Highlights of Legislative Actions of 108 th Congress Pertaining to Veterans - BILLS PASSED INTO LAW

H.R.100
Title: To restate, clarify, and revise the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940.

Related Bills: H.R.3024 ,  S.792 ,  S.1136

Became Public Law No: 108-189

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SUMMARY

1.      Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to: (1) rename the Act as the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act; (2) add to the definition of "military service" active service by members of the National Guard of more than 30 consecutive days, as well as any period during which a servicemember is absent from duty on account of sickness, wounds, leave, or other lawful cause; (3) include a definition of "dependents" for purposes of dependent coverage; (4) extend certain rights and protections to reserve personnel ordered to report for military service; and (5) authorize any servicemember to waive any of such rights and protections, pursuant to written agreement.

2.      Provides certain protections for servicemembers against default judgments while in military service, including a minimum 90-day stay of proceedings, with respect to the payment of any tax, fine, penalty, insurance premium, or other civil obligation or liability. Requires a court to appoint an attorney to represent any defendant in military service. Allows a default judgment against a servicemember to be vacated or set aside and the case reopened if the servicemember: (1) was materially affected by such service in making a defense; and (2) has a meritorious or legal defense to the action or a part thereof.

3.      Authorizes a stay of proceedings while an individual is either in military service or within 90 (currently, 60) days after termination or release from such service for a servicemember who has received notice of such proceedings, if the court receives a letter or other communication: (1) stating that current duty requirements materially affect the servicemember's ability to appear; or (2) from the servicemember's commanding officer stating that current duties prevent the servicemember's appearance and that military leave is not authorized. Allows a servicemember granted a stay from such proceedings to apply for an additional stay based on continuing material effect of military duty on the ability to appear.

4.      Allows a stay of execution of judgments, attachments, and garnishments against a servicemember for the period of military service or within 90 days thereafter.

5.      Forgives the payment of interest in excess of six percent a year for obligations or liabilities incurred by the servicemember, or jointly by the servicemember and his or her spouse, before the servicemember entered military service. Requires the servicemember to provide written notice to the creditor in order to receive such interest limitation.

6.      Prohibits an eviction or distress from being made against a servicemember or his or her dependents during a period of military service for a premise for which rent does not exceed $2,400 (currently, $1,200), except by court order. Increases the rental limit annually based on housing price inflation adjustments (requiring annual publication of such adjustments). Prohibits: (1) rescinding or terminating for breach of contract during a period of military service a contract for the purchase or lease of real or personal property, including a motor vehicle, entered into prior to such service; and (2) a person holding a lien on property or effects of a servicemember from foreclosing or otherwise enforcing such lien (with penalties and protection for materially affected dependents) during a period of service and 90 days thereafter.

7.      Increases the total amount of life insurance coverage protection provided under the Act to $250,000, or an amount equal to the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance maximum limit, whichever is greater.

8.      Makes findings of fact and conclusions of law made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in administering the life insurance provisions of the Act subject to review by the Board of Veterans Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (not reviewable under current law).

9.      Repeals provisions concerning: (1) homestead entries and settlement claims made prior to entry into military service; (2) the suspension of residence requirements for servicemembers with respect to entry upon land for irrigation rights; and (3) limitations on the persons subject to coverage under a power of attorney of a servicemember in a missing status.

10.  Requires a servicemember to apply for reinstatement under prior health insurance coverage within 120 days after termination of or release from military service.

11.  Provides that if the trade or business of a servicemember has an obligation or liability for which the servicemember is personally liable, the assets of the trade or business which are not held in connection with the trade or business may not be available for the satisfaction of such obligation or liability during the servicemember's military service.

H.R.1516
Title: An act to provide for the establishment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of additional cemeteries in the National Cemetery Administration.

Related Bills: H.R.197 ,  S.1077

Became Public Law No: 108-109

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SUMMARY H.R. 1516, as amended, would:

1.      Direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish, not later than four years after the date of enactment, five new national cemeteries in the following areas: southeastern Pennsylvania; Birmingham, Alabama; Jacksonville, Florida; Bakersfield, California; and Greenville/Columbia, South Carolina.

2.      Direct the Secretary to use Advance Planning Funds for the establishment of the new cemeteries.

3.      Direct the Secretary, in determining the specific sites for the new cemeteries, to solicit the advice of representatives of State and local veterans organizations and other individuals as the Secretary considers appropriate.

4.      Require the Secretary to submit a report to Congress within 120 days of enactment setting forth the five areas where those cemeteries will be established, a schedule for establishment, the estimated cost associated with establishment, and the amount of Advance Planning Funds obligated for this purpose.

5.      Require the Secretary to submit to Congress an annual report that updates the information included in the initial report until the five cemeteries are completed.

Hr 1683
Title: To increase, effective as of December 1, 2003, the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans, and for other purposes.

Related Bills: S.1131

Became Public Law No: 108-147

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SUMMARY

1.      Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2003, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

2.      Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date.

HR 2297
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Related Bills: H.R.241 ,  H.R.533 ,  H.R.761 ,  H.R.966 ,  H.R.1167 ,  H.R.1460 ,  H.R.1838 ,  H.R.1949 ,  H.R.2164 ,  H.R.2285 ,  S.1132

Became Public Law No: 108-183

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SUMMARY

1.      Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 - Title I: Survivor Benefits - (Sec. 101) Provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse of a veteran after age 57 shall not bar the furnishing of veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), home loan, and educational benefits eligibility. Requires spouses who remarried after age 57 but prior to the enactment of this Act to apply for such eligibility within one year.

2.      (Sec. 102) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide to any child of a veteran of covered service (active military duty within a specified period during which the veteran was exposed to a herbicide agent) in Korea who is suffering from spina bifida the health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance currently required to be paid to a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida.

3.      (Sec. 103) Authorizes the payment of proceeds following the death of the insured under the National Life Insurance Program and the United States Government Life Insurance Program: (1) to another beneficiary designated by the insured, if the first beneficiary does not make a claim for such proceeds within two years; or (2) to any person designated by the Secretary to be equitably entitled to such proceeds, if no claim has been filed by any designated beneficiary within four years.

4.      (Sec. 104) Repeals the limitation on the accrued benefits required to be paid by the Secretary upon the death of a veteran or other beneficiary. Requries benefits to be paid to the surviving parents upon the death of a child claiming benefits as a child of a Vietnam veteran.

5.      Title II: Benefits for Former Prisoners of War and for Filipino Veterans - Subtitle A: Former Prisoners of War - (Sec. 201) Revises Federal provisions relating to the presumption of service-connection for certain diseases manifest in former prisoners of war to deem the following diseases to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service without any minimum period of internment (currently, internment of at least 30 days is required): psychosis; any of the anxiety states; dysthymic disorder; organic residuals of frostbite when consistent with prisoner conditions; and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Adds cirrhosis of the liver to the list of diseases which will be considered as having been incurred in or aggravated by such service if: (1) the veteran was interned for at least 30 days; and (2) the disease becomes manifest to a degree of ten percent or more after active military service.

6.      Subtitle B: Filipino Veterans - (Sec. 211) Qualifies for: (1) the payment of certain survivors' benefits the surviving spouses of former members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army or new Philippine Scouts who served with U.S. armed forces during World War II and who became U.S. citizens or lawfully resided in the United States; and (2) national cemetery burial new Philippine Scouts (and their spouses) who so served and became U.S. citizens or lawful residents.

7.      (Sec. 213) Extends through 2009 the authority to maintain a regional Department of Veterans Affairs office in the Republic of the Philippines.

8.      Title III: Education Benefits, Employment Provisions, and Related Matters - (Sec. 301) Includes under the Montgomery GI Bill education program a program of self-employment on-job training consisting of full-time training for a period of less than six months that is needed or accepted for obtaining licensure to engage in a self-employment occupation or that is required for franchise ownership and operation.

9.      (Sec. 302) Increases as of July 1, 2004, the rates of: (1) survivors' and dependents' educational assistance; and (2) assistance for correspondence courses, special restorative training, and apprenticeship training.

10.  (Sec. 303) Makes the delimiting period of eligibility for survivors' and dependents' educational assistance with respect to a member who is involuntarily ordered to full-time National Guard duty the same period that exists for survivors and dependents of regular military personnel called or ordered to active duty (the length of such duty plus four months).

11.  (Sec. 304) Requires cost-of-living adjustments to payments made under active-duty and veterans' educational assistance programs to be rounded down (currently, rounded) to the nearest dollar during the period after FY 2004 and before FY 2014.

12.  (Sec. 305) Authorizes a State agency to approve entrepreneurship (business education) courses for attendance by veterans using veterans' basic educational assistance provided through the Department. Prohibits the Secretary from treating a business owner as already qualified for such purposes. Adds entrepreneurship courses to authorized programs of veterans' educational assistance. Includes as a qualified provider of such courses: (1) any small business development center under the Small Business Act; and (2) the National Veterans Business Development Corporation.

13.  (Sec. 306) Repeals the Department of Veterans Affairs Education Loan Program. Terminates an associated Fund.

14.  (Sec. 307) Extends through 2009 the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.

