which such caregivers or the veterans for which they pro-
vide care may be eligible. 
SEC. 125. IMPROVEMENTS TO PROGRAM OF COMPREHEN-
SIVE ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS. 
Section 1720G(a) of title 38, United States Code, as 
amended by section 124, is further amended— 
(1) in paragraph (12)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘, 
which shall include all criteria used to deter-
mine eligibility for such assistance and, in the 
case of a completed evaluation, how such cri-
teria were used to evaluate information pro-
vided in assessments to determine such eligi-
bility’’ before the period at the end; and 
(B) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking 
‘‘who submits’’ and all that follows through the 
end of the clause and inserting the following: 
‘‘who— 
‘‘(I) submits an application for the pro-
gram established under paragraph (1); or 
‘‘(II) is being reassessed for eligibility to 
continue in such program.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
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‘‘(15)(A) Not less frequently than annually, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives a com-
prehensive report on the program required by paragraph 
(1) that includes, with respect to one-year period pre-
ceding the date of the submission of such report, the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) The number of applications received for 
such program. 
‘‘(ii) The number, disaggregated by race, sex, 
and era and branch of service in the Armed Forces 
of the applicant, of— 
‘‘(I) approvals of such applications; and 
‘‘(II) denials of such applications. 
‘‘(iii) The number of reassessments conducted 
for such program. 
‘‘(iv) An identification of each decision made 
with respect to a reassessment conducted for such 
program, disaggregated by decisions resulting in— 
‘‘(I) disenrollment, including removal, dis-
charge, or voluntary withdrawal; 
‘‘(II) tier reduction; and 
‘‘(III) tier continuation. 
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‘‘(v) The number of appeals of decisions made 
with respect to such program, disaggregated by type 
of appeal. 
‘‘(vi) With respect to each appeal described in 
clause (v), the decision rendered, if any. 
‘‘(vii) A description of all tools used in assess-
ments conducted for such program, including an ex-
planation of how and by whom such tools are admin-
istered. 
‘‘(viii) A description of procedures used under 
such program for reviewing and integrating clinical 
records from health care providers that includes an 
explanation of how such records are used in deter-
minations of eligibility for such program. 
‘‘(ix) A description of procedures available 
under such program for health care providers to 
communicate medical opinions to the teams con-
ducting assessments to determine eligibility for such 
program, including health care providers in the pri-
vate sector and health care providers specified in 
subsection (c) of section 1703 of this title. 
‘‘(x) A description of information technology 
systems and processes used under such program to 
upload and integrate all clinical records from all 
non-Department providers, including providers in 
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the private sector and providers under the Veterans 
Community Care Program established under such 
section. 
‘‘(B) The Secretary shall ensure that all data in-
cluded in a report under subparagraph (A)— 
‘‘(i) relating to a decision made under the pro-
gram required by paragraph (1), are disaggregated 
by the specific reason for the decision; 
‘‘(ii) relating to a veteran, include comprehen-
sive demographic information of the veteran, includ-
ing the time period of the injuries, if any, of the vet-
eran and the Veterans Integrated Service Network 
in which the veteran is located; and 
‘‘(iii) with respect to eligibility determinations 
relating to a serious injury of a veteran, specify— 
‘‘(I) how many such determinations relate 
to the ability of the veteran to perform activi-
ties of daily living; and 
‘‘(II) how many such determinations relate 
to the need of a veteran for supervision and 
protection. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary shall provide the data under 
paragraph (B) pursuant to Federal laws and in a manner 
that is wholly consistent with applicable Federal privacy 
and confidentiality laws, including but the Privacy Act (5 
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U.S.C. 552a), the Health Insurance Portability and Ac-
countability Act (Public Law 104–191; 42 U.S.C. 201 
note) and regulations (title 45, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, parts 160 and 164, or successor regulations), and 
sections 5701, 5705, and 7332 of this title to ensure that 
the provided data, or some portion of the data, will not 
undermine the anonymity of a veteran.’’. 
SEC. 126. IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO HOMEMAKER AND 
HOME HEALTH AIDE PROGRAM. 
(a) PILOT
PROGRAM
FOR
COMMUNITIES
WITH 
SHORTAGE OF HOME HEALTH AIDES.— 
(1) PROGRAM.—Beginning not later than 18 
months after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall carry out a three-year pilot pro-
gram under which the Secretary shall provide home-
maker and home health aide services to veterans 
who reside in communities with a shortage of home 
health aides. 
