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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“(B) Coroner or medical examiner.--If a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant described in subparagraph (A) cannot comply with such paragraph with respect to a death described in such paragraph, a coroner or medical examiner in the jurisdiction where such death occurred may certify such death. (2) Report.-- (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following five years, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report regarding compliance with paragraph (1).”
“(2) Such delays, caused by the refusal of, or postponement by, physicians of the Department of Veterans Affairs have, in some cases, lasted as long as eight weeks. (3) Such delays prevent the timely burial of deceased veterans and access to survivor benefits. (b) Timely Certification of the Death of a Veteran.-- (1) In general.-- (A) VA physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.--Subject to subparagraph (B), a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant employed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs who is the primary care provider of a veteran who dies of natural causes shall certify the death of such veteran not later than two business days after such physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant learns of such death.”
“Such report shall include-- (A) a description of use and effectiveness of agreements under such section; (B) a description of the role and output of the Joint Executive Committee under such section; (C) an evaluation of the effectiveness of coordination of care and sharing of resources by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense under such section; and (D) a description of any statutory, operational, or cultural barriers to the implementation of such section. SEC. 313. TIMELY REPORTING OF THE DEATH OF A VETERAN. (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following: (1) States and counties have reported significant delays in the signing of death certificates for veterans who pass away from natural causes.”
“Such plan shall include-- (A) a comprehensive inventory of all agreements under section 8111 of title 38, United States Code; (B) a standardized reimbursement methodology; (C) capacity assessments of Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense facilities; and (D) identification of priority regions for expansion. (2) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress on the implementation of section 8111 of title 38, United States Code.”
“(3) Extension.--Such section is further amended, in subsection (d)(3), by striking [[Page H4570]] ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting ``September 30, 2027''. (c) Implementation Plan and Report.-- (1) Joint resource sharing implementation plan.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a Joint Resource Sharing Implementation Plan.”
“``(2) In response to such a request, no official or employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall-- ``(A) withhold, screen, or alter responsive information; ``(B) delay or condition production on initial clearance or political review; ``(C) require a nondisclosure agreement unless required by law; ``(D) substitute summaries for requested records; or ``(E) otherwise impede or interfere with direct transmission of information to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives or the Senate. ``(3) If, in responding to such a request, the Secretary determines that any such information is classified, the Secretary shall make arrangements to present such information to the Chair and Ranking Member of such committee using appropriate security measures.''.”
“(2) Information.--Such section is further amended by inserting, after subsection (b), the following new subsection (c): ``(c) Information.--(1) If the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives or the Senate requests information from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding section, the Secretary shall provide such information in the form requested by such committee, including underlying records, datasets, methodologies, contracts, and communications, and may not be limited to summaries or briefing materials in lieu of original source documents unless authorized by the requesting committee.”
“(a) Oversight.-- (1) Justification.--Section 8111 of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in subsection (a)-- (A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(1) To the extent practicable, the Secretary''; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(2) If the Secretary of Veterans Affairs elects not to enter into such an agreement or contract, notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a written justification for such election.''.”
“Each such report shall include the following elements: (1) Details of research initiatives, coordination outcomes, and clinical advancements of the Task Force. (2) Recommendations of the Task Force regarding-- (A) how claims processors of the Department of Veterans Affairs should evaluate evidence that links such conditions to active military, naval, air, or space service; and (B) best practices regarding the evaluation of neurological injuries in examinations for benefits under chapters 11 or 15 of title 38, United States Code. (e) Sunset.--The Task Force shall terminate on September 30, 2029. SEC. 312. EXTENSION OF SHARING OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HEALTH CARE RESOURCES; RESOURCE SHARING OVERSIGHT AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.”
