication 
     among veterans seeking treatment through the health care 
     system of the Department as remedies for addressing mental 
     health issues; and
       (F) the outreach efforts of the Secretary regarding the 
     availability of benefits and treatments for veterans for 
     addressing mental health issues, including by identifying 
     ways to reduce barriers to and gaps in such benefits and 
     treatments.
       (3) Examine available research on complementary alternative 
     treatment therapies for mental health issues and identify 
     what benefits could be made with the inclusion of such 
     treatments for veterans, including with respect to--
       (A) music therapy;
       (B) equine therapy;
       (C) training and caring for service dogs;
       (D) yoga therapy;
       (E) acupuncture therapy;
       (F) meditation therapy;
       (G) outdoor sports therapy;
       (H) hyperbaric oxygen therapy;
       (I) accelerated resolution therapy; and
       (J) other therapies the Commission determines appropriate.
       (4) Study the potential increase of claims relating to 
     mental health issues submitted to the Secretary by veterans 
     who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi 
     Freedom, or Operation New Dawn, including an assessment of 
     the resources available within the Department to ensure that 
     quality health care demands relating to such claims can be 
     delivered in a timely manner.
       (c) Membership.--
       (1) Number and appointment.--
       (A) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 10 
     members, appointed as follows:
       (i) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, at least one of whom shall be a veteran.
       (ii) Two members appointed by the Minority Leader of the 
     House of Representatives, at least one of whom shall be a 
     veteran.
       (iii) Two members appointed by the Majority Leader of the 
     Senate, at least one of whom shall be a veteran.
       (iv) Two members appointed by the Minority Leader of the 
     Senate, at least one of whom shall be a veteran.
       (v) Two members appointed by the President, at least one of 
     whom shall be a veteran.
       (B) Qualifications.--Members of the Commission shall be--
       (i) individuals who are of recognized standing and 
     distinction within the medical community with a background in 
     treating mental health;
       (ii) individuals with experience working with the military 
     and veteran population; and
       (iii) individuals who do not have a financial interest in 
     any of the complementary alternative treatments reviewed by 
     the Commission.
       (2) Chairman.--The President shall designate a member of 
     the Commission to be the chairman.
       (3) Period of appointment.--Members of the Commission shall 
     be appointed for the life of the Commission.
       (4) Vacancy.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled 
     in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
       (5) Appointment deadline.--The appointment of members of 
     the Commission in this section shall be made not later than 
     90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (d) Powers of Commission.--
       (1) Meeting.--
       (A) Initial meeting.--The Commission shall hold its first 
     meeting not later than 30 days after a majority of members 
     are appointed to the Commission.
       (B) Meeting.--The Commission shall regularly meet at the 
     call of the Chairman. Such meetings may be carried out 
     through the use of telephonic or other appropriate 
     telecommunication technology if the Commission determines 
     that such technology will allow the members to communicate 
     simultaneously.
       (2) Hearing.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit 
     and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
     receive evidence as the Commission considers advisable to 
     carry out the responsibilities of the Commission.
       (3) Information from federal agencies.--The Commission may 
     secure directly from any department or agency of the Federal 
     Government such information as the Commission considers 
     necessary to carry out the duties of the Commission.
       (4) Information from nongovernmental organizations.--In 
     carrying out subsection (b), the Commission may seek guidance 
     through consultation with foundations, veterans service 
     organizations, nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, 
     private and public institutions of higher education, and 
     other organizations as the Commission determines appropriate.
       (5) Commission records.--The Commission shall keep an 
     accurate and complete record of the actions and meetings of 
     the Commission. Such record shall be made available for 
     public inspection and the Comptroller General of the United 
     States may audit and examine such record.
       (6) Personnel matters.--Upon request of the chairman of the 
     Commission, the head of any department or agency of the 
     Federal Government may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any 
     personnel of that department or agency to assist the 
     Commission in carrying out the duties of the Commission.
       (7) Compensation of members; travel expenses.--Each member 
     shall serve without pay, except that each member shall 
     receive travel expenses to perform the duties of the 
     Commission under subsection (b), including per diem in lieu 
     of subsistence, at rates authorized under subchapter I of 
     chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
       (8) Staff.--The Chairman, in accordance with rules agreed 
     upon by the Commission, may appoint and fix the compensation 
     of a staff director and such other personnel as may be 
     necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its 
     functions, without regard to the provisions of title 5, 
     United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
     service, without regard to the provision of chapter 51 and 
     subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to 
     classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no 
     rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the 
     equivalent of that payable for a position at a level IV of 
     the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       (9) Personnel as federal employees.--
       (A) In general.--The executive director and any personnel 
     of the Commission are employees under section 2105 of title 
     5, United States Code, for purpose of chapters 63, 81, 83, 
     84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of such title.
