§2.Interagency Task Force on Complementary and Integrative Health
This section establishes a Task Force on Complementary and Integrative Health/Whole Health within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to be chaired by the Secretary of VA and composed of specified VA officials (including the Executive Director of the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, the Director of the Research and Development Office, and the Executive Director of the Office of Patient-Centered Care and Cultural Transformation), at least one academic researcher specializing in complementary and integrative health, at least one VA clinician experienced in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), depression, or anxiety, at least one representative from a veterans service organization focused on treatment for PTSD, depression, anxiety, or suicide prevention, at least one representative from another relevant organization, and at least one representative from a community-based program successful in improving veterans' mental health through complementary, integrative, or peer-led approaches. The task force must (1) assess veterans' access to complementary and integrative health/whole health therapies (e.g., acupuncture, biofeedback, clinical hypnosis, guided imagery, massage therapy, meditation, tai chi, qigong, yoga, peer-supported programs, and health and wellness coaching) at VA facilities and ways to improve access; (2) develop a framework to evaluate their effectiveness for PTSD, TBI, depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention, and whether VA should expand or modify access; (3) identify research and implementation gaps (e.g., in effectiveness, safety, provider training, service availability); (4) determine integration of emerging therapies, including peer-led and health coaching models, into VA care; (5) analyze factors in treatment dropout, low retention, or relapse and ways to improve outcomes; and (6) identify additional resources or authorities needed from Congress. Not later than one year after establishment (which must occur not later than 90 days after enactment), the task force submits recommendations to the Secretary, who must report them to the congressional Committees on Veterans' Affairs not later than 90 days thereafter and submit a plan to address them not later than 180 days after that report; the task force terminates upon submitting recommendations to the Secretary. The section defines "peer-led model" and "peer-supported program" as veteran-led counseling, mentoring, training, or support complementing clinical services, and "community-based program" as non-governmental or nonprofit local health/wellness services (including those funded by VA grants or partnerships).