15.  (Sec. 308) Amends the Small Business Act to authorize a Federal contracting officer to award a sole source contract (limited to contracts of up to $5 million for manufacturing and $3 million for non-manufacturing) to small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled (qualified) veterans if: (1) the business is determined to be responsible with respect to performance of the contract opportunity and the contracting officer does not expect that two or more small businesses owned and controlled by qualified veterans will submit offers; (2) the anticipated award price of the contract will not exceed the sole source limit; and (3) the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price. Allows a contracting officer to restrict contract competition to qualified businesses if the officer can reasonably expect at least two such businesses to submit offers. Prohibits a procurement from being made on the basis of such authority if the procurement would otherwise be made from a different source under provisions of either the Federal criminal code governing Government procurement of prisoner products or services or the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act.

16.  (Sec. 309) Directs the Secretary of Labor to station employees of the Veterans' Employment and Training Service or contractors at each veterans' assistance office established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on an overseas military installation. Requires such personnel to carry out employment counseling under the Transition Assistance Program and the Disabled Transition Assistance Program for persons separating from active duty and their spouses.

17.  Title IV: Housing Benefits and Related Matters - (Sec. 401) Authorizes the Secretary to provide adapted housing assistance to certain categories of disabled military personnel serving on active duty if the disability is the result of an injury or disease contracted or aggravated during such duty.

18.  (Sec. 402) Increases from: (1) $48,000 to $50,000 the maximum authorized to be provided by the Department to certain disabled veterans for the construction of specially adapted housing; (2) $9,250 to $10,000 the maximum authorized for specially adapted features within a home; and (3) $9,000 to $11,000 the maximum authorized for automobile and adaptive equipment for such veterans.

19.  (Sec. 403) Makes permanent (currently, expires on September 30, 2009) the authority for individuals who complete six years of service in the Selected Reserve to receive Department-guaranteed veterans' home loans.

20.  (Sec. 404) Reinstates until September 30, 2013, certain minimum requirements with respect to the Department's vendee loan program (the authority to finance the purchase of properties it has acquired, as guarantor, as a result of a veteran's foreclosure). Requires the Department to dispose of between 50 and 85 (currently, 65) percent of such acquired properties using vendee loans.

21.  (Sec. 405) Revises the fee amounts charged under the veterans' home loan guaranty program.

22.  (Sec. 406) Extends until October 1, 2012, the termination date of Department procedures for liquidation sales with respect to defaulted home loans guaranteed by the Department.

23.  Title V: Burial Benefits - (Sec. 501) Allows States to receive the veterans' burial plot allowance of $300 for the interment of a veteran who: (1) did not serve during a wartime period; or (2) was discharged as a result of a service-connected disability.

24.  (Sec. 502) Makes all remarried surviving spouses of veterans eligible for burial in a national cemetery. (Currently, such eligibility is permitted only for remarried former spouses whose subsequent marriage was terminated by death or divorce.)

25.  (Sec. 503) Makes permanent (currently, terminates at the end of FY 2004) the authority of the Secretary to make grants to States for establishing, expanding, or improving veterans' cemeteries.

26.  Title VI: Exposure to Hazardous Substances - (Sec. 601) Directs the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Defense to jointly: (1) conduct a review of the missions, procedures, and administration of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program of the Department of Defense; (2) report review results to Congress; and (3) take appropriate action to ensure the ongoing independent review and oversight of the Program, including the establishment of an advisory board. Authorizes the advisory board to make recommendations on modifications in the missions or procedures of the Program.

27.  (Sec. 602) Directs the Secretary, through the National Academy of Sciences (Academy) or another appropriate scientific organization, to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on the appropriate disposition of the Air Force Health Study, an epidemiological study of Air Force personnel responsible for conducting aerial herbicides spray missions during the Vietnam era.

28.  (Sec. 603) Directs the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Defense to provide funding for FY 2004 through 2013 for the Medical Follow-Up Agency of the Institute of Medicine of the Academy for purposes of epidemiological research on military personnel and veterans.

29.  Title VII: Other Matters - (Sec. 701) Requires veterans' benefits (other than Government life insurance) claimants who have submitted an incomplete claim application and who have been notified by the Department that additional information is required to submit the additional information within one year after such notification (but allows the Department to decide such a claim before the expiration of the one-year period). Requires the Secretary to readjudicate a claim of a qualified claimant if the request for readjudication is received within one year after the enactment of this Act.

30.  (Sec. 702) Deems to be a prohibited assignment of veterans' benefits any agreement under which a beneficiary attempts to transfer to another person or entity the right to receive direct or indirect payments of veterans' disability compensation, pension, or DIC benefits. Allows as an agreement a loan involving the beneficiary if loan payments are made by preauthorized electronic funds transfers pursuant to the Electronic Funds Transfers Act.

31.  (Sec. 703) Extends through 2009 the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.

32.  (Sec. 704) Authorizes the Secretary, through 2009, to provide for the conduct by non-Department personnel of examinations with respect to the medical disabilities of benefit applicants. Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on the utilization of such authority.

33.  (Sec. 705) Adds certain criminal subversive activities offenses to those which will cause a veteran to lose the right to certain gratuitous benefits (including national cemetery burial) provided through the Department.

34.  (Sec. 706) Extends through FY 2013 the requirement that yearly cost-of-living adjustments to rates of veterans' disability compensation and DIC be rounded down to the nearest whole dollar.

35.  (Sec. 707) Codifies provisions of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1994 concerning the expeditious treatment of benefits claim cases remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals or the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

H.R.4175 :
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2004 To increase, effective as of December 1, 2004, the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans, and for other purposes.

Related Bills: H.R.348 ,  S.2483

Became Public Law No: 108-422

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SUMMARY

In Summary, H.R. 4175, as amended, would:

1.      Provide effective December 1, 2004, a cost-of-living adjustment to the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and to the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans. The percentage amount would be equal to the increase for benefits provided under the Social Security Act, which is calculated based upon changes in the Consumer Price Index.

2.      Add osteoporosis to the list of diseases presumed to be service connected for former prisoners of war for the purposes of veterans' benefits.

3.      Codify the current dollar amounts of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation, as provided for in Public Law 108-147. 

S.1156
Title: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and enhance the provision of health care for veterans, to authorize major construction projects and other facilities matters for the Department of Veterans Affairs, to enhance and improve authorities relating to the administration of personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Related Bills: H.R.91 ,  H.R.1832 ,  H.R.1908 ,  H.R.1951 ,  H.R.2349 ,  H.R.2352 ,  H.R.2357 ,  H.R.2414 ,  H.R.2433 ,  H.R.2806 ,  H.R.3260 ,  H.R.3387
Became Public Law No: 108-170

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SUMMARY

1.      Veterans Health Care, Capital Asset, and Business Improvement Act of 2003 - Title I: Health Care Authorities and Related Matters - (Sec. 101) Removes the requirement that former prisoners of war must have been detained or interned for at least 90 days in order to be eligible for veterans' outpatient dental care. Exempts former prisoners of war from any required copayments under the Department of Veterans Affairs (Department) pharmacy program.

2.      (Sec. 102) Makes a veteran who participated in a test conducted by the Department of Defense Deseret Test Center as part of a program for chemical and biological warfare testing from 1962 through 1973 (including the program designated as Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) and related land-based tests) eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care, notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such illness is attributable to such testing. Terminates such eligibility after December 31, 2005.

3.      (Sec. 103) Directs (current law authorizes) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish hospital and nursing home care and medical services for any illness or injury that is a service-connected disability of any Commonwealth Army veteran or new Philippine Scout who is residing in the United States and is a citizen or lawfully admitted alien for permanent residence.

4.      (Sec. 104) Expands the rehabilitative services authorized to be provided to ill or disabled veterans to include work skills training and development, employment support, and job development and placement.

5.      (Sec. 105) Authorizes the Secretary, in furnishing nursing home care, adult day health care, or extended care services to veterans, to enter into agreements for the furnishing of such care or services with authorized service providers under title XVIII (Medicare) or XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act.

6.      (Sec. 106) Extends through 2008 the period for the provision of veterans' noninstitutional extended-care services and required nursing home care.

7.      (Sec. 107) Amends the Veterans' Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act to allow the Secretary to carry out a pilot program for veterans for long-term care and assisted living in one additional designated health care region of the Department as selected by the Secretary. Terminates such additional authority three years after commencement of the provision of such services.

8.      (Sec. 108) Increases and extends through FY 2006 a Department program for the provision of specialized mental health services to veterans. Directs the Secretary, in allocating program funds, to ensure specified amounts for programs: (1) identified by the Mental Health Strategic Health Care Group and the Committee on Care of Severely Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans; (2) on post-traumatic stress disorder; and (3) on substance abuse disorder.

9.      Title II: Construction and Facilities Matters - Subtitle A: Program Authorities - (Sec. 201) Increases from $4 million to $7 million the threshold cost of a major medical facility project above which funds for such project must be specifically authorized by law.

10.  (Sec. 202) Revises the Secretary's authority to enter into enhanced-use leases for the Department to: (1) reduce, from 90 to 45 days after congressional notification, the required waiting period before entering into such a lease; (2) require each notification to include a summary of a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed lease; (3) repeal a congressional reporting requirement with respect to such leases; (4) remove the requirement that the Secretary request the Administrator of General Services to dispose of property no longer needed under such a lease (thereby allowing the Secretary to make such disposition); (5) reduce, from 90 to 45 days after congressional notification, the required waiting period before disposing of such property; and (6) allow the Secretary to use lease proceeds to reimburse applicable appropriations of the Department for any expenses incurred in the development of additional enhanced-use leases.

