‘‘(3) In this subsection, the term ‘physical evaluation 
board liaison officer’ includes any person designated as, or 
assigned the duties of, an assistant to a physical evaluation 
board liaison officer.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The limitation on the max-
imum number of members of the Armed Forces who may 
be assigned to a physical evaluation board liaison officer 
shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. The training program and curriculum for phys-
ical evaluation board liaison officers shall be implemented 
not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 106. STANDARDIZED TRAINING PROGRAM AND CUR-
RICULUM FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
DISABILITY EVALUATION SYSTEM. 
(a) TRAINING PROGRAM REQUIRED.—Section 1216 of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e)(1) The Secretary of Defense shall establish a 
standardized training program and curriculum for persons 
described in paragraph (2) who are involved in the dis-
ability evaluation system. The training under the program 
shall be provided as soon as practicable in coordination 
with other training associated with the responsibilities of 
the person. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
‘‘(2) Persons covered by paragraph (1) include— 
‘‘(A) Commanders. 
‘‘(B) Enlisted members who perform supervisory 
functions. 
‘‘(C) Health care professionals. 
‘‘(D) Others persons with administrative, profes-
sional, or technical responsibilities in the disability 
evaluation system. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection, the term ‘disability evaluation 
system’ means the Department of Defense system or process 
for evaluating the nature of and extent of disabilities affect-
ing members of the armed forces (other than the Coast 
Guard) and comprised of medical evaluation boards, phys-
ical evaluation boards, counseling of members, and final 
disposition by appropriate personnel authorities, as oper-
ated by the Secretaries of the military departments, and, 
in the case of the Coast Guard, a similar system or process 
operated by the Secretary of Homeland Security.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The standardized training 
program and curriculum required by subsection (e) of sec-
tion 1216 of title 10, United States Code, as added by sub-
section (a), shall be established not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
SEC. 107. IMPROVED TRAINING FOR HEALTH CARE PROFES-
SIONALS, MEDICAL CARE CASE MANAGERS, 
AND SERVICE MEMBER ADVOCATES ON PAR-
TICULAR CONDITIONS OF RECOVERING SERV-
ICE MEMBERS. 
(a) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of De-
fense shall submit to the appropriate congressional commit-
tees a report setting forth recommendations for the modi-
fication of the training provided to health care profes-
sionals, medical care case managers, and service member 
advocates who provide care for or assistance to recovering 
service members. The recommendations shall include, at a 
minimum, specific recommendations to ensure that such 
health care professionals, medical care case managers, and 
service member advocates are able to detect early warning 
signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal 
tendencies, and other mental health conditions among re-
covering service members, and make prompt notification to 
the appropriate health care professionals. 
(b) ANNUAL REVIEW OF TRAINING.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
annually thereafter throughout the global war on terror, the 
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a report on the following: 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
(1) The progress made in providing the training 
recommended under subsection (a). 
(2) The quality of training provided to health 
care professionals, medical care case managers, and 
service member advocates, and the number of such 
professionals, managers, and advocates trained. 
(c) TRACKING SYSTEM.—The Secretary shall develop 
a system to track the number of notifications made by med-
ical care case managers and service member advocates to 
health care professionals regarding early warning signs of 
post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide in recovering 
service members assigned to the managers and advocates. 
SEC. 108. PILOT PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH AN ARMY WOUND-
ED WARRIOR BATTALION AT AN APPRO-
PRIATE ACTIVE DUTY BASE. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of the 
Army shall establish a pilot program, at an appro-
priate active duty base with a major medical facility, 
based on the Wounded Warrior Regiment program of 
the Marine Corps. The pilot program shall be known 
as the Army Wounded Warrior Battalion. 
(2) PURPOSE.—Under the pilot program, the 
Battalion shall track and assist members of the 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
Armed Forces in an outpatient status who are still in 
need of medical treatment through— 
(A) the course of their treatment; 
(B) 
medical 
and 
physical 
evaluation 
boards; 
(C) transition back to their parent units; 
and 
(D) medical retirement and subsequent 
transition into the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs medical system. 
