113 HR 5404 : Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014 U.S. House of Representatives 2014-09-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
II 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5404 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 17 (legislative day, September 16), 2014ReceivedAN ACT 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.
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. 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. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers. Sec. 407. Extension of authority for agreement with National Academy of Sciences. Sec. 408. Health professionals education debt reduction. Sec. 409. Amendments to Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014.
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.
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.
<enum>I</enum><header>Extensions of Authority Relating to Health Care</header> <section id="H2502F89CF6B64DBF86E4BC9C3500BE4C"><enum>101.</enum><header>Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1710A(d) is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="HF16FF8ED698C4C789200E5F564A7199F"><enum>102.</enum><header>Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from service in the Armed Forces</header> <subsection id="HC470697CBA7444E096FB37E9F0478CB9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Extension of authority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (d) of section 203 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/111/163">Public Law 111–163</external-xref>; 124 Stat. 1143; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1712A">38 U.S.C. 1712A</external-xref> note) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4E0484CDDF224F7682238AA0F241F279" style="OLC"> <subsection id="HFD256B637E09422BA599DEA2C7293EEE"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Termination</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The authority to carry out a pilot program under this section shall terminate on December 31, 2015.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H5D763C5A673B48CA8E98DA90680F8170"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (f) of such section is amended by striking <quote>fiscal years 2010 and 2011</quote> and inserting <quote>fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2015</quote>.</text> </subsection></section><section id="HB4E34A2321184B8F814EF037FBEB8988"><enum>103.</enum><header>Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health care</header> <subsection id="H168CA0E2ED184DFB895B28B08017930E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Extension of authority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (e) of section 205 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/111/163">Public Law 111–163</external-xref>; 124 Stat. 1144; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1710">38 U.S.C. 1710</external-xref> note) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H915EB022D448422E8D17559B54DA7A4F" style="OLC"> <subsection id="HF5FC28C10BBF4946B814B1DB1CA99CF8"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Termination</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The authority to carry out a pilot program under this section shall terminate on December 31, 2015.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HB28C84BA24974CF8891623AD6911AB0F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (h) of such section is amended by striking <quote>2014</quote> and inserting <quote>2015</quote>.</text> </subsection></section><section id="H61A865B172084F65B3017B22AC6CB46D"><enum>104.</enum><header>Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–163; 124 Stat. 1154; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1710">38 U.S.C. 1710</external-xref> note) is amended by striking <quote>2014</quote> and inserting <quote>2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="H30C51616B583479B9010BF4BD78323B1"><enum>105.</enum><header>Extension of requirement for report on activities of Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program Office</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1635(h)(1) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/110/181">Public Law 110–181</external-xref>; 122 Stat. 460; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking <quote>2014</quote> and inserting <quote>2015</quote>.</text> </section><section commented="no" id="H937F533324CD4A05917A372F2D87CB5F"><enum>106.</enum><header>Extension of authority for the performance of medical disabilities examinations by contract physicians</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 704(c) of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/108/183">Public Law 108–183</external-xref>; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/5101">38 U.S.C. 5101</external-xref> note) is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="HBF52F18D7EC04F3B9063D58E34734734"><enum>107.</enum><header>Extension of authority for collection of copayments for hospital care and nursing home care</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1710(f)(2)(B) is amended by striking <quote>September 30, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="H2A1275C93BC5491D89B95923BB47AA50"><enum>108.</enum><header>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</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended by striking <quote>October 1, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>October 1, 2015</quote>.</text> </section><enum>II</enum><header>Extensions of Authority Relating to Homelessness</header> <section id="HF21749F361304291AEF94EA79741E6C3"><enum>201.</enum><header>Extension of current funding level for comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 2013(7) is amended by striking <quote>$150,000,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$250,000,000</quote>.</text> </section><section id="HAF4256761EFE4E8FAC19742DFDA1F36F"><enum>202.</enum><header>Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration programs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking <quote>2014</quote> and inserting <quote>2015</quote>.</text> </section><section commented="no" id="H84EFB6A43B0F45DF9503C61CA876E4A6"><enum>203.</enum><header>Extension of authority to provide referral and counseling services for certain veterans at risk of homelessness</header> <subsection id="HEE74676E03B148FCB76C84DA522129D0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Extension of authority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (d) of section 2023 is amended by striking <quote>September 30, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2015</quote>.</text> </subsection><subsection id="H0E70B7824BD446D6BC1913FADC639908"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Technical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (c)(3) of such section is amended by striking <quote>enter into contracts</quote> and inserting <quote>make grants</quote>.</text> </subsection></section><section id="H1ACB6F7CB36C435B82B6969DA7159BA0"><enum>204.</enum><header>Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans</header> <subsection id="HC968F3503EF8448A867142A091BA57AB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>General treatment</header><text>Section 2031(b) is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2015</quote>.</text> </subsection><subsection id="H6686F76AA0B44C0F832ECD89351CF5E1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Additional services at certain locations</header><text>Section 2033(d) is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2015</quote>.</text> </subsection></section><section id="H499C95FCD20F4DC28AC26248A1F37EAB"><enum>205.</enum><header>Extension of authority to provide housing assistance for homeless veterans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 2041(c) is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="HE7BE8DCD95F1495DB9B0F55E082E0C6B"><enum>206.</enum><header>Extension of authority to provide financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 2044(e)(1)(E) is amended by striking <quote>fiscal years 2013 and 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>fiscal years 2013 through 2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="HF75EEB58B096494E9945FBDEB820432B"><enum>207.</enum><header>Extension of authority for grant program for homeless veterans with special needs</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking <quote>2014</quote> and inserting <quote>2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="H8F4E6FD67B6A492CA21EC19B0A33BF23"><enum>208.</enum><header>Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 2066(d) is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2015</quote>.</text> </section><enum>III</enum><header>Extensions of Authority Relating to Benefits</header> <section id="H9D4B70A82E2A47C08515895873FB68BF"><enum>301.</enum><header>Extension of authority for the Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 3692(c) is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="H285D3CE44A1E4ABE97FB1AEEEA568A08"><enum>302.</enum><header>Extension of authority for calculating net value of real property at time of foreclosure</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking <quote>October 1, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>October 1, 2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="H1710005E9AFF4BDC9A3A011D55F88C0E"><enum>303.</enum><header>Extension of authority relating to vendee loans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 3733(a)(7) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H67FC86BF502B4C8E820898CF32E05035"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>September 30, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2015</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H87CDF95A6C8F4BA2A76A3D76578DD43D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (C), by striking <quote>September 30, 2014,</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2015,</quote>.</text> </paragraph></section><enum>IV</enum><header>Other Extensions of Authority and Other Matters</header> <section id="HE70F6323699B4A59B0921A27B62651D8"><enum>401.</enum><header>Extension of authority to transport certain individuals to and from Department of Veterans Affairs facilities</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 111A(a)(2) is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="H4DA0714717414536ADBBEEEB636D5451"><enum>402.</enum><header>Extension of authority for operation of the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 315(b) is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="HFC286B6B42664F3CA4A9ECB9823D72D0"><enum>403.</enum><header>Extension of requirement to provide reports to Congress regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative error</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 503(c) is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="H3586207E888E4A75A7F55EF4C5998FD6"><enum>404.</enum><header>Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 544(e) is amended by striking <quote>December 31, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="H8C01356ECBF94397A2C1CC21DFD35CB7"><enum>405.</enum><header>Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 2101(a)(4) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H5E755D1D64D8415FB9AF9A2D69164012"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>September 30, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>September 30, 2015</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H08D3AE2D768C4AD891B43E71D6E59BF4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B), by striking <quote>fiscal year 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015</quote>.</text> </paragraph></section><section id="H6F534CD77EDF41CBBBB60B787F5AD79A"><enum>406.</enum><header>Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">During the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the second sentence of section 3684(c) shall be applied—</text> <paragraph id="HE29E11E6D08D417981CE9782EA933D65"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by substituting <quote>$9</quote> for <quote>$12</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HFAE0E25D4FBA4BA09658099811B3DEF8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by substituting <quote>$13</quote> for <quote>$15</quote>.</text> </paragraph></section><section id="H80C21B0B98DD418CB469D98D6C1A60B2"><enum>407.</enum><header>Extension of authority for agreement with National Academy of Sciences</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/102/4">Public Law 102–4</external-xref>; 105 Stat. 13; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1116">38 U.S.C. 1116</external-xref> note) is amended by striking <quote>October 1, 2014</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2015</quote>.</text> </section><section id="H7D74D3D4FF814D3CA9B9F8CE09B567C1"><enum>408.</enum><header>Health professionals education debt reduction</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 7683 is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H6EBE1283A87B46808C360886E0C1B413"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H102BAA8E7CE54F21B7B0FAD9AD737668" style="USC"> <subsection id="HCD00FCD034D74F7D9D2C998FC586A79B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Education debt reduction payments under the Education Debt Reduction Program shall consist of—</text> <paragraph id="H9A758C98222F4E9089C357C1889D8EF0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>payments to individuals selected to participate in the program of principal and interest on loans described in section 7682(a)(2) of this title; or</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H96B2334287E44A8496E0AF747BA7A682"><enum>(2)</enum><text>payments for the principal and interest on such loans of such individuals to the holders of such loans.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>; </after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph><paragraph id="HE8FACECAFEB14D0E95252DA15042DF79"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsections (b) and (c), by striking <quote>payments to</quote> both places it appears and inserting <quote>payments to or for</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HE421642C4DA14495ABFB14C9F6B21379"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in subsection (d)—</text> <subparagraph id="H392144AB456C4D579F7C4A787AC58D48"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>made to</quote> and inserting <quote>made to or for</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8C556D229B2A4C28B7F119301E3F5009"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)(A), by striking <quote>payable to that</quote> and inserting <quote>payable to or for that</quote>.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="H6F2AC333150B4617B9E24AB2D783F9A9"><enum>409.</enum><header>Amendments to Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014</header> <subsection id="H6EDCC20F31A44E31BEE48FBF7D0D06F4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Expanded availability of hospital care and medical services</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/113/146">Public Law 113–146</external-xref>; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended—</text> <paragraph commented="no" id="HD5413D29839F4E6097DC1DC3DB5B8CD2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (c)—</text> <subparagraph id="H7872E73696564C16AC54DD2B7091A33F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting <quote>provide the veteran an appointment that exceeds the wait-time goals described in such subsection or</quote> before <quote>place such</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB7BEEB29F17E4EBCAB30E374B194B26C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by inserting <quote>(or other digital channel)</quote> after <quote>website</quote>;</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H272FB2AC75304382AD7A724E21C46F3A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (d)(1)(A), by adding at the end the following new sentences: <quote>An agreement entered into pursuant to this subparagraph may not be treated as a Federal contract for the acquisition of goods or services and is not subject to any provision of law governing Federal contracts for 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.</quote>;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H059C6276EE684B8084E1CDD92A6119AD"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in subsection (l)(1), by inserting <quote>a copy of</quote> before <quote>any medical record</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H75C91BB89DB5432AB12C3BC30256894C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H078AF9280F39453E9C861F4632D9F5E1" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H33118E03858B42A685E862CFAF236174"><enum>(t)</enum><header>Waiver of certain printing requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/44/501">Section 501</external-xref> of title 44, United States Code, shall not apply in carrying out this section.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4A24F516507048D1A9FB1EE4188502D3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Collaboration between VA and Indian Health Service</header><text>Section 102 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/113/146">Public Law 113–146</external-xref>; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H306FD7C96A5B46BA9575C1E252974339"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (b), by striking <quote>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish</quote> and inserting the following: <quote>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Indian Health Service shall jointly establish and implement</quote>;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H0D9D32446F7D4A1199854B7DB3F4A6C5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD708B66B4AD94038B2E363E828BA93D8" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H67BEDEFCE612401F910A86022AF8FD3B"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H1D2C3544B2F947788F07C9C59DBE6C08"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by striking subsection (d).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HB0354A081E5C4A04905DDAC25C0B9C8A"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Prompt payment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 105 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/113/146">Public Law 113–146</external-xref>; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended—</text> <paragraph commented="no" id="H043011F67DA64DED9B12D45B5E1640F9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a), by striking <quote>section 1315</quote> and inserting <quote>part 1315</quote>;</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HE43B330E41424096ACDF4601A692220A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b)(2), by striking <quote>chapter 39</quote> and inserting <quote>chapter 39 of title 31</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H9BBE223D8B4D4637ACD7F171751E2CF7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in subsection (d), by striking <quote>required by subsection (b)</quote> and inserting <quote>required by subsection (c)</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H8D1322D195454E6EA13F1205FC04600E"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Improvement of access to mobile vet centers</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 204 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/113/146">Public Law 