SENSE OF CONGRESS AND REPORT ON ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS IN RURAL AREAS.

SEC. 223. SENSE OF CONGRESS AND REPORT ON ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS IN RURAL AREAS.(a) Sense of Congress.—Recognizing the difficulties that veterans residing in rural areas encounter in gaining access to health care in facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, it is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should take steps to ensure that an appropriate mix of facilities and clinical staff is available for health care for veterans residing in rural areas.(b) Report.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report describing the steps the Secretary is taking, and intends to take, to improve access to health care for veterans residing in rural areas.