[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 10 (Thursday, January 25, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H901-H903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXTENDING AUTHORITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS RELATING TO 
                  DELIVERY OF HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the 
Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 2353) to amend title 38, United States 
Code, to extend certain expiring authorities of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs relating to delivery of health and medical care, and 
for other purposes, with Senate amendments thereto, and to concur in 
the Senate amendments with amendments.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The Clerk read the Senate amendments and the House amendments to the 
Senate amendments, as follows:

       Senate amendments:
       Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES.

       (a) Authority To Provide Priority Health Care for Certain 
     Veterans Exposed to Toxic Substances.--(1) Effective June 29, 
     1995, section 1710(e)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking out ``after June 30, 1995,'' and all that 
     follows through ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``after December 31, 1996''.
       (2) Section 1712(a)(1)(D) of such title is amended by 
     striking out ``December 31, 1995,'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``December 31, 1996,''.
       (b) Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Dependence.--Section 
     1720A(e) of such title is amended by striking out ``December 
     31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 
     1997''.
       (c) Pilot Program for Noninstitutional Alternatives to 
     Nursing Home Care.--Section 1720C(a) of such title is amended 
     by striking out ``September 30, 1995,'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``December 31, 1997,''.
       (d) Negotiated Interest Rates.--Section 3703(c)(4)(D) of 
     such title is amended by striking out ``December 31, 1995'' 
     and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
       (e) Mortgages for Energy Efficient Improvements.--Section 
     3710(d)(7) of such title is amended by striking out 
     ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``December 31, 1997''.
       (f) Enhanced Loan Asset Sale Authority.--Section 3720(h)(2) 
     of such title is amended by striking out ``December 31, 
     1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1996''.
       (g) Authority of Lenders of Automatically Guaranteed Loans 
     to Review Appraisals.--Section 3731(f)(3) of such title is 
     amended by striking out ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting 
     in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
       (h) Agreements for Housing Assistance for Homeless 
     Veterans.--Section 3735(c) of such title is amended by 
     striking out ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
     
[[Page H902]]

       (i) Use of Data on Compensation for Certified Registered 
     Nurse Anesthetists.--Effective March 31, 1995, section 
     7451(d)(3)(C)(iii) of such title is amended by striking out 
     ``April 1, 1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 
     31, 1997''.
       (j) Health Professional Scholarship Program.--Section 7618 
     of such title is amended by striking out ``December 31, 
     1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
       (k) Enhanced-Use Leases of Real Property.--Section 8169 of 
     such title is amended by striking out ``December 31, 1995'' 
     and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
       (l) Authority for Community-Based Residential Care for 
     Homeless Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans and Other 
     Veterans.--Section 115(d) of the Veterans' Benefits and 
     Services Act of 1988 (38 U.S.C. 1712 note) is amended by 
     striking out ``September 30, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
       (m) Demonstration Program of Compensated Work Therapy.--
     Section 7(a) of Public Law 102-54 (38 U.S.C. 1718 note) is 
     amended by striking out ``fiscal years 1991 through 1995'' 
     and inserting in lieu thereof ``the period beginning on 
     October 1, 1991, and ending on December 31, 1997,''.
       (n) Authority To Make Grants for Assistance in Furnishing 
     Services and Assistance to Homeless Veterans.--(1) Section 
     3(a) of the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Service Programs 
     Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-590; 106 Stat. 5136; 38 U.S.C. 
     7721 note) is amended by striking out ``fiscal years 1993, 
     1994, and 1995,'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``fiscal 
     years 1993 through 1997,''.
       (2) Section 12 of such Act (106 Stat. 5142) is amended by 
     striking out ``each of the fiscal years 1993, 1994, and 
     1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``each of fiscal years 
     1993 through 1997''.
       (o) Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Projects.--(1) Section 
     738(e)(1) of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 11448(e)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(D) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1996''.
       ``(E) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1997.''.
       (2) Section 741 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 11450) is amended by 
     striking out ``October 1, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``October 1, 1997''.
       (p) Effective Date.--Except as provided in subsections 
     (a)(1) and (i), the amendments made by this section shall 
     take effect on October 1, 1995.
       (q) Ratification of Actions.--The following actions are 
     hereby ratified:
       (1) The furnishing by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of 
     care and services by virtue of section 1710(a)(1)(G) of title 
     38, United States Code, during the period beginning on July 
     1, 1995, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) The furnishing by the Secretary of services in 
     noninstitutional settings by virtue of section 1720C of such 
     title during the period beginning on October 1, 1995, and 
     ending on the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (3) The use by any director of a Department of Veterans 
     Affairs health-care facility of data on rates of compensation 
     paid to certified nurse anesthetists in a labor market area 
     under section 7451(d)(3)(C) of such title during the period 
     beginning on April 1, 1995, and ending on the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (4) The furnishing by the Secretary of care for homeless 
     chronically mentally ill and other veterans by virtue of 
     section 115 of the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 
     1988 (38 U.S.C. 1712 note) during the period beginning on 
     October 1, 1995, and ending on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
       (5) The furnishing by the Secretary of work therapy and 
     therapeutic transitional housing by virtue of section 7 of 
     Public Law 102-54 (38 U.S.C. 1718 note) during the period 
     beginning on October 1, 1995, and ending on the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (6) Grants made by the Secretary of furnish services to 
     veterans under section 3 of the Homeless Veterans 
     Comprehensive Services Programs Act of 1992 (38 U.S.C. 7721 
     note) during the period beginning on October 1, 1995, and 
     ending on the date of the enactment of this Act.

       House amendments to the Senate amendments:
       In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the Senate 
     amendment to the text of the bill, insert the following:

                    TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY

     SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITIES UNDER TITLE 38, UNITED 
                   STATES CODE.

       (a) Authority To Provide Priority Health Care for Certain 
     Veterans Exposed to Toxic Substances.--(1) Section 1710(e)(3) 
     of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking out 
     ``after June 30, 1995,'' and all that follows through 
     ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``after 
     December 31, 1996''.
       (2) Section 1712(a)(1)(D) of such title is amended by 
     striking out ``December 31, 1995,'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``December 31, 1996,''.
       (b) Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Dependence.--Section 
     1720A(e) of such title is amended by striking out ``December 
     31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 
     1997''.
       (c) Pilot Program for Noninstitutional Alternatives to 
     Nursing Home Care.--Section 1720C(a) of such title is amended 
     by striking out ``September 30, 1995,'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``December 31, 1997,''.
       (d) Negotiated Interest Rates.--Section 3703(c)(4) of such 
     title is amended by striking out subparagraph (D).
       (e) Mortgages for Energy Efficient Improvements.--Section 
     3710(d) of such title is amended by striking out paragraph 
     (7).
       (f) Enhanced Loan Asset Sale Authority.--Section 3720(h)(2) 
     of such title is amended by striking out ``December 31, 
     1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1996''.
       (g) Authority of Lenders of Automatically Guaranteed Loans 
     To Review Appraisals.--Section 3731(f) of such title is 
     amended by striking out paragraph (3).
       (h) Agreements for Housing Assistance for Homeless 
     Veterans.--Section 3735(c) of such title is amended by 
     striking out ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
       (i) Use of Data on Compensation for Certified Registered 
     Nurse Anesthetists.--Section 7451(d)(3)(C)(iii) of such title 
     is amended by striking out ``April 1, 1995'' and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``January 1, 1998''.
       (j) Health Professional Scholarship Program.--Section 7618 
     of such title is amended by striking out ``December 31, 
     1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
       (k) Enhanced-Use Leases of Real Property.--Section 8169 of 
     such title is amended by striking out ``December 31, 1995'' 
     and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1997''.

     SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITIES UNDER OTHER PROVISIONS OF 
                   LAW.

