VITAL Assessment Act (Cong. Rec., Nov. 16, 2021)

Summary

Congressional Record, House, November 16, 2021, pages H6279 and H6280. The page opens at the close of debate on a bill requiring periodic reports on the costs, performance metrics, and outcomes of the Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization program, which the House passed as amended under suspension of the rules. Mr. Takano then moves to suspend the rules and pass the VITAL Assessment Act, which would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a report on the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program. Mr. Takano, Mr. Mrvan, Mr. Bost, and Mr. Ellzey, described as the main sponsor, speak in support. The page ends as consideration of the Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act begins.

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“VITAL Assessment Act (Cong. Rec., Nov. 16, 2021).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-11-16-crec-2021-11-16-pt1-pgh6279-fb5199fbf9/, SHA-256 b305357fa59228f01bfa52387401e32402723fa39470f10ed8d2e1b7c2dbff7c.

Full text

November 16, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6279
This bill would require quarterly re- Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to
ports on the costs of the EHRM pro- of my colleagues to join me in passing support students veterans with needs unre-
gram. It would also capture the rough- H.R. 4591, the VA Electronic Health lated to mental health or suicide.
(b) UNIFORM BEST PRACTICES, GOALS, AND
ly $5 billion of costs the Inspector Gen- Record Transparency Act of 2021, as MEASURES.—The Secretary shall establish
eral found were unaccounted for and amended, and I yield back the balance best practices, goals, and measures for the
any other costs that VA has not been of my time. Veterans Integration to Academic Leader-
including. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ship program of the Department that are
Of course, cost is not everything. The question is on the motion offered by uniform among the medical centers of the
electronic health record program needs the gentleman from California (Mr. Department.
to help the VA medical staff better TAKANO) that the House suspend the (c) OUTREACH.—The Secretary shall con-
care for veterans. That is why this bill rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4591, as duct outreach among the Armed Forces, vet-
would also require VA to report on per- erans service organizations, institutions of
amended. higher learning, and non-college degree pro-
formance and safety metrics. These The question was taken; and (two- grams with respect to the Veterans Integra-
data points will allow us to evaluate thirds being in the affirmative) the tion to Academic Leadership program of the
the program and determine whether it rules were suspended and the bill, as Department.
is making VA medical centers safer, amended, was passed. (d) ASSESSMENT.—The Secretary shall as-
faster, and better. The title of the bill was amended so sess the feasibility and advisability of in-
Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the bipar- as to read: ‘‘A bill to direct the Sec- cluding the suicide rate for student veterans
tisan work of the Technology Mod- retary of Veterans Affairs to submit to in the National Veteran Suicide Prevention
ernization Subcommittee, and I am Congress periodic reports on the costs, Annual Report of the Office of Mental Health
and Suicide Prevention of the Department.
also pleased to be the original cospon- performance metrics, and outcomes of (e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
sor of this bill. the Department of Veterans Affairs (1) The term ‘‘institution of higher learn-
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my Electronic Health Record Moderniza- ing’’ has the meaning given that term in sec-
colleagues to support H.R. 4591, as tion program.’’. tion 3452 of title 38, United States Code.
amended, and I reserve the balance of A motion to reconsider was laid on (2) The term ‘‘student veteran’’ means the
my time. the table. following:
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 f (A) A veteran or member of the Armed
minutes to the gentleman from Indiana Forces using educational assistance under
(Mr. MRVAN), who is my good friend VITAL ASSESSMENT ACT any of the following provisions of law:
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to (i) Chapter 30, 31, 32, or 33 of title 38,
and a member of the House Committee
United States Code, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of
