To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an Ombudsman within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Bill: 110-hr-2192
Sponsor: Rep. Hodes, Paul W. [D-NH-2]
Introduced: 2007-05-07 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Access to health care
Confidential communications
Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive reorganization
Families
Family services
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Health
Ombudsman
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-07
text: 
Establishes in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) an Office of the Ombudsman to act as a liaison for veterans and their family members with respect to the receipt of VA health care and benefits.
 
Requires the: (1) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that Office services are available to all veterans and their families; (2) Secretary to make available to such veterans and family members information on contacting and utilizing the services of the Office; and (3) confidentiality of information provided to the Office by veterans and family members.

action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Establishes in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) an Office of the Ombudsman, headed by a Director. Outlines Office and Director duties, including: (1) serving as a last resort for veterans' health care and benefits complaints and issues that cannot be resolved at a local or regional level; and (2) maintaining a public website with contact information for each patient advocate at each VA medical center.
 
Requires the Director to: (1) appoint three regional administrators to support VHA facilities and veterans integrated service networks in their patient advocacy activities; and (2) establish a board to hear appeals from veterans dissatisfied with efforts of their local medical center and service network, and issue letters outlining possible solutions.
 
Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate the Ombudsman within 180 days after enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 - 0 (Roll no. 536).
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 - 0 (Roll no. 536).
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Considered as unfinished business. (text: CR H7244)
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Moran (KS) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2192.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7244-7245)
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Mr. Hare moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2008-07-24
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 492.
action_date: 2008-07-24
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 110-773.
action_date: 2008-07-24
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 110-773.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-07-16
text: Subcommittee on Health Discharged.
action_date: 2007-06-14
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Discharged.
action_date: 2007-05-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
action_date: 2007-05-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2007-05-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-07
text: Introduced in House