To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Bill: H.R.3856 | Sponsor: Rep. Takano, Mark (D-CA)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to (1) compensation benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), (2) disability ratings determined by the VA, and (3) the rejection of fully developed claims for VA benefits. Additionally, the study must assess whether there is any relationship between such disparities associated with race and ethnicity and other demographic characteristics such as gender and age. The GAO must also develop recommendations to facilitate better data collection on such disparities associated with race and ethnicity.
Within one year, the GAO must brief Congress on the initial results of the study. The GAO must also submit a final report on the study following the briefing.

To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a 
study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to 
certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY ON DISPARITIES 
              ASSOCIATED WITH RACE AND ETHNICITY WITH RESPECT TO 
              CERTAIN BENEFITS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Study Required.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall conduct a study--
            (1) to assess whether there are disparities associated with 
        race and ethnicity with respect to--
                    (A) compensation benefits administered by the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
                    (B) disability ratings determined by the Secretary, 
                with specific consideration of disability evaluations 
                based on pain; and
                    (C) the rejection of fully developed claims for 
                benefits under laws administered by the Secretary;
            (2) to assess whether there is any relationship between 
        disparities associated with race and ethnicity identified under 
        paragraph (1) and other demographic characteristics such as 
        gender and age; and
            (3) to develop recommendations to facilitate better data 
        collection on the disparities described in paragraphs (1) and 
        (2).
    (b) Initial Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall brief Congress 
on the initial results of the study conducted under subsection (a).
    (c) Final Report.--Not later than 240 days after the date on which 
the briefing required by subsection (b) is conducted, the Comptroller 
General shall submit to Congress a final report setting forth the 
results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including the 
recommendations developed under paragraph (3) of such subsection.
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