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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“Section 510 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (f)(2)-- (A) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``in improving outcomes for veterans and their spouses, dependents, and caregivers through the delivery of high quality, accessible, and timely health care, benefits, and other services the Secretary considers appropriate'' before the period at the end; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs: ``(G) A description of how the Secretary will analyze success of the reorganization using results based performance metrics that are derived from the justification for the reorganization.”
“``(f) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) 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. ``(2) The term `reduction in force' means any action that would have required notice under part 351 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2026.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 729 the following new item: ``729A. Reductions in force.''. SEC. 643. DETAILED PLANS AND JUSTIFICATIONS FOR REORGANIZATION OF OFFICES.”
“``(5) An assessment of the anticipated impact of the reduction in force on the delivery of benefits and services furnished by the Department and the actions the Secretary plans to take to mitigate any adverse impacts. ``(d) Equal Content.--A notice regarding a reduction in force sent to an employee pursuant to subsection (a) shall be the same as the notice submitted under such subsection to Congress for the same reduction in force. ``(e) Administrative Remedy.--A reduction in force carried out with respect to an employee in violation of subsection (b) shall have no force or effect with respect to such employee until the Secretary complies with subsection (a).”
“``(D) The services provided by the office. ``(3) A justification for the reduction in force, including how-- ``(A) the new staffing levels resulting from the reduction in force align with the current and future projected demand for benefits and services administered by the Department, disaggregated for each component by facility location, facility type, region, administration, program office, the type of benefit or service, and such other categories as the Secretary determines appropriate; and ``(B) the reduction in force aligns with the strategic human capital plan required by section 729 of this title. ``(4) Budgetary effects of the reduction in force.”
“``(b) Limitation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may not carry out any reduction in force with respect to any employee who has not received the notice required under subsection (a) in the manner and within the time required by such subsection. ``(c) Contents.--Notice regarding plans to carry out a reduction in force submitted pursuant to subsection (a) shall include the following: ``(1) The total number of employees of the Department who will be affected by the reduction. ``(2) The offices of the Department that will be affected by the reduction, including, for each such office, the following: ``(A) The location of the office. ``(B) The program of the Department carried out by the office. ``(C) The total number of employees of the office before and after the reduction in force.”
“(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, as amended [[Page H4599]] by section 641, is further amended by inserting after section 729 the following new section: ``Sec. 729A. Reductions in force ``(a) Notice Required.--In any case in which the Secretary plans to carry out a reduction in force, the Secretary shall, not later than the date that is 60 days before the date on which the Secretary commences carrying out such reduction in force, submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and the employees of the Department who will be affected by the reduction in force notice of the intention of the Secretary to carry out such reduction in force.”
“``(f) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) 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. ``(2) The term `veterans service organization' means any organization recognized by the Secretary under section 5902 of this title.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 728 the following new item: ``729. Strategic human capital plan.''. SEC. 642. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REDUCTION IN FORCE NOTICE REQUIREMENT.”
“``(e) Comptroller General of the United States Biennial Reviews.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the human capital plan is submitted to the appropriate committees of Congress pursuant to subsection (a), and not less frequently than once every 2 years thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall-- ``(1) review the strategic human capital plan developed pursuant to subsection (a) and updated pursuant to subsection (d), as the case may be, particularly with respect to the adequacy of the plan to fulfill the mission and responsibilities of the Department; and ``(2) submit to Congress the findings of the Comptroller General with respect to the review conducted pursuant to paragraph (1).”
“``(d) Annual Updates.--Not later than September 30, 2028, and on September 30 of each of year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an update on the implementation of the strategic human capital plan developed pursuant to subsection (a), including an assessment by the Secretary of-- ``(1) the progress of the Department in implementing the strategic human capital plan; ``(2) the progress of the Department in improving outcomes for veterans and their spouses, dependents, and caregivers through the delivery of high quality, accessible, and timely health care, benefits, and other services the Secretary considers appropriate using results based performance measures; ``(3) changes to projected demand for benefits and services based on new legislative action or other factors, disaggregated for each component by facility location, facility type, region, administration, program office and the type of benefit or service; ``(4) changes to the staffing levels included in the strategic human capital plan, including justifications for such changes, disaggregated by employee position, facility location, facility type, region, administration, program office, the type of benefit or service and such other categories as the Secretary determines appropriate; ``(5) any differentiation between the staffing levels included in the strategic human capital plan and those included in the budget justification materials most recently submitted to Congress in support of the budget of the Department (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31); and ``(6) any differentiation from the Quadrennial Veterans Health Administration review required by section 7330C of this title.”
“``(C) Specific strategies for recruiting and retaining veterans, spouses of veterans and members of the Armed Forces, family members of veterans and members of the Armed Forces, caregivers of veterans, and survivors of members of the Armed Forces as employees of the Department. ``(D) Specific goals to reduce the time to hire and onboard employees of the Department and a strategy to achieve such goals, including draft legislative language for any legislative action necessary to achieve such goals, without degradation of-- ``(i) necessary background checks; and ``(ii) measures to protect Department customer and employee safety.”
“``(2) An implementation plan that includes the following: ``(A) Specific recruitment and retention goals to fulfill the staffing needs identified in the strategic human capital plan and the strategy of the Department to achieve such goals. ``(B) Specific strategies-- ``(i) to improve workforce productivity using technological, organizational, behavioral, and such other approaches as the Secretary determines appropriate and productivity measures that are specific to employee positions and the benefits or services they provide; and ``(ii) that are informed by applicable industry best practices.”
“``(c) Contents.--The strategic human capital plan required by subsection (a) shall incorporate leading practices, including the following: ``(1) A workforce gap analysis, including an assessment of-- ``(A) the staffing levels of each employee position needed to deliver high quality, accessible, and timely health care, benefits, and other services the Secretary considers appropriate, disaggregated by employee position, facility location, facility type, region, administration, program office, the type of benefit or service, and such other categories as the Secretary determines appropriate; ``(B) how the staffing levels described in subparagraph (A) align with industry best practices in each employee position for the anticipated demand for health care, benefits, and other services described in subsection (b); and ``(C) core competencies, as defined by the Secretary, and the staffing levels needed in each of these core competencies, disaggregated by employee position, facility location, facility type, region, administration, program office, the type of benefit or service and such other categories as the Secretary considers appropriate.”
“``(b) Requirements.--(1) In developing the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall take into account and document current and future projected demand for benefits and services administered by the Department, disaggregated for each component by facility location, facility type, region, administration, program office, the type of benefit or service, and such other categories as the Secretary determines appropriate. ``(2) The Secretary shall develop and update the plan under subsection (a) in consultation with veterans service organizations and such other stakeholders as the Secretary considers appropriate.”
“Strategic human capital plan ``(a) Plan Development.--(1) Not later than September 30, 2027, the Secretary shall develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a five-year strategic human capital plan to support the mission and responsibilities of the Department, disaggregated by the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, the National Cemetery Administration, and such other administrative components of the Department as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out the mission of the Department. ``(2) Not later than September 30, 2028, and each September 30 thereafter, the Secretary shall update the plan developed pursuant to paragraph (1) and extend the plan so that it covers the next period of five fiscal years commencing immediately after the date of the update.”
“7601 note), including the current status of the pilot program and a timeline of the status of the pilot program since its initial implementation. Subtitle D--Optimization of Workforce SEC. 641. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS STRATEGIC HUMAN CAPITAL PLAN. (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 729.”
“(c) Update and Submittal of Data.--The data required to be provided under subsection (a)-- (1) shall be updated not less frequently than annually; and (2) may be submitted to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives as part of another report required by law. (d) Initial Data.--With the first iteration of data provided under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the implementation of the pilot program under section 246 of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018 (division J of Public Law 115-141; 38 U.S.C.”
“(b) Elements.--The data required to be provided under subsection (a) shall include, for each program, the following: (1) The number of active participants, broken down by position or expected future position or licensure. (2) The amount of funds spent each fiscal year. (3) The number of participants who have completed their education and are currently completing their service requirements at the Department of Veterans Affairs. (4) The number of participants who were previously active in the program but left the program before completing their education or service requirement during the year preceding the date on which the data is provided. (5) An overview of outreach by the Department to prospective participants in the program. (6) Such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate.”
“801 et seq.).''; and (4) in subsection (e), striking ``Nothing'' and inserting ``Except as provided in subsections (a) and (d), nothing''. SEC. 639. PROVISION OF DATA ON EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION. (a) In General.--Beginning not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives data on graduate medical education programs, health profession scholarship programs, and any other educational assistance programs within the Veterans Health Administration.”
“``(B) A health care professional conducting disability compensation evaluations pursuant to a contract with the Department.''; (3) in subsection (d)-- (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph (2): ``(2) State laws that may be inconsistent under paragraph (1) include-- ``(A) the laws of-- ``(i) the State of licensure, certification, or registration of the covered health care professional; [[Page H4598]] ``(ii) the State of practice of the covered health care professional; ``(iii) the State in which the patient is located; or ``(iv) the State of residence of the patient; and ``(B) such laws specified under subparagraph (A) as incorporated by the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.”
“Section 1730C of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any provision of law regarding the licensure of health care professionals or the prescribing of controlled substances, a covered health care professional may practice the health care profession of the health care professional and prescribe controlled substances at any location in any State or any of the Freely Associated States (as defined in section 1724(f) of this title), regardless of where the covered health care professional or the patient is located, if the covered health care professional is using telemedicine to provide treatment or prescribe controlled substances to an individual under this chapter.''; (2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) A health care professional who is a contractor of the Department acting in the scope of a contract with the Department to furnish care in a facility or clinic of the Department and who has an active, current, full, and unrestricted license, registration, or certification in a State to practice the health care profession of the health care professional, excluding the following: ``(A) A health care professional located outside a facility or clinic of the Department providing care through the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title or a similar authority under the laws administered by the Secretary.”
“(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to the second update under section 505(a)(3) of such Act beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act and each update thereafter. SEC. 638. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY OF LICENSURE OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS PROVIDING TREATMENT VIA TELEMEDICINE.”
“``(2) A description of the actions the Department is taking to improve the onboard timeline for facilities of the Department, including-- ``(A) in the case of facilities of the Veterans Health Administration, for facilities for which the duration of the onboarding process exceeds the metrics laid out in the Time to Hire Model of the Veterans Health Administration, or successor model; and ``(B) in the case of the Veterans Benefits Administration, for regional offices that exceed the time-to-hire target of the Office of Personnel Management. ``(3) The amount of additional funds necessary to enable the Department to reach full staffing capacity. ``(4) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary may have in order to achieve full staffing capacity at the Department.''.”
“301 note) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking ``information,'' and all that follows through ``facility:'' and inserting ``information:''; (ii) in subparagraph (B)-- (I) by inserting ``(i)'' before ``The number''; and (II) by adding at the end the following new clause: ``(ii) Information made available under this subparagraph shall be updated not less frequently than once each quarter to account for delays in data processing and shall reflect the most recently available data.''; (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``vacancies, by occupation.'' and inserting ``positions currently undergoing a recruitment action, disaggregated by occupation and by stage of recruitment.''; (iv) in subparagraph (E)(iii), by striking ``potential hires or''; and (v) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(F) The number of positions vacated during the quarter for which the Department has not initiated a recruitment action or is not planning to initiate a recruitment action.''; (B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); (C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph (5): ``(5) Display of information.--The display of information made publicly available on a website of the Department pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be disaggregated-- ``(A) by departmental component; ``(B) in the case of information relating to Veterans Health Administration positions, by medical facility; and ``(C) in the case of information relating to Veterans Benefits Administration positions, by regional office.''; and (D) in paragraph (6), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), by striking ``shall'' and all that follows and inserting the following: ``shall-- ``(A) review the administration of the website required under paragraph (1); ``(B) develop recommendations relating to the improvement of such administration; and ``(C) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report containing-- ``(i) the findings of the Inspector General with respect to the most recent review conducted under subparagraph (A); and ``(ii) the recommendations most recently developed under subparagraph (B).''; and (2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows: ``(b) Annual Report.--Each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report that includes the following: ``(1) A description of the steps the Department is taking to achieve full staffing capacity.”
