IIB 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 203 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
JANUARY 13, 2015 
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
AN ACT 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for 
the conduct of annual evaluations of mental health care 
and suicide prevention programs of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, to require a pilot program on loan 
repayment for psychiatrists who agree to serve in the 
Veterans Health Administration of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:54 Jan 13, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H203.RFS
H203
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 203 RFS 
the Secretary, including such programs conducted at 
a Center of Excellence; 
‘‘(C) identify the cost-effectiveness of each pro-
gram identified under subparagraph (B); 
‘‘(D) measure the satisfaction of patients with 
respect to the care provided under each such pro-
gram; and 
‘‘(E) propose best practices for caring for indi-
viduals who suffer from mental health disorders or 
are at risk of suicide, including such practices con-
ducted or suggested by other departments or agen-
cies of the Federal Government, including the Sub-
stance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis-
tration of the Department of Health and Human 
Services. 
‘‘(3) The periods specified in this paragraph are the 
following: 
‘‘(A) The period beginning on the date on which 
the Secretary awards the contract under paragraph 
(4) and ending on September 30, 2018. 
‘‘(B) Each fiscal year beginning on or after Oc-
tober 1, 2018. 
‘‘(4) Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall seek to enter 
into a contract with an independent third party unaffili-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:54 Jan 13, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H203.RFS
H203
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 203 RFS 
ated with the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct 
evaluations under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(5) The independent third party that is awarded the 
contract under paragraph (4) shall submit to the Sec-
retary each evaluation conducted under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(b) ANNUAL SUBMISSION.—Not later than Decem-
ber 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Sen-
ate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives a report that contains the following: 
‘‘(1) The most recent evaluations submitted to 
the Secretary under subsection (a)(5) that the Sec-
retary has not previously submitted to such Commit-
tees. 
‘‘(2) Any recommendations the Secretary con-
siders appropriate.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 1709A 
the following new item: 
‘‘1709B. Evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention programs.’’. 
(b) INTERIM REPORTS.—Not later than September 
30 of each of 2016 and 2017, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, in coordination with the independent third party 
awarded a contract by the Secretary pursuant to section 
1709B(a)(4) of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:54 Jan 13, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H203.RFS
H203
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 203 RFS 
subsection (a)(1), shall submit to the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 
on the mental health care and suicide prevention programs 
carried out under the laws administered by the Secretary 
that includes, with respect to each such program, the fol-
lowing: 
(1) A description of the program. 
(2) The number of veterans served by the pro-
gram. 
(3) The budget of the program. 
(4) The number of full-time equivalent employ-
ees assigned to the program. 
(5) Whether veterans may repeat participation 
in the program or participate in the program in ad-
dition to other similar programs. 
(6) Any study results or research published re-
garding the efficacy of the program. 
(7) Any other information the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate. 
SEC. 3. PUBLICATION OF INTERNET WEBSITE TO PROVIDE 
INFORMATION REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH 
CARE SERVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Using funds made available to the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to publish the Internet 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:54 Jan 13, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H203.RFS
H203
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 203 RFS 
websites of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Sec-
retary shall survey the existing Internet websites and in-
formation resources of the Department to publish an 
Internet website that serves as a centralized source to pro-
vide veterans with information regarding all of the mental 
health care services provided by the Secretary. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The Internet website published 
under subsection (a) shall provide to veterans information 
regarding all of the mental health care services available 
in the Veteran Integrated Service Network that the vet-
eran is seeking such services, including, with respect to 
each medical center, Vet Center (as defined in section 
1712A of title 38, United States Code), and community- 
based outpatient center in the Veterans Integrated Service 
Network— 
(1) the name and contact information of each 
social work office; 
(2) the name and contact information of each 
mental health clinic; 
(3) a list of appropriate staff; and 
(4) any other information the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate. 
(c) UPDATED INFORMATION.—The Secretary shall 
ensure that the information described in subsection (b) 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:54 Jan 13, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H203.RFS
H203
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 203 RFS 
that is published on the Internet website under subsection 
(a) is updated not less than once every 90 days. 
(d) OUTREACH.—In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary shall ensure that the outreach conducted under 
section 1720F(i) of title 38, United States Code, includes 
information regarding the Internet website published 
under subsection (a). 
SEC. 4. PILOT PROGRAM FOR REPAYMENT OF EDU-
CATIONAL LOANS FOR CERTAIN PSYCHIA-
TRISTS OF VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRA-
TION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to repay loans of 
individuals described in subsection (b) that— 
(1) were used by such individuals to finance 
education relating to psychiatric medicine, including 
education leading to— 
(A) a degree of doctor of medicine; or 
(B) a degree of doctor of osteopathy; and 
(2) were obtained from any of the following: 
(A) A governmental entity. 
(B) A private financial institution. 
(C) A school. 
(D) Any other authorized entity as deter-
mined by the Secretary. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:54 Jan 13, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H203.RFS
H203
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 203 RFS 
(b) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), an 
individual eligible for participation in the pilot pro-
gram is an individual who— 
(A) either— 
(i) is licensed or eligible for licensure 
to practice psychiatric medicine in the Vet-
erans Health Administration of the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs; or 
(ii) is enrolled in the final year of a 
residency program leading to a specialty 
qualification in psychiatric medicine that is 
approved by the Accreditation Council for 
Graduate Medical Education; and 
(B) demonstrates a commitment to a long- 
term career as a psychiatrist in the Veterans 
Health Administration, as determined by the 
Secretary. 
