S. 832 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 832 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 25, 2013 Mr. Donnelly introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out pilot programs on furnishing case management services and assisted living to children of Vietnam veterans and certain Korea service veterans born with spina bifida and children of women Vietnam veterans born with certain birth defects, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving the Lives of Children with Spina Bifida Act of 2013. 2. Pilot program on furnishing case management services to children of Vietnam veterans and certain Korea service veterans born with spina bifida and children of women Vietnam veterans born with certain birth defects (a) Pilot program Commencing not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of furnishing to covered individuals case management services under a national contract with a third party entity. (b) Covered individuals For purposes of this section, a covered individual is any individual who— (1) is entitled to health care or other benefits under chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code; and (2) lives in a rural area and does not have access to case management services at the Department of Veterans Affairs or otherwise. (c) Duration (1) In general Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the pilot program shall be carried out during the three-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program. (2) Continuation Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary may continue the pilot program for an additional two-year period as the Secretary considers appropriate. (3) Termination The pilot program may not operate after the date that is five years after the date of the commencement of the pilot program. (d) Locations The Secretary shall select locations in which to carry out the pilot program from among locations that the Secretary considers rural and where individuals who reside in such locations lack access to comprehensive case management services through the Department or otherwise. (e) Scope of services Under the pilot program, the Secretary shall provide covered individuals with integrated, comprehensive services, including the following: (1) Coordination and management of needed health care, monetary, and general care services authorized under chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code. (2) Transportation services. (3) Such other services as the Secretary considers appropriate for the care of covered individuals under the pilot program. (f) Program requirements In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall— (1) inform all covered individuals of the services available under the pilot program; (2) enter into contracts with appropriate third party entities for the provision of case management services under the pilot program; and (3) determine the appropriate number of covered individuals to be enrolled in the pilot program and criteria for such enrollment. (g) Reports (1) Preliminary reports (A) In general Not later than one year after the date of the commencement of the pilot program and, if the pilot program is continued under subsection (c)(2), not later than three years after the date of the commencement of the pilot program, 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 on the pilot program. (B) Contents Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) A description of the implementation and operation of the pilot program. (ii) The number of covered individuals receiving benefits under the pilot program. (iii) An analysis of the costs and benefits under the pilot program. (iv) An assessment of the utilization of case management under the pilot program. (v) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program. (vi) Such recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the pilot program as the Secretary may have. (2) Final report (A) In general Not later than 180 days after the completion of the pilot program, 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 on the pilot program. (B) Contents The report submitted subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program. (ii) Such recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the pilot program as the Secretary may have. (h) Funding Amounts to carry out the pilot program shall be derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available before the date of the enactment of this Act for the furnishing of care and case management under chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code. 3. Pilot program on furnishing assisted living to children of Vietnam veterans and certain Korea service veterans born with spina bifida and children of women Vietnam veterans born with certain birth defects (a) Pilot program Commencing not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing assisted living, group home care, or similar services in lieu of nursing home care to covered individuals. (b) Covered individuals For purposes of this section, a covered individual is any individual who is entitled to health care or other benefits under chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code. (c) Duration (1) In general Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the pilot program shall be carried out during the three-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program. (2) Continuation Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary may continue the pilot program for an additional two-year period as the Secretary considers appropriate. (3) Termination The pilot program may not operate after the date that is five years after the date of the commencement of the pilot program. (d) Scope of services and pilot program Under the pilot program, the Secretary shall provide covered individuals with integrated, comprehensive services, including the following: (1) Assisted living, group home care, or such other similar services as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) Transportation services. (3) Such other services as the Secretary considers appropriate for the care of covered individuals under the pilot program. (e) Program requirements In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall— (1) inform all covered individuals of the services available under the pilot program; (2) consider entering into an agreement with appropriate providers of assisted living, group home care, or other similar services for provision of services under the pilot program; and (3) determine the appropriate number of covered individuals to be enrolled in the pilot program and criteria for such enrollment. (f) Reports (1) Preliminary reports (A) In general Not later than one year after the date of the commencement of the pilot program and, if the pilot program is continued under subsection (c)(2), not later than three years after the date of the commencement of the pilot program, 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 on the pilot program. (B) Contents Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) A description of the implementation and operation of the pilot program. (ii) The number of covered individuals receiving benefits under the pilot program. (iii) An analysis that compares the costs of furnishing assisted living, group home care, or similar service with the costs of furnishing nursing home care. (iv) An analysis of the costs and benefits under the pilot program. (v) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program. (vi) Such recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the pilot program as the Secretary may have. (2) Final report (A) In general Not later than 180 days after the completion of the pilot program, 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 on the pilot program. (B) Contents The report submitted subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program. (ii) Such recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the pilot program as the Secretary may have. (g) Funding Amounts to carry out the pilot program shall be derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available before the date of the enactment of this Act for the furnishing of nursing home care under chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code.