“``(2) Authority to include in existing report.--The information required under paragraph (1) may be submitted independently or included in another annual report to Congress.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of subchapter I of chapter 74 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 7411 and inserting the following new item: ``7411. Reimbursement of continuing professional education expenses.''. SEC. 637. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PERSONNEL TRANSPARENCY. (a) In General.--Section 505 of the John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-182; 38 U.S.C.”
“``(e) Report Required.-- ``(1) In general.--Not less frequently than annually after the end of the first fiscal year following the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives information on utilization of reimbursement under this section, including-- ``(A) locations at which reimbursement is claimed; ``(B) position title and specialty of the individual claiming reimbursement; ``(C) average amount claimed per position and specialty; and ``(D) percent utilization by each position and specialty overall.”
“``(d) Priority Reimbursements.--In providing reimbursement under subsection (a), the Secretary shall prioritize reimbursement for individuals providing direct patient care or individuals who are decision-makers for direct patient care.”
“``(b) Authorized Reimbursement.--The Secretary may reimburse any full-time licensed practical or vocational nurse (including any nurse practitioner), medical technologist, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, diagnostic radiologic technologist, or social worker appointed under section 7401(3) of this title, not more than $1,000 per year for each such individual for expenses incurred for continuing professional education directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position of the employee or related to the duties and responsibilities of the position or positions of the employees overseen by the employee. ``(c) Maximum Number of Individuals Reimbursed.--The total number of individuals who may be reimbursed under this section may not exceed 50,000 per year.”
“Reimbursement of continuing professional education expenses ``(a) Required Reimbursement.--The Secretary shall reimburse any full-time physician, dentist, podiatrist, chiropractor, optometrist, psychologist, registered nurse (including any advanced practice registered nurse), or physician assistant appointed under section 7401(1) of this title not more than $1,000 per year for each such individual for expenses incurred for continuing professional education directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position of the employee or related to the duties and responsibilities of the position or positions of the employees overseen by the employee.”
“(2) Effective date of subsequent changes.--Any change made to the policy established pursuant to subsection (a) after the effective date set forth in paragraph (1) shall take effect not less than 90 days after the date on which the change is made. (3) Notice.--For any change made to the policy established pursuant to subsection (a) after the effective date set forth in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall-- (A) notify all affected employees of the Department of the changes; and (B) 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 changes. SEC. 636. EXPANSION OF REIMBURSEMENT OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION EXPENSES. (a) In General.--Section 7411 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 7411.”
“(e) Report on Budgetary Impact.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which the policy established pursuant to subsection (a) goes into effect, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report on the annual budgetary impact of such policy. [[Page H4597]] (f) Effective Date and Changes.-- (1) Effective date of initial policy.--The initial policy established pursuant to subsection (a) shall go into effect not later than 180 days after the date on which the policy is established.”
“(d) Notice and Reporting.-- (1) In general.--For any change made to the policy established pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary shall-- (A) notify all affected employees of the Department of the changes; and (B) 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 changes. (2) Report contents.--For each report submitted to Congress under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall include the analyses for each category conducted in subsection (c) and the role of those analyses in the telework policy for each category. (3) Deadline.--A report submitted under paragraph (1)(B) regarding a change to the policy established under subsection (a) shall be made not fewer than 90 days before the change goes into effect.”
“(c) Assessment.--In developing the policy required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall assess the following for each category of employees at the Department-- (1) staffing levels and trends over the last 5 years; (2) exit survey data related to telework; (3) the availability of dedicated work space at facilities of the Department to enable onsite work at a duty station; (4) a comparison of productivity levels when duties are performed on site or through telework; (5) telework flexibilities for comparable categories of employees in the private sector and in other Federal agencies; and (6) particular duties that necessitate on site work.”