       (a) Authority for Community-Based Residential Care for 
     Homeless Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans and Other 
     Veterans.--Section 115(d) of the Veterans' Benefits and 
     Services Act of 1988 (38 U.S.C. 1712 note) is amended by 
     striking out ``September 30, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
       (b) Demonstration Program of Compensated Work Therapy.--
     Section 7(a) of Public Law 102-54 (38 U.S.C. 1718 note) is 
     amended by striking out ``fiscal years 1991 through 1995'' 
     and inserting in lieu thereof ``the period beginning on 
     October 1, 1991, and ending on December 31, 1977''.
       (c) Services and Assistance to Homeless Veterans.--The 
     Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 
     (Public Law 102-590; 38 U.S.C. 7721 note) is amended--
       (1) in section 2, by striking out ``September 30, 1995,'' 
     and inserting in lieu thereof ``September 30, 1997,'';
       (2) in section 3(a)--
       (A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``Subject to'';
       (B) by striking out ``fiscal years 1993, 1994, and 1995,''; 
     and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) The authority of the Secretary to make grants under 
     this section expires on September 30, 1997.''; and
       (3) in section 12, by striking out ``each of the fiscal 
     years 1993, 1994, and 1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``each of fiscal years 1993 through 1997''.
       (d) Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Projects.--(1) Section 
     738(e)(1) of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 11448(e)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(D) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1996.''.
       (2) Section 741 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 11450) is amended by 
     striking out ``October 1, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``December 31, 1997''.

     SEC. 103. RATIFICATION OF ACTIONS TAKEN DURING PERIOD OF 
                   EXPIRED AUTHORITY.

       Any action taken by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     before the date of the enactment of this Act under a 
     provision of law amended by this title was taken during the 
     period beginning on the date on which the authority of the 
     Secretary under that provision of law expired and ending on 
     the date of the enactment of this Act shall be considered to 
     have the same force and effect as if the amendment to that 
     provision of law made by this title had been in effect at the 
     time of that action.

                       TITLE II--OTHER PROVISIONS

     SEC. 201. CODIFICATION OF HOUSING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND 
                   CHANGES IN THEIR FREQUENCY.

       (a) Codification of Housing Related Reporting 
     Requirements.--(1) Chapter 37 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding after section 3735 the following 
     new section:

     ``Sec. 3736. Reporting requirements

       ``The annual report required by section 529 of this title 
     shall include a discussion of the activities under this 
     chapter. Beginning with the report submitted at the close of 
     fiscal year 1996, and every second year thereafter, this 
     discussion shall include information regarding the following:
       ``(1) Loans made to veterans whose only qualifying service 
     was in the Selected Reserve.
       ``(2) Interest rates and discount points which were 
     negotiated between the lender and the veteran pursuant to 
     section 3703(c)(4)(A)(i) of this title.
       ``(3) The determination of reasonable value by lenders 
     pursuant to section 3731(f) of this title.
       ``(4) Loans that include funds for energy efficiency 
     improvements pursuant to section 3710(a)(10) of this title.
       ``(5) Direct loans to Native American veterans made 
     pursuant to subchapter V of this chapter.''.
       (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 
     is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
     3735 the following new item:

``3736. Reporting requirements.''.


[[Page H903]]

       (b) Repeal of Superseded Reporting Requirements.--The 
     Veterans Home Loan Program Amendments of 1992 (Public Law 
     102-547; 106 Stat. 3633) is amended by striking out sections 
     2(c), 3(b), 8(d), 9(c), and 10(b).

