PTSD Bill from 1991

It is amazing what history has to teach us. This is a bill I found going back to 1991.

S.869 Title: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the availability of treatment of veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder; and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Cranston, Alan [CA] (introduced 4/18/1991) Cosponsors (11) Related Bills: H.R.2280, S.2344 Latest Major Action: 11/20/1991 Senate floor actions. Status: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.

SUMMARY AS OF:
11/20/1991--Indefinitely postponed in Senate. (There are 2 other summaries)

Veterans Health Care Amendments Act of 1991 -Title I: Mental Health - Part A: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-Veterans Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Act of 1991- Directs that a veteran diagnosed by the Department of Veterans Affairs as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) be furnished care and services for such disorder by the Department, even if such disorder has not been determined to be service-connected. Makes eligible for such care and services a veteran who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam era, the Persian Gulf War, or in any other area during a period in which hostilities occurred in such area. Requires a veteran who is referred by a Vet Center to a Department general health-care facility for a determination regarding such veteran's eligibility for PTSD care and services to be evaluated for diagnostic purposes within seven days of such referral.

Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, upon request of any eligible veteran, to furnish counseling to assist the veteran in overcoming any psychological problems associated with such service.

Directs the Secretary, no later than December 1, 1991, to devise and initiate a plan to: (1) increase the availability of treatment of veterans suffering from PTSD to levels commensurate with their needs; and (2) enhance outreach activities to inform combat veterans (and their families) of the availability of such treatment and to encourage such veterans to participate in such treatment. Directs the Secretary to report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees (veterans' commitees) on the description and implementation of such plan. Directs the Secretary, in preparing such report, to consult with the Special Committee on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Advisory Committee on Readjustment of Vietnam Veterans.

Directs the Special Committee on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Special Committee) to report concurrently to the Secretary and the veterans' committees setting forth its evaluation of a study required under prior law of postwar psychological problems of Vietnam veterans. Requires the Special Committee in 1992 and 1993 to update certain reports required under prior law relating to PTSD and its treatment.

Directs the Secretary, in the budgetary documents submitted to the Congress in conjunction with the President's budget submission for FY 1993 and 1994, to identify amounts in the appropriations requests for Department accounts that are estimated to be obligated for various purposes relating to the provision of treatment for PTSD.

Directs the Secretary to ensure that there are PTSD units in locations that are readily accessible to veterans residing in rural areas.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d102:SN00869:@@@L&summ2=m&

H.J.RES.157 Title: A joint resolution making dire emergency supplemental appropriations and transfers for relief from the effects of natural disasters, for other urgent needs, and for incremental costs of "Operation Desert Sheild/Desert Storm" for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1992, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Whitten, Jamie L. [MS-1] (introduced 2/28/1991) Cosponsors (None) Related Bills: H.RES.309, H.R.3543 Latest Major Action: 12/12/1991 Became Public Law No: 102-229.
SUMMARY AS OF:
11/27/1991--Conference report filed in House. (There is 1 other summary)

Dire Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Transfers for Relief from the Effects of Natural Disasters, for Other Urgent Needs, and for Incremental Costs of "Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm" Act of 1992 - Makes dire emergency supplemental appropriations to the Department of Defense for FY 1992 for specified military procurement.

Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations - Chapter I: Department of Defense - Military - Makes supplemental appropriations to the Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Veterans Affairs for additional costs associated with operations in and around the Persian Gulf known as Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, including the authorized transfer during FY 1992 of amounts from either the Defense Cooperation Account, or the Persian Gulf Regional Defense Fund.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d102:HJ00157:@@@L&summ2=m&