II 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3330 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 7, 2010 Mr. Casey (for himself and Mr. Specter) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the administration of medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans' Health and Radiation Safety Act of 2010.

2.

Annual report on low volume programs at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities

(a)

Annual report

Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

7330B.

Annual report on low volume programs

(a)

Annual report required

The Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report on the low volume programs at each medical facility of the Department. Each such report shall contain the evaluation and the findings of the Secretary with respect to such programs. (b)

Low volume program defined

For purposes of this section, the term low volume program means a program that treats 100 patients or fewer during a calendar year.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7330A the following new item: 7330B. Annual report on low volume programs. .

3.

Use of radioactive isotopes at Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals

(a)

In general

Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 2, is further amended by adding at the end the following new section:

7330C.

Use of radioactive isotopes

(a)

Training required

The Secretary shall ensure that all employees, including employees employed under a contract entered into with a non-government entity, who are employed at a Department hospital where radioactive isotopes are used in the administration of medical services receive appropriate training on what constitutes a medical event and when and to whom a medical event should be reported. (b)

Failure To provide training

If the Secretary determines that any Department hospital has failed to provide the training required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that radioactive isotopes are not used at that hospital for such period as the Secretary determines is appropriate.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter, as amended by section 2, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7330B the following new item: 7330C. Use of radioactive isotopes. .

4.

Requirements relating to contracts for the provision of medical services

(a)

Evaluation of contractors

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out the following evaluations of all medical services provided pursuant to a contract entered into by the Secretary with a non-government entity: (1)Weekly independent peer reviews of such services. (2)Written evaluations of the services carried out by the supervisor or manager of the employee providing the services. (3)Such other evaluations as the Secretary determines are appropriate. (b)

Requirements relating to extension of certain contracts

Before any contracting officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs may extend or renew any contract entered into by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and a non-government entity for the provision of medical services, the contracting officer shall review and take into consideration the results of the evaluations carried out under subsection (a).