114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H.R. 2256 
AN ACT 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report 
on the Veterans Health Administration, to provide for 
the identification and tracking of biological implants used 
in Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited a the ‘‘Veterans Information 
Modernization Act’’. 
SEC. 2. ANNUAL REPORT ON VETERANS HEALTH ADMINIS-
TRATION AND FURNISHING OF HOSPITAL 
CARE, MEDICAL SERVICES, AND NURSING 
HOME CARE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 73 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Adminis-
tration and furnishing of hospital care, 
medical services, and nursing home care 
‘‘(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than March 1 
during each of years 2016 through 2020, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the 
furnishing of hospital care, medical services, and nursing 
home care under the laws administered by the Secretary, 
and on the administration of the provision of such care 
and services by the Veterans Health Administration dur-
ing the calendar year preceding the calendar year during 
which the report is submitted. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—Each report required 
by subsection (a) shall include each of the following for 
the year covered by the report:
‘‘(1) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
Veterans Health Administration program in increas-
ing the access of veterans eligible for hospital care, 
medical services, and nursing home care furnished 
by the Secretary to such care. 
‘‘(2) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
Veterans Health Administration in improving the 
quality of health care provided to such veterans, 
without increasing the costs incurred by the Govern-
ment or such veterans, which includes the relevant 
information for each medical center and Veterans 
Integrated Service Network of the Department set 
forth separately. 
‘‘(3) An assessment of— 
‘‘(A) the workload of physicians and other 
employees of the Veterans Health Administra-
tion; 
‘‘(B) patient demographics and utilization 
rates; 
‘‘(C) physician compensation; 
‘‘(D) the productivity of physicians and 
other employees of the Veterans Health Admin-
istration; 
‘‘(E) the percentage of hospital care, med-
ical services, and nursing home care provided to
such veterans in Department facilities and in 
non-Department facilities and any changes in 
such percentages compared to the year pre-
ceding the year covered by the report; 
‘‘(F) pharmaceutical prices; and 
‘‘(G) third-party health billings owed to the 
Department, including the total amount of such 
billings and the total amounts collected, set 
forth separately for claims greater than $1,000 
and for claims equal to or less than $1,000. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘hos-
pital care’, ‘medical services’, ‘nursing home care’, and 
‘non-Department facilities’ have the meanings given such 
terms in section 1701 of this title.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 7330A the following new 
item: 
‘‘7330B. Annual report on Veterans Health Administration and furnishing of 
hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care.’’. 
SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF HOMELESS VET-
ERAN FOR PURPOSES OF BENEFITS UNDER 
THE LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SEC-
RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
Section 2002(1) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘or (b)’’ after ‘‘section 103(a)’’.
SEC. 4. IDENTIFICATION AND TRACKING OF BIOLOGICAL 
IMPLANTS USED IN DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 73 of 
title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 2, 
is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 7330C. Identification and tracking of biological im-
plants 
‘‘(a) STANDARD IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR BIO-
LOGICAL IMPLANTS.—(1) The Secretary shall adopt the 
unique device identification system developed for medical 
devices by the Food and Drug Administration pursuant 
to section 519(f) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act (21 U.S.C. 360i(f)), or implement a comparable 
standard identification system, for use in identifying bio-
logical implants intended for use in medical procedures 
conducted in medical facilities of the Department. 
‘‘(2) In adopting or implementing a standard identi-
fication system for biological implants under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary shall permit a vendor to use any of the 
accredited entities identified by the Food and Drug Ad-
ministration as an issuing agency pursuant to section 
830.100 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any 
successor regulation.
‘‘(b) BIOLOGICAL IMPLANT TRACKING SYSTEM.—(1) 
The Secretary shall implement a system for tracking the 
biological implants referred to in subsection (a) from 
human donor or animal source to implantation. 
‘‘(2) The tracking system implemented under para-
graph (1) shall be compatible with the identification sys-
tem adopted or implemented under subsection (a). 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall implement inventory con-
trols compatible with the tracking system implemented 
under paragraph (1) so that all patients who have re-
ceived, in a medical facility of the Department, a biological 
implant subject to a recall can be notified of the recall, 
if based on the evaluation of appropriate medical per-
sonnel of the Department of the risks and benefits, the 
Secretary determines such notification is appropriate. 
‘‘(c) CONSISTENCY WITH FOOD AND DRUG ADMINIS-
TRATION REGULATIONS.—To the extent that a conflict 
arises between this section and a provision of the Federal 
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) 
or sections 351 or 361 of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 262) (including any regulations issued under 
such Acts), the provision the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act or Public Health Service Act (including any 
regulations issued under such Acts) shall apply.
