Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Homeless Veterans Community Care Act of 2018”.
Homeless Veterans Community Care Act of 2018
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to include Federally qualified health centers and primary care associations in efforts to assist homeless veterans, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Definitions
Section 2002(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(3) The term “Federally qualified health center” has the meaning given that term in section 1861(aa) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)).
“(4) The term “primary care association” means an entity that is awarded a grant or contract under section 330(l) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(l)).”
Sec. 3 Changes to plan for coordination of outreach services
Section 2022 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (b)—
in paragraph (1), by inserting “, including Federally qualified health centers and primary care associations,” after “non-Department entities”; and
in paragraph (6)—
by inserting “primary care,” after “referral sources for”; and
by inserting a comma after “mental health”;
in subsection (c), by inserting “, including Federally qualified health centers and primary care associations,” after “entities outside the Department”;
in subsection (e)—
in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting “and community resources, including Federally qualified health centers and primary care associations,” after “about benefits”; and
in paragraph (2), by inserting “Federally qualified health centers, primary care associations,” after “the Department of Defense,”; and
in subsection (f)—
in paragraph (1)—
by striking “October 1, 2002” and inserting “90 days after the date of the enactment of the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2018”; and
by striking “an initial report” and inserting “a report”;
in paragraph (2)—
by striking “December 31, 2005” and inserting “120 days after the date of the enactment of the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2018”; and
by striking “an interim report” and inserting “a report”; and
in paragraph (3)—
by striking “July 1, 2007” and inserting “360 days after the date of the enactment of the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2018”; and
by striking “final”.
Sec. 4 Extension of Authority for Housing Assistance for Homeless Veterans
Section 2041(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking “2017” and inserting “2020”.
Sec. 5 Additional options for dental care
Section 2062 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (b)(2), by adding at the end the following:
“(E) A Federally qualified health center.”
by adding at the end the following:
“(d) Providers—For purposes of section 1712(a)(1)(H), the Secretary may award a contract to a Federally qualified health center that provides services to a veteran described in subsection (b).”
Sec. 6 Extension of authority for technical assistance grants for nonprofit community-based groups
Section 2064(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking “2007 through 2012” and inserting “2019 through 2022”.
Sec. 7 Additions to annual report
Section 2065(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (9); and
by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
“(7) Information about the number of veterans referred to Federally qualified health centers.
“(8) Information about the methods used to communicate to veterans the availability of care at Federally qualified health centers and an evaluation of the effectiveness of such methods.”
Sec. 8 Addition to advisory committee and extension
Section 2066 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a)(2)—
in subparagraph (C), by inserting “, including Federally qualified health centers and primary care associations” after “homeless individuals”;
by redesignating subparagraph (J) as subparagraph (K); and
by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following:
“(J) Advocates for women veterans.”
in subsection (d), by striking “September 30, 2018” and inserting “December 31, 2022”.
Sec. 9 Extension of authority for Veterans Affairs supported housing program
Subparagraph (B) of section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) is amended by striking clauses (i) through (v) and inserting the following:
“(i) for fiscal year 2019, the amount necessary to provide 2,500 vouchers for rental assistance under this subsection; and
“(ii) for fiscal year 2020, the amount necessary to provide 2,500 vouchers for rental assistance under this subsection.”