[House Report 115-687]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
115th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 115-687
======================================================================
TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
PEER-TO-PEER COUNSELORS PROVIDING COUNSELING FOR WOMEN VETERANS, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
_______
May 18, 2018.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Roe of Tennessee, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 4635]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 4635) to direct the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to increase the number of peer-to-peer counselors
providing counseling for women veterans, and for other
purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon
with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do
pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 3
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 3
Hearings......................................................... 4
Subcommittee Consideration....................................... 5
Committee Consideration.......................................... 5
Committee Votes.................................................. 5
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 5
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 5
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 5
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits............................. 6
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 6
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 6
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 7
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 7
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 7
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 7
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs..................... 7
Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking................................ 7
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 7
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported............. 8
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4)(A) As part of the counseling program under this subsection, the
Secretary shall emphasize appointing peer support counselors for women
veterans. To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall seek to
recruit women peer support counselors with expertise in--
``(i) female gender-specific issues and services;
``(ii) the provision of information about services and
benefits provided under laws administered by the Secretary; or
``(iii) employment mentoring.
``(B) To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall emphasize
facilitating peer support counseling for women veterans who are
eligible for counseling and services under section 1720D of this title,
have post-traumatic stress disorder or suffer from another mental
health condition, are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, or are
otherwise at increased risk of suicide, as determined by the Secretary.
``(C) The Secretary shall conduct outreach to inform women veterans
about the program and the assistance available under this paragraph.
``(D) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall coordinate
with such community organizations, State and local governments,
institutions of higher education, chambers of commerce, local business
organizations, organizations that provide legal assistance, and other
organizations as the Secretary considers appropriate.
``(E) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide
adequate training for peer support counselors, including training
carried out under the national program of training required by section
304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of
2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note).''.
(b) Funding.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out
paragraph (4) of section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States Code, as
added by subsection (a), using funds otherwise made available to the
Secretary. No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated by
reason of such paragraph.
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than two years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House
of Representatives a report on the peer support counseling program
under section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by
this section. Such report shall include--
(1) the number of peer support counselors in the program;
(2) an assessment of the effectiveness of the program; and
(3) a description of the oversight of the program.
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 4635 Offered by Mr.
Coffman of Colorado
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN VETERANS.
(a) In General.--Section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(4)(A) As part of the counseling program under this
subsection, the Secretary shall emphasize appointing peer
support counselors for women veterans. To the degree
practicable, the Secretary shall seek to recruit women peer
support counselors with expertise in--
``(i) female gender-specific issues and services;
``(ii) the provision of information about services
and benefits provided under laws administered by the
Secretary; or
``(iii) employment mentoring.
``(B) To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall
emphasize facilitating peer support counseling for women
veterans who are eligible for counseling and services under
section 1720D of this title, have post-traumatic stress
disorder or suffer from another mental health condition, are
homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, or are otherwise at
increased risk of suicide, as determined by the Secretary.
``(C) The Secretary shall conduct outreach to inform women
veterans about the program and the assistance available under
this paragraph.
``(D) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall
coordinate with such community organizations, State and local
governments, institutions of higher education, chambers of
commerce, local business organizations, organizations that
provide legal assistance, and other organizations as the
Secretary considers appropriate.
``(E) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall
provide adequate training for peer support counselors,
including training carried out under the national program of
training required by section 304(c) of the Caregivers and
Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A
note).''.
(b) Funding.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry
out paragraph (4) of section 1720F(j) of title 38, United
States Code, as added by subsection (a), using funds otherwise
made available to the Secretary. No additional funds are
authorized to be appropriated by reason of such paragraph.
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than two years after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the peer
support counseling program under section 1720F(j) of title 38,
United States Code, as amended by this section. Such report
shall include--
(1) the number of peer support counselors in the
program;
(2) an assessment of the effectiveness of the
program; and
(3) a description of the oversight of the program.
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 4635, as amended, would require the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that the existing peer support
counseling program includes peer counselors for women veterans.
Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado introduced H.R. 4635 on
December 13, 2017.
Background and Need for Legislation
With a population of almost 2 million and growing, women
represent an increasingly significant segment of the veteran
population.\1\ However, there are indications that military
service and veteran status may affect women differently than
men and that women veterans may lack equitable access to peer
support opportunities during and after their transition from
military service. For example, a 2014 report by the Disabled
American Veterans (DAV) found that women face barriers to
recognition as veterans and to VA services and benefits.\2\
According to DAV, ``[t]he vast majority of these deficiencies
result from a disregard for the differing needs of women
veterans and a focusing on the 80 percent solutions for men who
dominate in both numbers and the public consciousness.''\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Suicide
Prevention. Suicide among Veterans and Other Americans 2001-2014.
