Include eyeglass lens fittings in the category of medical services authorized to be furnished to veterans under the Veterans Community Care…

Subparagraph (C) of paragraph (6) of section 1701 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting services, fittings for eyeglass lenses, after Optometric.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish policies and procedures and prescribe regulations to carry out the amendment made by subsection (a). Under such regulations, the Secretary shall ensure that a veteran eligible to receive medical services from a non-Department of Veterans Affairs provider under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, can schedule an appointment for a fitting for eyeglass lenses at such a provider in geographic proximity to the veteran.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes—

(1) a statement of the status of the implementation of the amendment made by subsection (a);

(2) a summary of any challenges faced with respect to such implementation;

(3) a strategy to mitigate such challenges, if applicable; and

(4) an assessment of the benefits for veterans resulting from such amendment.