“(4) To prioritize translational research regarding such veterans and members, including research regarding-- (A) sleep therapy; (B) blast-related gut health; (C) mobile diagnostics; (D) vestibular dysfunction and balance impairment; (E) autonomic nervous system dysregulation; (F) cumulative mild traumatic brain injury; (G) neuroinflammation and glial activation; and (H) any other issue determined appropriate by the Secretary. (5) To monitor sensory decline (including with regard to vision, hearing, and vestibular function) and stress-related impairments among such veterans and members. (6) To support continuity of such care by integrating mobile and longitudinal diagnostic tools. (d) Reports.--The Task Force shall issue annual reports to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives.”
“(c) Duties.--The duties of the Task Force are the following: (1) To improve how the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, provides health care and other benefits to veterans or members of the Armed Forces diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other symptoms, from blast overpressure or blast exposure. (2) To align research agendas and acquisition strategies of the Department regarding such health care. (3) To establish physiological and cognitive performance baselines for such veterans and members.”
“(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall appoint, through the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee under section 320 of title 38, United States Code, the Blast Overpressure Task Force of the Department of Veterans Affairs (in this section referred to as the ``Task Force''). (b) Membership.--Each member of the Task Force appointed under subsection (a) shall be a member of the Health Executive Committee under subsection (b)(2) of such section who, at the time of appointment, is involved in research regarding the mitigation and treatment of blast overpressure or blast exposure.”
“1709B note) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(iv) Military occupation data of veterans who attempt or commit suicide.''. (2) Inclusion of information in department of defense annual report.--The Secretary of Defense shall include in the annual report of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office, or successor office, information on-- (A) occupational data of members of the Armed Forces who attempt suicide; and (B) outcomes of suicide prevention interventions among members of the Armed Forces. SEC. 311. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BLAST OVERPRESSURE TASK FORCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.”
“``(2) Recommendations.--Each report required by paragraph (1) may include recommendations for immediate administrative and legislative action to improve the initiative under subsection (a). ``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $5,000,000 to carry out the initiative under subsection (a) for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032.''. (b) Inclusion of Information in Reports on Suicide Prevention Among Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces.-- (1) Inclusion of information in national veteran suicide prevention annual report.--Section 149(a)(4)(B) of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Public Law 118-210; 38 U.S.C.”
“``(h) Assessment.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct an assessment of all translational research studies in progress and planned under the initiative under subsection (a), including research under subsection (f). ``(2) Report.--Not later than 60 days after completion of the assessment conducted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the assessment. ``(i) Reports.-- ``(1) In general.--Not less frequently than once every two years, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the initiative under subsection (a).”
“``(g) Assistance and Report by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into a contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under which the National Academies shall-- ``(1) work in tandem with the initiative under subsection (a) on validation of brain and mental health biomarkers among veterans; and ``(2) not less frequently than once every two years, submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the work completed under paragraph (1).”
“``(iii) Data.--The data supplied by the Secretary of Defense under the partnership established under clause (i) shall include relevant data throughout the Department of Defense relating to low-level repetitive blast exposure and traumatic brain injury collected by the Armed Forces and other appropriate entities, as determined jointly by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subsections: ``(f) Repetitive Low-level Blast Exposure Research.--In carrying out the initiative under subsection (a), the Secretary shall prioritize research-- ``(1) to identify and validate biomarkers associated with repetitive low-level blast exposure and traumatic brain injury; ``(2) to evaluate clinical and non-clinical interventions that improve cognitive function, quality of life, and mental health outcomes among veterans with symptoms associated with repetitive low-level blast exposure; ``(3) to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and care coordination for veterans with a history of low-level repetitive blast exposure or traumatic brain injury, including veterans who performed duties or tasks associated with increased risk of low-level repetitive blast exposure; and ``(4) to develop evidence-based strategies to reduce suicide risk among veterans with a history of low-level repetitive blast exposure or traumatic brain injury.”