       (B) Members of the commission.--Subparagraph (A) shall not 
     be construed to apply to members of the Commission.
       (10) Contracting.--The Commission may, to such extent and 
     in such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts, enter 
     into contracts to enable the Commission to discharge the 
     duties of the Commission under this section.
       (11) Expert and consultant service.--The Commission may 
     procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance 
     with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, at rates 
     not to exceed the daily rate paid to a person occupying a 
     position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 
     5315 of title 5, United States Code.
       (12) Postal service.--The Commission may use the United 
     States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
     as departments and agencies of the United States.
       (13) Physical facilities and equipment.--Upon the request 
     of the Commission, the Administrator of General Services 
     shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the 
     administrative support services necessary for the Commission 
     to carry out its responsibilities under this section. These 
     administrative services may include human resource 
     management, budget, leasing, accounting, and payroll 
     services.
       (e) Report.--
       (1) Interim reports.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date on 
     which the Commission first meets, and each 30-day period 
     thereafter ending on the date on which the Commission submits 
     the final report under paragraph (2), the Commission shall 
     submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate and the President a report 
     detailing the level of cooperation the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs (and the heads of other departments or agencies of 
     the Federal Government) has provided to the Commission.
       (B) Other reports.--In carrying out the duties pursuant to 
     subsection (b), at times that the Commission determines 
     appropriate, the Commission shall submit to the Committees on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
     Senate and any other appropriate entities an interim report 
     with respect to the findings identified by the Commission.
       (2) Final report.--Not later than 18 months after the first 
     meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the 
     Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate, the President, and the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs a final report on the findings 
     of the Commission. Such report shall include the following:
       (A) Recommendations to implement in a feasible, timely, and 
     cost-effective manner the solutions and remedies identified 
     within the findings of the Commission pursuant to subsection 
     (b).
       (B) An analysis of the evidence-based therapy model used by 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for treating veterans with 
     mental health care issues, and an examination of the

[[Page 11803]]

     prevalence and efficacy of prescription drugs as a means for 
     treatment.
       (C) The findings of the patient-centered survey conducted 
     within each of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks 
     pursuant to subsection (b)(2).
       (D) An examination of complementary alternative treatments 
     described in subsection (b)(3) and the potential benefits of 
     incorporating such treatments in the therapy model used by 
     the Secretary for treating veterans with mental health 
     issues.
       (3) Plan.--Not later than 90 days after the date on which 
     the Commission submits the final report under subsection (b), 
     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 following:
       (A) An action plan for implementing the recommendations 
     established by the Commission on such solutions and remedies 
     for improving wellness-based outcomes for veterans with 
     mental health care issues.
       (B) A feasible timeframe on when complementary alternative 
     treatments described in subsection (b)(3) can be implemented 
     Department-wide.
       (C) With respect to each recommendation established by the 
     Commission, including regarding any complementary alternative 
     treatment, that the Secretary determines is not appropriate 
     or feasible to implement, a justification for each such 
     determination and an alternative solution to improve the 
     efficacy of the therapy model used by the Secretary for 
     treating veterans with mental health issues.
       (f) Termination of Commission.--The Commission shall 
     terminate 30 days after the Commission submits the final 
     report under subsection (e)(2).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Benishek) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
to add extraneous material on H.R. 2256, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 2256, as amended, the Veterans Information 
Modernization Act.
  I developed and introduced this legislation following an oversight 
hearing in January where the subcommittee attempted to determine the 
cost and value of the care that the Department of Veterans Affairs 
provides to our Nation's veterans.
  Through the course of that hearing, it became painfully obvious that 
VA leaders were unable to provide basic information about, for example, 
how much the VA spends on a single patient encounter in a VA primary 
care clinic.
  As a doctor who served veterans at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical 
Center in my hometown of Iron Mountain, Michigan, for 20 years, it is 
unbelievable to me that the VA either does not have or is unwilling to 
share key information about the care that it provides.
