(1) Veterans often have unique health needs 
that may be related to their service to the American 
people and may be more at risk for certain condi-
tions, including cancer, infectious diseases, musculo-
skeletal problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, 
traumatic brain injury, dermatological problems, re-
productive health issues, and other conditions. 
(2) As part of a detailed patient history, know-
ing whether or not a patient is a veteran helps a 
physician to make accurate treatment recommenda-
tions or carry out needed screenings. 
(3) If a physician is not aware that a patient 
is a veteran, the physician may not think to perform 
recommended screenings or be able to diagnose 
symptoms that at first seemed unconnected. As a re-
sult, the patient and the patient’s family may suffer 
as 
medical 
problems 
go 
undiagnosed 
or 
misdiagnosed. 
(4) Physicians routinely ask about similar types 
of patient history that can affect current health sta-
tus, such as whether a patient has a family history 
of certain conditions or was exposed to certain envi-
ronmental factors. Questions about veteran status 
give patients the opportunity to voluntarily answer 
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with information that can help their physicians bet-
ter establish a course of treatment. 
(5) Making the question of whether a patient 
served in the Armed Forces part of consistently used 
frameworks, such as the ‘‘Welcome to Medicare’’ 
physical 
examination 
and 
Medicare 
Electronic 
Health Record program, ensures that it will become 
part of clinicians’ routine for new patients. 
(6) While many physicians, such as those work-
ing at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, may 
already be aware of their patients’ experiences in the 
Armed Forces, there are indications that as much as 
70 percent of veterans seek care from other facili-
ties. 
(7) Many organizations serving both veterans 
and health care professionals currently work to edu-
cate health providers on the health needs of veterans 
and appropriate medical care that should be pro-
vided. Additional Federal support is needed to en-
sure that all physicians are properly prepared to di-
agnose and treat patients upon learning that they 
have served in the Armed Forces. 
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SEC. 2. ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE IDENTIFICATION AND 
AWARENESS OF VETERANS HEALTH NEEDS 
IN FURNISHING ITEMS AND SERVICES UNDER 
MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND OTHER PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) INCLUSION OF VETERAN STATUS IN PATIENT IN-
FORMATION
FOR MEANINGFUL USE
OF ELECTRONIC 
HEALTH RECORDS UNDER MEDICARE AND MEDICAID.— 
In establishing regulations regarding what constitutes 
meaningful use with respect electronic health records in 
applying sections 1848(o), 1853(m), 1886(b)(3)(B)(ix), 
and 1886(n)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395w–4(o), 
1395w–23(m), 
1395ww(b)(3)(B)(ix), 
1395ww(n)(3)) and related provisions of title XIX of such 
Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall 
include in the patient information required for meaningful 
use whether or not the patient served in the Armed 
Forces. 
(b) IDENTIFICATION OF VETERANS AS PART OF IN-
DIVIDUAL HISTORY IN WELCOME TO MEDICARE VISIT.— 
In carrying out section 1861(ww) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(ww)), the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services shall include, as a component of review-
ing an individual’s medical and social history under an ini-
tial preventive physical examination under section 410.16 
of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, an inquiry as to 
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whether the individual served in the Armed Forces and 
any relevant circumstances relating to that individual’s 
service that may bear on the medical or social condition 
of that individual. 
(c) ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE AWARE-
NESS OF VETERANS’ HEALTH CARE NEEDS.—The Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services shall take such ad-
ditional actions, otherwise authorized under law, as may 
be appropriate to promote awareness, among non-govern-
mental physicians in their furnishing services, of the spe-
cial circumstances and health care needs of veterans. 
SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR PROVIDER EDUCATION ON HEALTH 
TREATMENT FOR VETERANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health and 
Human Services may make grants to organizations for the 
purpose of educating health care providers on appropriate 
health care treatment for patients who have served in the 
Armed Forces. Such grants shall be awarded under such 
terms and conditions as the Secretary shall specify. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 to carry 
out this section, which shall remain available until ex-
pended. 
Æ 
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