Bill Summary
This legislation, known as the "Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act," extends the authorization of funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs to award grants to veterans service organizations. These grants are used to provide transportation services for highly rural veterans, who may have difficulty accessing VA facilities. The Act also makes permanent the authority for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transport individuals to and from VA facilities. Additionally, the Secretary is required to submit a report to Congress on the cost savings, performance, and satisfaction of individuals with these transportation services. The Act also includes provisions for a national protocol for medical examinations for volunteer drivers participating in the transportation program, as well as a report from the Comptroller General of the United States on the effectiveness and cost of the program.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could affect highly rural veterans by extending the authorization of appropriations for grants to veterans service organizations for transportation. This could provide them with more accessible and affordable transportation options, improving their ability to access necessary medical care and services.
2. The report required by the legislation could affect the Department of Veterans Affairs by requiring them to assess the cost savings, performance, and satisfaction of individuals with the transportation program. This could potentially lead to changes in the program to make it more efficient and effective.
3. The development and implementation of a national medical examination protocol for volunteer drivers could affect volunteer drivers participating in the transportation program. They may have to undergo medical examinations and meet certain criteria in order to continue participating in the program, potentially affecting their ability to continue volunteering.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 850 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 850
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To extend the authorization of appropriations to the Department of
Veterans Affairs for purposes of awarding grants to veterans service
organizations for the transportation of highly rural veterans.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Highly Rural Veteran Transportation
Program Extension Act''.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF HIGHLY RURAL
VETERANS.
Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health
Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is
amended by striking ``2020'' and inserting ``2021''.
SEC. 3. MAKING PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO
TRANSPORT INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM FACILITIES OF
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Section 111A(a) of title 38, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (2); and
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1)''.
(b) Report Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than five years after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit to Congress a report on cost savings, performance,
and satisfaction of individuals, with respect to--
(A) the transport by the Secretary of individuals
under subsection (a) of section 111A of title 38,
United States Code; and
(B) the program the establishment of which was
facilitated under subsection (b) of such section.
(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
include an assessment of the effect of emerging health care
modalities, including telehealth and VA Video Connect, on--
(A) the transport of individuals described in
paragraph (1)(A);
(B) the satisfaction of such individuals with
services described in section 111A(a) of title 38,
United States Code; and
(C) the program described in paragraph (1)(B).
(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Telehealth.--
(i) In general.--The term ``telehealth''
means the use of electronic information and
telecommunications technologies to support and
promote long-distance clinical health care,
patient and professional health-related
education, public health, and health
administration.
(ii) Technologies.--For purposes of clause
(i), telecommunications technologies include
videoconferencing, the internet, streaming
media, and terrestrial and wireless
communications.
(B) VA video connect.--The term ``VA Video
Connect'' means the program of the Department of
Veterans Affairs to connect veterans with their health
care team from anywhere, using encryption to ensure a
secure and private session.
(c) Technical Correction.--Section 111A(b) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``veterans' service organizations''
and inserting ``veterans service organizations''.
SEC. 4. MEDICAL EXAMINATION PROTOCOL FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
PARTICIPATING IN PROGRAM OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR
VETERANS.
Section 111A(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2)(A) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of
the Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act, the
Secretary shall develop and establish a national protocol for the
administration of medical examinations for volunteer drivers to
participate in the program described in paragraph (1).
``(B) In developing the protocol required by subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall consult with such persons as the Secretary determines
have an interest in the program described in paragraph (1).
``(C)(i) The Secretary shall implement the protocol by first
conducting a one-year pilot program using the protocol.
``(ii) After conducting the pilot program required by clause (i),
the Secretary shall assess the pilot program and make such changes to
the protocol as the Secretary considers appropriate.
``(iii) After making changes to the protocol under clause (ii), the
Secretary shall implement the protocol in phases during the course of
one year.''.
SEC. 5. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES REPORT ON
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR VETERANS.
(a) Report Required.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a
report on the program the establishment of which was facilitated under
section 111A(b) of title 38, United States Code.
(b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) A description of the program described in subsection
(a), including descriptions of the following:
(A) The purpose of the program.
(B) The activities carried out under the program.
(2) An assessment of the sufficiency of the program with
respect to the purpose of the program.
(3) An assessment of the cost effectiveness of the program
in relation to alternatives.
(4) An assessment of the health benefits for veterans who
have participated in the program.
(5) An assessment of the sufficiency of staffing of
employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are
responsible for facilitating the maintenance of the program.
(6) An assessment, with respect to the purpose of the
program, of the number of vehicles owned by and operating in
conjunction with the program.
(7) An assessment of the awareness and usage of the program
by veterans and their families.
(8) An assessment of other options for transportation under
the program, such as local taxi companies and ridesharing
programs such as Uber and Lyft.
Passed the Senate July 30, 2020.
Attest:
Secretary.
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 850
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To extend the authorization of appropriations to the Department of
Veterans Affairs for purposes of awarding grants to veterans service
organizations for the transportation of highly rural veterans.