Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009

Summary

Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009 - Revises or adds provisions concerning Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel matters, including: (1) the retention of medical professionals; (2) limitations on duty and alternative work schedules for nurses; (3) educational assistance programs; and (4) standards for the appointment and practice of VA physicians. Revises or adds provisions concerning VA health care matters, including: (1) care furnished to children of Vietnam veterans; (2) medical records disclosures; (3) health care quality management; (4) pilot programs on training and certification for family caregivers, respite care to members of the Armed Forces and veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), the use of community-based organizations and local and state entities to ensure that veterans receive authorized care and benefits, and the provision of dental insurance plans to veterans and their survivors and dependents; (5) specialized residential care and rehabilitation; (6) the use of non-VA facilities for the rehabilitation of veterans with TBI; and (7) the inclusion of certain tribal organizations in programs for state veterans homes. Revises or adds provisions concerning women veterans health care, including: (1) reports on barriers to their receipt of health care, and full-time women veterans program managers at medical centers; (2) pilot programs or studies on the health consequences of women veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, counseling for women veterans recently separated from service, and subsidies for child care for women veterans receiving health care; (3) training and certification for mental health care providers caring for veterans suffering from sexual trauma; and (4) care for newborn children of veterans receiving maternity care. Revises or adds provisions concerning veterans' mental health care, including: (1) services provided through the Readjustment Counseling Service; and (2) a study on veteran suicides. Revises or adds provisions concerning homeless veterans, including pilot programs on financial support for entities providing: (1) supportive services for formerly homeless veterans residing on certain military property or other permanent housing; (2) outreach about pension benefits; and (3) transportation, child care, and clothing assistance to homeless veterans entitled to a rehabilitation program. Revises or adds provisions concerning VA nonprofit research and education corporations. Expands the authority of VA police officers, and provides them a uniform allowance.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 15 January 2009

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S599-612)

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 15 January 2009

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S599)

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 15 January 2009

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 22 April 2009

   Committee

   Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-76.

   Source: Committee

5. 21 May 2009

   Reported

   Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

   Source: Committee

6. 24 July 2009

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 128.

   Source: Calendars

7. 24 July 2009

   Reported

   Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Akaka with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 111-60.

   Source: Committee

8. 24 July 2009

   Reported

   Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Akaka with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 111-60.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Reported to Senate · 24 July 2009 · Official file
• Introduced in Senate · 15 January 2009 · Official file

Documents

6 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 24 July 2009

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 24 July 2009

  DownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 24 July 2009

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 15 January 2009

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 15 January 2009

  DownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 15 January 2009

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI-2] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL-20] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Begich, Mark [D-AK] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Burris, Roland [D-IL] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Byrd, Robert C. [D-WV] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK-1] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI] · D · Cosponsor
• · ssva00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Veterans' Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act of 2009
• related to → Veterans Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations Enhancement Act of 2009
• related to → Veterans Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations Enhancement Act of 2009
• related to ← Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009
• related to ← Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010