11.  (Sec. 203) Removes certain information requirements from a required report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees regarding Department long-range health planning.

12.  Subtitle B: Project Authorizations - (Sec. 211) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out: (1) construction of long-term care facilities in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and Beckley, West Virginia; (2) construction of a new bed tower to consolidate two inpatient sites of care in inner city Chicago; (3) seismic corrections to strengthen Medical Center Building 1 of the Department health care system in San Diego, California; (4) renovation of all inpatient care wards and establishment of a consolidated medical research facility at the Department's West Haven, Connecticut, facility; and (5) construction of a Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of the Navy joint venture comprehensive outpatient medical care facility on the grounds of the Pensacola, Florida, Naval Air Station.

13.  (Sec. 212) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into leases for outpatient clinic facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Boston, Massachusetts.

14.  (Sec. 213) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out advance planning for major medical facility projects in: (1) Denver, Colorado; (2) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; (3) Las Vegas, Nevada; (4) Columbus, Ohio; and (5) East Central Florida.

15.  (Sec. 214) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Construction, Major Projects, account and the Medical Care account.

16.  Subtitle C: Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Initiative - (Sec. 221) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out major construction projects as specified in the final report of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Commission 45 days after reporting to the veterans' and appropriations committees on the projects proposed to be carried out in connection with the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Initiative. Prohibits the Secretary from entering into any contract for such a project after the end of FY 2006.

17.  (Sec. 222) Requires the Secretary, if approving a recommendation resulting from the above Initiative, to notify Congress before taking any action that would result in: (1) a medical facility closure; (2) an administrative reorganization; or (3) a medical facility consolidation. Requires a waiting period following such notification.

18.  (Sec. 223) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should take steps to ensure that an appropriate mix of facilities and clinical staff is available for health care for veterans residing in rural areas.

19.  Subtitle D: Plans for New Facilities - (Sec. 231) Directs the Secretary to develop a plan: (1) to establish an inpatient facility to meet veterans' hospital care needs in southern New Jersey; (2) for hospital care needs of veterans who reside in far south Texas; and (3) for meeting future hospital care needs of veterans who reside in north central Washington and the Pensacola, Florida, areas. Requires reports on each plan from the Secretary to the veterans' committees.

20.  (Sec. 232) Requires the Secretary to examine and report to the veterans' committees on the feasibility of coordination of the Department's needs for veterans' inpatient hospital, medical, and long-term care services with the pending construction of a new university medical center at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina.

21.  Subtitle E: Designation of Facilities - (Sec. 241) Designates the Department's: (1) medical center in Prescott, Arizona, as the Bob Stump Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; (2) health care facility on South Damen Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, as the Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; (3) medical center in Houston, Texas, as the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; (4) medical center in Salt Lake City, Utah, as the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; (5) outpatient clinic in New London, Connecticut, as the John J. McGuirk Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic; and (6) outpatient clinic in Horsham, Pennsylvania, as the Victor J. Saracini Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.

22.  Title III: Personnel Matters - (Sec. 301) Revises Federal provisions relating to the appointment and promotion of personnel in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to: (1) add specified scientific and professional positions to those authorized to be appointed; (2) require civil service law resolution of VHA determinations involving reductions in force and the applicability of hiring preferences; and (3) require VHA systems for the promotion and advancement of an occupational category of employees to be planned, developed, and implemented in collaboration with, and with the participation of, employee representatives of such category. Applies, with respect to the newly-authorized positions, the Secretary's authority to: (1) appoint temporary, part-time, and without-compensation employees; and (2) provide additional pay for certain health care personnel.

23.  (Sec. 302) Authorizes the appointment of, and provision of medical care by, chiropractors within VHA. Includes chiropractors under VHA provisions concerning: (1) qualifications of appointees, periods of appointment, promotions, and pay grades; (2) malpractice protection; (3) treatment as scarce medical specialists for contracting purposes; and (4) collective bargaining exemptions.

24.  (Sec. 303) Authorizes additional pay for Saturday duty for VHA employees hired under the Secretary's additional appointment authority.

25.  (Sec. 304) Allows employees of the Veterans' Canteen Service (Service) to be considered for appointment to a Department position in the competitive service in the same manner that Department employees in the competitive service are considered for transfer to Service positions.

26.  Title IV: Other Matters - (Sec. 401) Establishes in VHA an Office of Research Oversight to advise the Under Secretary for Health on matters of compliance and assurance in human subjects protections, research safety, and research impropriety and misconduct. Requires the Office to function independently of VHA offices responsible for the conduct of medical research programs. Establishes an Office Director to conduct investigations and report to the Under Secretary, including appropriate recommendations for the termination, suspension, or limitation of Department research activities. Requires the Director to report: (1) to the Under Secretary, Secretary, and veterans' committees on any suspected lapse of protecting the safety of human subjects and others, including employees, in medical research programs; and (2) annually to the veterans' committees on prior-year activities.

27.  (Sec. 402) Provides for coverage under the tort claims laws for employees of Department nonprofit research corporations. Extends through 2008 the authority to establish such corporations.

28.  (Sec. 403) Allows the Secretary to authorize the Secretary of Defense to make purchases of medical supplies, equipment, and services through the Department's revolving supply fund in the same manner as activities of the Department (requiring reimbursement).

29.  (Sec. 404) Extends through 2008 the Department program for housing assistance for homeless veterans.

30.  (Sec. 405) Revises due dates of various reports.

S.2484
Title: An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to simplify and improve pay provisions for physicians and dentists and to authorize alternate work schedules and executive pay for nurses, and for other purposes.
Became Public Law No: 108-445

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SUMMARY

1.      Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Enhancement Act of 2004 - (Sec. 3) Amends Federal provisions concerning grades and pay levels for physicians and dentists employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs to replace the current seven physician and dentist grades with a physician grade and dentist grade.

2.      Replaces provisions providing special pay to Department physicians and dentists with provisions which provide a pay system composed of three different elements. Makes the first element of such pay base pay, with 15 pay steps based on the total years of service in the Department's Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Increases the base pay for each step achieved, from step 1 (two years or less of such service) to step 15 (more than 28 years).

3.      Makes the second element of such pay market pay, which is pay intended to reflect the recruitment and retention needs for the specialty or assignment of a particular physician or dentist in a Department facility. Requires the annual amount of such pay to be determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on a case-by-case basis, requiring the Secretary to consult two or more national surveys concerning physician and dentist pay. Requires such market pay to be reevaluated at least every 24 months.

4.      Makes the third element of such pay performance pay, which is pay based on the physician's or dentist's achievement of specific goals and performance objectives as prescribed by the Secretary. Provides a fiscal year performance pay limit of $15,000 or 7.5 percent of the total of base pay and market pay.

5.      Requires the Secretary, at least every two years, to prescribe for Department-wide applicability the minimum and maximum amounts of total pay to Department physicians and dentists.

6.      Places at Level III of the Executive Schedule the annual rate of basic pay for the VHA position of Under Secretary for Health, allowing such pay to be increased by market pay when the person so serving is also a Department physician or dentist.

7.      Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe regulations for VHA physician and dentist pay based on changes made by this Act; and (2) report annually for the next five years to the congressional veterans' committees on such pay.

8.      Provides: (1) initial rates of base pay for Department physicians and dentists based on changes made by this Act; and (2) transition provisions for current Department physicians and dentists.

9.      Terminates the special pay currently authorized for the Under Secretary for Health.

10.  (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary, in order to obtain or retain the services of registered nurses at any Department health-care facility, to establish two alternative work schedules for such nurses: (1) the "36/40" schedule, consisting of three 12-hour shifts (36 hours) in a work week but paid as a full work week (40 hours); and (2) the "9-month" schedule, consisting of nine months of work with three months off, allowing 75 percent of the normal annual pay for such position apportioned over a 12-month period.

11.  Requires the Secretary to certify annually to Congress over the next three years whether each Department facility has in place a policy designed to prevent work hours by nurses providing direct patient care (other than emergency care) in excess of 12 consecutive hours or 60 hours in any seven-day period.

12.  (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Secretary, in order to recruit and retain highly qualified Department nurse executives, to pay to each nurse executive employed at a Department health-care facility or the Central Office an annual special pay of at least $10,000 and up to $25,000, based on current pay grade, qualifications, complexity of duties, etc.

S.2485 :
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and enhance the authorities of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to the management and disposal of real property and facilities, and for other purposes.
Related Bills : H.R.3936

became Public Law 108-422

LINK TO DETAILS OF LAW

SUMMARY

1.      Department of Veterans Affairs Real Property and Facilities Management Improvement Act of 2004 - Title I: Real Property and Facilities Matters - Subtitle A: Real Property and Facilities Administration - (Sec. 101) Amends Federal veterans' provisions to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to dispose of excess real property of the Department of Veterans Affairs by: (1) transfer to or exchange with another Federal department or agency; or (2) conveyance to or exchange with a State or political subdivision, Indian tribe, public entity, or private person or entity (thereby eliminating certain other transfer requirements). Sets forth disposal procedures. Requires: (1) disposal proceeds to be deposited into the Capital Asset Fund (established in this section); and (2) the Secretary to include in annual budget justification documents a report on each such disposal. Provides authorized Fund uses. Authorizes FY 2005 appropriations to the Fund.

