PILOT PROGRAM ON ASSISTED LIVING SERVICES FOR VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

SEC. 1705. PILOT PROGRAM ON ASSISTED LIVING SERVICES FOR VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.(a) Pilot Program.—Beginning not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in collaboration with the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center of the Department of Defense, shall carry out a five-year pilot program to assess the effectiveness of providing assisted living services to eligible veterans to enhance the rehabilitation, quality of life, and community integration of such veterans.(b) Program Locations.—(1) In general.—The pilot program shall be carried out at locations selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program. Of the locations so selected—(A) at least one location shall be in each health care region of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs that contains a polytrauma center of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and(B) any location other than a location described in subparagraph (A) shall be in an area that contains a high concentration of veterans with traumatic brain injuries, as determined by the Secretary.(2) Special consideration for veterans in rural areas.—The Secretary shall give special consideration to providing veterans in rural areas with an opportunity to participate in the pilot program.(c) Provision of Assisted Living Services.—(1) Agreements.—In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary may enter into agreements for the provision of 122 STAT. 492 assisted living services on behalf of eligible veterans with a provider participating under a State plan or waiver under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).(2) Standards.—The Secretary may not place, transfer, or admit a veteran to any facility for assisted living services under the pilot program unless the Secretary determines that the facility meets such standards as the Secretary may prescribe for purposes of the pilot program. Such standards shall, to the extent practicable, be consistent with the standards of Federal, State, and local agencies charged with the responsibility of licensing or otherwise regulating or inspecting such facilities.(d) Continuation of Case Management and Rehabilitation Services.—In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall—(1) continue to provide each veteran who is receiving assisted living services under the pilot program with rehabilitative services; and(2) designate employees of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish case management services for veterans participating in the pilot program.(e) Report.—(1) In general.—Not later than 60 days after the completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the pilot program.(2) Contents.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:(A) A description of the pilot program.(B) An assessment of the utility of the activities under the pilot program in enhancing the rehabilitation, quality of life, and community reintegration of veterans with traumatic brain injury.(C) Such recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate regarding the extension or expansion of the pilot program.(f) Definitions.—In this section:(1) The term “assisted living services” means services of a facility in providing room, board, and personal care for and supervision of residents for their health, safety, and welfare.(2) The term “case management services” includes the coordination and facilitation of all services furnished to a veteran by the Department of Veterans Affairs, either directly or through a contract, including assessment of needs, planning, referral (including referral for services to be furnished by the Department, either directly or through a contract, or by an entity other than the Department), monitoring, reassessment, and followup.(3) The term “eligible veteran” means a veteran who—(A) is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code;(B) has received hospital care or medical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for a traumatic brain injury;122 STAT. 493(C) is unable to manage routine activities of daily living without supervision and assistance, as determined by the Secretary; and(D) could reasonably be expected to receive ongoing services after the end of the pilot program under this section under another program of the Federal Government or through other means, as determined by the Secretary.