HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY PROGRAM FOR VETERANS

(a) In this section, "veteran" means a person who has served in: (1) the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps of the United States; or (2) the Texas National Guard as defined by Section 431.001. (b) The commission by rule shall establish and implement a health care advocacy program to assist veterans in gaining access to health care facilities of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (c) The program shall provide assistance to veterans by: (1) resolving any access issues raised by veterans in this state or referred to the commission by the veterans toll-free hotline operated under Section 161.077, Natural Resources Code; (2) coordinating with the Veterans Health Administration of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to support the health care advocacy program established under this section; (3) coordinating with health care providers in this state to expand providers' opportunities to treat veterans through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; (4) reviewing and researching programs, projects, and initiatives designed to address the health care needs of veterans; (5) evaluating the effectiveness of the efforts of the commission to improve access to health care services for veterans; (6) making recommendations to the executive director of the commission to improve health care services and assistance for veterans; (7) incorporating veterans' health care issues into the commission's strategic plan required under Section 2056.002; (8) assisting veterans in securing benefits and services; and (9) recommending legislative initiatives and policies at the local, state, and national levels to address issues affecting health care for veterans. (d) The executive director of the commission shall appoint a program coordinator to administer the health care advocacy program. (e) The commission shall provide facilities as appropriate to support the program to the extent funding is available for that purpose.