     SEC. 202. OTHER REPORT REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Report on Consolidation of Certain Programs.--The 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress, not 
     later than March 1, 1997, a report on the advantages and 
     disadvantages of consolidating into one program the following 
     three programs:
       (1) The alcohol and drug abuse contract care program under 
     section 1720A of title 38, United States Code.
       (2) The program to provide community-based residential care 
     to homeless chronically mentally ill veterans under section 
     115 of the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 (38 
     U.S.C. 1712 note).
       (3) The demonstration program under section 7 of Public Law 
     102-54 (38 U.S.C. 1718 note).
       (b) Health Professional Scholarship Program.--(1) The 
     Secretary shall submit to Congress, not later than March 31, 
     1997, a report setting forth the results of a study 
     evaluating the operation of the health professional 
     scholarship program under subchapter II of chapter 76 of 
     title 38, United States Code. The study shall evaluate the 
     efficacy of the program with respect to recruitment and 
     retention of health care personnel for the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs and shall compare the costs and benefits of 
     the program with the costs and benefits of alternative 
     methods of ensuring adequate recruitment and retention of 
     such personnel.
       (2) The Secretary shall carry out the study under this 
     paragraph through a private contractor. The report under 
     paragraph (1) shall include the report of the contractor and 
     the comments, if any, of the Secretary on that report.
       (c) Enhanced Use Leases.--The Secretary shall submit to 
     Congress, not later than March 31, 1997, a report evaluating 
     the operation of the program under subchapter V of chapter 81 
     of title 38, United States Code.

     SEC. 203. CONTRACTS FOR UTILITIES, AUDIE L. MURPHY MEMORIAL 
                   HOSPITAL.

       (a) Authority To Contract.--Subject to subsection (b), the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into contracts for 
     the provision of utilities (including steam and chilled 
     water) to the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Hospital in San 
     Antonio, Texas. Each such contract may--
       (1) be for a period not to exceed 35 years;
       (2) provide for the construction and operation of a 
     production facility on or near property under the 
     jurisdiction of the Secretary;
       (3) require capital contributions by the parties involved 
     for the construction of such a facility, such contribution to 
     be in the form of cash, equipment, or other in-kind 
     contribution; and
       (4) provide for a predetermined formula to compute the cost 
     of providing such utilities to the parties for the duration 
     of the contract.
       (b) Funds.--A contract may be entered into under subsection 
     (a) only to the extent as provided for in advance in 
     appropriations Acts.
       (c) Additional Terms.--The Secretary may include in a 
     contract under subsection (a) such additional provisions as 
     the Secretary considers necessary to secure the provision of 
     utilities and to protect the interests of the United States.
       In lieu of the Senate amendment to the title of the bill, 
     amend the title so as to read: ``An Act to amend title 38, 
     United States Code, to extend the authority of the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs to carry out certain programs and 
     activities, to require certain reports from the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.''.

  Mr. STUMP (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that the amendments be considered as read and printed in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the original request 
of the gentleman from Arizona?
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I do not 
plan to object, and I yield to the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] 
for an explanation of his request.
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1995 the House passed H.R. 1536, H.R. 1575, H.R. 
2289, and H.R. 2353. These bills extended a variety of VA authority for 
veterans health care and benefits. The other body combined the 
provisions of these 4 bills and substituted them in the bill S. 991 as 
an amendment to H.R. 2353 on January 5, 1996.
  We now have been able to work out these compromises on those expiring 
authorities. This agreement is reflected in the amendments we are 
asking unanimous consent for now.
  The amendment also authorized utility contracts for the Audie L. 
Murphy Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Chairman Simpson has given 
his commitment to address the remaining unresolved issues during the 
second session of the Congress.
  We are seeking unanimous consent now because these must be enacted 
quickly. We hope the Senate will act on it tomorrow so that the 
expiration of these authorities will not adversely impact veterans 
depending on the VA for benefits and services. I hope all Members will 
support this amendment.


                             general leave

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
H.R. 2353, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take one moment and thank my 
colleague and the ranking member on the other side, the gentleman from 
Mississippi [Mr. Montgomery], for his help in finalizing these bills.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I 
will be brief.
  As the distinguished chairman has indicated, this bill was actually 
necessary. It was not passed in the first session, it was sent to the 
Senate. They did not act on it. This will help the veterans to be able 
to do some wonderful things.
  Mr. Speaker, with that brief explanation, I withdraw my reservation 
of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the original request 
of the gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________