Homeless Veterans Community Care Act of 2018

To amend title 38, United States Code, to include Federally qualified health centers and primary care associations in efforts to assist homeless veterans, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Homeless Veterans Community Care Act of 2018 2. Definitions Section 2002(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) The term Federally qualified health center 42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa) (4) The term primary care association 42 U.S.C. 254b(l) . 3. Changes to plan for coordination of outreach services Section 2022 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting , including Federally qualified health centers and primary care associations, non-Department entities (B) in paragraph (6)— (i) by inserting primary care, referral sources for (ii) by inserting a comma after mental health (2) in subsection (c), by inserting , including Federally qualified health centers and primary care associations, entities outside the Department (3) in subsection (e)— (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting and community resources, including Federally qualified health centers and primary care associations, about benefits (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting Federally qualified health centers, primary care associations, the Department of Defense, (4) in subsection (f)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking October 1, 2002 90 days after the date of the enactment of the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2018 (ii) by striking an initial report a report (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) by striking December 31, 2005 120 days after the date of the enactment of the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2018 (ii) by striking an interim report a report (C) in paragraph (3)— (i) by striking July 1, 2007 360 days after the date of the enactment of the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2018 (ii) by striking final 4. Extension of Authority for Housing Assistance for Homeless Veterans Section 2041(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking 2017 2020 5. Additional options for dental care Section 2062 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (b)(2), by adding at the end the following: (E) A Federally qualified health center. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (d) Providers For purposes of section 1712(a)(1)(H), the Secretary may award a contract to a Federally qualified health center that provides services to a veteran described in subsection (b). . 6. Extension of authority for technical assistance grants for nonprofit community-based groups Section 2064(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking 2007 through 2012 2019 through 2022 7. Additions to annual report Section 2065(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (9); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following: (7) Information about the number of veterans referred to Federally qualified health centers. (8) Information about the methods used to communicate to veterans the availability of care at Federally qualified health centers and an evaluation of the effectiveness of such methods. . 8. Addition to advisory committee and extension Section 2066 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(2)— (A) in subparagraph (C), by inserting , including Federally qualified health centers and primary care associations homeless individuals (B) by redesignating subparagraph (J) as subparagraph (K); and (C) by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following: (J) Advocates for women veterans. ; and (2) in subsection (d), by striking September 30, 2018 December 31, 2022 9. Extension of authority for Veterans Affairs supported housing program Subparagraph (B) of section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19) (i) for fiscal year 2019, the amount necessary to provide 2,500 vouchers for rental assistance under this subsection; and (ii) for fiscal year 2020, the amount necessary to provide 2,500 vouchers for rental assistance under this subsection. .

Summary: Homeless Veterans Community Care Act of 2018 This bill requires the outreach program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for homeless veterans and veterans who are at risk of homelessness to include collaboration with federally qualified health centers and primary care associations. The bill also extends certain housing assistance for homeless veterans through FY2020, requires the submission of new reports on outreach activities with respect to homeless veterans, and provides for 2,500 vouchers each for FY2019-FY2020 for certain homeless veterans under a housing program supported by the VA.