Bill Text: OR SB276 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

---

Bill Title: Relating to health care for veterans; and declaring an emergency.

Spectrum: Unknown

Status: (Passed) 2011-05-19 - Effective date, May 19, 2011. [SB276 Detail]

Download: Oregon-2011-SB276-Introduced.html

---

     76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session

NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .

LC 1622

                         Senate Bill 276

Printed pursuant to Senate Interim Rule 213.28 by order of the
  President of the Senate in conformance with presession filing
  rules, indicating neither advocacy nor opposition on the part
  of the President (at the request of Senate Interim Committee on
  Veterans' Affairs)

                             SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.

  States that Legislative Assembly finds that United States
Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration
should be encouraged to export its expertise in conditions
associated with military service to health care providers outside
of administration and that health care providers outside of
administration should seek continuing education regarding
conditions associated with military service.
  Declares emergency, effective on passage.

                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to health care for veterans; and declaring an emergency.
  Whereas there are more than 25,000 veterans in the State of
Oregon who are women; and
  Whereas more than 250,000 women have served in Iraq and
Afghanistan, many of whom served in combat; and
  Whereas military sexual trauma, which can result in
post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and other
mental and emotional health concerns, is at epidemic levels in
the Armed Forces of the United States, with one in every five
female servicemembers and many male servicemembers claiming some
level of military sexual trauma; and
  Whereas the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration has expertise in military sexual
trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and the physical
conditions associated with military sexual trauma; and
  Whereas many female veterans do not identify themselves as
veterans and do not use Veterans Health Administration medical
services if they need care for military sexual trauma; and
  Whereas medical providers, social workers, counselors,
psychologists, psychiatrists and other providers outside of the
Veterans Health Administration could benefit from continuing
education on military sexual trauma; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + The Legislative Assembly finds that:
  (1) The United States Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans
Health Administration should be encouraged to export its
expertise in military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress
disorder and other conditions associated with military service to
health care providers outside of the administration; and
  (2) Health care providers outside of the administration should
be encouraged to seek out continuing education in military sexual
trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions
associated with military service. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + This 2011 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2011 Act takes effect on its
passage. + }
                         ----------