[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5404 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5404

   To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring 
 provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
                        and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 8, 2014

   Mr. Denham (for himself and Mr. Miller of Florida) introduced the 
   following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' 
 Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services and the 
 Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
   each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
                jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring 
 provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department of 
Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects.
        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

Sec. 101. Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to 
                            certain veterans with service-connected 
                            disabilities.
Sec. 102. Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in 
                            retreat settings for women veterans newly 
                            separated from service in the Armed Forces.
Sec. 103. Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for 
                            child care for certain veterans receiving 
                            health care.
Sec. 104. Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service 
                            organizations for transportation of highly 
                            rural veterans.
Sec. 105. Extension of requirement for report on activities of 
                            Department of Defense-Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs Interagency Program 
                            Office.
Sec. 106. Extension of authority for the performance of medical 
                            disabilities examinations by contract 
                            physicians.
Sec. 107. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for 
                            hospital care and nursing home care.
Sec. 108. Extension of authority for recovery from third parties of 
                            cost of care and services furnished to 
                            veterans with health-plan contracts for 
                            non-service-connected disability.
       TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS

Sec. 201. Extension of current funding level for comprehensive service 
                            programs for homeless veterans.
Sec. 202. Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration 
                            programs.
Sec. 203. Extension of authority to provide referral and counseling 
                            services for certain veterans at risk of 
                            homelessness.
Sec. 204. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation 
                            services for seriously mentally ill and 
                            homeless veterans.
Sec. 205. Extension of authority to provide housing assistance for 
                            homeless veterans.
Sec. 206. Extension of authority to provide financial assistance for 
                            supportive services for very low-income 
                            veteran families in permanent housing.
Sec. 207. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless 
                            veterans with special needs.
Sec. 208. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless 
                            Veterans.
        TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

Sec. 301. Extension of authority for the Veterans' Advisory Committee 
                            on Education.
Sec. 302. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real 
                            property at time of foreclosure.
Sec. 303. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans.
Sec. 304. Extension of authority to provide rehabilitation and 
                            vocational benefits to members of the Armed 
                            Forces with severe injuries or illnesses.
       TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 401. Extension of authority to transport certain individuals to 
                            and from Department of Veterans Affairs 
                            facilities.
Sec. 402. Extension of authority for operation of the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, 
                            the Republic of the Philippines.
Sec. 403. Extension of requirement to provide reports to Congress 
                            regarding equitable relief in the case of 
                            administrative error.
Sec. 404. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority 
                            Veterans.
Sec. 405. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility 
                            for specially adapted housing assistance 
                            for certain veterans with disabilities 
                            causing difficulty ambulating.
Sec. 406. Extension of authority for agreement with National Academy of 
                            Sciences.
Sec. 407. Assistance and enforcement of USERRA rights with respect to 
                            employers that are Federal departments and 
                            agencies.
Sec. 408. Health professionals education debt reduction.
Sec. 409. Amendments to Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act 
                            of 2014.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States 
Code.

SEC. 3. SCORING OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

    The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying 
with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by 
reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO 
Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional 
Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that 
such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME CARE TO 
              CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.

    Section 1710A(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2015''.

SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON COUNSELING IN 
              RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN VETERANS NEWLY SEPARATED FROM 
              SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES.

    (a) Extension of Authority.--Subsection (d) of section 203 of the 
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 
111-163; 124 Stat. 1143; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(d) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program 
under this section shall terminate on December 31, 2015.''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (f) of such 
section is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2010 and 2011'' and 
inserting ``fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2015''.

SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON ASSISTANCE FOR 
              CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.

    (a) Extension of Authority.--Subsection (e) of section 205 of the 
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 
111-163; 124 Stat. 1144; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(e) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program 
under this section shall terminate on December 31, 2015.''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of such 
section is amended by striking ``2014'' and inserting ``2015''.

SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS SERVICE 
              ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF HIGHLY RURAL 
              VETERANS.

    Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health 
Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1154; 38 U.S.C. 
1710 note) is amended by striking ``2014'' and inserting ``2015''.

SEC. 105. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF 
              DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              INTERAGENCY PROGRAM OFFICE.

    Section 1635(h)(1) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public 
Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 460; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking 
``2014'' and inserting ``2015''.

SEC. 106. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL 
              DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.

    Section 704(c) of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (Public Law 
108-183; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
2014'' and inserting ``December 31, 2015''.

SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR 
              HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.

    Section 1710(f)(2)(B) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2014'' 
and inserting ``September 30, 2015''.

SEC. 108. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY FROM THIRD PARTIES OF 
              COST OF CARE AND SERVICES FURNISHED TO VETERANS WITH 
              HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACTS FOR NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED 
              DISABILITY.

    Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2014'' 
and inserting ``October 1, 2015''.

       TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS

SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF CURRENT FUNDING LEVEL FOR COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE 
              PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Section 2013(7) is amended by striking ``$150,000,000'' and 
inserting ``$250,000,000''.

SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION 
              PROGRAMS.

    Section 2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking ``2014'' and inserting 
``2015''.

SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REFERRAL AND COUNSELING 
              SERVICES FOR CERTAIN VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

    Section 2023(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2014'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2015''.

SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION 
              SERVICES FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL AND HOMELESS 
              VETERANS.

    (a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) is amended by striking 
``December 31, 2014'' and inserting ``September 30, 2015''.
    (b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 2033(d) is 
amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and inserting ``September 30, 
2015''.

SEC. 205. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR 
              HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Section 2041(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2015''.

SEC. 206. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR 
              SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES 
              IN PERMANENT HOUSING.

    Section 2044(e)(1)(E) is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2013 
and 2014'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2013 through 2015''.

SEC. 207. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS 
              VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

    Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking ``2014'' and inserting 
``2015''.

SEC. 208. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HOMELESS 
              VETERANS.

    Section 2066(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

        TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
              ON EDUCATION.

    Section 3692(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CALCULATING NET VALUE OF REAL 
              PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.

    Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2014'' and 
inserting ``October 1, 2015''.

SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.

    Section 3733(a)(7) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
        ``September 30, 2014'' and inserting ``September 30, 2015''; 
        and
            (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 
        2014,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2015,''.

SEC. 304. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION AND 
              VOCATIONAL BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH 
              SEVERE INJURIES OR ILLNESSES.

    Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public 
Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 458; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking 
``December 31, 2014'' and inserting ``December 31, 2015''.

       TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO TRANSPORT CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TO 
              AND FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FACILITIES.

    Section 111A(a)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2015''.

SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE IN MANILA, THE REPUBLIC 
              OF THE PHILIPPINES.

    Section 315(b) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2015''.

SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE REPORTS TO CONGRESS 
              REGARDING EQUITABLE RELIEF IN THE CASE OF ADMINISTRATIVE 
              ERROR.

    Section 503(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2015''.

SEC. 404. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MINORITY 
              VETERANS.

    Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

SEC. 405. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY 
              FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN 
              VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY AMBULATING.

    Section 2101(a)(4) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2014'' 
        and inserting ``September 30, 2015''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``fiscal year 2014'' 
        and inserting ``each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015''.

SEC. 406. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL ACADEMY OF 
              SCIENCES.

    Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-4; 105 
Stat. 13; 38 U.S.C. 1116 note) is amended by striking ``October 1, 
2014'' and inserting ``December 31, 2015''.

SEC. 407. ASSISTANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF USERRA RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO 
              EMPLOYERS THAT ARE FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.

    (a) Assistance.--Section 4321 is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(a) State 
        and Private Employers.--The Secretary'';
            (2) by inserting after ``this chapter'' the following: 
        ``with respect to a State (as an employer) or a private 
        employer''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Federal Employers.--The Office of Special Counsel established 
by section 1211 of title 5 shall provide assistance to any person with 
respect to the employment and reemployment rights and benefits to which 
such person is entitled under this chapter with respect to a Federal 
executive agency or the Office of Personnel Management. In providing 
such assistance, the Special Counsel may request the assistance of 
existing Federal and State agencies engaged in similar or related 
activities and utilize the assistance of volunteers.''.
    (b) Investigation and Enforcement.--Section 4324 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
                following new paragraph (1):
    ``(1)(A) A person described in subparagraph (B) may file a 
complaint with the Office of Special Counsel established by section 
1211 of title 5, and the Special Counsel shall investigate such 
complaint.
    ``(B) A person described in this subparagraph is a person who 
claims that--
            ``(i) such person is entitled under this chapter to 
        employment or reemployment rights or benefits with respect to 
        employment by an employer that is a Federal executive agency; 
        and
            ``(ii) such employer or the Office of Personnel Management 
        has failed or refused, or is about to fail or refuse, to comply 
        with the provisions of this chapter.
    ``(C) Such a complaint shall be in writing, be in such form as the 
Special Counsel may prescribe, include the name and address of the 
employer against whom the complaint is filed, and contain a summary of 
the allegations that form the basis for the complaint.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``the 
                        person on whose behalf a complaint is 
                        referred'' and inserting ``a person who submits 
                        a complaint''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) by striking ``60 days'' and 
                                inserting ``90 days''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``receives a 
                                referral'' and inserting ``receives a 
                                person's complaint'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2); and
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as 
                paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) This subchapter does not apply to any action relating to 
benefits to be provided under the Thrift Savings Plan under title 5.''.
    (c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Chapter 43 is amended--
            (1) in section 4322--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1), by inserting after 
                        ``an employer'' the following: ``that is a 
                        State or a private employer''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (2)--
                                    (I) by striking ``(A)'';
                                    (II) by striking ``; or'' and 
                                inserting a comma; and
                                    (III) by striking subparagraph (B);
                    (B) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``or 4324, as 
                the case may be'';
                    (C) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``(in the 
                case of a person submitting a complaint against a State 
                or private employer) or section 4324 (in the case of a 
                person submitting a complaint against a Federal 
                executive agency or the Office of Personnel 
                Management)'';
                    (D) by striking subsection (g); and
                    (E) by striking the section heading and inserting 
                the following: ``Investigation and resolution of claims 
                with respect to a State or private employer'';
            (2) in section 4325(d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or the Special 
                Counsel'' after ``Secretary''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, the Special 
                Counsel,'' after ``Secretary'';
            (3) in section 4326--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) by striking ``the Secretary's duly 
                        authorized representatives'' and inserting 
                        ``the duly authorized representatives of the 
                        Secretary or the Special Counsel, as the case 
                        may be,'' and
                            (ii) by striking ``the Secretary 
                        considers'' and inserting ``the Secretary or 
                        the Special Counsel, as the case may be, 
                        considers'';
                    (B) in subsection (b), by inserting after 
                ``Secretary'' both places it appears the following: 
                ``(or the Special Counsel, as the case may be)''; and
                    (C) in subsection (c), by inserting ``or the 
                Special Counsel'' after ``Secretary'' each place it 
                appears;
            (4) in section 4327--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking 
                ``4324(a)(1),''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b), by inserting ``the Special 
                Counsel,'' after ``the Secretary,''; and
            (5) in section 4332(b)(3)--
                    (A) by striking ``received a referral'' and 
                inserting ``received a complaint submitted''; and
                    (B) by striking ``for such referral''.
    (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 43 is amended by striking the item relating to section 4322 and 
inserting the following new item:

