[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 21, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14411-S14416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    VETERANS HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2005

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 284, S. 1182.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 1182) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
     improve health care for veterans, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
bill, which had been reported from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 
with an amendment.

  [Strike the part shown in black brackets and insert the part shown in 
italic.]

                                S. 1182

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

     [SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED 
                   STATES CODE.

       [(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans 
     Health Care Act of 2005''.
       [(b) References.--Except as otherwise expressly provided, 
     whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in 
     terms of an amendment or repeal to a section or other 
     provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a 
     section or other provision of title 38, United States Code.

     [SEC. 2. COPAYMENT EXEMPTION FOR HOSPICE CARE.

       [Section 1710 is amended--
       [(1) in subsection (f)(1), by inserting ``(other than 
     hospice care)'' after ``nursing home care''; and
       [(2) in subsection (g)(1), by inserting ``(other than 
     hospice care)'' after ``medical services''.

     [SEC. 3. NURSING HOME BED LEVELS; EXEMPTION FROM EXTENDED 
                   CARE SERVICES COPAYMENTS FOR FORMER POWS.

       [Section 1710B is amended--
       [(1) by striking subsection (b);
       [(2) by redesignating subsections (c) through (e) as 
     subsections (b) through (d), respectively; and
       [(3) in subsection (b)(2), as redesignated--
       [(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as 
     subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and
       [(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       [``(B) to a veteran who is a former prisoner of war;''.

     [SEC. 4. REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN VETERANS' OUTSTANDING 
                   EMERGENCY TREATMENT EXPENSES. .

       [ (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 17 is amended 
     by inserting after section 1725 the following:

     [``Sec. 1725A. Reimbursement for emergency treatment expenses 
       for which certain veterans remain personally liable

       [``(a)(1) Subject to subsection (c), the Secretary may 
     reimburse a veteran described in subsection (b) for expenses 
     resulting from emergency treatment furnished to the veteran 
     in a non-Department facility for which the veteran remains 
     personally liable.
       [``(2) In any case in which reimbursement is authorized 
     under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary, in the Secretary's 
     discretion, may, in lieu of reimbursing the veteran, make 
     payment--
       [``(A) to a hospital or other health care provider that 
     furnished the treatment; or
       [``(B) to the person or organization that paid for such 
     treatment on behalf of the veteran.
       [``(b) A veteran referred to in subsection (a) is an 
     individual who--
       [``(1) is enrolled in the health care system established 
     under section 1705(a) of this title;
       [``(2) received care under this chapter during the 24-month 
     period preceding the furnishing of such emergency treatment;
       [``(3) is entitled to care or services under a health-plan 
     contract that partially reimburses the cost of the veteran's 
     emergency treatment;
       [``(4) is financially liable to the provider of emergency 
     care treatment for costs not covered by the veteran's health-
     plan contract, including copayments and deductibles; and
       [``(5) is not eligible for reimbursement for medical care 
     or services under section 1725 or 1728 of this title.
       [``(c)(1) Any amount paid by the Secretary under subsection 
     (a) shall exclude the amount of any payment the veteran would 
     have been required to make to the United States under this 
     chapter if the veteran had received the emergency treatment 
     from the Department.
       [``(2) The Secretary may not provide reimbursement under 
     this section with respect to any item or service--
       [``(A) provided or for which payment has been made, or can 
     reasonably be expected to be made, under the veteran's 
     health-plan contract; or
       [``(B) for which payment has been made or can reasonably be 
     expected to be made by a third party.
       [``(3)(A) Payment by the Secretary under this section on 
     behalf of a veteran to a provider of emergency treatment 
     shall, unless rejected and refunded by the provider within 30 
     days of receipt, extinguish any liability on the part of the 
     veteran for that treatment.
       [``(B) The absence of a contract or agreement between the 
     Secretary and the provider, any provision of a contract or 
     agreement, or an assignment to the contrary shall not operate 
     to modify, limit, or negate the requirement under 
     subparagraph (A).
       [``(4) In accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
     Secretary, the Secretary shall--
       [``(A) establish criteria for determining the amount of 
     reimbursement (which may include a maximum amount) payable 
     under this section; and
       [``(B) delineate the circumstances under which such payment 
     may be made, including requirements for requesting 
     reimbursement.
       [``(d)(1) In accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
     Secretary, the United States shall have the independent right 
     to recover any amount paid under this section if, and to the 
     extent that, a third party subsequently makes a payment for 
     the same emergency treatment.
       [``(2) Any amount paid by the United States to the veteran, 
     the veteran's personal representative, successor, dependents, 
     or survivors, or to any other person or organization paying 
     for such treatment shall constitute a lien in favor of the 
     United States against any recovery the payee subsequently 
     receives from a third party for the same treatment.
       [``(3) Any amount paid by the United States to the provider 
     that furnished the veteran's emergency treatment shall 
     constitute a lien against any subsequent amount the provider 
     receives from a third party for the same emergency treatment 
     for which the United States made payment.
       [``(4) The veteran or the veteran's personal 
     representative, successor, dependents, or survivors shall--
       [``(A) ensure that the Secretary is promptly notified of 
     any payment received from any third party for emergency 
     treatment furnished to the veteran;
       [``(B) immediately forward all documents relating to a 
     payment described in subparagraph (A);
       [``(C) cooperate with the Secretary in an investigation of 
     a payment described in subparagraph (A); and
       [``(D) assist the Secretary in enforcing the United States 
     right to recover any payment made under subsection (c)(3).
       [``(e) The Secretary may waive recovery of a payment made 
     to a veteran under this section that is otherwise required 
     under subsection (d)(1) if the Secretary determines that such 
     waiver would be in the best interest of the United States, as 
     defined by regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
       [``(f) For purposes of this section--
       [``(1) the term `health-plan contract' includes--
       [``(A) an insurance policy or contract, medical or hospital 
     service agreement, membership or subscription contract, or 
     similar arrangement, under which health services for 
     individuals are provided or the expenses of such services are 
     paid;
       [``(B) an insurance program described in section 1811 of 
     the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c) or established by 
     section 1831 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1395j);
       [``(C) a State plan for medical assistance approved under 
     title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.); and
       [``(D) a workers' compensation law or plan described in 
     section 1729(A)(2)(B) of this title;
       [``(2) the term `third party' means--
       [``(A) a Federal entity;
       [``(B) a State or political subdivision of a State;
       [``(C) an employer or an employer's insurance carrier; and
       [``(D) a person or entity obligated to provide, or pay the 
     expenses of, such emergency treatment; and
       [``(3) the term `emergency treatment' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 1725 of this title.''.
       [(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 1725 the following:

