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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“``(D) The quality of health care furnished by the Department and through the Veterans Community Care Program. ``(E) Workforce issues, including workforce performance, recruitment, and retention factors. ``(F) Patient satisfaction and customer service at medical facilities of the Department and through the Veterans Community Care Program. ``(G) The training of health care providers and the standards of care at facilities of the Department and in the Veterans Community Care Program. ``(H) The long-term budgetary outlook of the Veterans Health Administration, as well as key components driving budgetary changes over time. ``(I) The research program of the Department, including both internal and external research. ``(J) The interaction of care under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.”
“``(2) Topics to be reviewed.--In conducting a review under paragraph (1)(A), the Commission shall include periodic reviews of the following, taking into consideration other independent assessments in selecting topics to limit duplicative efforts: ``(A) Information technology infrastructure at medical facilities of the Department, including with respect to electronic health record systems. ``(B) Referrals to care at facilities of the Department and under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title, and factors impacting those referrals. ``(C) Access and wait times at medical facilities of the Department and under the Veterans Community Care Program, including both primary and specialty care, and factors impacting those wait times.”
“``(e) Chairman and Vice Chairman.--The Comptroller General shall designate one member of the Commission as Chairman and one member of the Commission as Vice Chairman, at the time of appointment of such member and for the term of appointment of such member, except that in the case of vacancy of the Chairmanship or Vice Chairmanship, the Comptroller General may designate another member for the remainder of that member's term. ``(f) Duties of the Commission.-- ``(1) Review.--The Commission shall-- ``(A) review operations at the Veterans Health Administration; and ``(B) prepare reports for Congress based on such review, including recommendations to Congress.”
“``(c) Period of Appointment; Vacancies.-- ``(1) Vacancies.-- ``(A) In general.--A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made and shall be subject to any conditions that applied with respect to the original appointment. ``(B) Filling unexpired term.--An individual chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member replaced. ``(2) Expiration of terms.--The term of any member shall not expire before the date on which the member's successor takes office. ``(d) Meetings.-- ``(1) Frequency.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairman, but not less frequently than once per year. ``(2) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold meetings.”
“``(B) Experience of members.--In appointing members under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall select individuals from backgrounds that reflect the broad diversity of health care received by veterans, including nonprofit health systems, public and private health systems, care furnished by the Veterans Health Administration, and care furnished by the Department of Defense. ``(3) Ethical disclosure.--A member of the Commission shall be considered an employee of Congress whose compensation is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate for purposes of applying subchapter I of chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code, except that a member of the Commission is required to file public financial disclosure reports without regard to their number of days of service or rate of pay.”
“``(b) Membership.-- ``(1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 17 members appointed by the Comptroller General of the United States, of which not fewer than 2 shall be veterans. ``(2) Qualifications.-- ``(A) In general.--An individual is eligible for appointment to the Commission under paragraph (1) if the individual has significant expertise in operating or advising large [[Page H4577]] medical systems, including expertise in quality of care, staffing issues, health information technology, artificial intelligence in health care, medical research, and managed care plans and networks.”
“(g) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Covered medication.--The term ``covered medication'' means any opioid overdose rescue medication, such as naloxone. (2) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. SEC. 325. ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION POLICY ADVISORY COMMISSION. (a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 120. Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission ``(a) Establishment.--There is established the Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission (in this section referred to as the `Commission').”
“(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) The number of veterans who received a covered medication under the pilot program, disaggregated by those enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, and those not enrolled in such system. (B) An assessment of the feasibility of expanding the pilot program to provide covered medications to immediate family members of veterans. (C) Any considerations associated with continuing, expanding, or making permanent the pilot program. (D) Any other recommendations of the Secretary with respect to modifying or continuing the pilot program.”
“(e) Provision of Information.--The Secretary shall ensure that any individual who receives covered medication under the pilot program also receives-- (1) information about addiction services, suicide prevention services, mental health services, and other related services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (2) information on the use and application of covered medications. (f) Report.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 30 days before the completion of the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program.”
“(d) Limitation on Use of Information.-- (1) In general.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary may only collect the personally identifiable information needed for prescribing covered medication under the pilot program, and any personally identifiable information collected under this section may be used solely for the purpose of delivering, evaluating, and enhancing the quality of health care. (2) Exclusion.--The Secretary may not use any personally identifiable information collected under this section-- (A) for the purpose of preventing a veteran from employment; (B) as evidence of a history of drug use; or (C) as evidence that an individual is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance.”
