A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish epilepsy centers of excellence in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-s-2004
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2007-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Access to health care
Brain
Department of Veterans Affairs
Education
Epilepsy
Executive reorganization
Federal advisory bodies
Government Operations and Politics
Head injuries
Health
Higher education
Medical education
Medical research
Science, Technology, Communications
Veterans' hospitals
Veterans' medical care
War casualties

Summary:
action_date: 2007-08-03
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate, establish, and operate at least six Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health-care facilities as locations for epilepsy centers of excellence. Requires the Under Secretary for Health of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to establish a peer review panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals for the designation of such centers.
 
Requires the Secretary to designate a VHA national coordinator for epilepsy programs to: (1) supervise the operation of the centers; (2) coordinate and support throughout the VA health-care system better access to diagnosis, research, care, and education for epilepsy and traumatic brain injury; and (3) conduct regular evaluations of the centers.

action_date: 2007-12-12
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate, establish, and operate at least six Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health-care facilities as locations for epilepsy centers of excellence. Requires the Under Secretary for Health of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to establish a peer review panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals for the designation of such centers. Prohibits the Secretary from designating a VA facility as a center of excellence unless the peer review panel has determined that the proposal submitted by such facility is among those that meet the highest competitive standards of scientific and clinical merit.
 
Requires the Secretary to designate a VHA national coordinator for epilepsy programs to: (1) supervise the operation of the centers; (2) coordinate and support throughout the VA health-care system better access to diagnosis, research, care, and education for epilepsy and traumatic brain injury; and (3) conduct regular evaluations of the centers.
 
Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-12-12
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 540.
action_date: 2007-12-12
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Akaka without amendment. With written report No. 110-247.
action_date: 2007-12-12
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Akaka without amendment. With written report No. 110-247.
action_date: 2007-11-14
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2007-10-24
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 110-328.
action_date: 2007-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2007-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate