I
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1832
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 11, 2011
Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania (for himself, Ms. Berkley, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Meeks, Mr. Platts, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Kissell, Mr. Westmoreland, Mr. Hanna, Mr. Bucshon, and Mr. Long) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the State licensure exception for certain health-care professionals, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Servicemembers’ Telemedicine and E–Health Portability Act
of 2011
or the STEP
Act
.
Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs need to renew and improve efforts to reach out to rural America, which has less access to care;
behavioral health services for active duty members of the Armed Forces, members of the reserve components, members of the National Guard, and veterans need to be more easily and readily accessible; and
medical records and records of deployment
need a warm transition
and better collaboration between the
Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Expansion of State licensure exception for certain health care professionals
In general
Section 1094(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
in paragraph (1)—
by inserting
at any location
before in any State
; and
by striking
regardless
and all that follows through the end and inserting
regardless of where such health-care professional or the patient are
located, so long as the practice is within the scope of the authorized Federal
duties.
; and
in paragraph (2),
by striking member of the armed forces
and inserting
member of the armed forces, civilian employee of the Department of
Defense, personal services contractor under section 1091 of this title, or
other health-care professional credentialed and privileged at a Federal health
care institution or location specially designated by the Secretary for this
purpose
.
Report
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall submit to Congress a report on the plans to develop and expand programs to use new Internet and communication technologies for improved access to care and resources, including telemedicine, telehealth care services, and telebehavioral health programs that ensure patient privacy.
Regulations
The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations to carry out the amendments made by this Act.
