Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 3.djvu/188

 106 STAT. 1982 PUBLIC LAW 102-405—OCT. 9, 1992 locations that are readily accessible to veterans residing in rural areas of the United States. (b) CONSIDERATIONS.— In developing the plan referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider— (1) the numbers of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder related to active duty, as indicated by relevant studies, scientific and clinical reports, and other pertinent information; (2) the numbers of veterans who would likely seek posttraumatic stress disorder treatment from the Department if waiting times for treatment were eliminated and outreach activities to combat-area veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder were enhanced; (3) the current and projected capacity of the Department to provide appropriate treatment and rehabilitative services for post-traumatic stress disorder; (4) the level and geographic accessibility of inpatient and outpatient care available through the Department for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder across the United States; (5) the desirability of providing that inpatient and outpatient post-traumatic stress disorder care be furnished in facilities of the Department that are physically independent of general psychiatric wards of the medical facilities of the Department; (6) the treatment needs of veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder who are women, of such veterans who are ethnic minorities (including Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Asian-Pacific Islanders, and Native Alaskans), and of such veterans who suffer from substance abuse problems in addition to post-traumatic stress disorder; and (7) the recommendations of the Special Committee on Post- Traumatic-Stress Disorder with respect to (A) specialized inpatient and outpatient programs of the Department for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, and (B) with respect to the establishment of educational programs that are designed for each of the various levels of education, training, and experience of the various mental health professionals involved in the treatment of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. (c) REPORT. — Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the plan developed pursuant to subsection (a). The report shall include specific information relating to the consideration given to the matters described in subsection (b). (d) DEFINITIONS.— For the purposes of this section: (1) The term "active duty" has the meaning given that term in section 101(21) of title 38, United States Code. (2) The term "veteran" has the meaning given that term in section 101(2) of such title. (3) The term "combat-area veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in an area at a time during which hostilities (as defined in section 1712A(a)(2)(B) of such title) occurred in such area.

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