    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [November 30, 1999]
    [Page 2170]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits
    Act
    November 30, 1999

        Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 2116, the ``Veterans
    Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act.'' This comprehensive bill will
    improve a broad array of benefits and services for those to whom we owe
    our freedoms--our Nation's veterans.
        This bill is especially significant for its approach in the
    provision of enhanced extended-care services to veterans. It firmly
    establishes that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should accord
    the highest priority for nursing home care to the most severely disabled
    veterans and those needing care for service-connected disabilities. It
    will also ensure that veterans enrolled in the VA health care system
    receive noninstitutional, extended-care services, including geriatric
    evaluations and adult day health care.
        The bill also expands opportunities for military retirees to utilize
    VA health care services, at Department of Defense (DoD) expense and in
    accordance with an agreement to be developed by DoD and VA. The DoD and
    VA will ensure this agreement allows for the provision of high-quality
    managed care and increased choice, in the most cost-effective manner for
    the Federal Government.
        This bill includes many other important health care provisions. For
    example, H.R. 2116:
        Expands veterans' eligibility for reimbursement of emergency
                care costs when VA or other Federal health care facilities
                are not accessible.
        Extends and expands VA's authority to provide health care
                services to victims of sexual trauma.
        Makes more active duty personnel eligible for VA substance
                dependency treatment.
        Authorizes VA to update the schedule of copayments charged
                for certain health care benefits to generate additional
                program funds.
        I am also pleased that the bill will make it easier for surviving
    spouses of disabled former prisoners of war to qualify for survivor
    benefits; expand certain education benefit entitlements; extend VA's
    authority to guarantee home loans for members of the Selected Reserve;
    and both extend and enhance programs for homeless veterans.
        These are but the high points of a comprehensive bill that will
    enhance many benefits and services our veterans and their families
    justly deserve. I thank all who were involved in its passage.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    November 30, 1999.

    Note: H.R. 2116, approved November 30, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
    117.