Mike Bost
Representative for Illinois · Republican · United States
“(B) Elements.--The Secretary, in coordination with participating critical access hospitals, shall ensure that any contract, agreement, or other arrangement entered into under subparagraph (A) establishes criteria, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to ensure-- (i) the provision of timely, safe, and high-quality health care services t…”
“(B) Elements.--The Secretary, in coordination with participating critical access hospitals, shall ensure that any contract, agreement, or other arrangement entered into under subparagraph (A) establishes criteria, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to ensure-- (i) the provision of timely, safe, and high-quality health care services t…”
“(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2306(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual a headstone or marker under this section, or any interment benefit under…”
“(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2306(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual a headstone or marker under this section, or any interment benefit under…”
“(d) Update of Information on Providers.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care or successor office, shall develop a process to ensure that third party administrators regularly, not less frequently than quarterly-- (1) update their lists of communit…”
“(d) Update of Information on Providers.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care or successor office, shall develop a process to ensure that third party administrators regularly, not less frequently than quarterly-- (1) update their lists of communit…”
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“In procuring technology under this section, the Secretary may prioritize, to the maximum extent practicable, technologies, platforms, or capabilities that are already deployed, validated, interoperable, or otherwise in operational use within medical centers or other components of the Department, unless the Secretary determines and documents that an alternative solution would better achieve the purposes of this section. (5) Application process.-- (A) In general.--The Secretary may require covered entities that seek to participate in the pilot program to submit to the Secretary an application therefore in such form, in such manner, and containing such commitments and information as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this section.”
“(C) Variety of facilities.--In selecting facilities under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall ensure the selection of a variety of different types of facilities, including-- (i) frontier facilities; (ii) under-resourced facilities; (iii) facilities at which there are existing efforts to coordinate with community resources; and (iv) facilities located in communities with an established community-based veteran service coordination network capable of integration with the pilot program. (4) Procurement of technology.--In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall ensure full and open competition in the procurement of any services or technology and shall not enter into an exclusive national contract for the operation of the community integration platform under the pilot program.”
“(3) Locations.-- (A) Initial locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at not fewer than five medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program. (B) Expansion.--The Secretary may expand beyond initial sites for the pilot program selected under paragraph (1) not before two years after the date of enactment, not before thirty days after briefing the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of the expansion plan, and after demonstrated success.”
“300jj-14), for the provision of covered services; (E) ensures that-- (i) reasonable measures are taken to promote connectivity and interoperable exchange among covered entities and between covered entities and veterans; and (ii) appropriate privacy and security protections are in place, in accordance with applicable Federal and State privacy law; (F) is accessible by employees of the Department, covered entities, and veterans; (G) connects covered entities and veterans for purposes of communication, service coordination, and consumer assistance, referral and capacity management, outcome tracking and reporting, and related services; and (H) is accessible via a web-based platform for all veterans and via a non-web-based alternative platform or process for veterans who are unable to easily and reliably access the web-based platform.”
“(2) Elements of pilot program.--In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall ensure that the community integration platform established or enhanced under the pilot program-- (A) permits veterans to identify and connect with covered entities that furnish covered services; (B) permits covered entities to identify and connect with veterans in need of covered services; (C) utilizes, to the extent practicable, existing interoperable technology networks; (D) prioritizes connectivity with appropriate existing technology networks developed by public or private organizations that comply with, as applicable, standards adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 3004 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.”
“(a) Pilot Program on Establishment or Enhancement of Community Integration Platform for Veterans.-- (1) In general.--Commencing not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment of the Department of Veterans Affairs, shall carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary shall establish a new, or enhance an existing, interoperable community integration platform to coordinate local support services for veterans through other governmental and nongovernmental organizations (in this section referred to as the ``pilot program'').”
“(3) Critical access hospital defined.--In this section, the term ``critical access hospital'' has the meaning given that term in section 1861(mm) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(mm)). SEC. 315. PILOT PLATFORM FOR SERVICES FOR VETERANS; COLLECTION FROM VETERANS OF INFORMATION RELATED TO SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH.”
