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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“(2) Effective date of subsequent changes.--Any change made to the policy established pursuant to subsection (a) after the effective date set forth in paragraph (1) shall take effect not less than 90 days after the date on which the change is made. (3) Notice.--For any change made to the policy established pursuant to subsection (a) after the effective date set forth in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall-- (A) notify all affected employees of the Department of the changes; and (B) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the changes. SEC. 636. EXPANSION OF REIMBURSEMENT OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION EXPENSES. (a) In General.--Section 7411 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 7411.”
“(e) Report on Budgetary Impact.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which the policy established pursuant to subsection (a) goes into effect, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report on the annual budgetary impact of such policy. [[Page H4597]] (f) Effective Date and Changes.-- (1) Effective date of initial policy.--The initial policy established pursuant to subsection (a) shall go into effect not later than 180 days after the date on which the policy is established.”
“(d) Notice and Reporting.-- (1) In general.--For any change made to the policy established pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary shall-- (A) notify all affected employees of the Department of the changes; and (B) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the changes. (2) Report contents.--For each report submitted to Congress under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall include the analyses for each category conducted in subsection (c) and the role of those analyses in the telework policy for each category. (3) Deadline.--A report submitted under paragraph (1)(B) regarding a change to the policy established under subsection (a) shall be made not fewer than 90 days before the change goes into effect.”
“(c) Assessment.--In developing the policy required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall assess the following for each category of employees at the Department-- (1) staffing levels and trends over the last 5 years; (2) exit survey data related to telework; (3) the availability of dedicated work space at facilities of the Department to enable onsite work at a duty station; (4) a comparison of productivity levels when duties are performed on site or through telework; (5) telework flexibilities for comparable categories of employees in the private sector and in other Federal agencies; and (6) particular duties that necessitate on site work.”
“(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 701 the following new item: ``702. Hiring processes.''. SEC. 635. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TELEWORK POLICY. (a) Policy Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in accordance with the requirements of this section and the requirements of section 6502 of title 5, United States Code, establish a policy for the use of telework within the Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) Locations.--The policy established under subsection (a) may be different for different locations, specialties, and categories of employees, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.”
“``(2) Standardized process.--The Secretary shall develop a standardized process for use of electronic signatures as described in paragraph (1), which shall include exceptions and limitations as the Secretary considers appropriate and that allows for use of electronic signatures for employment documents, including SF 1152 and related successor forms, SF 2823 and related successor forms, and SF 3102-FERS and related successor forms. ``(e) Employee Community Building Program.--The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, establish an employee community building program that connects employees in similar positions, offices, and programs to connect with each other nationwide.''.”
“``(b) Process for Tentative Offers of Employment.--The Secretary shall develop a standardized process for issuing tentative offers of employment with the Department and such process shall require that each such offer includes a specified rate of basic pay when possible and practicable. ``(c) Third-party Contracts.--The Secretary may conduct laboratory testing, background clearances, and other candidate approval and vetting procedures through a contract with a third party if the Secretary determines that the contract would ensure equal or better quality or timeliness. ``(d) Electronic Signatures.-- ``(1) Authority.--The Secretary shall allow electronic signatures on any hiring, recruitment, retention, or other employment documents once a standardized process for such signatures is developed and implemented under paragraph (2).”
“``(2) Delegation.--If the approval authority for a step in the hiring process established under paragraph (1) is vacant, on leave, or otherwise unable to respond to requests for approval in an appropriate timeframe, such authority for approval shall be delegated to the extent practicable to the supervisor of such approval authority or such other designee as may be specified in the chain of command. ``(3) Time to fill goal.--Each window of time allotted for each approval step under paragraph (1)(C) when added together shall not exceed the time-to-fill goal of the Department for such employment position.”
“(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 701 the following new section: ``Sec. 702. Hiring processes ``(a) Standardized Approval Process for Filling Vacant Positions.-- ``(1) Process required.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a standardized, nationwide approval process for filling vacant employment positions within the Department. ``(B) Variability.--The process required by subparagraph (A) may be different for each type of employment position in the Department. ``(C) Approval windows.--The process required by subparagraph (A) shall include a standardized approval window for each approval step.”
“(f) Termination.--The authority under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2030. SEC. 633. REQUIREMENT FOR EQUIVALENT ROLE POSTINGS FOR VACANT POSITIONS AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) In General.--Whenever possible and practicable, if the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is issuing a posting for vacant positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs that may be filled by more than one type of professional or clinician, the Secretary shall issue postings for all possible clinicians or professionals who could fill the position. (b) Application to Certain Positions.--The Secretary shall consider the requirement under subsection (a) in particular with respect to hard-to-recruit, hard-to-retain, primary care, and mental health care positions. SEC. 634. IMPROVEMENTS TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HIRING PROCESSES.”
