PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Jun 23, 2009
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 18, 2009. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act - Title I: Studies and Assessments of Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services for Women Veterans - (Sec. 101) Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) conduct a study of barriers encountered by women veterans to the provision by the VA of comprehensive health care; (2) ensure that the Center for Women Veterans and the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans review the results of the study; and (3) report to Congress on study results and the implementation of recommendations.
(Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a comprehensive assessment of all health care services and programs provided by the VA for women veterans; (2) identify relevant issues concerning such services and programs with respect to each VA medical facility; (3) develop a plan to improve the provision of health care services to women veterans and to project their future health care needs; and (4) report to Congress on the assessment and plan. Requires a report from the Comptroller General to Congress reviewing the report of the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Title II: Improvement and Expansion of Health Care Programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs for Women Veterans - (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Secretary to furnish hospital care and medical services to a newborn child of a woman veteran receiving VA maternity care for up to seven days after the birth of the child.
(Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide graduate medical education, training, certification, and continuing medical education for mental health professionals who provide counseling, care, and services to women veterans suffering from sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and (2) report annually to Congress on the counseling, care, and services provided.
(Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out a two-year pilot program of child care assistance for women veterans receiving certain mental health or other intensive health care services at VA facilities; (2) carry out the program in at least three Veterans Integrated Service Network facilities; and (3) report to Congress on the pilot program. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 204) Requires: (1) women veterans recently separated from service to be included on the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; and (2) recently separated minority veterans to be included on the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.
People & committees
Rep. Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [D-SD-At Large] · D–SD
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 - 0 (Roll no. 421). (text: CR H7097-7099)
House roll call 421 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 - 0 (Roll no. 421).(text: CR H7097-7099)
House roll call 421 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7110-7111)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1211.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7097-7101)
Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 83.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 111-165.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 111-165.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.1211 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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