“(2) Outreach to providers.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, through the Office of Rural Health (or successor office) and the Office of Integrated Veteran Care (or successor office), shall-- (A) conduct outreach to health care facilities and critical access hospitals in rural areas regarding-- (i) the Veterans Community Care program under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, and the pilot program under subsection (a) of this section; and (ii) any other matters the Secretary considers appropriate; and (B) seek to enter into contracts, partnerships, agreements, or other arrangements with health care facilities and critical access hospitals in rural areas.”
“(c) Outreach.-- (1) Outreach to veterans.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, through the Office of Rural Health (or successor office) and the Office of Integrated Veteran Care (or successor office), shall conduct outreach to veterans residing in rural, highly rural, and frontier areas regarding-- (A) opportunities to seek care through facilities and programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including via telehealth, existing programs provided through grantees or contractors of the Department, Vet Centers (as defined in section 1712A of title 38, United States Code), and volunteer programs and services for transportation; (B) opportunities to seek care though the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code; (C) opportunities to seek care at critical access hospitals with contracts, partnerships, or agreements with the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (D) any other matters the Secretary considers appropriate.”
“(3) Implementation.--Not later than 90 days after submitting the action plan under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall begin implementation of the plan and shall ensure full implementation not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
“(2) Elements.--In developing the action plan required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall-- (A) consult with health care providers that provide care in the community under the laws administered by the Secretary, State Offices of Rural Health, Tribal health authorities, and other relevant stakeholders in rural, highly rural, and frontier areas as the Secretary determines appropriate; (B) assess barriers to care in the community for veterans residing in rural and highly rural areas, including challenges with respect to-- (i) network adequacy; (ii) provider participation; (iii) geographic distance; (iv) transportation; (v) information technology; (vi) physical infrastructure; (vii) outreach and understanding of eligibility for such care; (viii) timeliness of referrals, authorization, and medical documentation exchange; and (ix) any other matter the Secretary determines appropriate; (C) list specific and measurable strategies and actions to address the barriers and challenges assessed under subparagraph (B), to include the consideration of-- (i) expanding participation in the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, among providers in rural, highly rural, and frontier areas; (ii) physically locating health care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs within the same building or on the campuses of other health care facilities located in rural, highly rural, or frontier areas; (iii) enhancing transportation assistance; (iv) increasing reimbursement rates, including through cost-based reimbursements; and (v) improving coordination with State, Tribal, and local partners; and (D) assess legislative and regulatory barriers, if any, to addressing the barriers assessed under subparagraph (B).”
“(b) Action Plan to Address Barriers to Care for Veterans Living in Rural Areas.-- (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop and submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a comprehensive action plan to identify, address, and eliminate barriers to accessing care for veterans residing in rural, highly rural, and frontier areas.”
“(9) Definitions.--In this subsection: (A) Critical access hospital.--The term ``critical access hospital'' has the meaning [[Page H4571]] given that term in section 1861(mm) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(mm)). (B) Eligible veteran.--The term ``eligible veteran'' means a veteran-- (i) enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs established and operated under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code; (ii) who has received care at a facility of the Department or in-network provider under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of such title during the previous two-year period; (iii) who lives within 35 miles of a critical access hospital; and (iv) who would be eligible for care or services under the Veterans Community Care Program.”
“(iii) Subsequent reports.--Each report required under clause (i) after the initial report shall contain-- (I) an updated list of facilities participating in the pilot program; (II) the number of veterans participating in the pilot program, disaggregated by facility; (III) an overview of the types of care received through the pilot program; (IV) feedback from the facilities participating in the pilot program, with identifying information removed, regarding the status of the pilot program, challenges in participating in the pilot program, and the interest of the facility in continued participation in such a program; and (V) any additional information that the Secretary determines relevant or necessary.”
“(ii) Initial report.--The initial report required under clause (i) shall contain-- (I) a description of the outreach conducted to critical access hospitals concerning the pilot program; (II) a list of facilities that have opted to participate in the pilot program; (III) information, by facility, regarding total obligations and expenditures, utilization, average time from authorization to care, timeliness regarding medical records return and claim payment, emergency department utilization, veteran satisfaction, and any effect on care furnished by Department facilities; and (IV) a list of the barriers, if any, cited by facilities that opted not to participate in the pilot program.”
