S. 4031 — Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act

This section establishes not fewer than five innovative therapies centers of excellence at designated Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities, with appropriate geographic distribution, subject to the availability of appropriations. Designation requires (1) a peer review panel determination of highest competitive scientific and clinical merit and (2) capabilities including affiliations with accredited medical, psychiatry, and social work schools; ability to attract innovative scientists; an advisory committee of veterans and experts; effective evaluation, national coordination, consortium development for access, and a national data repository on innovative therapies for covered conditions. The Under Secretary for Health must establish a peer review panel of innovative therapies experts (with initial staggered terms of two or three years, not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act) to assess proposals; convene an advisory committee at each center; and submit annual reports to the congressional Veterans' Affairs Committees beginning two years after enactment, summarizing activities, key findings, improvement recommendations, and other matters. This section authorizes $30 million annually for the centers' research and education activities and directs allocation of additional amounts from VA medical services and prosthetics research accounts, as appropriate.