#aad? ,,congress  #a/ ,session  ,h4,r4  
#bbef  ,,an ,,act  ,to am5d title #ch1  
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to direct !        
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs to submit 
an annual report on ! ,vet]ans ,heal?   
,adm9i/ration1 to provide = !           
id5tification & track+ ( biological     
implants us$ 9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans     
,affairs facilities1 & = o!r purposes4  
#a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ a 
! ,vet]ans ,in=mation ,mod]nization     
,act4  #b4 ,annual report on ,vet]ans   
,heal? ,adm9i/ration & furni%+ (        
hospital c>e1 m$ical s]vices1 & nurs+   
home c>e  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,sub*apt] ,,ii ( 
*apt] #gc ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates    
,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !      
foll[+ new section3  #gccj;,b4 ,annual  
report on ,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration 
& furni%+ ( hospital c>e1 m$ical        
s]vices1 & nurs+ home c>e  7a7 ,report  
requir$ ,n lat] ?an ,m>* #a dur+ ea* (  
ye>s #bjaf ?r\gh #bjbj1 ! ,secret>y %all
 submit to ! ,committees on ,vet]ans'   
,affairs ( ! ,s5ate & ,h\se (           

,repres5tatives a report on ! furni%+ ( 
hospital c>e1 m$ical s]vices1 & nurs+   
home c>e "u ! laws adm9i/]$ by !        
,secret>y1 & on ! adm9i/ration ( !      
provision ( su* c>e & s]vices by !      
,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration dur+ !    
cal5d> ye> prec$+ ! cal5d> ye> dur+ :i* 
! report is submitt$4  7b7 ,cont5ts (   
report ,ea* report requir$ by subsection
 7a7 %all include ea* ( ! foll[+ = ! ye>
 cov]$ by ! report3  7#a7 ,an evaluation
 ( ! effectiv5ess ( ! ,vet]ans ,heal?   
,adm9i/ration program 9 increas+ !      
access ( vet]ans eligible = hospital    
c>e1 m$ical s]vices1 & nurs+ home c>e   
furni%$ by ! ,secret>y to su* c>e4  7#b7
 ,an evaluation ( ! effectiv5ess ( !    
,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration 9 improv+ 
! quality ( heal? c>e provid$ to su*    
vet]ans1 )\t increas+ ! co/s incurr$ by 
! ,gov]nm5t or su* vet]ans1 :i* includes
 ! relevant in=mation = ea* m$ical c5t] 
& ,vet]ans ,integrat$ ,s]vice ,network (
 ! ,dep>tm5t set =? sep>ately4  7#c7 ,an
 assessm5t (-- 7,a7 ! workload (        

physicians & o!r employees ( ! ,vet]ans 
,heal? ,adm9i/ration2  7,b7 pati5t      
demographics & utilization rates2  7,c7 
physician comp5sation2  7,d7 !          
productivity ( physicians & o!r         
employees ( ! ,vet]ans ,heal?           
,adm9i/ration2  7,e7 ! p]c5tage (       
hospital c>e1 m$ical s]vices1 & nurs+   
home c>e provid$ to su* vet]ans 9       
,dep>tm5t facilities & 9 non-,dep>tm5t  
facilities & any *anges 9 su* p]c5tages 
comp>$ to ! ye> prec$+ ! ye> cov]$ by ! 
report2  7,f7 ph>maceutical prices2 &   
7,g7 ?ird-p>ty heal? bill+s ow$ to !    
,dep>tm5t1 includ+ ! total am\nt ( su*  
bill+s & ! total am\nts collect$1 set =?
 sep>ately = claims great] ?an #a1jjj & 
= claims equal to or less ?an #a1jjj4   
7c7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is section1 ! t]ms  
hospital c>e1 m$ical s]vices1 nurs+ home
 c>e1 & non-,dep>tm5t facilities h !    
mean+s giv5 su* t]ms 9 section #agja (  
?is title4  4  7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,!  
table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt]
 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+  