‘‘(d) DEFINITION OF BIOLOGICAL IMPLANT.—In this 
section, the term ‘biological implant’ means any animal 
or human cell, tissue, or cellular or tissue-based product— 
‘‘(1) under the meaning given the term human 
cells, tissues, or cellular or tissue-based products in 
section 1271.3 of title 21, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, or any successor regulation; or 
‘‘(2) that is regulated as a device under section 
201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter, as amended by section 
2, is further amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 7330B, as added by section 2, the following new 
item: 
‘‘7330C. Identification and tracking of biological implants.’’. 
(c) IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINES.— 
(1) STANDARD IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—With respect to biologi-
cal implants described in paragraph (1) of sub-
section (d) of section 7330C of title 38, United 
States Code, as added by subsection (a), the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall adopt or im-
plement a standard identification system for bi-
ological implants, as required by subsection (a) 
of such section, by not later than the date that
is 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
(B) IMPLANTS REGULATED AS DEVICES.— 
With respect to biological implants described in 
paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of such section, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall adopt or 
implement such standard identification system 
in compliance with the compliance dates estab-
lished by the Food and Drug Administration 
pursuant to section 519(f) of the Federal Food, 
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360i(f)). 
(2) TRACKING SYSTEM.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall implement the biological implant 
tracking system required by section 7330C(b), as 
added by subsection (a), by not later than the date 
that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
(d) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—If the biological implant 
tracking system required by section 7330C(b) of title 
38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), 
is not operational by the date that is 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of
a biological implant procurement transaction with intent 
to avoid or with reckless disregard of the requirements of 
this section shall be ineligible to hold a certificate of ap-
pointment as a contracting officer or to serve as the rep-
resentative of an ordering officer, contracting officer, or 
purchase card holder. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘biological implant’ shall have 
the meaning given such term in section 7330C(d) of 
this title. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘distinct identity code’ means a 
code that— 
‘‘(A) relates a biological implant to the 
human donor of the implant and to all records 
pertaining to the implant; 
‘‘(B) includes information designed to fa-
cilitate effective tracking, using such code, from 
the donor to the recipient and from the recipi-
ent to the donor; and 
‘‘(C) satisfies the requirements of section 
1271.290 of title 21, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, or any successor regulation. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘tissue distribution intermediary’ 
means an agency that acquires and stores human
tissue for further distribution and performs no other 
tissue banking functions. 
‘‘(4) The term ‘tissue processor’ means an enti-
ty processing human tissue for use in biological im-
plants including activities performed on tissue other 
than donor screening, donor testing, tissue recovery 
and collection functions, storage, or distribution.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by adding at the end of the items relating to such 
subchapter the following new item: 
‘‘8129. Procurement of biological implants.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 8129 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take 
effect on the date that is 180 days after the date on which 
the tracking system required under subsection (b) of sec-
tion 7330C of such title, as added by section 4(a) is imple-
mented. 
(c) SPECIAL RULE
FOR CRYOPRESERVED PROD-
UCTS.—During the 3-year period beginning on the effec-
tive date of section 8129 of title 38, United States Code, 
as added by subsection (a), biological implants produced 
and labeled before that date may be procured by the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs without relabeling under the 
standard identification system adopted or implemented
under section 7330C of such title, as added by section 
4(a). 
SEC. 6. EXTENSION OF ROUNDING DOWN OF PERCENTAGE 
INCREASES OF RATES OF CERTAIN EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) MONTGOMERY GI BILL.—Section 3015(h)(2) of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘fiscal year 2014’’ and inserting 
‘‘fiscal year 2020’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘fiscal year 2013’’ and inserting 
‘‘fiscal year 2019’’. 
(b) SURVIVORS
AND DEPENDENTS EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE.—Section 3564(b) of such title is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘fiscal year 2014’’ and inserting 
‘‘fiscal year 2020’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘fiscal year 2013’’ and inserting 
‘‘fiscal year 2019’’. 
SEC. 7. VETERANS EXPEDITED RECOVERY COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the Vet-
erans Expedited Recovery Commission (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
(b) DUTIES.—The Commission shall perform the fol-
lowing duties: 
(1) Examine the efficacy of the evidence-based 
therapy model used by the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs for treating mental health illnesses of veterans 
and identify areas to improve wellness-based out-
comes. 
