To provide sufficient blind rehabilitation outpatient specialists at medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

June 7, 2005

Mr. SALAZAR introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

To provide sufficient blind rehabilitation outpatient specialists at medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Blinded Veterans Continuum of Care Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:

(1) There are approximately 135,000 blinded veterans throughout the United States, including approximately 35,000 who are enrolled with the Department of Veterans Affairs. An aging veteran population and injuries incurred in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are increasing the number of blinded veterans.

(2) Since 1996, when the Department of Veterans Affairs hired its first 14 blind rehabilitation outpatient specialists (referred to in this Act as `Specialists', Specialists have been a critical part of the continuum of care for blind and visually impaired veterans.

(3) The Department of Veterans Affairs operates 10 residential blind rehabilitation centers that are considered among the best in the world. These centers have had long waiting lists, with as many as 1,500 blind veterans waiting for openings in 2004.

(4) Specialists provide--

(A) critically needed services to veterans who are unable to attend residential centers or are waiting to enter such a program;

(B) a range of services, including training with living skills, mobility, and adaptation of manual skills; and

(C) pre-admission screening and follow-up care for blind rehabilitation centers.

(5) There are not enough Specialist positions to meet the increased numbers and needs of blinded veterans.

SEC. 3. BLIND REHABILITATION OUTPATIENT SPECIALISTS AT VA MEDICAL CENTERS.

(a) In General- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish Specialist positions at medical centers with--

(1) visual impairment services teams with a full-time coordinator; or

(2) more than 150 currently enrolled legally blind veterans.

(b) Prioritization- In assigning Specialists under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--

(1) during the first year after the date of enactment of this Act, give priority to any medical center with more than 400 legally blind veterans enrolled;

(2) during the second year after the date of enactment of this Act, give priority to any medical center with more than 300 legally blind veterans enrolled;

(3) during the third year after the date of enactment of this Act, give priority to any medical center with more than 200 legally blind veterans enrolled; and

(4) after the 3-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, give priority to any medical center with more than 150 legally blind veterans enrolled.

(c) Reporting Requirement- Not later than March 31 of each year, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit a report to Congress, which contains--

(1) the number of Specialist positions filled;

(2) the location of each Specialist position; and

(3) the continuum of care offered to blind and visually impaired veterans.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010 to carry out this Act.

END