“(7) Limitation.--The Secretary may not extend the pilot program beyond the five-year period specified under subsection (a) or expand the pilot program to additional States or convert the pilot program into a permanent authority unless expressly authorized by a subsequent Act of Congress. (8) Report.-- (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, the 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 on the pilot program. (B) Elements.-- (i) In general.--Each report required under subparagraph (A) shall contain the recommendation of the Secretary for the expansion or continuation of the pilot program.”
“(B) Hospitals.--The Secretary shall conduct direct outreach to critical access hospitals in areas in which the pilot program is carried out to notify those hospitals of their ability to participate in the pilot program. (6) Staff.--The Secretary shall ensure that each medical facility of the Department within the catchment area of a location in which the pilot program is carried out has sufficient dedicated staff to handle-- (A) administrative and technical challenges that arise from the pilot program; (B) care coordination and follow up with the veteran and the facility participating in the pilot program after an episode of care; and (C) timely records return following an episode of care.”
“(3) Locations.--The Secretary shall ensure participation in the pilot program is open to all qualified facilities located in States that are designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as frontier States. (4) Authorization for care.--The Secretary shall provide eligible veterans opting to participate in the pilot program a one-year authorization from the Department to receive outpatient services at facilities participating in the pilot program. (5) Outreach.-- (A) Eligible veterans.--Not less frequently than annually during each year in which the pilot program is carried out, the Secretary shall conduct direct outreach to eligible veterans in areas in which the pilot program is carried out to notify such veterans of their ability to participate in the pilot program.”
“(B) Elements.--The Secretary, in coordination with participating critical access hospitals, shall ensure that any contract, agreement, or other arrangement entered into under subparagraph (A) establishes criteria, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to ensure-- (i) the provision of timely, safe, and high-quality health care services to participants in the pilot program, including through timely sharing of pertinent medical record and other information between medical facilities participating in the pilot program and medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs; (ii) the provision of health care services through the pilot program is in accordance with the medical benefits package of the Department; (iii) no additional charges are imposed on veterans participating in the pilot program or the health care insurer of such veterans for any medical service for which payment is made by the Secretary; (iv) appropriate reimbursement rates, including through the consideration of cost-based reimbursements; and (v) such other considerations as the Secretary considers appropriate.”
“(2) Contracts, agreements, or other arrangements.-- (A) In general.--In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall enter into contracts, agreements, or other arrangements with facilities participating in the pilot program to reimburse critical access hospitals and affiliated clinics for outpatient health care and medical services provided to eligible veterans.”
“EXPANSION OF ACCESS BY VETERANS TO CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS AND AFFILIATED CLINICS UNDER THE VETERANS COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM. (a) Pilot Program to Improve Care Coordination for Veterans From Critical Access Hospitals and Affiliated Clinics.-- (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence a five-year pilot program to improve care coordination for eligible veterans who receive care from a critical access hospital or a provider-based rural health clinic affiliated with such hospital (in this section referred to as the ``pilot program'').”
“(B) Elements.--Each report required under subparagraph (A) shall include, with respect to the year preceding the date of the report, the following elements: (i) The percentage of cases in which a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant employed by the Secretary complied with paragraph (1)(A). (ii) The number of cases in which such a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant could not so comply. (iii) An identification of the most common reasons why such a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant could not so comply. (3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize a physician assistant or nurse practitioner to certify a death in any State in which such authority is not permitted under State or local law. SEC. 314.”
“(B) Coroner or medical examiner.--If a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant described in subparagraph (A) cannot comply with such paragraph with respect to a death described in such paragraph, a coroner or medical examiner in the jurisdiction where such death occurred may certify such death. (2) Report.-- (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following five years, the 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 regarding compliance with paragraph (1).”
