Working group on rural veteran dental access

(a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish an internal working group within the Department to evaluate dental care access challenges faced by veterans residing in rural areas. (b) Membership The working group shall include representatives from— (1) the Veterans Health Administration; (2) the Office of Rural Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs; (3) other relevant offices of the Department, as determined by the Secretary; and (4) representatives of community-based dental providers, nonprofit organizations, and other entities with experience providing mobile or community-based dental services, as appropriate. (c) Duties The working group shall— (1) assess the availability of dental services for veterans residing in rural areas; (2) identify existing mobile or community-based dental programs serving such areas; (3) evaluate barriers that veterans face in accessing dental services through community providers; (4) identify opportunities for improved coordination between the Department and community dental providers; (5) identify best practices for outreach, provider coordination, mobile service delivery, and the use of reimbursements, contracts, or other agreements under the pilot program established under section 2; and (6) assess barriers to accessing dental benefits faced by veterans residing in rural areas who are otherwise eligible for dental care and services furnished by the Department under section 1712 of title 38, United States Code. (d) Recommendations Not later than 18 months after the date on which the working group is established, the working group shall submit to the Secretary a summary of its findings under subsection (c). The Secretary shall consider such findings in carrying out the pilot program under section 2 and shall address in the report required under section 4 any actions taken in response to such findings.