S. 297 · 114th Congress
Frontlines to Lifelines Act of 2015
- Stage
- In committee
- Sponsor
- Mark Kirk
- Introduced
- 2015-01-28
- Latest action
- 2015-06-03 · Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-201.
Summary
Frontlines to Lifelines Act of 2015
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to revive, for a three-year period, VA's Intermediate Care Technician Pilot Program that was carried out between January 2013 and February 2014. Requires VA to: (1) expand the pilot program to include at least 250 intermediate care technicians, and (2) give priority in assigning those technicians to VA facilities at which veterans have the longest wait times.
Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to transfer credentialing data regarding DOD health care providers that are hired by VA to VA.
Authorizes VA to allow a covered nurse to practice independently, without the supervision or direction of others, under a set of VA-approved privileges, regardless of the state in which VA employs the covered nurse. Defines a "covered nurse" as an advanced practice registered nurse who is employed by VA as: (1) a nurse midwife; (2) a clinical nurse specialist, with respect to the provision of mental health care; or (3) a nurse practitioner.