“(a) In General.--Commencing not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a one-year pilot program under which the Secretary shall make covered medications available to any veteran at no charge (in this section referred to as the ``pilot program''). (b) Provision of Medication Prior to Confirmation of Status.--The Secretary may provide covered medication to an individual under the pilot program prior to confirming the status of the individual as a veteran if the individual provides contact information for the individual and a written self-attestation of veteran status. (c) Site Selection.--The Secretary shall prioritize carrying out the pilot program in geographical areas where data indicates a disproportionately high risk of overdose among the veteran population.”
“(3) Nonduplication and supplementation of efforts.--In carrying out activities under this section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that such activities minimize duplication and supplement, not supplant, existing information-sharing efforts of the Department of Health and Human Services. (c) Sense of Congress on Additional Research Related to Menopause, Perimenopause, or Mid-life Women's Health.--It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should each conduct research related to menopause, perimenopause, or mid-life health regarding women who are members of the uniformed services or veterans. SEC. 324. PILOT PROGRAM ON PROVISION OF OPIOID RESCUE MEDICATIONS TO VETERANS.”
“(2) Report; strategic plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report containing-- (A) the findings of the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1); (B) recommendations for improving professional training resources described in paragraph (1)(D) for covered providers; and (C) a strategic plan that-- (i) resolves the gaps in knowledge and research identified in the report; and (ii) identifies topics in need of further research relating to potential treatments for menopause-related symptoms of women who are members of the uniformed services or veterans.”
“(b) Evaluation of Certain Research Related to Menopause, Perimenopause, or Mid-life Women's Health.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall evaluate-- (A) the results of completed research related to menopause, perimenopause, or mid-life women's health among women who are members of the uniformed services or veterans; (B) the status of such research that is ongoing; (C) any gaps in knowledge and research on-- (i) treatments for menopause-related symptoms, including hormone and non-hormone treatments; (ii) the safety and effectiveness of treatments for menopause-related symptoms; (iii) the impact of perimenopause and menopause on the mental health of women who are members of the uniformed services or veterans; (D) the availability of and uptake of professional training resources for covered providers relating to mid-life women's health with respect to the care, treatment, and management of perimenopause and menopausal symptoms, and related support services; and (E) the availability of and uptake of treatments for women who are members of the uniformed services or veterans who are experiencing perimenopause or menopause.”
“(5) Postmenopausal.--The term ``postmenopausal'' means the stage of a woman's life after a woman has been without a menstrual period for 12 months that lasts for the rest of a woman's life and reflects a time when women are at increased risk for osteoporosis and heart disease.”
“(3) Mid-life.--The term ``mid-life'' means a life stage that-- (A) coincides with the menopausal transition in women, which may be physical or emotional; (B) encompasses the late reproductive age, which can begin at approximately 35 years of age, to the late postmenopausal stages of reproductive aging, which can extend to approximately 65 years of age; and (C) often marks the onset of many chronic diseases. (4) Perimenopause.--The term ``perimenopause'' means the time during a woman's life when levels of the hormone estrogen fall unevenly in a woman's body and is also called the menopausal transition.”
“(2) Termination.--The Secretary is not required to submit a report under paragraph (1) on or after the date on which the Secretary confirms in a report submitted under such paragraph that each medical center of the Department contains a lactation space. SEC. 323. RESEARCH RELATED TO MENOPAUSE, PERIMENOPAUSE, AND MID-LIFE WOMEN'S HEALTH: REPORT; PLAN. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Covered provider.--The term ``covered provider'' means a health care provider employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) Menopause.--The term ``menopause'' means the stage of a woman's life-- (A) when menstrual periods stop permanently and she can no longer get pregnant; and (B) that is not a disease state, but a normal part of aging for women.”
“(d) Report.-- (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, 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 progress of the Secretary in meeting the requirements under section 1720M of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), including-- (A) a list of which medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs currently have a lactation space; (B) a list of which medical centers of the Department do not have a lactation space; and (C) for each medical center listed under subparagraph (B), a description of actions the Department has taken to design and plan a lactation space and a timeline for such lactation space to be fully functional and open for use within the time periods specified under subsection (c).”
“(c) Implementation.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that-- (1) not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, not fewer than 80 percent of medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs are in compliance with section 1720M of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a); and (2) not later than three years after such date of enactment, all medical centers of the Department are in compliance with such section.”
“``(c) Lactation Space Defined.--In this section, the term `lactation space' means a hygienic place, other than a bathroom, that-- ``(1) is shielded from view; ``(2) is free from intrusion; ``(3) is accessible to disabled individuals (including such individuals who use wheelchairs); ``(4) contains a chair and a working surface; ``(5) is easy to locate; ``(6) is clearly identified with signage; and ``(7) is available for use by women veterans and members of the public to express breast milk.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is [[Page H4576]] amended by inserting after the item related to section 1720L the following new item: ``1720M. Lactation spaces in medical centers of the Department.''.”
“(11) The percentage of such Department and non-Department providers who undergo formal peer-review or clinical-quality review at least once every six months. SEC. 322. LACTATION SPACES IN MEDICAL CENTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 1720M. Lactation spaces in medical centers of the Department ``(a) Lactation Space Required.--The Secretary shall ensure that each medical center of the Department contains a lactation space. ``(b) No Unauthorized Entry.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize an individual to enter a medical center of the Department or portion thereof that the individual is not otherwise authorized to enter.”
“(9) The proportion of veterans described in paragraph (8) whose treatment progress is documented in their electronic health records as follows: (A) For inpatient, residential, and intensive outpatient programs, entry and exit symptom-assessment data and discharge summaries shall be recorded not later than one year following admission. (B) For outpatient programs, initial symptom-assessment data shall be entered not later than one month of intake, and follow-up data shall be recorded not later than one year thereafter. (10) The average elapsed time for such Department and non- Department providers, between receipt of referral for care or veteran outreach and completion of the initial appointment or admission.”
“(6) The extent to which veterans with co-occurring mental- health and substance-use conditions receive coordinated, integrated care addressing the full range of their clinical needs, regardless of provider affiliation. (7) Whether such Department and non-Department providers monitor and document health-outcome measures throughout the course of treatment and at regular intervals during the three years following the initiation of treatment. (8) The number of veterans receiving treatment from such Department and non-Department providers across all levels of care, including inpatient, residential, intensive outpatient, and standard outpatient programs.”
“(3) Identification of any gaps or delays in coordination between such Department and non-Department providers in responding to veterans seeking mental health or addiction therapy services, including the timeliness and completeness of health record exchange and communication of care plans. (4) Measures of patient satisfaction with care received from such Department and non-Department providers. (5) The number and percentage of such Department and non- Department providers who have completed Department or other accredited condition-specific training relevant to the veterans they treat, including training on military culture and trauma-informed care.”
“Symptom scores shall be obtained for-- (A) Post-traumatic stress disorder, using the Clinician- Administered PTSD Scale and the PTSD Checklist; (B) depression, using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9; (C) substance use disorder, using the Brief Addiction Monitor; and (D) suicidality, using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale. (2) Treatment-fidelity scores, derived from electronic health record documentation, assessing the extent to which such Department and non-Department providers adhere to evidenced-based practices in delivering mental health and addiction therapy care, as measured against criteria established by the VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guidelines and other nationally recognized, evidence-based standards, including those of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the American Psychiatric Association.”
“(b) Timing.--The Secretary shall ensure that the organization with which the Secretary enters into an agreement pursuant to subsection (a) completes the study and submits the required report not later than 18 months after the date on which the agreement is executed. (c) Elements.--The report submitted pursuant to subsection (a)(2) shall include an assessment of the following: (1) The degree of symptom improvement among veterans receiving care from such Department and non-Department providers across telehealth, in-patient, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and residential modalities. For each setting, symptom changes shall be measured between intake and discharge (for inpatient, intensive-outpatient, and residential programs) and between initiation of care and five months thereafter (for outpatient programs).”
“(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with an independent and objective academic organization or research institute with demonstrated expertise in evaluating health outcomes inside and outside the Department of Veterans Affairs under which that organization shall-- (1) conduct a comparative study, subject to applicable Federal privacy laws, that evaluates the quality of mental health and addiction therapy care furnished under laws administered by the Secretary, by providers of the Department and by non-Department providers, across a range of treatment modalities, including telehealth, in-patient, intensive out- patient, out-patient, and residential treatment; and (2) 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 available website, a report containing the final results of such study.”
“``(2) The term `Fisher House' means a housing facility that-- ``(A) is located at, or in proximity to, a Department medical facility; ``(B) is available for residential use on a temporary basis by patients of that facility and others described in subsection (b); and ``(C) is constructed by, and donated to the Secretary by, the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed Services Foundation or the Fisher House Foundation.''. SEC. 321. STUDY ON QUALITY OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION THERAPY CARE PROVIDED BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMPARED TO NON-DEPARTMENT PROVIDERS.”
