Sec. 312. Program on health promotion for overweight and obese veterans through support of fitness center memberships
600 words·~3 min read·
/bill/113/s/1982/pcs/section-312A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Commencing not later than 180 days after the date on which this section takes effect, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, through the National Center for Preventive Health, carry out a program to assess the feasibility and advisability of promoting health in covered veterans, including achieving a healthy weight and reducing risks of chronic disease, through support for fitness center membership. For purposes of this section, a covered veteran is any veteran who— is enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment established and operated by the Secretary under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code; is determined by a clinician of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be overweight or obese as of the date of the commencement of the program; and resides in a location that is more than 15 minutes driving distance from a fitness center at a facility of the Department that would otherwise be available to the veteran for at least eight hours per day during five or more days per week.
The program shall be carried out during the two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the program. In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall select— not less than five medical centers of the Department at which the Secretary shall cover the full reasonable cost of a fitness center membership for covered veterans within the catchment area of such centers; and not less than five medical centers of the Department at which the Secretary shall cover half the reasonable cost of a fitness center membership for covered veterans within the catchment area of such centers.
In selecting locations for the program, the Secretary shall consider the feasibility and advisability of selecting locations in the following areas: Rural areas. Areas that are not in close proximity to an active duty military installation. Areas in different geographic locations. The number of covered veterans who may participate in the program at each location selected under subsection
(d)may not exceed 100. The participation of a covered veteran in the program shall be at the election of the covered veteran in consultation with a clinician of the Department. Except as provided in paragraph (2), in carrying out the program, the Secretary shall pay the following: The full reasonable cost of a fitness center membership for covered veterans within the catchment area of centers selected under subsection (d)(1)(A) who are participating in the program. Half the reasonable cost of a fitness center membership for covered veterans within the catchment area of centers selected under subsection (d)(1)(B) who are participating in the program. Payment for a fitness center membership of a covered veteran may not exceed $50 per month of membership. Not later than 90 days after the date of the commencement of the program and not less frequently than once every 90 days thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on activities carried out to implement the program, including outreach activities to veterans and community organizations. Not later than 180 days after the date of the completion of the program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the program detailing— the findings and conclusions of the Secretary as a result of the program; and recommendations for the continuation or expansion of the program. This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.