Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act or the Clay Hunt SAV Act - (Sec. 2) Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) arrange for an independent third party evaluation, at least annually, of the VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs; and (2) submit a report to Congress, by December 1 of each year, containing the most recent evaluations not yet submitted to Congress and any recommendations the Secretary considers appropriate.
(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to survey the VA's existing Internet websites and information resources to publish an Internet website that serves as a centralized source to provide veterans with information, updated at least once every 90 days, regarding all of the VA's mental health care services.
(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to repay the education loans relating to psychiatric medicine that are incurred by individuals who:
Limits the loan repayment to no more than $30,000 for each year an individual performs such obligated service.
Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.
(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to establish a three-year pilot program at not less than five Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) to assist veterans transitioning from active duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental health services. Requires the pilot program at each VISN to include: (1) a community oriented veteran peer support network, carried out in partnership with an entity that has experience in peer support programs; and (2) a community outreach team for each medical center in such VISN.
Directs the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on such pilot program.
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to collaborate with nonprofit mental health organizations to prevent suicide among veterans. Requires the Secretary and any such organization with which the Secretary is collaborating to exchange training sessions and best practices.
Directs the Secretary to select a VA Director of Suicide Prevention Coordination to undertake any collaboration with nonprofit mental health organizations.
(Sec. 7) Extends, for the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2015, combat veterans' eligibility for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for illnesses which have not been medically proven to be attributable to their service, provided: (1) they were discharged or released from active duty between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2011, and (2) did not enroll to receive such care during the five-year period of eligibility following their discharge.
(Sec. 8) Prohibits the authorization of any additional appropriations to carry out this Act's provisions.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5059 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5059
To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to provide for the conduct of annual evaluations of mental
health care and suicide prevention programs of the Department of
Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to review the terms or
characterization of the discharge or separation of certain individuals
from the Armed Forces, to require a pilot program on loan repayment for
psychiatrists who agree to serve in the Veterans Health Administration
of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 10, 2014
Mr. Walz (for himself, Mr. Miller of Florida, Ms. Duckworth, Mr.
Barber, Mr. Benishek, Mr. Braley of Iowa, Mr. Fattah, Mr. Hastings of
Florida, Mr. Johnson of Ohio, Ms. Kuster, Mr. McNerney, Mr. Murphy of
Florida, Mr. Stivers, Mrs. Walorski, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Daines, Mrs.
Kirkpatrick, and Mr. Rooney) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the
Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to provide for the conduct of annual evaluations of mental
health care and suicide prevention programs of the Department of
Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to review the terms or
characterization of the discharge or separation of certain individuals
from the Armed Forces, to require a pilot program on loan repayment for
psychiatrists who agree to serve in the Veterans Health Administration
of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for
American Veterans Act'' or the ``Clay Hunt SAV Act''.
SEC. 2. EVALUATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION
PROGRAMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT
OF DEFENSE.
(a) Evaluations.--
(1) In general.--Not less frequently than once each year,
the Secretary concerned shall provide for the conduct of an
evaluation of the mental health care and suicide prevention
programs carried out under the laws administered by such
Secretary.
(2) Elements.--Each evaluation conducted under paragraph
(1) shall--
(A) use metrics that are common among and useful
for practitioners in the field of mental health care
and suicide prevention;
(B) identify the most effective mental health care
and suicide prevention programs conducted by the
Secretary concerned, including such programs conducted
at a Center of Excellence;
(C) identify the cost-effectiveness of each
programs identified under subparagraph (B); and
(D) propose best practices for caring for
individuals who suffer from mental health disorders or
are at risk of suicide.
(3) Third party.--Each evaluation conducted under paragraph
(1) shall be conducted by an independent third party
unaffiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the
Department of Defense. Such third party shall submit to the
Secretary concerned each such evaluation as appropriate.
(4) Submission.--The Secretary concerned shall annually
submit to the Committees on Armed Services and the Committees
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Senate a report that contains the most recent evaluation
submitted to the Secretary under paragraph (3).
(b) Secretary Concerned Defined.--In this section, the term
``Secretary concerned'' means--
(1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with respect to
matters concerning the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(2) the Secretary of Defense with respect to matters
concerning the Department of Defense.
SEC. 3. REVIEW OF CHARACTERIZATION OR TERMS OF DISCHARGE FROM THE ARMED
FORCES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
ALLEGED TO AFFECT TERMS OF DISCHARGE.
(a) In General.--Section 1553(d) of title 10, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3)(A) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1) and (2),
in the case of a former member described in subparagraph (B), the Board
shall--
``(i) review medical evidence of the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs or a civilian health care provider that is presented by
the former member; and
``(ii) review the case with a presumption of administrative
irregularity and place the burden on the Secretary concerned to
prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that no error or
injustice occurred.
``(B) A former member described in this subparagraph is a former
member described in paragraph (1) or a former member whose application
for relief is based in whole or in part on matters relating to post-
traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury as supporting
rationale or as justification for priority consideration whose post-
traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury is related to
combat or military sexual trauma, as determined by the Secretary
concerned.''.
SEC. 4. PUBLICATION OF INTERNET WEBSITE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION
REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish an
Internet website that serves as a centralized source to provide
veterans with information regarding all of the mental health care
services provided by the Secretary.
(b) Elements.--The Internet website published under subsection (a)
shall provide to veterans information regarding all of the mental
health care services available in the Veteran Integrated Service
Network that the veteran is seeking such services, including, with
respect to each medical center and community-based outpatient center in
the Veterans Integrated Service Network--
(1) the name and contact information of each social work
office;
(2) the name and contact information of each mental health
clinic;
(3) a list of appropriate staff; and
(4) any other information the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(c) Updated Information.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
information described in subsection (b) that is published on the
Internet website under subsection (a) is updated not less than once
every 90 days.
(d) Outreach.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall
ensure that the outreach conducted under section 1720F(i) of title 38,
United States Code, includes information regarding the Internet website
published under subsection (a).
SEC. 5. IMPROVEMENTS TO HEALTH CARE MATTERS.
(a) Reserve Components and Department of Veterans Affairs.--The
Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense, in
consultation with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, shall enter
into formal strategic relationships between the Joint Forces
Headquarters of each State regional commands of the reserve components
and the Veterans Service Integrated Network, medical facilities of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and other local offices of the
Department of Veterans Affairs located in the State with respect to
facilitating--
(1) the mental health referrals of members of the reserve
components who have a service-connected disability and are
being discharged or released from the Armed Forces;
(2) timely behavioral health services for such members;
(3) communication when such members are at risk for
behavioral health reasons; and
(4) the transfer of documentation for line of duty and
fitness for duty determinations.
(b) GAO Report on Transition of Care.--
(1) In general.--Not later than April 1, 2015, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the
congressional defense committees (as defined in section
101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code) and the Committees
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Senate a report that assesses the transition of care for post-
traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury.
(2) Matters included.--The report under paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) The programs, policies, and regulations that
affect the transition of care, particularly with
respect to individuals who are taking or have been
prescribed antidepressants, stimulants, antipsychotics,
mood stabilizers, anxiolytic, depressants, or
hallucinogens.
(B) Upon transitioning to care furnished by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the extent to which the
pharmaceutical treatment plan of an individual changes,
and the factors determining such changes.
(C) The extent to which the Secretary of Defense
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs have worked
together to identify and apply best pharmaceutical
treatment practices.
(D) A description of the off-formulary waiver
process of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the
extent to which the process is applied efficiently at
the treatment level.
(E) The benefits and challenges of combining the
formularies across the Department of Defense and the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
(F) Any other issues that the Comptroller General
determines appropriate.
(3) Transition of care defined.--In this subsection, the
term ``transition of care'' means the transition of an
individual from receiving treatment furnished by the Secretary
of Defense to treatment furnished by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs.
SEC. 6. PILOT PROGRAM FOR REPAYMENT OF EDUCATIONAL LOANS FOR CERTAIN
PSYCHIATRISTS OF VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry
out a pilot program to repay loans of individuals described in
subsection (b) that--
(1) were used by such individuals to finance education
relating to psychiatric medicine, including education leading
to--
(A) an undergraduate degree;
(B) a degree of doctor of medicine; or
(C) a degree of doctor of osteopathy; and
(2) were obtained from any of the following:
(A) A governmental entity.
(B) A private financial institution.
(C) A school.
(D) Any other authorized entity as determined by
the Secretary.