to section #gccj;,a ! foll[+ new item3  
#gccj;,b4 ,annual report on ,vet]ans    
,heal? ,adm9i/ration & furni%+ (        
hospital c>e1 m$ical s]vices1 & nurs+   
home c>e4  4  #c4 ,expansion ( def9ition
 ( homeless vet]an = purposes ( b5efits 
"u ! laws adm9i/]$ by ! ,secret>y (     
,vet]ans ,affairs ,section #bjjb7a7 (   
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$
 by ins]t+ or 7b7 aft] section #ajc7;a74
  #d4 ,id5tification & track+ (         
biological implants us$ 9 ,dep>tm5t (   
,vet]ans ,affairs m$ical facilities  7a7
 ,9 g5]al ,sub*apt] ,,ii ( *apt] #gc (  
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ 
by section #b1 is fur!r am5d$ by add+ at
 ! end ! foll[+ new section3  #gccj;,c4 
,id5tification & track+ ( biological    
implants  7a7 ,/&>d id5tification sy/em 
= biological implants  7#a7 ,! ,secret>y
 %all adopt ! unique device             
id5tification sy/em develop$ = m$ical   
devices by ! ,food & ,drug ,adm9i/ration
 pursuant to section #eai7;f7 ( ! ,f$]al
 ,food1 ,drug1 & ,cosmetic ,act 7#ba    

,u4,s4,c4 #cfj;i7f771 or implem5t a     
comp>able /&>d id5tification sy/em1 =   
use 9 id5tify+ biological implants      
int5d$ = use 9 m$ical proc$ures conduct$
 9 m$ical facilities ( ! ,dep>tm5t4     
7#b7 ,9 adopt+ or implem5t+ a /&>d      
id5tification sy/em = biological        
implants "u p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,secret>y  
%all p]mit a v5dor to use any ( !       
accr$it$ entities id5tifi$ by ! ,food & 
,drug ,adm9i/ration z an issu+ ag5cy    
pursuant to section #hcj4ajj ( title    
#ba1 ,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations1 or any
 successor regulation4  7b7 ,biological 
implant track+ sy/em  7#a7 ,! ,secret>y 
%all implem5t a sy/em = track+ !        
biological implants ref]r$ to 9         
subsection 7a7 f human donor or animal  
s\rce to implantation4  7#b7 ,! track+  
sy/em implem5t$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all be
 compatible ) ! id5tification sy/em     
adopt$ or implem5t$ "u subsection 7a74  
7#c7 ,! ,secret>y %all implem5t inv5tory
 controls compatible ) ! track+ sy/em   
implem5t$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 s t all      

pati5ts :o h receiv$1 9 a m$ical        
facility ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 a biological    
implant subject to a recall c be notifi$
 ( ! recall1 if bas$ on ! evaluation (  
appropriate m$ical p]sonnel ( !         
,dep>tm5t ( ! risks & b5efits1 !        
,secret>y det]m9es su* notification is  
appropriate4  7c7 ,consi/5cy ) ,food &  
,drug ,adm9i/ration regulations ,to !   
ext5t t a conflict arises betwe5 ?is    
section & a provision ( ! ,f$]al ,food1 
,drug1 & ,cosmetic ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4  
#cja et seq47 or sections #cea or #cfa (
 ! ,public ,heal? ,s]vice ,act 7#db     
,u4,s4,c4 #bfb7 7includ+ any regulations
 issu$ "u su* ,acts71 ! provision !     
,f$]al ,food1 ,drug1 & ,cosmetic ,act or
 ,public ,heal? ,s]vice ,act 7includ+   
any regulations issu$ "u su* ,acts7 %all
 apply4  7d7 ,def9ition ( biological    
implant ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m biological
 implant means any animal or human cell1
 tissue1 or cellul> or tissue-bas$      
product-- 7#a7 "u ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m    
human cells1 tissues1 or cellul> or     

tissue-bas$ products 9 section #abga4c (
 title #ba1 ,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations1
 or any successor regulation2 or  7#b7 t
 is regulat$ z a device "u section      
#bja7;h7 ( ! ,f$]al ,food1 ,drug1 &     
,cosmetic ,act4  4  7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t
 ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su*  
*apt]1 z am5d$ by section #b1 is fur!r  
am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to   
section #gccj;,b1 z add$ by section #b1 
! foll[+ new item3  #gccj;,c4           
,id5tification & track+ ( biological    
implants4  4  7c7 ,implem5tation        
deadl9es  7#a7 ,/&>d id5tification sy/em
  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,) respect to biological
 implants describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 (    
subsection 7d7 ( section #gccj;,c (     
title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$  
by subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y (        
,vet]ans ,affairs %all adopt or implem5t
 a /&>d id5tification sy/em = biological
 implants1 z requir$ by subsection 7a7 (
 su* section1 by n lat] ?an ! date t is 
#ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is
 ,act4  7,b7 ,implants regulat$ z       

