PRINTER'S NO. 1622
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
324
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY FARRY, DeLISSIO, SCHREIBER, ROZZI, FRANKEL, DAVIS,
V. BROWN, HEFFLEY, STAATS, THOMAS, MURT, KILLION, YOUNGBLOOD,
MILLARD, KINSEY, BAKER, McNEILL, HARHART, DONATUCCI, WARD,
M. DALEY, SCHLOSSBERG, READSHAW, TOEPEL, CORBIN, ACOSTA,
LEWIS, GOODMAN, D. COSTA, O'BRIEN, DeLUCA, COHEN, BROWNLEE,
SIMS, DEAN, D. PARKER, SANTARSIERO AND PASHINSKI,
MAY 28, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, MAY 28, 2015
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Establishing the Task Force on Women Veterans' Health Care.
WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs, the projected veteran population nationwide is
approximately 23,000,000 with women making up an estimated 10%
of that population; and
WHEREAS, The United States Department of Veterans Affairs
estimates the percentage of female veterans between 2010 and
2040 will increase from approximately 9% in 2010 to
approximately 18% in 2040; and
WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs, as of September 2012, this Commonwealth was
home to approximately 981,000 veterans, including 719,000
wartime veterans from World War II through the Gulf War; and
WHEREAS, Females comprise approximately 80,000 of the wartime
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veterans; and
WHEREAS, The number of women veterans will increase with the
end of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom;
and
WHEREAS, Women veterans often face unique challenges in
transitioning from active duty to civilian life; and
WHEREAS, The challenging needs facing women veterans can
often be overlooked in providing services to such a large
veteran population; and
WHEREAS, Ensuring the availability of specialized services
for physical and mental health, including treatment of post-
traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, military
sexual trauma and alcohol and substance abuse, tailored to the
specific needs of women veterans is essential if the
Commonwealth wants to ensure that our returning veterans receive
proper care; and
WHEREAS, Establishing a task force to study the issues facing
women veterans and to make recommendations to the Governor and
the General Assembly will provide much-needed information and
insight from those who address the issues on a daily basis;
therefore be it
RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the Task Force on
Women Veterans' Health Care be established; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Women Veterans' Health Care
consist of 17 members who shall be appointed as follows within
25 days after the adoption of this resolution by both chambers:
(1) Two members of the Senate, one appointed by the
President pro tempore and one appointed by the Minority
Leader of the Senate.
(2) Two members of the House of Representatives, one
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appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and
one appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives.
(3) Thirteen members appointed by the Governor as
follows:
(i) the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs
of the Pennsylvania National Guard;
(ii) the Secretary of Health;
(iii) the Secretary of Human Services;
(iv) the Secretary of Drug and Alcohol Programs;
(v) four women veterans who are residents of this
Commonwealth;
(vi) a representative from the health care provider
community in this Commonwealth who has experience in
providing health care to returning women veterans;
(vii) a representative from the Commonwealth's
mental health care provider community with experience in
providing mental health care treatment to returning women
veterans;
(viii) a representative from the Commonwealth's
substance abuse and addiction treatment provider
community with experience in providing substance abuse
and addiction treatment to returning women veterans;
(ix) a representative from a Commonwealth advocacy
group that represents the interests of sexual assault
victims with experience in providing services to women
veterans who have suffered military sexual trauma,
including harassment or abuse;
(x) a representative from a county veteran's court;
and
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(xi) the chairman of the State Veterans' Commission;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Women Veterans' Health Care
study the health care needs of women veterans, including, but
not limited to:
(1) quality of and access to mental health services,
including services and treatment for post-traumatic stress
disorder and traumatic brain injury;
(2) in-patient treatment availability;
(3) adequacy and availability of appropriate women
veterans' health care within the Federal health care system
and this Commonwealth; and
(4) adequacy, quality of and access to services
providing for the identification and treatment of military
sexual trauma, including sexual harassment or abuse;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Women Veterans' Health Care
identify other needs relating to the provisions of women
veterans' health care services and make recommendations to the
General Assembly and the Governor to address those needs; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Women Veterans' Health Care
consult with Federal, State and local entities in completing its
study, including:
(1) The Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation.
(2) The United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
(3) The County Commissioners Association of
Pennsylvania.
(4) The Pennsylvania Municipal League.
(5) The Pennsylvania Medical Society.
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(6) The Hospital and Health System Association of
Pennsylvania.
(7) Veterans organizations or other organizations or
associations that advocate for women veterans;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Women Veterans' Health Care
elect one of its members to serve as chairperson; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Women Veterans' Health Care
conduct its business as follows:
(1) The physical presence of nine members constitutes a
quorum of the task force.
(2) Action of the task force shall be authorized or
ratified by a majority vote of its members.
(3) A member not physically present may participate by
teleconference or video conference.
(4) The following shall apply:
(i) The task force shall meet as necessary, but no
fewer than five times prior to April 30, 2016. Additional
meetings may be called by the chairperson as necessary.
(ii) The chairperson shall schedule a meeting upon
written request of eight members of the task force.
(iii) The first meeting shall be convened within 45
days of the adoption of this resolution by both chambers
at a time and place established by the Governor.
(iv) The task force shall hold public hearings as
necessary to obtain the information required to conduct
its review.
(v) Members shall not receive compensation but shall
be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses
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incurred in service of the task force;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Department of Health and the Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs provide staff support to the task
force; and be it further
RESOLVED, That, upon request of the Task Force on Women
Veterans' Health Care, a State agency assist the task force in
the completion of its duties, including, to the extent permitted
by law, relating to confidentiality to furnish information and
advice to members of the task force necessary to perform their
duties; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Women Veterans' Health Care
have the following powers:
(1) To examine and analyze the current delivery of
health care services to women veterans at the Federal and
State level.
(2) To review and analyze law, procedures, practices and
rules relating to delivery of health care services to women
veterans.
(3) To hold public hearings for the taking of testimony
and the requesting of documents.
(4) To administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses
appearing before the task force at the request of the
chairperson;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Women Veterans' Health Care
have the following duties:
(1) To accept and review written comments from
individuals and organizations.
(2) To make, by April 30, 2016, a final report to the
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Governor, the Senate and the House of Representatives.
(3) To include in the report under paragraph (2)
recommendations to:
(i) improve the delivery of health care services to
women veterans; and
(ii) implement any necessary changes in State
statutes and practices, policies and procedures relating
to the delivery of health care services to women
veterans.
(4) To make reports as follows:
(i) The task force may file status reports and
updates with the Governor, the Senate and the House of
Representatives as it deems appropriate.
(ii) A report under this paragraph shall be adopted
at a public meeting.
(iii) A report under this paragraph shall be a
public record under the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6,
No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force on Women Veterans' Health Care
expire May 31, 2016.
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