(2) Conduct a patient-centered survey within 
each of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks to 
examine— 
(A) the experience of veterans with the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs when seeking 
medical assistance for mental health issues 
through the health care system of the Depart-
ment; 
(B) the experience of veterans with non- 
Department medical facilities and health profes-
sionals for treating mental health issues; 
(C) the preferences of veterans regarding 
available treatments for mental health issues 
and which methods the veterans believe to be 
most effective; 
(D) the experience, if any, of veterans with 
respect to the complementary alternative treat-
ment therapies described in subparagraphs (A) 
through (I) in paragraph (3); 
(E) the prevalence of prescribing prescrip-
tion medication among veterans seeking treat-
ment through the health care system of the De-
partment as remedies for addressing mental 
health issues; and 
(F) the outreach efforts of the Secretary 
regarding the availability of benefits and treat-
ments for veterans for addressing mental health 
issues, including by identifying ways to reduce 
barriers to and gaps in such benefits and treat-
ments. 
(3) Examine available research on complemen-
tary alternative treatment therapies for mental 
health issues and identify what benefits could be 
made with the inclusion of such treatments for vet-
erans, including with respect to— 
(A) music therapy; 
(B) equine therapy; 
(C) training and caring for service dogs; 
(D) yoga therapy; 
(E) acupuncture therapy; 
(F) meditation therapy; 
(G) outdoor sports therapy; 
(H) hyperbaric oxygen therapy; 
(I) accelerated resolution therapy; and 
(J) other therapies the Commission deter-
mines appropriate.
(4) Study the potential increase of claims relat-
ing to mental health issues submitted to the Sec-
retary by veterans who served in Operation Endur-
ing Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Oper-
ation New Dawn, including an assessment of the re-
sources available within the Department to ensure 
that quality health care demands relating to such 
claims can be delivered in a timely manner. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
be composed of 10 members, appointed as fol-
lows: 
(i) Two members appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
at least one of whom shall be a veteran. 
(ii) Two members appointed by the 
Minority Leader of the House of Rep-
resentatives, at least one of whom shall be 
a veteran. 
(iii) Two members appointed by the 
Majority Leader of the Senate, at least one 
of whom shall be a veteran.
(iv) Two members appointed by the 
Minority Leader of the Senate, at least one 
of whom shall be a veteran. 
(v) Two members appointed by the 
President, at least one of whom shall be a 
veteran. 
(B) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members of the 
Commission shall be— 
(i) individuals who are of recognized 
standing and distinction within the medical 
community with a background in treating 
mental health; 
(ii) individuals with experience work-
ing with the military and veteran popu-
lation; and 
(iii) individuals who do not have a fi-
nancial interest in any of the complemen-
tary alternative treatments reviewed by the 
Commission. 
(2) CHAIRMAN.—The President shall designate 
a member of the Commission to be the chairman. 
(3) PERIOD
OF
APPOINTMENT.—Members of 
the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the 
Commission.
(4) VACANCY.—A vacancy in the Commission 
shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
appointment was made. 
(5) APPOINTMENT
DEADLINE.—The appoint-
ment of members of the Commission in this section 
shall be made not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
(d) POWERS OF COMMISSION.— 
(1) MEETING.— 
(A) INITIAL
MEETING.—The Commission 
shall hold its first meeting not later than 30 
days after a majority of members are appointed 
to the Commission. 
(B) MEETING.—The Commission shall reg-
ularly meet at the call of the Chairman. Such 
meetings may be carried out through the use of 
telephonic or other appropriate telecommuni-
cation technology if the Commission determines 
that such technology will allow the members to 
communicate simultaneously. 
(2) HEARING.—The Commission may hold such 
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take 
such testimony, and receive evidence as the Commis-
sion considers advisable to carry out the responsibil-
ities of the Commission.
(3) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
The Commission may secure directly from any de-
partment or agency of the Federal Government such 
information as the Commission considers necessary 
to carry out the duties of the Commission. 
(4) INFORMATION
FROM
NONGOVERNMENTAL 
ORGANIZATIONS.—In carrying out subsection (b), 
the Commission may seek guidance through con-
sultation with foundations, veterans service organi-
zations, nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, 
private and public institutions of higher education, 
and other organizations as the Commission deter-
mines appropriate. 
(5) COMMISSION
RECORDS.—The Commission 
shall keep an accurate and complete record of the 
actions and meetings of the Commission. Such 
record shall be made available for public inspection 
and the Comptroller General of the United States 
may audit and examine such record. 
(6) PERSONNEL
MATTERS.—Upon request of 
the chairman of the Commission, the head of any 
department or agency of the Federal Government 
may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any personnel 
of that department or agency to assist the Commis-
sion in carrying out the duties of the Commission.