“1712A note) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``and such other mental health conditions'' and inserting ``repetitive low-level blast exposure, dementia, and such other brain and mental health conditions''; [[Page H4569]] (2) in subsection (d)(4), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(E) Data-sharing partnership.-- ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall work with the Secretary of Defense to establish a data-sharing partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. ``(ii) Storage.--The partnership established under clause (i) shall be stored in the open platform made available under this paragraph.”
“(2) Freely associated states.--The term ``Freely Associated States'' has the meaning given such term in section 1724(f) of title 38, United States Code. SEC. 310. MODIFICATION OF PRECISION MEDICINE FOR VETERANS INITIATIVE; REPORTING ON SUICIDE BY VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. (a) Modification of Precision Medicine for Veterans Initiative.--Section 305 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-171; 38 U.S.C.”
“(e) Reports.--Not less frequently than quarterly, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the implementation of this section and the cost of such implementation. Until the Secretary has entered into the agreements required by subsection (a) and begun furnishing the services required by paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b), the report shall also describe the technical and logistical factors that have prevented or impeded the Secretary from doing so. (f) Definitions.--In this subsection: (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means-- (A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.”
“(c) Implementation Dates.--In carrying out subsections (a) and (b), the Secretary shall-- (1) initiate outreach to each such government not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; (2) enter into each agreement required by paragraph (1) not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (3) begin furnishing the services required by paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Beneficiary Travel.--Section 111(h)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``the Secretary may make payments'' and inserting ``beginning not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, the Secretary shall make payments''.”
“(b) Inclusion of Telehealth and Mail Order Pharmacy Services Required.--Consistent with such sections and with the agreements required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall furnish to veterans in the Freely Associated States services that include, at a minimum-- (1) medical services authorized to be provided under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, which can be administered through telehealth; and (2) pharmaceutical products authorized to be provided under such chapter, delivered by mail.”
“FURNISHING OF CERTAIN HEALTH SERVICES TO VETERANS IN THE FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES. (a) Agreements Required.--Consistent with section 1724(f) of title 38, United States Code, and section 209(a)(4)(A) of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 (48 U.S.C. 1988(a)(4)(A)), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall work expeditiously with the governments of the Freely Associated States to enter into the agreements described in such sections.”
“(5) An identification of any obstacles faced by grant recipients in providing mental health care under the program. (6) A summary of clinical outcomes based on pre- and post- client functioning-- (A) the number of veterans who improved clinically based on relevant clinical evaluation metrics that the Secretary determines appropriate; (B) the degree of clinical improvement based on such relevant clinical evaluation metrics; (C) the total number of veterans participating in the program; and (D) any other outcome metrics as the Secretary determines appropriate. (7) Findings with respect to the sustainability of the program. (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the pilot program under this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029. SEC. 309.”
“(g) Continuity of Care.--A recipient of a grant under the pilot program shall adhere to the continuity of care model established by the Secretary to the Veterans Community Care Program. (h) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the completion of the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program that includes the following: (1) The number of veterans who received mental health care under the program. (2) An identification of the types of mental health care provided and the time period for which such care was provided. (3) An identification and summary of program outcomes. (4) The number of veterans who received mental health care under the program and subsequently enrolled in the patient enrollment system under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code.”
“(2) Multiple grants.--The recipient of a grant under the pilot program-- (A) may apply for, and receive, grants for more than one facility of the recipient for any fiscal year; and (B) may apply for, and receive, a grant for a facility that has already received a grant under the pilot program. (f) Regulations; Accountability.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section, which shall include a requirement that each recipient of a grant under the pilot program shall-- (1) demonstrate the capacity to provide accountability; (2) demonstrate clinical outcomes; (3) justify the effective use of any private investment funds or Federal grant funds through data collection and reporting metrics; and (4) collect standardized outcome measures including symptom improvement and program completion.”
“(e) Amount of Grant.-- (1) In general.-- (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), no grant under the pilot program for a facility for any fiscal year may exceed $1,500,000. (B) Limitation.--In the case of an outpatient mental health facility for which at least 50 percent of the operating budget of the facility for the preceding fiscal year was provided through Federal grants, no grant under the pilot program for the facility for any fiscal year may exceed the lesser of-- (i) 50 percent of the operating budget of the facility; or (ii) $1,500,000.”