(2) LOCATIONS.—The Secretary shall select not 
fewer than five geographic locations in which the 
Secretary determines there is a shortage of home 
health aides at which to carry out the pilot program 
under paragraph (1). 
(3) NURSING ASSISTANTS.— 
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(A) IN
GENERAL.—In carrying out the 
pilot program under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary may hire nursing assistants as new em-
ployees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
or reassign nursing assistants who are existing 
employees of the Department, to provide to vet-
erans in-home care services (including basic 
tasks authorized by the State certification of 
the nursing assistant) under the pilot program, 
in lieu of or in addition to the provision of such 
services through non-Department home health 
aides. 
(B) RELATIONSHIP TO HOME-BASED PRI-
MARY
CARE
PROGRAM.—Nursing assistants 
hired or reassigned under subparagraph (A) 
may provide services to a veteran under the 
pilot program under paragraph (1) while serv-
ing as part of a health care team for the vet-
eran under the Home-Based Primary Care pro-
gram. 
(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than one 
year before the date of the termination of the pilot 
program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 
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the House of Representatives and the Senate a re-
port that includes— 
(A) a statement of the results of such pilot 
program; and 
(B) an assessment of the feasibility and 
advisability of— 
(i) extending such pilot program; or 
(ii) making such pilot program a per-
manent program of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. 
(b) REPORT ON USE OF FUNDS.—Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and 
the Senate a report containing, with respect to the period 
beginning in fiscal year 2012 and ending in fiscal year 
2023, the following: 
(1) An identification of the amount of funds 
that were included in a budget of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs during such period for the provision 
of in-home care to veterans under the Homemaker 
and Home Health Aide program but were not ex-
pended for such provision, disaggregated by medical 
center of the Department for which such unex-
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pended funds were budgeted (if such disaggregation 
is possible). 
(2) To the extent practicable, an identification 
of the number of veterans for whom, during such pe-
riod, the hours during which a home health aide was 
authorized to provide services to the veteran under 
the Homemaker and Home Health Aide program 
were reduced for a reason other than a change in 
the health care needs of the veteran, and a detailed 
description of the reasons why any such reductions 
may have occurred. 
(c) UPDATED GUIDANCE ON PROGRAM.—Not later 
than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall issue updated guidance for the Home-
maker and Home Health Aide program. Such updated 
guidance shall include the following: 
(1) A process for the transition of veterans 
from the Homemaker and Home Health Aide pro-
gram to other covered programs. 
(2) A requirement for the directors of the med-
ical facilities of the Department to complete such 
process whenever a veteran with care needs has been 
denied services from home health agencies under the 
Homemaker and Home Health Aide program as a 
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result of the clinical needs or behavioral issues of the 
veteran. 
SEC. 127. PILOT PROGRAM TO FURNISH ASSISTED LIVING 
SERVICES TO CERTAIN VETERANS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Beginning not later than two 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program 
to assess— 
(1) the effectiveness of providing assisted living 
services to eligible veterans, at the election of such 
veterans; and 
(2) the satisfaction with the pilot program of 
veterans participating in such pilot program. 
(b) PROGRAM LOCATIONS.— 
(1) VETERANS
INTEGRATED
SERVICE
NET-
WORKS.—The Secretary shall select two Veterans 
Integrated Service Networks of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs at which to carry out the pilot pro-
gram under subsection (a). 
(2) FACILITIES.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Within the Veterans 
Integrated Service Networks selected under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall select facili-
ties at which to carry out the pilot program 
under subsection (a)(1). 
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(B) SELECTION
CRITERIA.—In selecting 
facilities under subparagraph (A) at which to 
carry out the pilot program under subsection 
(a)(1), the Secretary shall ensure that— 
(i) the locations of such facilities are 
in geographically diverse areas; 
(ii) not fewer than one such facility 
serves veterans in rural or highly rural 
areas (as determined through the use of 
the Rural-Urban Commuting Areas coding 
system of the Department of Agriculture); 
(iii) not fewer than one such facility is 
located in each Veterans Integrated Service 
Network selected under paragraph (1); and 
(iv) not fewer than one such facility is 
a State home. 
(c) PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.—Not more than 60 eli-
gible veterans may participate in the pilot program under 
subsection (a)(1) in each Veterans Integrated Service Net-
work selected under subsection (b)(1). 