(7) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS; TRAVEL EX-
PENSES.—Each member shall serve without pay, ex-
cept that each member shall receive travel expenses 
to perform the duties of the Commission under sub-
section (b), including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
at rates authorized under subchapter I of chapter 57 
of title 5, United States Code. 
(8) STAFF.—The Chairman, in accordance with 
rules agreed upon by the Commission, may appoint 
and fix the compensation of a staff director and 
such other personnel as may be necessary to enable 
the Commission to carry out its functions, without 
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States 
Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
service, without regard to the provision of chapter 
51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title re-
lating to classification and General Schedule pay 
rates, except that no rate of pay fixed under this 
subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable 
for a position at a level IV of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. 
(9) PERSONNEL AS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The executive director 
and any personnel of the Commission are em-
ployees under section 2105 of title 5, United
States Code, for purpose of chapters 63, 81, 83, 
84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of such title. 
(B) MEMBERS
OF
THE
COMMISSION.— 
Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to 
apply to members of the Commission. 
(10) CONTRACTING.—The Commission may, to 
such extent and in such amounts as are provided in 
appropriations Acts, enter into contracts to enable 
the Commission to discharge the duties of the Com-
mission under this section. 
(11) EXPERT AND CONSULTANT SERVICE.—The 
Commission may procure the services of experts and 
consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 
5, United States Code, at rates not to exceed the 
daily rate paid to a person occupying a position at 
level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 
5315 of title 5, United States Code. 
(12) POSTAL SERVICE.—The Commission may 
use the United States mails in the same manner and 
under the same conditions as departments and agen-
cies of the United States. 
(13) PHYSICAL FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.— 
Upon the request of the Commission, the Adminis-
trator of General Services shall provide to the Com-
mission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative
support services necessary for the Commission to 
carry out its responsibilities under this section. 
These administrative services may include human re-
source management, budget, leasing, accounting, 
and payroll services. 
(e) REPORT.— 
(1) INTERIM REPORTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days 
after the date on which the Commission first 
meets, and each 30-day period thereafter end-
ing on the date on which the Commission sub-
mits the final report under paragraph (2), the 
Commission shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representa-
tives and the Senate and the President a report 
detailing the level of cooperation the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs (and the heads of other de-
partments or agencies of the Federal Govern-
ment) has provided to the Commission. 
(B) OTHER REPORTS.—In carrying out the 
duties pursuant to subsection (b), at times that 
the Commission determines appropriate, the 
Commission shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representa-
tives and the Senate and any other appropriate
entities an interim report with respect to the 
findings identified by the Commission. 
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 18 months 
after the first meeting of the Commission, the Com-
mission shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Sen-
ate, the President, and the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs a final report on the findings of the Commis-
sion. Such report shall include the following: 
(A) Recommendations to implement in a 
feasible, timely, and cost-effective manner the 
solutions and remedies identified within the 
findings of the Commission pursuant to sub-
section (b). 
(B) An analysis of the evidence-based ther-
apy model used by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs for treating veterans with mental health 
care issues, and an examination of the preva-
lence and efficacy of prescription drugs as a 
means for treatment. 
(C) The findings of the patient-centered 
survey conducted within each of the Veterans 
Integrated Service Networks pursuant to sub-
section (b)(2).
(D) An examination of complementary al-
ternative treatments described in subsection 
(b)(3) and the potential benefits of incor-
porating such treatments in the therapy model 
used by the Secretary for treating veterans with 
mental health issues. 
(3) PLAN.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date on which the Commission submits the final re-
port under subsection (b), the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Sen-
ate a report on the following: 
(A) An action plan for implementing the 
recommendations established by the Commis-
sion on such solutions and remedies for improv-
ing wellness-based outcomes for veterans with 
mental health care issues. 
(B) A feasible timeframe on when com-
plementary alternative treatments described in 
subsection (b)(3) can be implemented Depart-
ment-wide. 
(C) With respect to each recommendation 
established by the Commission, including re-
garding any complementary alternative treat-
ment, that the Secretary determines is not ap-
propriate or feasible to implement, a justifica-
tion for each such determination and an alter-
native solution to improve the efficacy of the 
therapy model used by the Secretary for treat-
ing veterans with mental health issues. 
(f) TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.—The Commis-
sion shall terminate 30 days after the Commission submits 
the final report under subsection (e)(2). 
Passed the House of Representatives July 21, 2015. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H.R. 2256 
AN ACT 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an 
annual report on the Veterans Health Adminis-
tration, to provide for the identification and 
tracking of biological implants used in Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs facilities, and for other 
purposes.