(3) ORGANIZATION.—The commanding officer of 
the Battalion shall be selected by the Army Chief of 
Staff and shall be a post-command, at O–5 or O–5 
select, with combat experience in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. The chain- 
of-command shall be filled by previously wounded 
junior officers and non-commissioned officers when 
available and appropriate. 
(4) FACILITIES.—The base selected for the pilot 
program shall provide adequate physical infrastruc-
ture to house the Army Wounded Warrior Battalion. 
Any funds necessary for construction or renovation of 
existing facilities shall be allocated from the Depart-
ment of Defense Medical Support Fund established 
under this Act. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
(5) COORDINATION.—The Secretary of the Army 
shall consult with appropriate Marine Corps counter-
parts to ensure coordination of best practices and les-
sons learned. 
(6) PERIOD OF PILOT PROGRAM.—The pilot pro-
gram shall be in effect for a period of one year. 
(b) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 90 
days after the end of the one-year period for the pilot 
project, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to Congress 
a report containing— 
(1) an evaluation of the results of the pilot 
project; 
(2) an assessment of the Army’s ability to estab-
lish Wounded Warrior Battalions at other major 
Army bases. 
(3) recommendations regarding— 
(A) the adaptability of the Wounded War-
rior Battalion concept for the Army’s larger 
wounded population; and 
(B) closer coordination and sharing of re-
sources with counterpart programs of the Marine 
Corps. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The pilot program required by 
this section shall be implemented not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
SEC. 109. CRITERIA FOR REMOVAL OF MEMBER FROM TEM-
PORARY DISABILITY RETIRED LIST. 
(a) CRITERIA.—Section 1210(e) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘of a permanent na-
ture and stable and is’’ after ‘‘physical disability is’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply to any case received for consider-
ation by a physical evaluation board after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 110. IMPROVED TRANSITION OF MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES TO DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS UPON RETIREMENT OR SEPA-
RATION. 
(a) TRANSITION OF MEMBERS SEPARATED OR RE-
TIRED.— 
(1) TRANSITION PROCESS.—Chapter 58 of title 
10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
section 1142 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1142a. Process for transition of members to health 
care and physical disability systems of De-
partment of Veterans Affairs 
‘‘(a) TRANSITION PLAN.—(1) The Secretary of Defense 
shall ensure that each member of the armed forces who is 
being separated or retired under chapter 61 of this title re-
ceives a written transition plan that— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
‘‘(A) specifies the recommended schedule and 
milestones for the transition of the member from mili-
tary service; and 
‘‘(B) provides for a coordinated transition of the 
member from the Department of Defense disability 
system to the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(2) A member being separated or retired under chap-
ter 61 of this title shall receive the transition plan before 
the separation or retirement date of the member. 
‘‘(3) The transition plan for a member under this sub-
section shall include information and guidance designed to 
assist the member in understanding and meeting the sched-
ule and milestones for the member’s transition. 
‘‘(b) FORMAL TRANSITION PROCESS.—(1) The Sec-
retary of Defense, in cooperation with the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs, shall establish a formal process for the trans-
mittal to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of the records 
and other information described in paragraph (2) as part 
of the separation or retirement of a member of the armed 
forces under chapter 61 of this title. 
‘‘(2) The records and other information to be trans-
mitted under paragraph (1) with respect to a member shall 
include, at a minimum, the following: 
‘‘(A) The member’s address and contact informa-
tion. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
‘‘(B) The member’s DD–214 discharge form, 
which shall be transmitted electronically. 
‘‘(C) A copy of the member’s service record, in-
cluding medical records and any results of a Physical 
Evaluation Board. 
‘‘(D) Whether the member is entitled to transi-
tional health care, a conversion health policy, or other 
health benefits through the Department of Defense 
under section 1145 of this title. 
‘‘(E) Any requests by the member for assistance 
in enrolling in, or completed applications for enroll-
ment in, the health care system of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for health care benefits for which the 
member may be eligible under laws administered by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(F) Any requests by the member for assistance 
in applying for, or completed applications for, com-
pensation and vocational rehabilitation benefits to 
which the member may be entitled under laws admin-
istered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, if the 
member is being medically separated or is being re-
tired under chapter 61 of this title. 