[``Sec. 1725A. Reimbursement for emergency treatment expenses for which 
              certain veterans remain personally liable.''.

     [SEC. 5. CARE FOR NEWBORN CHILDREN OF WOMEN VETERANS 
                   RECEIVING MATERNITY CARE .

       [(a) In General.--Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:

[[Page S14412]]

     [``Sec. 1786. Care for newborn children of women veterans 
       receiving maternity care

       [``The Secretary may furnish care to a newborn child of a 
     woman veteran, who is receiving maternity care furnished by 
     the Department, for not more than 14 days after the birth of 
     the child if the veteran delivered the child in a Department 
     facility or in another facility pursuant to a Department 
     contract for the delivery services.''.
       [(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 1785 the following:

[``Sec. 1786. Care for newborn children of women veterans receiving 
              maternity care.''.

     [SEC. 6. ENHANCEMENT OF PAYER PROVISIONS FOR HEALTH CARE 
                   FURNISHED TO CERTAIN CHILDREN OF VIETNAM 
                   VETERANS.

       [(a) Health Care for Spina Bifida and Associated 
     Disabilities.--Section 1803 is amended--
       [(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
       [(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       [``(c)(1) If a payment made by the Secretary for health 
     care under this section is less than the amount billed for 
     such health care, the health care provider or agent of the 
     health care provider may, in accordance with paragraphs (2) 
     through (4), seek payment for the difference between the 
     amount billed and the amount paid by the Secretary from a 
     responsible third party to the extent that the provider or 
     agent would be eligible to receive payment for such health 
     care from such third party.
       [``(2) The health care provider or agent may not impose any 
     additional charge on the beneficiary who received the health 
     care, or the family of such beneficiary, for any service or 
     item for which the Secretary has made payment under this 
     section;
       [``(3) The total amount of payment a health care provider 
     or agent may receive for health care furnished under this 
     section may not exceed the amount billed to the Secretary.
       [``(4) The Secretary, upon request, shall disclose to such 
     third party information received for the purposes of carrying 
     out this section.''.
       [(b) Health Care for Birth Defects and Associated 
     Disabilities.--Section 1813 is amended--
       [(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
       [(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       [``(c)(1) If payment made by the Secretary for health care 
     under this section is less than the amount billed for such 
     health care, the health care provider or agent of the health 
     care provider may, in accordance with paragraphs (2) through 
     (4), seek payment for the difference between the amount 
     billed and the amount paid by the Secretary from a 
     responsible third party to the extent that the provider or 
     agent would be eligible to receive payment for such health 
     care from such third party.
       [``(2) The health care provider or agent may not impose any 
     additional charge on the beneficiary who received health 
     care, or the family of such beneficiary, for any service or 
     item for which the Secretary has made payment under this 
     section;
       [``(3) The total amount of payment a health care provider 
     or agent may receive for health care furnished under this 
     section may not exceed the amount billed to the Secretary; 
     and
       [``(4) The Secretary, upon request, shall disclose to such 
     third party information received for the purposes of carrying 
     out this section.''.

     [SEC. 7. IMPROVEMENTS TO HOMELESS PROVIDERS GRANT AND PER 
                   DIEM PROGRAM.

       [(a) Permanent Authority.--Section 2011 (a) is amended--
       [(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1)''; and
       [(2) by striking paragraph (2).
       [(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 2013 is 
     amended to read as follows:

     [``Sec. 2013. Authorization of appropriations

       [``There are authorized to be appropriated $130,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2006 and each subsequent fiscal year to carry out 
     this subchapter.''.

     [SEC. 8. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS.

       [(a) Qualifications.--Section 7402(b) is amended--
       [(1) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (11); and
       [(2) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
       [``(10) Marriage and family therapist.--To be eligible to 
     be appointed to a marriage and family therapist position, a 
     person must--
       [``(A) hold a master's degree in marriage and family 
     therapy, or a comparable degree in mental health, from a 
     college or university approved by the Secretary; and
       [``(B) be licensed or certified to independently practice 
     marriage and family therapy in a State, except that the 
     Secretary may waive the requirement of licensure or 
     certification for an individual marriage and family therapist 
     for a reasonable period of time recommended by the Under 
     Secretary for Health.''.
       [(b) Report on Marriage and Family Therapy Workload.--
       [(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Health, 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, shall submit to the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on 
     the provisions of post-traumatic stress disorder treatment by 
     marriage and family therapists.
       [(2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall include--
       [(A) the actual and projected workloads in facilities of 
     the Veterans Readjustment Counseling Service and the Veterans 
     Health Administration for the provision of marriage and 
     family counseling for veterans diagnosed with, or otherwise 
     in need of treatment for, post-traumatic stress disorder;
       [(B) the resources available and needed to support the 
     workload projections described in subparagraph (A);
       [(C) an assessment by the Under Secretary for Health of the 
     effectiveness of treatment by marriage and family therapists; 
     and
       [(D) recommendations, if any, for improvements in the 
     provision of such counseling treatment.

     [SEC. 9. PAY COMPARABILITY FOR CHIEF NURSING OFFICER, OFFICE 
                   OF NURSING SERVICES.

       [Section 7404 is amended--
       [(1) in subsection (d), by striking ``subchapter III'' and 
     inserting ``paragraph (e), subchapter III,''; and
       [(2) by adding at the end the following:
       [``(e) The position of Chief Nursing Officer, Office of 
     Nursing Services, shall be exempt from the provisions of 
     section 7451 of this title and shall be paid at a rate not to 
     exceed the maximum rate established for the Senior Executive 
     Service under section 5382 of title 5 United States Code, as 
     determined by the Secretary.''.

     [SEC. 10. REPEAL OF COST COMPARISON STUDIES PROHIBITION.

       [Section 8110(a) is amended--
       [(1) by striking paragraph (5); and
       [(2) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (5).

     [SEC. 11. IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSION OF MENTAL HEALTH 
                   SERVICES.

       [(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans affairs shall--
       [(1) expand the number of clinical treatment teams 
     principally dedicated to the treatment of post-traumatic 
     stress disorder in medical facilities of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs;
       [(2) expand and improve the services available to diagnose 
     and treat substance abuse;
       [(3) expand and improve tele-health initiatives to provide 
     better access to mental health services in areas of the 
     country in which the Secretary determines that a need for 
     such services exist due to the distance of such locations 
     from an appropriate facility of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs;
       [(4) improve education programs available to primary care 
     delivery professionals and dedicate such programs to 
     recognize, treat, and clinically manage veterans with mental 
     health care needs;
       [(5) expand the delivery of mental health services in 
     community-based outpatient clinics of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs in which such services are not available as 
     of the date of enactment of this Act; and
       [(6) expand and improve the Mental Health Intensive Case 
     Management Teams for the treatment and clinical case 
     management of veterans with serious or chronic mental 
     illness.
       [(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated in each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007, 
     $95,000,000 to improve and expand the treatment services and 
     options available to veterans in need of mental health 
     treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs, of which--
       [(1) $5,000,000 shall be allocated to carry out subsection 
     (a)(1);
       [(2) $50,000,000 shall be allocated to carry out subsection 
     (a)(2);
       [(3) $10,000,000 shall be allocated to carry out subsection 
     (a)(3);
       [(4) $1,000,000 shall be allocated to carry out subsection 
     (a)(4);
       [(5) $20,000,000 shall be allocated to carry out subsection 
     (a)(5); and
       [(6) $5,000,000 shall be allocated to carry out subsection 
     (a)(6).

     [SEC. 12. DATA SHARING IMPROVEMENTS.

       [Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense may 
     exchange protected health information for--
       [(1) patients receiving treatment from the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs; or
       [(2) individuals who may receive treatment from the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs in the future, including all 
     current and former members of the Armed Services.

     [SEC. 13. EXPANSION OF NATIONAL GUARD OUTREACH PROGRAM.

       [(a) Requirement.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     expand the total number of personal employed by the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs as part of the Readjustment 
     Counseling Service's Global War on Terrorism Outreach Program 
     (referred to in this section as the ``Program'').
       [(b) Coordination.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall coordinate participation in the Program by 
     appropriate employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration 
     and the Veterans Health Administration.
       [(c) Information and Assessments.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that--
       [(1) all appropriate health, education, and benefits 
     information is available to returning members of the National 
     Guard; and

[[Page S14413]]

       [(2) proper assessments of the needs in each of these areas 
     is made by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       [(d) Collaboration.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall collaborate with appropriate State National Guard 
     officials and provide such officials with any assets or 
     services of the Department of Veterans Affairs that the 
     Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out the Global 
     War on Terrorism Outreach Program.

     [SEC. 14. EXPANSION OF TELE-HEALTH SERVICES.

       [(a) In General.--The Secretary shall increase the number 
     of Veterans Readjustment Counseling Service facilities 
     capable of providing health services and counseling through 
     tele-health linkages with facilities of the Veterans Health 
     Administration.
       [(b) Plan.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a plan to 
     implement the requirement under subsection (a), which shall 
     describe the facilities that will have such capabilities at 
     the end of each of fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007.

     [SEC. 15. MENTAL HEALTH DATA SOURCES REPORT.

       [(a) In General.--Not less than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit a report to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives describing the mental health data 
     maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       [(b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) 
     shall include--
       [(1) a comprehensive list of the sources of all such data, 
     including the geographic locations of facilities of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs maintaining such data;
       [(2) an assessment of the limitations or advantages to 
     maintaining the current data configuration and locations; and
       [(3) any recommendations, if any, for improving the 
     collection, use, and location of mental health data 
     maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs.]

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans 
     Health Care Act of 2005''.
       (b) References.--Except as otherwise expressly provided, 
     whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in 
     terms of an amendment or repeal to a section or other 
     provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a 
     section or other provision of title 38, United States Code.
       (c) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; references to title 38, United States Code; table 
              of contents.
Sec. 2. Care for newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity 
              care.
Sec. 3. Enhancement of payer provisions for health care furnished to 
              certain children of Vietnam veterans.
Sec. 4. Improvements to homeless veterans service providers programs.
Sec. 5. Additional mental health providers.
Sec. 6. Pay comparability for Chief Nursing Officer, Office of Nursing 
              Services.
Sec. 7. Repeal of cost comparison studies prohibition.
Sec. 8. Improvements and expansion of mental health services.
Sec. 9. Data sharing improvements.
Sec. 10. Expansion of National Guard Outreach Program.
Sec. 11. Expansion of tele-health services.
Sec. 12. Mental health data sources report.
Sec. 13. Strategic plan for long-term care.
Sec. 14. Blind rehabilitation outpatient specialists.
Sec. 15. Compliance report.
Sec. 16. Health care and services for veterans affected by Hurricane 
              Katrina.
Sec. 17. Reimbursement for certain veterans' outstanding emergency 
              treatment expenses.

     SEC. 2. CARE FOR NEWBORN CHILDREN OF WOMEN VETERANS RECEIVING 
                   MATERNITY CARE.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 1786. Care for newborn children of women veterans 
       receiving maternity care

       ``The Secretary may furnish care to a newborn child of a 
     woman veteran, who is receiving maternity care furnished by 
     the Department, for not more than 14 days after the birth of 
     the child if the veteran delivered the child in a Department 
     facility or in another facility pursuant to a Department 
     contract for the delivery services.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 1785 the following:

``Sec. 1786. Care for newborn children of women veterans receiving 
              maternity care.''.

     SEC. 3. ENHANCEMENT OF PAYER PROVISIONS FOR HEALTH CARE 
                   FURNISHED TO CERTAIN CHILDREN OF VIETNAM 
                   VETERANS.

       (a) Health Care for Spina Bifida and Associated 
     Disabilities.--Section 1803 is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c)(1) If a payment made by the Secretary for health care 
     under this section is less than the amount billed for such 
     health care, the health care provider or agent of the health 
     care provider may, in accordance with paragraphs (2) through 
     (4), seek payment for the difference between the amount 
     billed and the amount paid by the Secretary from a 
     responsible third party to the extent that the provider or 
     agent would be eligible to receive payment for such health 
     care from such third party.
       ``(2) The health care provider or agent may not impose any 
     additional charge on the beneficiary who received the health 
     care, or the family of such beneficiary, for any service or 
     item for which the Secretary has made payment under this 
     section.
       ``(3) The total amount of payment a health care provider or 
     agent may receive for health care furnished under this 
     section may not exceed the amount billed to the Secretary.
       ``(4) The Secretary, upon request, shall disclose to such 
     third party information received for the purposes of carrying 
     out this section.''.
       (b) Health Care for Birth Defects and Associated 
     Disabilities.--Section 1813 is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c)(1) If payment made by the Secretary for health care 
     under this section is less than the amount billed for such 
     health care, the health care provider or agent of the health 
     care provider may, in accordance with paragraphs (2) through 
     (4), seek payment for the difference between the amount 
     billed and the amount paid by the Secretary from a 
     responsible third party to the extent that the provider or 
     agent would be eligible to receive payment for such health 
     care from such third party.
       ``(2) The health care provider or agent may not impose any 
     additional charge on the beneficiary who received health 
     care, or the family of such beneficiary, for any service or 
     item for which the Secretary has made payment under this 
     section.
       ``(3) The total amount of payment a health care provider or 
     agent may receive for health care furnished under this 
     section may not exceed the amount billed to the Secretary.
       ``(4) The Secretary, upon request, shall disclose to such 
     third party information received for the purposes of carrying 
     out this section.''.

     SEC. 4. IMPROVEMENTS TO HOMELESS VETERANS SERVICE PROVIDERS 
                   PROGRAMS.

       (a) Permanent Authority.--Section 2011 (a) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1)''; and
       (2) by striking paragraph (2).
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) Comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans.--
     Section 2013 is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 2013. Authorization of appropriations

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated $130,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2006 and each subsequent fiscal year to carry out 
     this subchapter.''.
       (2) Homeless veteran service provider technical assistance 
     program.--Section 2064(b) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2006 through 2011 to carry out the programs under this 
     section.''.

     SEC. 5. ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.

       (a) Qualifications.--Section 7402(b) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (12); and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
       ``(10) Marriage and family therapist.--To be eligible to be 
     appointed to a marriage and family therapist position, a 
     person shall--
       ``(A) hold a master's degree in marriage and family 
     therapy, or a comparable degree in mental health, from a 
     college or university approved by the Secretary; and
       ``(B) be licensed or certified to independently practice 
     marriage and family therapy in a State, except that the 
     Secretary may waive the requirement of licensure or 
     certification for an individual marriage and family therapist 
     for a reasonable period of time recommended by the Under 
     Secretary for Health.
       ``(11) Licensed professional mental health counselors.--To 
     be eligible to be appointed to a licensed professional mental 
     health counselor position, a person shall--
       ``(A) hold a master's degree in mental health counseling, 
     or a related field, from a college or university approved by 
     the Secretary; and
       ``(B) be licensed or certified to independently practice 
     mental health counseling.''.
       (b) Report on Marriage and Family Therapy Workload.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Health, 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, shall submit to the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on 
     the provisions of post-traumatic stress disorder treatment by 
     marriage and family therapists.
       (2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall include--
       (A) the actual and projected workloads in facilities of the 
     Veterans Readjustment Counseling Service and the Veterans 
     Health Administration for the provision of marriage and 
     family counseling for veterans diagnosed with, or otherwise 
     in need of treatment for, post-traumatic stress disorder;
       (B) the resources available and needed to support the 
     workload projections described in subparagraph (A);
       (C) an assessment by the Under Secretary for Health of the 
     effectiveness of treatment by marriage and family therapists; 
     and

[[Page S14414]]

       (D) recommendations, if any, for improvements in the 
     provision of such counseling treatment.

     SEC. 6. PAY COMPARABILITY FOR CHIEF NURSING OFFICER, OFFICE 
                   OF NURSING SERVICES.

       Section 7404 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d), by striking ``subchapter III and 
     in'' and inserting ``subsection (e), subchapter III, and''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) The position of Chief Nursing Officer, Office of 
     Nursing Services, shall be exempt from the provisions of 
     section 7451 of this title and shall be paid at a rate not to 
     exceed the maximum rate established for the Senior Executive 
     Service under section 5382 of title 5 United States Code, as 
     determined by the Secretary.''.

     SEC. 7. REPEAL OF COST COMPARISON STUDIES PROHIBITION.

       Section 8110(a) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (5); and
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (5).

