US Codex
Bill
Notes

S. 850 — what changed

Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act

From Reported in Senate to Engrossed in Senate. 1 section amended between Reported in Senate and Engrossed in Senate.

3. Making permanent authority for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transport individuals to and from facilities of Department of Veterans Affairs

(a)
added In general— Section 111A(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

removed Section 111A(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1)
renumbered was (3) by striking paragraph (2); and
(2)
renumbered was (4) in paragraph (1), by striking “(1)”.
(b)
added Report required—
(1)
added In general— Not later than five years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on cost savings, performance, and satisfaction of individuals, with respect to—
(A)
added the transport by the Secretary of individuals under subsection (a) of section 111A of title 38, United States Code; and
(B)
added the program the establishment of which was facilitated under subsection (b) of such section.
(2)
added Elements— The report required by paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of the effect of emerging health care modalities, including telehealth and VA Video Connect, on—
(A)
added the transport of individuals described in paragraph (1)(A);
(B)
added the satisfaction of such individuals with services described in section 111A(a) of title 38, United States Code; and
(C)
added the program described in paragraph (1)(B).
(3)
added Definitions— In this subsection:
(A)
added Telehealth—
(i)
added In general— The term telehealth means the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support and promote long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health, and health administration.
(ii)
added Technologies— For purposes of clause (i), telecommunications technologies include videoconferencing, the internet, streaming media, and terrestrial and wireless communications.
(B)
added VA Video Connect— The term VA Video Connect means the program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to connect veterans with their health care team from anywhere, using encryption to ensure a secure and private session.
(c)
added Technical correction— Section 111A(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking “veterans' service organizations” and inserting “veterans service organizations”.