[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5332 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5332
To promote identification of veterans and their health needs in
furnishing of items and services under the Medicare, Medicaid, and
other programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 31, 2014
Mr. Crowley introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on
Ways and Means, 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 promote identification of veterans and their health needs in
furnishing of items and services under the Medicare, Medicaid, and
other programs, 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; FINDINGS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Serving America's
Veterans Effectively Act of 2014'' or the ``SAVE Act of 2014''.
(b) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Veterans often have unique health needs that may be
related to their service to the American people and may be more
at risk for certain conditions, including cancer, infectious
diseases, musculoskeletal problems, post-traumatic stress
disorder, traumatic brain injury, dermatological problems,
reproductive health issues, and other conditions.
(2) As part of a detailed patient history, knowing whether
or not a patient is a veteran helps a physician to make
accurate treatment recommendations or carry out needed
screenings.
(3) If a physician is not aware that a patient is a
veteran, the physician may not think to perform recommended
screenings or be able to diagnose symptoms that at first seemed
unconnected. As a result, the patient and the patient's family
may suffer as medical problems go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
(4) Physicians routinely ask about similar types of patient
history that can affect current health status, such as whether
a patient has a family history of certain conditions or was
exposed to certain environmental factors. Questions about
veteran status give patients the opportunity to voluntarily
answer with information that can help their physicians better
establish a course of treatment.
(5) Making the question of whether a patient served in the
Armed Forces part of consistently used frameworks, such as the
``Welcome to Medicare'' physical examination and Medicare
Electronic Health Record program, ensures that it will become
part of clinicians' routine for new patients.
(6) While many physicians, such as those working at
Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, may already be aware
of their patients' experiences in the Armed Forces, there are
indications that as much as 70 percent of veterans seek care
from other facilities.
(7) Many organizations serving both veterans and health
care professionals currently work to educate health providers
on the health needs of veterans and appropriate medical care
that should be provided. Additional Federal support is needed
to ensure that all physicians are properly prepared to diagnose
and treat patients upon learning that they have served in the
Armed Forces.
SEC. 2. ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE IDENTIFICATION AND AWARENESS OF VETERANS
HEALTH NEEDS IN FURNISHING ITEMS AND SERVICES UNDER
MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND OTHER PROGRAMS.
(a) Inclusion of Veteran Status in Patient Information for
Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records Under Medicare and
Medicaid.--In establishing regulations regarding what constitutes
meaningful use with respect electronic health records in applying
sections 1848(o), 1853(m), 1886(b)(3)(B)(ix), and 1886(n)(3) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(o), 1395w-23(m),
1395ww(b)(3)(B)(ix), 1395ww(n)(3)) and related provisions of title XIX
of such Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall include
in the patient information required for meaningful use whether or not
the patient served in the Armed Forces.
(b) Identification of Veterans as Part of Individual History in
Welcome to Medicare Visit.--In carrying out section 1861(ww) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(ww)), the Secretary of Health and
Human Services shall include, as a component of reviewing an
individual's medical and social history under an initial preventive
physical examination under section 410.16 of title 42, Code of Federal
Regulations, an inquiry as to whether the individual served in the
Armed Forces and any relevant circumstances relating to that
individual's service that may bear on the medical or social condition
of that individual.
(c) Additional Activities To Improve Awareness of Veterans' Health
Care Needs.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall take such
additional actions, otherwise authorized under law, as may be
appropriate to promote awareness, among non-governmental physicians in
their furnishing services, of the special circumstances and health care
needs of veterans.
SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR PROVIDER EDUCATION ON HEALTH TREATMENT FOR VETERANS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services may
make grants to organizations for the purpose of educating health care
providers on appropriate health care treatment for patients who have
served in the Armed Forces. Such grants shall be awarded under such
terms and conditions as the Secretary shall specify.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $10,000,000 to carry out this section, which shall remain
available until expended.
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