In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

July 28, 2017. 

Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 114) entitled 

‘‘An Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to require 

the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report 

regarding performance awards and bonuses awarded to certain high-level employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.’’, do pass with the following 

AMENDMENTS: 

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert: 

1 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

2 (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘VA 

3 Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017’’. 

4 (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 

5 this Act is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

TITLE I—APPROPRIATION OF AMOUNTS FOR VETERANS CHOICE 

PROGRAM 

Sec. 101. Appropriation of amounts for Veterans Choice Program. 

TITLE II—PERSONNEL MATTERS 

Sec. 201. Modification to annual determination of staffing shortages in Veterans 

Health Administration. 

Sec. 202. Establishment of Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Management 

Fellowship Program. 

Sec. 203. Accountability of leaders for managing the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 204. Reemployment of former employees at Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 205. Promotional opportunities for technical experts at Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 206. Employment of students and recent graduates by Department of Veterans Affairs. 
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Sec. 207. Encouragement of transition of military medical professionals into employment with Veterans Health Administration. 

Sec. 208. Recruiting database at Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 209. Training for human resources professionals of Veterans Health Administration on recruitment and retention. 

Sec. 210. Plan to hire directors of medical centers of Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 211. Exit surveys at Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 212. Requirement that physician assistants employed by the Department of 

Veterans Affairs receive competitive pay. 

Sec. 213. Expansion of direct-hiring authority for Department of Veterans Affairs 

in case of shortage of highly qualified candidates. 

Sec. 214. Comptroller General of the United States assessment of succession planning at Department of Veterans Affairs. 

TITLE III—MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES 

Sec. 301. Authorization of certain major medical facility leases of the Department 

of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 302. Authorization of appropriations for medical facility leases. 

TITLE IV—OTHER MATTERS 

Sec. 401. Extension of reduction in amount of pension furnished by Department 

of Veterans Affairs for certain veterans covered by medicaid 

plans for services furnished by nursing facilities. 

Sec. 402. Extension of requirement for collection of fees for housing loans guaranteed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 403. Extension of authority to use income information. 

1 TITLE I—APPROPRIATION OF 

2 AMOUNTS FOR VETERANS 

3 CHOICE PROGRAM 

4 SEC. 101. APPROPRIATION OF AMOUNTS FOR VETERANS 

5 CHOICE PROGRAM. 

6 (a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro7 priated, and is appropriated, to the Secretary of Veterans 

8 Affairs, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise ap9 propriated, $2,100,000,000 to be deposited in the Veterans 

10 Choice Fund under section 802 of the Veterans Access, 

11 Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113– 

12 146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note). 
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1 (b) AVAILABILITY.—The amount appropriated under 

2 subsection (a) shall remain available until expended. 

3 TITLE II—PERSONNEL MATTERS 

4 SEC. 201. MODIFICATION TO ANNUAL DETERMINATION OF 

5 STAFFING SHORTAGES IN VETERANS HEALTH 

6 ADMINISTRATION. 

7 Section 7412(a) of title 38, United States Code, is 

8 amended— 

9 (1) by striking ‘‘the five occupations’’ and insert10 ing ‘‘at a minimum, the five clinical occupations and 

11 the five nonclinical occupations’’; and 

12 (2) by striking ‘‘throughout the Department’’ 

13 and inserting ‘‘with respect to each medical center of 

14 the Department,’’. 