     SEC. 8. IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Mental health treatment capacity at community-based 
     outpatient clinics remains inadequate and inconsistent, 
     despite the requirement under section 1706(c) of title 38, 
     United States Code, that every primary care health care 
     facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs develop and 
     carry out a plan to meet the mental health care needs of 
     veterans who require such services.
       (2) In 2001, the minority staff of the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the Senate conducted a survey of 
     community-based outpatient clinics and found that there was 
     no established systemwide baseline of acceptable mental 
     health service levels at such clinics.
       (3) In February 2005, the Government Accountability Office 
     reported that the Department of Veterans Affairs had not 
     fully met any of the 24 clinical care and education 
     recommendations made in 2004 by the Special Committee on 
     Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder of the Under Secretary for 
     Health, Veterans Health Administration.
       (b) Clinical Services and Education.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans affairs shall--
       (A) expand the number of clinical treatment teams 
     principally dedicated to the treatment of post-traumatic 
     stress disorder in medical facilities of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs;
       (B) expand and improve the services available to diagnose 
     and treat substance abuse;
       (C) expand and improve tele-health initiatives to provide 
     better access to mental health services in areas of the 
     country in which the Secretary determines that a need for 
     such services exist due to the distance of such locations 
     from an appropriate facility of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs;
       (D) improve education programs available to primary care 
     delivery professionals and dedicate such programs to 
     recognize, treat, and clinically manage veterans with mental 
     health care needs;
       (E) expand the delivery of mental health services in 
     community-based outpatient clinics of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs in which such services are not available as 
     of the date of enactment of this Act; and
       (F) expand and improve the Mental Health Intensive Case 
     Management Teams for the treatment and clinical case 
     management of veterans with serious or chronic mental 
     illness.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated $95,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2006 
     and 2007 to improve and expand the treatment services and 
     options available to veterans in need of mental health 
     treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs, of which--
       (A) $5,000,000 shall be allocated to carry out paragraph 
     (1)(A);
       (B) $50,000,000 shall be allocated to carry out paragraph 
     (1)(B);
       (C) $10,000,000 shall be allocated to carry out paragraph 
     (1)(C);
       (D) $1,000,000 shall be allocated to carry out paragraph 
     (1)(D);
       (E) $20,000,000 shall be allocated to carry out paragraph 
     (1)(E); and
       (F) $5,000,000 shall be allocated to carry out paragraph 
     (1)(F).
       (c) Required Capacity for Community-Based Outpatient 
     Clinics.--
       (1) Accountability for the provision of mental health 
     services.--The Under Secretary shall take appropriate steps 
     and provide necessary incentives (including appropriate 
     performance incentives) to ensure that each Regional Director 
     of the Veterans Health Administration is encouraged to--
       (A) prioritize the provision of mental health services to 
     veterans in need of such services;
       (B) foster collaborative working environments among 
     clinicians for the provision of mental health services; and
       (C) conduct mental health consultations during primary care 
     appointments.
       (2) Mental health and substance abuse services.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that each 
     community-based outpatient clinic of the Department has the 
     capacity to provide, or monitor the provision of, mental 
     health services to enrolled veterans in need of such 
     services.
       (B) Settings.--In carrying out subparagraph (A), the 
     Secretary shall ensure that mental health services are 
     provided through--
       (i) a community-based outpatient clinic of the Department 
     by an employee of the Department;
       (ii) referral to another facility of the Department;
       (iii) contract with an appropriate mental health 
     professional in the local community; or
       (iv) tele-mental health service.
       (3) Reporting requirement.--Not later than January 31, 
     2008, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit a report 
     to Congress that--
       (A) describes the status and availability of mental health 
     services at community-based outpatient clinics;
       (B) describes the substance of services available at such 
     clinics; and
       (C) includes the ratios between mental health staff and 
     patients at such clinics.
       (d) Cooperation on Mental Health Awareness and 
     Prevention.--
       (1) Agreement.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs shall enter into a Memorandum of 
     Understanding--
       (A) to ensure that separating service members receive 
     standardized individual mental health and sexual trauma 
     assessments as part of separation exams; and
       (B) that includes the development of shared guidelines on 
     how to conduct the assessments.
       (2) Establishment of joint veterans affairs-department of 
     defense workgroup on mental health.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a joint 
     workgroup on mental health, which shall be comprised of not 
     less than 7 leaders in the field of mental health appointed 
     from their respective departments.
       (B) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the establishment 
     of the workgroup under subparagraph (A), the workgroup shall 
     analyze the feasibility, content, and scope of initiatives 
     related to--
       (i) combating stigmas and prejudices associated with 
     service members who suffer from mental health disorders or 
     readjustment issues, through the use of peer counseling 
     programs or other educational initiatives;
       (ii) ways in which the Department of Veterans Affairs can 
     make their expertise in treating mental health disorders more 
     readily available to Department of Defense mental health care 
     providers;
       (iii) family and spousal education to assist family members 
     of veterans and service members to recognize and deal with 
     signs of potential readjustment issues or other mental health 
     disorders; and
       (iv) the seamless transition of service members who have 
     been diagnosed with mental health disorders from active duty 
     to veteran status (in consultation with the Seamless 
     Transition Task Force and other entities assisting in this 
     effort).
       (C) Report.--Not later than June 30, 2007, the Secretary of 
     Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit a 
     report to Congress containing the findings and 
     recommendations of the workgroup established under this 
     paragraph.
       (e) Primary Care Consultations for Mental Health.--
       (1) Guidelines.--The Under Secretary for Health, Veterans 
     Health Administration, shall establish systemwide guidelines 
     for screening primary care patients for mental health 
     disorders and illnesses.
       (2) Training.--Based upon the guidelines established under 
     paragraph (1), the Under Secretary for Health, Veterans 
     Health Administration, shall conduct appropriate training for 
     clinicians of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out 
     mental health consultations.
       (f) Clinical Training and Protocols.--
       (1) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (A) the Iraq War Clinician Guide has tremendous value; and
       (B) the Secretary of Defense and the National Center on 
     Post Traumatic Stress Disorder should continue to work 
     together to ensure that the mental health care needs of 
     servicemembers and veterans are met.
       (2) Collaboration.--The National Center on Post Traumatic 
     Stress Disorder shall collaborate with the Secretary of 
     Defense--
       (A) to enhance the clinical skills of military clinicians 
     through training, treatment protocols, web-based 
     interventions, and the development of evidence-based 
     interventions; and
       (B) to promote pre-deployment resilience and post-
     deployment readjustment among servicemembers serving in 
     Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
       (3) Training.--The National Center on Post Traumatic Stress 
     Disorder shall work with the Secretary of Defense to ensure 
     that clinicians in the Department of Defense are provided 
     with the training and protocols developed pursuant to 
     paragraph (2)(A).
       (4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated $2,000,000 for 2006 to carry out this 
     subsection.

     SEC. 9. DATA SHARING IMPROVEMENTS.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense may 
     exchange protected health information for--
       (1) patients receiving treatment from the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs; or
       (2) individuals who may receive treatment from the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs in the future, including all 
     current and former members of the armed services.

     SEC. 10. EXPANSION OF NATIONAL GUARD OUTREACH PROGRAM.

       (a) Requirement.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     expand the total number of personal employed by the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs as part of the Readjustment 
     Counseling Service's Global War on Terrorism Outreach Program 
     (referred to in this section as the ``Program'').
       (b) Coordination.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall coordinate participation in the Program by 
     appropriate employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration 
     and the Veterans Health Administration.
       (c) Information and Assessments.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that--

[[Page S14415]]

       (1) all appropriate health, education, and benefits 
     information is available to returning members of the National 
     Guard; and
       (2) proper assessments of the needs in each of these areas 
     is made by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (d) Collaboration.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     collaborate with appropriate State National Guard officials 
     and provide such officials with any assets or services of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs that the Secretary determines 
     to be necessary to carry out the Global War on Terrorism 
     Outreach Program.

     SEC. 11. EXPANSION OF TELE-HEALTH SERVICES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall increase the number of 
     Veterans Readjustment Counseling Service facilities capable 
     of providing health services and counseling through tele-
     health linkages with facilities of the Veterans Health 
     Administration.
       (b) Plan.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a plan to 
     implement the requirement under subsection (a), which shall 
     describe the facilities that will have such capabilities at 
     the end of each of fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007.

     SEC. 12. MENTAL HEALTH DATA SOURCES REPORT.

       (a) In General.--Not less than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit a report to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives describing the mental health data 
     maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) 
     shall include--
       (1) a comprehensive list of the sources of all such data, 
     including the geographic locations of facilities of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs maintaining such data;
       (2) an assessment of the limitations or advantages to 
     maintaining the current data configuration and locations; and
       (3) any recommendations, if any, for improving the 
     collection, use, and location of mental health data 
     maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

     SEC. 13. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR LONG-TERM CARE.

       (a) Publication.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall publish a strategic plan for long-term care.
       (b) Contents.--The plan published under subsection (a) 
     shall--
       (1) contain policies and strategies for--
       (A) the delivery of care in domiciliaries, residential 
     treatment facilities, and nursing homes, and for seriously 
     mentally ill veterans;
       (B) maximizing the use of State veterans homes;
       (C) locating domiciliary units as close to patient 
     populations as feasible; and
       (D) identifying freestanding nursing homes as an acceptable 
     care model;
       (2) include data on--
       (A) the care of catastrophically disabled veterans; and
       (B) the geographic distribution of catastrophically 
     disabled veterans;
       (3) address the spectrum of noninstitutional long-term care 
     options, including--
       (A) respite care;
       (B) home-based primary care;
       (C) geriatric evaluation;
       (D) adult day health care;
       (E) skilled home health care; and
       (F) community residential care; and
       (4) provide--
       (A) cost and quality comparison analyses of all the 
     different levels of care;
       (B) detailed information about geographic distribution of 
     services and gaps in care; and
       (C) specific plans for working with Medicare, Medicaid, and 
     private insurance companies to expand care.

     SEC. 14. BLIND REHABILITATION OUTPATIENT SPECIALISTS.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) There are approximately 135,000 blind veterans 
     throughout the United States, including approximately 35,000 
     who are enrolled with the Department of Veterans Affairs. An 
     aging veteran population and injuries incurred in Operation 
     Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are increasing 
     the number of blind veterans.
       (2) Since 1996, when the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     hired its first 14 blind rehabilitation outpatient 
     specialists (referred to in this section as ``Specialists'', 
     Specialists have been a critical part of the continuum of 
     care for blind and visually impaired veterans.
       (3) The Department of Veterans Affairs operates 10 
     residential blind rehabilitation centers that are considered 
     among the best in the world. These centers have had long 
     waiting lists, with as many as 1,500 blind veterans waiting 
     for openings in 2004.
       (4) Specialists provide--
       (A) critically needed services to veterans who are unable 
     to attend residential centers or are waiting to enter such a 
     program;
       (B) a range of services, including training with living 
     skills, mobility, and adaptation of manual skills; and
       (C) pre-admission screening and follow-up care for blind 
     rehabilitation centers.
       (5) There are not enough Specialist positions to meet the 
     increased numbers and needs of blind veterans.
       (b) Establishment of Specialist Positions.--Not later than 
     30 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a Specialist 
     position at not fewer than 35 facilities of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs.
       (c) Selection of Facilities.--In identifying the most 
     appropriate facilities to receive a Specialist position under 
     this section, the Secretary shall--
       (1) give priority to facilities with large numbers of 
     enrolled legally blind veterans;
       (2) ensure that each facility does not have such a 
     position; and
       (3) ensure that each facility is in need of the services of 
     such Specialists.
       (d) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate the 
     provision of blind rehabilitation services for veterans with 
     services for the care of the visually impaired offered by 
     State and local agencies, especially if such State and local 
     agencies can provide similar services to veterans in settings 
     located closer to the residences of such veterans.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,500,000 for 
     each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2011.

     SEC. 15. COMPLIANCE REPORT.

       Section 1706(b)(5)(A) is amended by striking ``2004'' and 
     inserting ``2006''.

     SEC. 16. HEALTH CARE AND SERVICES FOR VETERANS AFFECTED BY 
                   HURRICANE KATRINA.

       (a) Requirement for Hospital Care and Medical Services for 
     Priority 8 Veterans Affected by Hurricane Katrina.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
     and any notwithstanding any previous decisions made by the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to chapter 17 of title 
     38 United States Code, the Secretary shall provide necessary 
     medical and health care services to any veteran affected by 
     Hurricane Katrina as if such veteran was enrolled for care 
     under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code.
       (2) Status of veterans.--For purposes of managing the 
     health care system, as required under section 1705 of title 
     38, United States Code, a veteran who seeks care under 
     paragraph (1) shall not be considered to be an enrollee of 
     the health care system under such section unless the 
     Secretary subsequently designates such a veteran as such an 
     enrollee.
       (b) Prohibition on Collection of Copayments for Veterans 
     Affected by Hurricane Katrina.--In furnishing hospital care 
     and medical services to any veteran affected by Hurricane 
     Katrina, the Secretary shall not collect from, or with 
     respect to, such veteran any payment for such care and 
     services otherwise required under any provision of law, 
     including any copayment for medications otherwise required 
     under section 1722A of title 38, United States Code.
       (c) Definition.--In this section, the term ``veteran 
     affected by Hurricane Katrina'' means any veteran who, as of 
     August 29, 2005, resided in the catchment region of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in--
       (1) New Orleans, Louisiana;
       (2) Biloxi, Mississippi; or
       (3) Gulfport, Mississippi.
       (d) Sunset Provision.--The authority under this section 
     shall expire on January 31, 2006.

     SEC. 17. REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN VETERANS' OUTSTANDING 
                   EMERGENCY TREATMENT EXPENSES. .

        (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 17 is amended 
     by inserting after section 1725 the following:

     ``Sec. 1725A. Reimbursement for emergency treatment expenses 
       for which certain veterans remain personally liable

       ``(a)(1) Subject to subsection (c), the Secretary may 
     reimburse a veteran described in subsection (b) for expenses 
     resulting from emergency treatment furnished to the veteran 
     in a non-Department facility for which the veteran remains 
     personally liable.
       ``(2) In any case in which reimbursement is authorized 
     under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary, in the Secretary's 
     discretion, may, in lieu of reimbursing the veteran, make 
     payment--
       ``(A) to a hospital or other health care provider that 
     furnished the treatment; or
       ``(B) to the person or organization that paid for such 
     treatment on behalf of the veteran.
       ``(b) A veteran referred to in subsection (a) is an 
     individual who--
       ``(1) is enrolled in the health care system established 
     under section 1705(a) of this title;
       ``(2) received care under this chapter during the 24-month 
     period preceding the furnishing of such emergency treatment;
       ``(3) is entitled to care or services under a health-plan 
     contract that partially reimburses the cost of the veteran's 
     emergency treatment;
       ``(4) is financially liable to the provider of emergency 
     care treatment for costs not covered by the veteran's health-
     plan contract, including copayments and deductibles; and
       ``(5) is not eligible for reimbursement for medical care or 
     services under section 1725 or 1728 of this title.
       ``(c)(1) Any amount paid by the Secretary under subsection 
     (a) shall exclude the amount of any payment the veteran would 
     have been required to make to the United States under this 
     chapter if the veteran had received the emergency treatment 
     from the Department.
       ``(2) The Secretary may not provide reimbursement under 
     this section with respect to any item or service--
       ``(A) provided or for which payment has been made, or can 
     reasonably be expected to be made, under the veteran's 
     health-plan contract; or
       ``(B) for which payment has been made or can reasonably be 
     expected to be made by a third party.
       ``(3)(A) Payment by the Secretary under this section on 
     behalf of a veteran to a provider of emergency treatment 
     shall, unless rejected and refunded by the provider within 30 
     days of receipt, extinguish any liability on the part of the 
     veteran for that treatment.
       ``(B) The absence of a contract or agreement between the 
     Secretary and the provider, any provision of a contract or 
     agreement, or an assignment to the contrary shall not operate 
     to

[[Page S14416]]

     modify, limit, or negate the requirement under subparagraph 
     (A).
       ``(4) In accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
     Secretary, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) establish criteria for determining the amount of 
     reimbursement (which may include a maximum amount) payable 
     under this section; and
       ``(B) delineate the circumstances under which such payment 
     may be made, including requirements for requesting 
     reimbursement.
       ``(d)(1) In accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
     Secretary, the United States shall have the independent right 
     to recover any amount paid under this section if, and to the 
     extent that, a third party subsequently makes a payment for 
     the same emergency treatment.
       ``(2) Any amount paid by the United States to the veteran, 
     the veteran's personal representative, successor, dependents, 
     or survivors, or to any other person or organization paying 
     for such treatment shall constitute a lien in favor of the 
     United States against any recovery the payee subsequently 
     receives from a third party for the same treatment.
       ``(3) Any amount paid by the United States to the provider 
     that furnished the veteran's emergency treatment shall 
     constitute a lien against any subsequent amount the provider 
     receives from a third party for the same emergency treatment 
     for which the United States made payment.
       ``(4) The veteran or the veteran's personal representative, 
     successor, dependents, or survivors shall--
       ``(A) ensure that the Secretary is promptly notified of any 
     payment received from any third party for emergency treatment 
     furnished to the veteran;
       ``(B) immediately forward all documents relating to a 
     payment described in subparagraph (A);
       ``(C) cooperate with the Secretary in an investigation of a 
     payment described in subparagraph (A); and
       ``(D) assist the Secretary in enforcing the United States 
     right to recover any payment made under subsection (c)(3).
       ``(e) The Secretary may waive recovery of a payment made to 
     a veteran under this section that is otherwise required under 
     subsection (d)(1) if the Secretary determines that such 
     waiver would be in the best interest of the United States, as 
     defined by regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
       ``(f) For purposes of this section--
       ``(1) the term `health-plan contract' includes--
       ``(A) an insurance policy or contract, medical or hospital 
     service agreement, membership or subscription contract, or 
     similar arrangement, under which health services for 
     individuals are provided or the expenses of such services are 
     paid;
       ``(B) an insurance program described in section 1811 of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c) or established by 
     section 1831 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1395j);
       ``(C) a State plan for medical assistance approved under 
     title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.); and
       ``(D) a workers' compensation law or plan described in 
     section 1729(A)(2)(B) of this title;
       ``(2) the term `third party' means--
       ``(A) a Federal entity;
       ``(B) a State or political subdivision of a State;
       ``(C) an employer or an employer's insurance carrier; and
       ``(D) a person or entity obligated to provide, or pay the 
     expenses of, such emergency treatment; and
       ``(3) the term `emergency treatment' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 1725 of this title.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 1725 the following:

``Sec. 1725A. Reimbursement for emergency treatment expenses for which 
              certain veterans remain personally liable.''.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment 
at the desk be agreed to, the committee-reported amendment, as amended, 
be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, 
the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any 
statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record, all en bloc.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 2694) was agreed to.
  (The amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text of 
Amendments.'')
  The committee-reported amendment in the nature of a substitute, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  The bill (S. 1182), as amended, was read the third time and passed.

                          ____________________