‘‘(3) The transmittal of information under paragraph 
(1) may be subject to the consent of the member, as required 
by statute. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
‘‘(4) With the consent of the member, the member’s ad-
dress and contact information shall also be submitted to the 
department or agency for veterans affairs of the State in 
which the member intends to reside after the separation or 
retirement of the member. 
‘‘(c) MEETING.—(1) The formal process required by 
subsection (b) for the transmittal of records and other infor-
mation with respect to a member shall include a meeting 
between representatives of the Secretary concerned and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, which shall take place at a 
location designated by the Secretaries. The member shall be 
informed of the meeting at least 30 days in advance of the 
meeting, except that the member may waive the notice re-
quirement in order to accelerate transmission of the mem-
ber’s records and other information to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(2) A member shall be given an opportunity to submit 
a written statement for consideration by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(d) TIME FOR TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS.—The Sec-
retary concerned shall provide for the transmittal to the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs of records and other informa-
tion with respect to a member at the earliest practicable 
date. In no case should the transmittal occur later than the 
date of the separation or retirement of the member. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
‘‘(e) ARMED FORCES.—In this section, the term ‘armed 
forces’ means the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine 
Corps.’’. 
(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by in-
serting after the item relating to section 1142 the fol-
lowing new item: 
‘‘1142a. Process for transition of members to health care and physical disability 
systems of Department of Veterans Affairs.’’. 
(b) UNIFORM SEPARATION AND EVALUATION PHYS-
ICAL.—Section 1145 of such title is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as 
subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(d) UNIFORM SEPARATION AND EVALUATION PHYS-
ICAL.—The joint separation and evaluation physical, as de-
scribed in DD–2808 and DD–2697, shall be used by the 
Secretary of Defense in connection with the medical separa-
tion or retirement of all members of the armed forces, in-
cluding members separated or retired under chapter 61 of 
this title. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall adopt the 
same separation and evaluation physical for use by the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs.’’. 
(c) INTEROPERABILITY
OF MEDICAL INFORMATION 
SYSTEMS AND BI-DIRECTIONAL ACCESS.—The Secretary of 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
01:20 Mar 24, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish 
and implement a single medical information system for the 
Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs for the purpose of ensuring the complete interoper-
ability and bi-directional, real-time exchange of critical 
medical information. 
(d) CO-LOCATION OF VA BENEFIT TEAMS.— 
(1) CO-LOCATION.—The Secretary of Defense and 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly deter-
mine the optimal locations for the deployment of De-
partment of Veterans Affairs benefits team to support 
recovering service members assigned to military med-
ical treatment facilities, medical-related support fa-
cilities, and community-based health care organiza-
tions. 
(2) MILITARY
MEDICAL
TREATMENT
FACILITY 
DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘medical-re-
lated support facility’’ has the meaning given that 
term in subsection (b) of section 490 of title 10, 
United States Code, as added by section 201(a) of this 
Act. 
(e) REPEAL OF SUPERSEDED CHAPTER 61 MEDICAL 
RECORD TRANSMITTAL REQUIREMENT.— 
(1) REPEAL.—Section 1142 of such title is 
amended by striking subsection (c). 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
(2) SECTION HEADING.—The heading of such sec-
tion is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 1142. Preseparation counseling’’. 
(3) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 58 of such title is amend-
ed by striking the item relating to section 1142 and 
inserting the following new item: 
‘‘1142. Preseparation counseling.’’. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATES.—Section 1142a of title 10, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and sub-
section (d) of section 1145 of such title, as added by sub-
section (b), shall apply with respect to members of the 
Armed Forces who are separated or retired from the Armed 
Forces on or after the first day of the eighth month begin-
ning after the date of the enactment of this Act. The require-
ments of subsections (c) and (d), and the amendments made 
by subsection (e), shall take effect on the first day of such 
eighth month. 
