,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cihh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #d1 #bjbf,mr4 ,moran introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to direct the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to offer annual preventative health evaluations to veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder and increase access to assistive technologies1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,veterans ,spinal ,trauma ,access to ,new ,devices ,act or the ,veterans ,,stand ,act4 #b4 ,provision of preventative health evaluations for veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder ,section #agjf of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 7#a7 ,in managing the provision of hospital care and medical services under section #agaj7;a7 of this title1 the ,secretary shall furnish 7through direct provision of service1 referral1 or a telehealth program operated by the ,department7 a preventative health evaluation annually to any veteran with a spinal cord injury or disorder who elects to undergo the evaluation4 7#b7 ,the evaluation described in paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,an assessment of any circumstance or condition the veteran is experiencing that indicates a risk for any health complication related to the spinal cord injury or disorder1 including a risk of comorbidities4 7,b7 ,an assessment regarding chronic pain and1 if applicable1 the management of chronic pain4 7,c7 ,an assessment regarding dietary management and weight management4 7,d7 ,an assessment regarding prosthetic equipment1 including which prosthetic equipment the veteran needs1 how well any existing prosthetic equipment is functioning considering the needs of the veteran1 and any safety concerns regarding the prosthetic equipment in use by or recommended to the veteran4 7,e7 ,an assessment with respect to the provision of assistive technology1 including spinal cord neuromodulation technology 7such as non-invasive transcutaneous spinal stimulation71 that could help maximize the voluntary motor or autonomic function1 independence1 or mobility of the veteran1 including suitability of such technology for home use and need for training1 programming1 and remote follow-up4 7#c7 7,a7 ,in maintaining1 prescribing1 or amending any guidance1 rules1 or regulations issued by the ,department regarding the requirements set out in this subsection1 the ,secretary shall consult with-- 7i7 the spinal cord injury and disorder program managers of the ,department2 7ii7 clinicians employed by the ,department as specialists in spinal cord injuries and disorders2 7iii7 clinicians and technologists with demonstrated expertise in spinal cord neuromodulation therapies1 including non-invasive transcutaneous approaches2 and 7iv7 representatives of organizations recognized under section #eijb of this title4 7,b7 ,before issuing any guidance1 rules1 or regulations regarding the requirements set out in this subsection1 the ,secretary shall consult with manufacturers of assistive technologies and other entities relevant to the provision of assistive technologies if the guidance1 rules1 or regulations would directly affect such manufacturers or entities4 7,c7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure1 to the extent possible1 that any veteran known by the ,secretary to have a spinal cord injury or disorder receives information annually about the evaluation available under this subsection and the benefits to the veteran of choosing to undergo the evaluation4 7#d7 ,as the ,secretary determines clinically appropriate1 the ,secretary may provide training1 programming1 remote monitoring1 and follow-up for assistive technologies through telehealth4 7#e7 ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the ,veterans ,spinal ,trauma ,access to ,new ,devices ,act1 and every two years thereafter1 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 that includes the following3 7,a7 ,for the period covered by the report-- 7i7 the number of veterans who-- 7,i7 received hospital care or medical services from the ,department and used an assistive technology2 7,,ii7 received hospital care or medical services from the ,department and were assessed for the provision of an assistive technology2 and 7,,iii7 received hospital care or medical services from the ,department and were prescribed an assistive technology4 7ii7 for any assistive technology prescribed1 an identification of the category of such technology1 including spinal cord neuromodulation1 and a summary of functional outcomes associated with the prescription of such technology1 if available4 7,b7 ,the year-to-year change 7for the period covered by the report1 including the two years immediately prior to year the report is submitted7 in the percent of veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder who received an evaluation under this subsection4 7#f7 ,in reviewing the performance metrics of a ,veterans ,integrated ,service ,network for any year beginning after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of the ,veterans ,spinal ,trauma ,access to ,new ,devices ,act1 the ,secretary shall consider the provision of evaluations under paragraph 7#a74 7#g7 ,in this subsection1 the term assistive technology means a powered medical device or electronic tool used to treat or alleviate symptoms or conditions caused by a spinal cord injury or disorder1 including the following3 7,a7 ,a personal mobility device1 including a powered exoskeleton device4 7,b7 ,a speech generating device4 7,c7 ,a spinal cord neuromodulation technology1 including non-invasive transcutaneous spinal stimulation using sensory 7afferent7 pathways1 intended to improve voluntary motor function1 autonomic function1 independence1 or quality of life4 7,d7 ,as clinically appropriate1 and consistent with the prosthetic and sensory aids policies of the ,department1 an implantable spinal cord stimulation system that is approved by the ,food and ,drug ,administration4 4