HR 6835
Veterans STAND Act
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Bill overview
This bill, the Veterans STAND Act, aims to improve healthcare access and support for veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders. It mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offer annual preventative health evaluations to these veterans, covering areas like chronic pain, dietary needs, and prosthetic equipment. Furthermore, the bill seeks to increase access to assistive technologies, including spinal cord neuromodulation, and requires the VA to track and report on the use and effectiveness of these technologies.
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Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] Norton
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 6835
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to offer annual preventative health evaluations to veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder and increase access to assistive technologies, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices Act Veterans STAND Act
or the
.
Section 1706 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
In managing the provision of hospital care and medical services under section 1710(a) of this title, the Secretary shall furnish (through direct provision of service, referral, or a telehealth program operated by the Department) a preventative health evaluation annually to any veteran with a spinal cord injury or disorder who elects to undergo the evaluation.
The evaluation described in paragraph (1) shall include the following:
An assessment of any circumstance or condition the veteran is experiencing that indicates a risk for any health complication related to the spinal cord injury or disorder, including a risk of comorbidities.
An assessment regarding chronic pain and, if applicable, the management of chronic pain.
An assessment regarding dietary management and weight management.
An assessment regarding prosthetic equipment, including which prosthetic equipment the veteran needs, how well any existing prosthetic equipment is functioning considering the needs of the veteran, and any safety concerns regarding the prosthetic equipment in use by or recommended to the veteran.
the spinal cord injury and disorder program managers of the Department;
clinicians employed by the Department as specialists in spinal cord injuries and disorders;
clinicians and technologists with demonstrated expertise in spinal cord neuromodulation therapies, including non-invasive transcutaneous approaches; and
representatives of organizations recognzied under section 5902 of this title.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices Act, and every two years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes the following:
For the period covered by the report—
the number of veterans who—
received medical care or hospital services from the Department and used an assistive technology;
The year-to-year change (for the period covered by the report, including the two years immediately prior to year the report is submitted) in the percent of veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder who received an evaluation under this subsection.
In reviewing the performance metrics of a Veterans Integrated Service Network for any year beginning after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of the Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices Act, the Secretary shall consider the provision of evaluations under paragraph (1).
A personal mobility device, including a powered exoskeleton device.
A speech generating device.
Where clinically appropriate, and consistent with the prosthetic and sensory aids policies of the Department, an implantable spinal cord stimulation system that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.