S.Amdt. 3580

This amendment, submitted by Ms. SMITH, aims to add a new section (SEC. 1067) to bill S. 2296. The purpose is to establish a four-year pilot program through the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide covered care to covered veterans.

Covered care is defined as hearing tests, hearing aids, and related health care. Covered veterans are those with hearing loss who are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs annual patient enrollment system.

The amendment adds the following requirements and goals to the bill:

• Service Locations: The program will operate at Department medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics that have established hearing clinics.
• Rural Outreach: The Secretary will test using portable units for home-based care and mobile hearing clinics for rural areas.
• Service Methods: The program will test the use of tele-hearing and hearing therapists, using Federal employees for tele-hearing as much as possible.
• Administration: The Secretary must notify covered veterans about available care and may collect copayments based on existing law.
• Accountability: The Secretary must submit reports to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services. These reports must include:
  • Implementation and operation descriptions.
  • The number of veterans served and the care they received.
  • Cost and benefit analyses, including comparisons by location.
  • Assessments of the impact on quality of life, wellness, employability, and medical visits.
  • Evaluations of the efficacy of tele-hearing, hearing therapists, mobile clinics, and portable units.
  • Recommendations for expanding care to all eligible veterans.
• Existing Care: The program does not stop veterans from accessing care or services under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code.