``4322. Investigation and resolution of claims with respect to a State 
                            or private employer.''.
    (e) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--This section and the amendments made by 
        this section shall take effect on the date that is 90 days 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (2) Transfer of functions; funding.--During the 90-day 
        period following the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
        Special Counsel shall enter into an agreement with the 
        Secretary of Labor to transfer to the Special Counsel such sums 
        as may be necessary to carry out the functions reassigned to 
        the Special Counsel pursuant to this section. The Director of 
        the Office of Management and Budget shall coordinate with the 
        Special Counsel and the Secretary of Labor in entering into and 
        carrying out such agreement. No funds may be transferred under 
        an agreement entered into under this paragraph on or after the 
        first day of any period for which appropriations are provided 
        for the Office of Special Counsel in an appropriations Act 
        (other than a continuing resolution) enacted subsequent to the 
        date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 408. HEALTH PROFESSIONALS EDUCATION DEBT REDUCTION.

    Section 7683 is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following 
        new subsection:
    ``(a) In General.--Education debt reduction payments under the 
Education Debt Reduction Program shall consist of--
            ``(1) payments to individuals selected to participate in 
        the program of amounts to reimburse such individuals for 
        payments by such individuals of principal and interest on loans 
        described in section 7682(a)(2) of this title; or
            ``(2) payments for the principal and interest on such loans 
        of such individuals to the holders of such loans.'';
            (2) in subsections (b) and (c), by striking ``payments to'' 
        both places it appears and inserting ``payments to or for''; 
        and
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``made to'' and 
                inserting ``made to or for''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``payable to 
                that'' and inserting ``payable to or for that''.

SEC. 409. AMENDMENTS TO VETERANS ACCESS, CHOICE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT 
              OF 2014.

    (a) Expanded Availability of Hospital Care and Medical Services.--
Section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 
2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``provide the 
                veteran an appointment that exceeds the wait-time goals 
                described in such subsection or'' before ``place 
                such''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(or other 
                digital channel)'' after ``website'';
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by adding at the end the 
                following new sentence: ``An agreement entered into 
                pursuant to this subparagraph may not be treated as a 
                public contract for the acquisition of goods or 
                services and is not subject to any provision of law 
                governing public contracts or the acquisition of goods 
                or services. Before entering into an agreement pursuant 
                to this subparagraph, the Secretary shall, to the 
                maximum extent practicable and consistent with the 
                requirements of this section, furnish such care and 
                services to such veterans under this section with such 
                entities pursuant to sharing agreements, existing 
                contracts entered into by the Secretary, or other 
                processes available at medical facilities of the 
                Department.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(B)(ii)--
                            (i) in subclause (I), by striking ``The 
                        Secretary'' and inserting ``Except as provided 
                        by subclause (III), the Secretary''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the following new 
                        subclause:
                                    ``(III) Special rules for alaska 
                                and maryland.--With respect to 
                                furnishing care or services under this 
                                section in Alaska, the Secretary shall 
                                negotiate a rate in accordance with the 
                                Alaska Fee Schedule of the Department 
                                of Veterans Affairs except in instances 
                                where the Secretary enters into another 
                                agreement, including a contract or 
                                provider agreement. With respect to 
                                furnishing care or services under this 
                                section in Maryland, in the event of an 
                                all-payer Medicare waiver under section 
                                1115A of the Social Security Act (42 
                                U.S.C. 1315a), the Secretary shall 
                                ensure that rates are negotiated in 
                                accordance with rates established 
                                pursuant to such waiver, except in 
                                instances where the Secretary enters 
                                into another payment agreement.'';
            (3) in subsection (l)(1), by inserting ``a copy of'' before 
        ``any medical record''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(t) Waiver of Certain Printing Requirements.--Section 501 of 
title 44, United States Code, shall not apply in carrying out this 
section.''.
    (b) Collaboration Between VA and Indian Health Service.--Section 
102 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 
(Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``The Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs shall establish'' and inserting the following: 
        ``The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Director of the 
        Indian Health Service shall jointly establish and implement'';
            (2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following 
        new paragraph:
            ``(3) Entering into an agreement between the Department and 
        the Indian Health Service described in paragraph (2)(A) with 
        respect to the effect of such agreement on the priority access 
        of any Indian to health care services provided through the 
        Indian Health Service, the eligibility of any Indian to receive 
        health services through the Indian Health Service, and the 
        quality of health care services provided to any Indian through 
        the Indian Health Service.''; and
            (3) by striking subsection (d).
    (c) Prompt Payment.--Section 105 of the Veterans Access, Choice, 
and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 
note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``section 1315'' and 
        inserting ``part 1315'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``chapter 39'' and 
        inserting ``chapter 39 of title 31''; and
            (3) in subsection (d), by striking ``required by subsection 
        (b)'' and inserting ``required by subsection (c)''.
    (d) Improvement of Access to Mobile Vet Centers.--Section 204 of 
the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 
113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and 
                readjustment counseling services'' after ``other health 
                care''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and 
                        events'' after ``locations''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting 
                        ``and outreach contacts'' after 
                        ``appointments''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                        inserting ``and readjustment counseling'' after 
                        ``telemedicine services''; and
                            (ii) in clause (iii), by inserting ``and 
                        outreach contracts'' after ``appointments'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and 
                readjustment counseling'' after ``health care 
                services''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``mobile vet 
                centers and''.
    (e) Improved Transparency.--Section 206(b) of the Veterans Access, 
Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
1701 note) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``comprehensive 
        database'' and inserting ``comprehensive, machine-readable data 
        set'';
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``notice in the database 
        of the reason'' and inserting ``notice of the reason''; and
            (3) in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), by striking 
        ``database'' each place it appears and inserting ``data''.
    (f) Information on Credentials.--Section 207 of the Veterans 
Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 
U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by striking ``successor database'' each 
place it appears and inserting ``successor data set''.
    (g) Report on Staffing Shortages.--Section 301(b)(3) of the 
Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 
113-146) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``Not later'' and all 
        that follows through ``2019'' and inserting the following: ``On 
        October 1 of each year beginning in 2015 and ending in 2019''; 
        and
            (2) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) in clause (iii), by striking ``at each'' and 
                all that follows through the period at the end and 
                inserting the following: ``or guidelines of the 
                Department with respect to determining the ratio of 
                residents to staff supervising residents.''; and
                    (B) by striking clause (v) and inserting the 
                following new clause:
                            ``(v) Efforts of the Department, as of the 
                        date of the submittal of the report, to recruit 
                        and retain medical residents to work for the 
                        Veterans Health Administration as full-time 
                        employees.''.
    (h) Project ARCH.--Section 403(j) of the Veterans' Mental Health 
and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 38 U.S.C. 
1703 note) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``In carrying out'' and inserting 
        ``Notwithstanding any provision of law relating to the use of 
        competitive procedures in entering into contracts, in carrying 
        out''; and
            (2) by inserting ``under this section'' after ``make use of 
        contracts entered into''.
    (i) Clarification of Approval of Courses of Education Provided by 
Public Institutions of Higher Learning and In-State Tuition Rate for 
Veterans.--Paragraph (1) of section 3679(c) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and 
subject to paragraphs (3) through (6), the Secretary shall disapprove a 
course of education provided by a public institution of higher learning 
if the institution charges tuition and fees for that course for covered 
individuals who are pursuing the course with educational assistance 
under chapter 30 or 33 of this title while living in the State in which 
the institution is located at a rate that is higher than the rate the 
institution charges for tuition and fees for that course for residents 
of the State in which the institution is located, regardless of the 
covered individual's State of residence.''.
                                 <all>