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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“``(c) Elements of Plan.--The plan required under subsection (a) shall-- ``(1) allow for Department or non-Department providers to receive credit for non-Department training that is equivalent or substantially similar to training required under subsection (a); and ``(2) include details regarding consequences for non- compliance with training required under such plan, which may include removal from a network of providers under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title for a specified period of time. ``(d) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with relevant professional organizations with respect to the content of relevant training required under subsection (a).''.”
“``(b) Elements of Training.--Training required under subsection (a) shall-- ``(1) be easily accessible, no-cost, and offered in such a manner as to qualify for or fulfill continuing education requirements for health care professionals; ``(2) include course modules related to military culture, post-traumatic stress disorder, the evaluation and management of suicide, traumatic brain injury, and opioid safety, or comparable course modules, as determined by the Secretary; and ``(3) be offered through Department and non-Department entities or organizations.”
“Training ``(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, the Secretary shall-- ``(1) develop and implement a plan to ensure that health care providers caring for veterans under covered treatment programs receive and complete relevant training aligned with industry standards and practices; and ``(2) submit that plan to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.”
“``(d) Recoupment of Amounts.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall recoup from a non- Department entity, including a third party administrator, any amount paid to such entity that exceeds the amount specified under the fee schedule under subsection (a) for the care or services provided. ``(2) Limitation.--A non-Department entity shall not bill a veteran for any charges recouped under paragraph (1). ``Sec. 1795.”
“1396 et seq.) and by commercial health insurance providers; ``(3) to the greatest extent practicable, be consistent with payment rates under section 1703(i) of this title; ``(4) be comprehensive to include a variety of possible types of care, services, and charges; and ``(5) be sufficient to ensure a robust network of qualified community providers able to provide services under a covered treatment program to covered veterans. ``(c) Coordination of Payment Rates.--After the date of the initial publication of the fee schedule under subsection (a), the rate paid by the Department for residential substance use disorder treatment shall be the rate provided in the fee schedule required under such subsection.”
“Fee schedule ``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, the Secretary shall make publicly available on an appropriate website of the Department a fee schedule for each covered treatment program provided by a non-Department provider through which the Secretary furnishes care and services under section 1710 of this title. ``(b) Elements.--The fee schedule required under subsection (a) for a covered treatment program shall-- ``(1) reflect reasonable charges for the services provided; ``(2) be based on the amounts customarily paid for similar services under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.”
“``(F) A review of outcomes from Department and non- Department covered treatment programs based at least in part on the subsequent clinical screenings required under subsection (g)(3)(F). ``(G) Recommendations for improvement of access by covered veterans to care under a covered treatment program, including with respect to-- ``(i) any new sites or types of programs needed or in development; ``(ii) changes in training or policy; ``(iii) changes in communications with covered veterans; and ``(iv) oversight of covered treatment programs by the Department. ``Sec. 1794.”
“``(D) When determining the facility at which a covered veteran admitted to a covered treatment program will be placed in such program, a review of how the input of the covered veteran is taken into consideration with respect to-- ``(i) program specialty, subtype, or treatment track offered to the covered veteran; and ``(ii) the geographic placement of the covered veteran, including family- or occupation-related preferences or circumstances. ``(E) A review of staffing and staffing needs and gaps of covered treatment programs, including with respect to-- ``(i) mental health providers and coordinators at the facility level; ``(ii) staff of facilities of such programs; ``(iii) staff of Veterans Integrated Service Networks; and ``(iv) overall administration of such programs at the national level.”
“``(2) Elements.--The review required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: ``(A) A review of wait times for covered veterans under a covered treatment program, disaggregated by-- ``(i) treatment track or specificity of residential rehabilitation treatment care needed; ``(ii) sex of the covered veteran; ``(iii) home State of the covered veteran; ``(iv) home Veterans Integrated Service Network of the covered veteran; and ``(v) wait times for-- ``(I) facilities of the Department; and ``(II) non-Department facilities. ``(B) A review of policy and training of the Department on screening, admission, and placement under a covered treatment program. [[Page H4595]] ``(C) A review of the rights of covered veterans and providers to appeal admission decisions under a covered treatment program and how the Department adjudicates appeals.”
“``(m) Comptroller General Review.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall review access to care under a covered treatment program for covered veterans in need of residential mental health care and substance use disorder care.”