  The Congressional Budget Office testified in January that the VA ``. 
. . provided limited data to Congress and the public about its costs 
and operational performance.''
  The CBO went on to state, ``. . . if this data was provided on a 
regular and systemic basis, it could help inform policymakers about the 
efficiency and cost-effectiveness of VA's services.''
  Similar sentiments about the need for the VA to be more forthcoming 
were echoed at that hearing by witnesses from the American Legion and 
the Independent Budget.
  We are all too well aware of the many--seemingly endless--scandals 
that have plagued the Department over the last year and a half. A lack 
of transparency is at the heart of all of these scandals, and one of 
the keys to overcoming them is requiring the Department to regularly 
provide specific information about the care that the VA provides.
  H.R. 2256, as amended, would accomplish that goal by requiring the VA 
to submit an annual report to Congress regarding the provision of 
hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care by the VA health 
care system.
  The report would encompass critical information about the operations 
of the Veterans Health Administration, including data regarding access, 
quality, workload, patient demographics and utilization, physician 
compensation and productivity, purchase care, and pharmaceutical 
prices.
  The VA would also be required to detail third-party billings and 
collections, including information on both small and large claims. This 
would ensure that the growing disparity between the amounts that the VA 
bills for and the amount that the VA collects is accounted for and that 
the VA receives every available dollar that it is owed and uses it to 
improve the services that the VA provides. Many of the data points 
included in this report are already provided by the Department of 
Defense for TRICARE.
  The regular receipt of this information would allow Congress, 
veterans, and the American taxpayers to make better informed decisions 
about the services that the Department is offering and to assist in 
creating the VA healthcare system that our veterans truly deserve.
  Other provisions included in the Veterans Information Modernization 
Act would broaden the VA's definition of a ``homeless veteran'' to 
include veterans and their families who are fleeing violent homes, 
improve the VA's processes for tracking and procuring biological 
implants, and establish a commission to examine the VA's mental health 
treatment model and the benefits of incorporating complementary and 
alternative treatments.
  I would like to offer my sincere gratitude and appreciation to my 
friends and colleagues--Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Congressman Phil 
Roe, and Congresswoman Janice Hahn--who have sponsored provisions of 
this bill.
  I would also like to thank Chairman Miller; Ranking Member Brown; 
Congresswoman Julia Brownley, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on 
Health; and all of the members of the Subcommittee on Health on both 
sides of the aisle for their hard work and leadership on this bill.
  I am proud to say that this bill, which was reported favorably out of 
the full committee earlier this summer and is fully offset, is 
supported by many veteran service organizations, including the American 
Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Concerned Veterans for 
America, the Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Paralyzed Veterans of 
America.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting the 
Veterans Information Modernization Act.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 2256, the Veterans Information 
Modernization Act, as amended.
  This bill does a number of things to improve access and quality of 
services to our Nation's veterans. This bill requires the Secretary to 
submit an annual report on the Department's furnishing of hospital 
care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans.
  One of our priorities on the committee is to ensure that safe, 
quality health care is provided to veterans and their families. This 
report will assist us in our oversight duties of the Department.
  This bill expands the definition of a ``homeless veteran'' to include 
veterans fleeing from domestic violence. As you know, veterans who 
experience domestic violence are considered at high risk for 
homelessness. This is a very vulnerable population, and anytime we find 
a barrier to care, we should remove it.
  Further, one of my biggest priorities as ranking member is to ensure 
that we provide safe, quality housing for homeless women veterans.
  Women veterans are an underserved population, and there is a serious 
lack of housing options for those who become homeless.
  There is an even greater crisis in attempting to find housing for 
women veterans who have children. This is largely due to the fact that 
many facilities do not allow women and children to be in the same 
facilities as

[[Page 11804]]

men. This must be corrected immediately.
  I have encountered several women--those who have been forced to live 
on the streets--in weekly motels and in other housing places that are 
not fit to live in due to domestic violence.
  This is completely unacceptable. We should be working closely with 
the VA and HUD to ensure that there is transitional and emergency 
housing available for women veterans during their greatest time of 
need.
  This bill addresses gaps in the identification, tracking, and the 
procurement of biological implants at the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.
  Finally, this bill would establish a commission to examine the 
effectiveness of the evidence-based therapy model for treating 
veterans' mental health illnesses.
  I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for 
their interest and support of veterans' issues.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), my colleague and friend and the 
vice chairman of the committee.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2256, the Veterans 
Information Modernization Act.