15 SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 

16 AFFAIRS EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT FELLOW17 SHIP PROGRAM. 

18 (a) FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.—Chapter 7 of title 38, 

19 United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 

20 following new subchapter: 
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1 ‘‘SUBCHAPTER III—EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT 

2 FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 

3 ‘‘§ 741. Executive Management Fellowship Program 

4 ‘‘(a) FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.—There is in the Depart5 ment an Executive Management Fellowship Program. The 

6 purpose of the program shall be to provide— 

7 ‘‘(1) eligible employees of the Veterans Benefits 

8 Administration and the Veterans Health Administra9 tion with training and experience in the private sec10 tor; and 

11 ‘‘(2) eligible employees of a private-sector entity 

12 with training and experience in the Department of 

13 Veterans Affairs. 

14 ‘‘(b) FELLOWSHIP.—(1) A fellowship provided under 

15 this section is a 1-year fellowship during which— 

16 ‘‘(A) with respect to a Department participant, 

17 the participant receives training and experience at a 

18 private-sector entity that is engaged in the adminis19 tration and delivery of health care or other services 

20 similar to the benefits administered by the Secretary; 

21 and 

22 ‘‘(B) with respect to a private-sector participant, 

23 the participant receives training and experience at 

24 the Veterans Benefits Administration or the Veterans 

25 Health Administration. 
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1 ‘‘(2) The Secretary shall enter into such agreements 

2 with private-sector entities as are necessary to carry out 

3 this section. 

4 ‘‘(c) SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS.—(1) In August of 

5 each year, the Secretary shall select— 

6 ‘‘(A) not fewer than 18 and not more than 30 el7 igible employees of the Veterans Benefits Administra8 tion and the Veterans Health Administration to re9 ceive a fellowship under this section; and 

10 ‘‘(B) not fewer than 18 and not more than 30 el11 igible employees of private-sector entities to receive a 

12 fellowship under this section. 

13 ‘‘(2) To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall select 

14 eligible employees under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 

15 paragraph (1) from among eligible employees who are vet16 erans in a manner that is reflective of the demographics 

17 of the veteran population of the United States and that 

18 whenever practicable provides a preference to such employ19 ees who represent or service rural areas. 

20 ‘‘(d) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES.—For the purposes of this 

21 section, an eligible employee is— 

22 ‘‘(1) with respect to an employee of the Veterans 

23 Benefits Administration or the Veterans Health Ad24 ministration, an employee who— 
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1 ‘‘(A) is compensated at a rate of basic pay 

2 not less than the minimum rate of basic pay 

3 payable for grade GS–14 of the General Schedule 

4 and not more than either the minimum rate of 

5 basic pay payable to a member of the Senior Ex6 ecutive Service under section 5382 of title 5 or 

7 the minimum rate of basic pay payable pursu8 ant to chapter 74 of this title, as the case may 

9 be; 

10 ‘‘(B) enters into an agreement with the Sec11 retary under subsection (e); and 

12 ‘‘(C) submits to the Secretary an applica13 tion containing such information and assurances 

14 as the Secretary may require; and 

15 ‘‘(2) with respect to an employee of a private-sec16 tor entity, an employee who— 

17 ‘‘(A) is employed in a position whose duties 

18 and responsibilities are commensurate with an 

19 employee of the Department described in para20 graph (1); 

21 ‘‘(B) enters into an agreement with the Sec22 retary under subsection (e); and 

23 ‘‘(C) submits to the Secretary an applica24 tion containing such information and assurances 

25 as the Secretary may require. 
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1 ‘‘(e) AGREEMENTS.—(1) An agreement between the 

2 Secretary and a Department participant shall be in writ3 ing, shall be signed by the participant, and shall include 

4 the following provisions: 

5 ‘‘(A) The Secretary’s agreement to provide the 

6 participant with a fellowship under this section; 

7 ‘‘(B) The participant’s agreement— 

8 ‘‘(i) to accept the fellowship; 

9 ‘‘(ii) after completion of the fellowship, to 

10 serve as a full-time employee in the Veterans 

11 Benefits Administration or the Veterans Health 

12 Administration for at least 2 years as specified 

13 in the agreement; and 

14 ‘‘(iii) that, during the 2-year period begin15 ning on the last day of the fellowship, the partic16 ipant will not accept employment in the same 

17 industry as the industry of the private-sector en18 tity at which the participant accepts the fellow19 ship. 