“Permissible services include-- (A) family therapy; (B) couples therapy; (C) group therapy; (D) family psychoeducation; and (E) other counseling services the Secretary determines are clinically necessary. (d) Selection of Facilities.--In awarding grants under the pilot program, the Secretary-- (1) shall ensure that grants are distributed geographically evenly among rural and urban areas; (2) may consider the proportion of veterans historically served by the grant recipient; and (3) may prioritize outpatient mental health facilities located in areas that the Secretary determines-- (A) are medically underserved; (B) have large veteran populations; (C) are located near military installations; or (D) have large numbers of veterans at high risk of suicide.”
“(3) Rules of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may be construed to-- (A) prohibit a grant recipient from seeking reimbursement from non-Department payers for mental health services provided by the grant recipient, except that grant funds shall not be used to supplant or duplicate a reimbursement otherwise available under Federal law; or (B) authorize double billing or duplicate payments for the same clinical service or unit of service. (4) Spouse and dependent care.--A recipient may use grant funds to provide care to spouses and dependent children of a veteran when such services are integral to achieving a successful clinical outcome.”
“(2) Limitations on use of grant funds.--The recipient of a grant under the pilot program may not-- (A) charge an eligible veteran a fee associated with the receipt of mental health care funded by such grant; (B) refuse to provide mental health care to an eligible veteran on the basis that the veteran is not eligible for reimbursement for such care under another payer source; or (C) use grant funds to-- (i) duplicate payments made under any contract or agreement to which the Department is a party as of the date of the enactment of this Act; or (ii) pay for the same clinical services or service units that are otherwise billable to a Federal payer, including the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, or any other public or private health plan.”
“(c) Use of Funds.-- (1) In general.--The recipient of a grant under the pilot program shall use the grant-- (A) to deliver evidence-based mental health care for veterans in person or via telehealth; (B) to operate or expand an existing outpatient mental health facility or establish a new outpatient mental health facility for the purpose of providing such care; (C) to encourage veterans who are eligible for enrollment in the patient enrollment system under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, to enroll in such system and to receive medical services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs; (D) to support activities necessary to deliver or sustain care, including-- (i) outreach; [[Page H4568]] (ii) care coordination; (iii) veteran engagement; (iv) clinician training; (v) implementation support; and (vi) program evaluation; and (E) to support continuous quality improvement and outcomes measurement activities, including the collection and reporting of clinical outcomes and operational metrics; and (F) to support activities of the program that are not billable, reimbursable, or otherwise authorized by law, including-- (i) outreach; (ii) care coordination; (iii) engagement; (iv) implementation support; and (v) program evaluation; and (G) to provide services to individuals for which reimbursement is not otherwise available, including such individuals who are-- (i) uninsured; (ii) ineligible for health care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs; or (iii) in receipt of health care that is not reimbursable as of the date of the enactment of this Act.”
“(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under the pilot program, a mental health care provider shall-- (1) be a non-profit organization; (2) have operated at least one outpatient mental health facility in the United States for a continuous period of at least three years; (3) be licensed or certified under applicable state law to provide outpatient mental health services; (4) be accredited by-- (A) the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; (B) the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities; or (C) any other nationally recognized accrediting body the Secretary determines appropriate; and (5) submit to the Secretary an application that includes such information and assurances as the Secretary may require, including-- (A) an identification of the outpatient facility or facilities where the mental health care services will be provided; (B) a plan for providing clinicians at each facility in receipt of grant funds with units of continuing education with respect to veterans issues; and (C) an identification of the percentage of the operating budget for each such facility that was provided through Federal grants during the fiscal year preceding the year during which the application is submitted.”
