I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1997 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot program 
on posttraumatic growth, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 29, 2019 
Mr. RYAN (for himself, Mr. RESCHENTHALER, Mr. WATKINS, Mr. SUOZZI, 
Mrs. RADEWAGEN, and Mr. CARSON of Indiana) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a 
pilot program on posttraumatic growth, 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 
as 
the 
‘‘Veterans 
Posttraumatic Growth Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) There is a shortage of adequate, timely, and 
effective mental health care available to veterans 
across the United States. 
(2) The Department of Veterans Affairs con-
tinues to highlight veterans mental health care and 
suicide prevention as a key priority. 
(3) There is an opportunity to explore effective 
alternative treatments focused on the area of 
posttraumatic growth. 
SEC. 3. PILOT PROGRAM ON POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH. 
(a) PROGRAM.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall conduct a pilot program to study the effectiveness 
and benefits of nonprofit posttraumatic growth programs 
to determine— 
(1) the outcomes of such programs in contrast 
to traditional models of mental health care; 
(2) the possible integration of such nonprofit 
programs into the mental health care programs pro-
vided by the Secretary; and 
(3) the budgetary impacts of such integration. 
(b) REVIEW AND EVALUATION.—In developing the 
pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— 
(1) review relevant literature to summarize the 
existing knowledge regarding posttraumatic growth 
programs; and 
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(2) evaluate such programs. 
(c) DURATION.—The Secretary shall carry out the 
pilot program under subsection (a) for a two-year period 
beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
(d) LOCATIONS.—The Secretary shall select more 
than one location at which to carry out the pilot program 
under subsection (a), of which at least one location shall 
include a rural area. 
(e) PARTICIPANTS.— 
(1) ELIGIBILITY.—A veteran is eligible to par-
ticipate in the pilot program under subsection (a) if 
the Secretary determines that the veteran is— 
(A) not at known immediate risk of at-
tempting suicide; and 
(B) not participating in traditional mental 
health treatment. 
(2) FEMALE VETERANS.—Not fewer than four 
groups of veterans participating in the pilot program 
under subsection (a) shall consist only of female vet-
erans. 
(f) NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS.—The Secretary 
shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) by 
entering into an agreement with one or more nonprofit 
organizations that— 
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(1) have staff with expertise in evidence-based 
care and experience working with veterans; 
(2) 
have 
experience 
in 
the 
science 
of 
posttraumatic growth; and 
(3) uses a standardized, evaluated, and com-
prehensive curriculum. 
(g) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
on which the pilot program under subsection (a) is com-
pleted, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
on the pilot program, including a comparison of the care 
provided under the pilot program and the clinical care 
model of the Department. 
Æ 
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