SEC. 111. ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICAL SUPPORT FUND 
FOR SUPPORT OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES RETURNING TO MILITARY SERVICE 
OR CIVILIAN LIFE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.—There is estab-
lished on the books of the Treasury a fund to be known as 
the Department of Defense Medical Support Fund (herein-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
after in this section referred to as the ‘‘Fund’’), which shall 
be administered by the Secretary of the Treasury. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The Fund shall be used— 
(1) to support programs and activities relating 
to the medical treatment, care, rehabilitation, recov-
ery, and support of wounded and injured members of 
the Armed Forces and their return to military service 
or transition to civilian society; and 
(2) to support programs and facilities intended 
to support the families of wounded and injured mem-
bers of the Armed Forces. 
(c) ASSETS OF FUND.—There shall be deposited into 
the Fund any amount appropriated to the Fund, which 
shall constitute the assets of the Fund. 
(d) TRANSFER OF FUNDS.— 
(1) AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER.—The Secretary of 
Defense may transfer amounts in the Fund to appro-
priations accounts for military personnel; operation 
and maintenance; procurement; research, develop-
ment, test, and evaluation; military construction; and 
the Defense Health Program. Amounts so transferred 
shall be merged with and available for the same pur-
poses and for the same time period as the appropria-
tion account to which transferred. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
(2) ADDITION
TO
OTHER
AUTHORITY.—The 
transfer authority provided in paragraph (1) is in 
addition to any other transfer authority available to 
the Department of Defense. Upon a determination 
that all or part of the amounts transferred from the 
Fund are not necessary for the purposes for which 
transferred, such amounts may be transferred back to 
the Fund. 
(3) NOTIFICATION.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall, not fewer than five days before making a trans-
fer from the Fund, notify the congressional defense 
committees in writing of the details of the transfer. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION.—There is hereby authorized to be 
appropriated to the Medical Support Fund, from an emer-
gency supplemental appropriation for fiscal year 2007 or 
2008, $50,000,000, to remain available through September 
30, 2008. 
SEC. 112. OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is hereby established a 
board to be known as the Oversight Board for Wounded 
Warriors (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Oversight 
Board’’). 
(b) COMPOSITION.—The Oversight Board shall be com-
posed of 12 members, of whom— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
(1) two shall be appointed by the majority leader 
of the Senate; 
(2) two shall be appointed by the minority leader 
of the Senate; 
(3) two shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives; 
(4) two shall be appointed by the minority leader 
of the House of Representatives; 
(5) two shall be appointed by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs; and 
(6) two shall be appointed by the Secretary of 
Defense. 
(c) QUALIFICATIONS.—All members of the Oversight 
Board shall have sufficient knowledge of, or experience with, 
the military healthcare system, the disability evaluation 
system, or the experience of a recovering service member or 
family member of a recovering service member. 
(d) APPOINTMENT.— 
(1) TERM.—Each member of the Oversight 
Board shall be appointed for a term of three years. 
A member may be reappointed for one or more addi-
tional terms. 
(2) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Oversight 
Board shall be filled in the same manner in which the 
original appointment was made. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
(e) DUTIES.— 
(1) ADVICE AND CONSULTATION.—The Oversight 
Board shall provide advice and consultation to the 
Secretary of Defense and the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives regarding— 
(A) the process for streamlining the dis-
ability evaluation systems of the military de-
partments; 
(B) the process for correcting and improv-
ing the ratios of case managers and service mem-
ber advocates to recovering service members; 
(C) the need to revise Department of De-
fense policies to improve the experience of recov-
ering service members while under Department 
of Defense care; 
(D) the need to revise Department of De-
fense policies to improve counseling, outreach, 
and general services provided to family members 
of recovering service members; 
(E) the need to revise Department of De-
fense policies regarding the provision of quality 
lodging to recovering service members; and 
(F) such other matters relating to the eval-
uation and care of recovering service members, 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
including evaluation under disability evaluation 
systems, as the Board considers appropriate. 
(2) VISITS TO MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT 
FACILITIES.—In carrying out its duties, each member 
of the Oversight Board shall visit not less than three 
military medical treatment facilities each year, and 
the Board shall conduct each year one meeting of all 
the members of the Board at a military medical treat-
ment facility. 
(f) STAFF.—The Secretary shall make available the 
services of at least two officials or employees of the Depart-
ment of Defense to provide support and assistance to mem-
bers of the Oversight Board. 
(g) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members of the Oversight 
Board shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem 
in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of 
agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code, while away from their homes or regular places 
of business in the performance of service for the Oversight 
Board. 
(h) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Oversight Board shall 
submit to the Secretary of Defense and the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives each year a report on its activities during the pre-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
ceding year, including any findings and recommendations 
of the Oversight Board as a result of such activities. 
TITLE II—STUDIES AND 
REPORTS 
SEC. 201. ANNUAL REPORT ON MILITARY MEDICAL FACILI-
TIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) REPORT REQUIREMENT.—Chapter 23 of title 
10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 490. Annual report on military medical facilities 
‘‘(a) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than the date on 
which the President submits the budget for a fiscal year 
to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed 
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a 
report on the adequacy, suitability, and quality of medical 
facilities and medical-related support facilities at each 
military installation within the Department of Defense. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSE
TO HOT-LINE INFORMATION.—The 
Secretary of Defense shall include in each report informa-
tion regarding— 
‘‘(1) any deficiencies in the adequacy, quality, or 
state of repair of medical-related support facilities 
raised as a result of information received during the 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
period covered by the report through the toll-free hot 
line maintained pursuant to section 1567 of this title; 
and 
‘‘(2) the investigations conducted and plans of 
action prepared under such section to respond to such 
deficiencies. 
‘‘(c) MEDICAL-RELATED SUPPORT FACILITY.—In this 
section, the term ‘medical-related support facility’ is any 
facility of the Department of Defense that provides support 
to any of the following: 
‘‘(1) Members of the armed forces admitted for 
treatment to military medical treatment facilities. 
‘‘(2) Members of the armed forces assigned to 
military medical treatment facilities as an out-
patient. 
‘‘(3) Family members accompanying any mem-
ber described in paragraph (1) or (2) as a nonmed-
ical attendant.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended by 
adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘490. Annual report on military medical facilities.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The first report under section 
490 of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a), shall be submitted not later than the date of submission 
of the budget for fiscal year 2009. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
SEC. 202. ACCESS OF RECOVERING SERVICE MEMBERS TO 
ADEQUATE OUTPATIENT RESIDENTIAL FA-
CILITIES. 
(a) REQUIRED
INSPECTIONS
OF
FACILITIES.—All 
quarters of the United States and housing facilities under 
the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces that are occupied by 
recovering service members shall be inspected on a semi-
annual basis for the first two years after the enactment of 
this Act and annually thereafter by the inspectors general 
of the regional medical commands. 
(b) INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORTS.—The inspector 
general for each regional medical command shall— 
(1) submit a report on each inspection of a facil-
ity conducted under subsection (a) to the post com-
mander at such facility, the commanding officer of 
the hospital affiliated with such facility, the surgeon 
general of the military department that operates such 
hospital, the Secretary of the military department 
concerned, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for 
Health Affairs, the Oversight Board for Wounded 
Warriors established pursuant to section 112, and the 
appropriate congressional committees; and 
(2) post each such report on the Internet website 
of such regional medical command. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
SEC. 203. EVALUATION AND REPORT ON DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE AND DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS DISABILITY EVALUATION SYSTEMS. 
(a) EVALUATION.—The Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a joint evalua-
tion of the disability evaluation systems used by the Depart-
ment of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs for 
the purpose of— 
(1) improving the consistency of the two dis-
ability evaluation systems; and 
(2) evaluating the feasibility of, and potential 
options for, consolidating the two systems. 
(b) RELATION TO VETERANS’ DISABILITY BENEFITS 
COMMISSION.—In conducting the evaluation of the dis-
ability evaluation systems used by the Department of De-
fense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary 
of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall con-
sider the findings and recommendations of the Veterans’ 
Disability Benefits Commission established pursuant to 
title XV of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fis-
cal Year 2004 (Public Law 108–136; 38 U.S.C. 1101 note). 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the submission of the final report of the Veterans’ Dis-
ability Benefits Commission, the Secretary of Defense and 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress 
a report containing— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:59 Mar 23, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1538.RH
H1538
ccoleman on PROD1PC60 with BILLS