Benefits for Certain Children of Vietnam Veterans and Certain Other Veterans
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 112) to amend title 38, United States Code, to strengthen benefits for children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: S. 112
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS AND CERTAIN OTHER VETERANS.
(a) Definitions.--Section 1831 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraphs:
``(2) The term `covered child' means a child who is eligible for health care and benefits under this chapter.
``(3) The term `covered veteran' means an individual whose children are eligible for health care and benefits under this chapter.''.
(b) In General.--Subchapter IV of chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new sections: ``Sec. 1835. Advisory council
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish an advisory council on health care and benefits for covered children.
``(b) Membership.--The advisory council established under subsection (a) shall be composed of Federal employees.
``(c) Duties.--The advisory council established under subsection (a) shall solicit feedback from covered children and covered veterans on the health care and benefits provided under this chapter and communicate such feedback to the Secretary. ``Sec. 1836. Care and coordination teams
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish care and coordination teams for covered children.
``(b) Outreach.--A care and coordination team established under subsection (a) shall attempt to contact each covered child--
``(1) not less frequently than once every 180 days, to ensure the continued care of the child and assist with any changes in care needed due to a changed situation of the child; and
``(2) as soon as practicable after the identification of a condition listed in the report required by subsection (c).
``(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, 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 setting forth a list of conditions that will trigger outreach to covered children under subsection (b)(2). ``Sec. 1837. Duration of health care and benefits provided
``The Secretary shall provide a covered child with health care and benefits under this chapter--
``(1) for the duration of the life of the child; and
``(2) notwithstanding any death of a parent of the child that precedes the death of the child. ``Sec. 1838. Biennial report
``Not less frequently than once every two years, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report setting forth the following:
``(1) The number of covered children receiving health care or benefits under this chapter as of the date on which the report is submitted.
``(2) The number of covered children for which the Department is paying for or providing a social worker as of such date.
``(3) Metrics on outreach conducted under section 1836(b) of this title.''.
(c) Memorandum of Understanding.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Under Secretary for Health of the Department shall enter into a memorandum of understanding--
(1) to better assist covered children (as defined in section 1831 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a)); and
(2) to establish conditions to be included in the report required by section 1836(c) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (b).
(d) Implementation.--
(1) Advisory council.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish the advisory council required under section 1835 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (b).
(2) Care and coordination teams.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish the care and coordination teams required under section 1836 of such title, as added by subsection (b).
(e) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new items: ``1835. Advisory council. ``1836. Care and coordination teams. ``1837. Duration of health care and benefits provided. ``1838. Biennial report.''.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. 112.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Senator Braun of Indiana's bill, S. 112, which strengthens the spina bifida program at VA.
Children who are born to veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other herbicides have a higher risk of being born with this condition. Their condition can range from mild to severe, but children faced with this lifelong impact of spina bifida have many special needs.
Under current law, the VA Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program provides monetary and healthcare benefits to select children of Vietnam-era veterans and veterans of covered service in Korea or Thailand.
Senator Braun's commonsense legislation would improve the current program by establishing care and coordination teams for these children to ensure they have the care and support and continued connections that they need for their entire lives.
Additionally, this bill would require VA to create an advisory council on healthcare and benefits for children living with spina bifida. This council would solicit feedback on healthcare, job training, and monetary benefits to ensure that these children have access to leading therapies and medical research.
For a lot of veterans' families, I know this legislation would make a real difference in their daily lives.
I thank Representative Baird for his work on this issue and for introducing the House companion to this bill, H.R. 3888.
I know these Members have heard from Hoosiers about this problem for many years, and I appreciate their efforts to help their constituents and other families.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source