“(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 701 the following new item: ``702. Hiring processes.''. SEC. 635. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TELEWORK POLICY. (a) Policy Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in accordance with the requirements of this section and the requirements of section 6502 of title 5, United States Code, establish a policy for the use of telework within the Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) Locations.--The policy established under subsection (a) may be different for different locations, specialties, and categories of employees, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.”
“``(2) Standardized process.--The Secretary shall develop a standardized process for use of electronic signatures as described in paragraph (1), which shall include exceptions and limitations as the Secretary considers appropriate and that allows for use of electronic signatures for employment documents, including SF 1152 and related successor forms, SF 2823 and related successor forms, and SF 3102-FERS and related successor forms. ``(e) Employee Community Building Program.--The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, establish an employee community building program that connects employees in similar positions, offices, and programs to connect with each other nationwide.''.”
“``(b) Process for Tentative Offers of Employment.--The Secretary shall develop a standardized process for issuing tentative offers of employment with the Department and such process shall require that each such offer includes a specified rate of basic pay when possible and practicable. ``(c) Third-party Contracts.--The Secretary may conduct laboratory testing, background clearances, and other candidate approval and vetting procedures through a contract with a third party if the Secretary determines that the contract would ensure equal or better quality or timeliness. ``(d) Electronic Signatures.-- ``(1) Authority.--The Secretary shall allow electronic signatures on any hiring, recruitment, retention, or other employment documents once a standardized process for such signatures is developed and implemented under paragraph (2).”
“``(2) Delegation.--If the approval authority for a step in the hiring process established under paragraph (1) is vacant, on leave, or otherwise unable to respond to requests for approval in an appropriate timeframe, such authority for approval shall be delegated to the extent practicable to the supervisor of such approval authority or such other designee as may be specified in the chain of command. ``(3) Time to fill goal.--Each window of time allotted for each approval step under paragraph (1)(C) when added together shall not exceed the time-to-fill goal of the Department for such employment position.”
“(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 701 the following new section: ``Sec. 702. Hiring processes ``(a) Standardized Approval Process for Filling Vacant Positions.-- ``(1) Process required.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a standardized, nationwide approval process for filling vacant employment positions within the Department. ``(B) Variability.--The process required by subparagraph (A) may be different for each type of employment position in the Department. ``(C) Approval windows.--The process required by subparagraph (A) shall include a standardized approval window for each approval step.”
“(f) Termination.--The authority under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2030. SEC. 633. REQUIREMENT FOR EQUIVALENT ROLE POSTINGS FOR VACANT POSITIONS AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) In General.--Whenever possible and practicable, if the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is issuing a posting for vacant positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs that may be filled by more than one type of professional or clinician, the Secretary shall issue postings for all possible clinicians or professionals who could fill the position. (b) Application to Certain Positions.--The Secretary shall consider the requirement under subsection (a) in particular with respect to hard-to-recruit, hard-to-retain, primary care, and mental health care positions. SEC. 634. IMPROVEMENTS TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HIRING PROCESSES.”
“(e) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for an additional three 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 on the mentorship program, including-- (1) the number of mentees and peer mentors participating in the mentorship program, disaggregated by medical center of the Department; (2) the number of mentor-mentee pairings initiated under each of the eligibility criteria outlined in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (c), including information on any circumstances in which multiple criteria under such paragraphs were met; (3) a description of the actions taken by the Department to encourage communication between mentees and peer mentors; (4) aggregated feedback from participants in the mentorship program; and (5) the turnover rate for mentee participants in the mentorship program.”
“(3) Employment at a medical center of the Department that reports-- (A) above average performance, as defined by the Secretary, on the Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning Value Model of the Department, or successor similar model; and (B) data under section 1703C(a)(3) of title 38, United States Code, as published on the Access to Care website of the Department, or successor similar website, that exceeds the level reported in the community surrounding such medical center, as determined by the Secretary.”
“(C) Has one or more recommendations from a report by the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs that is still open more than one year after the report was published. (3) A covered individual employed at a medical center of the Department (regardless of appointment commencement date) who is recommended by the regional leadership overseeing such medical center. (d) Criteria for Peer Mentors.--Each peer mentor to be paired with a mentee under subsection (a) shall meet each of the following criteria: (1) Previous or current employment in the same position title as the mentee. (2) Employment in that position for not less than two years.”
“(2) A covered individual employed at a medical center of the Department (regardless of appointment commencement date) that meets one or more of the following criteria: (A) Reports poor performance, as defined by the Secretary, on the Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning Value Model of the Department, or successor similar model. (B) Reports data under section 1703C(a)(3) of title 38, United States Code, as published on the Access to Care website of the Department, or successor similar website, that-- (i) does not consistently meet the level reported in the community surrounding such medical center, as determined by the Secretary; or (ii) does not meet a threshold level determined by the Secretary.”
“[[Page H4596]] (b) Covered Individual Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered individual'' means-- (1) an individual in the position of Facility Director, Chief of Staff, Associate Director of Patient Care Services, Associate Director, Assistant Director, or Deputy Director at a medical center of the Department; or (2) any other employee of the Department who is determined by the Secretary to be an executive leader at a medical center of the Department. (c) Eligibility.--The following employees of the Department are eligible for participation as mentees in the mentorship program: (1) An employee appointed to a position as a covered individual who has been in that position for less than one year.”
“(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may establish a program to connect covered individuals (in this section referred to as ``mentees'') with peer mentors to facilitate sharing of best practices and leadership experiences and to foster opportunities to develop knowledge and skills required to lead successfully at medical facilities of the Department (in this section referred to as the ``mentorship program'').”
“Subtitle C--Staffing Matters SEC. 631. TREATMENT OF PSYCHOLOGISTS. (a) Treatment as Title 38 Employees.--Section 7401 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``psychologists,'' after ``chiropractors,''; and (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``psychologists,''. (b) Inclusion in Contracts for Scarce Medical Specialist Services.--Section 7409(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``psychologists,'' after ``chiropractors,''. SEC. 632. MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAMS AT MEDICAL CENTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.”
“(c) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 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-- (1) the implementation of the plan required under subsection (a); (2) the initial results from the pilot program under subsection (b), including the number of unique veterans who participated in the pilot program, the cost of the pilot program, and an assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot program in increasing access to, and improving outcomes for, participants in the pilot program; (3) plans, if any, to expand or extend the pilot program to address demand for the highly specialized treatment provided under the mental health residential treatment programs of the Department for veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder; and (4) such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.”
“(b) Pilot Program.-- (1) In general.--Commencing not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall carry out a pilot program to provide improved access to mental health residential treatment programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder at not fewer than three medical facilities of the Department. (2) Selection of locations.--In selecting sites for the pilot program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prioritize sites in the following areas: (A) Areas with geographic diversity, including areas that serve veterans residing in rural or highly rural areas. (B) Areas with a significant number of veterans with spinal cord injury or disorder.”
“(2) Elements.--The plan required under paragraph (1) shall include-- (A) a staffing plan, which shall include a plan for how the Department will-- (i) incorporate staff from other facilities to support the pilot program required under subsection (b); and (ii) ensure adequate staffing to support the needs of veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder; (B) an assessment of medical equipment needs; and (C) an assessment of the best location to deliver treatment and health care under mental health residential treatment programs, including through the use of spinal cord injury or disorder centers, spinal cord injury or disorder spokes, and community care providers.”
“(a) Plan.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 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 plan to ensure access to mental health residential treatment programs for veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder.”
“(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new items: ``subchapter ix--participation by veterans in certain mental health treatment programs ``1791. Definitions. ``1792. Standardized process to determine eligibility of covered veterans for participation in certain mental health treatment programs. ``1793. Improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program. ``1794. Fee schedule. ``1795. Training.''. SEC. 622. ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY OR DISORDER.”