“``(6) On a space available basis, a covered beneficiary and a member of the family of a covered beneficiary and others who must travel a significant distance for a member of the covered beneficiary's family to receive care or services at a Department or non-Department facility.''; (3) by striking subsection (c) and redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; (4) in subsection (d), as so redesignated-- (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``subsection (d)'' and inserting ``subsection (c)''; (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``under subsection (b)(2)'' and inserting ``or a covered beneficiary under subsection (b)''; (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon; (D) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and (E) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph (5): ``(5) establishing criteria for providing access to temporary lodging facilities on a space-available basis under paragraphs (3) through (6) of subsection (b); and''; and (5) by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(e) In this section: ``(1) The term `covered beneficiary' means a member of the uniformed services.”
“``(4) On a space-available basis, a member of the family of a covered beneficiary described in paragraph (3) and others who accompany such a covered beneficiary who is receiving care or services and provide the equivalent of familial support for such beneficiary when the covered beneficiary or the family member is traveling to receive care or services at a Department or non-Department facility. ``(5) On a space-available basis, a veteran and a member of the family of a veteran and others who must travel a significant distance for a member of the veteran's family to receive care or services at a Department or non-Department facility.”
“Section 1708 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``in connection with'' and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``in accordance with this section.''; (2) in subsection (b)-- (A) in paragraph (2)-- (i) by inserting ``described in paragraph (1)'' after ``family of a veteran''; and (ii) by inserting ``such'' after ``accompany''; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ``(3) On a space-available basis, a covered beneficiary who must travel a significant distance to receive care or services at a Department or non-Department facility.”
“1395 et seq.) and the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code. (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. SEC. 320. FISHER HOUSE AVAILABILITY.”
“(2) Results of pilot program.-- (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the submission of the final report under paragraph (1), and not less frequently than annually thereafter during the duration of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of [[Page H4575]] the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the pilot program. (B) Final report.--In the final report submitted under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall include the recommendation of the Secretary for whether the pilot program should be extended or made permanent. (k) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Covered veteran.--The term ``covered veteran'' means a veteran who is enrolled in both the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.”
“(j) Reports.-- (1) Development, implementation, results, and design of pilot program.-- (A) In general.--Not less frequently than biannually during the two-year period beginning on 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 the development, implementation, results, and design of the pilot program, including information on the metrics tracked under subsection (g). (B) Final design.--One of the reports required under subparagraph (A) shall contain a description of the final design of the pilot program.”
“(h) Supplement Not Supplant.--The services provided under the pilot program shall supplement, not supplant, the services provided under the education program under section 121 of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-182; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note). (i) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program for a three-year period beginning on the commencement of the pilot program.”
“(2) Elements.--In tracking metrics under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall track information relating to-- (A) whether care received by a covered veteran is related to a service-connected disability (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code); (B) the priority group under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, through which each covered veteran was enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs under such section; (C) the type of care and services provided to covered veterans; and (D) the demographics of covered veterans participating in the pilot program, including age.”
“(g) Metrics.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall track metrics under the pilot program, including the following: (A) The number of veterans participating in the pilot program, disaggregated by Veterans Integrated Service Network. (B) Reliance on health care services administered by the Secretary. (C) Reliance on health care services administered under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.). (D) Quality of care, including patient outcomes. (E) Cost of care. (F) Access to care, including under the designated access standards developed by the Secretary under section 1703B of title 38, United States Code. (G) Patient satisfaction. (H) Provider satisfaction. (I) Care coordination, including timely information sharing and medical documentation return.”
“(2) Notification.--If the Secretary determines that entering into contracts or agreements with private sector entities under paragraph (1) is not necessary or practicable, 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) a notification of that determination; (B) a description of the steps, if any, the Secretary has taken to attempt to enter into a contract or an agreement with a private sector entity; (C) a justification for why the Secretary has determined that such contract or agreement is not necessary or practicable; and (D) a plan for how the Secretary will carry out the pilot program without entering into a contract or an agreement with a private sector entity, including through the use of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs or other government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or other entities.”
“(e) Use of Existing Models.--In designing the pilot program, the Secretary may use existing models used by commercial health care programs to improve access, health outcomes, quality, and customer experience and lower per capita costs. (f) Contracting With Private Sector Entities.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary, to the extent practicable, shall consider entering into contracts or agreements with private sector entities carrying out commercial health care programs for assistance in designing, implementing, and managing care and benefits under the pilot program, to include providing care coordination.”
“(d) Case Manager.--In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall assign each covered veteran participating in the pilot program a case manager responsible for-- (1) coordinating with the veteran, the primary care team of the veteran, and any relevant care coordinators already assisting the veteran to develop an individualized needs assessment for the veteran and, based on such assessment, a care coordination plan with defined treatment goals; and (2) navigating the systems of care under the laws administered by the Secretary and under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.).”
“(c) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in not fewer than three but not more than five Veterans Integrated Service Networks with a significant number of covered veterans and geographic diversity, including-- (1) locations that are in rural or highly rural areas, as determined through the use of the Rural-Urban Continuum Codes of the Department of Agriculture; and (2) locations that are in medically underserved communities (as defined in section 799B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p)).”
“(4) To lower costs to the Federal Government for care received by covered veterans. (5) To reduce gaps in care and duplication of services and expenses for covered veterans. (6) To improve care coordination for covered veterans, including coordination of patient information and medical records between providers and between the Department and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.”
“PILOT PROGRAM ON COORDINATION OF CARE BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND MEDICARE PROGRAM. (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall carry out a pilot program (in this section referred to as the ``pilot program'') to coordinate, navigate, and manage care and benefits for covered veterans. (b) Purposes of Pilot Program.--The purposes of the pilot program are as follows: (1) To improve access to health care services for covered veterans from the Department of Veterans Affairs and under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.). (2) To improve satisfaction with care received by covered veterans. (3) To improve quality of care received by covered veterans.”
“(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the Secretary to include in the plan required by subsection (a) any technology or process that would preclude or impede the ability of a veteran to contact or schedule an appointment directly with a facility or provider through a non-online scheduling process, should the veteran choose to do so. (g) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives. (2) Fully schedule.--The term ``fully schedule'', with respect to an appointment for health care, means that the appointment booking is completed, rather than simply requested. SEC. 319.”
“(e) Implementation Reports.--Not later than each of one year and two years after the date on which the Secretary submits the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the progress of the Secretary in implementing such plan, including-- (1) the costs incurred to implement the plan as of the date of the report; (2) the expected costs to complete implementation of the plan (including costs for management and technology); (3) the schedule for deployment of any capabilities developed pursuant to the plan; and (4) the goals and metrics achieved, challenges, and lessons learned in implementing the plan.”
“(c) Implementation.--Not later than two years after submitting to the appropriate committees of Congress the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall fully implement the plan. (d) Coordination With Electronic Health Record Modernization Program.--In developing the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that the elements and objectives of such plan set forth under subsection (b) are developed in consideration of the deployment schedule and capabilities of the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program of the Department to ensure a smooth transition to using the tools and features under such plan as relevant and appropriate.”
“(B) Explanation of inability to implement certain objectives, features, or services.--If the Secretary determines that an objective under subparagraph (A), or any feature or service in connection with that objective, cannot be implemented or otherwise incorporated into a final product pursuant to the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall include with the plan submitted under such subsection a report containing-- (i) an explanation as to why that objective, feature, or service cannot be implemented or incorporated, as the case may be; and (ii) a plan for implementing the plan required by subsection (a) without that objective, feature, or service.”
“(iii) To create a process through which all patients of the Department can telephonically speak with a scheduler who can assist the patient to determine appointment availability and can fully schedule appointments on behalf of the patient for all care furnished by the Department. (iv) To carry out such other functions, oversight, metric development and tracking, [[Page H4574]] change management, cross-Department coordination, and other related matters, including improvements to employee-facing information technology, training, and processes, as the Secretary determines appropriate as it relates to scheduling tools, functions, and operations with respect to health care appointments furnished by the Department.”
“(ii) To develop or continue the development of a self- service scheduling platform, available for use by all patients of the Department, which shall-- (I) enable such patients to view available appointments and, subject to the process described in clause (iii), fully schedule appointments for all care furnished by the Department; (II) if a referral is required for an appointment, provide a method for the patient to request a referral and subsequently book an appointment if the referral is approved; and (III) provide such patients with the ability to cancel or reschedule appointments.”
“(2) Objectives.-- (A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that the plan required by subsection (a) addresses the following objectives: (i) To develop or continue the development of a scheduling system that enables both personnel and patients of the Department to view available appointments for care furnished by the Department, including primary care, mental health care, and all forms of specialty care.”