[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 115 (Thursday, September 6, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9198-S9202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. ROCKEFELLER:
  S. 1408. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to standardize 
the income threshold for copayment for outpatient medications with the 
income threshold for inability to defray necessary expense of care, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce today 
legislation that would exempt certain veterans from copayments for 
needed prescription drugs.
  Currently, veterans with incomes of less than $24,000 a year are 
exempt from copayments for most VA health care services. However, when 
it comes to prescription drugs, the income threshold for exemption is 
just $9,000 a

[[Page S9199]]

year. Veterans earning over $9,000, well below the poverty threshold 
established by the Census Bureau, are required to make copayments. 
These copayments place an undue burden on our poorest veterans. To 
compound the problem, the Department of Veterans Affairs recently 
proposed increasing the copayment for prescription drugs from $2 to $7 
per 30-day prescription.
  I have serious concerns about what this copayment increase will mean 
for veterans. Indeed, I have already heard from a number of veterans 
whose incomes hover just above the $9,000 threshold, who must make the 
required copayments for their pharmaceuticals. Many of them are on 
several different medications for multiple medical conditions, each 
requiring their own copay. There are many veterans like Steven Smith, 
formerly of Greenwood, WV, who has no health insurance except Medicare 
and depends upon the VA for his medications. With the lack of a 
Medicare drug benefit, he, and many veterans like him, are faced with a 
350 percent increase in what they must pay for life-sustaining 
medications.
  I am not alone in my concerns about the impact the copayment increase 
will have on veterans. In commenting on the proposed regulations, the 
VFW recently cited an example of a veteran who has an annual income of 
$10,500, just above the current exemption limit set by VA. The increase 
in the prescription copayment rate would force that veteran to allocate 
over 8 percent of his annual income just to prescription drugs. There 
is a grave danger that, faced with this situation, many veterans will 
stop seeking necessary medical care because they are priced out of the 
system.
  At a glance, the increase to $7 per prescription may seem reasonable 
enough and in keeping with industry standards. However, consider a 
veteran with an income of about $9,000 a year who currently pays $2 per 
prescription for 10 medications a month. He presently incurs out-of-
pocket costs of $240 a year. Under the new regulations, his costs would 
go up to $840 per year, an increase of $600. For someone living barely 
over the $9,000 annual income threshold, this is a substantial sum.
  I am also concerned about disparities in how VA defines who is 
``poor'' for the purpose of exemption from health care copayments. For 
prescription drugs, veterans with more than $9,000 annual income must 
make copayments, but for outpatient care, hospitalization, and extended 
care, the income threshold for copayments is $24,000 per year. My 
proposed legislation would raise the exemption level for prescription 
copays to make them the same as all other VA health care copays. It 
will be less confusing to veterans, easier to administer, and quite 
simply, it's the right thing to do.
  My legislation, the Veterans' Copayment Adjustment Act, would also 
require VA to delay implementing the increase in prescription 
copayments until we see an adjustment to copayments for other health 
care services. On July 24, I held a hearing on prescription drug issues 
in VA. At that hearing, we heard testimony from VA Secretary Anthony 
Principi who also believes that new drug copayments shouldn't be put 
into effect until we see a reduction in other health care copayments.
  As part of the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act, 
Congress gave VA authority to adjust the different health care 
copayments. This was intended to make VA's copayments more rational. 
Currently, veterans must make a copayment of over $50 for outpatient 
care services. There is no doubt that $50 for a routine outpatient 
visit is unreasonable at best, and at worst, discourages veterans from 
getting the primary care they need. By delaying the increase in the 
medication copayment until VA implements its adjusted outpatient 
copayment, we will reduce the negative financial impact on our Nation's 
veterans. I am confident that VA will study this issue closely and will 
expeditiously set the outpatient copayment to be more in line with 
managed care plans.
  I urge my Senate colleagues to join me in seeking to provide 
affordable health care for our sick and disabled veterans. They have 
sacrificed for all of us, and deserve every effort we can make to keep 
them from having to choose between buying needed prescription drugs and 
putting food on the table.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1408

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Copyament 
     Adjustment Act''.

     SEC. 2. STANDARDIZATION OF INCOME THRESHOLDS FOR COPAYMENT 
                   FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICATIONS AND FOR INABILITY TO 
                   DEFRAY NECESSARY EXPENSES OF CARE.

       (a) Standardization.--Section 1722A(a)(3)(B) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
         ``(B) to a veteran whose attributable income is not 
     greater than the amount provided for in subsection (b) of 
     section 1722 of this title, as adjusted from time to time 
     under subsection (c) of that section.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on January 1, 2002, and shall apply with 
     respect to calendar years beginning on or after that date.

     SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF INCREASE IN 
                   COPAYMENTS FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICATIONS PENDING 
                   COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR OUTPATIENT CARE.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs may not implement under section 
     1722A(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, an increase in 
     the copayment amount for medications furnished on an 
     outpatient basis under section 1722A(a) of that title until 
     the Secretary commences collection of amounts for outpatient 
     visits for medical services under section 1710(g) of that 
     title.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. McCONNELL (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Daschle, Mr. 
        Schumer, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Crapo, Mrs. Clinton, Mrs. Carnahan, 
        Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Torricelli, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Cleland, Mr. 
        Ensign, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Inouye):
  S. 1409. A bill to impose sanctions against the PLO or the 
Palestinian Authority if the President determines that those entities 
have failed to substantially comply with commitments made to the State 
of Israel; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.


                MIDDLE EAST PEACE COMPLIANCE ACT OF 2001

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I am today joining with my good friend, 
Senator Feinstein from California, who is in the Chamber as well, in 
offering the Middle East Peace Compliance Act of 2001. We do that with 
the support also of our colleagues, Senators Daschle, Schumer, 
Mikulski, Crapo, Clinton, Carnahan, Boxer, Torricelli, Edwards, 
Cleland, Ensign, and Shelby.
  We also do so with full appreciation of the dire and untenable 
situation in the Middle East.
  Given the ongoing and relentless bloodshed in the Middle East, the 
time has come for finger pointing. Palestinian Liberation Organization 
(PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat--and the terrorists he allows free reign 
in the West Bank and Gaza--are guilty of waging a guerrilla war against 
America's most important and reliable ally in that region. Scores of 
innocent Israeli men, women and children have been killed by bombs, 
bullets, knives, and stones. In acts of cowardice, Palestinian suicide 
bombers have caused death and destruction in discos, pizza parlors, 
cafes, and on the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
  There appears no end to this madness. On Monday of this week, four 
bombs exploded in the Jerusalem neighborhood of French Hill. On 
Tuesday, a Palestinian suicide bomber disguised as an orthodox Jew 
killed himself and injured others on a Jerusalem street close to two 
international schools. One wonders how much more of this terror the 
people of Israel can--or should--endure.
  Mr. Arafat and his minions are enlisting Palestinians of all ages to 
their misguided cause of mutually assured destruction. One Palestinian 
children's television show reportedly broadcast a song: ``When I wander 
into Jerusalem, I will become a suicide bomber.'' Mr. President, Israel 
is well aware of the people in Mr. Arafat's Neighborhood, and they are 
not ones they, or any

[[Page S9200]]

peaceful loving people, would choose to associate with.
  The legislation we are introducing will make clear the intentions of 
Mr. Arafat and the PLO. In a report to Congress, the Administration is 
required to determine whether or not the PLO has lived up to its 1993 
commitments under the Oslo Accords to renounce violence against Israel, 
and what steps have been taken by the PLO and the Palestinian Authority 
to investigate and prosecute those responsible for killing American and 
Israeli citizens. Should the Administration determine that the PLO's 
actions run contrary to their word, the President is required to 
immediately suspend all assistance to the West Bank and Gaza, except 
humanitarian aid. He is also required to initiate additional sanctions 
against the PLO, which may include denying visas to senior officials 
and downgrading their representative office in the United States.
  I intend to offer this legislation, along with Senator Feinstein, as 
an amendment to the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which may 
be considered by the full Senate in the near future.
  While I will have much more to say on the situation in the Middle 
East at a later date, let me close by asking a question of my 
colleagues: If the daily terrorists attacks taking place against 
Israelis were occurring on American soil against U.S. citizens, what 
would our response be? A democracy in a region of dictatorships and 
kingdoms, Israel has the right and responsibility to protect and defend 
its citizens against terrorism. The United States should be clear in 
its support of Israel exercising this right, in whatever manner the 
people of Israel, through their elected leaders, deem appropriate. To 
date, Israel has shown remarkable restraint.
  Mr. McCONNELL. With great thanks to my colleague from California in 
collaborating with me on this effort, and looking forward to further 
efforts on behalf of this proposal, I now yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California is recognized.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Kentucky for 
his leadership. We have consulted together on this bill, and I am very 
proud to join him as the lead Democratic cosponsor.
  I ask unanimous consent to put the following Members from this side 
of the aisle on the bill: Senators Daschle, Schumer, Mikulski, Clinton, 
Carnahan, Boxer, Torricelli, Edwards, and Cleland.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, the Senator from Kentucky and I joined 
together in this legislation because we believe that if the violence 
between the Palestinians and Israel is to end and the peace process is 
to gain any momentum, the Palestinian leadership must show it can 
muster the political will that is necessary to meet the commitments 
they made at Oslo.
  Most people, I think, don't know what the Oslo accords were. In fact, 
the Oslo accords were letters that were sent between the Palestinian 
and Israeli leadership in 1993. Those letters became the Oslo accords.
  I want to indicate what the Palestinians, over the signature of their 
chairman, Mr. Arafat, said they would do on September 9, 1993:

       The PLO recognizes the right of the State of Israel to 
     exist in peace and security.
       The PLO accepts United Nations Security Council Resolutions 
     242 and 338.
       The PLO commits itself to the Middle East peace process, 
     and to a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the two 
     sides and declares that all outstanding issues relating to 
     permanent status will be resolved through negotiations.

  These are not my words, these are the words of Chairman Arafat.
  It goes on:

       The PLO considers that the signing of the Declaration of 
     Principles constitutes a historic event, inaugurating a new 
     epoch of peaceful coexistence, free from violence and all 
     other acts which endanger peace and stability. Accordingly, 
     the PLO renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of 
     violence and will assume responsibility over all PLO elements 
     and personnel in order to assure their compliance, prevent 
     violence, and discipline violators.
       In view of the promise of a new era and the signing of the 
     Declaration of Principles, and based on Palestinian 
     acceptance of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the 
     PLO affirms that those articles of the Palestinian Covenant 
     which deny Israel's right to exist, and the provisions of the 
     Covenant which are inconsistent [with the commitments of this 
     letter] are invalid.

  For its part, Israel, under Prime Minister Rabin, in a letter to 
Chairman Arafat, stated:

       I wish to confirm to you that in light of the PLO 
     commitments included in your letter, the Government of Israel 
     has decided to recognize the PLO as the representative of the 
     Palestinian people and commence negotiations with the PLO 
     within the Middle East peace process.

  Mr. President, that was what formed the beginning of Oslo--not the 
end, but the beginning of the Oslo peace process. They were the 
necessary minimum threshold to begin that process--a recognition that 
Israel has the right to exist in peace and security and that the 
Palestinian people have a right to be represented in peace negotiations 
by representatives of their own choosing.
  Unfortunately, since Camp David last year, the Palestinians have 
carried out more than 6,700 armed attacks against Israelis in a 
fundamental violation of their peace process commitments. This 
Palestinian campaign of terror has killed 155 Israelis, 114 of them 
civilians, and it has wounded another 1,500 Israelis.
  As the Senator from Kentucky pointed out, whether it is a bomb that 
goes off in a pizza parlor, a discotheque, a school bus, or a shopping 
mall, this is the way that kind of violence has happened.
  Now, Israel has responded. Some have criticized Israel for that 
response. Yet if Israel is not going to practice that kind of response, 
the violence--such as the incident that just happened in Jerusalem, I 
think, yesterday, when somebody dressed as an Orthodox Jew walking down 
the street with a bomb in his backpack, detonated the bomb when an 
Israeli officer came up to him--must stop. A group of schoolchildren 
were nearby, but luckily they were not injured. Many others were.
  The subject here is terror, and no Israeli and no Palestinian should 
have to live with terror every day, when a child gets on that school 
bus, when a son goes to work, when a wife goes shopping, when friends 
meet at a cafe or pizzeria or go to a night club.
  The bombings, the terror, and the violence must stop. The Palestinian 
use of this kind of terror over the past 10 months runs contrary to 
what is expected of a peace partner. Mr. Arafat must understand that 
allowing an atmosphere of violence and terror to continue will not and 
cannot lead to peace.
  The bill we are proposing today, the Middle East Peace Compliance 
Act, sends that signal clearly and simply and says either the PLO live 
up to these commitments or we return to a pre-Oslo posture.
  So it is a very simple and very straightforward bill based on these 
commitments. It calls for the President to issue a report addressing 
whether the PLO and the Palestinian Authority are in compliance with 
the fundamental commitments they have repeatedly made to renounce 
terrorism.
  If the President is unable to find that the PLO or the Palestinian 
Authority is adhering to its commitments, it requires him to restrict 
nonhumanitarian assistance to the West Bank and Gaza and to impose one 
of two additional sanctions: Denial of visas to Palestinian Authority 
officials, or closing the Palestinian office in the United States.
  I think this legislation is necessary to send a message that we 
cannot continue this kind of violence. We cannot see that letter 
abrogated in chapter and verse--the letter that became the foundation 
of PLO recognition, and the letter that became the foundation of the 
Oslo peace process.
  Let me be clear. It is also my expectation that the Government of 
Israel, for its part, must continue to meet the commitments it has made 
to peace and continue to exercise restraint in reaction to these 
Palestinian terrorist acts.
  Mr. President, we submit this legislation. Again, I am very delighted 
to work with the distinguished Senator from Kentucky. We have a bill 
and, as the Senator said, we will also offer this as an amendment to 
the foreign operations appropriations bill. I thank the Chair and the 
Senator. It has been a great pleasure to work with him.
  I yield the floor.

[[Page S9201]]

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text 
of the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1409

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Middle East Peace Compliance 
     Act of 2001''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) On September 9, 1993, Palestinian Liberation 
     Organization (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat made the following 
     commitments in an exchange of letters with Prime Minister of 
     Israel Yitzhak Rabin:
       (A) ``The PLO recognizes the right of the State of Israel 
     to exist in peace and security.''.
       (B) ``The PLO accepts United Nations Security Council 
     Resolutions 242 and 338'' pertaining to the cessation of 
     hostilities and the establishment of a just and lasting peace 
     in the Middle East.
       (C) ``The PLO commits itself to the Middle East peace 
     process, and to a peaceful resolution of the conflict between 
     the two sides and declares that all outstanding issues 
     relating to permanent status will be resolved through 
     negotiations.''.
       (D) ``The PLO considers that the signing of the Declaration 
     of Principles constitutes a historic event, inaugurating a 
     new epoch of peaceful coexistence, free from violence and all 
     other acts which endanger peace and stability. Accordingly, 
     the PLO renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of 
     violence and will assume responsibility over all PLO elements 
     and personnel in order to assure their compliance, prevent 
     violence and discipline violators.''.
       (E) ``In view of the promise of a new era and the signing 
     of the Declaration of Principles and based on Palestinian 
     acceptance of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the 
     PLO affirms that those articles of the Palestinian Covenant 
     which deny Israel's right to exist, and the provisions of the 
     Covenant which are inconsistent with the commitments of this 
     letter are now inoperative and no longer valid.''.
       (2) The Palestinian Authority, the governing body of 
     autonomous Palestinian territories, was created as a result 
     of the agreements between the PLO and the State of Israel 
     that are a direct outgrowth of the September 9, 1993, 
     commitments.
       (3) The United States Congress has provided authorities to 
     the President to suspend certain statutory restrictions 
     relating to the PLO, subject to Presidential certification 
     that the PLO has continued to abide by commitments made.

     SEC. 3. REPORTS.

       (a) In General.--The President shall, at the times 
     specified in subsection (b), transmit to Congress a report--
       (1) detailing and assessing the steps that the PLO or the 
     Palestinian Authority, as appropriate, has taken to 
     substantially comply with its 1993 commitments, as specified 
     in section 2(1) of this Act;
       (2) a description of the steps taken by the PLO or the 
     Palestinian Authority, as appropriate, to investigate and 
     prosecute those responsible for violence against American and 
     Israeli citizens;
       (3) making a determination as to whether the PLO or the 
     Palestinian Authority, as appropriate, has substantially 
     complied with such commitments during the period since the 
     submission of the preceding report, or, in the case of the 
     initial report, during the preceding 6-month period; and
       (4) detailing progress made in determining the designation 
     of the PLO, or one or more of its constituent groups 
     (including Fatah and Tanzim) or groups operating as arms of 
     the Palestinian Authority (including Force 17) as a foreign 
     terrorist organization, in accordance with section 219(a) of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act.
       (b) Transmission.--The initial report required under 
     subsection (a) shall be transmitted not later than 30 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act. Each subsequent 
     report shall be submitted on the date on which the President 
     is next required to submit a report under the PLO Commitments 
     Compliance Act of 1989 (title VIII of Public Law 101-246) and 
     may be combined with such report.

     SEC. 4. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.

       (a) In General.--If, in any report transmitted pursuant to 
     section 3, the President determines that the PLO or 
     Palestinian Authority, as appropriate, has not substantially 
     complied with the commitments specified in section 2(1), the 
     following sanctions shall apply:
       (1) Suspension of assistance.--The President shall suspend 
     all United States assistance to the West Bank and Gaza except 
     for humanitarian assistance.
       (2) Additional sanction or sanctions.--The President shall 
     impose one or more of the following sanctions:
       (A) Denial of visas to plo and palestinian authority 
     figures.--The President shall prohibit the Secretary of State 
     from issuance of any visa for any member of the PLO or any 
     official of the Palestinian Authority.
       (B) Downgrade in status of plo office in the united 
     states.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     President shall withdraw or terminate any waiver by the 
     President of the requirements of section 1003 of the Foreign 
     Relations Authorization Act of 1988 and 1989 (22 U.S.C. 5202) 
     (prohibiting the establishment or maintenance of a 
     Palestinian information office in the United States), and 
     such section shall apply so as to prohibit the operation of a 
     PLO or Palestinian Authority office in the United States from 
     carrying out any function other than those functions carried 
     out by the Palestinian information office in existence prior 
     to the Oslo Accord.
       (b) Duration of Sanctions.--The period of time referred to 
     in subsection (a) is the period of time commencing on the 
     date that the report pursuant to section 3 was transmitted 
     and ending on the later of--
       (1) the date that is 6 months after such date;
       (2) the date that the next report under section 3 is 
     required to be transmitted; or
       (3) the date, if any, on which the President determines and 
     informs Congress that the conditions that were the basis for 
     imposing the sanctions are no longer valid.
       (c) Waiver Authority.--The President may waive any or all 
     of the sanctions imposed under this Act if the President 
     determines that such a waiver is in the national security 
     interest of the United States, and reports such a 
     determination to the appropriate committees of Congress.

     SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERMINATION DATE.

       (a) Effective Date.--This Act shall take effect on the date 
     of enactment of this Act.
       (b) Termination Date.--This Act shall cease to be effective 
     5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
                                  ____

      By Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself and Mr. Allard):
  S. 1411. A bill to authorize the transfer of the Denver Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Colorado, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill to 
facilitate the move of the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 
DVAMC, from its present site in Denver to the former Fitzsimons Army 
Medical Center in Aurora, CO. I am happy to be joined in this effort by 
my friend and colleague Senator Allard as an original co-sponsor. The 
bill would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to accomplish 
the transfer in a timely manner. It would also require the Secretary to 
submit a report to the Veterans Affairs Committee and the 
Appropriations Committee of both the Senate and House of 
Representatives. This report would detail the costs of the transfer and 
would be submitted 60 days prior to awarding a contract for the move.
  The relocation of the DVAMC to the former Fitzsimons site offers a 
unique opportunity to provide the highest quality medical care for our 
veterans. The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, UCHSC, is 
moving its facilities from its overcrowded location near downtown 
Denver to the Fitzsimons site, a decomissioned Army base. The UCHSC and 
the DVAMC have long operated on adjacent campuses and have shared 
faculty, medical residents, and access to equipment. A DVAMC move to 
the new location would allow such cost-effective cooperation to 
continue, for the benefits of our veterans and all taxpayers.
  The need to move is pressing. A recent VA study concludes that the 
Colorado State veterans' population will experience one of the highest 
percent increases nationally in veterans 65 and over between 1990 and 
2020. The present VA hospital was built in the 1950's. While still able 
to provide service, the core facilities are approaching the end of 
their useful lives and many of the patient care units have fallen 
horribly out of date. Studies indicate that co-location with the 
University on a state-of-the-art medical campus would be a cost 
effective way to give veterans in the region the highest quality of 
care. The move would also provide a tremendous opportunity to showcase 
a nationwide model of cooperation between the University and the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, VA. These cooperative initiatives have 
proven time and again their effectiveness.
  Timing is also very important. The VA needs to move quickly to 
realize the financial advantages of this unique opportunity. In order 
to make the move fiscally effective, the VA needs to make a decision 
not later than 2004. Additionally, our veterans are aging and their 
needs are increasing. Assisting our veterans with their medical needs 
is a promise we, as a country, made long ago.
  The savings we can realize by approving the timely transfer of our 
veterans' medical treatment facilities in the Denver region compels me 
to urge my

[[Page S9202]]

colleagues to act quickly on this bill. We must not miss out on this 
opportunity to serve America's veterans and their families by ensuring 
that they receive the excellent medical care they deserve.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
       There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be 
     printed in the Record, as follows:
       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Denver Veterans Affairs 
     Medical Center Transfer to Fitzsimons Act of 2001''.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECT TO 
                   FACILITATE TRANSFER OF DENVER DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER, COLORADO.

       (a) Authorization.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
     carry out a major medical facility project, in the amount 
     appropriated for the project pursuant to the authorization of 
     appropriations in subsection (b), for purposes of the 
     transfer of the Denver Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
     Center, Colorado, from its current location in Denver, 
     Colorado, to the site of the former Fitzsimons Army Medical 
     Center, Aurora, Colorado.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for 
     the Construction, Major Projects, account such sums as may be 
     necessary for the project authorized by subsection (a).
       (c) Transfer of Medical Center.--(1) Upon completion of the 
     major medical facility project authorized by subsection (a), 
     the Secretary shall transfer the Denver Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Medical Center to the facility constructed 
     pursuant to that authorization.
       (2) Amounts for the cost of the transfer authorized by 
     paragraph (1) shall be derived from amounts in the 
     Construction, Major Projects, account for a category of 
     activity not specific to a project that are available for 
     obligation.
       (d) Report on Transfer Costs.--Not later than 60 days 
     before awarding the contract for the major medical facility 
     project authorized by subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
     submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
     on the estimated cost of the transfer of the Denver 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center under 
     subsection (c).
       (e) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means the following:
       (1) The Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations 
     of the Senate.
       (2) The Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations 
     of the House of Representatives.

                          ____________________