(d) PROVISION OF ASSISTED LIVING SERVICES.— 
(1) AGREEMENTS.—In carrying out the pilot 
program under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary may 
enter into agreements for the provision of assisted 
living services on behalf of eligible veterans with— 
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100 
(A) a provider participating under a State 
plan or waiver under title XIX of the Social Se-
curity Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.); or 
(B) a State home recognized and certified 
under subpart B of part 51 of title 38, Code of 
Federal Regulations, or successor regulations. 
(2) STANDARDS.—The Secretary may not place, 
transfer, or admit a veteran to any facility for as-
sisted living services under the pilot program under 
subsection (a)(1) unless the Secretary determines 
that— 
(A) the facility meets the standards for 
community residential care established under 
sections 17.61 through 17.72 of title 38, Code 
of Federal Regulations, or successor regula-
tions, and any additional standards of care as 
the Secretary may specify; or 
(B) in the case of a facility that is a State 
home, the State home meets such standards of 
care as the Secretary may specify. 
(3) INSPECTION.—The Secretary shall inspect 
facilities at which veterans are placed under the pilot 
program under subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) with respect to a facility that is a 
State home, not less frequently than annually 
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101 
and in the same manner as the Secretary con-
ducts inspection of State homes under section 
1742 of title 38, United States Code; and 
(B) with respect to any other facility, not 
less frequently than annually and in the same 
manner as the Secretary conducts inspection of 
facilities under section 1730 of such title. 
(4) PAYMENT TO CERTAIN FACILITIES.— 
(A) STATE HOMES.—In the case of a facil-
ity participating in the pilot program under 
subsection (a)(1) that is a State home, the Sec-
retary shall pay to the State home a per diem 
for each veteran participating in the pilot pro-
gram at a rate agreed to by the Secretary and 
the State home. 
(B) COMMUNITY ASSISTED LIVING FACILI-
TIES.—In the case of a facility participating in 
the pilot program under subsection (a)(1) that 
is a community assisted living facility, the Sec-
retary shall— 
(i) pay to the facility an amount that 
is less than the average rate paid by the 
Department for placement in a community 
nursing home in the same Veterans Inte-
grated Service Network; and 
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103 
(g) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than one year after 
the initiation of the pilot program under subsection (a)(1), 
and annually thereafter for the duration of such pilot pro-
gram, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
Senate a report on the pilot program that includes— 
(1) an identification of Veterans Integrated 
Services Networks and facilities of the Department 
participating in the pilot program and assisted living 
facilities and State homes at which veterans are 
placed under the pilot program; 
(2) the number of participants in the pilot pro-
gram, disaggregated by facility; 
(3) general demographic information of partici-
pants in the pilot program, including average age, 
sex, and race or ethnicity; 
(4) disability status of participants in the pilot 
program; 
(5) an identification of any barriers or chal-
lenges to furnishing care to veterans under the pilot 
program, conducting oversight of the pilot program, 
or any other barriers or challenges; 
(6) the cost of care at each assisted living facil-
ity and State home participating in the pilot pro-
gram, including an analysis of any cost savings by 
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104 
the Department when comparing that cost to the 
cost of nursing home care; 
(7) aggregated feedback from participants in 
the pilot program, including from veteran resident 
surveys and interviews; and 
(8) such other matters the Secretary considers 
appropriate. 
(h) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than one year after 
the pilot program terminates under subsection (j), the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a 
report on the pilot program that— 
(1) includes the matters required under para-
graphs (1) through (8) of subsection (g); 
(2) includes recommendations on whether the 
model studied in the pilot program should be contin-
ued or adopted throughout the Department; and 
(3) indicates whether the Secretary requests ac-
tion by Congress to make the pilot program perma-
nent. 
(i) INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than three years 
after the initiation of the pilot program under sub-
section (a)(1), the Inspector General of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Sec-
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105 
retary of Veterans Affairs and the Committees on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives 
and the Senate a report on the pilot program. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by para-
graph (1) shall include an assessment of— 
(A) the quality of care provided to veterans 
at facilities participating in the pilot program, 
measured pursuant to the method determined 
under subsection (f); 
(B) the oversight of such facilities, as con-
ducted by the Department, the Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services, State agencies, 
and other relevant entities; and 
(C) such other matters as the Inspector 
General considers appropriate. 
(3) PLAN REQUIRED.—Not later than 90 days 
after the submission of the report under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives 
and the Senate a plan to address the deficiencies 
identified in the report, if any. 
(j) TERMINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), 
the pilot program under subsection (a)(1) shall ter-
minate on September 30, 2026. 
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106 
(2) EXTENSION.—The Secretary may extend 
the duration of the pilot program for an additional 
two-year period if the Secretary, based on the results 
of the reports submitted under subsection (g), deter-
mines such an extension is appropriate. 
(k) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘assisted living services’’ means 
services of a facility in providing room, board, and 
personal care for and supervision of residents for 
their health, safety, and welfare. 
(2) The term ‘‘eligible veteran’’ means a vet-
eran who is— 
(A) receiving nursing home care paid for 
by the Department of Veterans Affairs, eligible 
to receive such care pursuant to section 1710A 
of title 38, United States Code, or requires a 
higher level of care than the domiciliary care 
provided by the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs, but does not meet the requirements for 
nursing home level care provided by the Depart-
ment pursuant to such section; and 
(B) eligible for assisted living services, as 
determined by the Secretary or meets such ad-
ditional criteria for eligibility for the pilot pro-
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107 
gram under subsection (a)(1) as the Secretary 
may establish. 
(3) The term ‘‘State home’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 101 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 128. PROVISION OF MEDICINE, EQUIPMENT, AND SUP-
PLIES AVAILABLE TO DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS TO STATE HOMES. 
(a) PROVISION AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs may provide to State homes medicine, per-
sonal protective equipment, medical supplies, and any 
other equipment, supplies, and assistance available to the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) DEFINITION.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘personal protective equipment’’ 
means any protective equipment required to prevent 
the wearer from contracting an infectious disease, 
including gloves, N–95 respirator masks, gowns, 
goggles, face shields, or other equipment required 
for safety. 
(2) The term ‘‘State home’’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 101 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
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108 
SEC. 129. RECOGNITION OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVID-
UALS TO ASSIST VETERANS, FAMILY MEM-
BERS, AND CAREGIVERS NAVIGATING PRO-
GRAMS 
AND 
SERVICES 
OF 
VETERANS 
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall establish a process through which the 
Department of Veterans Affairs may recognize organiza-
tions and individuals to assist a veteran, a family member 
of a veteran, or a caregiver of a veteran (as defined in 
section 1720G(d) of title 38, United States Code) in navi-
gating the programs and services of the Veterans Health 
Administration. 
(b) SOLICITATION
OF FEEDBACK.—The Secretary 
shall solicit feedback and recommendations in the creation 
of the process under subsection (a) from such organiza-
tions as the Secretary may consider relevant. 
(c) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may not recognize 
an organization or individual pursuant to the process es-
tablished under subsection (a) unless the organization or 
individual has certified to the Secretary that no fee or 
compensation of any nature will be charged to any indi-
vidual for services rendered in providing assistance pursu-
ant to such subsection. 
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109 
SEC. 130. REVIEWS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS RELATING 
TO HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERV-
ICES. 
(a) OFFICE OF GERIATRIC AND EXTENDED CARE.— 
(1) REVIEW OF PROGRAMS.—The Under Sec-
retary for Health of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs shall conduct a review of each program admin-
istered through the Office of Geriatric and Extended 
Care of the Department and the Caregiver Support 
Program Office of the Department, or any successor 
offices, to— 
(A) eliminate service gaps at the medical 
center level; and 
(B) ensure— 
(i) the clinical needs of veterans are 
met; 
(ii) consistency in program manage-
ment; 
(iii) the availability of, and the access 
by veterans to, home- and community- 
based services, including for veterans living 
in rural areas; and 
(iv) proper coordination between cov-
ered programs. 
(2) ASSESSMENT
OF
STAFFING
NEEDS.—The 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct an as-
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110 
sessment of the staffing needs of the Office of Geri-
atric and Extended Care of the Department and the 
Caregiver Support Program Office of the Depart-
ment, or any successor offices. 
(3) GOALS
FOR
GEOGRAPHIC
ALIGNMENT
OF 
CARE.— 
(A) ESTABLISHMENT OF GOALS.—The Di-
rector of the Office of Geriatric and Extended 
Care, or successor office, shall establish quan-
titative goals to enable aging or disabled vet-
erans who are not located near medical centers 
of the Department to access extended care serv-
ices (including by improving access to home- 
and community-based services for such vet-
erans). 
(B) IMPLEMENTATION
TIMELINE.—Each 
goal established under subparagraph (A) shall 
include a timeline for the implementation of the 
goal at each medical center of the Department. 
(4) GOALS FOR IN-HOME SPECIALTY CARE.— 
The Director of the Office of Geriatric and Extended 
Care, or successor office, shall establish quantitative 
goals to address the specialty care needs of veterans 
through in-home care, including by ensuring the 
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111 
education of home health aides and caregivers of vet-
erans in the following areas: 
(A) Dementia care. 
(B) Care for spinal cord injuries and dis-
eases. 
(C) Ventilator care. 
(D) Other speciality care areas as deter-
mined by the Secretary. 
(5) INPUT
ON
GOALS.—To the extent prac-
ticable, the head of the Caregiver Support Program 
Office, or successor office, shall provide to the Direc-
tor of the Office of Geriatric and Extended Care, or 
successor office, input with respect to the establish-
ment of the goals under paragraphs (3) and (4). 
(6) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and 
the Senate a report containing the findings of the 
review under paragraph (1), the results of the as-
sessment under paragraph (2), and the goals estab-
lished under paragraphs (3) and (4). 
(b) REVIEW OF INCENTIVES AND EFFORTS RELAT-
ING TO HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES.— 
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112 
(1) REVIEW.—The Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs shall conduct a review of the following: 
(A) The financial and organizational incen-
tives or disincentives for the directors of med-
ical centers of the Department to establish or 
expand covered programs at such medical cen-
ters. 
(B) Any incentives or disincentives for 
such directors to provide to veterans home- and 
community-based services in lieu of institutional 
care. 
(C) The efforts taken by the Secretary to 
enhance spending of the Department for ex-
tended care by balancing spending between in-
stitutional care and home- and community- 
based services consistent with the demand for 
such services. 
(D) The plan of the Under Secretary for 
Health of the Department to accelerate efforts 
to enhance spending as specified in subpara-
graph (C), to match the progress of similar ef-
forts taken by the Administrator of the Centers 
for Medicare & Medicaid Services with respect 
to spending of the Centers for Medicare & Med-
icaid Services for extended care. 
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(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Vet-
erans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and 
the Senate a report on the findings of the review 
under paragraph (1). 
(c) REVIEW OF RESPITE CARE SERVICES.—Not later 
than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a review 
of the use, availability, cost, and effectiveness, of the res-
pite care services furnished by the Secretary under chapter 
17 of title 38, United States Code, including— 
(1) the frequency at which the Department of 
Veterans Affairs is unable to meet demand for such 
services; 
(2) a detailed description of— 
(A) the reasons the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs is unable to meet the demand for 
such services; and 
(B) any actions, or planned actions, of the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure such 
demand is met. 
(d) COLLABORATION TO IMPROVE HOME- AND COM-
MUNITY-BASED SERVICES.— 
(1) RECOMMENDATIONS.— 
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114 
(A) DEVELOPMENT.—The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall develop recommendations 
as follows: 
(i) With respect to home- and commu-
nity-based services for veterans, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall develop 
recommendations regarding new services 
(in addition to those furnished as of the 
date of enactment of this Act) in collabora-
tion with the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services. 
(ii) With respect to the national short-
age of home health aides, the Secretary of 
Veterans 
Affairs 
shall 
develop 
rec-
ommendations regarding methods to ad-
dress such shortage in collaboration with 
the Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices and the Secretary of Labor. 
(B) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—The Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the 
Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives and the Senate a report con-
taining the recommendations developed under 
subparagraph (A) and an identification of any 
changes in existing law or new statutory au-
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thority 
necessary 
to 
implement 
the 
rec-
ommendations, as determined by the Secretary. 
(C) CONSULTATION WITH SECRETARY OF 
LABOR.—In carrying out this paragraph, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult with 
the Secretary of Labor. 
(2) FEEDBACK
AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
ON 
CAREGIVER SUPPORT.— 
(A) 
FEEDBACK
AND
RECOMMENDA-
TIONS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
solicit from the entities described in subpara-
graph (B) feedback and recommendations re-
garding opportunities for the Secretary to en-
hance home- and community-based services for 
veterans and the caregivers of veterans, includ-
ing through the potential provision by the entity 
of care and respite services to veterans and 
caregivers who may not be eligible for any pro-
gram under section 1720G of title 38, United 
States Code, or section 1720L of such title (as 
added by section 124), but have a need for as-
sistance. 
