Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve health care for veterans, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code. TITLE I—Developing an integrated high-performing network Subtitle A—Establishing community care programs Sec. 101. Establishment of Veterans Community Care Program. Sec. 102. Authorization of agreements between Department of Veterans Affairs and non-Department providers. Sec. 103. Conforming amendments for State veterans homes. Sec. 104. Access guidelines and standards for quality. Sec. 105. Access to walk-in care. Sec. 106. Strategy regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs High-Performing Integrated Health Care Network. Sec. 107. Applicability of Directive of Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Sec. 108. Prevention of certain health care providers from providing non-Department health care services to veterans. Subtitle B—Paying providers and improving collections Sec. 111. Prompt payment to providers. Sec. 112. Authority to pay for authorized care not subject to an agreement. Sec. 113. Improvement of authority to recover the cost of services furnished for non-service-connected disabilities. Sec. 114. Processing of claims for reimbursement through electronic interface. Subtitle C—Education and training programs Sec. 121. Education program on health care options. Sec. 122. Training program for administration of non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care. Sec. 123. Continuing medical education for non-Department medical professionals. Subtitle D—Other matters relating to non-Department of Veterans Affairs providers Sec. 131. Establishment of processes to ensure safe opioid prescribing practices by non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers. Sec. 132. Improving information sharing with community providers. Sec. 133. Competency standards for non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers. Subtitle E—Other non-Department health care matters Sec. 141. Plans for Use of Supplemental Appropriations Required. Sec. 142. Veterans Choice Fund flexibility. Sec. 143. Sunset of Veterans Choice Program. Sec. 144. Conforming amendments. TITLE II—Improving Department of Veterans Affairs health care delivery Subtitle A—Personnel practices PART I—Administration Sec. 201. Licensure of health care professionals of the Department of Veterans Affairs providing treatment via telemedicine. Sec. 202. Role of podiatrists in Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 203. Modification of treatment of certified clinical perfusionists of the Department. Sec. 204. Amending statutory requirements for the position of the Chief Officer of the Readjustment Counseling Service. Sec. 205. Technical amendment to appointment and compensation system for directors of medical centers and directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks. Sec. 206. Identification and staffing of certain health care vacancies. Sec. 207. Department of Veterans Affairs personnel transparency. Sec. 208. Program on establishment of peer specialists in patient aligned care team settings within medical centers of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 209. Pilot program on increasing the use of medical scribes to maximize the efficiency of physicians at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 210. Sense of Congress regarding Department of Veterans Affairs staffing levels. PART II—Education and training Sec. 211. Graduate medical education and residency. Sec. 212. Pilot program to establish or affiliate with graduate medical residency programs at facilities operated by Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and the Indian Health Service in rural areas. Sec. 213. Reimbursement of continuing professional education requirements for board certified advanced practice registered nurses. Sec. 214. Increase in maximum amount of debt that may be reduced under Education Debt Reduction Program of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 215. Demonstration program on training and employment of alternative dental health care providers for dental health care services for veterans in rural and other underserved communities. PART III—Other personnel matters Sec. 221. Exception on limitation on awards and bonuses for recruitment, relocation, and retention. Sec. 222. Annual report on performance awards and bonuses awarded to certain high-level employees of the Department. Sec. 223. Authority to regulate additional pay for certain health care employees of the Department. Sec. 224. Modification of pay cap for nurses. Subtitle B—Improvement of underserved facilities of the Department Sec. 231. Development of criteria for designation of certain medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs as underserved facilities and plan to address problem of underserved facilities. Sec. 232. Pilot program on tuition reimbursement and loan repayment for health care providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs at underserved facilities. Sec. 233. Program to furnish mobile deployment teams to underserved facilities. Sec. 234. Inclusion of Vet Center employees in education debt reduction program of Department of Veterans Affairs. Subtitle C—Construction and leases Sec. 241. Definition of major medical facility project and major medical facility lease. Sec. 242. Facilitating sharing of medical facilities with other Federal agencies. Sec. 243. Review of enhanced use leases. Sec. 244. Authorization of certain major medical facility projects of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Subtitle D—Other health care matters Sec. 251. Program on use of wellness programs as complementary approach to mental health care for veterans and family members of veterans. Sec. 252. Authorization to provide for operations on live donors for purposes of conducting transplant procedures for veterans. Sec. 253. Sense of the Senate. TITLE III—Family caregivers Sec. 301. Expansion of family caregiver program of Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 302. Implementation of information technology system of Department of Veterans Affairs to assess and improve the family caregiver program. Sec. 303. Modifications to annual evaluation report on caregiver program of Department of Veterans Affairs. TITLE IV—Appropriation of amounts Sec. 401. Appropriation of amounts for health care from Department of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 402. Appropriation of amounts for Veterans Choice Program. 2. References to title 38, United States Code Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code. I Developing an integrated high-performing network A Establishing community care programs 101. Establishment of Veterans Community Care Program (a) Establishment of program (1) In general Section 1703 1703. Veterans Community Care Program (a) In general (1) There is established a program to furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care services to covered veterans through health care providers specified in subsection (c). (2) The Secretary shall coordinate the furnishing of hospital care, medical services, and extended care services under this section to covered veterans, including coordination of, at a minimum, the following: (A) Ensuring the scheduling of medical appointments in a timely manner and the establishment of a mechanism to receive medical records from non-Department providers. (B) Ensuring continuity of care and services. (C) Ensuring coordination among regional networks if the covered veteran accesses care and services in a different network than the regional network in which the covered veteran resides. (D) Ensuring that covered veterans do not experience a lapse resulting from errors or delays by the Department or its contractors or an unusual or excessive burden in accessing hospital care, medical services, or extended care services. (b) Covered veterans For purposes of this section, a covered veteran is any veteran who— (1) is enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment established and operated under section 1705 (2) is not enrolled in such system but is otherwise entitled to hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under subsection (c)(2) of such section. (c) Health care providers specified Health care providers specified in this subsection are the following: (1) Any health care provider that is participating in the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395 (2) The Department of Defense. (3) The Indian Health Service. (4) Any Federally-qualified health center (as defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)(B) (5) Any health care provider not otherwise covered under any of paragraphs (1) through (4) that meets criteria established by the Secretary for purposes of this section. (d) Conditions under which care is required To be furnished through non-Department providers (1) The Secretary shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care services to a covered veteran through health care providers specified in subsection (c) if— (A) the Department does not offer the care or services the veteran requires; (B) the Department does not operate a full-service medical facility in the State in which the covered veteran resides; (C) the covered veteran was an eligible veteran under section 101(b)(2)(B) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 1701 Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017 (D) the covered veteran and the covered veteran’s primary care provider agree that furnishing care and services through a non-Department entity or provider would be in the best medical interest of the covered veteran based upon criteria developed by the Secretary. (2) The Secretary shall ensure that the criteria developed under paragraph (1)(D) include consideration of the following: (A) The distance between the covered veteran and the facility that provides the hospital care, medical services, or extended care services the veteran needs. (B) The nature of the hospital care, medical services, or extended care services required. (C) The frequency that the hospital care, medical services, or extended care services needs to be furnished. (D) Whether an appointment for the hospital care, medical services, or extended care services the covered veteran requires is available from a health care provider of the Department within the lesser of— (i) the access guidelines for such hospital care, medical services, or extended care services as established by the Secretary; and (ii) a period determined by a health care provider of the Department to be clinically necessary for the receipt of such hospital care, medical services, or extended care services. (E) Whether the covered veteran faces an unusual or excessive burden to access hospital care, medical services, or extended care services from the Department medical facility where a covered veteran seeks hospital care, medical services, or extended care services, which shall include consideration of the following: (i) Whether the covered veteran faces an excessive driving distance, geographical challenge, or environmental factor that impedes the access of the covered veteran. (ii) Whether the hospital care, medical services, or extended care services sought by the veteran is provided by a medical facility of the Department that is reasonably accessible to a covered veteran. (iii) Whether a medical condition of the covered veteran affects the ability of the covered veteran to travel. (iv) Whether there is compelling reason, as determined by the Secretary, that the veteran needs to receive hospital care, medical services, or extended care services from a medical facility other than a medical facility of the Department. (v) Such other considerations as the Secretary considers appropriate. (3) If the Secretary has determined that the Department does not offer the care or services the covered veteran requires under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), that the Department does not operate a full-service medical facility in the State in which the covered veteran resides under subparagraph (B) of such paragraph, or that the covered veteran is described under subparagraph (C) of such paragraph, the decision to receive hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under such subparagraphs from a health care provider specified in subsection (c) shall be at the election of the veteran. (e) Conditions under which care is authorized to be furnished through non-Department providers (1) (A) The Secretary may furnish hospital care, medical services, or extended care services through a health care provider specified in subsection (c) to a covered veteran served by a medical service line of the Department that the Secretary has determined is not providing care that meets such quality and access standards as the Secretary shall develop. (B) In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall— (i) measure access of the medical service line at a facility of the Department when compared with the same medical service line at different Department facilities; and (ii) measure quality at a medical service line of a facility of the Department by comparing it with two or more distinct and appropriate quality measures at non-Department medical service lines. (C) (i) The Secretary may not concurrently furnish hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under subparagraph (A) with respect to more than three medical service lines described in such subparagraph at any one health care facility of the Department. (ii) The Secretary may not concurrently furnish hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under subparagraph (A) with respect to more than 36 medical service lines nationally described in such subparagraph. (2) The Secretary may limit the types of hospital care, medical services, or extended care services covered veterans may receive under paragraph (1) because of an access and quality deficiency of a medical service line in terms of the length of time such care and services will be available, the location at which such care and services will be available, and the clinical care and services that will be available. (3) The hospital care, medical services, and extended care services authorized under paragraph (1) with respect to a medical service line shall cease when the remediation described in subsection (g) with respect to such medical service line is complete. (4) The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register, and shall take all reasonable steps to provide direct notice to covered veterans affected under this subsection, at least once each year stating the time period during which such care and services will be available, the location or locations where such care and services will be available, and the clinical services available at each location under this subsection in accordance with regulations the Secretary shall prescribe. (5) When the Secretary exercises the authority under paragraph (1), the decision to receive care or services under such paragraph from a health care provider specified in subsection (c) shall be at the election of the covered veteran. (f) Review of decisions The review of any decision under subsection (d) or (e) shall be subject to the Department’s local clinical appeals process, and such decisions may not be appealed to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. (g) Remediation of medical service lines (1) Not later than 30 days after determining under subsection (e)(1) that a medical service line of the Department is providing hospital care, medical services, or extended care services that does not comply with the access guidelines and meet the standards of quality established by the Secretary, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an