20 ‘‘(C) A provision that any financial obligation of 

21 the United States arising out of an agreement entered 

22 into under this subchapter, and any obligation of the 

23 participant which is conditioned on such agreement, 

24 is contingent upon funds being appropriated. 
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1 ‘‘(D) A statement of the damages to which the 

2 United States is entitled under this subchapter for the 

3 participant’s breach of the agreement. 

4 ‘‘(E) Such other terms as the Secretary deter5 mines are required to be included in the agreement. 

6 ‘‘(2) An agreement between the Secretary and a pri7 vate-sector participant shall be in writing, shall be signed 

8 by the participant, and shall include the following provi9 sions: 

10 ‘‘(A) The Secretary’s agreement to provide the 

11 participant with a fellowship under this section. 

12 ‘‘(B) The participant’s agreement to accept the 

13 fellowship. 

14 ‘‘(C) Such other terms as the Secretary deter15 mines are required to be included in the agreement. 

16 ‘‘(f) TREATMENT OF RECIPIENTS.—(1) A Department 

17 participant shall be considered an employee of the Depart18 ment for all purposes, including for purposes of receiving 

19 a salary and benefits, and shall remain eligible for all pro20 motion and incentive programs otherwise available to such 

21 an employee. 

22 ‘‘(2) A private-sector participant shall be considered 

23 an employee of the private-sector entity that employs the 

24 participant for all purposes, including for purposes of re-
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1 ceiving a salary and benefits, and during the fellowship 

2 shall be treated as a contractor of the Department. 

3 ‘‘(g) REPORTS.—(1) Not later than 60 days after com4 pleting a fellowship under this section, a recipient of the 

5 fellowship shall submit to the Secretary a report on the fel6 lowship. 

7 ‘‘(2) Each such report shall describe the duties of the 

8 recipient during the fellowship and any recommendations 

9 of the recipient for the application by the Secretary of in10 dustry processes, technologies, and best practices. 

11 ‘‘(3) Not later than 7 days after receiving each such 

12 report, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Vet13 erans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives 

14 such report without change. 

15 ‘‘(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

16 ‘‘(1) The term ‘Department participant’ means 

17 an employee of the Veterans Benefits Administration 

18 or the Veterans Health Administration who is par19 ticipating in the fellowship under this section. 

20 ‘‘(2) The term ‘private-sector entity’ includes an 

21 entity operating under a public-private partnership. 

22 ‘‘(3) The term ‘private-sector participant’ means 

23 an employee of a private-sector entity who is partici24 pating in the fellowship under this section.’’. 
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1 (b) DEADLINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 

2 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec3 retary of Veterans Affairs shall implement the Executive 

4 Management Fellowship Program required under section 

5 741 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 

6 (a). 

7 (c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 

8 the beginning of chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, 

9 is amended by adding at the end the following new items: 

‘‘SUBCHAPTER III—EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

‘‘741. Executive Management Fellowship Program.’’. 

10 SEC. 203. ACCOUNTABILITY OF LEADERS FOR MANAGING 

11 THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

12 (a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 7 of title 

13 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 

14 the following new section: 

15 ‘‘§ 725. Annual performance plan for political ap16 pointees 

17 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct an 

18 annual performance plan for each political appointee of the 

19 Department that is similar to the annual performance plan 

20 conducted for an employee of the Department who is ap21 pointed as a career appointee (as that term is defined in 

22 section 3132(a) of title 5) within the Senior Executive Serv23 ice at the Department. 
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1 ‘‘(b) ELEMENTS OF PLAN.—Each annual performance 

2 plan conducted under subsection (a) with respect to a polit3 ical appointee of the Department shall include an assess4 ment of whether the appointee is meeting the following 

5 goals: 

6 ‘‘(1) Recruiting, selecting, and retaining well7 qualified individuals for employment at the Depart8 ment. 

9 ‘‘(2) Engaging and motivating employees. 