“(2) Such delays, caused by the refusal of, or postponement by, physicians of the Department of Veterans Affairs have, in some cases, lasted as long as eight weeks. (3) Such delays prevent the timely burial of deceased veterans and access to survivor benefits. (b) Timely Certification of the Death of a Veteran.-- (1) In general.-- (A) VA physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.--Subject to subparagraph (B), a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant employed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs who is the primary care provider of a veteran who dies of natural causes shall certify the death of such veteran not later than two business days after such physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant learns of such death.”
“Such report shall include-- (A) a description of use and effectiveness of agreements under such section; (B) a description of the role and output of the Joint Executive Committee under such section; (C) an evaluation of the effectiveness of coordination of care and sharing of resources by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense under such section; and (D) a description of any statutory, operational, or cultural barriers to the implementation of such section. SEC. 313. TIMELY REPORTING OF THE DEATH OF A VETERAN. (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following: (1) States and counties have reported significant delays in the signing of death certificates for veterans who pass away from natural causes.”
“Such plan shall include-- (A) a comprehensive inventory of all agreements under section 8111 of title 38, United States Code; (B) a standardized reimbursement methodology; (C) capacity assessments of Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense facilities; and (D) identification of priority regions for expansion. (2) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress on the implementation of section 8111 of title 38, United States Code.”
“(3) Extension.--Such section is further amended, in subsection (d)(3), by striking [[Page H4570]] ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting ``September 30, 2027''. (c) Implementation Plan and Report.-- (1) Joint resource sharing implementation plan.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a Joint Resource Sharing Implementation Plan.”
“``(2) In response to such a request, no official or employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall-- ``(A) withhold, screen, or alter responsive information; ``(B) delay or condition production on initial clearance or political review; ``(C) require a nondisclosure agreement unless required by law; ``(D) substitute summaries for requested records; or ``(E) otherwise impede or interfere with direct transmission of information to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives or the Senate. ``(3) If, in responding to such a request, the Secretary determines that any such information is classified, the Secretary shall make arrangements to present such information to the Chair and Ranking Member of such committee using appropriate security measures.''.”
“(2) Information.--Such section is further amended by inserting, after subsection (b), the following new subsection (c): ``(c) Information.--(1) If the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives or the Senate requests information from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding section, the Secretary shall provide such information in the form requested by such committee, including underlying records, datasets, methodologies, contracts, and communications, and may not be limited to summaries or briefing materials in lieu of original source documents unless authorized by the requesting committee.”
“(a) Oversight.-- (1) Justification.--Section 8111 of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in subsection (a)-- (A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(1) To the extent practicable, the Secretary''; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(2) If the Secretary of Veterans Affairs elects not to enter into such an agreement or contract, notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a written justification for such election.''.”
“Each such report shall include the following elements: (1) Details of research initiatives, coordination outcomes, and clinical advancements of the Task Force. (2) Recommendations of the Task Force regarding-- (A) how claims processors of the Department of Veterans Affairs should evaluate evidence that links such conditions to active military, naval, air, or space service; and (B) best practices regarding the evaluation of neurological injuries in examinations for benefits under chapters 11 or 15 of title 38, United States Code. (e) Sunset.--The Task Force shall terminate on September 30, 2029. SEC. 312. EXTENSION OF SHARING OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HEALTH CARE RESOURCES; RESOURCE SHARING OVERSIGHT AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.”
“(4) To prioritize translational research regarding such veterans and members, including research regarding-- (A) sleep therapy; (B) blast-related gut health; (C) mobile diagnostics; (D) vestibular dysfunction and balance impairment; (E) autonomic nervous system dysregulation; (F) cumulative mild traumatic brain injury; (G) neuroinflammation and glial activation; and (H) any other issue determined appropriate by the Secretary. (5) To monitor sensory decline (including with regard to vision, hearing, and vestibular function) and stress-related impairments among such veterans and members. (6) To support continuity of such care by integrating mobile and longitudinal diagnostic tools. (d) Reports.--The Task Force shall issue annual reports to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives.”