assessment of the factors that led the Secretary to make such determination and a plan with specific actions, and the time to complete them, to be taken to comply with such access guidelines and meet such standards of quality, including the following: (A) Increasing personnel or temporary personnel assistance, including mobile deployment teams. (B) Special hiring incentives, including the Education Debt Reduction Program under subchapter VII of chapter 76 (C) Utilizing direct hiring authority. (D) Providing improved training opportunities for staff. (E) Acquiring improved equipment. (F) Making structural modifications to the facility used by the medical service line. (G) Such other actions as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) In each assessment submitted under paragraph (1) with respect to a medical service line, the Secretary shall identify the individuals at the Central Office of the Veterans Health Administration, the facility used by the medical service line, and the central office of the relevant Veterans Integrated Service Network who are responsible for overseeing the progress of that medical service line in complying with the access guidelines and meeting the standards of quality established by the Secretary. (3) Not later than 180 days after submitting an assessment under paragraph (1) with respect to a medical service line, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the progress of that medical service line in complying with the access guidelines and meeting the standards of quality established by the Secretary and any other measures the Secretary will take to assist the medical service line in complying with such access guidelines and meeting such standards of quality. (4) Not less frequently than once each year, the Secretary shall— (A) submit to Congress an analysis of the remediation actions and costs of such actions taken with respect to each medical service line with respect to which the Secretary submitted an assessment and plan under paragraph (1) in the preceding year, including an update on the progress of each such medical service line in meeting the quality and access standards established by the Secretary and any other actions the Secretary is undertaking to assist the medical service line in complying with access guidelines and meeting standards of quality as established by the Secretary; and (B) publish such analysis on the Internet website of the Department. (h) Access guidelines and standards for quality (1) The Secretary shall establish access guidelines under section 1703B section 1703C (2) The Secretary shall ensure that the access guidelines and standards for quality required by sections 1703B 1703C (3) The Secretary shall consult with all pertinent Federal entities (including the Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), entities in the private sector, and other nongovernmental entities in establishing access guidelines and standards for quality as required by sections 1703B 1703C (4) Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of the Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017 sections 1703B 1703C (5) Not later than three years after the date on which the Secretary establishes access guidelines and standards for quality under paragraph (1) and not less frequently than once every three years thereafter, the Secretary shall— (A) conduct a review of such guidelines and standards; and (B) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the findings and any modification to the access guidelines and standards for quality with respect to the review conducted under subparagraph (A). (6) The Secretary shall ensure health care providers specified under subsection (c) are able to meet the applicable access guidelines and standards of quality established by the Secretary. (i) Tiered network (1) To promote the provision of high-quality and high-value hospital care, medical services, and extended care services under this section, the Secretary may develop a tiered provider network of eligible providers based on criteria established by the Secretary for purposes of this section. (2) In developing a tiered provider network of eligible providers under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not prioritize providers in a tier over providers in any other tier in a manner that limits the choice of a covered veteran in selecting a health care provider specified in subsection (c) for receipt of hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under this section. (j) Contracts To establish networks of health care providers (1) The Secretary shall enter into consolidated, competitively bid contracts to establish networks of health care providers specified in paragraphs (1) and (5) of subsection (c) for purposes of providing sufficient access to hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under this section. (2) (A) The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, ensure that covered veterans are able to make their own appointments using advanced technology. (B) To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall be responsible for the scheduling of appointments for hospital care, medical services, and extended care services under this section. (3) (A) The Secretary may terminate a contract with an entity entered into under paragraph (1) at such time and upon such notice to the entity as the Secretary may specify for purposes of this section, if the Secretary notifies the appropriate committees of Congress that, at a minimum— (i) the entity— (I) failed to comply substantially with the provisions of the contract or with the provisions of this section and the regulations prescribed under this section; (II) failed to comply with the access guidelines or meet the standards of quality established by the Secretary; (III) is excluded from participation in a Federal health care program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7b(f))) under section 1128 or 1128A of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1320a–7 (IV) is identified as an excluded source on the list maintained in the System for Award Management, or any successor system; or (V) has been convicted of a felony or other serious offense under Federal or State law and the continued participation of the entity would be detrimental to the best interests of veterans or the Department; (ii) it is reasonable to terminate the contract based on the health care needs of veterans; or (iii) it is reasonable to terminate the contract based on coverage provided by contracts or sharing agreements entered into under authorities other than this section. (B) Nothing in subparagraph (A) may be construed to restrict the authority of the Secretary to terminate a contract entered into under paragraph (1) under any other provision of law. (4) Whenever the Secretary provides notice to an entity that the entity is failing to meet contractual obligations entered into under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on such failure. Such report shall include the following: (A) An explanation of the reasons for providing such notice. (B) A description of the effect of such failure, including with respect to cost, schedule, and requirements. (C) A description of the actions taken by the Secretary to mitigate such failure. (D) A description of the actions taken by the contractor to address such failure. (E) A description of any effect on the community provider market for veterans in the affected area. (5) (A) The Secretary shall instruct each entity awarded a contract under paragraph (1) to recognize and accept, on an interim basis, the credentials and qualifications of health care providers who are authorized to furnished hospital care and medical services to veterans under a community care program of the Department in effect as of the day before the date of the enactment of the Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017 Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 1701 (B) The interim acceptance period under subparagraph (A) shall be determined by the Secretary based on the following criteria: (i) With respect to a health care provider, when the current certification agreement for the health care provider expires. (ii) Whether the Department has enacted certification and eligibility criteria and regulatory procedures by which non-Department providers will be authorized under this section. (6) The Secretary shall establish through regulation a system or systems for monitoring the quality of care provided to covered veterans through a network under this subsection and for assessing the quality of hospital care, medical services, and extended care services furnished through such network before the renewal of the contract for such network. (k) Payment rates for care and services (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), and to the extent practicable, the rate paid for hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under any provision in this title may not exceed the rate paid by the United States to a provider of services (as defined in section 1861(u) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(u) 42 U.S.C. 1395x(d) 42 U.S.C. 1301 (2) (A) A higher rate than the rate paid by the United States as described in paragraph (1) may be negotiated with respect to the furnishing of care or services to a covered veteran who resides in a highly rural area. (B) In this paragraph, the term highly rural area (3) With respect to furnishing care or services under this section in Alaska, the Alaska Fee Schedule of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be followed, except for when another payment agreement, including a contract or provider agreement, is in effect. (4) With respect to furnishing hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under this section in a State with an All-Payer Model Agreement under section 1814(b)(3) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395f(b)(3) (5) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary may incorporate, to the greatest extent practicable, the use of value-based reimbursement models to promote the provision of high-quality care. (6) With respect to hospital care, medical services, or extended care services for which there is not a rate paid under the Medicare program as described in paragraph (1), the rate paid for such care or services shall be determined by the Secretary. (l) Treatment of other health care plans (1) In any case in which a covered veteran is furnished hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under this section for a non-service-connected disability described in subsection (a)(2) of section 1729 (2) A health care plan described in this paragraph— (A) is an insurance policy or contract, medical or hospital service agreement, membership or subscription contract, or similar arrangement not administered by the Secretary, under which hospital care, medical services, or extended care services for individuals are provided or the expenses of such care or services are paid; and (B) does not include any such policy, contract, agreement, or similar arrangement pursuant to title XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395 chapter 55 (m) Payment by veteran A covered veteran shall not pay a greater amount for receiving care or services under this section than the amount the veteran would pay for receiving the same or comparable care or services at a medical facility of the Department or from a health care provider of the Department. (n) Monitoring of care provided (1) (A) Not later than 540 days after the date of the enactment of the Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017 (B) The review submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include an assessment of the following: (i) The top 25 percent of types of care and services most frequently provided under subsection (d) due to the Department not offering such care and services. (ii) The frequency such care and services were sought by covered veterans under this section. (iii) An analysis of the reasons the Department was unable to provide such care and services. (iv) Any steps the Department took to provide such care and services at a medical facility of the Department. (v) The cost of such care and services. (2) In monitoring the hospital care, medical services, and extended care services furnished under this section, the Secretary shall do the following: (A) With respect to hospital care, medical services, and extended care services furnished through provider networks established under subsection (j)— (i) compile data on the types of hospital care, medical services, and extended care services furnished through such networks and how many patients used each type of care and service; (ii) identify gaps in hospital care, medical services, or extended care services furnished through such networks; (iii) identify how such gaps may be fixed through new contracts within such networks or changes in the manner in which hospital care, medical services, or extended care services are furnished through such networks; (iv) assess the total amounts spent by the Department on hospital care, medical services, and extended care services furnished through such networks; (v) assess the timeliness of the Department in referring hospital care, medical services, and extended care services to such networks; and (vi) assess the timeliness of such networks in— (I) accepting referrals; and (II) scheduling and completing appointments. (B) Report the number of medical service lines the Secretary has determined under subsection (e)(1) not to be providing hospital care, medical services, or extended care services that comply with the access guidelines or meet the standards of quality established by the Secretary. (C) Assess the use of academic affiliates and centers of excellence of the Department to furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care services to covered veterans under this section. (D) Assess the hospital care, medical services, and extended care services furnished to covered veterans under this section by medical facilities operated by Federal agencies other than the Department. (3) Not later than 540 days after the date of the enactment of the Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017 (o) Prohibition on certain limitations The Secretary shall not limit the types of hospital care, medical services, or extended care services covered veterans may receive under this section if it is in the best interest of the veteran to receive such hospital care, medical services, or extended care services, as determined by the veteran and the veteran's health care provider. (p) Definitions In this section: (1) The term appropriate committees of Congress (A) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (2) The term medical service line . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 1703. Veterans Community Care Program. . (b) Effective date Section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a), shall take effect on the later of— (1) the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits the report required under section 101(q)(2) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 1701 (2) the date on which the Secretary promulgates regulations pursuant to subsection (c). (c) Regulations Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall promulgate regulations to carry out section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a) of this section. (d) Continuity of existing agreements (1) In general Notwithstanding section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall continue all contracts, memorandums of understanding, memorandums of agreements, and other arrangements that were in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Indian and Alaska Native health care systems as established under the terms of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Indian Health Service Memorandum of Understanding, signed October 1, 2010, the National Reimbursement Agreement, signed December 5, 2012, and agreements entered into under sections 102 and 103 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 (2) Modifications Paragraph (1) shall not be construed to prohibit the Secretary and the parties to the contracts, memorandums of understanding, memorandums of agreements, and other arrangements described in such paragraph from making such changes to such contracts, memorandums of understanding, memorandums of agreements, and other arrangements as may be otherwise authorized pursuant to other provisions of law or the terms of the contracts, memorandums of understanding, memorandums of agreements, and other arrangements. 102. Authorization of agreements between Department of Veterans Affairs and non-Department providers (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 17 1703A. Agreements with eligible entities or providers; certification processes (a) Agreements authorized (1) (A) When hospital care, a medical service, or an extended care service required by a veteran who is entitled to such care or service under this chapter is not feasibly available to the veteran from a facility of the Department or through a contract or sharing agreement entered into pursuant to another provision of law, the Secretary may furnish such care or service to such veteran by entering into an agreement under this section with an eligible entity or provider to provide such hospital care, medical service, or extended care service. (B) An agreement entered into under this section to provide hospital care, a medical service, or an extended care service shall be known as a Veterans Care Agreement (C) For purposes of subparagraph (A), hospital care, a medical service, or an extended care service may be considered not feasibly available to a veteran from a facility of the Department or through a contract or sharing agreement described in such subparagraph when the Secretary determines the veteran's medical condition, the travel involved, the nature of the care or services required, or a combination of these factors make the use of a facility of the Department or a contract or sharing agreement described in such subparagraph impracticable or inadvisable. (D) A Veterans Care Agreement may be entered into by the Secretary or any Department official authorized by the Secretary. (2) (A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall review each Veterans Care Agreement of material size, as determined by the Secretary or set forth in paragraph (3), for hospital care, a medical service, or an extended care service to determine whether it is feasible and advisable to provide such care or service within a facility of the Department or by contract or sharing agreement entered into pursuant to another provision of law and, if so, take action to do so. (B) (i) The Secretary shall review each Veterans Care Agreement of material size that has been in effect for at least six months within the first two years of its taking effect, and not less frequently than once every four years thereafter. (ii) If a Veterans Care Agreement has not been in effect for at least six months by the date of the review required by subparagraph (A), the agreement shall be reviewed during the next cycle required by subparagraph (A), and such review shall serve as its review within the first two years of its taking effect for purposes of clause (i). (3) (A) In fiscal year 2018 and in each fiscal year thereafter, in addition to such other Veterans Care Agreements as the Secretary may determine are of material size, a Veterans Care Agreement for the purchase of extended care services that exceeds $5,000,000 annually shall be considered of material size. (B) From time to time, the Secretary may publish a notice in the Federal Register to adjust the dollar amount specified in subparagraph (A) to account for changes in the cost of health care based upon recognized health care market surveys and other available data. (b) Eligible entities and providers For purposes of this section, an eligible entity or provider is— (1) any provider of services that has enrolled and entered into a provider agreement under section 1866(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a) 42 U.S.C. 1395u(h) (2) any provider participating under a State plan under title XIX of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 (3) any entity or provider not described in paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection that the Secretary determines to be eligible pursuant to the certification process described in subsection (c). (c) Eligible entity or provider certification process The Secretary shall establish by regulation a process for the certification of eligible entities or providers or recertification of eligible entities or providers under this section. Such a process shall, at a minimum— (1) establish deadlines for actions on applications for certification; (2) set forth standards for an approval or denial of certification, duration of certification, revocation of an eligible entity or provider’s certification, and recertification of eligible entities or providers; (3) require the denial of certification if the Secretary determines the eligible entity or provider is excluded from participation in a Federal health care program under section 1128 or section 1128A of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1320a–7 (4) establish procedures for screening eligible entities or providers according to the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse that are similar to the standards under section 1866(j)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395cc(j)(2)(B) (5) incorporate and apply the restrictions and penalties set forth in chapter 21 (d) Rates To the extent practicable, the rates paid by the Secretary for hospital care, medical services, and extended care services provided under a Veterans Care Agreement shall be in accordance with the rates paid by the United States under the Medicare program. (e) Terms of Veterans Care Agreements (1) Pursuant to regulations promulgated under subsection (k), the Secretary may define the requirements for providers and entities entering into agreements under this section based upon such factors as the number of patients receiving care or services, the number of employees employed by the entity or provider furnishing such care or services, the amount paid by the Secretary to the provider or entity, or other factors as determined by the Secretary. (2) To furnish hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under this section, an eligible entity or provider shall agree— (A) to accept payment at the rates established in regulations prescribed under this section; (B) that payment by the Secretary under this section on behalf of a veteran to a provider of services or care shall, unless rejected and refunded by the provider within 30 days of receipt, constitute payment in full and extinguish any liability on the part of the veteran for the treatment or care provided, and no provision of a contract, agreement, or assignment to the contrary shall operate to modify, limit, or negate this requirement; (C) to provide only the care and services authorized by the Department under this section and to obtain the prior written consent of the Department to furnish care or services outside the scope of such authorization; (D) to bill the Department in accordance with the methodology outlined in regulations prescribed under this section; (E) to not seek to recover or collect from a health plan contract or third party, as those terms are defined in section 1729 (F) to provide medical records to the Department in the time frame and format specified by the Department; and (G) to meet such other terms and conditions, including quality of care assurance standards, as the Secretary may specify in regulation. (f) Discontinuation or nonrenewal of a Veterans Care Agreement (1) An eligible entity or provider may discontinue a Veterans Care Agreement at such time and upon such notice to the Secretary as may be provided in regulations prescribed under this section. (2) The Secretary may discontinue a Veterans Care Agreement with an eligible entity or provider at such time and upon such reasonable notice to the eligible entity or provider as may be specified in regulations prescribed under this section, if an official designated by the Secretary— (A) has determined that the eligible entity or provider failed to comply substantially with the provisions of the Veterans Care Agreement, or with the provisions of this section or regulations prescribed under this section; (B) has determined the eligible entity or provider is excluded from participation in a Federal health care program under section 1128 or section 1128A of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1320a–7 (C) has ascertained that the eligible entity or provider has been convicted of a felony or other serious offense under Federal or State law and determines the eligible entity or provider’s continued participation would be detrimental to the best interests of veterans or the Department; or (D) has determined that it is reasonable to terminate the agreement based on the health care needs of a veteran. (g) Quality of care The Secretary shall establish through regulation a system or systems for monitoring the quality of care provided to veterans through Veterans Care Agreements and for assessing the quality of hospital care, medical services, and extended care services furnished by eligible entities and providers before the renewal of Veterans Care Agreements. (h) Disputes (1) The Secretary shall promulgate administrative procedures for eligible entities and providers to present all disputes arising under or related to Veterans Care Agreements. (2) Such procedures constitute the eligible entities’ and providers’ exhaustive and exclusive administrative remedies. (3) Eligible entities or providers must first exhaust such administrative procedures before seeking any judicial review under section 1346 of title 28 (known as the Tucker Act (4) Disputes under this section must pertain to either the scope of authorization under the Veterans Care Agreement or claims for payment subject to the Veterans Care Agreement and are not claims for the purposes of such laws that would otherwise require application of sections 7101 through 7109 of title 41, United States Code. (i) Applicability of other provisions of law (1) A Veterans Care Agreement may be authorized by the Secretary or any Department official authorized by the Secretary, and such action shall not be treated as— (A) an award for the purposes of such laws that would otherwise require the use of competitive procedures for the furnishing of care and services; or (B) a Federal contract for the acquisition of goods or services for purposes of any provision of Federal law governing Federal contracts for the acquisition of goods or services. (2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), and unless otherwise provided in this section or regulations prescribed pursuant to this section, an eligible entity or provider that enters into an agreement under this section is not subject to, in the carrying out of the agreement, any law to which providers of services and suppliers under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395 (B) An eligible entity or provider that enters into an agreement under this section is subject to— (i) all laws regarding integrity, ethics, or fraud, or that subject a person to civil or criminal penalties; and (ii) all laws that protect against employment discrimination or that otherwise ensure equal employment opportunities. (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(B)(i), an eligible entity or provider that enters into an agreement under this section shall not be treated as a Federal contractor or subcontractor for purposes of chapter 67 McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act of 1965 (j) Parity of treatment Eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and extended care services furnished to any veteran pursuant to a Veterans Care Agreement shall be subject to the same terms as though provided in a facility of the Department, and provisions of this chapter applicable to veterans receiving such care and services in a facility of the Department shall apply to veterans treated under this section. (k) Rulemaking The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out this section. . (b) Clerical Amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item related to section 1703 the following new item: 1703A. Agreements with eligible entities or providers; certification processes. . 103. Conforming amendments for State veterans homes (a) In general Section 1745(a) (1) in paragraph (1), by striking (or agreement under section 1720(c)(1) (or an agreement) (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4) (A) An agreement under this section may be authorized by the Secretary or any Department official authorized by the Secretary, and any such action is not an award for purposes of such laws that would otherwise require the use of competitive procedures for the furnishing of hospital care, medical services, and extended care services. (B) (i) Except as provided in clause (ii), and unless otherwise provided in this section or regulations prescribed pursuant to this section, a State home that enters into an agreement under this section is not subject to, in the carrying out of the agreement, any provision of law to which providers of services and suppliers under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395 (ii) A State home that enters into an agreement under this section is subject to— (I) all provisions of law regarding integrity, ethics, or fraud, or that subject a person to civil or criminal penalties; and (II) all provisions of law that protect against employment discrimination or that otherwise ensure equal employment opportunities. (iii) Notwithstanding subparagraph (B)(ii)(I), a State home that enters into an agreement under this section may not be treated as a Federal contractor or subcontractor for purposes of chapter 67 McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act of 1965 . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to care provided on or after the effective date of regulations issued by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out this section. 104. Access guidelines and standards for quality (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 17, as amended by section 102, is further amended by inserting after section 1703A the following new sections: 1703B. Access guidelines The Secretary shall consult with all pertinent Federal entities to examine health care access measurements and establish localized benchmarking guidelines that can inform provider and veteran clinical decisionmaking. The Secretary shall establish such guidelines for all hospital care, medical services, and extended care services furnished or otherwise made available under laws administered by the Secretary, including through non-Department health care providers. 