[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5059 Received in Senate (RDS)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5059
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 10, 2014
Received
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To direct 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 Veterans Affairs, 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.
(a) Evaluations.--
(1) In general.--Not less frequently than once each year,
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide for the conduct
of an evaluation of the mental health care and suicide
prevention programs carried out under the laws administered by
the 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, including such programs conducted at a
Center of Excellence;
(C) identify the cost-effectiveness of each program
identified under subparagraph (B);
(D) measure the satisfaction of patients with
respect to the care provided under each such program;
and
(E) propose best practices for caring for
individuals who suffer from mental health disorders or
are at risk of suicide, including such practices
conducted or suggested by other departments or agencies
of the Federal Government, including the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the
Department of Health and Human Services.
(3) Third party.--Each evaluation conducted under paragraph
(1) shall be conducted by an independent third party
unaffiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such
third party shall submit to the Secretary each such evaluation.
(b) Annual Submission.--Not later than December 1 of each year,
beginning in 2015, 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 that contains the following:
(1) The most recent evaluations submitted to the Secretary
under subsection (a)(3) that the Secretary has not previously
submitted to such Committees.
(2) Any recommendations the Secretary considers
appropriate.
SEC. 3. PUBLICATION OF INTERNET WEBSITE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION
REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
(a) In General.--Using funds made available to the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to publish the Internet websites of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, the Secretary shall survey the existing Internet
websites and information resources of the Department to 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, Vet Center (as defined in section 1712A
of title 38, United States Code), 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. 4. 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) a degree of doctor of medicine; or
(B) 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 2 or more years 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
$30,000 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 1 year after
the date of the breach of the agreement.
(g) Report.--
(1) Initial report.--Not later than 2 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, including the number of new hires.
(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, including the performance reviews of such
individuals.
(D) The number of psychiatrists the Secretary
determines is needed by the Department in the future.
(3) Final report.--Not later than 90 days before 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) and any recommendations that the Secretary
considers appropriate.
(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 3 years after the date on which the
Secretary commences the pilot program.
SEC. 5. 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 one medical center selected by
the Secretary in each 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
selected by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1)(D) 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, chambers of commerce and
other local business organizations, 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 before 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) Construction.--This section may not be construed to authorize
the Secretary to hire additional employees of the Department to carry
out the pilot program under subsection (a).
(f) Termination.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out the
pilot program under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is
3 years after the date on which the pilot program commences.
SEC. 6. COLLABORATION ON SUICIDE PREVENTION EFFORTS BETWEEN DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND NON-PROFIT MENTAL HEALTH
ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) Collaboration.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
collaborate with non-profit mental health organizations to prevent
suicide among veterans as follows:
(1) To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of suicide
prevention efforts carried out by the Secretary and non-profit
mental health organizations.
(2) To assist non-profit mental health organizations with
the suicide prevention efforts of such organizations through
the use of the expertise of employees of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
(3) To jointly carry out suicide prevention efforts.
(b) Exchange of Resources.--In carrying out any collaboration under
subsection (a), the Secretary and any non-profit mental health
organization with which the Secretary is collaborating under such
subsection shall exchange training sessions and best practices to help
with the suicide prevention efforts of the Department and such
organization.
(c) Director of Suicide Prevention Coordination.--The Secretary
shall select within the Department a Director of Suicide Prevention
Coordination to undertake any collaboration with non-profit mental
health organizations under this section or any other provision of law.
SEC. 7. ADDITIONAL PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY FOR HEALTH CARE FOR CERTAIN
VETERANS OF COMBAT SERVICE DURING CERTAIN PERIODS OF
HOSTILITIES AND WAR.
Paragraph (3) of section 1710(e) of title 38, United States Code,
is amended to read as follows:
``(3) In the case of care for a veteran described in paragraph
(1)(D), hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care may be
provided under or by virtue of subsection (a)(2)(F) only during the
following periods:
``(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B), with respect
to a veteran described in paragraph (1)(D) who is discharged or
released from the active military, naval, or air service after
January 27, 2003, the five-year period beginning on the date of
such discharge or release.
``(B) With respect to a veteran described in paragraph
(1)(D) who is discharged or released from the active military,
naval, or air service after January 1, 2009, and before January
1, 2011, but did not enroll to receive such hospital care,
medical services, or nursing home care pursuant to such
paragraph during the five-year period described in subparagraph
(A), the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2015.
``(C) With respect to a veteran described in paragraph
(1)(D) who is discharged or released from the active military,
naval, or air service on or before January 27, 2003, and did
not enroll in the patient enrollment system under section 1705
of this title on or before such date, the three-year period
beginning on January 27, 2008.''.
SEC. 8. PROHIBITION ON NEW APPROPRIATIONS.
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and this Act and such
amendments shall be carried out using amounts otherwise made available
for such purposes.
Passed the House of Representatives December 9, 2014.
Attest:
KAREN L. HAAS,
Clerk.