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HR 5244 108th Congress House

Comprehensive Assistance for Veterans Exposed to Traumatic Stressors Act of 2004

Official title: To improve programs for the identification and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in veterans and members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

Introduced: November 16, 2004 See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security Access to health careAdministrative procedureAfghanistanAmbulatory care
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Armed forces abroadCase managementClinicsCommunication in medicineCommunity health servicesCongressCongressional reporting requirementsContinuing educationContinuum of careCounselingCrime and Law EnforcementCurriculaDepartment of DefenseDepartment of Veterans AffairsDisability evaluation
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 21, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Oct 7, 2004
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Oct 7, 2004
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 21, 2004

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Comprehensive Assistance for Veterans Exposed to Traumatic Stressors Act of 2004 - Extends eligibility for readjustment counseling services for Vietnam-era veterans.

Requires implementation of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-Department of Defense (DOD) Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund.

Requires: (1) the DOD to assist the VA with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related data collection; (2) routine preventative maintenance intervention for returning members of the Armed Forces; and (3) substance use disorder questions in pre- and post-deployment screens and related treatment protocols.

Provides for a telemedicine program to support health care providers in combat theaters.

Requires a study of factors that decrease the likelihood of developing combat-related chronic PTSD.

Extends the enhanced eligibility period for VA health services for certain veterans.

Provides for participation by the VA in DOD demobilization and Transitional Assistance Program activities to enhance identification of chronic PTSD risk factors.

Requires PTSD educational materials.

Provides for a joint demonstration project that stations VA psychologists and psychiatrists at major demobilization sites and military treatment facilities.

Requires: (1) performance measures that ensure appropriate deployment of resources to implement the Iraq war clinical practice guidelines; (2) establishment of the DOD/VA Council on Post-Deployment Mental Health; (3) a plan for expanded access to specialized PTSD care; and (4) additional mental health services personnel for certain VA programs and locations.

Authorizes counseling for immediate family members of disabled veterans and Armed Forces personnel killed in action.

Establishes a National Steering Committee on PTSD Education.

Addresses deficiencies in compensation and pension examinations with regard to PTSD.

Requires development of criteria for determining which medical conditions are likely associated with PTSD and when secondary service-connection should be granted for those conditions.

Provides for an outreach program to enhance PTSD awareness.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 8
All 8 Democratic 7
D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Dec 6, 2004
 D
Case, Ed
Hawaii · Nov 19, 2004
 D
Schiff, Adam B.
California · Nov 19, 2004
 D
Waters, Maxine
California · Nov 19, 2004
 D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · Nov 18, 2004
 D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Nov 16, 2004
 D
Larson, John B.
Connecticut · Oct 7, 2004
RODRIGUEZ, CIRO
· Oct 7, 2004
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5244: Comprehensive Assistance for Veterans Exposed to Traumatic Stressors Act of 2004. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-5244/
MLA
"H.R. 5244: Comprehensive Assistance for Veterans Exposed to Traumatic Stressors Act of 2004." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-5244/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5244, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-5244/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5244: Comprehensive Assistance for Veterans Exposed to Traumatic Stressors Act of 2004](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-5244/)
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