H.R. 1211 would amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Detailed Summary
<b>(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 18, 2009. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</b>
Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act - <b>Title I: Studies and Assessments of Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services for Women Veterans </b>- (Sec. 101) Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) conduct a study of barriers encountered by women veterans to the provision by the VA of comprehensive health care; (2) ensure that the Center for Women Veterans and the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans review the results of the study; and (3) report to Congress on study results and the implementation of recommendations.
(Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a comprehensive assessment of all health care services and programs provided by the VA for women veterans; (2) identify relevant issues concerning such services and programs with respect to each VA medical facility; (3) develop a plan to improve the provision of health care services to women veterans and to project their future health care needs; and (4) report to Congress on the assessment and plan. Requires a report from the Comptroller General to Congress reviewing the report of the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations.
<b>Title II: Improvement and Expansion of Health Care Programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs for Women Veterans </b>- (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Secretary to furnish hospital care and medical services to a newborn child of a woman veteran receiving VA maternity care for up to seven days after the birth of the child.
(Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide graduate medical education, training, certification, and continuing medical education for mental health professionals who provide counseling, care, and services to women veterans suffering from sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and (2) report annually to Congress on the counseling, care, and services provided.
(Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out a two-year pilot program of child care assistance for women veterans receiving certain mental health or other intensive health care services at VA facilities; (2) carry out the program in at least three Veterans Integrated Service Network facilities; and (3) report to Congress on the pilot program. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 204) Requires: (1) women veterans recently separated from service to be included on the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; and (2) recently separated minority veterans to be included on the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 6/24/2009: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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From the Blog
WashingtonWatch.com Digest - June 22, 2009
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