(2) PROHIBITION
ON
SIMULTANEOUS
ELIGI-
BILITY.—An individual who is participating in any 
other program of the Federal Government that re-
pays the educational loans of the individual is not el-
igible to participate in the pilot program. 
(c) SELECTION.—The Secretary shall select not less 
than 10 individuals described in subsection (b) to partici-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:54 Jan 13, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H203.RFS
H203
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 203 RFS 
(A) The number of individuals who partici-
pated in the pilot program, including the num-
ber of new hires. 
(B) The locations in which such individuals 
were employed by the Department, including 
how many such locations were rural or urban 
locations. 
(C) An assessment of the quality of the 
work performed by such individuals in the 
course of such employment, including the per-
formance reviews of such individuals. 
(D) The number of psychiatrists the Sec-
retary determines is needed by the Department 
in the future. 
(3) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 90 days 
before the date on which the pilot program termi-
nates under subsection (i), the Secretary shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives an update to the re-
port submitted under paragraph (1) and any rec-
ommendations that the Secretary considers appro-
priate. 
(h) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall prescribe 
regulations to carry out this section, including standards 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:54 Jan 13, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H203.RFS
H203
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 203 RFS 
for qualified loans and authorized payees and other terms 
and conditions for the making of loan repayments. 
(i) TERMINATION.—The authority to carry out the 
pilot program shall expire on the date that is 3 years after 
the date on which the Secretary commences the pilot pro-
gram. 
SEC. 5. PILOT PROGRAM ON COMMUNITY OUTREACH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall establish a pilot program to assist veterans 
transitioning from serving on active duty and to improve 
the access of veterans to mental health services. 
(b) LOCATIONS.—The Secretary shall carry out the 
pilot program under subsection (a) at not less than five 
Veterans Integrated Service Networks that have a large 
population of veterans who— 
(1) served in the reserve components of the 
Armed Forces; or 
(2) are transitioning into communities with an 
established population of veterans after having re-
cently separated from the Armed Forces. 
(c) FUNCTIONS.—The pilot program at each Vet-
erans Integrated Service Network described in subsection 
(b) shall include the following: 
(1) A community oriented veteran peer support 
network, carried out in partnership with an appro-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:54 Jan 13, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H203.RFS
H203
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 203 RFS 
priate entity with experience in peer support pro-
grams, that— 
(A) establishes peer support training 
guidelines; 
(B) develops a network of veteran peer 
support counselors to meet the demands of the 
communities in the Veterans Integrated Service 
Network; 
(C) conducts training of veteran peer sup-
port counselors; 
(D) with respect to one medical center se-
lected by the Secretary in each such Veterans 
Integrated Service Network, has— 
(i) a designated peer support spe-
cialist who acts as a liaison to the commu-
nity oriented veteran peer network; and 
(ii) a certified mental health profes-
sional designated as the community ori-
ented veteran peer network mentor; and 
(E) is readily available to veterans, includ-
ing pursuant to the Veterans Integrated Service 
Network cooperating and working with State 
and local governments and appropriate entities. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:54 Jan 13, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H203.RFS
H203
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 203 RFS 
(2) A community outreach team for each med-
ical center selected by the Secretary pursuant to 
paragraph (1)(D) that— 
(A) assists veterans transitioning into com-
munities; 
(B) establishes a veteran transition advi-
sory group to facilitate outreach activities; 
(C) includes the participation of appro-
priate community organizations, State and local 
governments, colleges and universities, cham-
bers of commerce and other local business orga-
nizations, and organizations that provide legal 
aid or advice; and 
(D) coordinates with the Veterans Inte-
grated Service Network regarding the Veterans 
Integrated Service Network carrying out an an-
nual mental health summit to assess the status 
of veteran mental health care in the community 
and to develop new or innovative means to pro-
vide mental health services to veterans. 
(d) REPORTS.— 
(1) INITIAL
REPORT.—Not later than 18 
months after the date on which the pilot program 
under subsection (a) commences, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:54 Jan 13, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H203.RFS
H203
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
HR 203 RFS 
Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the House of Representatives a report on the pilot 
program. With respect to each Veterans Integrated 
Service Network described in subsection (b), the re-
port shall include— 
(A) a full description of the peer support 
model implemented under the pilot program, 
participation data, and data pertaining to past 
and current mental health related hospitaliza-
tions and fatalities; 
(B) recommendations on implementing 
peer support networks throughout the Depart-
ment; 
(C) whether the mental health resources 
made available under the pilot program for 
members of the reserve components of the 
Armed Forces is effective; and 
(D) a full description of the activities and 
effectiveness of community outreach coordi-
nating teams under the pilot program, including 
partnerships that have been established with 
appropriate entities. 
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 90 days 
before the date on which the pilot program termi-
nates under subsection (e), the Secretary shall sub-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:54 Jan 13, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H203.RFS
H203
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS