[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 86 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S7263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. MURKOWSKI:
  S. 2247. A bill to permit the payment medical expenses incurred by 
the U.S. Park Police in the performance of duty to be made directly by 
the National Park Service, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.


                      U.S. Park Police Legislation

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, on behalf of the Administration, today 
I introduce legislation to permit the payment of medical expenses 
incurred by the United States Park Police in the performance of duty to 
be made directly by the National Park service, and for other purposes.
  I ask unanimous consent that the Administration's letter of 
transmittal and a section-by-section analysis of the legislation be 
printed in the Record for the information of my colleagues.
  There being no objection, the items were ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                  U.S. Department of the Interior,


                                      Office of the Secretary,

                                   Washington, DC, March 11, 1998.
     Hon. Albert Gore, Jr.,
     President of the Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: Enclosed is a draft bill, ``to permit 
     the payment of medical expenses incurred by the U.S. Park 
     Police in the performance of duty to be made directly by the 
     National Park Service, and for other purposes.''
       We recommend the bill be introduced, referred to the 
     appropriate committee for consideration, and enacted.
       The District of Columbia (District) is currently charged 
     with paying all medical bills for services rendered for 
     National Park Police members who become injured or ill in the 
     performance of their duties. Subsequently, the National Park 
     Service reimburses the District for medical payments made on 
     behalf of the Park Police. Fiscal constraints experienced by 
     the District have resulted in untimely payments of these 
     expenses. Consequently, some Park Police members have been 
     denied treatment and others have had their credit ratings 
     adversely affected. This situation is untenable. It 
     compromises the law enforcement capability of the Park Police 
     and places an undue burden on Park Police employees. the 
     enclosed draft legislation would amend the Act of September 
     1, 1916, section 12(e), to allow the National Park Service to 
     make these payments directly to the medical providers. 
     Amended language is urgently needed. We respectfully request 
     that this draft legislation be expedited.
       The Office of Management and Budget has advised that there 
     is no objection to the enactment of the enclosed draft 
     legislation from the standpoint of the Administration's 
     program.
           Sincerely,

                                                 Donald Barry,

                                    Acting Assistant Secretary for
     Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
                                  ____


                      Section-by-Section Analysis

       This bill amends the Act of September 1, 1916, section 
     12(e), to allow the National Park Service to pay medical 
     providers directly for expenses incurred by the U.S. Park 
     Police while on official duty.
                                 ______