2.      (Sec. 102) Modifies business plan-based determinations relating to the Secretary's enhanced-use lease authority by: (1) requiring consideration of the needs of the Veterans Benefits Administration or the National Cemetery Administration; and (2) allowing the Department to receive facilities, space, or services in consideration for such a lease regardless of whether the facilities, space, or services are on the leased property.

3.      (Sec. 103) Authorizes funds in a Department construction or capital account that are available for a construction or non-recurring maintenance project to be used for the construction or relocation of a surface parking lot incidental to such project.

4.      (Sec. 104) Prohibits the Secretary from implementing a mission change for a medical facility (with an exception) until 90 days after the Secretary submits to the congressional veterans' committees written notice of the mission change.

5.      (Sec. 105) Terminates the Nursing Home Revolving Fund. Transfers unobligated balances to the Capital Asset Fund.

6.      (Sec. 106) Removes congressional notice-and-wait limits on the use of Advanced Planning Fund amounts for major medical facility projects when funds for such projects have already been authorized by law.

7.      (Sec. 107) Authorizes the Secretary to lease any undeveloped land or unused or underutilized buildings or lots of the National Cemetery Administration. Allows a lease term of up to ten years. Establishes in the Treasury the National Cemetery Administration Facilities Operation Fund to cover costs incurred by such Administration in operating and maintaining its property.

8.      Subtitle B: Transfers of Property - (Sec. 111) Directs the Administrator of General Services to transfer to the Secretary specified General Services Administration property north of the Army Reserve facility in Boise, Idaho, for purposes relating to the delivery of benefits to veterans.

9.      Subtitle C: Designation of Facilities - (Sec. 121) Designates the Department medical center in the Bronx, New York, as the James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

10.  (Sec. 122) Designates the memorial to former prisoners of war and members of the Armed Forces missing in action that is under construction at Riverside National Cemetery, California, as the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action National Memorial.

11.  Subtitle D: Other Matters - (Sec. 131) Requires the Secretary, upon determining to convey, lease, or dispose of all or part of the Louisville Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Kentucky, to engage in negotiations for such conveyance, lease, or disposal solely with the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Limits the duration of such requirement to one year after the commencement of such negotiations. Requires such negotiations to address the utilization of such Center for the primary purpose of the provision of services for veterans and related activities.

12.  Title II: Benefits Matters - (Sec. 201) Exempts veterans receiving hospice care from certain Department copayment requirements.

13.  (Sec. 202) Makes permanent (currently terminates at the end of 2004) the Department's authority to provide counseling and treatment to veterans suffering from an incident of sexual trauma that occurred during service. Expands such authority to include members of the reserves suffering from an incident that occurred during training.

14.  (Sec. 203) States that Department per diem payments to States for the care of veterans in State nursing homes shall not be considered a liability of a third party or otherwise utilized to offset or reduce any other payment made to assist veterans.

15.  (Sec. 204) Authorizes the Secretary to provide up to 14 days of care following birth for the newborn child of a woman veteran receiving maternity care furnished by the Department if the child was delivered in a Department facility or a Department-contracted facility.

16.  (Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary, subject to the appropriation of funds, to establish and operate at least one and up to three centers for research, education, and clinical activities on blast injuries. Outlines requirements for proposals submitted for the designation of a center. Authorizes appropriations. Requires reports during 2006 through 2008 from the Secretary to the veterans' committees on center status and activities.

17.  (Sec. 206) Extends through: (1) 2009 required reports from the Special Medical Advisory Group on care and treatment provided to disabled veterans; and (2) 2005 a pilot program to evaluate three different models of providing long-term care to veterans.

18.  (Sec. 207) Requires an annual report from the Secretary to the veterans' committees on the waiting times of veterans for appointments for care and services from the Department.

S.2486 :
VETERANS BENEFITS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2004 An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and enhance housing, education, and other benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Related Bills: H.R.1716 ,  H.R.4659 ,  H.R.4950 ,  H.R.5153

Became Public Law No: 108-454

LINK TO DETAILS OF LAW

SUMMARY

1.      Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 - Title I: Veterans Earn and Learn Act - Veterans Earn and Learn Act of 2004 - (Sec. 102) Charges the Montgomery GI Bill veterans' educational assistance entitlement for each month after September 30, 2005, that an eligible veteran is paid a job training assistance allowance through the Department of Veterans Affairs (Department). Increases such charge for any month in which the veteran fails to complete 120 hours of such training.

2.      (Sec. 103) Increases by specified percentages or amounts, for months beginning on or after October 1, 2005, and before January 1, 2008, the assistance payable under the following veterans' educational assistance programs for each month in which an individual pursuing a full-time program of apprenticeship or other on-job training is also enrolled in a course of classroom instruction related to such training: (1) the Montgomery GI Bill; (2) the post-Vietnam era; (3) survivors and dependents; and (4) the Selected Reserve.

3.      (Sec. 104) Allows an apprenticeship to be determined upon a specific period of time (time-based program) or upon the successful mastery of a skill (competency-based program), or upon a combination thereof. Directs State approving agencies, when determining the period of a competency-based program, to consider the approximate program term recommended in registered apprenticeship program standards recognized by the Secretary of Labor. Provides funding for FY 2005 for computer system modifications necessitated by the amendments made under this section.

4.      (Sec. 105) Increases from 10 to 20 years the authorized period of educational assistance under the survivors and dependents educational assistance program for spouses of members of the Armed Forces who die while on active duty.

5.      (Sec. 106) Makes veterans' educational assistance payments available for national tests for admission to institutions of higher learning or graduate schools, as well as for national tests providing an opportunity for course credit at institutions of higher learning. Provides for determination of the number of months of educational assistance entitlement to be charged against an individual for the cost of such tests.

6.      (Sec. 107) Requires the Secretary of Defense, at the time of a servicemember's discharge or release from active-duty service, to furnish to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) pertinent information concerning each registered apprenticeship pursued by the servicemember during such service. Directs the Secretary, in turn, to encourage and assist States and private organizations to give appropriate credit to such servicemembers for the apprenticeship program in the case of similar pursuit of a civilian program.

7.      (Sec. 108) Authorizes the Secretary, for up to three years, to conduct a pilot program for training Department employees to become qualified adjudicators of claims for veterans' compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and pensions. Requires initial and final program reports from the Secretary to Congress.

8.      (Sec. 109) Provides for the collection of payment, by the Secretary of Defense, for educational assistance provided under the Montgomery GI Bill for members of the Selected Reserve called or ordered to active duty.

9.      Title II: Employment Matters - Subtitle A: Employment and Reemployment Rights - (Sec. 201) Extends from 18 to 24 months the maximum period of employer-sponsored health care coverage that a person covered by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) may elect to receive while absent from employment due to military service.

10.  (Sec. 202) Reinstates, for the Secretary of Labor, reporting requirements (currently terminated at the end of 2000) relative to USERRA cases.

11.  (Sec. 203) Requires employers to provide to entitled individuals notice of rights and duties under USERRA.

12.  (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary of Labor and the Office of Special Counsel to carry out a demonstration project through the end of FY 2007 under which certain claims against Federal agencies under USERRA are referred to the Office for assistance. Requires such Office to receive and investigate all USERRA-related prohibited personnel action claims. Requires the Comptroller General to periodically evaluate the demonstration project and report results to Congress.

13.  Subtitle B: Other Matters - (Sec. 211) Directs the Secretary to contract with a qualified entity to conduct a study of, and prepare a report on, the employment histories of recently separated servicemembers. Provides study funding.

14.  Title III: Benefits Matters - (Sec. 301) Increases by $250 the monthly amount of dependency and indemnity compensation in the case of a surviving spouse with one or more children below the age of 18, to be payable until all such children have attained such age.

15.  (Sec. 302) States that a radiation-exposed veteran who receives payments under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990 shall not be deprived of the payment of any veterans' disability compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation to which such person is entitled, but there shall be deducted from such compensation the amount of any payment made under such Act.

16.  (Sec. 303) Excludes life insurance proceeds from consideration as income for veterans' pension purposes.

17.  (Sec. 304) Treats a disability incurred through Department treatment or vocational rehabilitation as a service-connected disability for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits. Provides for an offset against veterans' benefits in the amount of any judgment, settlement, or compromise received as a result of such treatment or rehabilitation.

18.  (Sec. 305) Provides for the effective date of the award of veterans' death pension.

19.  (Sec. 306) Presumes the following cancers to be service-connected, and therefore compensable under veterans' disability compensation, in the case of veterans exposed to ionizing radiation: bone, brain, colon, lung, and ovarian. Qualifies as a "radiation-risk activity," for purposes of veterans' benefits, service which, if performed by a Department of Energy employee, would qualify for inclusion as a member of the Special Exposure Cohort under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000.

20.  (Sec. 307) Codifies increases in the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children, as enacted under the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2003.

21.  Title IV: Housing Matters - (Sec. 401) Authorizes the Secretary to provide specially adapted housing assistance for veterans whose disability is the result of the loss, or loss of use of, both upper arms at or above the elbow.

22.  (Sec. 402) Authorizes the use of veteran volunteers in connection with the construction, alteration, and repair of multifamily transitional housing. Authorizes the leasing of space in areas of such housing for other commercial activities (currently only for neighborhood retail services and job training programs).

23.  (Sec. 403) Replaces the $60,000 maximum Department home loan guaranty to veterans for the construction or purchase of homes with an amount equal to 25 percent of the Freddie Mac conforming loan limit under the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act for a single-family residence, as adjusted for the year involved.