“``(5) Appropriate entity defined.--In this subsection, the term `appropriate entity' means-- ``(A) a nongovernmental entity with experience in assessing programs that deliver services provided under covered treatment programs on a large scale; or ``(B) a federally funded research and development center. ``(k) Revision of Guidance.--The Secretary shall update the guidance of the Department on the operation of covered treatment programs to reflect each of the requirements under this section. ``(l) Deadline.--Unless otherwise specified, the Secretary shall carry out each requirement under this section by not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act.”
“``(4) Action plan and commentary.--Not later than five years after 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, and publish on a publicly accessible website of the Department, a report containing-- ``(A) the results of the study required under paragraph (1); ``(B) action plans for improvement based on the results of the study; and ``(C) general commentary and feedback on the results of the study.”
“``(3) Completion of study.--The contract sought under paragraph (1) shall include a requirement that the appropriate entity, not later than four years after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, complete the study required under such paragraph and submit to the Secretary a report on the study.”
“``(2) Elements.--The study required under paragraph (1) shall include a review of-- ``(A) whether facilities are meeting requirements of the Department pursuant to law, regulation, or policy; ``(B) staffing models used by facilities and level of adherence to those models; ``(C) success rates of covered treatment programs in preventing readmittance to a covered treatment program or death by suicide or overdose within a year of discharge from the program; ``(D) adherence of non-Department facilities to timelines for claim submission and record returns to the Department; and ``(E) any other factors the Secretary or the appropriate entity determines relevant or appropriate to include.”
“``(j) Third-party Assessment.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter into a contract with an appropriate entity to conduct a study of the care provided under covered treatment programs through facilities of the Department and non-Department facilities.”
“``(3) Notification to congress of beds not available due to lack of staffing.--The Secretary shall notify Congress of any covered treatment programs of the Department with more than five beds or more than ten percent of beds unavailable, closed, or reassigned due to lack of staffing, including-- ``(A) information on the staff needed to reopen beds that are closed; ``(B) plans to recruit and retain staff; ``(C) the total number of beds closed or expected to be closed; ``(D) the estimated length of time until those closed beds are made available; and ``(E) the current wait time for access to those beds.”
“``(C) Anonymity.--To ensure that the data provided under this paragraph, or some portion of that data, will not undermine the anonymity of a veteran, the Secretary shall provide such data pursuant to applicable Federal law and in a manner that is wholly consistent with applicable Federal privacy and confidentiality laws, including-- ``(i) section 552a of title 5 (commonly known as the `Privacy Act of 1974'); ``(ii) the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-191); ``(iii) parts 160 and 164 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, or successor regulations; and ``(iv) sections 5701, 5705, and 7332 of this title.”
“``(viii) A list of health care systems without a covered treatment program and an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of opening a covered treatment program at such health care system that is aligned and justified by patient demand and market factors. ``(ix) A list of health care systems that offer a covered treatment program aligned with patient demand and market factors and that have an average wait time of more than 20 days and an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of expanding such covered treatment program to lower such average wait time. ``(x) Any recommendations for changes to the operation of covered treatment programs, including any policy changes, guidance changes, training changes, or other changes.”
“``(vi) A review of staffing needs and gaps with respect to covered treatment programs that is data-driven and aligned with industry benchmarks and standards, including-- ``(I) a list of facilities that had unstaffed beds or closed beds due to lack of staffing at any point in the previous year; ``(II) the number of additional staff needed to staff those beds; ``(III) the number of beds at each facility; ``(IV) the average wait-times for the covered treatment program, disaggregated by month, during the periods of bed closures; and ``(V) a list of facilities that required staff of covered treatment programs to perform duties unrelated to covered treatment programs for a period of greater than three days. ``(vii) An overview of data collected pursuant to a subsequent clinical screening under subsection (g)(3)(F).”
“``(iv) A list of any new locations of covered treatment programs added or removed and any bed spaces added or removed during the one-year period preceding the date of the report. ``(v) Average cost of a stay under a covered treatment program, including total stay average and daily average, at facilities of the Department compared to non-Department facilities.”
“``(ii) Wait times under a covered treatment program for the most recent year data is available, disaggregated by-- ``(I) treatment track or specificity of residential rehabilitation treatment care sought by the covered veteran; ``(II) sex of the covered veteran; ``(III) State or territory in which the covered veteran is located; ``(IV) Veterans Integrated Service Network in which the covered veteran is located; and ``(V) facility of the Department at which the covered veteran seeks care. ``(iii) A list of all locations of a covered treatment program and number of bed spaces at each such location, disaggregated by residential rehabilitation treatment care or treatment track provided under such program at such location.”
“``(B) Elements.--Subject to subparagraph (C), each report required by subparagraph (A) shall include the following: ``(i) The number of covered veterans served by a covered treatment program, disaggregated by-- ``(I) Veterans Integrated Service Network in which the covered veteran receives care; ``(II) facility, including facilities of the Department and non-Department facilities, at which the covered veteran receives care; ``(III) type of residential rehabilitation treatment care received by the covered veteran under such program; ``(IV) sex of the covered veteran; and ``(V) race or ethnicity of the covered veteran.”
“``(2) Annual report on operation of programs.-- ``(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the submission of the report under paragraph (1), and not less frequently than 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 on the operation of covered treatment programs.”
“5515), including-- ``(I) such actions with respect to-- ``(aa) any new locations added for covered treatment programs; ``(bb) any beds added at existing facilities of such programs; and ``(cc) any additional treatment tracks or sex-specific programs created or added at facilities of the Department; and ``(II) a breakdown of the number and percentage of covered veterans who are determined eligible for priority placement into a covered treatment program and the number and percentage of covered veterans who are determined eligible for routine placement into a covered treatment program; and ``(iii) such recommendations as the Secretary may have for legislative or administrative action to address any funding constraints or disincentives for use of a covered treatment program.”
“``(B) Elements.--The report required by subparagraph (A) shall include-- [[Page H4594]] ``(i) an assessment of whether costs of covered treatment programs, including for residential care provided through facilities of the Department and non-Department facilities, serve as a disincentive to placement in such a program; ``(ii) a description of actions taken by the Department to address the findings and recommendations by the Secretary contained in the report under section 503(c) of the STRONG Veterans Act of 2022 (division V of Public Law 117-328; 136 Stat.”
“``(i) Reports to Congress.-- ``(1) Report on modifications to programs.-- ``(A) In general.--Not later than two years after 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 a report on modifications made to the guidance, operation, and oversight of covered treatment programs to fulfill the requirements of this section.”
“``(h) Data Collection.--The Secretary shall consult with the Office of Research and Development of the Department, or any successor office, regarding any data the Department should consider requesting or requiring from non-Department facilities to assist with research studies and projects in which the Department is participating relating to mental health residential rehabilitation treatment programs.”
“``(G) Complex medical needs.--Before, during, and after treatment in a covered treatment program, the Secretary shall provide greater engagement, coordination, and monitoring of care for covered veterans with-- ``(i) complex medical diagnoses, including diagnoses of dementia, spinal cord injury or disorder, epilepsy, Parkinson's, anemia, severe mental illness, multiple sclerosis, incontinence of the bladder or bowel, mobility limitations, or impaired vision; or ``(ii) complex medical needs, including chemotherapy or other oncology care, dialysis, recurring blood transfusions, or physical or occupational therapy.”
“``(F) Subsequent clinical screening.--Not later than 180 days after the end of treatment of a covered veteran in a covered treatment program, the covered treatment program or a Department or non-Department provider shall conduct a subsequent clinical screening, which shall include an assessment of the factors specified in clauses (i) through (viii) of subparagraph (A) and recommendations for follow-up care as the Secretary considers appropriate.”
“``(E) Discharge from non-department facility.--Upon discharge of a covered veteran under a covered treatment program from a non-Department facility, and not later than 30 days after discharge, the facility shall share with the Department all care records maintained by the facility with respect to the covered veteran and shall work in consultation with the Department on the care plan of the covered veteran required under subparagraph (A).”
“``(ii) Approval required.--Any length of stay of a covered veteran at a covered treatment program longer than 30 days or extensions of length of stay greater than a total of 30 days shall require approval by the Secretary. The Secretary shall respond to any such requests for approval within 72 hours. Any such requests that have not received a response within 72 hours shall be automatically approved on a daily basis until the Secretary responds. ``(D) Sharing of care plan.--The care plan required under subparagraph (A) shall be shared with the covered veteran, the primary care provider of the covered veteran, and any other providers with which the covered veteran consents to sharing the plan.”
“``(B) Matters to be included.--The care plan required under subparagraph (A) for a covered veteran shall include details on the course of treatment for the covered veteran following completion of treatment under the covered treatment program, including recommended length of stay and any necessary follow-up care and the results of any screening conducted under such subparagraph. ``(C) Length of stay.-- ``(i) In general.--Covered treatment programs at non- Department facilities shall submit the care plan under subparagraph (A) for a covered veteran, including the requested or recommended length of stay for the covered veteran, to the Department not later than 72 hours after the veteran is admitted to the covered treatment program.”
“``(3) Care planning and clinical screening.-- ``(A) In general.--A covered treatment program, in consultation with the covered veteran and the treating providers of the covered veteran in the covered treatment program, shall ensure the completion of a care plan and a clinical screening upon admittance to the covered treatment program and prior to discharge from the covered treatment program, which shall include an assessment of, with respect to the covered veteran-- ``(i) overall mental health; ``(ii) risk for suicide; ``(iii) risk for overdose; ``(iv) housing insecurity; ``(v) food insecurity; ``(vi) employment; ``(vii) complex medical needs and diagnoses; and ``(viii) any other factors the Secretary determines necessary.”
“``(2) Care coordination for substance use disorder.--For a covered veteran being treated for substance use disorder, the Secretary shall-- ``(A) ensure there is a care plan in place during the period between any detoxification services or inpatient care received by the covered veteran and admission of the covered veteran to a covered treatment program; and ``(B) communicate that care plan to the covered veteran, the primary care provider of the covered veteran, and the facility where the covered veteran is or will be residing under such program.”
“``(3) Staff coverage.--The Secretary shall not require staff of a covered treatment program to act as coverage for any other team, service, or project unrelated to the covered treatment program for a period of greater than three days per month unless such coverage is for purposes of the fourth mission of the Department or under an emergency declaration. ``(g) Care Coordination and Follow-up Care.-- ``(1) Continuity of care.--The Secretary shall ensure each covered veteran who is screened for admission to a covered treatment program is offered, and provided if agreed upon, care options during the period between screening of the covered veteran and admission of the covered veteran to such program to ensure the covered veteran does not experience any lapse in care.”
“``(C) Timing of training.-- ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall require the training under subparagraph (A) to be completed by staff required to complete such training-- ``(I) not later than 60 days after beginning employment at the Department in a position that includes work directly involving a covered treatment program; and ``(II) not less frequently than annually. ``(ii) Tracking.--The Secretary shall track completion of training required under clause (i) by staff required to complete such training. ``(2) Oversight standards.--The Secretary shall review and revise oversight standards for the leadership of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks and the Veterans Health Administration to ensure that facilities and staff of the Department are adhering to the policy on access to care of each covered treatment program.”
“``(f) Staffing Matters.-- ``(1) Training.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall update and implement training for staff of the Department directly involved in a covered treatment program regarding referrals, screening, admission, placement decisions, and appeals for such program, including all changes to processes and guidance under such program required by this section and section 1792. ``(B) Covered veterans awaiting admission.--The training under subparagraph (A) shall include procedures for the care of covered veterans awaiting admission into a covered treatment program and communication with such covered veterans and the providers of such covered veterans.”
“``(2) Availability of information.--The Secretary shall make the information tracked under paragraph (1) available, in real time to-- ``(A) the mental health treatment coordinators at each facility of the Department; ``(B) the leadership of each medical center of the Department; ``(C) the leadership of each Veterans Integrated Service Network; and ``(D) the Office of the Under Secretary for Health of the Department. ``(3) Publication of information.--Not less frequently than monthly, the Secretary shall publish the information tracked under paragraph (1) on a publicly accessible website of the Department.”
“``(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may be construed as granting a covered veteran, a representative of a covered veteran, or a provider who requests a covered veteran be admitted to a covered treatment program, including a provider of the Department or a non-Department provider, the right to appeal a decision of the Secretary with respect to admission to a covered treatment program to the Board of Veterans' Appeals under chapter 71 of this title. ``(e) Tracking of Availability and Wait Times.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, to the extent practicable, shall create a method for tracking availability and wait times under a covered treatment program across all facilities of the Department, Veterans Integrated Service Networks, and non-Department providers throughout the United States.”
“``(3) Public guidance.--The Secretary shall develop, and make available to the public, guidance on how a covered veteran, a representative of the covered veteran, or a provider of the covered veteran can file a clinical appeal pursuant to this subsection-- ``(A) if the covered veteran is denied admission into a covered treatment program; ``(B) if the first date on which the covered veteran may enter a covered treatment program does not comply with the eligibility access standards under section 1703B(a) of this title for care at a covered treatment program; or ``(C) with respect to such other factors as the Secretary may specify.”
“``(2) Timeliness standards for review.-- ``(A) In general.--The national policy and procedures developed under paragraph (1) for appeals described in such paragraph shall include timeliness standards for the Department to review and make a decision on such an appeal. ``(B) Decision.--The Secretary shall review and respond to any appeal under paragraph (1) not later than 72 hours after the Secretary receives such appeal.”
“``(d) Appeals.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop a national policy and associated procedures, in accordance with the existing clinical appeals process of the Veterans Health Administration, under which a covered veteran, a representative of a covered veteran, or a provider who requests a covered veteran be admitted to a covered treatment program, including a provider of the Department or a non- Department provider, may file a clinical appeal pursuant to this subsection if the covered veteran is-- ``(A) denied admission into a covered treatment program; or [[Page H4593]] ``(B) accepted into a covered treatment program but is not offered bed placement in a timely manner.”
“``(B) Limitations.-- ``(i) Costs incurred by veterans.--The Secretary shall provide reimbursement under subparagraph (A) directly to a covered veteran only for costs directly incurred by the covered veteran and pre-approved by the Department. ``(ii) No coverage of transportation provided by covered treatment program.--The Secretary shall not reimburse a covered veteran for transportation provided to the covered veteran by a covered treatment program, unless for a purpose and amount approved by the Secretary.”
“``(2) Transportation coverage.-- ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law regarding the transportation of individuals under this title, or any other law administered by the Secretary, and except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall provide transportation, pay for, or reimburse the costs of transportation for any covered veteran who is admitted into a covered treatment program and needs transportation assistance-- ``(i) from the residence of the covered veteran or a facility of the Department or authorized non-Department facility that does not provide such care to another Department or non-Department facility that provides residential care covered under a covered treatment program; and ``(ii) back to the residence of the covered veteran or to a facility of the Department or an authorized non-Department facility after the conclusion of a covered treatment program, if applicable.”
“``(c) Placement; Transportation.-- ``(1) Locations.--If the Secretary determines that a covered veteran is in need of residential care under a covered treatment program, the Secretary shall provide to the covered veteran a list of locations at which such covered veteran can receive such residential care that meets-- ``(A) the standards for screening under section 1792 of this title; and ``(B) the care needs of the covered veteran, including applicable treatment tracks.”
“``(3) Consultation.--In developing the processes required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with relevant stakeholders, including mental health and substance use disorder providers employed by the Department and those employed by non-Department entities, and ensure adherence to industry standards. ``(4) Report.--Not later than one year after 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 a report describing the consultation and oversight processes required by this subsection.”
“``(2) Elements.--The processes required under paragraph (1) shall include assessments of-- ``(A) the extent to which providers at the facility deliver evidence-based treatments to covered veterans; ``(B) clinical outcomes for covered veterans, including those outcomes assessed pursuant to a subsequent clinical screening under subsection (g)(3)(F); ``(C) the ratio of licensed independent practitioners per resident; ``(D) the rate of completion of training under section 1795 of this title by licensed independent practitioners; ``(E) whether non-Department facilities and providers generally meet the criteria outlined in section 1792(e) of this title; ``(F) the timeliness, completeness, and rate of transmission, if applicable, of medical records during and following treatment of covered veterans; and ``(G) potentially wasteful, fraudulent, or inappropriate referral or billing practices.”
“``(4) Report.--Not later than one year after 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 a report describing the consultation and performance metrics required under this subsection. ``(b) Oversight.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop a process for systematically assessing at the facility, network, and regional level, as the Secretary considers appropriate, the quality of care delivered by facilities of the Department and non-Department facilities treating covered veterans under this section as well as a process for rectifying any identified concerns.”
“``(2) Elements.--The metrics developed under paragraph (1) shall include metrics for tracking the performance of medical facilities of the Department, Veterans Integrated Service Networks, and non-Department facilities with respect to routine and priority admission under a covered treatment program as well as adherence to evidence-based treatment standards. ``(3) Consultation.--In developing metrics under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with mental health and substance use disorder providers, including providers employed by the Department and those employed by non- Department entities, and ensure adherence to industry standards.”
“Improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program ``(a) Performance Metrics.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop metrics to track, and shall subsequently track, the performance of medical facilities of the Department, Veterans Integrated Service Networks, and non-Department facilities in meeting the requirements for-- ``(A) screening, under section 1792 of this title, for a covered treatment program; ``(B) timely admission, under section 1792 of this title, to a covered treatment program pursuant to such screening; and ``(C) adherence to evidence-based treatment standards developed by the Secretary in consultation with appropriate governmental and non-governmental professional organizations with a demonstrated history of providing or accrediting programs that are substantially similar to covered treatment programs, or made of professionals who provide for such programs, including by-- ``(i) using placement criteria established by the American Society of Addiction Medicine; and ``(ii) maintaining standards to meet accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities or the Joint Commission.”