(I) before the introduction of 
complementary and alternative medi-
cine services through such program; 
and 
(II) not earlier than 90 days 
after the introduction of complemen-
tary and alternative medicine services 
through such program. 
(b) ELEMENTS OF STUDIES.— 
(1) VETERANS.—In conducting the study of 
veterans required by subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall study the following: 
(A) The perceived barriers associated with 
obtaining complementary and alternative medi-
cine services from the Department. 
(B) The satisfaction of veterans with com-
plementary and alternative medicine services in 
primary care. 
(C) The degree to which veterans are 
aware of eligibility requirements for, and the 
scope of services available under, complemen-
tary and alternative medicine services furnished 
by the Department. 
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(D) The effectiveness of outreach to vet-
erans on the availability of complementary and 
alternative medicine for veterans. 
(E) Such other barriers as the Secretary 
considers appropriate. 
(2) ADMINISTRATORS
AND
CLINICIANS.—In 
conducting the study of administrators and clini-
cians required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
study the following: 
(A) The extent of the integration of com-
plementary and alternative medicine services 
within the services provided by the Department. 
(B) The perception by administrators and 
clinicians of the structural and attitudinal bar-
riers to the delivery of high quality complemen-
tary and alternative medicine services by the 
Department. 
(C) Strategies that have been used to re-
duce or eliminate such barriers and the results 
of such strategies. 
(D) The satisfaction of administrators and 
clinicians regarding the integration of com-
plementary and alternative medicine services 
within the services provided by the Department. 
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(E) The perception by administrators and 
clinicians of the value of specific complementary 
and alternative medicine services for inpatient 
and outpatient veteran populations. 
(c) DISCHARGE BY CONTRACT.—The Secretary shall 
enter into a contract with a qualified independent entity 
or organization to carry out the studies required by this 
section. 
(d) MANDATORY REVIEW
OF DATA
BY
THE NA-
TIONAL RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that the head of the National Research Advisory 
Council reviews the results of the studies conducted 
under this section. 
(2) SUBMITTAL OF FINDINGS.—The head of the 
National Research Advisory Council shall submit 
findings with respect to the studies to the Under 
Secretary for Health and to other pertinent program 
offices within the Department with responsibilities 
relating to health care services for veterans. 
(e) REPORTS.— 
(1) REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later 
than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
on the status of the implementation of this section. 
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(2) REPORT ON STUDY.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 45 days 
after the date of the completion of the study, 
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
on the study required by subsection (a). 
(B) CONTENTS.—The report required by 
subparagraph (A) shall include the following: 
(i) Recommendations for such admin-
istrative and legislative proposals and ac-
tions as the Secretary considers appro-
priate. 
(ii) The findings of the head of the 
National Research Advisory Council and of 
the Under Secretary for Health. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2015 for the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, $2,000,000 to carry out 
this section. 
(g) COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 
DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘complementary and 
alternative medicine’’ shall have the meaning given that 
term in section 2(e) of this Act. 
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SEC. 5. PROGRAM ON USE OF WELLNESS PROGRAMS AS 
COMPLEMENTARY APPROACH TO MENTAL 
HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS AND FAMILY 
MEMBERS OF VETERANS. 
(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall carry out a program through the award 
of grants to public or private nonprofit entities to 
assess the feasibility and advisability of using 
wellness programs to complement the provision of 
mental health care to veterans and family members 
eligible for counseling under section 1712A(a)(1)(C) 
of title 38, United States Code. 
(2) MATTERS
TO
BE
ADDRESSED.—The pro-
gram shall be carried out so as to assess the fol-
lowing: 
(A) Means of improving coordination be-
tween Federal, State, local, and community pro-
viders of health care in the provision of mental 
health care to veterans and family members de-
scribed in paragraph (1). 
(B) Means of enhancing outreach, and co-
ordination of outreach, by and among providers 
of health care referred to in subparagraph (A) 
on the mental health care services available to 
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veterans and family members described in para-
graph (1). 
(C) Means of using wellness programs of 
providers of health care referred to in subpara-
graph (A) as complements to the provision by 
the Department of Veterans Affairs of mental 
health care to veterans and family members de-
scribed in paragraph (1). 
(D) Whether wellness programs described 
in subparagraph (C) are effective in enhancing 
the quality of life and well-being of veterans 
and family members described in paragraph 
(1). 
(E) Whether wellness programs described 
in subparagraph (C) are effective in increasing 
the adherence of veterans described in para-
graph (1) to the primary mental health services 
provided such veterans by the Department. 
(F) Whether wellness programs described 
in subparagraph (C) have an impact on the 
sense of wellbeing of veterans described in para-
graph (1) who receive primary mental health 
services from the Department. 
(G) Whether wellness programs described 
in subparagraph (C) are effective in encour-
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