“(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a three-year pilot program under which the Secretary shall make grants to eligible mental health care providers for the provision of mental health care, including evidence-based mental health care delivered in person or via telehealth.”
“(D) A market assessment of available hyperbaric oxygen therapy facilities or units within facilities to assess the most effective locations and practices, including-- (i) an analysis of whether multi-person chambers could reduce per-veteran costs; (ii) an analysis of areas with lower prices compared to a national average; and (iii) an identification of not fewer than two VISNs in which the provision or furnishing of hyperbaric oxygen therapy would benefit the most number of veterans at the lowest cost to the Department. SEC. 308. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS FOR THE PROVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS.”
“(2) Elements.--The review conducted under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) An analysis of available research literature published after the review completed pursuant to section 702 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act (Public Law 116-171); (B) An assessment of the current parameters for research on the use by the Department of Veterans Affairs of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, including-- (i) tests and questionnaires used to determine the efficacy of such therapy; and (ii) metrics for determining the success of such therapy. (C) A comparative analysis of tests and questionnaires used to study post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury in other research conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, other Federal agencies, and entities outside the Federal Government.”
“Such report shall include the assessment of the Comptroller General of clinical trials conducted, since the publication of such report-- (1) regarding the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder; and (2) by-- (A) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (B) the Secretary of Defense; and (C) private entities. (b) Follow-up Study.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a systematic review of published research literature on the off-label use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat post- traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury among veterans and nonveterans.”
“REPORTS ON THE USE OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY. (a) GAO Report on the Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to Treat Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives an update to the report titled ``Research on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to Treat Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder'' (GAO-16-154).”
“(n) Eligible Individuals.--Subsection (q)(4)(C) of such section is amended by striking ``clauses (i) through (iv)'' and inserting ``clauses (i) through (vi)''. (o) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take effect on-- (1) the effective date of award following the date the Secretary publishes a notice of funding opportunity for the program required by section 201(a) of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-171; (38 U.S.C. 1720F)), if the Secretary determines such amendments do not require rulemaking; or (2) the effective date of award following the date the Secretary publishes a notice of funding opportunity following the effective date of subsequent rulemaking, if the Secretary determines such amendments do require rulemaking. SEC. 307.”
“(m) Suicide Prevention Services.-- (1) Required use of certain screening protocol.--Subsection (q)(11)(A)(ii) of such section is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``In the case of a recipient of a grant awarded under this section on or after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, such screening shall be Columbia Protocol (also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)) or the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9), or a successor screening tool selected by the Secretary.''; (2) Transportation.--Subsection (q)(11)(A) of such section is amended-- (A) by redesignating clause (xi) as clause (xii); and (B) by inserting after clause (x) the following new clause: ``(xi) Transportation and rideshare services for eligible individuals to use for appointments.''.”
“(l) Identification of Demand for Other Services and Support.--Subsection (e) of such section, as amended, is further amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as (6) and (7), respectively; and (2) by adding after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph: ``(5) Demand for other services and support.--An entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary information concerning-- ``(A) the number of individuals seeking services from the entity who are not eligible individuals and the most common reason such individuals are not eligible individuals; ``(B) a description of the types of services that eligible individuals or individuals described in subparagraph (A) require based on any screening conducted by the entity; and ``(C) any actions taken by the entity to provide the services described in subparagraph (B) or to refer the individual or eligible individual to another entity for the receipt of such services.''.”
“(j) Reauthorization.--Subsection (p) of such section is amended-- (1) by striking ``section a total'' and inserting ``section-- ``(1) a total''; (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(2) a total of $200,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2029.''. (k) Technical Correction to Definitions.--Subsection (q)(5) of such section is amended, in the first sentence-- (1) by striking ``Medical services'' and inserting ``The term `emergency treatment' means medical services''; and (2) by striking ``was rendered'' and inserting ``rendered''.”