24.  (Sec. 404) Extends through FY 2008 a demonstration project under which the Secretary shall guarantee adjustable rate mortgage loans to veterans in a manner similar to the manner in which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development insures adjustable rate mortgages under provisions of the National Housing Act.

25.  (Sec. 405) Extends through FY 2008 the hybrid adjustable rate mortgage guarantee demonstration program for veterans. Revises interest rate adjustment requirements with respect to such mortgages.

26.  (Sec. 406) Terminates the collection of fees for Department-guaranteed home loans from veterans rated eligible for veterans' disability compensation as a result of a pre-discharge disability examination and rating.

27.  (Sec. 407) Extends through 2008 (currently 2005) the Native American veteran housing loan pilot program.

28.  Title V: Matters Relating to Fiduciaries - (Sec. 502) Amends Federal veterans' provisions relating to the care of an incompetent veteran or a veteran's minor or ward to require a fiduciary, in order to receive payment of benefits of a veteran or veteran's beneficiary on behalf of such veteran or beneficiary, to be certified on the basis of an inquiry or investigation conducted by the Secretary to determine fitness to serve as a fiduciary. Outlines inquiry or investigation requirements, and allows for an expedited inquiry or investigation under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary to appoint temporary fiduciaries during such inquiries or investigations.

29.  (Sec. 503) Prohibits a fiduciary from collecting a fee from a beneficiary for any month during which the Secretary or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the fiduciary misused all or part of the individual's benefit. Provides for liability against fiduciaries for misused benefits. Requires the Secretary to reissue benefits in any case in which the negligent failure of the Secretary to investigate or monitor a fiduciary results in the misuse of benefits.

30.  (Sec. 504) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) conduct periodic onsite reviews of institutional fiduciaries; (2) require a fiduciary to file a report or accounting; and (3) redirect delivery of benefit payments when a fiduciary fails to provide a required accounting. Provides for: (1) civil monetary penalties against fiduciaries found in violation; and (2) judicial orders of restitution from violating fiduciaries.

31.  (Sec. 505) Directs the Secretary to include in the Annual Benefits Report of the Veterans Benefits Administration or the Secretary's Annual Performance and Accountability Report information concerning fiduciaries who have been appointed to receive payments for beneficiaries of the Department.

32.  Title VI: Memorial Affairs Matters - (Sec. 601) Designates the memorial to former prisoners of war and members listed as missing in action that is under construction at Riverside National Cemetery, California, as the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action National Memorial.

33.  (Sec. 602) Authorizes the Secretary to lease any undeveloped land or unused or underutilized buildings or lots of the National Cemetery Administration. Allows a lease term of up to ten years. Establishes in the Treasury the National Cemetery Administration Facilities Operations Fund to cover costs incurred by such Administration in operating and maintaining its property.

34.  (Sec. 603) Authorizes the Secretary to utilize exchanges in order to acquire lands needed for national cemeteries.

35.  Title VII: Improvements to Servicemembers Civil Relief Act - (Sec. 701) Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to: (1) define "judgment" for purposes of the Act; (2) require a written waiver, separate from the obligation or liability in question, of certain rights under the Act; (3) allow plaintiffs (currently only defendants) to request a stay of civil proceedings; and (4) require that a termination of a lease by a lessee entering into, or receiving orders for, military service shall also terminate any obligation that such lessee's dependent may have under the lease.

36.  Title VIII: Other Matters - (Sec. 801) Requires the principal office of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to be in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area (currently, in the District of Columbia).

37.  (Sec. 803) Extends through 2009 (currently 2003) a required biennial report from the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War.

38.  (Sec. 804) Provides administrative and judicial redress for preference eligible veterans and veterans separated from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions after three or more years of active duty who are denied the opportunity to compete for Federal employment.

39.  (Sec. 805) Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on: (1) outreach efforts of the Department to inform members of the Armed Forces and veterans of benefits and services available under laws administered by the Secretary; and (2) the current level of awareness of those members and veterans of such benefits and services.

H.CON.RES.212
Title: Recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of the Year of the Korean War Veteran, and for other purposes.

Latest Major Action: 7/21/2003--Passed House, amended

7/22/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

 LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of the Year of the Korean War Veteran (2003 marks the final year of the United States' 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration and the 50th year of the Armistice).

H.CON.RES.260
Title: Recognizing and honoring the service of those who volunteer their time to participate in funeral honor guards at the interment or memorialization of deceased veterans of the uniformed services of the United States at national cemeteries across the country.

Latest Major Action: 6/14/2004--Passed House, without amendment.
6/15/2004 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

H.R.1257 :
To amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent the authority for qualifying members of the Selected Reserve to have access to home loans guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and to provide for uniformity in fees charged qualifying members of the Selected Reserve and active duty veterans for such home loans.

Latest Major Action: 5/22/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

1.      Make the VA home loan program for members of the Selected Reserve permanent, and reduce the funding fee charged to Select Reserve home loan applicants to the same amount as the amount paid by active duty servicemembers.

2.      Increase the amount of fees paid by a veteran who is purchasing a home with no down payment for a second or subsequent time.

H.R.1460
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve education and entrepreneurship benefits, housing benefits, and certain other benefits for veterans.
Related Bills: H.R.241, H.R.761, H.R.1949, H.R.2297
Latest Major Action: 6/25/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

1.      Veterans Entrepreneurship and Benefits Improvement Act of 2003 - Authorizes a State agency to approve entrepreneurship (business education) courses for attendance by veterans using veterans' basic educational assistance provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from treating a business owner as already qualified for such purposes. Includes entrepreneurship courses within authorized programs of veterans' education assistance.

2.      Amends the Small Business Act to authorize a Federal contracting officer to award a sole source contract to any certified small business (one owned and controlled by service-disabled (qualified) veterans) if: (1) the certified business is determined to be responsible with respect to the performance of the contract opportunity and the contracting officer does not expect two or more such businesses to submit offers for such contract; (2) the anticipated award price of the contract will not exceed a specified amount; and (3) the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price. Allows a contracting officer to restrict contract competition to such businesses if the officer can reasonably expect two or more such businesses to submit offers. Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), at least every three years, to: (1) complete a survey of qualified veterans receiving such benefits; and (2) report survey results to Congress. Prohibits a contracting officer from making a procurement under this Act: (1) unless the officer has determined that such procurement cannot be made on the basis of a preference provided under another provision of the Small Business Act; or (2) if the procurement would otherwise be made from a different source under provisions of the Federal criminal code governing Government procurement of prisoner products or services or of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. Outlines the appropriate order of priority, with the highest priority under small business start-up loans guaranteed by the SBA. Provides priority requirements with respect to a contracting officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Terminates that priority with respect to Department procurements after FY 2007.

3.      Authorizes the Secretary to provide adapted housing assistance to certain categories of disabled military personnel (having suffered loss of limbs, organs, partial blindness or deafness, etc.) serving on active duty if the disability is the result of an injury or disease contracted or aggravated during such duty.

4.      Increases from 65 to 85 the percentage of the number of purchases during a fiscal year of real property acquired by the Secretary as a result of default on guaranteed loans for the purchase or construction of homes for veterans that may be financed by a loan made by the Secretary.

5.      Requires the payment of all accrued monetary benefits (currently limited to two years' worth) of a deceased veteran's beneficiary to the veteran or any other surviving dependent.

H.R.1720
Title: To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out construction projects for the purpose of improving, renovating, establishing, and updating patient care facilities at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, and for other purposes.
Related Bills: H.R.116, H.R.1585, H.R.1832, H.R.1908, H.R.2307, H.R.2349
Latest Major Action: 10/30/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

LINKS TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

1.      Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act - (Sec. 2) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out major medical facility projects, using funds appropriated for FY 2004 and 2005. Allows such projects to be carried out to improve, replace, renovate, update, or establish a new patient care facility, or to improve, replace, renovate, or update, a research facility, in order to improve: (1) seismic protection related to patient safety; (2) fire safety; (3) utility systems and ancillary patient care facilities; (4) accommodation for persons with disabilities; and (5) patient care facilities to specialized programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Requires: (1) each project to be reviewed by a board independent of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department; and (2) each board's recommendations to be considered by the Secretary prior to selection. Authorizes appropriations for such fiscal years. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the congressional veterans' committees: (1) evaluating advantages and disadvantages of congressional authorization for such projects over specific authorization by law; and (2) describing specific actions of the Secretary during FY 2004 with respect to such projects. Requires the Secretary to report to such committees on the project authorization process.

2.      (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified major medical facility projects for current or future Department medical facilities in: (1) Chicago, Illinois; (2) San Diego, California; (3) West Haven, Connecticut; (4) Columbus, Ohio; and (5) Pensacola, Florida. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for such projects. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into major medical facilities leases for Department outpatient clinics in Charlotte, North Carolina, Clark County, Nevada, and at the site of the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado.

3.      (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out major medical facility projects at the site of the former Fitzsimons Center, including inpatient and outpatient facilities providing acute, sub-acute, primary, and long-term care services. Requires consultation between the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense, which shall include consideration of establishing a Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense joint health-care venture at the site. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2006. Directs the Secretary to report to the veterans' and appropriations committees on the exercise of such authority.

4.      (Sec. 5) Prohibits the Secretary from making a final disposal of the Lakeside Division facility in Chicago, Illinois, until the Secretary has entered into a contract for the project for such facility.