August 3, 2016. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/
2016suicidedatareport.pdf
\2\Disabled American Veterans. Women Veterans: The Long Journey
Home. September 24, 2014. https://www.dav.org/wp-content/uploads/women-
veterans-study.pdf.
\3\Ibid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 1720F(j) of title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.)
requires VA's comprehensive program for suicide prevention
among veterans to include a peer support counseling program
under which veterans are allowed to volunteer to serve as peer
counselors to assist other veterans with mental health and
readjustment issues and to conduct outreach to veterans and
their families. The Committee strongly supports this and other
VA peer support programs and believes them to be beneficial in
assisting veterans, particularly those who are struggling with
mental health or substance abuse issues, achieve successful
recovery and reintegration, reduce stigma, and increase
adherence to plans of care. However, the Committee is concerned
that the existing volunteer peer support counselor program may
not include sufficient volunteer peer support counselors who
are women veterans or who are fluent in issues important to
woman veterans.
Section 2 of the bill would require that, when carrying out
the existing volunteer peer support counseling program, VA
emphasize appointing volunteer peer support counselors for
women veterans and, to the extent practicable, seek to recruit
volunteer peer support counselors for women veterans with
certain relevant expertise. To ensure such volunteer peer
support counselors are paired with the veterans most in need of
their services, section 2 of the bill would further require
that VA emphasize assigning volunteer peer support counselors
to women veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma,
have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
or another mental health condition, are homeless or at-risk of
homelessness, or are otherwise at an increased risk of suicide
as determined by VA. VA would also be required to conduct
outreach to women veterans regarding the availability of
volunteer peer support counselors and to report to Congress on
the volunteer peer support counseling program. It is the
Committee's expectation that, to the extent possible, VA will
make a reasonable effort to recruit a sufficient number of
women volunteer peer support counselors to meet the demand for
such counselors across the VA healthcare system, recognizing
that such demand will vary from facility to facility and that
VA's ability to recruit volunteers may also vary.
Hearings
On April 17, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health conducted a
legislative hearing on a number of bills including H.R. 4635.
The following witnesses testified:
The Honorable Beto O'Rourke, U.S. House of
Representatives, 16th District, Texas; The Honorable
Tim Walberg, U.S. House of Representatives, 7th
District; Michigan; The Honorable Neal Dunn, U.S. House
of Representatives, 2nd District, Florida; The
Honorable Luis Correa, U.S. House of Representatives,
46th District, California; The Honorable Mike Coffman,
U.S. House of Representatives, 6th District, Colorado;
Louis J. Celli, Director, National Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Adrian M.
Atizado, Deputy National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Sarah S. Dean, Associate Legislative
Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; and Kayda
Keleher, Associate Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
Statements for the record were submitted by:
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation; the Independence Fund;
Veteran Cannabis Project; Wounded Warrior Project; and
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
Subcommittee Consideration
There was no Subcommittee consideration of H.R. 4635.
Committee Consideration
On May 8, 2018, the full Committee met in open markup
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 4635, as
amended, to be reported favorably to the House of
Representatives by voice vote. During consideration of the
bill, the following amendment was considered and agreed to by
voice vote:
An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by
Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado.
Committee Votes
In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, there were no recorded votes
taken on amendments or in connection with ordering H.R. 4635,
as amended, reported to the House. A motion by Representative
Tim Walz of Minnesota, Ranking Member of the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, to report H.R. 4635, as amended, favorably
to the House of Representatives was adopted by voice vote.
Committee Oversight Findings
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of
this report.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee's performance
goals and objectives are to ensure that there is a sufficient
availability of volunteer peer support counselors across the VA
healthcare system to provide volunteer peer support counseling
services to the growing population of women veterans.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its
own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement
authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the
cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits
H.R. 4635, as amended, does not contain any Congressional
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as
defined in clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
Committee Cost Estimate
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R.
4635, as amended, prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate
for H.R. 4635, as amended, provided by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, May 9, 2018.
Hon. Phil Roe, M.D.,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4635, a bill to
direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number
of peer-to-peer counselors providing counseling for women
veterans, and for other purposes.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Ann E.