(B) COVERED ENTITIES.—The entities de-
scribed in this subparagraph are veterans serv-
ice organizations and nonprofit organizations 
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116 
with a focus on caregiver support or long term 
care (as determined by the Secretary). 
(3) 
COLLABORATION
FOR
CERTAIN
VET-
ERANS.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall col-
laborate with the Director of the Indian Health 
Service and representatives from tribal health pro-
grams and Urban Indian organizations to ensure the 
availability of home- and community-based services 
for— 
(A) Native American veterans, including 
Native American veterans receiving health care 
and medical services under multiple health care 
systems; and 
(B) Native Hawaiian veterans, including 
Native Hawaiian veterans receiving health care 
and medical services under the Native Hawaiian 
health care system. 
SEC. 131. GAO REPORT ON MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR 
CAREGIVERS. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comp-
troller General of the United States shall submit to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep-
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resentatives a report on the provision of mental health 
support to caregivers of veterans. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report submitted under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(1) An assessment of the need for mental 
health support among caregivers participating in the 
caregiver programs. 
(2) An assessment of options for mental health 
support in facilities of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs and in the community for caregivers partici-
pating in the caregiver programs. 
(3) An assessment of the availability and acces-
sibility of mental health support in facilities of the 
Department and in the community for caregivers 
participating in the caregiver programs. 
(4) An assessment of the awareness among 
caregivers of the availability of mental health sup-
port in facilities of the Department and in the com-
munity for caregivers participating in the caregiver 
programs. 
(5) An assessment of barriers to mental health 
support in facilities of the Department and in the 
community for caregivers participating in the care-
giver programs. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) The term ‘‘caregiver’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 1720G of title 38, United 
States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘caregiver programs’’ means— 
(A) the program of comprehensive assist-
ance for family caregivers under subsection (a) 
of section 1720G of title 38, United States 
Code; and 
(B) the program of support services for 
caregivers under subsection (b) of such section. 
SEC. 132. DEVELOPMENT OF CENTRALIZED WEBSITE FOR 
PROGRAM INFORMATION. 
(a) CENTRALIZED WEBSITE.—The Secretary shall 
develop and maintain a centralized and publicaly acces-
sible internet website of the Department as a clearing-
house for information and resources relating to covered 
programs. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The website under subsection (a) 
shall contain the following: 
(1) A description of each covered program. 
(2) An informational assessment tool that— 
(A) explains the administrative eligibility, 
if applicable, of a veteran, or a caregiver of a 
veteran, for any covered program; and 
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119 
(B) provides information, as a result of 
such explanation, on any covered program for 
which the veteran or caregiver (as the case may 
be) may be eligible. 
(3) A list of required procedures for the direc-
tors of the medical facilities of the Department to 
follow in determining the eligibility and suitability of 
veterans for participation in a covered program, in-
cluding procedures applicable to instances in which 
the resource constraints of a facility (or of a commu-
nity in which a facility is located) may result in the 
inability to address the health needs of a veteran 
under a covered program in a timely manner. 
(c) UPDATES.—The Secretary shall ensure the 
website under subsection (a) is updated on a periodic 
basis. 
SEC. 133. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) The terms ‘‘caregiver’’ and ‘‘family care-
giver’’ have the meanings given those terms under 
section 1720L(h) of title 38, United States Code (as 
added by section 123). 
(2) The term ‘‘covered program’’— 
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(A) means any program of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs for home- and community- 
based services; and 
(B) includes the programs specified in sec-
tion 1720L of title 38, United States Code (as 
added by section 123). 
(3) The term ‘‘home- and community-based 
services’’— 
(A) means the services referred to in sec-
tion 1701(6)(E) of title 38, United States Code; 
and 
(B) includes services furnished under a 
program specified in section 1720L of such title 
(as added by section 123). 
(4) The terms ‘‘Home-Based Primary Care pro-
gram’’, ‘‘Homemaker and Home Health Aide pro-
gram’’, and ‘‘Veteran-Directed Care program’’ mean 
the programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
specified in subsection (d), (c), and (b) of such sec-
tion 1720L, respectively. 
(5) The terms ‘‘home health aide’’, ‘‘Native 
American’’, ‘‘Native American veteran’’, ‘‘tribal 
health programs’’, and ‘‘Urban Indian organiza-
tions’’ have the meanings given those terms in sub-
section (h) of such section 1720L. 
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