on Veterans’ Affairs and chairman of suspend the rules and pass the bill
title 10, United States Code.
the Subcommittee on Technology Mod- (H.R. 5516) to direct the Secretary of (ii) Section 116 of the Harry W. Colmery
ernization. Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017
Mr. MRVAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank a report on the Veterans Integration to (Public Law 115–48; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note).
Chairman TAKANO for yielding me Academic Leadership program of the (iii) Section 8006 of the American Rescue
time. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2; 38 U.S.C.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year the VA for other purposes, as amended. 3001 note prec.).
Office of the Inspector General released The Clerk read the title of the bill. (B) A veteran who is enrolled in an institu-
two separate reports highlighting VA’s The text of the bill is as follows: tion of higher learning or other training pro-
H.R. 5516 gram, without regard to whether the veteran
failure to conduct reliable lifecycle is using educational assistance specified in
cost estimates for its Electronic Health Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- subparagraph (A).
Record Modernization program. resentatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
Specifically, the IG repeatedly found
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ant to the rule, the gentleman from
unreliable and incomplete estimates
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘VITAL As- California (Mr. TAKANO) and the gen-
for infrastructure upgrades and costs
sessment Act’’. tleman from Illinois (Mr. BOST) each
as well as inadequate reporting of
SEC. 2. VETERANS INTEGRATION TO ACADEMIC will control 20 minutes.
those costs. LEADERSHIP PROGRAM OF THE DE-
Given the size and scope of the The Chair recognizes the gentleman
PARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
EHRM program, the lack of accurate from California.
(a) REPORT.—Not later than one year after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the GENERAL LEAVE
cost estimates hampers VA’s ability to
provide Congress with an accurate pic- Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask
ture of the cost and scale of efforts to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the unanimous consent that all Members
House of Representatives and the Senate a may have 5 legislative days in which to
modernize IT and physical infrastruc-
report on the Veterans Integration to Aca- revise and extend their remarks and to
ture at VA medical centers. demic Leadership program of the Depart-
This piece of legislation will address insert extraneous material on H.R.
ment of Veterans Affairs. The report shall
these issues. It requires VA to look at 5516, as amended.
include the following:
all costs across VHA, OIT, and any (1) The number of medical centers of the
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
other programs for any amount ex- Department, institutions of higher learning, objection to the request of the gen-
pended on the EHRM program, includ- non-college degree programs, and student tleman from California?
ing for infrastructure projects and con- veterans supported by the program, and rel- There was no objection.
tractors that were not part of the evant trends since the program began. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield
original contract. This legislation also (2) The staff and resources allocated to the myself such time as I may consume.
program, and relevant trends since the pro- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support
requires VA to provide the committee gram began. of H.R. 5516, the VITAL Assessment
with reports on performance metrics (3) An assessment of the outcomes and ef- Act, as amended, which is sponsored by
and outcomes. fectiveness of the program in—
I thank Chairman TAKANO and Rank- our newest House Veterans’ Affairs
(A) supporting student veterans;
ing Member BOST for their leadership (B) connecting student veterans to needed Committee member, Congressman
and for cosponsoring this legislation as services of the Department or services pro- ELLZEY.
well as all of the other cosponsors and vided by non-Department entities; This bill requires that VA submit a
the committee members who have (C) addressing the mental health needs of report on the Department’s Veterans
truly made this a bipartisan effort.
student veterans; Integration to Academic Leadership, or
(D) lowering the suicide risk of student VITAL program. VITAL is designed to

