§ 204. IMPROVEMENT OF ACCESS OF VETERANS TO MOBILE VET CENTERS AND MOBILE MEDICAL CENTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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/usc/title-38/section-204A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Improvement of Access.— In general .— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall improve the access of veterans to telemedicine and other health care and readjustment counseling services through the use of mobile vet centers and mobile medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs by providing standardized requirements for the operation of such centers. Requirements .— The standardized requirements required by paragraph
(1)shall include the following: The number of days each mobile vet center and mobile medical center of the Department is expected to travel per year. The number of locations and events each center is expected to visit per year. The number of appointments and outreach contacts each center is expected to conduct per year. The method and timing of notifications given by each center to individuals in the area to which the center is traveling, including notifications informing veterans of the availability to schedule appointments at the center. Use of telemedicine .— The Secretary shall ensure that each mobile vet center and mobile medical center of the Department has the capability to provide telemedicine services. Reports.— In general .— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [ Aug. 7, 2014 ], and not later than September 30 each year thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 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 access to health care through the use of mobile vet centers and mobile medical centers of the Department that includes statistics on each of the requirements set forth in subsection (a)(2) for the year covered by the report. Elements .— Each report required by paragraph
(1)shall include the following: A description of the use of mobile vet centers and mobile medical centers to provide telemedicine services and readjustment counseling to veterans during the year preceding the submittal of the report, including the following: The number of days each mobile vet center and mobile medical center was open to provide such services. The number of days each center traveled to a location other than the headquarters of the center to provide such services. The number of appointments and outreach contacts each center conducted to provide such services on average per month and in total during such year. An analysis of the effectiveness of using mobile vet centers and mobile medical centers to provide health care services and readjustment counseling to veterans through the use of telemedicine. Any recommendations for an increase in the number of mobile vet centers and mobile medical centers of the Department. Any recommendations for an increase in the telemedicine capabilities of each mobile vet center and mobile medical center. The feasibility and advisability of using temporary health care providers, including locum tenens, to provide direct health care services to veterans at mobile medical centers. Such other recommendations on improvement of the use of mobile vet centers and mobile medical centers by the Department as the Secretary considers appropriate.