devices ,) respect to biological        
implants describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 (     
subsection 7d7 ( su* section1 !         
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all adopt
 or implem5t su* /&>d id5tification     
sy/em 9 compliance ) ! compliance dates 
e/abli%$ by ! ,food & ,drug             
,adm9i/ration pursuant to section       
#eai7;f7 ( ! ,f$]al ,food1 ,drug1 &     
,cosmetic ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4           
#cfj;i7f774  7#b7 ,track+ sy/em ,!      
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all      
implem5t ! biological implant track+    
sy/em requir$ by section #gccj;,c7b71 z 
add$ by subsection 7a71 by n lat] ?an ! 
date t is #ahj days aft] ! date ( !     
enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7d7 ,report+      
requirem5t  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,if !         
biological implant track+ sy/em requir$ 
by section #gccj;,c7b7 ( title #ch1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$ by          
subsection 7a71 is n op]ational by !    
date t is #ahj days aft] ! date ( !     
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,secret>y (      
,vet]ans ,affairs %all submit to !      

,committees on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ( !   
,s5ate & ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a      
writt5 explanation = :y ! sy/em is n    
op]ational = ea* mon? until su* "t z !  
sy/em is op]ational4  7#b7 ,elem5ts ,ea*
 explanation submitt$ "u p>agraph 7#a7  
%all include a description ( ! foll[+3  
7,a7 ,ea* imp$im5t to ! implem5tation ( 
! sy/em describ$ 9 su* p>agraph4  7,b7  
,/eps be+ tak5 to rem$iate ea* su*      
imp$im5t4  7,c7 ,t>get dates = a        
solution to ea* su* imp$im5t4  #e4      
,procurem5t ( biological implants us$ 9 
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs m$ical    
facilities  7a7 ,procurem5t  7#a7 ,9    
g5]al ,sub*apt] ,,ii ( *apt] #ha ( su*  
title is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+
 new section3  #habi4 ,procurem5t (     
biological implants  7a7 ,9 g5]al  7#a7 
,! ,secret>y may procure biological     
implants ( human orig9 only f v5dors t  
meet ! foll[+ conditions3  7,a7 ,! v5dor
 uses ! /&>d id5tification sy/em adopt$ 
or implem5t$ by ! ,secret>y "u section  
#gccj;,c7a7 ( ?is title & has safegu>ds 

to ensure t a di/9ct id5tity code has   
be5 9 place at ea* /ep ( di/ribution (  
ea* biological implant f its donor4     
7,b7 ,! v5dor is regi/]$ z requir$ by ! 
,food & ,drug ,adm9i/ration "u subp>t ,b
 ( "p #abga ( title #ba1 ,code ( ,f$]al 
,regulations1 or any successor          
regulation1 & 9 ! case ( a v5dor t uses 
a tissue di/ribution int]m$i>y or a     
tissue processor1 ! v5dor provides      
assurances t ! tissue di/ribution       
int]m$i>y or tissue processor is regi/]$
 z requir$ by ! ,food & ,drug           
,adm9i/ration4  7,c7 ,! v5dor ensures t 
donor eligibility det]m9ations & su* o!r
 records z ! ,secret>y may require      
accompany ea* biological implant at all 
times1 reg>dless ( ! c\ntry ( orig9 ( ! 
donor ( ! biological mat]ial4  7,d7 ,!  
v5dor agrees to coop]ate ) all          
biological implant recalls conduct$ on !
 v5dor's own initiative1 on ! initiative
 ( ! orig9al product manufactur] us$ by 
! v5dor1 by ! reque/ ( ! ,food & ,drug  
,adm9i/ration1 or by a /atutory ord] ( !

 ,food & ,drug ,adm9i/ration4  7,e7 ,!  
v5dor agrees to notify ! ,secret>y ( any
 adv]se ev5t or reaction report x       
provides to ! ,food & ,drug             
,adm9i/ration1 z requir$ by section     
#abga4cej ( title #ba1 ,code ( ,f$]al   
,regulations1 or any successor          
regulation1 or any successor regulation1
 or ( any w>n+ lett] f ! ,food & ,drug  
,adm9i/ration issu$ to ! v5dor or a     
tissue processor or tissue di/ribution  
int]m$i>y x uses by n lat] ?an #fj days 
aft] ! v5dor receives su* report or w>n+
 lett]4  7,f7 ,! v5dor agrees to reta9  
all records associat$ ) ! procurem5t ( a
 biological implant by ! ,dep>tm5t = at 
lea/ #aj ye>s aft] ! date ( ! procurem5t
 ( ! biological implant4  7,g7 ,! v5dor 
provides assurances t ! biological      
implants provid$ by ! v5dor are acquir$ 
only f tissue processors t ma9ta9 active
 accr$itation ) ! ,am]ican ,association 
( ,tissue ,banks or a simil> national   
accr$itation specific to biological     
implants4  7#b7 ,! ,secret>y may procure