Futrell.
Sincerely,
Keith Hall,
Director.
Enclosure.
H.R. 4635--A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
increase the number of peer-to-peer counselors providing
counseling for women veterans, and for other purposes
H.R. 4635 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) to attempt to recruit women as peer counselors. Under
current law, VA operates the Peer Support Counseling Program
where veterans voluntarily provide support to fellow veterans
on issues related to mental health care and readjustment. The
bill would direct VA to place an emphasis on appointing and
training volunteer peer counselors for women veterans and to
submit a report to the Congress providing an assessment of the
program. On the basis of information from VA, CBO estimates
that this bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2019-2023
period to expand the training curriculum and prepare a report
on the program; that spending would be subject to the
availability of appropriated funds.
Enacting H.R. 4635 would not affect direct spending or
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4635 would not increase
net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029.
H.R. 4635 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Ann E. Futrell.
The estimate was reviewed by Leo Lex, Deputy Assistant Director
for Budget Analysis.
Federal Mandates Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates regarding H.R. 4635, as amended, prepared by the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section
423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R.
4635, as amended.
Statement of Constitutional Authority
Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the United States
Constitution, H.R. 4635, as amended, is authorized by Congress'
power to ``provide for the common Defense and general Welfare
of the United States.''
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that H.R. 4635, as amended, does not
relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to
public services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision
of H.R. 4635, as amended, establishes or reauthorizes a program
of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another
Federal program, a program that was included in any report from
the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a
program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance.
Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking
Pursuant to section 3(i) of H. Res. 5, 115th Cong. (2017),
the Committee estimates that H.R. 4635, as amended, contains no
directed rulemaking that would require the Secretary to
prescribe regulations.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
Section 1. Peer support counseling program for women veterans
Section 1(a) of the bill would amend section 1720F(j) of
title 38 U.S.C. by adding at the end a new paragraph
1720F(j)(4).
The new paragraph 1720F(j)(4)(A) would require VA, as part
of the counseling program under this subsection, to emphasize
appointing peer support counselors for women veterans and, to
the degree practicable, to seek to recruit women peer support
counselors with expertise in female gender specific issues and
services, the provision of information about services and
benefits provided under laws administered by VA, or employment
mentoring.
The new paragraph 1720F(j)(4)(B) would require VA, to the
extent practicable, to emphasize facilitating peer support
counseling for women veterans who are eligible for counseling
and services under section 1720D of title 38 U.S.C., have PTSD
or suffer from another mental health condition, are homeless or
at risk of becoming homeless, or are otherwise at increased
risk of suicide as determined by VA.
The new paragraph 1720F(j)(4)(C) would require VA to
conduct outreach to inform women veterans about the program and
the assistance available under the volunteer peer support
counseling program.
The new paragraph 1720F(j)(4)(D) would require VA to
coordinate with such community organizations, State and local
governments, institutions of higher education, chambers of
commerce, local business organizations, organizations that
provide legal assistance, and other organizations as VA
considers appropriate.
The new paragraph 1720F(j)(4)(E) would require VA to
provide adequate training for peer support counselors including
training carried out under the national program of training
required by section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans
Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note).
Section 1(b) of the bill would require VA to carry out
paragraph (4) of section 1720F(j) of title 38 U.S.C. as added
by subsection 1(a) of the bill using funds otherwise made
available to VA and stipulate that no additional funds are
authorized to be appropriated by reason of such paragraph.
Section 1(c) of the bill would require VA, not later than
two years after the date of enactment, to submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives a report on the peer support counseling program
under section 1720F(j) of title 38 U.S.C. as amended by section
1(a) of the bill and require such report to include the number
of peer support counselors in the program, an assessment of the
effectiveness of the program, and a description of the
oversight of the program.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is
printed in italic and existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE
* * * * * * *
PART II--GENERAL BENEFITS
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 17--HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME, DOMICILIARY, AND MEDICAL CARE
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER II--HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME, OR DOMICILIARY CARE AND MEDICAL
TREATMENT
* * * * * * *
Sec. 1720F. Comprehensive program for suicide prevention among veterans
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall develop and carry out
a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of
suicide among veterans incorporating the components described
in this section.
