Veterans Health Care, Capital Asset, and Business Improvement Act of 2003
Latest action · Dec 6, 2003 Became Public Law No: 108-170.
Progress
Where this bill reached, and when. A stage with no date was not reached; one that failed a vote and later carried shows the date it carried.
- IntroducedMay 23, 2003
- Passed SenateNov 19, 2003
- Passed HouseNov 21, 2003
- To the PresidentNov 25, 2003
- Became lawDec 6, 2003Public Law 108-170
Summary
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(Sec. 106) Extends through 2008 the period for the provision of veterans' noninstitutional extended-care services and required nursing home care.
(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.
(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.
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.
(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.
(Sec. 203) Removes certain information requirements from a required report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees regarding Department long-range health planning.
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.
(Sec. 212) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into leases for outpatient clinic facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Boston, Massachusetts.
(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.
(Sec. 214) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Construction, Major Projects, account and the Medical Care account.
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.
(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.
(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.
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.
(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.
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.
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.
(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.
(Sec. 303) Authorizes additional pay for Saturday duty for VHA employees hired under the Secretary's additional appointment authority.
(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.
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.
(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.
(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).
(Sec. 404) Extends through 2008 the Department program for housing assistance for homeless veterans.
(Sec. 405) Revises due dates of various reports.
Recorded votes 1
Newest first. Open one to see how every member voted.
| Roll call | Question | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| House 658 | On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass | Passed423–2 | Nov 21, 2003 |
Cosponsors 1
Members who signed on, in the order they did. All signed on Oct 23, 2003.
| Seat | Cosponsor | Signed on | |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-KY | Jim Bunning | Oct 23, 2003 |
Committees 2
Where it was sent and what each committee and subcommittee did with it, in order.
| Chamber | Committee | What it did |
|---|---|---|
| Senate | Veterans' Affairs Committee | Referred May 23, 2003Hearings Jul 29, 2003Markup Sep 30, 2003Reported Nov 10, 2003 |
| House | Veterans' Affairs Committee | Exchange of letters Jan 8, 2004Exchange of letters Dec 6, 2004 |
Actions 25
Everything that happened, newest first.
- Dec 6, 2003Signed by President.
- Dec 6, 2003Became Public Law No: 108-170.
- Nov 25, 2003Presented to President.
- Nov 21, 2003Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Nov 21, 2003Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H12137-12157)
- Nov 21, 2003DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1156.
- Nov 21, 2003EXTENSION OF DEBATE - Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent to extend debate by ten minutes to be equally divided and controlled on the motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 1156. Agreed to without objection.
- Nov 21, 2003DEBATE - The House resumed debate on S. 1156.
- Nov 21, 2003At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- Nov 21, 2003Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H12173)
- Nov 21, 2003Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 2 (Roll no. 658). (text: CR H12137-12143)
- Nov 21, 2003Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Nov 19, 2003Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S15123-15133; text as reported in Senate: CR S15123-15126)
- Nov 19, 2003The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
- Nov 19, 2003Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
- Nov 19, 2003Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Nov 19, 2003Received in the House.
- Nov 19, 2003Held at the desk.
- Nov 10, 2003Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Specter with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 108-193.
- Nov 10, 2003Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 383.
- Sep 30, 2003Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Jul 29, 2003Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 108-623.
- May 23, 2003Introduced in Senate
- May 23, 2003Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7154)
- May 23, 2003Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7154-7155)
In the Congressional Record 4
Days the Record’s own index lists this bill, newest first, with the pages and the members it names. Pages starting H are the House, S the Senate, E Extensions of Remarks.
| Where | In the Record | Members | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | Debate and remarks H12137–H12157Text printed H12137–H12143Recorded votes H12173Explanations H12151–H12156 | Anibal Acevedo-Vila D-PR, Bob Beauprez R-CO, Bob Filner D-CA, Christopher H. Smith R-NJ, Ciro D. Rodriguez D-TX, Jeff Miller R-FL, Jim Gibbons R-NV, Jim Matheson D-UT, Joel Hefley R-CO, Juanita Millender-McDonald D-CA, Lane Evans D-IL, Mike Thompson D-CA, Patrick J. Tiberi R-OH, Rick Renzi R-AZ, Rob Simmons R-CT, Shelley Berkley D-NV, Solomon P. Ortiz D-TX, Steve Buyer R-IN, Tom Osborne R-NE | Nov 21, 2003 |
| Senate | Debate and remarks S15123–S15133Amendments S15123, S15132, S15192, S15198Explanations S15127–S15131 | Arlen Specter D-PA (amendment), Bob Graham D-FL (amendment), Craig Thomas R-WY, Daniel K. Inouye D-HI | Nov 19, 2003 |
| Extensions | Debate and remarks E1253 | Lane Evans D-IL | Jun 13, 2003 |
| Senate | Debate and remarks S7154Text printed S7154 | Arlen Specter D-PA (text) | May 23, 2003 |
Research
What has been written about this bill: committee reports, cost estimates, the sponsor’s authority statement, printed hearings and the Congressional Research Service’s work.
Committee report
Congressional Budget Office cost estimates 2
- Oct 27, 2003S. 1156, Veterans Health Care Authorities Extension and Improvement Act of 2003<p>Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on September 30, 2003</p>
- Oct 27, 2003S. 1156, Veterans Health Care Authorities Extension and Improvement Act of 2003Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on September 30, 2003
Printed hearings 3
Hearings whose printed record names this bill, newest first: hearings on it, and wider hearings where it came up.
| Number | Hearing | Committee | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serial No. 108-22 | MEMBERS' DAY113 pages | Budget Committee | Mar 3, 2004 |
| S. Hrg. 108-663 | VA CAPITAL ASSET REALIGNMENT FOR ENHANCED SERVICES INITIATIVE43 pages | Veterans' Affairs Committee | Sep 11, 2003 |
| S. Hrg. 108-623 | PENDING LEGISLATION44 pages | Veterans' Affairs Committee | Jul 29, 2003 |
CRS reports 7
Congressional Research Service work that CRS links to this bill or the law it became, newest first.
Cite it 7
Products on other subjects that cite it, usually among other measures.
| Product | Title | Kind | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| R47542 | Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-168): Expansion of Health Care Eligibility and Toxic Exposure Screenings | Report | Apr 19, 2024 |
| RL34024 | Veterans and Homelessness | Report | Apr 12, 2023 |
| RL33876 | Overview of Filipino Veterans’ Benefits Archived | Report | Feb 20, 2009 |
| RL33409 | Veterans’ Medical Care: FY2007 Appropriations Archived | Report | Feb 28, 2007 |
| RL32961 | Veterans’ Health Care Issues in the 109th Congress Archived | Report | Oct 26, 2006 |
Amendments 2
Amendments offered to this bill.
| Amendment | Description | Offered by | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SA 2203 | To propose a substitute. | Arlen Specter D-PA | Amendment SA 2203 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. |
| SA 2204 | To amend the title. | Arlen Specter D-PA | Amendment SA 2204 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. |
Related bills 12
Companion bills and other measures the record links to this one.
| Bill | Title | Relationship | Latest action |
|---|---|---|---|
| HR 91 | To name the Department of Veterans Affairs in Houston, Texas, as the "Michael E. DeBakey Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center". | Procedurally related | Dec 6, 2003 |
| HR 1832 | To name the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic located in New London, Connecticut, as the "John P. McGuirk Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic". | Procedurally related | Dec 6, 2003 |
| HR 1908 | To name the health care facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs located at 820 South Damen Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, as the "Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center". | Procedurally related | Dec 6, 2003 |
| HR 1951 | VA Medical Workforce Enhancement Act of 2003 | Procedurally related | Dec 6, 2003 |
| HR 2349 | To authorize certain major medical facility projects for the Department of Veterans Affairs. | Procedurally related | Dec 6, 2003 |
Titles 4
Every title it has carried, official and short, at each stage.
- Official Title as Introduced
- A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and enhance the provision of long-term health care for veterans by 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.
- Official Titles as Amended by Senate
- 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.
- Short Titles as Introduced
- Department of Veterans Affairs Long-Term Care and Personnel Authorities Enhancement Act of 2003
- Short Titles as Enacted
- Veterans Health Care, Capital Asset, and Business Improvement Act of 2003
Subjects
Assigned by the Library of Congress. Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security.
- Administrative procedure
- Adult day care
- Aliens
- Ambulatory care
- Annuities
- Arizona
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Biological warfare
- Building construction
- Cabinet officers
- California
- Chemical warfare
- Chiropractic and chiropractors
- Chronically ill
- Civil service retirement
- Clinics
- Coinsurance
- Collective bargaining
- Colorado
- Commemorations
- Congregate housing
- Congress
- Congressional oversight
- Congressional reporting requirements
- Congressional tributes
- Connecticut
- Construction costs
- Cost effectiveness
- Dental care
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Disabled
- Drug abuse
- Drugs
- Earth movements and building
- East Asia
- Economics and Public Finance
- Education
- Employee selection
- Ex-Members of Congress
- Ex-prisoners of war
- Executive reorganization
- Federal aid to housing
- Federal employees
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Florida
- Government liability
- Government Operations and Politics
- Governmental investigations
- Health
- Health planning
- Higher education
- Homeless
- Hospital care
- Hospital personnel
- House of Representatives
- Housing and Community Development
- Human experimentation in medicine
- Illinois
- Immigration
- Job hunting
- Labor and Employment
- Law
- Layoffs
- Leases
- Long-term care
- Massachusetts
- Medical education
- Medical ethics
- Medical malpractice
- Medical personnel
- Medical research
- Medical supplies
- Mental health services
- Mentally disabled
- Military bases
- Names
- Navy
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Nonprofit organizations
- North Carolina
- Nursing homes
- Ohio
- Part-time employment
- Pennsylvania
- Philippines
- Physical examinations
- Physicians
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Promotions
- Recruiting of employees
- Research ethics
- Revolving funds
- Rural health
- Salaries
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Social Welfare
- South Carolina
- Temporary employment
- Texas
- Utah
- Veterans' disability compensation
- Veterans' employment
- Veterans' hospitals
- Veterans' medical care
- Veterans' rehabilitation
- Washington State
- West Virginia
Text 4
Each version as it was printed, newest first.
- —Enrolled Bill
- Nov 19, 2003Engrossed in Senate
- Nov 10, 2003Reported to Senate
- May 23, 2003Introduced in Senate
Everything here is as published by Congress: the summary is the Congressional Research Service's, the action wording is the clerks', and the subjects are the Library of Congress's. How far it got is read from the actions themselves, taking the most recent one of each kind, so a bill that failed a vote and later passed is shown as having passed. Records come from this bill on Congress.gov and govinfo.gov; cost estimates are the Congressional Budget Office's, and the hearings are the printed hearings GovInfo publishes, which can appear months after the hearing.