1703C. Standards for quality (a) In general (1) The Secretary shall establish standards for quality, in coordination or consultation with entities pursuant to section 1703(h)(3) section 1703 (2) In establishing standards for quality under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider existing health quality measures that are applied to public and privately sponsored health care systems with the purpose of providing covered veterans relevant comparative information to make informed decisions regarding their health care. (3) The Secretary shall collect and consider data for purposes of establishing the standards under paragraph (1). Such data collection shall include— (A) after consultation with veterans service organizations and other key stakeholders on survey development or modification of an existing survey, a survey of veterans who have used hospital care, medical services, or extended care services furnished by the Veterans Health Administration during the most recent two-year period to assess the satisfaction of the veterans with service and quality of care; and (B) datasets that include, at a minimum, elements relating to the following: (i) Timely care. (ii) Effective care. (iii) Safety, including, at a minimum, complications, readmissions, and deaths. (iv) Efficiency. (b) Publication and consideration of public comments (1) Not later than one year after the date on which the Secretary establishes standards for quality under subsection (a), the Secretary shall publish the quality rating of medical facilities of the Department in the publicly available Hospital Compare website through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the purpose of providing veterans with information that allows them to compare performance measure information among Department and non-Department health care providers. (2) Not later than two years after the date on which the Secretary establishes standards for quality under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider and solicit public comment on potential changes to the measures used in such standards to ensure that they include the most up-to-date and applicable industry measures for veterans. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17, as amended by section 102, is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1703A the following new items: 1703B. Access guidelines. 1703C. Standards for quality. . 105. Access to walk-in care (a) In general Chapter 17 1725A. Access to walk-in care (a) Procedures To ensure access to walk-in care The Secretary shall develop procedures to ensure that eligible veterans are able to access walk-in care from qualifying non-Department entities or providers. (b) Eligible veterans For purposes of this section, an eligible veteran is any individual who— (1) is enrolled in the health care system established under section 1705(a) (2) has received care under this chapter within the 24-month period preceding the furnishing of walk-in care under this section. (c) Qualifying non-Department entities or providers For purposes of this section, a qualifying non-Department entity or provider is a non-Department entity or provider that has entered into a contract or other agreement with the Secretary to furnish services under this section. (d) Federally-qualified health centers Whenever practicable, the Secretary may use a Federally-qualified health center (as defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)(B) (e) Continuity of care The Secretary shall ensure continuity of care for those veterans who receive walk-in care services under this section, including through the establishment of a mechanism to receive medical records from walk-in care providers and provide pertinent patient medical records to providers of walk-in care. (f) Copayments (1) (A) The Secretary shall require all eligible veterans to pay the United States a copayment for each episode of hospital care and medical service provided under this section if otherwise required to pay a copayment under this title. (B) Those not required to pay a copayment under this title may access walk-in care without a copayment for the first two visits in a calendar year. For any additional visits, a copayment at an amount determined by the Secretary shall be paid. (C) For those veterans required to pay a copayment under title 38, they are required to pay their regular copayment for their first two walk-in care visits in a calendar year. For any additional visits, a higher copayment at an amount determined by the Secretary shall be paid. (2) After the first two episodes of care furnished to a veteran under this section, the Secretary may adjust the copayment required of the veteran under this subsection based upon the priority group of enrollment of the veteran, the number of episodes of care furnished to the veteran during a year, and other factors the Secretary considers appropriate under this section. (3) The amount or amounts of the copayments required under this subsection shall be prescribed by the Secretary by rule. (4) Section 8153(c) (g) Regulations Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017 (h) Walk-in care defined In this section, the term walk-in care . (b) Effective date Section 1725A of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date upon which final regulations implementing such section take effect. (c) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item related to section 1725 the following new item: §1725A. Access to walk-in care. . 106. Strategy regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs High-Performing Integrated Health Care Network (a) Market area assessments (1) In general Not less frequently than every four years, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall perform market area assessments regarding the health care services furnished under the laws administered by the Secretary. (2) Elements Each market area assessment established under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) An assessment of the demand for health care from the Department, disaggregated by geographic market areas as determined by the Secretary, including the number of requests for health care services under the laws administered by the Secretary. (B) An inventory of the health care capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs across the Department’s system of facilities. (C) An assessment of the health care capacity to be provided through contracted community care providers and providers who entered into a provider agreement with the Department under section 1703A of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 102(a), including the number of providers, the geographic location of the providers, and categories or types of health care services provided by the providers. (D) An assessment obtained from other Federal direct delivery systems of their capacity to provide health care to veterans. (E) An assessment of the health care capacity of non-contracted providers where there is insufficient network supply. (F) An assessment of the health care capacity of academic affiliates and other collaborations of the Department as it relates to providing health care to veterans. (G) An assessment of the effects on health care capacity by the access guidelines and standards for quality established under section 1703(h) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 101(a)(1). (H) The number of appointments for health care services under the laws administered by the Secretary, disaggregated by— (i) appointments at facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (ii) appointments with non-Department health care providers. (3) Submittal to Congress The Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the market area assessments established in paragraph (1). (4) Use of market area assessments for integrated health care delivery (A) In general The Secretary shall use the market area assessments established under paragraph (1) in determining the capacity of the health care provider networks established under section 1703(j) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 101(a)(1). (B) Budget The Secretary shall ensure that the Department budget for any fiscal year (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code) reflects the findings of the Secretary with respect to the most recent market area assessments under paragraph (1). (5) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on September 30, 2018. (b) Strategic plan To meet health care demand (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once every four years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a strategic plan that specifies a four-year forecast of— (A) the demand for health care from the Department, disaggregated by geographic area as determined by the Secretary; (B) the health care capacity to be provided at each medical center of the Department; and (C) the health care capacity to be provided through community care providers. (2) Elements In preparing the strategic plan under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A) consider the access guidelines and standards for quality established under section 1703(h) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 101(a)(1); (B) consider the market area assessments established under subsection (a); (C) consider the needs of the Department based on identified services that provide management of conditions or disorders related to military service for which there is limited experience or access in the national market, the overall health of veterans throughout their lifespan, or other services as the Secretary determines appropriate; (D) consult with key stakeholders within the Department, the heads of other Federal agencies, and other relevant governmental and nongovernmental entities, including State, local, and tribal government officials, members of Congress, veterans service organizations, private sector representatives, academics, and other policy experts; (E) identify emerging issues, trends, problems, and opportunities that could affect health care services furnished under the laws administered by the Secretary; (F) develop recommendations regarding both short- and long-term priorities for health care services furnished under the laws administered by the Secretary; (G) after consultation with veterans service organizations and other key stakeholders on survey development or modification of an existing survey, consider a survey of veterans who have used hospital care, medical services, or extended care services furnished by the Veterans Health Administration during the most recent two-year period to assess the satisfaction of the veterans with service and quality of care; and (H) consider such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Appropriate committees of congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress (1) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. 107. Applicability of Directive of Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (a) In general Notwithstanding the treatment of certain laws under subsection (i) of section 1703A of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 102 of this Act, Directive 2014–01 of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs of the Department of Labor (effective as of May 7, 2014) shall apply to any entity entering into an agreement under such section 1703A or section 1745 (b) Applicability period The directive described in subsection (a), and the moratorium provided under such directive, shall not be altered or rescinded before May 7, 2019. (c) TRICARE program defined In this section, the term TRICARE program 108. Prevention of certain health care providers from providing non-Department health care services to veterans (a) In general On and after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall deny or revoke the eligibility of a health care provider to provide non-Department health care services to veterans if the Secretary determines that the health care provider— (1) was removed from employment with the Department of Veterans Affairs due to conduct that violated a policy of the Department relating to the delivery of safe and appropriate health care; or (2) violated the requirements of a medical license of the health care provider that resulted in the loss of such medical license. (b) Permissive action On and after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary may deny, revoke, or suspend the eligibility of a health care provider to provide non-Department health care services if the Secretary determines such action is necessary to immediately protect the health, safety, or welfare of veterans and the health care provider is under investigation by the medical licensing board of a State in which the health care provider is licensed or practices. (c) Suspension The Secretary shall suspend the eligibility of a health care provider to provide non-Department health care services to veterans if the health care provider is suspended from serving as a health care provider of the Department. (d) Comptroller General report Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation by the Secretary of this section, including the following: (1) The aggregate number of health care providers denied or suspended under this section from participation in providing non-Department health care services. (2) An evaluation of any impact on access to health care for patients or staffing shortages in programs of the Department providing non-Department health care services. (3) An explanation of the coordination of the Department with the medical licensing boards of States in implementing this section, the amount of involvement of such boards in such implementation, and efforts by the Department to address any concerns raised by such boards with respect to such implementation. (4) Such recommendations as the Comptroller General considers appropriate regarding harmonizing eligibility criteria between health care providers of the Department and health care providers eligible to provide non-Department health care services. (e) Non-Department health care services defined In this section, the term non-Department health care services (1) provided under subchapter I of chapter 17 section 1701 (2) provided under section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 1701 (3) purchased through the Medical Community Care account of the Department; or (4) purchased with amounts deposited in the Veterans Choice Fund under section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014. B Paying providers and improving collections 111. Prompt payment to providers (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 17 1703D. Prompt payment standard (a) In general (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title or of any other provision of law, the Secretary shall pay for hospital care, medical services, or extended care services furnished by health care entities or providers under this chapter within 45 calendar days upon receipt of a clean paper claim or 30 calendar days upon receipt of a clean electronic claim. (2) If a claim is denied, the Secretary shall, within 45 calendar days of denial for a paper claim and 30 calendar days of denial for an electronic claim, notify the health care entity or provider of the reason for denying the claim and what, if any, additional information is required to process the claim. (3) Upon the receipt of the additional information, the Secretary shall ensure that the claim is paid, denied, or otherwise adjudicated within 30 calendar days from the receipt of the requested information. (4) This section shall only apply to payments made on an invoice basis and shall not apply to capitation or other forms of periodic payment to entities or providers. (b) Submittal of claims by health care entities and providers A health care entity or provider that furnishes hospital care, a medical service, or an extended care service under this chapter shall submit to the Secretary a claim for payment for furnishing the hospital care, medical service, or extended care service not later than 180 days after the date on which the entity or provider furnished the hospital