  This bill makes positive, bipartisan reforms to the VA, which has 
become the hallmark of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.
  We have such a good committee, Mr. Speaker. I am particularly pleased 
about the inclusion of my bill, H.R. 271, the Creating Options for 
Veterans Expedited Recovery Act, better known as the COVER Act.
  Last year the Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing regarding 
veterans' access to the VA's mental health services. At the hearing, we 
heard from the mothers and fathers of deceased veterans.
  I remember vividly how hearing their testimony moved me. I can't 
remember another instance when the Veterans' Affairs Committee room was 
so quiet and solemn as on that day.
  Statistics show that one in five veterans who serves in Iraq and 
Afghanistan has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress. Now we must 
responsibly ask ourselves: Are we doing enough when it comes to 
addressing mental health in our veteran population?
  Recent data has shown that every day in this country approximately 18 
to 22 veterans take their own lives. This statistic answers the 
question I posed earlier. It is obvious more needs to be done.
  Far too often we have heard of situations in which our veterans are 
being overprescribed opioids and antipsychotics. While traditional 
forms of therapies may work for some, tailoring therapies to the 
veterans and finding the balance between traditional and complementary, 
alternative treatments could be the difference in saving lives.
  Late last year I met with a veteran who was able to tell me just how 
much alternative treatments have improved his life. His treatment plan 
to address his PTS and physical injuries consisted of over 30 different 
pills every day. He told me how much this affected him. He said he felt 
hopeless and wasn't quite himself anymore.
  He then decided to take control of his life again and looked for an 
alternative. He found an alternative treatment in training and in 
caring for a service dog.

                              {time}  1645

  Now, his treatment includes one multivitamin, one other medication, 
and a four-legged companion that never leaves his side.
  The COVER Act is the next piece in a working formula to heal our 
veterans, mentally and physically. It will pave the way toward the 
inclusion of these complementary alternative therapies at the VA.
  These therapies include, but certainly are not limited to, service 
animal therapy, yoga therapy, acupuncture, equine therapy, and 
accelerated resolution therapy. Mr. Speaker, I have heard the stories 
from these veterans, and these therapies really work. They need access 
to these therapies. At a recent town hall, I even heard about the 
benefits of martial arts. The martial arts were treating PTS.
  Mr. Speaker, when treating mental health issues, one size does not 
fit all. Please support this good bill.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe), my colleague and a fellow physician 
on the Veterans' Affairs Committee.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 
2256, as amended, which includes a bill I introduced, H.R. 1016, the 
Biological Implant Tracking and Veteran Safety Act.
  A frightening January 2014 GAO report found that the VA does not use 
a standardized process for tracking biological tissue from a cadaver to 
a living donor veteran patient. In the event of a recall, it would be 
virtually impossible to track down which patient had received 
contaminated tissue. GAO also found that the Veterans Health 
Administration does not always ensure it is purchasing tissue from 
biological implant vendors that have registered with the FDA and does 
not maintain an inventory system to prevent expired tissue from 
remaining in storage alongside unexpired tissues.
  The GAO and Veterans' Affairs Committee staff have discovered that VA 
often uses a loophole that allows it to purchase biological implants on 
the open, unregulated market, which it does in 57 percent of its 
biological implant purchases. This bill would require the procurement 
of biological implants from vendors on the Federal supply schedules 
which have been appropriately vetted. For biological implants not on 
the Federal supply schedule but requested by clinicians, my bill 
requires justification and approval of open market purchases under the 
Federal acquisition regulation on a case-by-case basis rather than 
simply granting a blanket waiver.
  This bill would also direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
adopt FDA's unique device identification system for labeling of all 
biological implant tissue and implement an automated inventory system 
to track the tissue from donor to implant recipient. This legislation 
would also require all biological implant tissue to be procured through 
vendors that are registered with the FDA, accredited by the American 
Association of Tissue Banks, and use FDA's unique device identification 
system.
  The 6 million veterans served annually by VHA deserve the highest 
standard of patient care in the Nation. Implementation of H.R. 2256 
would help establish the VA as an industry leader in biologic implant 
safety and accountability.
  I want to thank the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee staff 
for their help in developing this legislation which truly puts veterans 
first.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman's support, 
and I again encourage all Members to support H.R. 2256, as amended.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Benishek) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2256, 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. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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