Legislation to Provide Mental Health Treatment for Family Members of Veterans

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2008

http://veterans.house.gov
Health Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Provide Mental Health Treatment for Family Members of Veterans
Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, June 26, 2008, the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee, led by Chairman Michael Michaud (D-ME), held a legislative hearing to review draft legislation and receive the views of interested stakeholders. The draft bills are intended to improve health care delivery and services for veterans provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“I believe that our nation must be equipped and prepared to provide the finest and most timely medical attention for our troops and veterans,” said Chairman Michaud. “The legislation before the Subcommittee today looks to make necessary improvements to the health care that is currently offered by the VA.”
Draft legislation reviewed at the Health Subcommittee hearing focused on four different issues to improve delivery of health care to veterans and members of their families.
1. To expand VA’s authority to provide mental health treatment for family members
The bill would repeal the specification that in order for family members of non-service connected veterans to be eligible for counseling services, the counseling must be essential to permit the discharge of the veteran from the hospital.
2. To prohibit the collection of copayments from catastrophically disabled veterans
The bill would prohibit the collection of copaymetns from veterans who are catastrophically disabled (Category Group 4) for hospital or nursing care.
3. To authorize non-profit research and education corporations in the VA
The bill would clarify the purpose and powers of corporations and improve accountability and oversight of corporations.
4. To establish seven “Consolidated Patient Accounting Centers” to facilitate third party collections in the VA
The bill would mandate the VA to centralize third party billing functions at consolidated centers, instead of individual VA Medical Centers.
Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, offered the following statement: “I would like to thank Chairman Michaud for his steadfast commitment to improving care for our nation’s veterans. I believe that the tireless work of the members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health has provided this Congress with strong legislation to improve health care for veterans and I commit to working with my colleagues to pass comprehensive and bi-partisan legislation.”
Witness List:
Panel 1
· Carl Blake, National Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America
· Christopher Needham, Senior Legislative Associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Panel 2
· Gerald M. Cross, M.D., FAAFP, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Accompanied by
o Walter A. Hall, Assistant General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
o Gary M. Baker, Chief Business Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Prepared testimony and a link to the webcast is available on the internet at this link: http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=265.
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