care, medical service, or extended care service. (c) Fraudulent claims (1) Sections 3729 through 3733 of title 31 shall apply to fraudulent claims for payment submitted to the Secretary by a health care entity or provider under this chapter. (2) Pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the Secretary shall bar a health care entity or provider from furnishing hospital care, medical services, and extended care services under this chapter when the Secretary determines the entity or provider has submitted to the Secretary fraudulent health care claims for payment by the Secretary. (d) Overdue claims (1) Any claim that has not been denied with notice, made pending with notice, or paid to the health care entity or provider by the Secretary shall be overdue if the notice or payment is not received by the entity provider within the time periods specified in subsection (a). (2) (A) If a claim is overdue under this subsection, the Secretary may, under the requirements established by subsection (a) and consistent with the provisions of chapter 39 Prompt Payment Act (B) Interest paid under subparagraph (A) shall be computed at the rate of interest established by the Secretary of the Treasury under section 3902 of title 31 and published in the Federal Register. (3) Not less frequently than annually, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on payment of overdue claims under this subsection, disaggregated by paper and electronic claims, that includes the following: (A) The amount paid in overdue claims described in this subsection, disaggregated by the amount of the overdue claim and the amount of interest paid on such overdue claim. (B) The number of such overdue claims and the average number of days late each claim was paid, disaggregated by facility of the Department and Veterans Integrated Service Network region. (e) Overpayment (1) The Secretary shall deduct the amount of any overpayment from payments due a health care entity or provider under this chapter. (2) Deductions may not be made under this subsection unless the Secretary has made reasonable efforts to notify a health care entity or provider of the right to dispute the existence or amount of such indebtedness and the right to request a compromise of such indebtedness. (3) The Secretary shall make a determination with respect to any such dispute or request prior to deducting any overpayment unless the time required to make such a determination before making any deductions would jeopardize the Secretary’s ability to recover the full amount of such indebtedness. (f) Information and documentation required (1) The Secretary shall provide to all health care entities and providers participating in a program to furnish hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under this chapter a list of information and documentation that is required to establish a clean claim under this section. (2) The Secretary shall consult with entities in the health care industry, in the public and private sector, to determine the information and documentation to include in the list under paragraph (1). (3) If the Secretary modifies the information and documentation included in the list under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall notify all health care entities and providers described in paragraph (1) not later than 30 days before such modifications take effect. (g) Processing of claims In processing a claim for compensation for hospital care, medical services, or extended care services furnished by a health care entity or provider under this chapter, the Secretary shall act through— (1) a non-Department entity that is under contract or agreement for the program established under section 1703(a) (2) a non-Department entity that specializes in such processing for other Federal agency health care systems. (h) Report on encounter data system (1) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017 (2) The Secretary may coordinate with the Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of the Treasury in developing the report required by paragraph (1). (i) Definitions In this section: (1) The term appropriate committees of Congress (A) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (2) The term clean electronic claim (3) The term clean paper claim (4) The term fraudulent claims (5) The term health care entity or provider . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item related to section 1703C, as added by section 104 of this Act, the following new item: 1703D. Prompt payment standard. . 112. Authority to pay for authorized care not subject to an agreement (a) In general Subchapter IV of chapter 81 8159. Authority to pay for services authorized but not subject to an agreement (a) In general If, in the course of furnishing hospital care, a medical service, or an extended care service authorized by the Secretary and pursuant to a contract, agreement, or other arrangement with the Secretary, a provider who is not a party to the contract, agreement, or other arrangement furnishes hospital care, a medical service, or an extended care service that the Secretary considers necessary, the Secretary may compensate the provider for the cost of such care or service. (b) New contracts and agreements The Secretary shall take reasonable efforts to enter into a contract, agreement, or other arrangement with a provider described in subsection (a) to ensure that future care and services authorized by the Secretary and furnished by the provider are subject to such a contract, agreement, or other arrangement. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8158 the following new item: 8159. Authority to pay for services authorized but not subject to an agreement. . 113. Improvement of authority to recover the cost of services furnished for non-service-connected disabilities (a) Broadening scope of applicability Section 1729 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (2)(A)— (i) by striking the veteran’s the individual’s (ii) by striking the veteran the individual (B) in paragraph (3)— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking the veteran the individual (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking the veteran’s the individual’s (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking the veteran the individual (ii) by striking the veteran’s the individual’s (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (A)— (I) by striking the veteran the individual (II) by striking the veteran’s the individual’s (ii) in subparagraph (B)— (I) in clause (i), by striking the veteran the individual (II) in clause (ii)— (aa) by striking the veteran the individual (bb) by striking the veteran’s the individual’s (3) in subsection (e), by striking A veteran An individual (4) in subsection (h)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking a veteran an individual (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking the veteran the individual (iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the veteran the individual (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) by striking A veteran An individual (ii) by striking a veteran an individual (iii) by striking the veteran the individual (b) Modification of authority Subsection (a)(1) of such section is amended by striking (1) Subject (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, in any case in which the United States is required by law to furnish or pay for care or services under this chapter for a non-service-connected disability described in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the United States has the right to recover or collect from a third party the reasonable charges of care or services so furnished or paid for to the extent that the recipient or provider of the care or services would be eligible to receive payment for such care or services from such third party if the care or services had not been furnished or paid for by a department or agency of the United States. (c) Modification of eligible individuals Subparagraph (D) of subsection (a)(2) of such section is amended to read as follows: (D) that is incurred by an individual who is entitled to care (or payment of the expenses of care) under a health-plan contract. . 114. Processing of claims for reimbursement through electronic interface The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into an agreement with a third-party entity to process, through the use of an electronic interface, claims for reimbursement for health care provided under the laws administered by the Secretary. C Education and training programs 121. Education program on health care options (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop and administer an education program that teaches veterans about their health care options through the Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) Elements The program under subsection (a) shall— (1) teach veterans about— (A) eligibility criteria for care from the Department set forth under sections 1703, as amended by section 101 of this Act, and 1710 of title 38, United States Code; (B) priority groups for enrollment in the system of annual patient enrollment under section 1705(a) (C) the copayments and other financial obligations, if any, required of certain individuals for certain services; and (D) how to utilize the access guidelines and standards for quality established under sections 1703B 1703C (2) teach veterans about the interaction between health insurance (including private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, the TRICARE program, the Indian Health Service, tribal health programs, and other forms of insurance) and health care from the Department; and (3) provide veterans with information on what to do when they have a complaint about health care received from the Department (whether about the provider, the Department, or any other type of complaint). (c) Accessibility In developing the education program under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that materials under such program are accessible — (1) to veterans who may not have access to the Internet; and (2) to veterans in a manner that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12101 (d) Annual evaluation and report (1) Evaluation The Secretary shall develop a method to evaluate the effectiveness of the education program under this section and evaluate the program using the method not less frequently than once each year. (2) Report Not less frequently than once each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the most recent evaluation conducted by the Secretary under paragraph (1). (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Medicaid The term Medicaid 42 U.S.C. 1396 (2) Medicare The term Medicare 42 U.S.C. 1395 (3) Tricare program The term TRICARE program 122. Training program for administration of non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care (a) Establishment of program The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop and implement a training program to train employees and contractors of the Department of Veterans Affairs on how to administer non-Department health care programs, including the following: (1) Reimbursement for non-Department emergency room care. (2) The Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 (3) Management of prescriptions pursuant to improvements under section 131. (b) Annual evaluation and report The Secretary shall— (1) develop a method to evaluate the effectiveness of the training program developed and implemented under subsection (a); (2) evaluate such program not less frequently than once each year; and (3) not less frequently than once each year, submit to Congress the findings of the Secretary with respect to the most recent evaluation carried out under paragraph (2). 123. Continuing medical education for non-Department medical professionals (a) Establishment of program (1) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a program to provide continuing medical education material to non-Department medical professionals. (2) Education provided The program established under paragraph (1) shall include education on the following: (A) Identifying and treating common mental and physical conditions of veterans and family members of veterans. (B) The health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (C) Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate. (b) Material provided The continuing medical education material provided to non-Department medical professionals under the program established under subsection (a) shall be the same material provided to medical professionals of the Department to ensure that all medical professionals treating veterans have access to the same materials, which supports core competencies throughout the community. (c) Administration of program (1) In general The Secretary shall administer the program established under subsection (a) to participating non-Department medical professionals through an Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) Curriculum and credit provided The Secretary shall determine the curriculum of the program and the number of hours of credit to provide to participating non-Department medical professionals for continuing medical education. (3) Accreditation The Secretary shall ensure that the program is accredited in as many States as practicable. (4) Consistency with existing rules The Secretary shall ensure that the program is consistent with the rules and regulations of the following: (A) The medical licensing agency of each State in which the program is accredited. (B) Such medical credentialing organizations as the Secretary considers appropriate. (5) User cost The Secretary shall carry out the program at no cost to participating non-Department medical professionals. (6) Monitoring, evaluation, and report The Secretary shall monitor the utilization of the program established under subsection (a), evaluate its effectiveness, and report to Congress on utilization and effectiveness not less frequently than once each year. (d) Non-Department medical professional defined In this section, the term non-Department medical professional D Other matters relating to non-Department of Veterans Affairs providers 131. Establishment of processes to ensure safe opioid prescribing practices by non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers (a) Receipt and review of guidelines The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that all covered health care providers are provided a copy of and certify that they have reviewed the evidence-based guidelines for prescribing opioids set forth by the Opioid Safety Initiative of the Department of Veterans Affairs under sections 911(a)(2) and 912(c) of the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act ( Public Law 114–198 38 U.S.C. 1701 (b) Inclusion of medical history and current medications The Secretary shall implement a process to ensure that, if care of a veteran by a covered health care provider is authorized under the laws administered by the Secretary, the document authorizing such care includes the relevant medical history of the veteran and a list of all medications prescribed to the veteran. (c) Submittal of prescriptions (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall require, to the maximum extent practicable, each non-Department health care provider to submit prescriptions for opioids— (A) to the Department for prior authorization for the prescribing of a limited amount of opioids under contracts the Department has with retail pharmacies; or (B) directly to a pharmacy of the Department for dispensing of the prescriptions. (2) Responsibility of Department for recording and monitoring In carrying out paragraph (1) and upon the receipt by the Department of the prescription for opioids to veterans under laws administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall— (A) ensure the Department is responsible for the recording of the prescription in the electronic health record of the veteran; and (B) enable other monitoring of the prescription as outlined in the Opioid Safety Initiative of the Department. (3) Exception (A) In general A covered health care provider is not required under paragraph (1)(B) to submit an opioid prescription directly to a pharmacy of the Department if— (i) the health care provider determines that there is an immediate medical need for the prescription, including an urgent or emergent prescription or a prescription dispensed as part of an opioid treatment program that provides office-based medications; and (ii) (I) following an inquiry into the matter, a pharmacy of the Department notifies the health care provider that it cannot fill the prescription in a timely manner; or (II) the health care provider determines that the requirement under paragraph (1)(B) would impose an undue hardship on the veteran, including with respect to travel distances, as determined by the Secretary. (B) Notification to Department If a covered health care provider uses an exception under subparagraph (A) with respect to an opioid prescription for a veteran, the health care provider shall, on the same day the prescription is written, submit to the Secretary for inclusion in the electronic health record of the veteran a notice, in such form as the Secretary may establish, providing information about the prescription and describing the reason for the exception. (C) Report (i) In general Not less frequently than quarterly, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report evaluating the compliance of covered health care providers with the requirements under this paragraph and setting forth data on the use by health care providers of exceptions under subparagraph (A) and notices under subparagraph (B). (ii) Elements Each report required by clause (i) shall include the following with respect to the quarter covered by the report: (I) The number of exceptions used under subparagraph (A) and notices received under subparagraph (B). (II) The rate of compliance by the Department with the requirement under subparagraph (B) to include such notices in the health records of veterans. (III) The identification of any covered health care providers that, based on criteria prescribed by the Secretary, are determined by the Secretary to be statistical outliers regarding the use of exceptions under subparagraph (A). (d) Use of Opioid Safety Initiative guidelines (1) In general If a director of a medical center of the Department or a Veterans Integrated Service Network determines that the opioid prescribing practices of a covered health care provider conflicts with or is otherwise inconsistent with the standards of appropriate and safe care, as that term is used in section 913(d) of the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act ( Public Law 114–198 38 U.S.C. 1701 (2) Inclusion in contracts The Secretary shall ensure that any contracts entered into by the Secretary with third parties involved in administering programs that provide care in the community to veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary specifically grant the authority set forth in paragraph (1) to such third parties and to the directors described in that paragraph, as the case may be. (e) Denial or revocation of eligibility of non-Department providers The Secretary shall deny or revoke the eligibility of a non-Department health care provider to provide health care to veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary if the Secretary determines that the opioid prescribing practices of the provider— (1) violate the requirements of a medical license of the health care provider; or (2) detract from the ability of the health care provider to deliver safe and appropriate health care. (f) Covered health care provider defined In this section, the term covered health care provider 132. Improving information sharing with community providers Section 7332(b)(2) (H) (i) To a non-Department entity (including private entities and other Federal agencies) for purposes of providing health care, including hospital care, medical services, and extended care services, to patients. (ii) An entity to which a record is disclosed under this subparagraph may not disclose or use such record for a purpose other than that for which the disclosure was made. (I) To a third party in order to recover or collect reasonable charges for care furnished to, or paid on behalf of, a patient in connection with a non-service connected disability as permitted by section 1729 An Act to provide for the recovery from tortiously liable third persons of the cost of hospital and medical care and treatment furnished by the United States Public Law 87–693 42 U.S.C. 2651 Federal Medical Care Recovery Act . 133. Competency standards for non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers (a) Establishment of standards and requirements The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish standards and requirements for the provision of care by non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers in clinical areas for which the Department of Veterans Affairs has special expertise, including post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma-related conditions, and traumatic brain injuries. (b) Condition for eligibility to participate in Veterans Choice Program Each non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care provider shall meet the standards and requirements established pursuant to subsection (a) before entering into a contact with the Department of Veterans Affairs to participate in the Veterans Choice Program under section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 1701 E Other non-Department health care matters 141. Plans for Use of Supplemental Appropriations Required Whenever the Secretary submits to Congress a request for supplemental appropriations or any other appropriation outside the standard budget process to address a budgetary issue affecting the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary shall, not later than 45 days before the date on which such budgetary issue would start affecting a program or service, submit to Congress a justification for the request, including a plan that details how the Secretary intends to use the requested appropriation and how long the requested appropriation is expected to meet the needs of the Department and certification that the request was made using an updated and sound actuarial analysis. 142. Veterans Choice Fund flexibility Section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 1701 (1) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking by paragraph (3) in paragraphs (3) and (4) (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4) Permanent authority for other uses Beginning in fiscal year 2019, amounts remaining in the Veterans Choice Fund may be used to furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care services to individuals pursuant to chapter 17 ; and (2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking to subsection (c)(3) to paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (c) 143. Sunset of Veterans Choice Program Subsection (p) of section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 1701 (p) Authority To furnish care and services The Secretary may not use the authority under this section to furnish care and services after December 31, 2018. . 144. Conforming amendments (a) In general (1) Title 38 Title 38, United States Code, is amended— (A) in section 1712(a)— (i) in paragraph (3), by striking under clause (1), (2), or (5) of section 1703(a) or entered an agreement (ii) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking under the provisions of this subsection and section 1703 (B) in section 1712A(e)(1)— (i) by inserting or agreements contracts (ii) by striking (under sections 1703(a)(2) 1710(a)(1)(B) (C) in section 2303(a)(2)(B)(i), by striking with section 1703 with sections 1703A, 8111, and 8153 (2) Social Security Act Section 1866(a)(1)(L) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)(1)(L) under section 1703 under chapter 17 (3) Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1994 Section 104(a)(4)(A) of the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1994 ( Public Law 103–446 38 U.S.C. 1117 in section 1703 in sections 1703A, 8111, and 8153 (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date described in section 101(b). II Improving Department of Veterans Affairs health care delivery A Personnel practices I Administration 201. Licensure of health care professionals of the Department of Veterans Affairs providing treatment via telemedicine (a) In general Chapter 17 1730B. Licensure of health care professionals providing treatment via telemedicine (a) In general Notwithstanding any provision of law regarding the licensure of health care professionals, a covered health care professional may practice the health care profession of the health care professional at any location in any State, regardless of where the covered health care professional or the patient is located, if the covered health care professional is using telemedicine to provide treatment to an individual under this chapter. (b) Covered health care professionals For purposes of this section, a covered health care professional is any health care professional who— (1) is an employee of the Department appointed under the authority under section 7306, 7401, 7405, 7406, or 7408 of this title or title 5; (2) is authorized by the Secretary to provide health care under this chapter; (3) is required to adhere to all standards of quality relating to the provision of medicine in accordance with applicable policies of the Department; and (4) has an active, current, full, and unrestricted license, registration, or certification in a State to practice the health care profession of the health care professional. (c) Property of Federal government Subsection (a) shall apply to a covered health care professional providing treatment to a patient regardless of whether the covered health care professional or patient is located in a facility owned by the Federal Government during such treatment. (d) Relation to State law (1) The provisions of this section shall supersede any provisions of the law of any State to the extent that such provision of State law are inconsistent with this section. (2) No State shall deny or revoke the license, registration, or certification of a covered health care professional who otherwise meets the qualifications of the State for holding the license, registration, or certification on the basis that the covered health care professional has engaged or intends to engage in activity covered by subsection (a). (e) Rule of construction Nothing in this section may be construed to remove, limit, or otherwise affect any obligation of a covered health care professional under the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 801 . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 1730B. Licensure of health care professionals providing treatment via telemedicine. . (c) Report on telemedicine (1) In general Not later than one year after the earlier of the date on which services provided under section 1730B of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), first occur or regulations are promulgated to carry out such section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the effectiveness of the use of telemedicine by the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) Elements The report required by paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of the following: (A) The satisfaction of veterans with telemedicine furnished by the Department. (B) The satisfaction of health care providers in providing telemedicine furnished by the Department. (C) The effect of telemedicine furnished by the Department on the following: (i) The ability of veterans to access health care, whether from the Department or from non-Department health care providers. (ii) The frequency of use by veterans of telemedicine. (iii) The productivity of health care providers. (iv) Wait times for an appointment for the receipt of health care from the Department. (v) The use by veterans of in-person services at Department facilities and non-Department facilities. (D) The types of appointments for the receipt of telemedicine furnished by the Department that were provided during the one-year period preceding the submittal of the report. (E) The number of appointments for the receipt of telemedicine furnished by the Department that were requested during such period, disaggregated by medical facility. (F) Savings by the Department, if any, including travel costs, from furnishing health care through the use of telemedicine during such period. 202. Role of podiatrists in Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Inclusion as physician (1) In general Subchapter I of chapter 74 7413. Treatment of podiatrists; clinical oversight standards (a) Podiatrists Except as provided by subsection (b), a doctor of podiatric medicine who is appointed as a podiatrist under section 7401(1) (b) Establishment of clinical oversight standards The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate stakeholders, shall establish standards to ensure that specialists appointed in the Veterans Health Administration to supervisory positions do not provide direct clinical oversight for purposes of peer review or practice evaluation for providers of other clinical specialties. . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 74 7413. Treatment of podiatrists; clinical oversight standards. . (b) Modification and clarification of pay grade (1) Grade The list in section 7404(b) (A) by striking PHYSICIAN AND DENTIST SCHEDULE PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON (MD/DO), PODIATRIC SURGEON (DPM), AND DENTIST AND ORAL SURGEON (DDS, DMD) SCHEDULE (B) by striking, Physician grade Physician and surgeon grade (C) by striking PODIATRIST, CHIROPRACTOR, AND CHIROPRACTOR AND (2) Application The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to a pay period of the Department of Veterans Affairs beginning on or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 203. Modification of treatment of certified clinical perfusionists of the Department (a) Appointment Section 7401(1) certified clinical perfusionists, physician assistants, (b) Increases in rates of basic pay Section 7455(c)(1) certified clinical perfusionists, pharmacists, 204. Amending statutory requirements for the position of the Chief Officer of the Readjustment Counseling Service Section 7309(b)(2) (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking in the Readjustment Counseling Service (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking in the Readjustment Counseling Service 205. Technical amendment to appointment and compensation system for directors of medical centers and directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks Section 7404(d) Except Except for positions described in section 7401(4) 206. Identification and staffing of certain health care vacancies (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall identify and fully staff— (1) all mental health vacancies within the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (2) all primary care and mental health vacancies in Patient Aligned Care Teams of the Department. (b) Report Not later than 210 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that specifies— (1) whether the Department has complied with the requirements under subsection (a); and (2) if the Secretary has not complied with such requirements— (A) how many vacancies described in subsection (a) remain; and (B) why the Department was unable to fill such vacancies. 207. Department of Veterans Affairs personnel transparency (a) Publication of staffing and vacancies (1) Website required Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make publicly available on an Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs the following information, which shall be displayed by departmental component or, in the case of information relating to Veterans Health Administration positions, by medical facility: (A) The number of personnel encumbering positions. (B) The number of accessions and de-accessions of personnel during the month preceding the date of the publication of the information. (C) The number of vacancies, by occupation. (D) The number of active job postings that have been filled during the 30-day period ending on the date of publication of the information, including the length of time for which each position was posted prior to being filled. (2) Update of information The Secretary shall update the information on the website required under paragraph (1) on a monthly basis. (3) Treatment of contractor positions Any Department of Veterans Affairs position that is filled through a contractor employee may not be treated as a Department position for purposes of the information required to be published under paragraph (1). (4) Inspector General review On a semi-annual basis, the Inspector General of the Department shall review the administration of the website required under paragraph (1) and make recommendations relating to the improvement of such administration. (b) Report to Congress The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress an annual report on the steps the Department is taking to achieve full staffing capacity. Each such report shall include the amount of additional funds necessary to enable the Department to reach full staffing capacity. 208. Program on establishment of peer specialists in patient aligned care team settings within medical centers of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Program required The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a program to establish not fewer than two peer specialists in patient aligned care teams at medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs to promote the use and integration of services for mental health, substance use disorder, and behavior health in a primary care setting. (b) Timeframe for establishment of program The Secretary shall carry out the program at medical centers of the Department as follows: (1) Not later than December 31, 2018, at not fewer than 25 medical centers of the Department. (2) Not later than December 31, 2019, at not fewer than 50 medical centers of the Department. (c) Selection of locations (1) In general The Secretary shall select medical centers for the program as follows: (A) Not fewer than five shall be medical centers of the Department that are designated by the Secretary as polytrauma centers. (B) Not fewer than ten shall be medical centers of the Department that are not designated by the Secretary as polytrauma centers. (2) Considerations In selecting medical centers for the program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the feasibility and advisability of selecting medical centers in the following areas: (A) Rural areas and other areas that are underserved by the Department. (B) Areas that are not in close proximity to an active duty military installation. (C) Areas representing different geographic locations, such as census tracts established by the Bureau of the Census. (d) Gender-Specific services In carrying out the program at each location selected under subsection (c), the Secretary shall ensure that— (1) the needs of female veterans are specifically considered and addressed; and (2) female peer specialists are made available to female veterans who are treated at each location. (e) Engagement with community providers At each location selected under subsection (c), the Secretary shall consider ways in which peer specialists can conduct outreach to health care providers in the community who are known to be serving veterans to engage with those providers and veterans served by those providers. (f) Reports (1) Periodic reports (A) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 180 days thereafter until the Secretary determines that the program is being carried out at the last location to be selected under subsection (c), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the program. (B) Elements Each report required by subparagraph (A) shall, with respect to the 180-day period preceding the submittal of the report, include the following: (i) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the program. (ii) An assessment of the benefits of the program to veterans and family members of veterans. (iii) An assessment of the effectiveness of peer specialists in engaging under subsection (e) with health care providers in the community and veterans served by those providers. (2) Final report Not later than 180 days after the Secretary determines that the program is being carried out at the last location to be selected under subsection (c), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report detailing the recommendations of the Secretary as to the feasibility and advisability of expanding the program to additional locations. 209. Pilot program on increasing the use of medical scribes to maximize the efficiency of physicians at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Commencing not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to increase the use of medical scribes to maximize the efficiency of physicians at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) Duration The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program during the 18-month period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program. (c) Locations The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at not fewer than five medical facilities of the Department— (1) at which the Secretary has determined there is a high volume of patients; or (2) that are located in rural areas and at which the Secretary has determined there is a shortage of physicians and each physician has a high caseload. (d) Contracts (1) In general In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall enter into a contract with one or more appropriate nongovernmental entities described in paragraph (2). (2) Appropriate nongovernmental entities described An appropriate nongovernmental entity described in this paragraph is an entity that trains and employs professional medical scribes who specialize in the collection of medical data and data entry into electronic health records. (e) Collection of data (1) In general The Secretary shall collect data on the pilot program to determine the effectiveness of the pilot program in increasing the efficiency of physicians at medical facilities of the Department. (2) Elements The data collected under paragraph (1) shall include the following with respect to each medical facility participating in the pilot program: (A) The average wait time for a veteran to receive care from a physician at such medical facility before implementation of the pilot program. (B) The average wait time for a veteran to receive care from such a physician after implementation of the pilot program. (C) The average number of patients that such a physician is able to see on a daily basis before implementation of the pilot program. (D) The average number of patients that such a physician is able to see on a daily basis after implementation of the pilot program. (E) The average amount of time such a physician spends on documentation on a daily basis before implementation of the pilot program. (F) The average amount of time such a physician spends on documentation on a daily basis after implementation of the pilot program. (G) The satisfaction and retention scores of each such physician before implementation of the pilot program. (H) The satisfaction and retention scores of each such physician after implementation of the pilot program. (I) The patient satisfaction scores for each such physician before implementation of the pilot program. (J) The patient satisfaction scores for each such physician after implementation of the pilot program. (K) The patient satisfaction scores for their health care experience before implementation of the pilot program. (L) The patient satisfaction scores for their health care experience after implementation of the pilot program. (f) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the commencement of the pilot program, and not less frequently than once every 180 days thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. (2) Elements Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) The number of medical facilities of the Department that are participating in the pilot program. (B) With respect to each such medical facility, an assessment of the effects that participation in the pilot program has had on the following— (i) Maximizing the efficiency of physicians at such medical facility. (ii) Reducing average wait times for appointments. (iii) Improving access of patients to electronic medical records. (iv) Mitigating physician shortages by increasing the productivity of physicians. (C) All data collected under subsection (e). (D) Such recommendations as the Secretary may have with respect to the extension or expansion of the pilot program. (g) Medical scribe defined In this section, the term medical scribe 210. Sense of Congress regarding Department of Veterans Affairs staffing levels (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) The Department of Veterans Affairs needs to fill at least 35,000 positions. (2) Prolonged personnel vacancies in the Department result in staffing shortages that cause veterans to receive delayed benefits and services. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that the Department should make the resolution of staffing shortages a top priority. II Education and training 211. Graduate medical education and residency (a) Increase in number of graduate medical education residency positions (1) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase the number of graduate medical education residency positions at covered facilities by up to 1,500 positions in the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Covered facilities For purposes of this section, a covered facility is any of the following: (A) A facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (B) A facility operated by an Indian tribe or a tribal organization, as those terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 (C) A facility operated by the Indian Health Service. (D) A Federally-qualified health center, as defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)(B) (E) A community health center. (F) A facility operated by the Department of Defense. (G) Such other health care facility as the Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of this section. (3) Stipends and benefits The Secretary may pay stipends and provide benefits for residents in positions under paragraph (1), regardless of whether they have been assigned in a Department facility. (4) Parameters for location, affiliate sponsor, and duration When determining characteristics of residency positions under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the extent to which there is a clinical need for providers, as determined by the following: (A) The ratio of veterans to health care providers of the Department for a standardized geographic area surrounding a facility, including a separate ratio for general practitioners and specialists. (B) Whether the local community is medically underserved. (C) Whether the facility is located in a rural or remote area. (D) Such other criteria as the Secretary considers important in determining which facilities are not adequately serving area veterans. (5) Parameters for types of specialties When determining the types of specialties to be included in residency positions under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the following: (A) The types of specialties that improve the quality and coverage of medical services provided to veterans. (B) The range of clinical specialties covered by providers in standardized geographic areas surrounding facilities. (C) Whether the specialty is included in the most recent staffing shortage determination of the Department under section 7412 of title 38, United States Code. (b) Application To participate To participate as a resident in one of the positions increased under subsection (a)(1), an individual shall submit to the Secretary an application therefor together with an agreement described in subsection (d) under which the participant agrees to serve a period of obligated service in the Veterans Health Administration as provided in the agreement in return for payment of stipend and benefit support as provided in the agreement. (c) Selection (1) In general An individual becomes a participant in a residency program under this section upon the Secretary's approval of the individual's application under subsection (b) and the Secretary's acceptance of the agreement under subsection (d) (if required). (2) Notice Upon the Secretary's approval of an individual's participation in the program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall promptly notify the individual of that approval. Such notice shall be in writing. (d) Agreement (1) In general An agreement between the Secretary and a resident in a position under subsection (a)(1) shall be in writing and shall be signed by the resident containing such terms as the Secretary may specify. (2) Requirements The agreement must specify the terms of the service obligation resulting from participating as a resident under this section, including by requiring a service obligation equal to the number of years of stipend and benefit support. (e) Conditions of employment The Secretary may prescribe the conditions of employment of individuals appointed to positions under subsection (a)(1), including necessary training, and the customary amount and terms of pay for such positions during the period of such employment and training. (f) Obligated service (1) In general Each individual appointed to a position under subsection (a)(1) shall provide service as a full-time employee of the Department for the period of obligated service provided in the agreement of the participant entered into under subsection (d). Such service shall be provided in the full-time clinical practice of such participant's profession or in another health care position in an assignment or location determined by the Secretary. (2) Commencement date Not later than 60 days before the date on which an individual commences serving in a position under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall notify the individual of such date. Such date shall be the first day of the individual's period of obligated service. (g) Breach of agreement: liability (1) Penalty An individual appointed under this section to a position under subsection (a)(1) (other than an individual who is liable under paragraph (2)) who fails to accept payment, or instructs the educational institution in which the individual is enrolled not to accept payment, in whole or in part, for a residency under the agreement entered into under subsection (d) of this title shall be liable to the United States for liquidated damages in the amount of $1,500. Such liability is in addition to any period of obligated service or other obligation or liability under the agreement. (2) Liability (A) In general An individual