113–146</external-xref>; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HDD9263D74C184DA89A13E535EC1628B9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text> <subparagraph id="H20CCBE49791E4B069E6BE3129FBD6C75"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by inserting <quote>and readjustment counseling services</quote> after <quote>other health care</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC61F1A9002B74D96B3605F3B9072696F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)—</text> <clause id="HDCAAA92FD7BD4E95921D54A98ACB4058"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B), by inserting <quote>and events</quote> after <quote>locations</quote>; and</text> </clause><clause id="H5BB3CA8833E44337B1B6E6163B0B5515"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in subparagraph (C), by inserting <quote>and outreach contacts</quote> after <quote>appointments</quote>; and</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H2220080C36404F96A8F90E5E46EE2078"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b)(2)—</text> <subparagraph id="HB2965AB9A0FC4B8FACE6AF9427109A58"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A)—</text> <clause id="H236507B3B2D647D1B82DA1DB516D26FA"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting <quote>and readjustment counseling</quote> after <quote>telemedicine services</quote>; and</text> </clause><clause id="H4C5ED7A03B8944878FE2AB6D5A76F86F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in clause (iii), by inserting <quote>and outreach contacts</quote> after <quote>appointments</quote>;</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1DF9318953A144F29EBA36CA7346182C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B), by inserting <quote>and readjustment counseling</quote> after <quote>health care services</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF27DD9734733445AB9998A235175FB37"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (E), by striking <quote>mobile vet centers and</quote>.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD4AFE85C6AFA48ABA97372AC32316C51"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Improved transparency</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 206(b) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/113/146">Public Law 113–146</external-xref>; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1701">38 U.S.C. 1701</external-xref> note) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H49266C657BBE4CF69C604E5160C9CE3D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>comprehensive database</quote> and inserting <quote>comprehensive, machine-readable data set</quote>;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H7FCA0108E6E84E8F968F142B25F8AC5B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (3), by striking <quote>notice in the database of the reason</quote> and inserting <quote>notice of the reason</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HDFEB9EEBE8BA4B89B4BE21CEE5FDD169"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), by striking <quote>database</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>data</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC75D8677E2934AD39FDF46052C864E08"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Information on credentials</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 207 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/113/146">Public Law 113–146</external-xref>; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by striking <quote>successor database</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>successor data set</quote>.</text> </subsection><subsection id="H072B17C72ADE47A4A56A19173158454E"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Report on staffing shortages</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 301(b)(3) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–146) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HA5B273E7E7C54A3D8651A9898D667585"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>Not later</quote> and all that follows through <quote>2019</quote> and inserting the following: <quote>On October 1 of each year beginning in 2015 and ending in 2019</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H631C7CD84CF046EABE3E760015A9C54D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B)—</text> <subparagraph commented="no" id="HD93DB74F021F4E5ABF2F06EB054739B1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in clause (iii), by striking <quote>at each</quote> and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: <quote>or guidelines of the Department with respect to determining the ratio of residents to staff supervising residents.</quote>; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H72B0D12340B5419D8399FB00C063F154"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking clause (v) and inserting the following new clause:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4AB6DAD6004647C99DBC0DDC5C901951" style="OLC"> <clause id="HE45C783568734D358CED69A80159AC85"><enum>(v)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA2A85CC7DDAB470D9F2BEB9412AF542E"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Project ARCH</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 403(j) of the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–387; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/38/1703">38 U.S.C. 1703</external-xref> note) is amended—</text> <paragraph commented="no" id="HA6779E678EFC498C91D799DAB9574F21"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>In carrying out</quote> and inserting <quote>Notwithstanding any provision of law relating to the use of competitive procedures in entering into contracts, in carrying out</quote>; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H959A7F85A9EC4F4BA3A59F003CE43B7B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>under this section</quote> after <quote>make use of contracts entered into</quote>.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HB972F222952E46FEAA957CD2206B04DB"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Clarification of approval of courses of education provided by public institutions of higher learning and in-State tuition rate for veterans</header><text>Paragraph (1) of section 3679(c) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB226D2D8178F40D996921449AAA091C3" style="USC"> <paragraph id="H2BEC83E8F49B4A15ACADDE203C6D0157" indent="up1"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </subsection></section> Passed the House of Representatives September 16, 2014.Karen L. Haas,Clerk