II 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. 1863 

To establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a continuing medical 

education program for licensed medical professionals to increase knowledge and recognition of medical conditions common to veterans and 

family members of veterans, and for other purposes. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 19, 2013 

Mr. BROWN introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred 

to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

A BILL 

To establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a continuing medical education program for licensed medical 

professionals to increase knowledge and recognition of 

medical conditions common to veterans and family members of veterans, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CON4 TINUING MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL EDUCA5 TION PROGRAM. 

6 (a) ESTABLISHMENT OF CONTINUING MEDICAL

7 EDUCATION PROGRAM.— 


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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 

2 Affairs shall establish a continuing medical edu3 cation program for medical professionals with the 

4 goal of— 

5 (A) increasing knowledge and recognition 

6 of medical conditions common to veterans and 

7 family members of veterans; and 

8 (B) improving outreach to veterans and 

9 family members of veterans. 

10 (2) EDUCATION PROVIDED.—The program shall 

11 include education on the following: 

12 (A) Dealing with patients who are veterans 

13 or family members of veterans. 

14 (B) Identifying and treating common men15 tal and physical conditions of veterans and fam16 ily members of veterans. 

17 (C) Programs and benefits available to vet18 erans and family members of veterans through 

19 the following organizations: 

20 (i) The Department of Veterans Af21 fairs. 

22 (ii) The Department of Labor. 

23 (iii) Such other Federal agencies and 

24 non-Federal organizations as the Secretary 

25 considers appropriate. 


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1 (D) The health care system of the Depart2 ment of Veterans Affairs. 

3 (E) Such other matters as the Secretary 

4 considers appropriate. 

5 (b) DURATION OF PROGRAM.—The program shall be 

6 carried out during the five-year period beginning on the 

7 date of the enactment of this Act. 

8 (c) ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM.— 

9 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry 

10 out the program on an Internet website of the De11 partment of Veterans Affairs. 

12 (2) CURRICULUM AND CREDIT PROVIDED.—The 

13 Secretary shall determine the curriculum of the pro14 gram and the number of hours of credit to provide 

15 to participating medical professionals for continuing 

16 medical education. 

17 (3) ACCREDITATION.—The Secretary shall en18 sure that the program is accredited in as many 

19 States as practicable. 

20 (4) CONSISTENCY WITH EXISTING RULES.—The 

21 Secretary shall ensure that the program is consistent 

22 with the rules and regulations of the following: 

23 (A) The medical licensing agency of each 

24 State in which the program is accredited. 


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1 (B) Such medical credentialing organiza2 tions as the Secretary considers appropriate. 

3 (5) USER COST.—The Secretary shall carry out 

4 the program at no cost to participating medical pro5 fessionals. 

6 (d) MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL DEFINED.—In this sec7 tion, the term ‘‘medical professional’’ means any of the 

8 following individuals who are licensed by an appropriate 

9 medical authority in the United States and in good stand10 ing: 

11 (1) A doctor. 

12 (2) A nurse. 

13 (3) A physician assistant. 

14 (4) A psychologist. 

15 (5) A psychiatrist. 

16 (6) Such other individuals as the Secretary con17 siders appropriate. 

Æ 


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