[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 17, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6271-H6278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1500
   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ACT OF 2002

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 526) providing for the concurrence by 
the House with an amendment in the amendments of the Senate to H.R. 
3253.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 526

       Resolved, That, upon the adoption of this resolution, the 
     House shall be considered to have taken from the Speaker's 
     table the bill H.R. 3253, with the Senate amendments thereto, 
     and to have concurred in the Senate amendment to the title of 
     the bill and to have concurred in the Senate amendment to the 
     text of the bill with the following amendment:
       In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the 
     amendment of the Senate to the text of the bill, insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Emergency Preparedness Act of 2002''.

[[Page H6272]]

     SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 
                   CENTERS AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   MEDICAL CENTERS.

       (a) In General.--(1) Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 7325. Medical emergency preparedness centers

       ``(a) Establishment of Centers.--(1) The Secretary shall 
     establish four medical emergency preparedness centers in 
     accordance with this section. Each such center shall be 
     established at a Department medical center and shall be 
     staffed by Department employees.
       ``(2) The Under Secretary for Health shall be responsible 
     for supervising the operation of the centers established 
     under this section. The Under Secretary shall provide for 
     ongoing evaluation of the centers and their compliance with 
     the requirements of this section.
       ``(3) The Under Secretary shall carry out the Under 
     Secretary's functions under paragraph (2) in consultation 
     with the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs with 
     responsibility for operations, preparedness, security, and 
     law enforcement functions.
       ``(b) Mission.--The mission of the centers shall be as 
     follows:
       ``(1) To carry out research on, and to develop methods of 
     detection, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of injuries, 
     diseases, and illnesses arising from the use of chemical, 
     biological, radiological, incendiary or other explosive 
     weapons or devices posing threats to the public health and 
     safety.
       ``(2) To provide education, training, and advice to health 
     care professionals, including health care professionals 
     outside the Veterans Health Administration, through the 
     National Disaster Medical System established pursuant to 
     section 2811(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     300hh-11(b)) or through interagency agreements entered into 
     by the Secretary for that purpose.
       ``(3) In the event of a disaster or emergency referred to 
     in section 1785(b) of this title, to provide such laboratory, 
     epidemiological, medical, or other assistance as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate to Federal, State, and local 
     health care agencies and personnel involved in or responding 
     to the disaster or emergency.
       ``(c) Selection of Centers.--(1) The Secretary shall select 
     the sites for the centers on the basis of a competitive 
     selection process. The Secretary may not designate a site as 
     a location for a center under this section unless the 
     Secretary makes a finding under paragraph (2) with respect to 
     the proposal for the designation of such site. To the maximum 
     extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure the geographic 
     dispersal of the sites throughout the United States. Any such 
     center may be a consortium of efforts of more than one 
     medical center.
       ``(2) A finding by the Secretary referred to in paragraph 
     (1) with respect to a proposal for designation of a site as a 
     location of a center under this section is a finding by the 
     Secretary, upon the recommendations of the Under Secretary 
     for Health and the Assistant Secretary with responsibility 
     for operations, preparedness, security, and law enforcement 
     functions, that the facility or facilities submitting the 
     proposal have developed (or may reasonably be anticipated to 
     develop) each of the following:
       ``(A) An arrangement with a qualifying medical school and a 
     qualifying school of public health (or a consortium of such 
     schools) under which physicians and other persons in the 
     health field receive education and training through the 
     participating Department medical facilities so as to provide 
     those persons with training in the detection, diagnosis, 
     prevention, and treatment of injuries, diseases, and 
     illnesses induced by exposures to chemical and biological 
     substances, radiation, and incendiary or other explosive 
     weapons or devices.
       ``(B) An arrangement with a graduate school specializing in 
     epidemiology under which students receive education and 
     training in epidemiology through the participating Department 
     facilities so as to provide such students with training in 
     the epidemiology of contagious and infectious diseases and 
     chemical and radiation poisoning in an exposed population.
       ``(C) An arrangement under which nursing, social work, 
     counseling, or allied health personnel and students receive 
     training and education in recognizing and caring for 
     conditions associated with exposures to toxins through the 
     participating Department facilities.
       ``(D) The ability to attract scientists who have made 
     significant contributions to the development of innovative 
     approaches to the detection, diagnosis, prevention, or 
     treatment of injuries, diseases, and illnesses arising from 
     the use of chemical, biological, radiological, incendiary or 
     other explosive weapons or devices posing threats to the 
     public health and safety.
       ``(3) For purposes of paragraph (2)(A)--
       ``(A) a qualifying medical school is an accredited medical 
     school that provides education and training in toxicology and 
     environmental health hazards and with which one or more of 
     the participating Department medical centers is affiliated; 
     and
       ``(B) a qualifying school of public health is an accredited 
     school of public health that provides education and training 
     in toxicology and environmental health hazards and with which 
     one or more of the participating Department medical centers 
     is affiliated.
       ``(d) Research Activities.--Each center shall conduct 
     research on improved medical preparedness to protect the 
     Nation from threats in the area of that center's expertise. 
     Each center may seek research funds from public and private 
     sources for such purpose.
       ``(e) Dissemination of Research Products.--(1) The Under 
     Secretary for Health and the Assistant Secretary with 
     responsibility for operations, preparedness, security, and 
     law enforcement functions shall ensure that information 
     produced by the research, education and training, and 
     clinical activities of centers established under this section 
     is made available, as appropriate, to health-care providers 
     in the United States. Dissemination of such information shall 
     be made through publications, through programs of continuing 
     medical and related education provided through regional 
     medical education centers under subchapter VI of chapter 74 
     of this title, and through other means. Such programs of 
     continuing medical education shall receive priority in the 
     award of funding.
       ``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that the work of the 
     centers is conducted in close coordination with other Federal 
     departments and agencies and that research products or other 
     information of the centers shall be coordinated and shared 
     with other Federal departments and agencies.
       ``(f) Coordination of Activities.--The Secretary shall take 
     appropriate actions to ensure that the work of each center is 
     carried out--
       ``(1) in close coordination with the Department of Defense, 
     the Department of Health and Human Services, and other 
     departments, agencies, and elements of the Government charged 
     with coordination of plans for United States homeland 
     security; and
       ``(2) after taking into consideration applicable 
     recommendations of the working group on the prevention, 
     preparedness, and response to bioterrorism and other public 
     health emergencies established under section 319F(a) of the 
     Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6(a)) or any other 
     joint interagency advisory group or committee designated by 
     the President or the President's designee to coordinate 
     Federal research on weapons of mass destruction.
       ``(g) Assistance to Other Agencies.--The Secretary may 
     provide assistance requested by appropriate Federal, State, 
     and local civil and criminal authorities in investigations, 
     inquiries, and data analyses as necessary to protect the 
     public safety and prevent or obviate biological, chemical, or 
     radiological threats.
       ``(h) Detail of Employees From Other Agencies.--Upon 
     approval by the Secretary, the Director of a center may 
     request the temporary assignment or detail to the center, on 
     a nonreimbursable basis, of employees from other departments 
     and agencies of the United States who have expertise that 
     would further the mission of the center. Any such employee 
     may be so assigned or detailed on a nonreimbursable basis 
     pursuant to such a request.
       ``(i) Funding.--(1) Amounts appropriated for the activities 
     of the centers under this section shall be appropriated 
     separately from amounts appropriated for the Department for 
     medical care.
       ``(2) In addition to funds appropriated for a fiscal year 
     specifically for the activities of the centers pursuant to 
     paragraph (1), the Under Secretary for Health shall allocate 
     to such centers from other funds appropriated for that fiscal 
     year generally for the Department medical care account and 
     the Department medical and prosthetics research account such 
     amounts as the Under Secretary determines appropriate to 
     carry out the purposes of this section. Any determination by 
     the Under Secretary under the preceding sentence shall be 
     made in consultation with the Assistant Secretary with 
     responsibility for operations, preparedness, security, and 
     law enforcement functions.
       ``(3) There are authorized to be appropriated for the 
     centers under this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2003 through 2007.''.
       (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 
     is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
     7324 the following new item:

``7325. Medical emergency preparedness centers.''.
       (b) Peer Review for Designation of Centers.--(1) In order 
     to assist the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Under 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health in selecting sites 
     for centers under section 7325 of title 38, United States 
     Code, as added by subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall 
     establish a peer review panel to assess the scientific and 
     clinical merit of proposals that are submitted to the 
     Secretary for the designation of such centers. The peer 
     review panel shall be established in consultation with the 
     Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs with responsibility 
     for operations, preparedness, security, and law enforcement 
     functions.
       (2) The peer review panel shall include experts in the 
     fields of toxicological research, infectious diseases, 
     radiology, clinical care of patients exposed to such hazards, 
     and other persons as determined appropriate by the Secretary. 
     Members of the panel shall serve as consultants to the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (3) The panel shall review each proposal submitted to the 
     panel by the officials referred to in paragraph (1) and shall 
     submit to

[[Page H6273]]

     the Under Secretary for Health its views on the relative 
     scientific and clinical merit of each such proposal. The 
     panel shall specifically determine with respect to each such 
     proposal whether that proposal is among those proposals which 
     have met the highest competitive standards of scientific and 
     clinical merit.
       (4) The panel shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).

     SEC. 3. EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS ON MEDICAL RESPONSES 
                   TO CONSEQUENCES OF TERRORIST ACTIVITIES.

       (a) In General.--(1) Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended by adding after section 
     7325, as added by section 2(a)(1), the following new section:

     ``Sec. 7326. Education and training programs on medical 
       response to consequences of terrorist activities

       ``(a) Education Program.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
     program to develop and disseminate a series of model 
     education and training programs on the medical responses to 
     the consequences of terrorist activities.
       ``(b) Implementing Official.--The program shall be carried 
     out through the Under Secretary for Health, in consultation 
     with the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs with 
     responsibility for operations, preparedness, security, and 
     law enforcement functions.
       ``(c) Content of Programs.--The education and training 
     programs developed under the program shall be modelled after 
     programs established at the F. Edward Hebert School of 
     Medicine of the Uniformed Services University of the Health 
     Sciences and shall include, at a minimum, training for health 
     care professionals in the following:
       ``(1) Recognition of chemical, biological, radiological, 
     incendiary, or other explosive agents, weapons, or devices 
     that may be used in terrorist activities.
       ``(2) Identification of the potential symptoms of exposure 
     to those agents.
       ``(3) Understanding of the potential long-term health 
     consequences, including psychological effects, resulting from 
     exposure to those agents, weapons, or devices.
       ``(4) Emergency treatment for exposure to those agents, 
     weapons, or devices.
       ``(5) An appropriate course of followup treatment, 
     supportive care, and referral.
       ``(6) Actions that can be taken while providing care for 
     exposure to those agents, weapons, or devices to protect 
     against contamination, injury, or other hazards from such 
     exposure.
       ``(7) Information on how to seek consultative support and 
     to report suspected or actual use of those agents.
       ``(d) Potential Trainees.--In designing the education and 
     training programs under this section, the Secretary shall 
     ensure that different programs are designed for health-care 
     professionals in Department medical centers. The programs 
     shall be designed to be disseminated to health professions 
     students, graduate health and medical education trainees, and 
     health practitioners in a variety of fields.
       ``(e) Consultation.--In establishing education and training 
     programs under this section, the Secretary shall consult with 
     appropriate representatives of accrediting, certifying, and 
     coordinating organizations in the field of health professions 
     education.''.
       (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 
     is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
     7325, as added by section 2(a)(2), the following new item:

``7326. Education and training programs on medical response to 
              consequences of terrorist activities.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall implement section 7326 of title 38, United States Code, 
     as added by subsection (a), not later than the end of the 90-
     day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
     Act.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORITY TO FURNISH HEALTH CARE DURING MAJOR 
                   DISASTERS AND MEDICAL EMERGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--(1) Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1785. Care and services during certain disasters and 
       emergencies

       ``(a) Authority To Provide Hospital Care and Medical 
     Services.--During and immediately following a disaster or 
     emergency referred to in subsection (b), the Secretary may 
     furnish hospital care and medical services to individuals 
     responding to, involved in, or otherwise affected by that 
     disaster or emergency.
       ``(b) Covered Disasters and Emergencies.--A disaster or 
     emergency referred to in this subsection is any disaster or 
     emergency as follows:
       ``(1) A major disaster or emergency declared by the 
     President under the Robert B. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
     Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
       ``(2) A disaster or emergency in which the National 
     Disaster Medical System established pursuant to section 
     2811(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-
     11(b)) is activated by the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services under paragraph (3)(A) of that section or as 
     otherwise authorized by law.
       ``(c) Applicability to Eligible Individuals Who Are 
     Veterans.--The Secretary may furnish care and services under 
     this section to an individual described in subsection (a) who 
     is a veteran without regard to whether that individual is 
     enrolled in the system of patient enrollment under section 
     1705 of this title.
       ``(d) Reimbursement From Other Federal Departments and 
     Agencies.--(1) The cost of any care or services furnished 
     under this section to an officer or employee of a department 
     or agency of the United States other than the Department or 
     to a member of the Armed Forces shall be reimbursed at such 
     rates as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the head of 
     such department or agency or the Secretary concerned, in the 
     case of a member of the Armed Forces, based on the cost of 
     the care or service furnished.
       ``(2) Amounts received by the Department under this 
     subsection shall be credited to the Medical Care Collections 
     Fund under section 1729A of this title.
       ``(e) Report to Congressional Committees.--Within 60 days 
     of the commencement of a disaster or emergency referred to in 
     subsection (b) in which the Secretary furnishes care and 
     services under this section (or as soon thereafter as is 
     practicable), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives a report on the Secretary's allocation of 
     facilities and personnel in order to furnish such care and 
     services.
       ``(f) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe 
     regulations governing the exercise of the authority of the 
     Secretary under this section.''.
       (2) The table of sections at the beginning of that chapter 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``1785. Care and services during certain disasters and emergencies.''.
       (b) Members of the Armed Forces on Active Duty.--Section 
     8111A(a) of such title is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (4);
       (2) by designating the second sentence of paragraph (1) as 
     paragraph (3); and
       (3) by inserting between paragraph (1) and paragraph (3), 
     as designated by paragraph (2) of this subsection, the 
     following new paragraph:
       ``(2)(A) During and immediately following a disaster or 
     emergency referred to in subparagraph (B), the Secretary may 
     furnish hospital care and medical services to members of the 
     Armed Forces on active duty responding to or involved in that 
     disaster or emergency.
       ``(B) A disaster or emergency referred to in this 
     subparagraph is any disaster or emergency as follows:
       ``(i) A major disaster or emergency declared by the 
     President under the Robert B. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
     Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
       ``(ii) A disaster or emergency in which the National 
     Disaster Medical System established pursuant to section 
     2811(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-
     11(b)) is activated by the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services under paragraph (3)(A) of that section or as 
     otherwise authorized by law.''.

     SEC. 5. 10-YEAR EXTENSION OF EXPIRED AUTHORITY.

       Effective September 30, 2002, subsection (d) of section 
     1722A of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``September 30, 2002'' and inserting ``September 30, 2012''.

     SEC. 6. INCREASE IN NUMBER OF ASSISTANT SECRETARIES OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Increase.--Subsection (a) of section 308 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``six'' in the 
     first sentence and inserting ``seven''.
       (b) Functions.--Subsection (b) of such section is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(11) Operations, preparedness, security, and law 
     enforcement functions.''.
       (c) Number of Deputy Assistant Secretaries.--Subsection 
     (d)(1) of such section is amended by striking ``18'' and 
     inserting ``19''.
       (d) Conforming Amendment.--Section 5315 of title 5, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``(6)'' after ``Assistant 
     Secretaries, Department of Veterans Affairs'' and inserting 
     ``(7)''.

     SEC. 7. CODIFICATION OF DUTIES OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS RELATING TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.

       (a) In General.--(1) Subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 8117. Emergency preparedness

       ``(a) Readiness of Department Medical Centers.--(1) The 
     Secretary shall take appropriate actions to provide for the 
     readiness of Department medical centers to protect the 
     patients and staff of such centers from chemical or 
     biological attack or otherwise to respond to such an attack 
     so as to enable such centers to fulfill their obligations as 
     part of the Federal response to public health emergencies.
       ``(2) Actions under paragraph (1) shall include--
       ``(A) the provision of decontamination equipment and 
     personal protection equipment at Department medical centers; 
     and
       ``(B) the provision of training in the use of such 
     equipment to staff of such centers.
       ``(b) Security at Department Medical and Research 
     Facilities.--(1) The Secretary shall take appropriate actions 
     to provide for

[[Page H6274]]

     the security of Department medical centers and research 
     facilities, including staff and patients at such centers and 
     facilities.
       ``(2) In taking actions under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     shall take into account the results of the evaluation of the 
     security needs at Department medical centers and research 
     facilities required by section 154(b)(1) of the Public Health 
     Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 
     2002 (Public Law 107-188; 116 Stat. 631), including the 
     results of such evaluation relating to the following needs:
       ``(A) Needs for the protection of patients and medical 
     staff during emergencies, including a chemical or biological 
     attack or other terrorist attack.
       ``(B) Needs, if any, for screening personnel engaged in 
     research relating to biological pathogens or agents, 
     including work associated with such research.
       ``(C) Needs for securing laboratories or other facilities 
     engaged in research relating to biological pathogens or 
     agents.
       ``(c) Tracking of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies and 
     Equipment.--The Secretary shall develop and maintain a 
     centralized system for tracking the current location and 
     availability of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and 
     medical equipment throughout the Department health care 
     system in order to permit the ready identification and 
     utilization of such pharmaceuticals, supplies, and equipment 
     for a variety of purposes, including response to a chemical 
     or biological attack or other terrorist attack.
       ``(d) Training.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
     Department medical centers, in consultation with the 
     accredited medical school affiliates of such medical centers, 
     develop and implement curricula to train resident physicians 
     and health care personnel in medical matters relating to 
     biological, chemical, or radiological attacks or attacks from 
     an incendiary or other explosive weapon.
       ``(e) Participation in National Disaster Medical System.--
     (1) The Secretary shall establish and maintain a training 
     program to facilitate the participation of the staff of 
     Department medical centers, and of the community partners of 
     such centers, in the National Disaster Medical System 
     established pursuant to section 2811(b) of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-11(b)).
       ``(2) The Secretary shall establish and maintain the 
     training program under paragraph (1) in accordance with the 
     recommendations of the working group on the prevention, 
     preparedness, and response to bioterrorism and other public 
     health emergencies established under section 319F(a) of the 
     Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6(a)).
       ``(3) The Secretary shall establish and maintain the 
     training program under paragraph (1) in consultation with the 
     following:
       ``(A) The Secretary of Defense.
       ``(B) The Secretary of Health and Human Services.
       ``(C) The Director of the Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency.
       ``(f) Mental Health Counseling.--(1) With respect to 
     activities conducted by personnel serving at Department 
     medical centers, the Secretary shall develop and maintain 
     various strategies for providing mental health counseling and 
     assistance, including counseling and assistance for post-
     traumatic stress disorder, following a bioterrorist attack or 
     other public health emergency to the following persons:
       ``(A) Veterans.
       ``(B) Local and community emergency response providers.
       ``(C) Active duty military personnel.
       ``(D) Individuals seeking care at Department medical 
     centers.
       ``(2) The strategies under paragraph (1) shall include the 
     following:
       ``(A) Training and certification of providers of mental 
     health counseling and assistance.
       ``(B) Mechanisms for coordinating the provision of mental 
     health counseling and assistance to emergency response 
     providers referred to in paragraph (1).
       ``(3) The Secretary shall develop and maintain the 
     strategies under paragraph (1) in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services, the American Red 
     Cross, and the working group referred to in subsection 
     (e)(2).''.
       (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 
     is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
     8116 the following new item:

``8117. Emergency preparedness.''.
       (b) Repeal of Codified Provisions.--Subsections (a), 
     (b)(2), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of section 154 of the Public 
     Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response 
     Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-188; 38 U.S.C. note prec. 8101) 
     are repealed.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--Subsection (g) of such section 
     is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``of section 8117 of 
     title 38, United States Code'' after ``subsection (a)''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``subsections (b) through 
     (f)'' and inserting ``subsection (b)(1) of this section and 
     subsections (b) through (f) of section 8117 of title 38, 
     United States Code''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Boozman). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Evans) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to bring to the floor legislation that 
I introduced almost a year ago to respond to the diabolical terrorist 
attacks of September 11 and the anthrax attacks that followed.
  The legislation, H.R. 3253, as amended, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs Emergency Preparedness Act of 2002, provides the Federal 
Government with another tool to prevent or, if necessary, respond to 
future acts of terrorism against the United States. This legislation is 
designed to mobilize the underappreciated strength of the VA health 
care infrastructure in defending our Nation against future acts of 
terrorism.
  Although it may come as a surprise to many, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs operates our Nation's largest integrated health care 
network, with over 200,000 health care practitioners, 163 medical 
centers, more than 800 outpatient clinics, 115 medical research 
programs, affiliations with over 100 schools of medicine, and a $25 
billion annual budget including over $1 billion for research programs.
  The VA health care system must, Madam Speaker, be an integral 
component of any homeland security strategy. In fact, the VA already 
does have defined roles in both the National Disaster Medical System 
and the Federal Response Plan in the event of national emergencies.
  Among the VA's current specialized duties are, one, conducting and 
evaluating disaster and terrorist attack simulation exercises; second, 
managing the Nation's stockpile of drugs to counter the effects of 
chemical and biological poisons; third, maintaining a rapid response 
team for radioactive releases; and, fourth, training public and private 
NDMS medical center personnel around the country in properly responding 
to biological, chemical, or radiological disasters.
  H.R. 3253 was developed in order to apply the existing experience and 
expertise in the VA's health care research programs as a defensive tool 
in the war on terrorism.
  Madam Speaker, I know from my own experience with the anthrax attacks 
last October, which hit my own district and hit it hard in central New 
Jersey in Hamilton Township, putting thousands of dedicated postal 
workers and the public as well at risk, that we need to move very 
quickly, develop new tests and new treatments for anthrax and scores of 
other biological and dangerous chemical agents and radiological weapons 
that might be employed by terrorists.
  When anthrax was discovered in the Hamilton Post Office, I was 
astounded to discover that there were no existing protocols to test, 
quarantine, or treat victims. The confusion that emanated, the fog, if 
my colleagues will, that followed the discovery of anthrax made a bad 
situation even worse. I saw it over and over again, well-intentioned 
experts from the departments of health, State and Federal, CDC and the 
like were flying by the seat of their collective pants. Far too many 
pertinent questions were not answered and were not answered with 
scientific or any kind of precision.
  It was during that crisis, frankly, that I thought that we needed to 
develop a new policy that would establish protocols which would try to 
deal with the details before the unthinkable, which now had become 
thinkable, actually happened; and that was the genesis of this 
legislation.
  H.R. 3253, we believe, will marshal some of our Nation's best and 
brightest scientists in a focused effort to develop new protocols for 
testing, vaccinating, and treating our citizens who may be victims of 
biological, chemical, or radiological terrorism.
  Madam Speaker, the House previously approved H.R. 3253, as amended, 
on May 20. I am very grateful that the Senate passed an amended bill on 
August 1. The bill before us today represents the compromise language 
agreed to after discussions and negotiations between the House and the 
Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs.
  As amended, H.R. 3253 will authorize the VA to establish four 
National Medical Preparedness Centers. These centers would undertake 
research and develop new protocols for detecting, diagnosing, 
vaccinating, and treating potential victims of terrorism. In 
particular, the centers would focus on

[[Page H6275]]

ways to prevent and treat victims of biological, chemical, and 
radiological or explosive terrorist acts.
  The new centers would conduct direct research and coordinate ongoing 
and promising new research with affiliated universities and other 
government agencies. These centers would serve as training resources 
for thousands of community hospital staffs; hazardous materials, HAZMAT 
teams; emergency medical technicians, EMTs; and firefighters and police 
officers, who must be the first medical responders in the event of 
terrorist attacks.
  The emergency preparedness centers would also be charged with 
establishing state-of-the-art laboratories to help local health 
officials detect the presence of dangerous biological and chemical 
poisons.
  The funding to support these centers would come from the additional 
funds provided for combating terrorism and would not use or otherwise 
reduce funding for veterans' health care.
  Under the compromise agreement reached with the Senate, VA's 
authority to provide emergency medical treatment would be expanded to 
include first responders, other Federal agencies, veterans not enrolled 
in the VA health care system, active duty service members, and others 
receiving VA care in declared domestic emergencies. Reimbursements 
collected for the cost of care, whether coming from FEMA, the 
Department of Defense, or an insurance company, would be credited to 
the VA's Medical Care Collections Fund, the same as in other VA 
collection efforts.
  In addition, a new Assistant Secretary for preparedness security and 
law enforcement would be established at the VA.
  Finally, Madam Speaker, the compromise bill would codify in title 38 
of the U.S. Code various provisions from Public Law 107-188, the 
``Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act 
of 2002,'' that pertain to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  Madam Speaker, as we pass the 1-year anniversary of 9-11 and the 
subsequent anthrax attacks, we are all thankful that no additional acts 
of terror have been carried out against the United States. However, 
there can be no doubt that serious dangers and threats remain. Our 
government must remain vigilant in defending and protecting our 
citizens from every threat, of any kind, and H.R. 3253 is another step 
towards homeland security. I urge all Members to support this 
legislation.
  The House amendment to the Senate amendments to H.R. 3253 reflects a 
Compromise Agreement that the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' 
Affairs have reached on H.R. 3253 and S. 2132. H.R. 3253 (hereinafter 
known as the ``House bill'') passed the House on May 20, 2002. The 
Senate considered S. 2132 (hereinafter known as the ``Senate bill'') on 
August 1, 2002. This measure was incorporated in H.R. 3253 as an 
amendment and passed the Senate by unanimous consent on August 1, 2002.
  The House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs have prepared 
the following explanations of H.R. 3253, as amended (hereinafter 
referred to as the ``Compromise Agreement''). Differences between the 
preparedness provisions contained in the Compromise Agreement and the 
related provisions of H.R. 3253 and S. 2132 are noted in this document, 
except for clerical corrections, conforming changes made necessary by 
the Compromise Agreement, and minor drafting, technical, and clarifying 
changes.


                              short title

       Current Law--Public Law 105-368, the ``Veterans Programs 
     Enhancement Act of 1998,'' charged Department of Veterans 
     Affairs (VA) to investigate potential long-term health 
     effects of biological and chemical warfare agents. Under 
     current law, the VA does not possess specific authority to 
     establish centers dedicated to research, education, and 
     training activities related to managing the health 
     consequences of terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction.
       House Bill--Section 1 of H.R. 3253 provides that the short 
     title of the bill is the ``Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Emergency Preparedness Research, Education, and Bio-Terrorism 
     Prevention Act of 2002''.
       Senate Bill--Section 1 of S. 2132 provides that the short 
     title of the bill is the ``Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Emergency Preparedness Act of 2002''.
       Compromise Agreement--Section 1 of the Compromise Agreement 
     would adopt the Senate language.


  establishment of medical emergency preparedness research centers at 
             department of veterans affairs medical centers

       Current Law--No provision.
       House Bill--Section 2(a) of H.R. 3253 would amend Chapter 
     73 of title 38, United States Code, by establishing a new 
     section 7325.
       Subsection (a) of section 7325 of title 38, United States 
     Code, would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
     establish at least four national medical emergency 
     preparedness centers at existing VA medical centers, to be 
     staffed with department employees. The Under Secretary for 
     Health, in consultation with the assistant secretary for 
     operations, preparedness, and security, would be responsible 
     for supervising and evaluating the operation of these 
     centers.
       Proposed section 7325(b) of title 38, United States Code, 
     would define the centers' three-fold mission as follows: (1) 
     to a conduct research and development into ``detection, 
     diagnosis, vaccination, protection, and treatment for 
     chemical, biological and radiological threats;'' (2) to 
     provide education, training, and expert advice to department 
     and community health-care practitioners; and (3) to provide 
     ``contingent rapid response laboratory assistance'' to local 
     health-care authorities during national emergencies. The 
     House bill would specify that at least one center concentrate 
     solely on biological threats, one on chemical threats, and 
     one on radiological threats to public health and safety.
       Proposed section 7325(c) of title 38, United States Code, 
     would define qualifications for center directors, and section 
     7325(d) would direct the Secretary to designate sites through 
     a competitive selection process. Proposed section 7325(g) 
     would establish a consulting peer-review panel, including 
     experts in relevant fields, to assist the Under Secretary for 
     Health in evaluating the scientific and clinical merits to 
     proposals and offering recommendations concerning site 
     designations for the four centers.
       Paragraph 2 of proposed section 7325(d) of title 38, United 
     States Code, would require that a candidate site demonstrate 
     the ability to attract qualified scientists; develop 
     arrangements with at least one accredited, affiliated school 
     of medicine and school of public health; be affiliated with a 
     graduate program in epidemiology; and offer training and 
     education programs for nursing, social work, counseling, and/
     or other allied health personnel.
       Subsection (e) of the proposed section 7325 of title 38, 
     United States Code, would authorize to be appropriated $20 
     million for each of fiscal years 2003-2007, and would 
     authorize the Under Secretary for Health to expend Medical 
     Care funds as appropriate for the support of such centers, in 
     coordination with the assistant secretary with responsibility 
     for operations, preparedness, and security. Subsection (f) of 
     the proposed section 7325 would authorize each center to seek 
     other public or private research funds to fulfill its 
     research mission.
       Proposed section 7325(h) of title 38, United States Code, 
     would require that VA make the centers' findings available to 
     health-care providers in the United States through 
     publications and medical education programs, and that 
     research programs be coordinated and shared with other 
     Federal departments and agencies. The House bill would 
     authorize the Department to assist Federal, State, and local 
     civil and criminal authorities upon request to deal with 
     biological, chemical, or radiological threats. Proposed 
     subsection (j) of section 7325 would authorize details on a 
     non-reimbursable basis of other Federal employees to assist 
     the centers in accomplishing center missions.
       Senate Bill--Section 101 in the Senate bill would add 
     section 7320A to title 38, United States Code.
       Proposed section 7320A in the Senate bill would establish 
     four centers to carry out research on ``the detection, 
     diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of injuries, diseases, 
     and illnesses arising from the use of chemical, biological, 
     radiological, or incendiary or other explosive weapons or 
     devices.'' This section would require that centers provide 
     education and training to VA health-care professionals, and 
     to non-VA professionals at the direction of the Secretary 
     through the National Disaster Medical System (hereinafter 
     ``NDMS'') or other interagency agreements. This section would 
     also authorize the Secretary to provide appropriate 
     ``laboratory, epidemiological, medical, or other assistance'' 
     to Federal, State, and local health-care agencies and 
     personnel involved in or responding to a national emergency. 
     The Senate bill would not assign specific areas of research 
     to single centers.
       The Senate bill would require that the Secretary designate 
     centers after peer review of competitive proposals submitted 
     by existing qualified VA medical centers. The Senate bill 
     would require the same qualifications as the House bill, but 
     would require geographic dispersal ``to the maximum extent 
     practicable.''
       The Senate bill would require the offices responsible for 
     directing research and medical emergency preparedness to 
     administer the centers. This section would require those 
     offices to work in close coordination with the Departments of 
     Defense and Health and Human Services, the Office of Homeland 
     Security, and other agencies, interagency working groups, or 
     committees charged with coordinating Federal research into 
     the response to casualties caused by terrorist use of weapons 
     of mass destruction.
       Subsection (e) of proposed section 7320A would require that 
     centers be staffed by VA employees or employees detailed from 
     other Federal agencies, on a non-reimbursable basis.

[[Page H6276]]

       Proposed section (f) section 7320A would authorize the 
     Secretary to provide assistance to Federal, State, and local 
     agencies engaged in investigations or inquiries to protect 
     against threats posed by terrorist use of weapons of mass 
     destruction. Proposed section 7320A(g) would authorize the 
     centers to seek grants from outside sources, and would 
     authorize to be appropriated $20 million for each of fiscal 
     years 2003-2007.
       Compromise Agreement--The Compromise Agreement would 
     incorporate the Senate provisions in proposed section 7325 of 
     title 38, United States Code, authorizing a total of four 
     medical emergency preparedness centers, dispersed 
     geographically to the maximum extent practicable. The 
     Committees intend for VA to select sites based upon the 
     strength of existing resources and scientific merit of the 
     proposals; although regional distribution of these centers 
     would be encouraged, predicted research productivity should 
     be paramount in designating sites.
       The proposed section 7325(a) of title 38, United States 
     Code, would follow the House bill assigning responsibility 
     for operation and supervision of the centers to the Under 
     Secretary for Health, in consultation with the assistant 
     secretary with responsibility for operations, preparedness, 
     security, and law enforcement. The Compromise Agreement would 
     not include House language defining qualifications for center 
     directors. The centers would be situated organizationally 
     within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and would 
     report to the Under Secretary for Health. Nevertheless, the 
     research products and educational tools arising from the work 
     of the centers would link directly to the mission and 
     function that the compromise Agreement would assign to the 
     assistant secretary responsible for operations, preparedness, 
     security and law enforcement. Thus, there would be a clearly 
     defined line of accountability and coordination among the 
     centers and the responsible departmental officials. This need 
     is clearly acknowledged in the Compromise Agreement by the 
     requirement to link the Under Secretary's decisions with 
     regard to the operations of the centers to the work of the 
     assistant secretary.
       Proposed section 7325(b)(1) of title 38, United States 
     Code, in the Compromise Agreement would follow the Senate 
     language by substituting ``prevention'' for ``vaccination and 
     protection,'' and adding to the list of potential threats 
     incendiary and other explosive sources. The Committees agree 
     that contingency planning would include an all-hazards 
     approach and acknowledge that strategies for mass casualty 
     management overlap, irrespective of the particular nature of 
     a terrorist attack or source of other mass-casualty disaster. 
     The Compromise Agreement would not require individual centers 
     to be dedicated to specific fields of study. Nevertheless, 
     the Compromise Agreement would allow the Department to pursue 
     multiple approaches to the medical management of mass 
     casualties. In exercising the authority, the Department could 
     designate any, some, or none of the centers as lead agent for 
     developing subject matter expertise in a particular focused 
     research area dealing with bioterrorism.
       Proposed section 7325(b)(2) of title 38, United States 
     Code, would require centers to provide education, training, 
     and advice to health-care professionals within VHA as 
     proposed in both bills, but would follow the Senate language 
     to specify that such training be provided to outside 
     professionals and practitioners through the NDMS as 
     authorized by Public Law 107-188, the ``Public Health 
     Security and bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 
     2002,'' or through specific interagency agreements executed 
     for the purpose. The committees intend that VA take steps to 
     ensure that potentially valuable research findings and 
     educational developments in medical emergency preparedness be 
     translated from the centers into clinical practice as quickly 
     as practicable, but that VA accomplish this task through 
     channels established as part of VA's role in existing federal 
     response partnerships and the evolving U.S. national homeland 
     security policy.
       Proposed section 7325(b)(3) of title 38, United States 
     Code, would adapt language from both bills authorizing 
     centers to provide such laboratory, epidemiological, medical, 
     or other assistance as the Secretary considers appropriate to 
     Federal, State, and local health-care agencies and personnel 
     in the event of a disaster or emergency.
       Proposed section 7325(c) of title 38, United States Code, 
     would direct the Secretary to select sites for centers as 
     delineated in language shared by both bills, following the 
     House language that would require proposals for the 
     designation of centers be coordinated between the United 
     Secretary for Health and the assistant secretary for 
     operations, preparedness, and security, and be subject to a 
     scientific peer-review process. The Compromise Agreement 
     would follow House language describing the composition of the 
     peer-review panel, but would replace the term ``bio-hazards 
     management education and training'' with the term 
     ``infectious diseases,'' in describing the types of expertise 
     called for in such peer-review panel participation. The 
     Compromise Agreement would also follow House language 
     requiring that to be qualified, centers would need to develop 
     an arrangement under which nursing, social work, counseling, 
     or allied health personnel would receive training and 
     education from the centers, in addition to other provisions 
     shared by both bills.
       Sections 7325(d) and (e) of title 38, United States Code, 
     would adopt the House language on research activities and 
     dissemination of research products. Section 7325(f) would 
     follow the Senate language requiring that research be 
     coordinated with departments, agencies, and working groups 
     charged with coordinating Federal research into responses to 
     weapons of mass destruction.
       Proposed section 7325(i) of title 38, United States Code, 
     in the Compromise Agreement, would follow House language on 
     the authorization of appropriations to support the efforts of 
     these centers.


education and training programs on medical responses to consequences of 
                          terrorist activities

       House bill--Section 3(a) of the House bill would amend 
     chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, by adding a new 
     section 7326.
       Section 7326(a), of title 38, United States Code, would 
     require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and 
     disseminate programs to educate and train health-care 
     professionals to respond to the consequences of terrorist 
     activities.
       Proposed section 7326(b), of title 38, United States Code, 
     would designate the Under Secretary for Health, in 
     consultation with the assistance secretary responsible for 
     operations, preparedness and security, as the implementing 
     officials or entity.
       Under section 7326(c), of title 38, United States Code, the 
     education and training programs currently established at the 
     F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine of the Uniformed Services 
     University of the Health Sciences would provide baseline 
     national curriculum and clinical protocols for training 
     health-care professionals.
       Section 7326(d), of title 38, United States Code, would 
     require the education and training programs to cover the 
     needs of health-care professionals at every level of learning 
     and in a variety of fields.
       Under section 7326(e), of title 38, United States Code, the 
     Secretary would be required to consult with the accrediting, 
     certifying and coordinating bodies representing the various 
     fields of health professions' education.
       Section 3(b), of the House bill would require the 
     Secretaries to implement this section within 90 days of 
     enactment.
       Senate bill--The Senate bill contains no comparable 
     provisions.
       Compromise Agreement--Section 3 of the Compromise Agreement 
     would follow the House language with one amendment requiring 
     that programs be designed for health-care professionals ``in 
     Department medical centers.''


  AUTHORITY TO FURNISH HEALTH CARE DURING MAJOR DISASTERS AND MEDICAL 
                              EMERGENCIES

       Current Law--Section 8111A of title 38, United States Code, 
     authorizes VA to serve as a supportive contingency health-
     care system to the Department of Defense, requiring VA to 
     furnish hospital care, nursing home care, and medical 
     services to members of the Armed Forces on active duty during 
     and following a period of foreign war. This provision 
     addresses the potential needs of post-deployment forces 
     following an armed conflict abroad, when active-duty military 
     casualties might quickly overwhelm available military 
     treatment facility resources. Under section 1784 of title 38, 
     United States Code, the Secretary is authorized to ``furnish 
     hospital care or medical services as a humanitarian service 
     in emergency cases, but the Secretary shall charge for such 
     care and services at rates prescribed by the Secretary.'' The 
     authority of section 1784 addresses humanitarian care 
     provided by the Department to non-veterans.
       Neither provision authorizes VA to care for active-duty 
     military casualties following a domestic disaster or 
     conflict, a possibility that must be acknowledged following 
     the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on September 
     11, 2001. In addition, current law does not recognize VA's 
     already considerable commitment to providing emergency care 
     during disasters as part of the Federal Response Plan 
     established under Executive Orders 12148 and 12656.
       House bill--The House bill contains no comparable 
     provisions.
       Senate bill--Section 301(a) of the Senate bill would add a 
     new section 1785 to title 38, United States Code, to 
     authorize the Secretary to furnish hospital care and medical 
     services to individuals responding to, involved in, or 
     otherwise affected by a declared major disaster or emergency, 
     or following activation of the NDMS. Proposed section 1785(c) 
     of title 38, United States Code, would allow VA to care for 
     veterans during such a disaster without regard to enrollment 
     required under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code. 
     Proposed section 1785(d) of title 38, United States Code, 
     would authorize the Secretary to give higher priority to 
     furnishing care to individuals affected by disasters than to 
     anyone except service-connected veterans and members of the 
     Armed Forces receiving care under section 8111A of title 38, 
     United States Code. Proposed section 1785(e)(1) of title 38, 
     United States Code, would authorize VA to be reimbursed for 
     care furnished to an officer or employee of another Federal 
     department or agency, with amounts credited in the Medical 
     Care Collections Fund to the facility providing care. Under 
     proposed section 1785(f) of title 38, United States Code, the 
     Secretary would be required to report to the House and Senate 
     Committees on Veterans' Affairs the volume of care furnished 
     by VA under these provisions.
       Section 301(b) of the Senate bill would amend title 38 of 
     the United States Code,

[[Page H6277]]

     section 1784, to provide an exception to the requirement that 
     VA charge individuals for emergency care during a covered 
     disaster or emergency.
       Finally, the Senate bill would amend section 8111A of title 
     38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary to furnish 
     hospital care or medical services to members of the Armed 
     Forces on active duty in this country, whose need for care is 
     related to their response to a covered disaster or national 
     emergency.
       Compromise Agreement--Section 4 of the compromise Agreement 
     would follow the Senate language, but would amend it by 
     striking references to priorities for furnishing care. Also, 
     the Compromise Agreement would delete language that would 
     have suspended VA charges for emergency care under section 
     1784 of title 38, United States Code, during disasters.


    INCREASE IN NUMBER OF ASSISTANT SECRETARIES OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

       Current law--Section 308 of title 38, United States Code, 
     currently authorizes six assistant secretaries of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs and 18 deputy assistant 
     secretaries.
       House bill--Section 4 of the House bill would amend section 
     308 of title 38, United States Code, by increasing the number 
     of authorized assistant secretaries to ``seven'' and would 
     amend subsection (b) of that section by adding ``operations, 
     preparedness, security, and law enforcement functions'' to 
     currently authorized functions.
       Senate bill--Section 201 of the Senate bill is identical to 
     section 4 of the House bill. Section 202 of the Senate bill 
     would amend section 308(d)(1) of title 38, United States 
     Code, by increasing the number of authorized deputy assistant 
     secretaries from 18 to 20.
       Compromise Agreement--Sections 6(a) and (b) of the 
     Compromise Agreement would follow identical provisions from 
     both bills. Section 6(c) of the Compromise Agreement would 
     increase the number of deputy assistant secretaries from 18 
     to 19. The Committees urge the Secretary to examine the 
     deployment of existing deputy assistant secretaries to ensure 
     that the Department is properly staffed with deputy assistant 
     secretaries to fulfill its various functions and missions.


  CODIFICATION OF DUTIES OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS RELATING TO 
                         EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

       Current law--Section 154 of Public Law 107-188, the 
     ``Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and 
     Response Act of 2002,'' enacted on June 12, 2002, mandated a 
     series of responsibilities for the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs related to bioterrorism and other emergency 
     preparedness functions.
       House bill--The House bill contains no comparable 
     provisions.
       Senate bill--The Senate bill contains no comparable 
     provisions.
       Compromise Agreement--The compromise Agreement is intended 
     to codify authorities related to the Secretary's emergency 
     preparedness duties, enacted in Public Law 107-188 into 
     chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code.
       The Compromise Agreement would add a new section 8117 to 
     title 38, United States Code. Proposed section 8117(a) 
     codifies the requirement that the Secretary provide for the 
     readiness of VA medical centers against chemical or 
     biological attacks in order to protect patients and staff and 
     to fulfill other emergency response missions. Proposed 
     section 8117(a)(2) codifies the requirement that these 
     preparations include provision and training in the use of 
     decontamination and personal protection equipment.
       Proposed section 8117(b) of title 38, United States Code, 
     would codify the requirement that the Secretary provide for 
     the security of VA medical and research facilities, taking 
     into account the security evaluation required by section 
     154(b)(1) of Public Law 107-188.
       Proposed section 8117(c) of title 38, United States Code, 
     would codify the requirement that the Secretary develop and 
     maintain a centralized system for tracking the location and 
     availability of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and 
     medical equipment throughout the VA's health-care system so 
     that these items might be accessed quickly during disasters.
       Proposed section 8117(d) of title 38, United States Code, 
     would codify the requirement that the Secretary ensure that 
     VA medical centers, in consultation with affiliated medical 
     schools, take steps to train resident physicians and other 
     health-care personnel in the potential medical consequences 
     of a terrorist attack.
       Proposed section 8117(e) of title 38, United States Code, 
     would codify the requirement that the Secretary establish and 
     maintain a training program for VA health-care professionals 
     and their community partners in the NDMS, in accordance with 
     recommendations of the bioterrorism preparedness working 
     group established in title 42, United States Code, and in 
     consultation with the other NDMS Federal partners.
       Proposed section 8117(f) of title 38, United States Code, 
     would codify the requirement that the Secretary develop and 
     maintain strategies that would allow VA expert personnel to 
     provide mental health assistance, including counseling and 
     assistance for post-traumatic stress disorder, following a 
     terrorist attack or other public health emergency. Such a 
     strategy would be developed in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services, the American Red 
     Cross and the bioterrorism preparedness working group 
     established in title 42, United States Code. The Secretary 
     would be responsible for training and coordinating VA 
     providers in the treatment of veterans, emergency responders, 
     active-duty military personnel, or others seeking care at a 
     VA medical center.

  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of the Veterans Affairs Emergency 
Preparedness Act, as amended. After the tragic events of September 11 
last year, our chairman, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), 
again demonstrated his leadership. Chairman Smith introduced 
legislation authorizing an important role for the Department of the VA 
in our Nation's fight against terrorism. That is the primary purpose of 
this measure today.
  It provides medical care to millions of veterans each year and 
conducts groundbreaking health care research, and it also provides 
educational opportunities to many of our Nation's health care 
providers.
  The VA is truly an unparalleled national resource. This legislation 
provides the structure and the authority for the VA to leverage its 
expertise to combat terrorism. For the VA to achieve this goal, it must 
have adequate resources.
  Today, the Veterans Affairs does not have enough resources. That is 
not my judgment, but it is the judgment of the Task Force to Improve 
Health Care Delivery to Veterans established by President Bush. I call 
on the President to fully fund the VA. I ask him to provide all funding 
the VA needs to deliver timely, quality care to our veterans, today and 
tomorrow; provide the resources the VA needs to combat terrorism. And I 
thank the chairman once again for his leadership.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran), the distinguished 
chairman of the Subcommittee on Health.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, since September 11, our Nation 
has been made to reevaluate every action we undertake. A year after the 
attacks on New York and in Washington and the plane crash in 
Pennsylvania, we are still at a heightened state of alert. What we once 
considered a safe Nation has now become a people concerned about 
security. The citizens of America are looking now, more than ever, to 
Congress and to the President for answers.
  The legislation before us, H.R. 3253, would use the assets and 
expertise of the Department of Veterans Affairs to help protect the 
people of the United States from terrorists. Our government must be 
proactive in preparing the United States for future terrorist attacks. 
As Vice President Cheney cautioned earlier this year, ``The prospects 
of a future attack against the United States are almost certain.'' We 
must respond in a timely, effective and comprehensive manner to protect 
the American people when an attack occurs. This bill would help do just 
that.
  Under this bill, four geographically separated National Medical 
Emergency Preparedness centers would be established. Each center would 
study and work toward solutions to health consequences that arise from 
exposure to chemical, biological, explosive, and nuclear substances 
used as weapons of mass destruction.
  The VA is prepared to handle this new and important mission. In 
addition to its medical care mission to care for millions of American 
veterans, the veterans health care system is the Nation's largest 
health care provider of graduate medical education and a major 
contributor to biomedical and other scientific research. Because of 
this widely dispersed, integrated health care system, the VA can be, 
and has been in the past, an essential asset in responding to national 
emergencies.
  Not only would the four special centers conduct research and develop 
methods of detection, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment; but they 
would also be charged with the dissemination of the latest information 
to other public and private health care providers, to improve the 
quality of care for patients who may be exposed to deadly chemicals, 
radiation, or other terrorist weapons of mass destruction.

[[Page H6278]]

  This bill would also require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
carry out a program to develop and disseminate model education and 
training programs on the medical responses to terrorist activities. The 
VA's infrastructure, which includes affiliation with over 107 medical 
schools, and other schools of health professions, would enable current 
and future medical professionals in this country to be knowledgeable 
and medically competent in the treatment of casualties from terrorist 
attacks. Our bill provides the VA a formal role in the national 
disaster medical system and authorizes the VA to treat first 
responders, active duty forces, firefighters, police officers and 
members of the general public that may be victims of terrorism or other 
mass casualty disasters.
  With this bill, the VA health care professionals will be properly 
armed with information and education on bioterrorism response. 
Mechanisms will be put in place to study the likely avenues and methods 
of chemical, biological, and radiological poisoning; and the VA will be 
part of the rapid response by Federal, State, and local officials in 
types of emergencies that only a year ago we could scarcely imagine.
  H.R. 3253 is a bipartisan and bicameral compromise; and, Madam 
Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this effort in America's war 
on terrorism.
  Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume, and I just want to begin by thanking my very good friend 
and colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), for his work on 
this legislation. We have served together on the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs for longer than 20 years; and he as been a true advocate for 
veterans, and on this legislation, like on the others, has been a great 
friend and ally as we work in tandem to try to bring good, solid pieces 
of legislation to the floor. So I want to thank the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Evans) for that good work.
  I want to thank Michael Durishin and Susan Edgerton, who are two of 
his top staffers, who again worked very, very tirelessly with our own 
staff here on the majority side; and again, these bills, the details of 
which are very much worked over and vetted, would not happen without 
that kind of cooperation. So I do want to thank them as well.
  The gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran), who just spoke, and the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner), the chairman and the ranking 
member of the Subcommittee on Health, and the gentleman from Indiana 
(Mr. Buyer) also, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations, worked on this legislation as well; and I want to thank 
them.
  I want to thank our own staff, Pat Ryan, Kingston Smith, Jeannie 
McNally, Peter Dickinson, Kathleen Greve and John Bradley, who all had 
input into this legislation, and, we have held hearings on it. One of 
them was one of those day-long hearings. We had four panels. We heard 
from experts, and again, I think we all were astonished at the lack of 
response when it came to these capabilities.
  As I alluded to earlier in my comments, I thought when I sat in those 
meetings in Trenton and Hamilton and Mercer County, where there was 
this befuddled look on the part of very well-meaning experts in the 
field about what do we do about anthrax, has it been spread through 
cross-contamination, what are the risks, how often and how long and to 
whom should Cipro or Doxycycline be administered.
  There were a million and one questions and very few answers because 
those questions had not been considered in advance; and that is what 
this legislation is all about, to establish centers of excellence that 
seek to find out, if this kind of event happens, what is prescribed, 
what is the consequence. Just today in The Washington Times, there was 
an excellent op-ed piece by a doctor who heads up the emergency room 
physicians, pointing out that the first responders, as they rush in to 
help in a situation, smallpox, anthrax, sarin, just name it, will not 
have a clue what it is they need to do to prepare themselves, to 
protect themselves and preclude contamination.

                              {time}  1515

  So it is very important that these details be worked out in advance, 
coordinating with other agencies of the government. The VA has shown in 
the past it has a unique perspective and an expertise to bring to bear 
on this.
  Madam Speaker, I also thank our Senate colleagues. Senator 
Rockefeller worked on this and got legislation passed. It was a very 
cooperative effort. They added some very meaningful language to the 
bill, so we ended up with a very good hybrid that will go to the 
President for signature. I also thank Senator Specter, the ranking 
member. In addition, I appreciate the efforts of the Senate staff, Bill 
Tuerk and Kim Lipsky, David Goetz and Bill Cahill, and I especially 
thank Julie Fischer, who has been Senator Rockefeller's top aide, who 
worked with the other side of the aisle to craft a good bill. This bill 
has been endorsed by the administration. Now we will work on getting 
this bill signed, implemented, and then we will do oversight on its 
implementation.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the amended 
version of H.R. 3253, the Emergency Preparedness Act. As an original 
co-sponsor of H.r. 3253, I recognize the significant role the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can play in our quest as a nation 
to restore a sense of security following the horrific events of 
September 11, 2001 and the subsequent anthrax attacks. This measure 
would authorize the VA to become a full partner in our defense efforts 
through the establishment of four ``Medical Emergency Preparedness 
Centers'' at VA hospitals throughout the nation.
  These centers would be charged with conducting medical research, and 
developing health care responses for chemical, biological, 
radiological, incendiary and explosive threats to the public. The 
centers would also provide education, training, and advice to VA and 
outside doctors, and other health care professionals on how to diagnose 
and treat illnesses caused by exposure to chemical, biological and 
radioactive materials. Especially important is the role the proposed 
centers would play in providing rapid response assistance and other aid 
to local health care authorities in the event of a national emergency.
  This legislation recognizes the critical role the VA can play in our 
homeland security efforts. The VA operates the nation's largest 
integrated health care network with over 20,000 health care 
professionals, 163 medical centers, 800 outpatient clinics, 115 medical 
research centers, and has affiliations with more than 100 medical 
schools. Several VA facilities have already initiated efforts to serve 
our country in this effort. For example, the Audie Murphy Memorial 
Hospital in San Antonio, has developed relationships and shared 
teaching and research arrangements with various medical school sin 
Texas and the county hospital system. Audie Murphy also works closely 
with several military medical missions with expertise in chemical, 
biological and radiological hazards.
  The collaborative efforts of veterans health care providers, like 
Audie Murphy Hospital, not only help veterans, but our nation as a 
whole. Further, it puts the VA in a critical position to attract high 
level scientists in fields relevant to bio-chemical and radiological 
threats. I believe that through the development of National Emergency 
Preparedness Centers, the VA can become an important partner in our 
nation's homeland defense efforts.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 526.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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