“(i) Referral for Care.--Subsection (m) of such section is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) Required response or action.--(A) If the Secretary receives a referral under paragraph (1) for additional care, the Secretary shall review such referral and contact the veteran not later than 72-hours following the referral. ``(B) If the Secretary receives a referral under paragraph (2) for emergent suicide care, the Secretary shall review such referral and contact the veteran not later than 24 hours following the referral by such entity under subsection (m)(1).''.”
“(h) Reports.--Subsection (k)(2) is amended-- (1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Final report'' and inserting ``Annual reports''; and (2) in subparagraph (B)-- (A) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as (v) and (vi), respectively; and (B) by adding the following new clauses (iii) and (iv): ``(iii) A description of the Secretary's compliance with the requirement to train employees of the Department under subsection (g)(3). ``(iv) An optional description and inclusion of subjective or narrative stories of community or individual impact to allow grant recipients to share meaningful accomplishments.''.”
“(f) Briefing for Local VAMCS.--Subsection (h) of such section is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(5) Briefing for local vamcs.--Not less frequently than once per year, unless the Secretary determines that such frequency is not advisable, the Secretary shall provide, to the appropriate personnel of each medical center of the Department identified on the grantee's application under this section, a briefing about the grant program under this section in order to improve coordination between such recipient and personnel.''. [[Page H4567]] (g) Duration.--Subsection (j) of such section is amended by striking ``September 30, 2026'' and inserting ``September 30, 2029''.”
“(e) Training and Technical Assistance.--Subsection (g) of such section is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, or interested in receiving such grants,'' after ``this section''; and (B) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, including training on how to properly use the Columbia Protocol (also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)) and other screening tools selected by the Secretary'' after ``management''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ``(3) Training for department employees.--The Secretary shall provide training to employees of the Department as the Secretary considers appropriate on the grant program under this section.''.”
“``(7) Metrics and outcomes.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall collect and submit to the Secretary such metrics and outcome data as the Secretary may require, including-- ``(A) throughput measures, including the number of veterans screened, referred, connected to care, and retained in services under the grant program; ``(B) reductions in severity scale measurements, including reductions in suicidality identified through applicable inventories or assessments; and ``(C) such other quantifiable metrics as the Secretary determines appropriate.''.”
“(d) Requirements for Receipt of Grants.--Subsection (e) of such section is amended-- (1) in paragraph (3)-- (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph (B): ``(B) coordinate with the Secretary to develop a plan for communication between the entity and local mental health providers of the Department regarding whether veterans receiving assistance under this section from the entity are attending appointments to ensure continuity of care;''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ``(6) Assessments.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall conduct a pre- and post-intervention assessment with respect to each eligible individual who receives suicide prevention services pursuant to such grant across all relevant metrics, as determined by the Secretary.”
“(c) Priority for New Recipients.--Subsection (d) of such section is amended-- (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``and Preference'' and inserting ``, Preference, and Priority''; (2) in paragraph (1)(A)-- (A) in clause (iv), by striking the semi-colon at the end and inserting ``; and''; (B) by striking clause (v); and (C) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (v); and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(3) Priority for new recipients.--To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall prioritize grants for eligible entities that have satisfied the requirements provided under subsection (f) and are located in States in which a grant has not been awarded under this section.''.”
“``(B) Additional amounts.--Based on a consideration of the factors described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary may award amounts, not to exceed $250,000 per grantee per fiscal year, to a grantee in addition to the maximum amount under paragraph (2)(A) based on a performance-based metric established by the Secretary.''.”
“(b) Use of Grant Funds.--Subsection (c) of such section is amended-- (1) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``; Use of Grant Funds'' after ``Grants''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ``(3) Renewal of grant amounts.-- ``(A) In general.--In determining whether to renew a grant awarded under this section to an eligible entity, the Secretary shall consider, among such other factors as the Secretary may consider appropriate-- ``(i) the compliance by the eligible entity in administering pre- and post-intervention assessments required under subsection (e)(6); and ``(ii) any demonstrated improvements in participant outcomes.”