[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 114-19
114th Congress

An Act


 
To extend the authorization for the replacement of the existing
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, to
make certain improvements in the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014, and for other purposes. <>

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Construction Authorization and Choice
Improvement Act''.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the
replacement of the existing Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center in Denver, Colorado, in fiscal year 2015, in an amount not to
exceed $900,000,000.
(b) Limitation on Obligation of Funds.--Notwithstanding section
8104(c) of title 38, United States Code, or any other provision of law,
funds may not be obligated or expended for the project described in
subsection (a) in an amount that would cause the total amount obligated
for that project to exceed the amount specified in the law for that
project (or would add to total obligations exceeding such specified
amount).
SEC. 3. CLARIFICATION OF DISTANCE REQUIREMENT FOR EXPANDED
AVAILABILITY OF HOSPITAL CARE AND MEDICAL
SERVICES FOR VETERANS THROUGH THE USE OF
AGREEMENTS WITH NON-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS ENTITIES.

(a) In General.--Section 101(b)(2) of the Veterans Access, Choice,
and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note)
is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``(as calculated based
on distance traveled)'' after ``40 miles''; and
(2) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking subclause (II), and
inserting the following new subclause (II):
``(II) faces an unusual or excessive
burden in traveling to such a medical
facility of the Department based on--
``(aa) geographical
challenges;
``(bb) environmental
factors, such as roads that are
not accessible to the general
public, traffic, or hazardous
weather;

[[Page 216]]

``(cc) a medical condition
that impacts the ability to
travel; or
``(dd) other factors, as
determined by the Secretary.''.

(b) <>  Effective Date.--The amendments
made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of
this Act and apply with respect to care or services provided on or after
such date.

Approved May 22, 2015.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 2496:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 161 (2015):
May 21, considered and passed House.
May 22, considered and passed Senate.