I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4542
To provide an improved system of health-related information for Persian
Gulf War veterans and to extend the availability of certain health care
for Persian Gulf War Veterans.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 8, 1994
Mr. 
KENNEDY
(for 
himself, 
Mr. 
EVANS, 
Mr. 
GUTIERREZ, 
Mr.
HOCHBRUECKNER, Mr. MONTGOMERY, and Mr. SANDERS) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
A BILL
To provide an improved system of health-related information
for Persian Gulf War veterans and to extend the avail-
ability of certain health care for Persian Gulf War Veter-
ans.
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 ‘‘Persian Gulf War Vet-
erans Health and Services Enhancement Act’’.
SEC. 2. TOLL-FREE HOTLINE FOR PERSIAN GULF WAR VET-
ERAN HEALTH INFORMATION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall maintain an information system involving the use of
a toll-free telephone number to provide veterans of the
Persian Gulf War and their family members (and other
members of the public at the Secretary’s discretion) with
information regarding the following:
(1) The Persian Gulf War Veterans Health
Registry established by the Persian Gulf War Veter-
ans’ Health Status Act (38 U.S.C. 527 note).
(2) Access to health services and health-related
benefits provided by or under the auspices of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, including—
(A) marriage and family counseling avail-
able under section 121 of the Veterans’ Medical
Programs Amendments of 1992 (38 U.S.C.
1712A note);
(B) health care available under section
1710(e)(1)(C) of title 38, United States Code;
and
(C) health examinations, consultation, and
counseling available under section 703 of the
Persian Gulf War Veterans’ Health Status Act
(38 U.S.C. 527 note).
(3) Compensation and benefits related to dis-
abilities resulting from service in the Persian Gulf
War, including disabilities resulting from illness that
resulted from such service.
(4) Significant developments in research relat-
ing to the health consequences of service in the Per-
sian Gulf War.
(5) Any other information that the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
(b) DATE
OF ESTABLISHMENT
OF INFORMATION
SYSTEM.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall estab-
lish the information system required by subsection (a) not
later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 3. OUTREACH TO VETERANS OF PERSIAN GULF WAR.
Section 702(f) of the Persian Gulf War Veterans’
Health Status Act (38 U.S.C. 527 note) is amended to
read as follows:
‘‘(f) ONGOING OUTREACH TO INDIVIDUALS LISTED
IN REGISTRY.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall notify each individual listed in the Reg-
istry, or, in the case of such an individual who is de-
ceased, the surviving spouse, children, or parents of
such individual, at least quarterly, by newsletter or
by other means that the Secretary determines to be
appropriate, of—
‘‘(A) the status and findings of federally
sponsored research relating to the illnesses of
individuals who served as members of the
Armed Forces in the Persian Gulf theater of
operations during the Persian Gulf War or to
the illnesses of the family members of such in-
dividuals;
‘‘(B) compensation and benefits, including
health care and other health-related benefits,
that may be provided by the Department of
Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense
to an individual who served as a member of the
Armed Forces in the Persian Gulf theater of
operations during the Persian Gulf War or, in
the case of such an individual who is deceased,
to the surviving spouse, children, or parents of
such an individual; and
‘‘(C) any other information that the Sec-
retary determines to be appropriate.
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION WITH VETERANS SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS.—In preparing the newsletter or
other means used to conduct the notification re-
quired by paragraph (1), the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall consult with veterans’ service organiza-
tions.
‘‘(3) DATE THAT QUARTERLY NOTIFICATIONS
BEGIN.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
make the first of the periodic notifications required
by paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of the Persian Gulf War Vet-
erans Health and Services Enhancement Act.’’.
SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE PRIORITY
HEALTH CARE TO VETERANS OF THE PER-
SIAN GULF WAR.
(a) HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME CARE.—Section
1710(e)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ‘‘December 31, 1994’’ and inserting ‘‘Decem-
ber 31, 1998’’.
(b) OUTPATIENT CARE.—Section 1712(a)(1)(D) of
title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘De-
cember 31, 1994’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 1998’’.
SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNSEL-
ING AVAILABILITY FOR PERSIAN GULF WAR
VETERANS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 121(a) of the Veterans’
Medical Programs Amendments of 1992 (38 U.S.C.
1712A note) is amended by striking ‘‘September 30,
1994’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 1998’’.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section
121(g) of the Veterans’ Medical Programs Amendments
of 1992 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended by striking
‘‘and 1994’’ and inserting ‘‘through 1999’’.
Æ