Veterans Combat Stress Healthcare Improvement Act

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 28, 2008

Veterans Combat Stress Healthcare Improvement Act - Revises the veterans' health professionals educational assistance program to provide a selection priority under various program components for those seeking to obtain the specialized training necessary to treat combat stress. Provides a similar priority for individuals who have completed the degree requirements necessary for qualification as a licensed mental health professional, are employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in positions related to the treatment of combat stress, and owe any principal or interest on loans used to pay costs related to earning the degree.

Reauthorizes the program's scholarship program for FY2009-FY2011.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-35] · D–CA

Committees

Veterans' Affairs Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Sep 28, 2008
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Sep 28, 2008
Introduced in House
Sep 28, 2008
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Sep 28, 2008 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.7214 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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Discuss H.R.7214, 110th Congress: Veterans Combat Stress Healthcare Improvement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7214

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-09-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr7214/BILLS-110hr7214ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T18:11:15Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.7214 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.7214 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.7214, 110th Congress: Veterans Combat Stress Healthcare Improvement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7214

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-09-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr7214/BILLS-110hr7214ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T18:11:15Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7214 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.7214 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.7214, 110th Congress: Veterans Combat Stress Healthcare Improvement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7214

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-09-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr7214/BILLS-110hr7214ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T18:11:15Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7214 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.7214 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.7214, 110th Congress: Veterans Combat Stress Healthcare Improvement Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7214

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-09-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr7214/BILLS-110hr7214ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T18:11:15Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7214 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.