A bill to amend chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs program of sexual trauma counseling for veterans and to improve certain Department of Veterans Affairs programs for women veterans.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Title I: Women Veterans
Title II: General Health Care Services
Title III: Miscellaneous
Subtitle A: Education Debt Reduction Program
Subtitle B: Other Provisions
Veterans Health Programs Improvement Act of 1994 - Title I: Women Veterans - Amends the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 and Federal veterans' benefits provisions to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide appropriate care and services to a veteran for sexual trauma; (2) direct the Secretary to give priority to the establishment and operation of a sexual trauma services program to provide care and services (currently, limited to counseling) for such trauma; (3) authorize the Secretary to provide care and services to a veteran pursuant to a contract with a qualified non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health professional or facility if VA facilities are incapable of furnishing such care and services to that veteran economically because of geographic inaccessibility; (4) extend through December 31, 1998, the authority of the VA to provide sexual trauma counseling, care, and services (counseling) at VA facilities, as well as through non-VA providers; (5) remove a requirement that veterans seek such counseling within a specified period after discharge; (6) remove the current one-year limit on the length of such counseling; (7) make the provision of such counseling equal in priority to the provision of VA outpatient services; (8) authorize the VA to provide such counseling to all veterans (currently, only women); and (9) require (currently, authorizes) a 24-hour toll-free telephone number for the provision of sexual trauma crisis counseling.
Modifies responsibilities of VA coordinators of women's services. Requires the Secretary to ensure that such coordinators are provided sufficient resources to carry out such responsibilities.
Incorporates specified "women's health services" into the definition of "medical services" provided by VA health-care facilities.
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts to furnish women's health services on an outpatient basis. Requires the Secretary to include specified information in the VA's annual report to the Congress on health care and research relating to women veterans.
Directs the Secretary to foster research on specified matters as they relate to women, including breast cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, depression, sexual violence, and exposure to toxic chemicals.
Prohibits mammograms from being performed at VA facilities not accredited for that purpose by a private nonprofit organization designated by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to: (1) prescribe quality assurance and control standards relating to the performance and interpretation of mammograms and the use of mammogram equipment and facilities by VA personnel; (2) annually inspect the equipment and facilities utilized by and in VA health-care facilities; and (3) ensure that mammograms performed for the VA under contract with any non-VA facility or provider conform to such standards.
Title II: General Health Care Services - Extends the period of eligibility for medical care to veterans exposed to a toxic substance or radiation through December 31, 2003. Includes exposure to environmental hazards under such provision.
Makes Persian Gulf war veterans who were exposed during such service to a toxic substance or environmental hazard eligible for both inpatient and outpatient medical care for any disability through September 30, 2003.
Requires the Secretary to conduct a pilot program to: (1) assess the feasibility and desirability of furnishing hospice care services to terminally ill veterans; and (2) determine the most efficient and effective means of furnishing such services to such veterans. Authorizes appropriations.
Directs the Secretary to conduct a rural health-care clinic pilot program in States where significant numbers of veterans reside in areas geographically remote from existing health-care facilities. Authorizes appropriations.
Authorizes the VA to provide: (1) per diem payments to State homes for adult day health care services furnished to veterans who are eligible for such care under laws administered by the Secretary; and (2) grants to States for construction, remodeling, or expansion of State home facilities for purposes of furnishing adult day health care.
Amends the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 to authorize (current law requires) each VA medical facility to establish and maintain a suitable indoor smoking area for patients and residents.
Title III: Miscellaneous - Subtitle A: Education Debt Reduction Program - Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Education Debt Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary to carry out a Department of Veterans Affairs Education Debt Reduction Program to assist VA health-care personnel in reducing the amount of debt incurred in completing educational programs that qualify them for their positions. Sets forth program requirements. Authorizes appropriations.
Subtitle B: Other Provisions - Extends the VA's: (1) Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education through December 31, 1997; and (2) authority to maintain a regional office in the Philippines through September 30, 1995.
Became Public Law No: 103-452.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Committee on Veterans. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Veterans. Reported to Senate by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 103-136. Minority views filed.
Committee on Veterans. Reported to Senate by Senator Rockefeller with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 103-136. Minority views filed.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 193.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6432-6445)
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Voice Vote.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Voice Vote.
Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Voice Vote.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 487, papers are returned to the Senate. (consideration: CR H5960)
Returned to Senate pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 487.
Senate vitiated previous passage. (consideration: CR S9727)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9727-9748)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.