(b) Staff Education.--In carrying out the comprehensive
program under this section, the Secretary shall provide for
mandatory training for appropriate staff and contractors
(including all medical personnel) of the Department who
interact with veterans. This training shall cover information
appropriate to the duties being performed by such staff and
contractors. The training shall include information on--
(1) recognizing risk factors for suicide;
(2) proper protocols for responding to crisis
situations involving veterans who may be at high risk
for suicide; and
(3) best practices for suicide prevention.
(c) Health Assessments of Veterans.--In carrying out the
comprehensive program, the Secretary shall direct that medical
staff offer mental health in their overall health assessment
when veterans seek medical care at a Department medical
facility (including a center established under section 1712A of
this title) and make referrals, at the request of the veteran
concerned, to appropriate counseling and treatment programs for
veterans who show signs or symptoms of mental health problems.
(d) Designation of Suicide Prevention Counselors.--In
carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall
designate a suicide prevention counselor at each Department
medical facility other than centers established under section
1712A of this title. Each counselor shall work with local
emergency rooms, police departments, mental health
organizations, and veterans service organizations to engage in
outreach to veterans and improve the coordination of mental
health care to veterans.
(e) Best Practices Research.--In carrying out the
comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for research
on best practices for suicide prevention among veterans.
Research shall be conducted under this subsection in
consultation with the heads of the following entities:
(1) The Department of Health and Human Services.
(2) The National Institute of Mental Health.
(3) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration.
(4) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(f) Sexual Trauma Research.--In carrying out the
comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for research
on mental health care for veterans who have experienced sexual
trauma while in military service. The research design shall
include consideration of veterans of a reserve component.
(g) 24-Hour Mental Health Care.--In carrying out the
comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for mental
health care availability to veterans on a 24-hour basis.
(h) Hotline.--In carrying out the comprehensive program, the
Secretary may provide for a toll-free hotline for veterans to
be staffed by appropriately trained mental health personnel and
available at all times.
(i) Outreach and Education for Veterans and Families.--In
carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall
provide for outreach to and education for veterans and the
families of veterans, with special emphasis on providing
information to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and
Operation Enduring Freedom and the families of such veterans.
Education to promote mental health shall include information
designed to--
(1) remove the stigma associated with mental illness;
(2) encourage veterans to seek treatment and
assistance for mental illness;
(3) promote skills for coping with mental illness;
and
(4) help families of veterans with--
(A) understanding issues arising from the
readjustment of veterans to civilian life;
(B) identifying signs and symptoms of mental
illness; and
(C) encouraging veterans to seek assistance
for mental illness.
(j) Peer Support Counseling Program.--(1) In carrying out the
comprehensive program, the Secretary shall establish and carry
out a peer support counseling program, under which veterans
shall be permitted to volunteer as peer counselors--
(A) to assist other veterans with issues related to
mental health and readjustment; and
(B) to conduct outreach to veterans and the families
of veterans.
(2) In carrying out the peer support counseling program under
this subsection, the Secretary shall provide adequate training
for peer counselors, including training carried out under the
national program of training required by section 304(c) of the
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38
U.S.C. 1712A note).
(3) In addition to other locations the Secretary considers
appropriate, the Secretary shall carry out the peer support
program under this subsection at each Department medical
center.
(4)(A) As part of the counseling program under this
subsection, the Secretary shall emphasize appointing peer
support counselors for women veterans. To the degree
practicable, the Secretary shall seek to recruit women peer
support counselors with expertise in--
(i) female gender-specific issues and services;
(ii) the provision of information about services and
benefits provided under laws administered by the
Secretary; or
(iii) employment mentoring.
(B) To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall emphasize
facilitating peer support counseling for women veterans who are
eligible for counseling and services under section 1720D of
this title, have post-traumatic stress disorder or suffer from
another mental health condition, are homeless or at risk of
becoming homeless, or are otherwise at increased risk of
suicide, as determined by the Secretary.
(C) The Secretary shall conduct outreach to inform women
veterans about the program and the assistance available under
this paragraph.
(D) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall
coordinate with such community organizations, State and local
governments, institutions of higher education, chambers of
commerce, local business organizations, organizations that
provide legal assistance, and other organizations as the
Secretary considers appropriate.
(E) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall
provide adequate training for peer support counselors,
including training carried out under the national program of
training required by section 304(c) of the Caregivers and
Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A
note).
(k) Other Components.--In carrying out the comprehensive
program, the Secretary may provide for other actions to reduce
the incidence of suicide among veterans that the Secretary
considers appropriate.
* * * * * * *
[all]