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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a health care advocacy program for |
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veterans. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 434.023 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 434.023. HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY PROGRAM FOR VETERANS. |
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(a) In this section, "veteran" means a person who has served in: |
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(1) the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or marine |
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corps of the United States; or |
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(2) the Texas National Guard as defined by Section |
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431.001. |
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(b) The commission by rule shall establish and implement a |
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health care advocacy program to assist veterans in gaining access |
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to health care facilities of the United States Department of |
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Veterans Affairs. |
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(c) The program shall provide assistance to veterans by: |
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(1) resolving any access issues raised by veterans in |
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this state or referred to the commission by the veterans toll-free |
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hotline operated under Section 161.077, Natural Resources Code; |
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(2) coordinating with the Veterans Health |
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Administration of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs |
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to support the health care advocacy program established under this |
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section; |
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(3) coordinating with health care providers in this |
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state to expand providers' opportunities to treat veterans through |
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the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; |
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(4) reviewing and researching programs, projects, and |
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initiatives designed to address the health care needs of veterans; |
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(5) evaluating the effectiveness of the efforts of the |
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commission to improve access to health care services for veterans; |
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(6) making recommendations to the executive director |
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of the commission to improve health care services and assistance |
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for veterans; |
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(7) incorporating veterans' health care issues into |
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the commission's strategic plan required under Section 2056.002; |
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(8) assisting veterans in securing benefits and |
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services; and |
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(9) recommending legislative initiatives and policies |
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at the local, state, and national levels to address issues |
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affecting health care for veterans. |
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(d) The executive director of the commission shall appoint a |
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program coordinator to administer the health care advocacy program. |
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(e) The commission shall provide facilities as appropriate |
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to support the program to the extent funding is available for that |
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purpose. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act but not later than January 1, 2016, the Texas Veterans |
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Commission shall establish the health care advocacy program for |
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veterans as required under Section 434.023, Government Code, as |
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added by this Act, and the Texas Veterans Commission shall adopt any |
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rules necessary to implement the program. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |