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I
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION H. R. 3811
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the
quality of care difference between behavioral and mental health care
provided by health care providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs
compared to non-Department providers.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 5, 2023
Mr. FALLON (for himself and Mr. BISHOP of Georgia) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct
a study on the quality of care difference between behav-
ioral and mental health care provided by health care
providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs com-
pared to non-Department providers.
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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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
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This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans Mental and
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Behavioral Health Quality of Care Act’’.
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SEC. 2. STUDY ON QUALITY OF CARE DIFFERENCE BE-
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TWEEN BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
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CARE PROVIDED BY HEALTH CARE PRO-
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VIDERS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
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FAIRS
COMPARED
TO
NON-DEPARTMENT
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PROVIDERS.
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(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
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shall conduct a study on the quality of care difference be-
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tween behavioral and mental health care under the laws
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administered by the Secretary provided by health care pro-
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viders of the Department of Veterans Affairs compared
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to non-Department providers.
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(b) CONDUCT OF STUDY.—The Secretary shall con-
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duct the study under subsection (a) through the use of
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an independent and objective organization outside the De-
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partment.
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(c) MATTERS TO BE STUDIED.—In conducting the
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study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall deter-
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mine—
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(1) any differences in health outcomes for vet-
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erans between care from providers of the Depart-
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ment and non-Department providers, including
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symptom scores and suicide risk;
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(2) if non-Department providers are using evi-
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dence-based practices in the treatment of behavioral
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and mental health issues; and
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(3) potential gaps in coordination between pro-
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viders of the Department and non-Department pro-
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viders in responding to individuals seeking behav-
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ioral or mental health care.
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(d) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date
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of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit
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to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and
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the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep-
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resentatives a report on the study conducted under sub-
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section (a).
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Æ
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