I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4798 
To improve post-traumatic stress disorder treatment for veterans of service 
in Afghanistan and Iraq and the war on terror. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 9, 2004 
Mr. FORD introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each 
case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of 
the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To improve post-traumatic stress disorder treatment for vet-
erans of service in Afghanistan and Iraq and the war 
on terror. 
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 ‘‘Enhancement of Vet-
erans Mental Health Services Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) A study published in the New England 
Journal of Medicine reported that about one in six 
soldiers of the Iraq war displays symptoms of post- 
traumatic stress disorder. 
(2) Clinical experts are anticipating an increase 
in the number of post-traumatic stress disorder 
cases in light of the increasing duration of military 
deployment. 
(3) 86 of 163 Department of Veterans Affairs 
Medical Centers have post-traumatic stress disorder 
treatment programs. 
(4) Section 1706 of title 38, United States 
Code, requires that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
ensure, in accordance with that section, that the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs maintains its capacity 
to provide for the specialized treatment and rehabili-
tative needs of disabled veterans within distinct pro-
grams or facilities of the Deparment. 
SEC. 3. POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER TREATMENT 
FOR VETERANS OF SERVICE IN AFGHANI-
STAN AND IRAQ AND THE WAR ON TERROR. 
(a) ENHANCED CAPACITY
FOR DEPARTMENT
OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs for ‘‘Medical Care’’ the 
amount of $100,000,000 for the employment of ad-
ditional psychiatrists and other mental health serv-
ices specialists at Department of Veterans Affairs 
medical centers and outpatient facilities specializing 
in the diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic 
stress disorder. 
(2) ALLOCATION
OF
FUNDS.—Funds made 
available pursuant to the authorization of appropria-
tions in paragraph (1) shall, to the extent funds are 
available for such purpose, be used to employ at 
least one psychiatrist and a complementary clinical 
team at each medical center of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs in order to conduct a specialized 
program for the diagnosis and treatment of post- 
traumatic stress disorder and to employ additional 
mental health services specialists at the medical cen-
ter. 
(b) OUTREACH AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL.— 
(1) PROGRAM.—The Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs shall, within the authorities of the Secretary 
under title 38, United States Code, carry out a pro-
gram to provide outreach at the community level to 
veterans who participated in Operation Iraqi Free-
dom or Operation Enduring Freedom who are or
may be suffering from post-traumatic stress dis-
order. 
(2) PROGRAM
SITES.—The program shall be 
carried out on a nation-wide basis through facilities 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(3) PROGRAM
CONTENT.—The program shall 
provide for individualized case management to be 
conducted on a one-on-one basis, counseling, edu-
cation, and group therapy to help participants cope 
with post-traumatic stress disorder. The program— 
(A) shall emphasize early identification of 
veterans who may be experiencing symptoms of 
post-traumatic stress disorder; and 
(B) shall include group-oriented, peer-to- 
peer settings for treatment. 
(4) PROGRAM MODEL.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish and carry out the program under this sub-
section using as a model the program for the treat-
ment of post-traumatic stress disorder conducted at 
the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center 
in Memphis, Tennessee. 
SEC. 4. ARMED FORCES REVIEW OF MENTAL HEALTH PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) REVIEW OF MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS.—The 
Secretary of each military department shall conduct a
comprehensive review of the mental health care programs 
of the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of that Sec-
retary in order to determine ways to improve the efficacy 
of such care, including a review of joint Department of 
Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs clinical 
guidelines to ensure a seamless delivery of care during 
transitions from active duty or reserve status to civilian 
life. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary of De-
fense shall submit to Congress a report setting forth the 
results of such review not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 5. TRANSITION TO VETERANS HEALTH CARE. 
The Secretary of each military department shall take 
special care in providing for as seamless a transition as 
possible from Department of Defense health care services 
to Department of Veterans Affairs health care services in 
the case of members of the Armed Forces who are being 
discharged or separated from active duty and who have 
been identified by the Secretary as having been exposed 
to combat or otherwise as being at particular risk for post- 
traumatic stress disorder. 
SEC. 6. PRIVACY SAFEGUARDS. 
The Secretary of each military department and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall assess privacy and pa-