10 ‘‘(3) Training and developing employees and 

11 preparing those employees for future leadership roles 

12 within the Department. 

13 ‘‘(4) Holding each employee of the Department 

14 that is a manager accountable for addressing issues 

15 relating to performance, in particular issues relating 

16 to the performance of employees that report to the 

17 manager. 

18 ‘‘(c) DEFINITION OF POLITICAL APPOINTEE.—In this 

19 section, the term ‘political appointee’ means an employee 

20 of the Department who holds— 

21 ‘‘(1) a position which has been excepted from the 

22 competitive service by reason of its confidential, pol23 icy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating 

24 character; or 
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1 ‘‘(2) a position in the Senior Executive Service 

2 as a noncareer appointee (as such term is defined in 

3 section 3132(a) of title 5).’’. 

4 (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 

5 the beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by in6 serting after the item relating to section 723 the following 

7 new item: 

‘‘725. Annual performance plan for political appointees.’’. 

8 SEC. 204. REEMPLOYMENT OF FORMER EMPLOYEES AT DE9 PARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

10 (a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding sections 3309 

11 through 3318 of title 5, United States Code, the Secretary 

12 of Veterans Affairs may noncompetitively appoint a quali13 fied former career or career conditional employee to any 

14 position within the competitive service at the Department 

15 of Veterans Affairs that is one grade or equivalent higher 

16 than the grade or equivalent of the position at the Depart17 ment most recently occupied by the employee. 

18 (b) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may not appoint a 

19 qualified former employee to a position that is more than 

20 one grade (or equivalent) higher than the position at the 

21 Department most recently occupied by the employee. 

22 (c) DEFINITION OF QUALIFIED FORMER EMPLOYEE.— 

23 For purposes of this section, the term ‘‘qualified former em24 ployee’’ means any individual who— 
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1 (1) formerly occupied any career or career condi2 tional position at the Department of Veterans Affairs 

3 within 2 years before applying for reemployment at 

4 the Department; 

5 (2) voluntarily left such position, or was subject 

6 to a reduction in force, and had a satisfactory per7 formance record while occupying such position; and 

8 (3) since leaving such position has maintained 

9 licensing requirements, related to the position, if any, 

10 and gained skill, knowledge, or other factors related to 

11 the position. 

12 SEC. 205. PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR TECHNICAL 

13 EXPERTS AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF14 FAIRS. 

15 Not later than one year after the date of the enactment 

16 of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish 

17 a promotional track system for employees of the Department 

18 of Veterans Affairs that the Secretary determines are tech19 nical experts pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Sec20 retary for purposes of carrying out this section. Such system 

21 shall— 

22 (1) provide any such employee the opportunity 

23 to advance within the Department without being re24 quired to transition to a management position; and 
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1 (2) for purposes of achieving career advance2 ment— 

3 (A) provide for the establishment of new po4 sitions within the Department; and 

5 (B) notwithstanding any other provision of 

6 law, provide for increases in pay for any such 

7 employee. 

8 SEC. 206. EMPLOYMENT OF STUDENTS AND RECENT GRAD9 UATES BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF10 FAIRS. 

11 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

12 shall prescribe regulations to allow for excepted service ap13 pointments of students and recent graduates leading to con14 version to career or career conditional employment of a stu15 dent or recent graduate of a qualifying educational institu16 tion, as defined by the Department. 

17 (b) APPLICABILITY.—The conversion authority de18 scribed in subsection (a) shall be applicable to individuals 

19 in good standing who— 

20 (1) are employed in a qualifying internship or 

21 fellowship program at the Department; 

22 (2) are employed in the Department in a volun23 teer capacity and performing substantive duties com24 parable to those of individuals in internship or fel-
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1 lowship programs and meet the required number of 

2 hours for conversion; 

3 (3) are employed in the Department under a 

4 contract or agreement with an external nonprofit or5 ganization and performing substantive duties com6 parable to those of individuals in internship or fel7 lowship programs; 

8 (4) have received educational assistance under 

9 chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code; or 

10 (5) graduated from a qualifying educational in11 stitution, as defined by the Department, and have not 

12 reached 30 years of age. 

13 (c) UNIFORMITY.—For the purposes of paragraphs (2) 

14 and (3) of subsection (b), hours of work performed by an 

15 individual employed shall be considered equal to those per16 formed by an individual employed in a qualifying intern17 ship or fellowship program by the Department. 

18 SEC. 207. ENCOURAGEMENT OF TRANSITION OF MILITARY 

19 MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS INTO EMPLOY20 MENT WITH VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRA21 TION. 

22 The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a pro23 gram to encourage an individual who serves in the Armed 

24 Forces with a military occupational specialty relating to 

25 the provision of health care to seek employment with the 
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1 Veterans Health Administration when the individual has 

2 been discharged or released from service in the Armed 

3 Forces or is contemplating separating from such service. 

4 SEC. 208. RECRUITING DATABASE AT DEPARTMENT OF VET5 ERANS AFFAIRS. 

6 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Veterans Af7 fairs shall establish a single database that lists— 

8 (1) each vacant position in the Department of 

9 Veterans Affairs that the Secretary determines is crit10 ical to the mission of the Department, difficult to fill, 

11 or both; and 

12 (2) each vacant position in the Department of 

13 Veterans Affairs for a mental health professional. 

14 (b) QUALIFIED APPLICANT.—If the Secretary deter15 mines that an applicant for a vacant position listed in the 

16 database established under subsection (a) is qualified for 

17 such position but does not select the applicant for such posi18 tion, the Secretary, at the election of the applicant, may 

19 consider the applicant for other similar vacant positions 

20 listed in the database for which the applicant is qualified. 

21 (c) PROLONGED VACANCIES.—If the Secretary does not 

22 fill a vacant position listed in the database established 

23 under subsection (a) after a period determined appropriate 

24 by the Secretary, the Secretary— 
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1 (1) may ensure that applicants described in sub2 section (b) are considered for such position; and 

3 (2) may use the database established under sub4 section (a) to assist in filling such position. 

5 (d) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 

6 of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 

7 Congress a report on the use and efficacy of the database 

8 established under subsection (a). 

9 SEC. 209. TRAINING FOR HUMAN RESOURCES PROFES10 SIONALS OF VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRA11 TION ON RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION. 

12 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

13 shall provide to human resources professionals of the Vet14 erans Health Administration training on how to best re15 cruit and retain employees of the Veterans Health Adminis16 tration, including with respect to any recruitment and re17 tention matters that are unique to the Veterans Health Ad18 ministration pursuant to chapter 74 of title 38, United 

19 States Code, or other provisions of law. 

20 (b) VIRTUAL TRAINING.—Training provided under 

21 this section shall be provided virtually. 

22 (c) AMOUNT OF TRAINING.—The Secretary shall ensure 

23 that each human resources professional of the Veterans 

24 Health Administration receives the training described in 

25 subsection (a)— 
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1 (1) as soon as practicable after being hired by 

2 the Secretary as a human resources professional; and 

3 (2) annually thereafter. 

4 (d) CERTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall require that 

5 each human resources professional of the Veterans Health 

6 Administration, upon the completion of the training de7 scribed in subsection (a), certifies that the professional re8 ceived the training and understands the information pro9 vided by the training. 

10 (e) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not less frequently than annu11 ally, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Vet12 erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ 

13 Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the 

14 training described in subsection (a), including the cost of 

15 providing such training and the number of human re16 sources professionals who received such training during the 

17 year covered by the report. 

18 SEC. 210. PLAN TO HIRE DIRECTORS OF MEDICAL CENTERS 

19 OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

20 (a) PLAN.—Not later than 120 days after the date of 

21 the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

22 shall develop and implement a plan to hire highly qualified 

23 directors for each medical center of the Department of Vet24 erans Affairs that lacks a permanent director as of the date 

25 of the plan. 
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1 (b) PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall prioritize under 

2 the plan developed under subsection (a) the hiring of direc3 tors for medical centers that have not had a permanent di4 rector for the longest periods. 

5 (c) MATTERS INCLUDED.—The plan developed under 

6 subsection (a) shall include the following: 

7 (1) A deadline to hire directors of medical cen8 ters of the Department as described in such sub9 section. 

10 (2) Identification of the possible impediments to 

11 such hiring. 

12 (3) Identification of opportunities to promote 

13 and train candidates from within the Department to 

14 senior executive positions in the Department, includ15 ing as directors of medical centers. 

16 (d) SUBMITTAL OF PLAN.—Not later than 120 days 

17 after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 

18 shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 

19 Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 

20 of Representatives the plan developed under subsection (a). 

21 (e) SEMIANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 180 days 

22 after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not later 

23 than 180 days thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the 

24 Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Com25 mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives 
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1 a report containing a list of each medical center of the De2 partment that lacks a permanent director as of the date 

3 of the report. 

4 SEC. 211. EXIT SURVEYS AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF5 FAIRS. 

6 (a) EXIT SURVEYS REQUIRED.— 

7 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Af8 fairs shall develop and carry out a standardized exit 

9 survey to be voluntarily completed by career and non10 career employees and executives of the Department of 

11 Veterans Affairs who voluntarily separate from the 

12 Department. 

13 (2) CONSULTATION.—Such exit survey shall be 

14 developed in consultation with an appropriate non15 Department entity with experience developing such 

16 surveys. 

17 (b) SURVEY CONTENT.—The survey shall include, at 

18 a minimum, the following: 

19 (1) Reasons for leaving the Department. 

20 (2) Efforts made by the supervisor of the em21 ployee to retain the individual. 

22 (3) The extent of job satisfaction and engagement 

23 during the employment. 
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1 (4) The intent of employee to either remain em2 ployed within the Federal Government or to leave em3 ployment with the Federal Government. 

4 (5) Such other matters as the Secretary deter5 mines appropriate. 

6 (c) ANONYMITY OF SURVEY CONTENT.—The Secretary 

7 shall ensure that data collected under subsection (a)— 

8 (1) is anonymized, including through the use of 

9 a location that allows for privacy; 

10 (2) is not directly visible by another employee; 

11 and 

12 (3) does not require the departing employee to 

13 input any personally identifiable data. 

14 (d) SHARING OF SURVEY DATA.—The Secretary shall 

15 ensure that the results of the survey required by subsection 

16 (a) are— 

17 (1) aggregated at the Veterans Integrated Service 

18 Network level; and 

19 (2) shared on an annual basis with directors and 

20 managers of facilities of the Department and the Vet21 erans Integrated Service Networks. 

22 (e) ANNUAL REPORT.— 

23 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after 

24 the date of the enactment of this Act and not less fre25 quently than once each year thereafter, the Secretary 
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1 shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 

2 the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 

3 the House of Representatives a report containing the 

4 aggregate results of the exit survey under subsection 

5 (a) covering the year prior to the report. 

6 (2) CONTENTS.—Each report submitted under 

7 paragraph (1) shall include, for the period covered by 

8 the report, the following: 

9 (A) An analysis of the most common rea10 sons employees choose to leave the Department. 

11 (B) The steps the Secretary is taking to im12 prove retention, particularly for mission-critical 

13 occupations. 

14 (C) The demographic characteristics of em15 ployees choosing to leave the Department. 

16 (D) Any legislative barriers to improving 

17 employee retention. 

18 (E) The total number of employees who vol19 untarily separated from the Department and the 

20 number and percentage of whom took the exit 

21 survey under subsection (a). 
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1 SEC. 212. REQUIREMENT THAT PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS EM2 PLOYED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 

3 AFFAIRS RECEIVE COMPETITIVE PAY. 

4 Section 7451(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is 

5 amended— 

6 (1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as sub7 paragraph (C); 

8 (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fol9 lowing new subparagraph (B): 

10 ‘‘(B) Physician assistant.’’; and 

11 (3) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated by 

12 paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and registered nurse’’ 

13 and inserting ‘‘registered nurse, and physician assist14 ant’’. 

15 SEC. 213. EXPANSION OF DIRECT-HIRING AUTHORITY FOR 

16 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN 

17 CASE OF SHORTAGE OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED 

18 CANDIDATES. 

19 Section 3304(a)(3)(B) of title 5, United States Code, 

20 is amended by inserting ‘‘(or, with respect to the Depart21 ment of Veterans Affairs, that there exists a severe shortage 

22 of highly qualified candidates)’’ after ‘‘severe shortage of 

23 candidates’’. 
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1 SEC. 214. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES 

2 ASSESSMENT OF SUCCESSION PLANNING AT 

3 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

4 (a) ASSESSMENT.— 

5 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of 

6 the United States shall assess the extent to which key 

7 succession planning policies and guidance at the De8 partment of Veterans Affairs, including the Veterans 

9 Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Admin10 istration, and the National Cemetery Administration, 

11 are consistent with leading practices for succession 

12 and workforce planning identified by Comptroller 

13 General. 

14 (2) ADDITIONAL MATTERS.—In carrying out the 

15 assessment required by paragraph (1), the Comp16 troller General may assess such other matters as the 

17 Comptroller General considers appropriate. 

18 (b) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date 

19 of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 

20 submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate 

21 and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep22 resentatives a report on the assessment carried out under 

23 subsection (a). 

24 (c) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON STUDY ON COMPLIANCE

25 WITH POLICIES AND GUIDANCE.—It is the sense of Con26 gress that— 
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1 (1) the Comptroller General should conduct a 

2 study to examine the extent to which a sampling of 

3 installations of the Department of Veterans Affairs 

4 are complying with policies and guidance of the De5 partment, as well as applicable leading practices; and 

6 (2) the scope and timeframe of a study conducted 

7 as described in paragraph (1) may be dependent upon 

8 the findings of the Comptroller General with respect 

9 to the assessment carried out under subsection (a). 

10 TITLE III—MAJOR MEDICAL 

11 FACILITY LEASES 

12 SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL 

13 FACILITY LEASES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 

14 VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

15 The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the 

16 following major medical facility leases at the locations spec17 ified and in an amount for each lease not to exceed the 

18 amount specified for such location (not including any esti19 mated cancellation costs): 

20 (1) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Ann 

21 Arbor, Michigan, an amount not to exceed $4,247,000. 

22 (2) For a new outpatient mental health clinic, 

23 Birmingham, Alabama, an amount not to exceed 

24 $6,649,000. 
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1 (3) For new research space, Boston, Massachu2 setts, an amount not to exceed $6,224,000. 

3 (4) For a replacement research space, Charleston, 

4 South Carolina, an amount not to exceed $7,274,000. 

5 (5) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Corpus 

6 Christi, Texas, an amount not to exceed $6,556,000. 

7 (6) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Daytona 

8 Beach, Florida, an amount not to exceed $12,198,000. 

9 (7) For a replacement Chief Business Office Pur10 chased Care office space, Denver, Colorado, an 

11 amount not to exceed $14,784,000. 

12 (8) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Fred13 ericksburg, Virginia, an amount not to exceed 

14 $45,015,000. 

15 (9) For a new outpatient clinic, Gainesville, 

16 Florida, an amount not to exceed $7,891,000. 

17 (10) For an outpatient mental health clinic, 

18 Gainesville, Florida, an amount not to exceed 

19 $4,320,000. 

20 (11) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Hamp21 ton Roads, Virginia, an amount not to exceed 

22 $18,141,000. 

23 (12) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Indi24 anapolis, Indiana, an amount not to exceed 

25 $7,876,000. 
27 

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1 (13) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Jack2 sonville, Florida, an amount not to exceed 

3 $18,623,000. 

4 (14) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Mis5 soula, Montana, an amount not to exceed $6,942,000. 

6 (15) For a replacement outpatient mental health 

7 clinic, Northern Colorado, Colorado, an amount not 

8 to exceed $8,904,000. 

9 (16) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Ocala, 

10 Florida, an amount not to exceed $5,026,000. 

11 (17) For a new outpatient clinic, Oxnard, Cali12 fornia, an amount not to exceed $5,274,000. 

13 (18) For a new outpatient clinic, Pike County, 

14 Georgia, an amount not to exceed $5,565,000. 

15 (19) For a new outpatient clinic, Pittsburgh, 

16 Pennsylvania, an amount not to exceed $6,247,000. 

17 (20) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Port18 land, Maine, an amount not to exceed $6,808,000. 

19 (21) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Ra20 leigh, North Carolina, an amount not to exceed 

21 $21,870,000. 

22 (22) For a replacement outpatient clinic, phase 

23 II, Rochester, New York, an amount not to exceed 

24 $3,645,000. 
28 

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1 (23) For a replacement research space, San 

2 Diego, California, an amount not to exceed 

3 $4,852,000. 

4 (24) For a new outpatient clinic, Santa Rosa, 

5 California, an amount not to exceed $6,922,000. 

6 (25) For a replacement mental health clinic, 

7 Tampa, Florida, an amount not to exceed 

8 $13,387,000. 

9 (26) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Lake10 land, Tampa, Florida, an amount not to exceed 

11 $10,760,000. 

12 (27) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Terre 

13 Haute, Indiana, an amount not to exceed $4,102,000. 

14 (28) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Rapid 

15 City, South Dakota, an amount not to exceed 

16 $4,532,000. 

17 SEC. 302. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR MED18 ICAL FACILITY LEASES. 

19 There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 

20 of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2018 or the year in which 

21 funds are appropriated for the Medical Facilities account 

22 $274,634,000 for the major medical facility leases author23 ized in section 301. 
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1 TITLE IV—OTHER MATTERS 

2 SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF REDUCTION IN AMOUNT OF PEN3 SION FURNISHED BY DEPARTMENT OF VET4 ERANS AFFAIRS FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 

5 COVERED BY MEDICAID PLANS FOR SERVICES 

6 FURNISHED BY NURSING FACILITIES. 

7 Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is 

8 amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ and inserting 

9 ‘‘September 30, 2027’’. 

10 SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR COLLECTION 

11 OF FEES FOR HOUSING LOANS GUARANTEED 

12 BY SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

13 Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is 

14 amended— 

15 (1) in subparagraph (A)— 

16 (A) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘September 

17 30, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; 

18 and 

19 (B) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘September 

20 30, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; 

21 (2) in subparagraph (B)— 

22 (A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘September 

23 30, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; 

24 and 
30 

•S 114 EAH 

1 (B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘September 

2 30, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; 

3 (3) in subparagraph (C)— 

4 (A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘September 

5 30, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; 

6 and 

7 (B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘September 

8 30, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; 

9 and 

10 (4) in subparagraph (D)— 

11 (A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘September 

12 30, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; 

13 and 

14 (B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘September 

15 30, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’. 

16 SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO USE INCOME IN17 FORMATION. 

18 Section 5317(g) of title 38, United States Code, is 

19 amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ and inserting 

20 ‘‘September 30, 2027’’. 
31 

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Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘An Act to authorize 

appropriations and to appropriate amounts for the Veterans Choice Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to improve hiring authorities of the Department, to 

authorize major medical facility leases, and for other purposes.’’. 

Attest: 

Clerk. 
115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. 114 

AMENDMENTS