“(e) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for an additional three years, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the mentorship program, including-- (1) the number of mentees and peer mentors participating in the mentorship program, disaggregated by medical center of the Department; (2) the number of mentor-mentee pairings initiated under each of the eligibility criteria outlined in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (c), including information on any circumstances in which multiple criteria under such paragraphs were met; (3) a description of the actions taken by the Department to encourage communication between mentees and peer mentors; (4) aggregated feedback from participants in the mentorship program; and (5) the turnover rate for mentee participants in the mentorship program.”
“(3) Employment at a medical center of the Department that reports-- (A) above average performance, as defined by the Secretary, on the Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning Value Model of the Department, or successor similar model; and (B) data under section 1703C(a)(3) of title 38, United States Code, as published on the Access to Care website of the Department, or successor similar website, that exceeds the level reported in the community surrounding such medical center, as determined by the Secretary.”
“(C) Has one or more recommendations from a report by the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs that is still open more than one year after the report was published. (3) A covered individual employed at a medical center of the Department (regardless of appointment commencement date) who is recommended by the regional leadership overseeing such medical center. (d) Criteria for Peer Mentors.--Each peer mentor to be paired with a mentee under subsection (a) shall meet each of the following criteria: (1) Previous or current employment in the same position title as the mentee. (2) Employment in that position for not less than two years.”
“(2) A covered individual employed at a medical center of the Department (regardless of appointment commencement date) that meets one or more of the following criteria: (A) Reports poor performance, as defined by the Secretary, on the Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning Value Model of the Department, or successor similar model. (B) Reports data under section 1703C(a)(3) of title 38, United States Code, as published on the Access to Care website of the Department, or successor similar website, that-- (i) does not consistently meet the level reported in the community surrounding such medical center, as determined by the Secretary; or (ii) does not meet a threshold level determined by the Secretary.”
“[[Page H4596]] (b) Covered Individual Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered individual'' means-- (1) an individual in the position of Facility Director, Chief of Staff, Associate Director of Patient Care Services, Associate Director, Assistant Director, or Deputy Director at a medical center of the Department; or (2) any other employee of the Department who is determined by the Secretary to be an executive leader at a medical center of the Department. (c) Eligibility.--The following employees of the Department are eligible for participation as mentees in the mentorship program: (1) An employee appointed to a position as a covered individual who has been in that position for less than one year.”
“(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may establish a program to connect covered individuals (in this section referred to as ``mentees'') with peer mentors to facilitate sharing of best practices and leadership experiences and to foster opportunities to develop knowledge and skills required to lead successfully at medical facilities of the Department (in this section referred to as the ``mentorship program'').”
“Subtitle C--Staffing Matters SEC. 631. TREATMENT OF PSYCHOLOGISTS. (a) Treatment as Title 38 Employees.--Section 7401 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``psychologists,'' after ``chiropractors,''; and (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``psychologists,''. (b) Inclusion in Contracts for Scarce Medical Specialist Services.--Section 7409(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``psychologists,'' after ``chiropractors,''. SEC. 632. MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAMS AT MEDICAL CENTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.”
“(c) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on-- (1) the implementation of the plan required under subsection (a); (2) the initial results from the pilot program under subsection (b), including the number of unique veterans who participated in the pilot program, the cost of the pilot program, and an assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot program in increasing access to, and improving outcomes for, participants in the pilot program; (3) plans, if any, to expand or extend the pilot program to address demand for the highly specialized treatment provided under the mental health residential treatment programs of the Department for veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder; and (4) such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.”
“(b) Pilot Program.-- (1) In general.--Commencing not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall carry out a pilot program to provide improved access to mental health residential treatment programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder at not fewer than three medical facilities of the Department. (2) Selection of locations.--In selecting sites for the pilot program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prioritize sites in the following areas: (A) Areas with geographic diversity, including areas that serve veterans residing in rural or highly rural areas. (B) Areas with a significant number of veterans with spinal cord injury or disorder.”
“(2) Elements.--The plan required under paragraph (1) shall include-- (A) a staffing plan, which shall include a plan for how the Department will-- (i) incorporate staff from other facilities to support the pilot program required under subsection (b); and (ii) ensure adequate staffing to support the needs of veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder; (B) an assessment of medical equipment needs; and (C) an assessment of the best location to deliver treatment and health care under mental health residential treatment programs, including through the use of spinal cord injury or disorder centers, spinal cord injury or disorder spokes, and community care providers.”
“(a) Plan.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a plan to ensure access to mental health residential treatment programs for veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder.”
“(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new items: ``subchapter ix--participation by veterans in certain mental health treatment programs ``1791. Definitions. ``1792. Standardized process to determine eligibility of covered veterans for participation in certain mental health treatment programs. ``1793. Improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program. ``1794. Fee schedule. ``1795. Training.''. SEC. 622. ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY OR DISORDER.”
“``(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.”