Acupuncture for Our Heroes Act of 2019

To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure access to acupuncturist services through the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Acupuncture for Our Heroes Act of 2019 2. Inclusion of acupuncturist services at veterans health facilities (a) Acupuncturist services (1) In general Subchapter II of chapter 17 1720J. Provision of acupuncturist services (a) In general The Secretary shall carry out a program to provide acupuncturist services to veterans enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department under section 1705(a) of this title (without the requirement of a referral). (b) Locations (1) The program under subsection (a) shall be carried out in at least one facility of the Department in each Veterans Integrated Service Network. (2) In selecting facilities under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that the program is carried out in both urban and rural areas. (3) If a Veterans Integrated Service Network includes a State without a full-service medical center, the Secretary shall carry out the program at a facility within that State. (c) Services available The Secretary shall ensure that the acupuncturist services available under the program under subsection (a) are able to address, at a minimum, the following: (1) Chronic and acute pain. (2) Cancer pain. (3) Postoperative nausea and vomiting. (4) Postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome. (5) Opioid-induced constipation. (6) Opioid-induced pruritus. (7) Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. (8) Aromatase inhibitor-associated joint pain. (9) Neck dissection-related pain and dysfunction. (10) Stress management. (11) Mental health conditions. (12) Substance abuse. (13) Symptoms relating to traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. (d) Administration (1) The Secretary shall carry out the program under subsection (a) through— (A) qualified acupuncturists appointed as employees of the Department located at medical centers and clinics of the Department; and (B) qualified acupuncturists under contracts if— (i) the Secretary is unable to make appointments described in subparagraph (A); (ii) a patient requires specialty care that an employee under such subparagraph is not able to provide to the patient; or (iii) there is an emergency that requires the use of such a contract acupuncturist. (2) The Secretary shall provide training and materials to health care providers of the Department who provide primary care to veterans to explain the benefits of acupuncturist services. (3) In this subsection, the term qualified acupuncturist (e) Regulations The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section. . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such subchapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1720I the following new item: 1720J. Provision of acupuncturist services. . (3) Conforming amendment Section 1701(6) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (I) Acupuncturist services in accordance with section 1720J of this title. . (b) Advisory committee (1) In general Subchapter III of chapter 5 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 547. Advisory Committee on Acupuncturist Services (a) Acupuncture advisory committee (1) (A) The Secretary shall establish an advisory committee to provide the Secretary with assistance and advice in the development and implementation of the program under section 1720J of this title. (B) The advisory committee established under subparagraph (A) shall be known as the Advisory Committee on Acupuncturist Services Committee (2) The Committee shall consist of members appointed by the Secretary from the general public, including— (A) not fewer than five practicing acupuncturists, of which not fewer than four shall be State licensed acupuncturists; (B) one veteran from each of the Armed Forces; and (C) not fewer than two representatives from veterans service organizations. (b) Duties The Committee shall— (1) review and evaluate the ability of a veteran to access an acupuncturist at facilities of the Department; (2) advise the Secretary with respect to— (A) protocols governing direct access to acupuncture care; (B) protocols governing the scope of practice of acupuncture practitioners; (C) the definitions of services to be provided by acupuncturists; and (D) such other matters as the Secretary determines appropriate; and (3) upon the determination of the Secretary that the program of acupuncturist services under section 1720J of this title has been fully implemented, submit to the Secretary a report containing the evaluation of the Committee on the implementation of such program. (c) Chairman The Secretary shall designate one member of the Committee to serve as the Chairman of the Committee. (d) Meetings The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairman, but not fewer than three times during each fiscal year, beginning in the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which this section is enacted. (e) Report After the Committee submits to the Secretary the report under subsection (b)(3), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report containing the following: (1) A copy of the Committee report, together with the comments of the Secretary on the report. (2) An explanation of the criteria and rationale that the Secretary used to determine that the program of acupuncturist services under section 1720J of this title was fully implemented, as described in subsection (b)(3). (3) The views of the Secretary regarding the future implementation of such program. . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such subchapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 546 the following new item: 547. Advisory Committee on Acupuncturist Services. . (c) Conforming amendments (1) Authority for appointments Section 7401(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting acupuncturists, chiropractors, (2) Period of appointments Section 7403(a)(2) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (I) Acupuncturists. . (3) Pay Section 7404 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f) The position of acupuncturist specified in section 7401(1) of this title shall be at the grade of GS–12 or higher under the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5. . (4) Malpractice and negligence suits (A) In general Section 7316(a)(2) of such title is amended by inserting acupuncturist, chiropractor, (B) Effective date The amendment made by subparagraph (A) shall apply with respect to services provided on or after the date that is 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (5) Hours and conditions Section 7421(b) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (9) Acupuncturists. .

Summary: Acupuncture for Our Heroes Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide qualified acupuncturist services to veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. A qualified acupuncturist is an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise accredited and may be appointed as an employee of the VA or as a contractor. The VA shall carry out such program in at least one VA facility in each Veterans Integrated Service Network (regional VA health care administrative areas) in both urban and rural areas. The bill requires the VA to establish the Advisory Committee on Acupuncturist Services, which must advise the VA on governing protocols and review and evaluate the ability of a veteran to access an acupuncturist at VA facilities.