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I
117TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION H. R. 3856
To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study
on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain
benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other
purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 11, 2021
Mr. TAKANO introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
A BILL
To require the Comptroller General of the United States
to conduct a study on disparities associated with race
and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits adminis-
tered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
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tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
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•HR 3856 IH
SECTION
1.
GOVERNMENT
ACCOUNTABILITY
OFFICE
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STUDY ON DISPARITIES ASSOCIATED WITH
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RACE AND ETHNICITY WITH RESPECT TO
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CERTAIN BENEFITS ADMINISTERED BY THE
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SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Comptroller General of
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the United States shall conduct a study—
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(1) to assess whether there are disparities asso-
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ciated with race and ethnicity with respect to—
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(A) compensation benefits administered by
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the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
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(B) disability ratings determined by the
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Secretary, with specific consideration of dis-
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ability evaluations based on pain; and
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(C) the rejection of fully developed claims
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for benefits under laws administered by the
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Secretary;
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(2) to assess whether there is any relationship
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between disparities associated with race and eth-
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nicity identified under paragraph (1) and other de-
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mographic characteristics such as gender and age;
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and
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(3) to develop recommendations to facilitate
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better data collection on the disparities described in
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paragraphs (1) and (2).
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•HR 3856 IH
(b) INITIAL BRIEFING.—Not later than one year
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after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comp-
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troller General shall brief Congress on the initial results
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of the study conducted under subsection (a).
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(c) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 240 days after
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the date on which the briefing required by subsection (b)
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is conducted, the Comptroller General shall submit to Con-
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gress a final report setting forth the results of the study
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conducted under subsection (a), including the rec-
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ommendations developed under paragraph (3) of such sub-
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section.
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Æ
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