SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Creating Options for 
Veterans Expedited Recovery Act’’ or the ‘‘COVER Act’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT AND DUTIES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the Vet-
erans Expedited Recovery Commission (in this Act re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
(b) DUTIES.—The Commission shall perform the fol-
lowing duties: 
(1) Examine the efficacy of the evidence-based 
therapy model used by the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs for treating mental health illnesses of veterans 
and identify areas to improve wellness-based out-
comes. 
(2) Conduct a patient-centered survey within 
each of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks to 
examine— 
(A) the experience of veterans with the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs when seeking 
medical assistance for mental health issues 
through the health care system of the Depart-
ment; 
(B) the experience of veterans with non- 
Department medical facilities and health profes-
sionals for treating mental health issues; 
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(C) the preferences of veterans regarding 
available treatments for mental health issues 
and which methods the veterans believe to be 
most effective; 
(D) the experience, if any, of veterans with 
respect to the complementary alternative treat-
ment therapies described in subparagraphs (A) 
through (I) in paragraph (3); 
(E) the prevalence of prescribing prescrip-
tion medication among veterans seeking treat-
ment through the health care system of the De-
partment as remedies for addressing mental 
health issues; and 
(F) the outreach efforts of the Secretary 
regarding the availability of benefits and treat-
ments for veterans for addressing mental health 
issues, including by identifying ways to reduce 
barriers to and gaps in such benefits and treat-
ments. 
(3) Examine available research on complemen-
tary alternative treatment therapies for mental 
health issues and identify what benefits could be 
made with the inclusion of such treatments for vet-
erans, including with respect to— 
(A) music therapy; 
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(B) equine therapy; 
(C) training and caring for service dogs; 
(D) yoga therapy; 
(E) acupuncture therapy; 
(F) meditation therapy; 
(G) outdoor sports therapy; 
(H) hyperbaric oxygen therapy; 
(I) accelerated resolution therapy; and 
(J) other therapies the Commission deter-
mines appropriate. 
(4) Study the potential increase of claims relat-
ing to mental health issues submitted to the Sec-
retary by veterans who served in Operation Endur-
ing Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Oper-
ation New Dawn, including an assessment of the re-
sources available within the Department to ensure 
that quality health care demands relating to such 
claims can be delivered in a timely manner. 
SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 
composed of 10 members, appointed as follows: 
(A) Two members appointed by the Speak-
er of the House of Representatives, at least one 
of whom shall be a veteran. 
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(B) Two members appointed by the Minor-
ity Leader of the House of Representatives, at 
least one of whom shall be a veteran. 
(C) Two members appointed by the Major-
ity Leader of the Senate, at least one of whom 
shall be a veteran. 
(D) Two members appointed by the Minor-
ity Leader of the Senate, at least one of whom 
shall be a veteran. 
(E) Two members appointed by the Presi-
dent, at least one of whom shall be a veteran. 
(2) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members of the Com-
mission shall be— 
(A) individuals who are of recognized 
standing and distinction within the medical 
community with a background in treating men-
tal health; 
(B) individuals with experience working 
with the military and veteran population; and 
(C) individuals who do not have a financial 
interest in any of the complementary alternative 
treatments reviewed by the Commission. 
(b) CHAIRMAN.—The President shall designate a 
member of the Commission to be the chairman. 
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(c) PERIOD
OF APPOINTMENT.—Members of the 
Commission shall be appointed for the life of the Commis-
sion. 
(d) VACANCY.—A vacancy in the Commission shall 
be filled in the manner in which the original appointment 
was made. 
(e) APPOINTMENT DEADLINE.—The appointment of 
members of the Commission in this section shall be made 
not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 4. POWERS OF COMMISSION. 
(a) MEETING.— 
(1) INITIAL MEETING.—The Commission shall 
hold its first meeting not later than 30 days after 
a majority of members are appointed to the Commis-
sion. 
(2) MEETING.—The Commission shall regularly 
meet at the call of the Chairman. Such meetings 
may be carried out through the use of telephonic or 
other appropriate telecommunication technology if 
the Commission determines that such technology will 
allow the members to communicate simultaneously. 
(b) HEARING.—The Commission may hold such hear-
ings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testi-
mony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers 
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advisable to carry out the responsibilities of the Commis-
sion. 
(c) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The 
Commission may secure directly from any department or 
agency of the Federal Government such information as the 
Commission considers necessary to carry out the duties 
of the Commission. 
(d) INFORMATION FROM NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGA-
NIZATIONS.—In carrying out section 2(b), the Commission 
may seek guidance through consultation with foundations, 
veterans service organizations, nonprofit groups, faith- 
based organizations, private and public institutions of 
higher education, and other organizations as the Commis-
sion determines appropriate. 
(e) COMMISSION RECORDS.—The Commission shall 
keep an accurate and complete record of the actions and 
meetings of the Commission. Such record shall be made 
available for public inspection and the Comptroller Gen-
eral of the United States may audit and examine such 
record. 
(f) PERSONNEL MATTERS.—Upon request of the 
chairman of the Commission, the head of any department 
or agency of the Federal Government may detail, on a re-
imbursable basis, any personnel of that department or 
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agency to assist the Commission in carrying out the duties 
of the Commission. 
(g) COMPENSATION
OF MEMBERS; TRAVEL EX-
PENSES.—Each member shall serve without pay, except 
that each member shall receive travel expenses to perform 
the duties of the Commission under section 2(b) of this 
Act, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates au-
thorized under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(h) STAFF.—The Chairman, in accordance with rules 
agreed upon by the Commission, may appoint and fix the 
compensation of a staff director and such other personnel 
as may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry 
out its functions, without regard to the provisions of title 
5, United States Code, governing appointments in the 
competitive service, without regard to the provision of 
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title 
relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, 
except that no rate of pay fixed under this subsection may 
exceed the equivalent of that payable for a position at a 
level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
(i) PERSONNEL AS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The executive director and 
any personnel of the Commission are employees 
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under section 2105 of title 5, United States Code, 
for purpose of chapters 63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, 
and 90 of such title. 
(2) MEMBERS
OF
THE
COMMISSION.—Para-
graph (1) shall not be construed to apply to mem-
bers of the Commission. 
(j) CONTRACTING.—The Commission may, to such 
extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropria-
tions Acts, enter into contracts to enable the Commission 
to discharge the duties of the Commission under this Act. 
(k) EXPERT AND CONSULTANT SERVICE.—The Com-
mission may procure the services of experts and consult-
ants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United 
States Code, at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid 
to a person occupying a position at level IV of the Execu-
tive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States 
Code. 
(l) POSTAL SERVICE.—The Commission may use the 
United States mails in the same manner and under the 
same conditions as departments and agencies of the 
United States. 
(m) PHYSICAL FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.—Upon 
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reim-
bursable basis, the administrative support services nec-
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essary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities 
under this Act. These administrative services may include 
human resource management, budget, leasing, accounting, 
and payroll services. 
SEC. 5. REPORT. 
(a) INTERIM REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date on which the Commission first meets, and 
each 30-day period thereafter ending on the date on 
which the Commission submits the final report 
under subsection (b), the Commission shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives and the Senate and the President 
a report detailing the level of cooperation the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs (and the heads of other 
departments or agencies of the Federal Government) 
has provided to the Commission. 
(2) OTHER REPORTS.—In carrying out the du-
ties pursuant to section 2(b), at times that the Com-
mission determines appropriate, the Commission 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the House of Representatives and the Senate and 
any other appropriate entities an interim report with 
respect to the findings identified by the Commission. 
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(b) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after 
the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate, the President, 
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a final report on 
the findings of the Commission. Such report shall include 
the following: 
(1) Recommendations to implement in a fea-
sible, timely, and cost-effective manner the solutions 
and remedies identified within the findings of the 
Commission pursuant to section 2(b). 
(2) An analysis of the evidence-based therapy 
model used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for 
treating veterans with mental health care issues, and 
an examination of the prevalence and efficacy of pre-
scription drugs as a means for treatment. 
(3) The findings of the patient-centered survey 
conducted within each of the Veterans Integrated 
Service Networks pursuant to section 2(b)(2). 
(4) An examination of complementary alter-
native treatments described in section 2(b)(3) and 
the potential benefits of incorporating such treat-
ments in the therapy model used by the Secretary 
for treating veterans with mental health issues. 
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(c) PLAN.—Not later than 90 days after the date on 
which the Commission submits the final report under sub-
section (b), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of 
Representatives and the Senate a report on the following: 
(1) An action plan for implementing the rec-
ommendations established by the Commission on 
such solutions and remedies for improving wellness- 
based outcomes for veterans with mental health care 
issues. 
(2) A feasible timeframe on when complemen-
tary alternative treatments described in section 
2(b)(3) can be implemented Department-wide. 
(3) With respect to each recommendation estab-
lished by the Commission, including regarding any 
complementary alternative treatment, that the Sec-
retary determines is not appropriate or feasible to 
implement, a justification for each such determina-
tion and an alternative solution to improve the effi-
cacy of the therapy model used by the Secretary for 
treating veterans with mental health issues. 
SEC. 6. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION. 
The Commission shall terminate 30 days after the 
Commission submits the final report under section 5(b). 
Æ 
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