5.      (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to develop a plan: (1) to establish an inpatient facility to meet veterans' hospital care needs in southern New Jersey; and (2) for hospital care needs of veterans who reside in far south Texas. Requires reports on each plan from the Secretary to the veterans' committees.

6.      (Sec. 7) Increases from $4 million to $6 million the threshold cost of a major medical facility project above which funds for such project must be specifically authorized by law.

7.      (Sec. 8) Requires the Secretary to: (1) examine the feasibility of Department coordination of its needs for veterans' inpatient hospital, medical, and long-term care services with the pending construction of a new university medical center at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina; and (2) report results to the veterans' committees.

8.      (Sec. 9) Designates the Department: (1) health care facility on South Damen Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, as the Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; and (2) outpatient clinic in New London, Connecticut, as the John J. McGuirk Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.

9.      (Sec. 11) Establishes in the VHA an Office of Research Oversight to advise the Under Secretary for Health on matters of compliance and assurance in human subjects protections, animal welfare, research safety, and research impropriety and misconduct. Requires the Office to function independently of VHA offices responsible for the conduct of medical research programs. Establishes an Office Director to conduct investigations and report to the Under Secretary with respect to the above matters, including appropriate recommendations for the termination, suspension, or limitation of Department research activities. Requires the Director to report: (1) to the Under Secretary, Secretary, and veterans' committees on any suspected lapse of protecting the safety of human subjects and others, including employees, in medical research programs; and (2) annually to the veterans' committees on prior-year activities.

10.  Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the veterans' committees on the effects of the establishment of the Office, the actions taken, and improvements in the conduct of ethical medical research in the VHA. Requires the Secretary to report to the veterans' committees on the implementation of this section.

H.R.1911
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance cooperation and the sharing of resources between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
Latest Major Action: 5/22/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

Establishes an interagency committee to be known as the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee to: (1) recommend to the Secretary of each department strategic direction for joint health-care resources coordination and sharing efforts between and within such departments; and (2) oversee implementation of those efforts.

H.R.2357
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the appointment of chiropractors in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs and to provide eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs health care for certain Filipino World War II veterans residing in the United States.
Related Bills: H.R.2352, H.R.2414, S.1156
Latest Major Action: 7/22/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

1.      Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2003 - Authorizes the appointment of, and provision of medical care by, chiropractors within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Includes chiropractors within VHA provisions concerning: (1) qualifications of appointees, periods of appointment, and pay grades; (2) temporary and part-time appointments; (3) residencies and internships; (4) malpractice and negligence protection; (5) treatment as scarce medical specialists for contracting purposes; (6) reimbursement for continuing professional education expenses; and (7) collective bargaining exemptions.

2.      Directs (current law authorizes) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish hospital and nursing home care and medical services for any illness or injury that is a service-connected disability of any Commonwealth Army veteran or new Philippine Scout who: (1) is residing in the United States; and (2) is a citizen or lawfully admitted alien for permanent residence. Requires the Secretary to certify to the congressional veterans' committees, for each fiscal year, that sufficient resources are available to provide such care and services.

H.R.2433
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans who participated in certain Department of Defense chemical and biological warfare testing with health care for their illness without requirement for proof of service-connection.
Related Bills: H.R.1951, S.1156, S.1694
Latest Major Action: 9/11/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

1.      Health Care for Veterans of Project 112/Project SHAD Act of 2003 - Makes a veteran who participated in a test conducted by the Department of Defense Deseret Test Center as part of a program for chemical and biological warfare testing from 1962 through 1973 (including the program designated as Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) and related land-based tests) eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care through the Department of Veterans Affairs for any illness, notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such illness is attributable to such testing. Terminates such eligibility after December 31, 2005.

2.      (Sec. 3) Prohibits the lack of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from being a bar to, or resulting in the denial of, a promotion to the next higher grade for a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) registered nurse who has accomplished required performance elements.

3.      (Sec. 4) Authorizes additional pay for Saturday VHA nursing duty.

4.      (Sec. 5) Allows: (1) employees of the Veterans' Canteen Service (Service) to be considered for appointment to a Department position in the competitive service in the same manner that Department employees in the competitive service are considered for transfer to Service positions; and (2) former Service employees to count their previous period of employment toward the time-in-service requirement of a Department position in the competitive service.

H.R.2595
Title: To restore the operation of the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program during fiscal year 2003 to the scope of that program as in effect on September 30, 2002.
Latest Major Action: 9/11/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

1.      Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in carrying out the pilot program to make direct housing loans to Native American veterans, to do so during FY 2003 at the FY 2002 level, without regard to a certain proviso in title I of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003. Treats such proviso as being of no force or effect.

2.      Ratifies any action taken by the Secretary before the enactment of this Act that is inconsistent with such proviso.

H.R.4345 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the maximum amount of home loan guaranty available under the home loan guaranty program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 6/24/2004 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.CON.RES.35 : A concurrent resolution honoring the 129 sailors and civilians lost aboard the U.S.S. Thresher on April 10, 1963, and urging the Secretary of the Army to erect a memorial to this tragedy in Arlington National Cemetery.
Latest Major Action: 4/10/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.RES.53 : An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Latest Major Action: 2/11/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

S.50 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a guaranteed adequate level of funding for veterans health care, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 6/22/2004 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.55 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the annual determination of the rate of the basic benefit of active duty educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.68 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits for Filipino veterans of World War II, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.69 : A bill to require the Secretary of the Army to determine the validity of the claims of certain Filipinos that they performed military service on behalf of the United States during World War II.
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

 S.78 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to revise certain provisions relating to the appointment of professional psychologists in the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.177 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill by establishing an enhanced educational assistance program and by repealing the requirement for reduction in pay for participation in the program, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 1/16/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.249 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that remarriage of the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran after age 55 shall not result in termination of dependency and indemnity compensation otherwise payable to that surviving spouse.
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.257 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the applicability of the prohibition on assignment of veterans benefits to agreements regarding future receipt of compensation, pension, or dependency and indemnity compensation, and for there purposes.
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.334 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide eligibility for astronauts for Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
Latest Major Action: 2/10/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.517 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide improved benefits for veterans who are former prisoners of war.
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.548 : A bill to improve mental health programs for veterans, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.613 : A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to construct, lease, or modify major medical facilities at the site of the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado.
Latest Major Action: 7/29/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.730 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to permit the transfer to spouses and children of a portion of the entitlement of certain members of the Armed Forces to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 3/27/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 

S.766 : A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Jacksonville, Florida, metropolitan area.
Latest Major Action: 4/2/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.806 : A bill to improve the benefits and protections provided for regular and reserve members of the Armed Forces deployed or mobilized in the interests of the national security of the United States.
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.836 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend by five years the period for the provision by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of noninstitutional extended care services and required nursing home care.
Latest Major Action: 4/9/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.938 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to the survivors of former prisoners of war who died on or before September 30, 1999, under the same eligibility conditions as apply to payment of dependency an indemnity compensation to the survivors of former prisoners of war who die after that date.
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.967 : A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to replace with a more equitable formula the current formula, known as the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA), for the allocation of funds appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical care to different geographic regions of the Nation, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 5/1/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.978 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide housing loan benefits for the purchase of residential cooperative apartment units.
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1014 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the management of health care services for veterans to place certain low-income veterans in a higher health-care priority category.
Latest Major Action: 6/22/2004 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1074 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance burial benefits for veterans, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 5/15/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1112 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to permit Department of Veterans Affairs pharmacies to dispense medications on prescriptions written by private practitioners to veterans who are currently awaiting their first appointment with the Department for medical care, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 5/22/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1124 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase burial benefits for veterans, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1133 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the authorities of the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, pension, education benefits, life insurance benefits, and memorial benefits, to improve the administration of benefits for veterans, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1151 : A bill to rescind the Department of Veterans Affairs memorandum of July 18, 2002, in which Directors of health service networks in the Department of Veterans Affairs are directed to ensure that no marketing activities to enroll new veterans occur within their networks.
Latest Major Action: 5/23/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1153
Title: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to permit medicare-eligible veterans to receive an out-patient medication benefit, to provide that certain veterans who receive such benefit are not otherwise eligible for medical care and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 11/19/2004 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 817.

LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

1.      Veterans Prescription Drugs Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish such drugs and medicines as may be ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician as specific therapy in the treatment of any illness or injury suffered by each veteran who is receiving additional compensation or allowance due to a service-connected disability, or increased pension as a veteran of a period of war, by reason of being permanently housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance.

2.      Allows any Medicare-eligible veteran to elect to be furnished by the Secretary, on an outpatient basis, such drugs and medicines as ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician as specific therapy for any illness or injury suffered by the veteran. Requires such election to last for a calendar year and to be irrevocable. Allows for election renewal. Requires appropriate information to be furnished to each veteran prior to such election.

3.      Authorizes the Secretary to administer immunizations to voluntary eligible veterans in connection with the provision of care in any Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility.

4.      Provides for appropriate copayments for the drugs and medicines received by veterans under authority of this Act.

S.1186 : A bill to provide for a reduction in the backlog of claims for benefits pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Latest Major Action: 6/4/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1188 : A bill to repeal the two-year limitation on the payment of accrued benefits that are due and unpaid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs upon the death of a veteran or other beneficiary under laws administered by the Secretary, to allow for substitution of parties in the case of a claim for benefits provided by the Secretary when the applicant for such benefits dies while the claim in pending, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1199 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1213 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the ability of the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve benefits for Filipino veterans of World War II and survivors of such veterans, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 7/29/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1239 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide special compensation for former prisoners of war, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1281 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to presume additional diseases of former prisoners of war to be service-connected for compensation purposes, to enhance the Dose Reconstruction Program of the Department of Defense, to enhance and fund certain other epidemiological studies, and for other purposes
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1282 : A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish national cemeteries for geographically underserved populations of veterans, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1360 : A bill to amend section 7105 of title 38, United States Code, to clarify the requirements for notices of disagreement for appellate review of Department of Veterans Affairs activities.
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1403 : A bill to provide for the establishment of a new Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility for veterans in the Columbus, Ohio, area.
Latest Major Action: 7/15/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1489 : A bill to authorize the burial of Bob Hope at Arlington National Cemetery.
Latest Major Action: 7/30/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1509 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide a gratuity to veterans, their spouses, and children who contract HIV or AIDS as a result of a blood transfusion relating to a service-connected disability, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 6/22/2004 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1572 : A bill to authorize the expansion of the pilot program of the Department of Veterans Affairs on assisted living for veterans to include three additional health care regions of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Latest Major Action: 9/2/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1605 : A bill to authorize major medical facility projects for the Department of Veterans Affairs in connection with the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services initiative and to satisfy Department of Veterans Affairs requirements on natural disasters, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 9/10/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1694 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans who participated in certain Department of Defense chemical and biological warfare testing to be provided health care for illness without requirement for proof of service-connection.
Latest Major Action: 10/1/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1745 : A bill to designate a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action National Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.
Latest Major Action: 6/22/2004 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.1846 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a presumption of service-connection for certain veterans with hepatitis C, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 11/11/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1847 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a comprehensive program for testing and treatment of veterans for Hepatitis C virus.
Latest Major Action: 11/11/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1914 : A bill to prohibit the closure or realignment of impatient services at the Aleda E. Lutz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Saginaw, Michigan, as proposed under the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services initiative.
Latest Major Action: 11/21/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1948 : A bill to provide that service of the members of the organization known as the United States Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Latest Major Action: 11/24/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.2099 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide entitlement to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for members of the Selected Reserve who aggregate more than 2 years of active duty service in any five year period, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 6/22/2004 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.2327 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify that per diem payments by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the care of veterans in State homes shall not be used to offset or reduce other payments made to assist veterans.
Latest Major Action: 6/22/2004 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.2417 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish care for newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity care, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 6/22/2004 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.2522 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the maximum amount of home loan guaranty available under the home loan guaranty program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 6/22/2004 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.2524 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of health care, rehabilitation, and related services to veterans suffering from trauma relating to a blast injury, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 6/22/2004 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.2534 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and enhance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, to improve housing benefits for veterans, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 6/22/2004 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.2561 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for certain servicemembers to become eligible for educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill.
Latest Major Action: 6/23/2004 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.2573 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the payment of a monthly stipend to the surviving parents (known as "Gold Star parents") of members of the Armed Forces who die during a period of war.
Latest Major Action: 6/24/2004 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.36 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that remarriage of the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran after age 55 shall not result in termination of dependency and indemnity compensation otherwise payable to that surviving spouse.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.73 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a comprehensive program for testing and treatment of veterans for the Hepatitis C virus.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.169 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow the sworn affidavit of a veteran who served in combat during the Korean War or an earlier conflict to be accepted as proof of service-connection of a disease or injury alleged to have been incurred or aggravated by such service.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.240 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to require Department of Veterans Affairs pharmacies to dispense medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private health-care practitioners in the case of veterans who, after having made an appointment to see a Department of Veterans Affairs physician to obtain such a prescription, have been waiting for longer than 30 days, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.263 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve access to medical services for veterans seeking treatment at Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinics with exceptionally long waiting periods.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.270 : To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to replace with a more equitable formula the current formula, known as the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA), for the allocation of funds appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical care to different geographic regions of the Nation, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health

H.R.294 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the automobile assistance program for disabled veterans.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in providing automobile purchase assistance to certain service-disabled veterans, to: (1) make a payment to the lender of the automobile loan, rather than to the seller of the car; and (2) provide such assistance directly to a veteran after such veteran purchases a car if the Secretary determines the veteran did not apply in a timely manner due to a lack of knowledge of such assistance.

H.R.303 : To amend title 10, United States Code, to permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive both military retired pay by reason of their years of military service and disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.358 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to enact into law eligibility requirements for burial in Arlington National Cemetery, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.372 : To provide for a pilot program to be conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assess the benefits of providing for pharmacies of the Department of Veterans Affairs to fill prescriptions for drugs and medicines written by private physicians.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.476 : To provide that service of the members of the organization known as the United States Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.533 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for health benefits and certain other benefits to be furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs to any individual who has spina bifida and is the natural child of a veteran who, while in military service, was exposed to a herbicide agent.
Latest Major Action: 12/16/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: See Public Law 108-183.

H.R.621 : To amend the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to prohibit discrimination in the rental of housing to members of the Armed Forces.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.627 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to suspend for five years the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the copayment amount in effect for medication furnished by the Secretary on an outpatient basis for the treatment of non-service-connected disabilities and to provide an increase in the maximum annual rates of pension payable to surviving spouses of veterans of a period of war, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.631 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide a presumption of service connection for injuries classified as cold weather injuries which occur in veterans who while engaged in military operations had sustained exposure to cold weather.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.632 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that the rate of reimbursement for motor vehicle travel under the beneficiary travel program of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be the same as the rate for private vehicle reimbursement for Federal employees.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.664 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits for Filipino veterans of World War II and surviving spouses of such veterans, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 3/12/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.676 : To provide for comprehensive health insurance coverage for all United States residents, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 3/12/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.677 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to deem certain service in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been active service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Latest Major Action: 3/12/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.709 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to require Department of Veterans Affairs pharmacies to dispense medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private practitioners, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 2/20/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.761 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide adapted housing assistance to disabled members of the Armed Forces who remain on active duty pending medical separation.
Latest Major Action: 12/16/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: See Public Law 108-183.

H.R.843 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide full service-connected disability benefits for persons disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and for survivors of persons dying from such treatment.
Latest Major Action: 5/13/2004 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Provision incorporated. See H. R. 1716, Title II, Section 205.

H.R.850 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide special compensation for former prisoners of war, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 4/10/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.879 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for certain servicemembers to become eligible for educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill.
Latest Major Action: 3/26/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.886 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to the survivors of former prisoners of war who died on or before September 30, 1999, under the same eligibility conditions as apply to payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to the survivors of former prisoners of war who die after that date.
Latest Major Action: 6/11/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.890 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a more equitable geographic allocation of funds appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical care.
Latest Major Action: 3/12/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.966 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate the vocational training program of the Department of Veterans Affairs for certain low-income veterans in receipt of pension from that Department.
Latest Major Action: 11/19/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Provision was dropped when H. R. 2297 passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent.

H.R.972 : To clarify the effective date of the modification of treatment for retirement annuity purposes of part-time service before April 7, 1986, of certain Department of Veterans Affairs health-care professionals.
Latest Major Action: 3/12/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.998 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to require Department of Veterans Affairs pharmacies to dispense medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private practitioners, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 3/12/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.1048 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of assistance for certain disabled veterans for specially adapted housing and automobile and adaptive equipment.
Latest Major Action: 4/10/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.1167 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to permit remarried surviving spouses of veterans to be eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
Latest Major Action: 12/16/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: See Public Law 108-183.

H.R.1190 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the eligibility for housing loans guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under the Native American Housing Loan Pilot Program to veterans who are married to Native Americans.
Latest Major Action: 3/26/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.1212 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of basic educational assistance for veterans under the Montgomery GI Bill, and to eliminate reductions of basic pay for eligibility for such assistance.
Latest Major Action: 4/11/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Executive Comment Requested from DOD.

H.R.1257
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent the authority for qualifying members of the Selected Reserve to have access to home loans guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and to provide for uniformity in fees charged qualifying members of the Selected Reserve and active duty veterans for such home loans.
Latest Major Action: 5/22/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

1.      Selected Reserve Home Loan Equity Act - Makes permanent (currently expires at the end of FY 2009) the authority for individuals who complete six years of service in the Selected Reserve to receive home loans guaranteed, insured, or made through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

2.      Prescribes uniform fees for members of the Selected Reserve and veterans eligible for such home loans through qualifying active duty service. (Currently, separate fees apply to active duty veterans and reservists.)

H.R.1264 : To provide for reduction in the backlog of claims for benefits pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Latest Major Action: 3/26/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.1265 : To provide, upon the request of a qualifying person, for the removal of the remains of any United States servicemember or other person interred in an American Battle Monuments Commission cemetery located in France or Belgium and for the transportation of such remains to a location in the United States for reinterment.
Latest Major Action: 3/26/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.1309 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide improved prescription drug benefits for veterans.
Latest Major Action: 3/26/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.1328 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the period over which an individual must make payment to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to become entitled to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill, to prospectively permit any servicemember to withdraw an election not to enroll under the Montgomery GI Bill, and to provide for certain servicemembers to become eligible for educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill.
Latest Major Action: 4/24/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.1347 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to repeal the requirement that for former prisoners of war to be eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs dental benefits they must have been interned for a specified minimum period of time.
Latest Major Action: 3/26/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.1411 : To amend the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to extend from three months to twelve months the period after release of a member of the Armed Forces from active duty during which the member is protected from mortgage foreclosure under that Act.
Latest Major Action: 4/24/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.1460
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve education and entrepreneurship benefits, housing benefits, and certain other benefits for veterans.
Related Bills: H.R.241, H.R.761, H.R.1949, H.R.2297
Latest Major Action: 6/25/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

1.      Veterans Entrepreneurship and Benefits Improvement Act of 2003 - Authorizes a State agency to approve entrepreneurship (business education) courses for attendance by veterans using veterans' basic educational assistance provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from treating a business owner as already qualified for such purposes. Includes entrepreneurship courses within authorized programs of veterans' education assistance.

2.      Amends the Small Business Act to authorize a Federal contracting officer to award a sole source contract to any certified small business (one owned and controlled by service-disabled (qualified) veterans) if: (1) the certified business is determined to be responsible with respect to the performance of the contract opportunity and the contracting officer does not expect two or more such businesses to submit offers for such contract; (2) the anticipated award price of the contract will not exceed a specified amount; and (3) the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price. Allows a contracting officer to restrict contract competition to such businesses if the officer can reasonably expect two or more such businesses to submit offers. Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), at least every three years, to: (1) complete a survey of qualified veterans receiving such benefits; and (2) report survey results to Congress. Prohibits a contracting officer from making a procurement under this Act: (1) unless the officer has determined that such procurement cannot be made on the basis of a preference provided under another provision of the Small Business Act; or (2) if the procurement would otherwise be made from a different source under provisions of the Federal criminal code governing Government procurement of prisoner products or services or of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. Outlines the appropriate order of priority, with the highest priority under small business start-up loans guaranteed by the SBA. Provides priority requirements with respect to a contracting officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Terminates that priority with respect to Department procurements after FY 2007.

3.      Authorizes the Secretary to provide adapted housing assistance to certain categories of disabled military personnel (having suffered loss of limbs, organs, partial blindness or deafness, etc.) serving on active duty if the disability is the result of an injury or disease contracted or aggravated during such duty.

4.      Increases from 65 to 85 the percentage of the number of purchases during a fiscal year of real property acquired by the Secretary as a result of default on guaranteed loans for the purchase or construction of homes for veterans that may be financed by a loan made by the Secretary.

5.      Requires the payment of all accrued monetary benefits (currently limited to two years' worth) of a deceased veteran's beneficiary to the veteran or any other surviving dependent.

H.R.1476 : To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Colorado Springs, Colorado, metropolitan area.
Latest Major Action: 4/24/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.1500 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize veterans to select the appraiser for housing loans for which they apply that are to be guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Latest Major Action: 6/11/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.1554 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to the National Service Life Insurance and United States Government Life Insurance programs, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 4/24/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.  

H.R.1562
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recover costs of medical care furnished to veterans and other persons by the Department from third parties that provide health insurance coverage to such veterans and other persons.
Related Bills: H.R.1832, H.R.1908
Latest Major Action: 7/11/2003 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 104.

LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

1.      Veterans Health Care Cost Recovery Act of 2003 - Prohibits the absence of a participation agreement or other contractual arrangement entered into by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under a health-plan contract or with a preferred provider organization from being used to, or from operating to, prevent or reduce the amount of any veterans' medical care cost recovery or collection by the United States.

2.      Mandates that whenever the Secretary furnishes care and services to a person other than a veteran, the United States shall have the right to recover the costs of such care and services in the same manner and to the same extent as care and services provided to a veteran.

3.      Designates the following Department of Veterans Affairs facilities as follows: (1) the health care facility located at 820 South Damen Avenue , Chicago, Illinois, as the Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; and (2) the outpatient clinic in New London, Connecticut, as the John J. McGuirk Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.

H.R.1565 : To establish a National Center for Military Deployment Health Research in the Department of Health and Human Services to provide an independent means for the conduct and coordination of research into issues relating to the deployment of members of the Armed Forces overseas, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 4/24/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.1585 : To establish an office to oversee research compliance and assurance within the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Latest Major Action: 12/6/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: See Public Law 108-170.

H.R.1666 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that discontinuance of veterans' disability compensation upon the death of a veteran shall be effective as of the date of death of the veteran rather than the last day of the month preceding the veteran's death.
Latest Major Action: 4/24/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.1681 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow for substitution of parties in the case of a claim for benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs when the applicant for such benefits dies while the claim is pending, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.1720
Title: To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out construction projects for the purpose of improving, renovating, establishing, and updating patient care facilities at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, and for other purposes.
Related Bills:H.R.116, H.R.1585, H.R.1832, H.R.1908, H.R.2307, H.R.2349
Latest Major Action: 10/30/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

 LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

1.      Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act - (Sec. 2) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out major medical facility projects, using funds appropriated for FY 2004 and 2005. Allows such projects to be carried out to improve, replace, renovate, update, or establish a new patient care facility, or to improve, replace, renovate, or update, a research facility, in order to improve: (1) seismic protection related to patient safety; (2) fire safety; (3) utility systems and ancillary patient care facilities; (4) accommodation for persons with disabilities; and (5) patient care facilities to specialized programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Requires: (1) each project to be reviewed by a board independent of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department; and (2) each board's recommendations to be considered by the Secretary prior to selection. Authorizes appropriations for such fiscal years. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the congressional veterans' committees: (1) evaluating advantages and disadvantages of congressional authorization for such projects over specific authorization by law; and (2) describing specific actions of the Secretary during FY 2004 with respect to such projects. Requires the Secretary to report to such committees on the project authorization process.

2.      (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified major medical facility projects for current or future Department medical facilities in: (1) Chicago, Illinois; (2) San Diego, California; (3) West Haven, Connecticut; (4) Columbus, Ohio; and (5) Pensacola, Florida. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for such projects. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into major medical facilities leases for Department outpatient clinics in Charlotte, North Carolina, Clark County, Nevada, and at the site of the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado.

3.      (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out major medical facility projects at the site of the former Fitzsimons Center, including inpatient and outpatient facilities providing acute, sub-acute, primary, and long-term care services. Requires consultation between the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense, which shall include consideration of establishing a Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense joint health-care venture at the site. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2006. Directs the Secretary to report to the veterans' and appropriations committees on the exercise of such authority.

4.      (Sec. 5) Prohibits the Secretary from making a final disposal of the Lakeside Division facility in Chicago, Illinois, until the Secretary has entered into a contract for the project for such facility.

5.      (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to develop a plan: (1) to establish an inpatient facility to meet veterans' hospital care needs in southern New Jersey; and (2) for hospital care needs of veterans who reside in far south Texas. Requires reports on each plan from the Secretary to the veterans' committees.

6.      (Sec. 7) Increases from $4 million to $6 million the threshold cost of a major medical facility project above which funds for such project must be specifically authorized by law.

7.      (Sec. 8) Requires the Secretary to: (1) examine the feasibility of Department coordination of its needs for veterans' inpatient hospital, medical, and long-term care services with the pending construction of a new university medical center at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina; and (2) report results to the veterans' committees.

8.      (Sec. 9) Designates the Department: (1) health care facility on South Damen Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, as the Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; and (2) outpatient clinic in New London, Connecticut, as the John J. McGuirk Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.

9.      (Sec. 11) Establishes in the VHA an Office of Research Oversight to advise the Under Secretary for Health on matters of compliance and assurance in human subjects protections, animal welfare, research safety, and research impropriety and misconduct. Requires the Office to function independently of VHA offices responsible for the conduct of medical research programs. Establishes an Office Director to conduct investigations and report to the Under Secretary with respect to the above matters, including appropriate recommendations for the termination, suspension, or limitation of Department research activities. Requires the Director to report: (1) to the Under Secretary, Secretary, and veterans' committees on any suspected lapse of protecting the safety of human subjects and others, including employees, in medical research programs; and (2) annually to the veterans' committees on prior-year activities.

10.  Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the veterans' committees on the effects of the establishment of the Office, the actions taken, and improvements in the conduct of ethical medical research in the VHA. Requires the Secretary to report to the veterans' committees on the implementation of this section.

H.R.1735 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the maximum amount of a home loan guarantee available to a veteran.
Latest Major Action: 5/13/2004 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Similar provision incorporated. See H. R. 1716, Title III, Section 301.

H.R.1750 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase of $250 per month in the rate of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) payable to a surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who dies on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability in any case in which there are dependent children.
Latest Major Action: 4/24/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

H.R.1762 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for preservation and protection of historic buildings under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 4/24/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.1838 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the presumptions of service-connection relating to diseases and disabilities of former prisoners of war.
Latest Major Action: 12/16/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: See Public Law 108-183.

H.R.1863 : To declare adequate pain care research, education, and treatment as national public health priorities, and for other purposes.
Latest Major Action: 7/18/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Total Force.

H.R.1911
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance cooperation and the sharing of resources between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
Latest Major Action: 5/22/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

LINK TO DETAILS OF BILL

SUMMARY

Establishes an interagency committee to be known as the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee to: (1) recommend to the Secretary of each department strategic direction for joint health-care resources coordination and sharing efforts between and within such departments; and (2) oversee implementation of those efforts.