(b) Eligible Individuals.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), an individual
eligible for participation in the pilot program is an
individual who--
(A) either--
(i) is licensed or eligible for licensure
to practice psychiatric medicine in the
Veterans Health Administration of the
Department of Veterans Affairs; or
(ii) is enrolled in the final year of a
residency program leading to a specialty
qualification in psychiatric medicine that is
approved by the Accreditation Council for
Graduate Medical Education; and
(B) demonstrates a commitment to a long-term career
as a psychiatrist in the Veterans Health
Administration, as determined by the Secretary.
(2) Prohibition on simultaneous eligibility.--An individual
who is participating in any other program of the Federal
Government that repays the educational loans of the individual
is not eligible to participate in the pilot program.
(c) Selection.--The Secretary shall select not less than 10
individuals described in subsection (b) to participate in the pilot
program for each year in which the Secretary carries out the pilot
program.
(d) Period of Obligated Service.--The Secretary shall enter into an
agreement with each individual selected under subsection (c) in which
such individual agrees to serve a period of obligated service for the
Veterans Health Administration in the field of psychiatric medicine, as
determined by the Secretary.
(e) Loan Repayments.--
(1) Amounts.--Subject to paragraph (2), a loan repayment
under this section may consist of payment of the principal,
interest, and related expenses of a loan obtained by an
individual who is participating in the pilot program for all
educational expenses (including tuition, fees, books, and
laboratory expenses) of such individual relating to education
described in subsection (a)(1).
(2) Limit.--For each year of obligated service that an
individual who is participating in the pilot program agrees to
serve under subsection (d), the Secretary may pay not more than
$60,000 in loan repayment on behalf of such individual.
(f) Breach.--
(1) Liability.--An individual who participates in the pilot
program and fails to satisfy the period of obligated service
under subsection (d) shall be liable to the United States, in
lieu of such obligated service, for the amount that has been
paid or is payable to or on behalf of the individual under the
pilot program, reduced by the proportion that the number of
days served for completion of the period of obligated service
bears to the total number of days in the period of obligated
service of such individual.
(2) Repayment period.--Any amount of damages that the
United States is entitled to recover under this subsection
shall be paid to the United States not later than one year
after the date of the breach of the agreement.
(g) Report.--
(1) Initial report.--Not later than two years after the
date on which the pilot program under subsection (a) commences,
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 pilot program.
(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) The number of individuals who participated in
the pilot program.
(B) The locations in which such individuals were
employed by the Department, including how many such
locations were rural or urban locations.
(C) An assessment of the quality of the work
performed by such individuals in the course of such
employment.
(D) The number of psychiatrists the Secretary
determines is needed by the Department in the future.
(3) Final report.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the pilot program terminates under subsection (i), the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House
of Representatives an update to the report submitted under
paragraph (1).
(h) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to
carry out this section, including standards for qualified loans and
authorized payees and other terms and conditions for the making of loan
repayments.
(i) Termination.--The authority to carry out the pilot program
shall expire on the date that is three years after the date on which
the Secretary commences the pilot program.
SEC. 7. PUBLIC-PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE FOR GRADUATE DEGREES RELATING TO MENTAL
HEALTH.
(a) In General.--Section 3317 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(f) Graduate Degree in Mental Health.--(1) As part of the Yellow
Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program carried out under this
section, the Secretary shall carry out a program under which the
Secretary and a college or university that enters into an agreement
described in subsection (a) may make contributions pursuant to this
subsection with respect to the full cost of established charges of a
veteran described in paragraph (2).
``(2) A veteran described in this paragraph is a veteran who--
``(A) is eligible for the program under subsection (a);
``(B) holds a bachelor's degree;
``(C) is pursuing an advanced degree in mental health at an
institution of higher learning that participates in the program
under subsection (a); and
``(D) is pursuing such a degree with the intention of
seeking employment as a mental health professional in the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
``(3) In determining the intention of a veteran under paragraph
(2)(D), the Secretary may not require the veteran to enter into any
binding agreement with respect to such intention.
``(4) In determining the amount of matching contributions pursuant
to subsection (d)(1) for assistance provided under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall--
``(A) substitute `66 percent' for `up to 50 percent'; and
``(B) substitute `34 percent' for `an equal percentage'.
``(5) In accordance with section 7406 of this title, the Secretary
may establish residencies and internships at medical facilities of the
Department for veterans participating in the program under subsection
(a).