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Mr. Speaker, I encourage my col- veterans; and
leagues to support this bill. support student veterans in their aca-
(E) helping student veterans achieve edu- demic settings, and it is a key compo-
b 1230 cational goals.
nent of VA’s work to ensure that vet-
(4) An assessment of barriers to expanding
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage the program and how the Secretary intends erans thrive after completing their
all of my colleagues to support this to address such barriers. military service.
bill, and I yield back the balance of my (5) An assessment of whether the program VITAL is a longtime program at VA,
time. should be expanded outside of the Office of and this report will provide a timely

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H6280 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2021
opportunity to examine outcomes for are locally managed, staffed, and eval- The Clerk read the title of the bill.
student veterans and academic institu- uated by VA medical centers working The text of the bill is as follows:
tions supported by VA. with area schools, which allows for H.R. 2433
I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ independence and flexibility. It con- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
on H.R. 5516, the VITAL Assessment nects student veterans with needed resentatives of the United States of America in
Act, as amended, and I reserve the bal- care and services, and helps prevent Congress assembled,
ance of my time. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
veteran suicide.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- The VITAL Assessment Act will en- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Burn Pit
Registry Enhancement Act’’.
self such time as I may consume. sure critical information about the
SEC. 2. BURN PIT REGISTRY UPDATES.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support VITAL program is gathered, improve- (a) INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE TO UPDATE.—
of H.R. 5516, as amended, the VITAL ments are made, and will help provide (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days
Assessment Act. mental healthcare and support to stu- after the date of the enactment of this Act,
This bill is sponsored by, as was said, dent veterans. the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take
our newest member of the Veterans’ This act adds accountability and actions necessary to ensure that the burn pit
Affairs Committee, Congressman JAKE transparency. It will require the VA to registry may be updated with the cause of
ELLZEY. With this bill, he is fulfilling report to Congress about the program’s death of a deceased registered individual
the promise he made on the campaign management, operations, and effective- by—
(A) an individual designated by such de-
trail to put the needs of our fellow vet- ness in support of student veterans’
ceased registered individual; or
erans front and center. His bill will mental health and educational goals. (B) if no such individual is designated, an
make a number of improvements to the It also requires the VA to use infor- immediate family member of such deceased
VA’s Veterans Integration to Academic mation gathered to create best new registered individual.
Learning, or the VITAL program. practices, goals, and performance (2) DESIGNATION.—The Secretary shall pro-
VITAL provides mental health sup- measures for the program. vide, with respect to the burn pit registry, a
port to student veterans on college In conclusion, I thank the many vet- process by which a registered individual may
campuses. Preventing veteran suicide erans’ groups supporting this bill. make a designation for purposes of para-
I am grateful to House Committee on graph (1)(A).
and supporting veterans as they transi- (b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
tion out of the military are two of our Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member
(1) The term ‘‘burn pit registry’’ means the
committee’s highest goals, and this bill BOST for being an original cosponsor of
registry established under section 201 of the
would get us closer to realizing both of this bill. Dignified Burial and Other Veterans’ Bene-
them. And I thank Chairman TAKANO for fits Improvement Act of 2012 (Public Law
I urge every Member to support H.R. supporting this bill and speaking favor- 112–260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note).
5516, as amended, and I reserve the bal- ably during the committee hearing; (2) The term ‘‘immediate family member’’,
ance of my time. Health Subcommittee Chair BROWNLEY, with respect to a deceased individual,
and the members of the Veterans’ Af- means—
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no
fairs Committee for their unanimous (A) the spouse, parent, brother, sister, or
further speakers and I am prepared to adult child of the individual;
close. I reserve the balance of my time. support of this bill.
This will help student veterans (B) an adult person to whom the individual
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 stands in loco parentis; or
minutes to the gentleman from Texas achieve their goals and dreams. And (C) any other adult person—
(Mr. ELLZEY), the main sponsor of this just as the VITAL program has a prov- (i) living in the household of the individual
legislation. en record of saving lives, this bill will at the time of the death of the individual;
Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank further improve the program and help and
Ranking Member BOST for yielding save even more lives of veterans. (ii) related to the individual by blood or
time. I ask all Members of the House to marriage.
please support H.R. 5516. (3) The term ‘‘registered individual’’ means
Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to be ad- an individual registered with the burn pit
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I am pre-
dressing the House today as we are just registry.
pared to close, and I reserve the bal-
days removed from Veterans Day, when The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
ance of my time.
our Nation recognizes those who honor- ant to the rule, the gentleman from
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I am pre-
ably served to protect our precious, California (Mr. TAKANO) and the gen-
pared to close. I encourage all of my
God-given liberties and freedoms. We tleman from Illinois (Mr. BOST) each
colleagues to support this bill, and I
have a duty and responsibility to help will control 20 minutes.
yield back the balance of my time.
the veterans of our Armed Forces who Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all The Chair recognizes the gentleman
have fought to preserve our freedoms of my colleagues to join me in passing from California.
and liberties. H.R. 5516, as amended, and I yield back GENERAL LEAVE
In 2011, VA launched the Veterans In- the balance of my time. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask
tegration to Academic Leadership pro- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unanimous consent that all Members
gram, or the VITAL program, to pro- question is on the motion offered by may have 5 legislative days in which to
vide mental health services to student the gentleman from California (Mr. revise and extend their remarks and to
veterans on college campuses. TAKANO) that the House suspend the insert extraneous material on H.R.
Hundreds of thousands of veterans rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5516, as 2433.
attend college every year. They often amended. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
have difficulty adjusting from the mili- The question was taken; and (two- objection to the request of the gen-
tary to an academic campus culture thirds being in the affirmative) the tleman from California?
and relating to nonveteran peers. rules were suspended and the bill, as There was no objection.
As someone who has personally gone amended, was passed. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield
through the transition back to civilian A motion to reconsider was laid on myself such time as I may consume.
life, I can say my experiences in com- the table. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the
bat and leadership were vastly dif- f passage of Representative RUIZ’s Burn
ferent than the experiences of my fel- Pit Registry Enhancement Act.
low students. I was much older than BURN PIT REGISTRY As the House Committee on Vet-
my fellow students; much older. I was ENHANCEMENT ACT erans’ Affairs and our Senate counter-
no longer surrounded by my fellow Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to parts close in on providing much-need-

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warriors; and I was a stranger in a suspend the rules and pass the bill ed, comprehensive assistance to vet-
strange academic land. For these rea- (H.R. 2433) to direct the Secretary of erans exposed to burn pits and other
sons, I understand why the VITAL pro- Veterans Affairs to take actions nec- airborne hazards, this measure from
gram is so important. essary to ensure that certain individ- Dr. RUIZ is an important step in the
Since its inception in 2011, it has uals may update the burn pit registry right direction.
grown to support student veterans at with a registered individual’s cause of As VA continues to study the effects
183 locations. VITAL program services death, and for other purposes. that burn pit and other airborne hazard

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