 biological implants ( non-human orig9  
only f v5dors t meet ! foll[+           
conditions3  7,a7 ,! v5dor uses ! /&>d  
id5tification sy/em adopt$ or implem5t$ 
by ! ,secret>y "u section #gccj;,c7a7 ( 
?is title4  7,b7 ,! v5dor is a regi/]$  
e/abli%m5t z requir$ by ! ,food & ,drug 
,adm9i/ration "u sections #hjg4bj &     
#hjg4dj ( title #ba1 ,code ( ,f$]al     
,regulations1 or any successor          
regulation1 7or is n requir$ to regi/]  
pursuant to section #hjg4fe7;a7 ( su*   
title7 & 9 ! case ( a v5dor t is n !    
orig9al product manufactur] ( su*       
implants ! v5dor provides assurances t !
 orig9al product manufactur] is regi/]$ 
z requir$ by ! ,food & ,drug            
,adm9i/ration4  7,c7 ,! v5dor agrees to 
coop]ate ) all biological implant       
recalls conduct$ on ! v5dor's own       
initiative1 on ! initiative ( ! orig9al 
product manufactur] us$ by ! v5dor1 by !
 reque/ ( ! ,food & ,drug ,adm9i/ration1
 or by a /atutory ord] ( ! ,food & ,drug
 ,adm9i/ration4  7,d7 ,! v5dor agrees to

 notify ! ,secret>y ( any adv]se ev5t   
report x provides to ! ,food & ,drug    
,adm9i/ration z requir$ 9 "p #hjc (     
title #ba1 ,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations1 
or any w>n+ lett] f ! ,food & ,drug     
,adm9i/ration issu$ to ! v5dor or !     
orig9al product manufactur] x uses by n 
lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! v5dor receives 
su* report or w>n+ lett]4  7,e7 ,! v5dor
 agrees to reta9 all records associat$ )
 ! procurem5t ( a biological implant by 
! ,dep>tm5t = at lea/ #aj ye>s aft] !   
date ( ! procurem5t ( ! biological      
implant4  7#c7 7,a7 ,! ,secret>y %all   
procure biological implants "u ! ,f$]al 
,supply ,s*$ules ( ! ,g5]al ,s]vices    
,adm9i/ration unless su* implants are n 
available "u su* ,s*$ules4  7,b7 ,)     
respect to biological implants li/$ on !
 ,f$]al ,supply ,s*$ules1 ! ,secret>y   
%all accommodate reasonable v5dor       
reque/s to und]take outrea* ef=ts to    
educate m$ical pr(essionals ( !         
,dep>tm5t ab\t ! use & efficacy ( su*   
biological implants4  7,c7 ,9 ! case (  

biological implants t are unavailable = 
procurem5t "u ! ,f$]al ,supply ,s*$ules1
 ! ,secret>y %all procure su* implants  
us+ competitive proc$ures 9 accordance )
 applicable law & ! ,f$]al ,acquisition 
,regulation4  7#d7 ,section #habc ( ?is 
title %all n apply to ! procurem5t (    
biological implants4  7b7 ,p5alties ,9  
addition to any applicable p5alty "u any
 o!r provision ( law1 any procurem5t    
employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t :o is f\nd       
responsible = a biological implant      
procurem5t transaction ) int5t to avoid 
or ) reckless disreg>d ( ! requirem5ts (
 ?is section %all be ineligible to hold 
a c]tificate ( appo9tm5t z a contract+  
(fic] or to s]ve z ! repres5tative ( an 
ord]+ (fic]1 contract+ (fic]1 or pur*ase
 c>d hold]4  7c7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is     
section3 7#a7 ,! t]m biological implant 
%all h ! mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9 section   
#gccj;,c7d7 ( ?is title4  7#b7 ,! t]m   
di/9ct id5tity code means a code t--    
7,a7 relates a biological implant to !  
human donor ( ! implant & to all records

 p]ta9+ to ! implant2  7,b7 includes    
in=mation design$ to facilitate         
effective track+1 us+ su* code1 f !     
donor to ! recipi5t & f ! recipi5t to ! 
donor2 &  7,c7 satisfies ! requirem5ts (
 section #abga4bij ( title #ba1 ,code ( 
,f$]al ,regulations1 or any successor   
regulation4  7#c7 ,! t]m tissue         
di/ribution int]m$i>y means an ag5cy t  
acquires & /ores human tissue = fur!r   
di/ribution & p]=ms no o!r tissue bank+ 
functions4  7#d7 ,! t]m tissue processor
 means an entity process+ human tissue =
 use 9 biological implants includ+      
activities p]=m$ on tissue o!r ?an donor
 scre5+1 donor te/+1 tissue recov]y &   
collection functions1 /orage1 or        
di/ribution4  4  7#b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t  
,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su*   
*apt] is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ( !     
items relat+ to su* sub*apt] ! foll[+   
new item3  #habi4 ,procurem5t (         
biological implants4  4  7b7 ,effective 
date ,section #habi ( title #ch1 ,unit$ 
,/ates ,code1 z add$ by subsection 7a71 

%all take effect on ! date t is #ahj    
days aft] ! date on :i* ! track+ sy/em  
requir$ "u subsection 7b7 ( section     
#gccj;,c ( su* title1 z add$ by section 
#d7;a7 is implem5t$4  7c7 ,special rule 
= cryopres]v$ products ,dur+ ! #c-ye>   
p]iod beg9n+ on ! effective date (      
section #habi ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 z add$ by subsection 7a71       
biological implants produc$ & label$    
be=e t date may be procur$ by !         
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs )\t       
relabel+ "u ! /&>d id5tification sy/em  
adopt$ or implem5t$ "u section #gccj;,c 
( su* title1 z add$ by section #d7;a74  
#f4 ,ext5sion ( r\nd+ d[n ( p]c5tage    
increases ( rates ( c]ta9 educational   
assi/ance  7a7 ,montgom]y ,,gi bill     
,section #cjae7;h77#b7 ( title #ch1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$--  7#a7 by
 /rik+ fiscal ye> #bjad & ins]t+ fiscal 
ye> #bjbj2 &  7#b7 by /rik+ fiscal ye>  
#bjac & ins]t+ fiscal ye> #bjai4  7b7   
,survivors & dep5d5ts educational       
assi/ance ,section #cefd7;b7 ( su* title

 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by /rik+ fiscal ye>    
#bjad & ins]t+ fiscal ye> #bjbj2 &  7#b7
 by /rik+ fiscal ye> #bjac & ins]t+     
fiscal ye> #bjai4  #g4 ,vet]ans ,exp$it$
 ,recov]y ,commission  7a7 ,e/abli%m5t  
,!re is e/abli%$ ! ,vet]ans ,exp$it$    
,recov]y ,commission 79 ?is section     
ref]r$ to z ! ,commission74  7b7 ,duties
 ,! ,commission %all p]=m ! foll[+      
duties3 7#a7 ,exam9e ! efficacy ( !     
evid5ce-bas$ !rapy model us$ by !       
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs = treat+  
m5tal heal? illnesses ( vet]ans &       
id5tify areas to improve wellness-bas$  
outcomes4  7#b7 ,conduct a pati5t-c5t]$ 
survey )9 ea* ( ! ,vet]ans ,integrat$   
,s]vice ,networks to exam9e-- 7,a7 !    
exp]i5ce ( vet]ans ) ! ,dep>tm5t (      
,vet]ans ,affairs :5 seek+ m$ical       
assi/ance = m5tal heal? issues ?r\gh !  
heal? c>e sy/em ( ! ,dep>tm5t2  7,b7 !  
exp]i5ce ( vet]ans ) non-,dep>tm5t      
m$ical facilities & heal? pr(essionals =
 treat+ m5tal heal? issues2  7,c7 !     
pref]5ces ( vet]ans reg>d+ available    