``(6) If the Secretary employs a veteran who participates in the
program under subsection (a) as a mental health professional following
such participation, to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary
shall ensure that--
``(A) the veteran is employed in a rural area or an area
that the Secretary determines is in greatest need of mental
health professionals; and
``(B) the veteran is employed in a position that directly
relates to the treatment of veterans rather than a research
position.
``(7) In this subsection, the term `advanced degree in mental
health' means a master's degree, doctoral degree, or other graduate or
professional degree that the Secretary determines would lead an
individual to be employed as any of the following positions:
``(A) Psychiatrist.
``(B) Psychologist.
``(C) Mental health nurse.
``(D) Nurse assistant.
``(E) Physician assistant.
``(F) Pharmacist.
``(G) Social worker.
``(H) Licensed professional mental health counselor.
``(I) Licensed marriage and family therapist.
``(J) Addiction therapist.
``(K) Occupational therapist.
``(L) Recreational therapist.
``(M) Vocational rehabilitation therapist.
``(N) Health science specialist.
``(O) Health technician.
``(P) Any other position the Secretary determines
appropriate.''.
(b) Prohibition on Transfer of Eligibility.--Section 3319(h) of
such title is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(8) Prohibition on certain contributions.--Entitlement
transferred under this section may not include eligibility for
contributions under section 3317(f) of this title.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term that begins on or
after July 1, 2015.
SEC. 8. REVIEW OF STAFFING REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE DIRECTORS OF
PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH.
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed
Services and the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a zero-based review, conducted in
coordination with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, of the
staffing requirements for individual State National Guard Commands with
respect to Directors of Psychological Health.
SEC. 9. PILOT PROGRAM ON COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish
a pilot program to assist veterans transitioning from serving on active
duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental health services.
(b) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program
under subsection (a) at not less than five Veterans Integrated Service
Networks that have a large population of veterans who--
(1) served in the reserve components of the Armed Forces;
or
(2) are transitioning into communities with an established
population of veterans after having recently separated from the
Armed Forces.
(c) Functions.--The pilot program at each Veterans Integrated
Service Network described in subsection (b) shall include the
following:
(1) A community oriented veteran peer support network,
carried out in partnership with an appropriate entity with
experience in peer support programs, that--
(A) establishes peer support training guidelines;
(B) develops a network of veteran peer support
counselors to meet the demands of the communities in
the Veterans Integrated Service Network;
(C) conducts training of veteran peer support
counselors;
(D) with respect to each medical center in such
Veterans Integrated Service Network, has--
(i) a designated peer support specialist
who acts as a liaison to the community oriented
veteran peer network; and
(ii) a certified mental health professional
designated as the community oriented veteran
peer network mentor; and
(E) is readily available to veterans, including
pursuant to the Veterans Integrated Service Network
cooperating and working with State and local
governments and appropriate entities.
(2) A community outreach team for each medical center in
such Veterans Integrated Service Network that--
(A) assists veterans transitioning into
communities;
(B) establishes a veteran transition advisory group
to facilitate outreach activities;
(C) includes the participation of appropriate
community organizations, State and local governments,
colleges and universities, and organizations that
provide legal aid or advice; and
(D) coordinates with the Veterans Integrated
Service Network regarding the Veterans Integrated
Service Network carrying out an annual mental health
summit to assess the status of veteran mental health
care in the community and to develop new or innovative
means to provide mental health services to veterans.
(d) Reports.--
(1) Initial report.--Not later than 18 months after the
date on which the pilot program under subsection (a) commences,
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 pilot program.
With respect to each Veterans Integrated Service Network
described in subsection (b), the report shall include--
(A) a full description of the peer support model
implemented under the pilot program, participation
data, and data pertaining to past and current mental
health related hospitalizations and fatalities;
(B) recommendations on implementing peer support
networks throughout the Department;
(C) whether the mental health resources made
available under the pilot program for members of the
reserve components of the Armed Forces is effective;
and
(D) a full description of the activities and
effectiveness of community outreach coordinating teams
under the pilot program, including partnerships that
have been established with appropriate entities.
(2) Final report.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the pilot program terminates under subsection (e), the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House
of Representatives an update to the report submitted under
paragraph (1).
(e) Termination.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out the
pilot program under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is
three years after the date on which the pilot program commences.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8899-8904)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5059.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8899-8901)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8899-8901)
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Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate.