Va Peer Support Enhancement for Mst Survivors Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2724) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for peer support specialists for claimants who are survivors of military sexual trauma, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 2724
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROCESSING OF CLAIMS BY VETERANS FOR COMPENSATION FOR CERTAIN MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS BASED ON MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.
(a) In General.--Section 1166 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``or air service'' both places it appears and inserting ``air, or space service'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``In General'' and inserting ``Processing'';
(B) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(2) A peer support specialist of the Department--
``(A) shall not be responsible for providing any assistance to a veteran regarding a claim described in paragraph (1), other than counseling services, guidance, and support, pursuant to duties determined by the Under Secretary for Health; and
``(B) shall not participate in the adjudication of such a claim.'';
(3) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively;
(4) by inserting, after subsection (a), the following new subsection (b):
``(b) Referrals to MST Coordinators.--The Secretary shall include, in forms for claims described in subsection (a), an option for a veteran to elect to be referred to a military sexual trauma coordinator of the Veterans Health Administration at the facility of the Department nearest to the residence of such veteran.''; and
(5) in subsection (c), as redesignated--
(A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that peer support specialists of the Department receive annual training on how to provide peer support regarding military sexual trauma.
``(3) The Secretary shall provide annual training, regarding the processing of claims described in subsection (a), to the following individuals:
``(A) Military sexual trauma coordinators of the Veterans Health Administration.
``(B) Peer support specialists of the Department.'';
(b) Clerical Amendments.--
(1) Section heading.--The heading of such section is amended by striking ``Specialized teams to evaluate claims'' and inserting ``Claims''.
(2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 11 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 1166 and inserting the following: ``1166. Claims involving military sexual trauma.''.
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Mr. TAKANO. 2724, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2724, as amended, the VA Peer Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act, introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Delgado).
VA has provided peer support specialists for recently discharged veterans transitioning to civilian life, veterans with mental health or substance abuse issues, and caregivers of veterans.
Peer support programs have proven successful for these communities and may prove to be a beneficial tool during the claims process for survivors of military sexual trauma. Victim advocacy can serve as a bridge between survivors and the Veterans Benefits Administration adjudicators processing their cases.
Within the MST context, a highly trained peer support specialist can serve as an advocate who can provide counsel, assistance, and coordination to navigate a process that may be stress-inducing and anxiety-provoking.
If the MST claimant chooses to utilize the services of a peer support specialist, the MST claims experience may go more smoothly and potentially reduce the emotional strain on an inherently difficult process.
This bill was amended in committee with thoughtful input from Ranking Member Bost, who sought to clarify that the role of the peer support specialist in assisting an MST claimant is to act as a shepherd for the MST claimant rather than a surrogate who speaks on behalf of a claimant during proceedings. As such, a peer support specialist can provide guidance, support, and counseling and help claimants navigate a difficult and potentially retraumatizing process.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 2724, as amended, and maybe, hopefully, the gentleman from Montana will allow this to go on a voice vote. I thought I would just mention that. I yield back the balance of my time.
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