treatm5ts = m5tal heal? issues & :i*    
me?ods ! vet]ans believe to be mo/      
effective2  7,d7 ! exp]i5ce1 if any1 (  
vet]ans ) respect to ! complem5t>y      
alt]native treatm5t !rapies describ$ 9  
subp>agraphs 7,a7 ?r\gh 7,i7 9 p>agraph 
7#c72  7,e7 ! preval5ce ( prescrib+     
prescription m$ication among vet]ans    
seek+ treatm5t ?r\gh ! heal? c>e sy/em (
 ! ,dep>tm5t z rem$ies = address+ m5tal 
heal? issues2 &  7,f7 ! outrea* ef=ts ( 
! ,secret>y reg>d+ ! availability (     
b5efits & treatm5ts = vet]ans = address+
 m5tal heal? issues1 includ+ by id5tify+
 ways to r$uce b>ri]s to & gaps 9 su*   
b5efits & treatm5ts4  7#c7 ,exam9e      
available rese>* on complem5t>y         
alt]native treatm5t !rapies = m5tal     
heal? issues & id5tify :at b5efits c\ld 
be made ) ! inclusion ( su* treatm5ts = 
vet]ans1 includ+ ) respect to--  7,a7   
music !rapy2  7,b7 equ9e !rapy2  7,c7   
tra9+ & c>+ = s]vice dogs2  7,d7 yoga   
!rapy2  7,e7 acupuncture !rapy2  7,f7   
m$itation !rapy2  7,g7 outdoor sports   

!rapy2  7,h7 hyp]b>ic oxyg5 !rapy2  7,i7
 accel]at$ resolution !rapy2 &  7,j7 o!r
 !rapies ! ,commission det]m9es         
appropriate4  7#d7 ,/udy ! pot5tial     
increase ( claims relat+ to m5tal heal? 
issues submitt$ to ! ,secret>y by       
vet]ans :o s]v$ 9 ,op]ation ,endur+     
,fre$om1 ,op]ation ,iraqi ,fre$om1 or   
,op]ation ,new ,dawn1 includ+ an        
assessm5t ( ! res\rces available )9 !   
,dep>tm5t to ensure t quality heal? c>e 
dem&s relat+ to su* claims c be deliv]$ 
9 a timely mann]4  7c7 ,memb]%ip  7#a7  
,numb] & appo9tm5t  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,!    
,commission %all be compos$ ( #aj       
memb]s1 appo9t$ z foll[s3  7i7 ,two     
memb]s appo9t$ by ! ,speak] ( ! ,h\se ( 
,repres5tatives1 at lea/ "o ( :om %all  
be a vet]an4  7ii7 ,two memb]s appo9t$  
by ! ,m9ority ,lead] ( ! ,h\se (        
,repres5tatives1 at lea/ "o ( :om %all  
be a vet]an4  7iii7 ,two memb]s appo9t$ 
by ! ,majority ,lead] ( ! ,s5ate1 at    
lea/ "o ( :om %all be a vet]an4  7iv7   
,two memb]s appo9t$ by ! ,m9ority ,lead]

 ( ! ,s5ate1 at lea/ "o ( :om %all be a 
vet]an4  7v7 ,two memb]s appo9t$ by !   
,presid5t1 at lea/ "o ( :om %all be a   
vet]an4  7,b7 ,qualifications ,memb]s ( 
! ,commission %all be--  7i7 individuals
 :o are ( recogniz$ /&+ & di/9ction )9 !
 m$ical community ) a backgr\nd 9 treat+
 m5tal heal?2  7ii7 individuals )       
exp]i5ce work+ ) ! milit>y & vet]an     
population2 &  7iii7 individuals :o d n 
h a f9ancial int]e/ 9 any ( !           
complem5t>y alt]native treatm5ts review$
 by ! ,commission4  7#b7 ,*airman ,!    
,presid5t %all designate a memb] ( !    
,commission to be ! *airman4  7#c7      
,p]iod ( ,appo9tm5t ,memb]s ( !         
,commission %all be appo9t$ = ! life ( !
 ,commission4  7#d7 ,vacancy ,a vacancy 
9 ! ,commission %all be fill$ 9 ! mann] 
9 :i* ! orig9al appo9tm5t 0 made4  7#e7 
,appo9tm5t ,deadl9e ,! appo9tm5t (      
memb]s ( ! ,commission 9 ?is section    
%all be made n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! 
date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7d7 ,p[]s
 ( ,commission  7#a7 ,meet+  7,a7       

,initial meet+ ,! ,commission %all hold 
its fir/ meet+ n lat] ?an #cj days aft] 
a majority ( memb]s are appo9t$ to !    
,commission4  7,b7 ,meet+ ,! ,commission
 %all regul>ly meet at ! call ( !       
,*airman4 ,su* meet+s may be c>ri$ out  
?r\gh ! use ( telephonic or o!r         
appropriate telecommunication te*nology 
if ! ,commission det]m9es t su*         
te*nology w all[ ! memb]s to communicate
 simultane\sly4  7#b7 ,he>+ ,!          
,commission may hold su* he>+s1 sit &   
act at su* times & places1 take su*     
te/imony1 & receive evid5ce z !         
,commission consid]s advisable to c>ry  
out ! responsibilities ( ! ,commission4 
7#c7 ,in=mation f ,f$]al ,ag5cies ,!    
,commission may secure directly f any   
dep>tm5t or ag5cy ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t  
su* in=mation z ! ,commission consid]s  
necess>y to c>ry out ! duties ( !       
,commission4  7#d7 ,in=mation f         
nongov]nm5tal organizations ,9 c>ry+ out
 subsection 7b71 ! ,commission may seek 
guidance ?r\gh consultation )           

f\ndations1 vet]ans s]vice              
organizations1 nonpr(it gr\ps1 fai?-bas$
 organizations1 private & public        
in/itutions ( high] education1 & o!r    
organizations z ! ,commission det]m9es  
appropriate4  7#e7 ,commission ,records 
,! ,commission %all keep an accurate &  
complete record ( ! actions & meet+s ( !
 ,commission4 ,su* record %all be made  
available = public inspection & !       
,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates may
 audit & exam9e su* record4  7#f7       
,p]sonnel ,matt]s ,^u reque/ ( ! *airman
 ( ! ,commission1 ! head ( any dep>tm5t 
or ag5cy ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t may       
detail1 on a reimbursable basis1 any    
p]sonnel ( t dep>tm5t or ag5cy to assi/ 
! ,commission 9 c>ry+ out ! duties ( !  
,commission4  7#g7 ,comp5sation (       
,memb]s2 ,travel ,exp5ses ,ea* memb]    
%all s]ve )\t pay1 except t ea* memb]   
%all receive travel exp5ses to p]=m !   
duties ( ! ,commission "u subsection    
7b71 includ+ p] diem 9 lieu ( subsi/5ce1
 at rates au?oriz$ "u sub*apt] ,i (     

*apt] #eg ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates     
,code4  7#h7 ,/aff ,! ,*airman1 9       
accordance ) rules agre$ ^u by !        
,commission1 may appo9t & fix !         
comp5sation ( a /aff director & su* o!r 
p]sonnel z may be necess>y to enable !  
,commission to c>ry out its functions1  
)\t reg>d to ! provisions ( title #e1   
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 gov]n+ appo9tm5ts 9
 ! competitive s]vice1 )\t reg>d to !   
provision ( *apt] #ea & sub*apt] ,,iii (
 *apt] #ec ( su* title relat+ to        
classification & ,g5]al ,s*$ule pay     
rates1 except t no rate ( pay fix$ "u   
?is subsection may exce$ ! equival5t ( t
 payable = a position at a level ,,iv ( 
! ,executive ,s*$ule "u section #ecaf ( 
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  7#i7    
,p]sonnel z ,f$]al employees  7,a7 ,9   
g5]al ,! executive director & any       
p]sonnel ( ! ,commission are employees  
"u section #baje ( title #e1 ,unit$     
,/ates ,code1 = purpose ( *apt]s #fc1   
#ha1 #hc1 #hd1 #he1 #hg1 #hi1 & #ij (   
su* title4  7,b7 ,memb]s ( ! ,commission

 ,subp>agraph 7,a7 %all n be con/ru$ to 
apply to memb]s ( ! ,commission4  7#aj7 
,contract+ ,! ,commission may1 to su*   
ext5t & 9 su* am\nts z are provid$ 9    
appropriations ,acts1 ent] into         
contracts to enable ! ,commission to    
dis*>ge ! duties ( ! ,commission "u ?is 
section4  7#aa7 ,exp]t & ,consultant    
,s]vice ,! ,commission may procure !    
s]vices ( exp]ts & consultants 9        
accordance ) section #caji ( title #e1  
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 at rates n to exce$
 ! daily rate paid to a p]son occupy+ a 
position at level ,,iv ( ! ,executive   
,s*$ule "u section #ecae ( title #e1    
,unit$ ,/ates ,code4  7#ab7 ,po/al      
,s]vice ,! ,commission may use ! ,unit$ 
,/ates mails 9 ! same mann] & "u ! same 
conditions z dep>tm5ts & ag5cies ( !    
,unit$ ,/ates4  7#ac7 ,physical         
,facilities & ,equipm5t ,^u ! reque/ ( !
 ,commission1 ! ,adm9i/rator ( ,g5]al   
,s]vices %all provide to ! ,commission1 
on a reimbursable basis1 ! adm9i/rative 
support s]vices necess>y = ! ,commission

 to c>ry out its responsibilities "u ?is
 section4 ,^! adm9i/rative s]vices may  
include human res\rce managem5t1 budget1
 leas+1 acc\nt+1 & payroll s]vices4  7e7
 ,report  7#a7 ,int]im ,reports  7,a7 ,9
 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! date 
on :i* ! ,commission fir/ meets1 & ea*  
#cj-;day p]iod !reaft] end+ on ! date on
 :i* ! ,commission submits ! f9al report
 "u p>agraph 7#b71 ! ,commission %all   
submit to ! ,committees on ,vet]ans'    
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & !
 ,s5ate & ! ,presid5t a report detail+ !
 level ( coop]ation ! ,secret>y (       
,vet]ans ,affairs 7& ! heads ( o!r      
dep>tm5ts or ag5cies ( ! ,f$]al         
,gov]nm5t7 has provid$ to ! ,commission4
  7,b7 ,o!r reports ,9 c>ry+ out !      
duties pursuant to subsection 7b71 at   
times t ! ,commission det]m9es          
appropriate1 ! ,commission %all submit  
to ! ,committees on ,vet]ans' ,affairs (
 ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & ! ,s5ate & 
any o!r appropriate entities an int]im  
report ) respect to ! f9d+s id5tifi$ by 

! ,commission4  7#b7 ,f9al report ,n    
lat] ?an #ah mon?s aft] ! fir/ meet+ ( !
 ,commission1 ! ,commission %all submit 
to ! ,committees on ,vet]ans' ,affairs (
 ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & ! ,s5ate1 !
 ,presid5t1 & ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans    
,affairs a f9al report on ! f9d+s ( !   
,commission4 ,su* report %all include ! 
foll[+3 7,a7 ,recomm5dations to implem5t
 9 a feasible1 timely1 & co/-effective  
mann] ! solutions & rem$ies id5tifi$ )9 
! f9d+s ( ! ,commission pursuant to     
subsection 7b74  7,b7 ,an analysis ( !  
evid5ce-bas$ !rapy model us$ by !       
,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs = treat+  
vet]ans ) m5tal heal? c>e issues1 & an  
exam9ation ( ! preval5ce & efficacy (   
prescription drugs z a means = treatm5t4
  7,c7 ,! f9d+s ( ! pati5t-c5t]$ survey 
conduct$ )9 ea* ( ! ,vet]ans ,integrat$ 
,s]vice ,networks pursuant to subsection
 7b77#b74  7,d7 ,an exam9ation (        
complem5t>y alt]native treatm5ts        
describ$ 9 subsection 7b77#c7 & !       
pot5tial b5efits ( incorporat+ su*      

treatm5ts 9 ! !rapy model us$ by !      
,secret>y = treat+ vet]ans ) m5tal heal?
 issues4  7#c7 ,plan ,n lat] ?an #ij    
days aft] ! date on :i* ! ,commission   
submits ! f9al report "u subsection 7b71
 ! ,secret>y ( ,vet]ans ,affairs %all   
submit to ! ,committees on ,vet]ans'    
,affairs ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & !
 ,s5ate a report on ! foll[+3  7,a7 ,an 
action plan = implem5t+ ! recomm5dations
 e/abli%$ by ! ,commission on su*       
solutions & rem$ies = improv+           
wellness-bas$ outcomes = vet]ans ) m5tal
 heal? c>e issues4  7,b7 ,a feasible    
timeframe on :5 complem5t>y alt]native  
treatm5ts describ$ 9 subsection 7b77#c7 
c be implem5t$ ,dep>tm5t-wide4  7,c7 ,) 
respect to ea* recomm5dation e/abli%$ by
 ! ,commission1 includ+ reg>d+ any      
complem5t>y alt]native treatm5t1 t !    
,secret>y det]m9es is n appropriate or  
feasible to implem5t1 a ju/ification =  
ea* su* det]m9ation & an alt]native     
solution to improve ! efficacy ( ! !rapy
 model us$ by ! ,secret>y = treat+      

vet]ans ) m5tal heal? issues4  7f7      
,t]m9ation ( ,commission ,! ,commission 
%all t]m9ate #cj days aft] ! ,commission
 submits ! f9al report "u subsection    
7e77#b74  ,pass$ ! ,h\se (              
,repres5tatives ,july #ba1 #bjae4;,cl]k4