Veteran PEER Act

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program to establish peer specialists in patient aligned care teams at medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veteran Partners’ Efforts to Enhance Reintegration Act Veteran PEER Act 2. Program on establishment of peer specialists in patient aligned care team settings within medical centers of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Program required The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a program to establish peer specialists in patient aligned care teams at medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs to promote the use and integration of mental health services in a primary care setting. (b) Timeframe for establishment of program The Secretary shall carry out the program at medical centers of the Department as follows: (1) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, at not fewer than ten medical centers of the Department. (2) Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, at not fewer than 25 medical centers of the Department. (c) Selection of locations (1) In general The Secretary shall select medical centers for the program as follows: (A) Not fewer than five shall be medical centers of the Department that are designated by the Secretary as polytrauma centers. (B) Not fewer than ten shall be medical centers of the Department that are not designated by the Secretary as polytrauma centers. (2) Considerations In selecting medical centers for the program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the feasibility and advisability of selecting medical centers in the following areas: (A) Rural areas and other areas that are underserved by the Department. (B) Areas that are not in close proximity to an active duty military installation. (C) Areas representing different geographic locations, such as census tracts established by the Bureau of the Census. (d) Gender-Specific services In carrying out the program at each location selected under subsection (c), the Secretary shall ensure that— (1) the needs of female veterans are specifically considered and addressed; and (2) female peer specialists are included in the program. (e) Reports (1) Periodic reports (A) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 180 days thereafter until the Secretary determines that the program is being carried out at the last location to be selected under subsection (c), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the program. (B) Elements Each report required by subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the program during the 180-day period preceding the submittal of the report. (ii) An assessment of the benefits of the program to veterans and family members of veterans during the 180-day period preceding the submittal of the report. (2) Final report Not later than 180 days after the Secretary determines that the program is being carried out at the last location to be selected under subsection (c), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report detailing the recommendations of the Secretary as to the feasibility and advisability of expanding the program to additional locations.

Summary: Veteran Partners' Efforts to Enhance Reintegration Act or Veteran PEER Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish peer specialists in patient aligned care teams at VA medical centers to promote the use and integration of mental health services in a primary care setting. At least 5 centers shall be polytrauma centers, and at least 10 shall be non-polytrauma centers. The VA shall ensure that the needs of female veterans are specifically addressed and that female peer specialists are included in the program.