“(c) Duties.--The duties of the Task Force are the following: (1) To improve how the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, provides health care and other benefits to veterans or members of the Armed Forces diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other symptoms, from blast overpressure or blast exposure. (2) To align research agendas and acquisition strategies of the Department regarding such health care. (3) To establish physiological and cognitive performance baselines for such veterans and members.”
“(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall appoint, through the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee under section 320 of title 38, United States Code, the Blast Overpressure Task Force of the Department of Veterans Affairs (in this section referred to as the ``Task Force''). (b) Membership.--Each member of the Task Force appointed under subsection (a) shall be a member of the Health Executive Committee under subsection (b)(2) of such section who, at the time of appointment, is involved in research regarding the mitigation and treatment of blast overpressure or blast exposure.”
“1709B note) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(iv) Military occupation data of veterans who attempt or commit suicide.''. (2) Inclusion of information in department of defense annual report.--The Secretary of Defense shall include in the annual report of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office, or successor office, information on-- (A) occupational data of members of the Armed Forces who attempt suicide; and (B) outcomes of suicide prevention interventions among members of the Armed Forces. SEC. 311. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BLAST OVERPRESSURE TASK FORCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.”
“``(2) Recommendations.--Each report required by paragraph (1) may include recommendations for immediate administrative and legislative action to improve the initiative under subsection (a). ``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $5,000,000 to carry out the initiative under subsection (a) for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032.''. (b) Inclusion of Information in Reports on Suicide Prevention Among Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces.-- (1) Inclusion of information in national veteran suicide prevention annual report.--Section 149(a)(4)(B) of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Public Law 118-210; 38 U.S.C.”
“``(h) Assessment.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct an assessment of all translational research studies in progress and planned under the initiative under subsection (a), including research under subsection (f). ``(2) Report.--Not later than 60 days after completion of the assessment conducted under paragraph (1), the 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 on the assessment. ``(i) Reports.-- ``(1) In general.--Not less frequently than once every two years, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the initiative under subsection (a).”
“``(g) Assistance and Report by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into a contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under which the National Academies shall-- ``(1) work in tandem with the initiative under subsection (a) on validation of brain and mental health biomarkers among veterans; and ``(2) not less frequently than once every two years, submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the work completed under paragraph (1).”
“``(iii) Data.--The data supplied by the Secretary of Defense under the partnership established under clause (i) shall include relevant data throughout the Department of Defense relating to low-level repetitive blast exposure and traumatic brain injury collected by the Armed Forces and other appropriate entities, as determined jointly by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subsections: ``(f) Repetitive Low-level Blast Exposure Research.--In carrying out the initiative under subsection (a), the Secretary shall prioritize research-- ``(1) to identify and validate biomarkers associated with repetitive low-level blast exposure and traumatic brain injury; ``(2) to evaluate clinical and non-clinical interventions that improve cognitive function, quality of life, and mental health outcomes among veterans with symptoms associated with repetitive low-level blast exposure; ``(3) to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and care coordination for veterans with a history of low-level repetitive blast exposure or traumatic brain injury, including veterans who performed duties or tasks associated with increased risk of low-level repetitive blast exposure; and ``(4) to develop evidence-based strategies to reduce suicide risk among veterans with a history of low-level repetitive blast exposure or traumatic brain injury.”
“1712A note) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``and such other mental health conditions'' and inserting ``repetitive low-level blast exposure, dementia, and such other brain and mental health conditions''; [[Page H4569]] (2) in subsection (d)(4), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(E) Data-sharing partnership.-- ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall work with the Secretary of Defense to establish a data-sharing partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. ``(ii) Storage.--The partnership established under clause (i) shall be stored in the open platform made available under this paragraph.”
“(2) Freely associated states.--The term ``Freely Associated States'' has the meaning given such term in section 1724(f) of title 38, United States Code. SEC. 310. MODIFICATION OF PRECISION MEDICINE FOR VETERANS INITIATIVE; REPORTING ON SUICIDE BY VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. (a) Modification of Precision Medicine for Veterans Initiative.--Section 305 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-171; 38 U.S.C.”
