(3) With respect to treating the veterans de-
scribed in paragraph (2), the anticipated needs of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs related to— 
(A) the number (by type) of staff of the 
Veterans Health Administration; 
(B) the number (by type) of facilities of 
the Veterans Health Administration; 
(C) the equipment and other resources 
used in such treatment; and 
(D) the amount of funding required by the 
Secretary. 
(4) The optimal panel size of patients for men-
tal health professionals treating the veterans de-
scribed in paragraphs (1) and (2). 
SEC. 5. STUDY ON SUBSTANCE-USE DISORDERS AND REHA-
BILITATION. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
conduct a study of substance-use disorders among vet-
erans. Such study shall include— 
(1) the barriers to rehabilitation and treatment 
of such substance-use disorders; 
(2) the effect early intervention services have on 
treating substance-use disorders; 
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(3) the effect counseling, including couples and 
family counseling, has on treating substance-use dis-
orders; and 
(4) developing programs to combat any stigmas 
related to treating substance-use disorders that pre-
vent veterans from seeking such treatment. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the Senate a report on the study required by subsection 
(a). 
SEC. 6. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORTS ON MENTAL 
HEALTH PROGRAMS. 
(a) MHSP AND UMHS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall con-
duct a study to assess— 
(A) the progress of the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs in implementing the Mental 
Health Strategic Plan of the Veterans Health 
Administration of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (published November 2004); and 
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(B) the status of the Uniform Mental 
Health Services handbook of the Veterans 
Health Administration (Veterans Health Ad-
ministration handbook 1160.01, published Sep-
tember 11, 2008) at the end of fiscal year 
2010. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after the 
study under paragraph (1) is completed, the Comp-
troller General shall submit to the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives, 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate, 
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a report on 
the study, including the number of full-time mental 
health professionals the Comptroller General deter-
mines necessary to implement the Mental Health 
Strategic Plan and the Uniform Mental Health Serv-
ices handbook. 
(b) VERA SYSTEM.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate, and the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs a report on any modifications to the Vet-
erans’ Equitable Resource Allocation system of the Vet-
erans Health Administration that the Comptroller General 
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determines necessary for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
to meet the mental health needs of veterans. 
Æ 
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