“(e) Reports.--Not less frequently than quarterly, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the implementation of this section and the cost of such implementation. Until the Secretary has entered into the agreements required by subsection (a) and begun furnishing the services required by paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b), the report shall also describe the technical and logistical factors that have prevented or impeded the Secretary from doing so. (f) Definitions.--In this subsection: (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means-- (A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.”
“(c) Implementation Dates.--In carrying out subsections (a) and (b), the Secretary shall-- (1) initiate outreach to each such government not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; (2) enter into each agreement required by paragraph (1) not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (3) begin furnishing the services required by paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Beneficiary Travel.--Section 111(h)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``the Secretary may make payments'' and inserting ``beginning not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, the Secretary shall make payments''.”
“(b) Inclusion of Telehealth and Mail Order Pharmacy Services Required.--Consistent with such sections and with the agreements required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall furnish to veterans in the Freely Associated States services that include, at a minimum-- (1) medical services authorized to be provided under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, which can be administered through telehealth; and (2) pharmaceutical products authorized to be provided under such chapter, delivered by mail.”
“FURNISHING OF CERTAIN HEALTH SERVICES TO VETERANS IN THE FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES. (a) Agreements Required.--Consistent with section 1724(f) of title 38, United States Code, and section 209(a)(4)(A) of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 (48 U.S.C. 1988(a)(4)(A)), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall work expeditiously with the governments of the Freely Associated States to enter into the agreements described in such sections.”
“(5) An identification of any obstacles faced by grant recipients in providing mental health care under the program. (6) A summary of clinical outcomes based on pre- and post- client functioning-- (A) the number of veterans who improved clinically based on relevant clinical evaluation metrics that the Secretary determines appropriate; (B) the degree of clinical improvement based on such relevant clinical evaluation metrics; (C) the total number of veterans participating in the program; and (D) any other outcome metrics as the Secretary determines appropriate. (7) Findings with respect to the sustainability of the program. (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the pilot program under this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029. SEC. 309.”
“(g) Continuity of Care.--A recipient of a grant under the pilot program shall adhere to the continuity of care model established by the Secretary to the Veterans Community Care Program. (h) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the completion of the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program that includes the following: (1) The number of veterans who received mental health care under the program. (2) An identification of the types of mental health care provided and the time period for which such care was provided. (3) An identification and summary of program outcomes. (4) The number of veterans who received mental health care under the program and subsequently enrolled in the patient enrollment system under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code.”
“(2) Multiple grants.--The recipient of a grant under the pilot program-- (A) may apply for, and receive, grants for more than one facility of the recipient for any fiscal year; and (B) may apply for, and receive, a grant for a facility that has already received a grant under the pilot program. (f) Regulations; Accountability.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section, which shall include a requirement that each recipient of a grant under the pilot program shall-- (1) demonstrate the capacity to provide accountability; (2) demonstrate clinical outcomes; (3) justify the effective use of any private investment funds or Federal grant funds through data collection and reporting metrics; and (4) collect standardized outcome measures including symptom improvement and program completion.”
“(e) Amount of Grant.-- (1) In general.-- (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), no grant under the pilot program for a facility for any fiscal year may exceed $1,500,000. (B) Limitation.--In the case of an outpatient mental health facility for which at least 50 percent of the operating budget of the facility for the preceding fiscal year was provided through Federal grants, no grant under the pilot program for the facility for any fiscal year may exceed the lesser of-- (i) 50 percent of the operating budget of the facility; or (ii) $1,500,000.”
“Permissible services include-- (A) family therapy; (B) couples therapy; (C) group therapy; (D) family psychoeducation; and (E) other counseling services the Secretary determines are clinically necessary. (d) Selection of Facilities.--In awarding grants under the pilot program, the Secretary-- (1) shall ensure that grants are distributed geographically evenly among rural and urban areas; (2) may consider the proportion of veterans historically served by the grant recipient; and (3) may prioritize outpatient mental health facilities located in areas that the Secretary determines-- (A) are medically underserved; (B) have large veteran populations; (C) are located near military installations; or (D) have large numbers of veterans at high risk of suicide.”