appointed to a position under subsection (a)(1) shall be liable to the United States for the amount which has been paid to or on behalf of the individual under the agreement if any of the following occurs: (i) The individual is dismissed from the position for disciplinary reasons. (ii) The individual voluntarily terminates the residency before the completion of such course of training. (iii) The individual loses the individual's license, registration, or certification to practice the individual's health care profession in a State. (B) Liability supplants service obligation Liability under this paragraph is in lieu of any service obligation arising under the individual's agreement under subsection (d). (h) Recovery (1) In general If an individual breaches the individuals's agreement under subsection (d) by failing (for any reason) to complete such individual's period of obligated service, the United States shall be entitled to recover from the individual an amount equal to the product of— (A) three; (B) the sum of— (i) the amounts paid under this section to or on behalf of the individual; and (ii) the interest on such amounts that would be payable if at the time the amounts were paid they were loans bearing interest at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by the Treasurer of the United States; and (C) the quotient of— (i) the difference between— (I) the total number of months in the individual's period of obligated service; and (II) the number of months of such period served by the individual; and (ii) the total number of months in the individual's period of obligated service. (2) Period of recovery Any amount which the United States is entitled to recover under this subsection shall be paid to the United States not later than the date that is one year after the date of the breach of the agreement. (i) Annual report (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the implementation of this section during the previous year. (2) Contents Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include, for the period covered by the report, the following: (A) The number of positions described in subsection (a) that were filled. (B) The location of each such position. (C) The academic affiliate associated with each such position. (D) A description of the challenges faced in filling the positions described in subsection (a) and the actions the Secretary has taken to address such challenges. (3) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this subsection, the term appropriate committees of Congress (A) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. 212. Pilot program to establish or affiliate with graduate medical residency programs at facilities operated by Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and the Indian Health Service in rural areas (a) Pilot program required The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Director of the Indian Health Service and such other persons as the Secretary considers appropriate, shall carry out a pilot program— (1) to establish graduate medical education residency training programs at covered facilities; or (2) to affiliate with established programs described in paragraph (1). (b) Covered facilities For purposes of the pilot program, a covered facility is any facility— (1) (A) described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 211(a)(2); or (B) with an agreement with the Department described in section 101(d)(1); and (2) located in a rural or remote area. (c) Locations (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at not more than five covered facilities that have been selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program. (2) Criteria The Secretary shall establish criteria for selecting covered facilities under paragraph (1). (d) Duration The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program during the eight-year period beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (e) Reimbursement of costs The Secretary shall reimburse each covered facility participating in the pilot program for the following costs associated with the pilot program: (1) Curriculum development. (2) Recruitment, training, supervision, and retention of residents and faculty. (3) Accreditation of programs of education under the pilot program by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). (4) The portion of faculty salaries attributable to activities relating to carrying out the pilot program. (5) Payment for expenses relating to providing medical education under the pilot program. (6) Stipends and benefits. (f) Period of obligated service (1) In general The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with each individual who participates in the pilot program under which such individual agrees to serve under the same terms as established under section 211. (2) Loan repayment During the period of obligated service of an individual under paragraph (1), the individual— (A) shall be deemed to be an eligible individual under subsection (b) of section 108 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act ( 25 U.S.C. 1616a (B) shall be deemed to be an eligible individual under section 7682(a) of title 38, United States Code, for purposes of participation in the Department of Veterans Affairs Education Debt Reduction Program under subchapter VII of chapter 76 (3) Concurrent service Any period of obligated service required of an individual under paragraph (1) shall be served— (A) with respect to service at a covered facility, concurrently with any period of obligated service required of the individual by the Indian Health Service; and (B) with respect to service at a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs, concurrently with any period of obligated service required of the individual by the Department. (g) Treatment of participants A residency position into which a participant in the pilot program is placed as part of the pilot program shall be considered a position referred to in section 211(a)(1) for purposes of the limitation on number of new positions authorized under such section. (h) Report Not later than three years before the date on which the pilot program terminates, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the feasibility and advisability of— (1) expanding the pilot program to additional locations; and (2) making the pilot program or any aspect of the pilot program permanent. 213. Reimbursement of continuing professional education requirements for board certified advanced practice registered nurses (a) In general Section 7411 7411. Reimbursement of continuing professional education expenses The Secretary shall reimburse any full-time board-certified advanced practice registered nurse, physician, or dentist appointed under section 7401(1) . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 74 7411. Reimbursement of continuing professional education expenses. . 214. Increase in maximum amount of debt that may be reduced under Education Debt Reduction Program of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Increase in amount Section 7683(d)(1) (1) by striking $120,000 $240,000 (2) by striking $24,000 $48,000 (b) Study (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall— (A) conduct a study on the demand for education debt reduction under subchapter VII of chapter 76 (B) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the study carried out under subparagraph (A). (2) Considerations In carrying out the study required by paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall consider the following: (A) The total number of vacancies within the Veterans Health Administration whose applicants are eligible to participate in the Education Debt Reduction Program pursuant to section 7682(a) (B) The types of medical professionals in greatest demand in the United States. (C) Projections by the Secretary of the numbers and types of medical professions that meet the needs of veterans. 215. Demonstration program on training and employment of alternative dental health care providers for dental health care services for veterans in rural and other underserved communities (a) Demonstration program authorized The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out a demonstration program to establish programs to train and employ alternative dental health care providers in order to increase access to dental health care services for veterans who are entitled to such services from the Department of Veterans Affairs and reside in rural and other underserved communities. (b) Priority The Secretary shall prioritize the establishment of programs under the demonstration program under this section in States that do not have a facility of the Department that offers on-site dental services. (c) Telehealth For purposes of alternative dental health care providers and other dental care providers who are licensed to provide clinical care, dental services provided under the demonstration program under this section may be administered by such providers through telehealth-enabled collaboration and supervision when appropriate and feasible. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are necessary to carry out the demonstration program under this section. (e) Alternative dental health care providers defined In this section, the term alternative dental health care providers 42 U.S.C. 256g–1(a)(2) III Other personnel matters 221. Exception on limitation on awards and bonuses for recruitment, relocation, and retention Section 705(a) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 703 other than recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives, title 38, United States Code, 222. Annual report on performance awards and bonuses awarded to certain high-level employees of the Department (a) In general Chapter 7 726. Annual report on performance awards and bonuses awarded to certain high-level employees (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that contains, for the most recent fiscal year ending before the submittal of the report, a description of the performance awards and bonuses awarded to Regional Office Directors of the Department, Directors of Medical Centers of the Department, and Directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks. (b) Elements Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall include the following with respect to each performance award or bonus awarded to an individual described in such subsection: (1) The amount of each award or bonus. (2) The job title of the individual awarded the award or bonus. (3) The location where the individual awarded the award or bonus works. (c) Appropriate committees of Congress In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress (1) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 726. Annual report on performance awards and bonuses awarded to certain high-level employees. . 223. Authority to regulate additional pay for certain health care employees of the Department Section 7454 (d) In this section, the term compensation . 224. Modification of pay cap for nurses Paragraph (2) of section 7451(c) (2) (A) The maximum rate of basic pay for any grade for health-care personnel positions referred to in paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 7401 (B) Pursuant to an adjustment under subsection (d), the maximum rate of basic pay for a registered nurse serving as a nurse executive or a grade for the position of certified registered nurse anesthetist may exceed the rate of basic pay established for positions in level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5 but may not exceed the rate of basic pay established for positions in level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5. (C) Pursuant to an adjustment under subsection (d), the maximum rate of basic pay for all registered nurses not described in subparagraph (B) may exceed the rate of basic pay established for positions in level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5 but may not exceed the rate of basic pay established for positions in level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5. . B Improvement of underserved facilities of the Department 231. Development of criteria for designation of certain medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs as underserved facilities and plan to address problem of underserved facilities (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop criteria to designate medical centers, ambulatory care facilities, and community based outpatient clinics of the Department of Veterans Affairs as underserved facilities. (b) Consideration Criteria developed under subsection (a) shall include consideration of the following with respect to a facility: (1) The ratio of veterans to health care providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs for a standardized geographic area surrounding the facility, including a separate ratio for general practitioners and specialists. (2) The range of clinical specialties covered by such providers in such area. (3) Whether the local community is medically underserved. (4) The type, number, and age of open consults. (5) Whether the facility is meeting the wait-time goals of the Department. (6) Such other criteria as the Secretary considers important in determining which facilities are not adequately serving area veterans. (c) Analysis of facilities Not less frequently than annually, directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks of the Department shall perform an analysis to determine which facilities within that Veterans Integrated Service Network qualify as underserved facilities pursuant to criteria developed under subsection (a). (d) Annual plan To address underserved facilities (1) Plan required Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a plan to address the problem of underserved facilities of the Department, as designated pursuant to criteria developed under subsection (a). (2) Contents Each plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall address the following: (A) Increasing personnel or temporary personnel assistance, including mobile deployment teams furnished under section 233. (B) Providing special hiring incentives, including under the Education Debt Reduction Program under subchapter VII of chapter 76 (C) Using direct hiring authority. (D) Improving training opportunities for staff. (E) Such other actions as the Secretary considers appropriate. 232. Pilot program on tuition reimbursement and loan repayment for health care providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs at underserved facilities (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing incentives to individuals to work at underserved facilities of the Veterans Health Administration by providing tuition reimbursement and loan repayment to medical students and health care providers who commit to serving in underserved facilities selected under subsection (c). (b) Duration The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program during the six-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program. (c) Selection of locations (1) In general The Secretary shall select not fewer than three medical centers and seven ambulatory care facilities or community based outpatient clinics of the Department to participate in the pilot program. (2) Rural and highly rural areas Not fewer than two of the medical centers and five of the ambulatory care facilities or community based outpatient clinics selected under paragraph (1) shall be in States or United States territories that are among the ten States or United States territories with— (A) the highest percentage of land designated as highly rural pursuant to the rural-urban commuting area codes set forth by the Department of Agriculture; or (B) the highest percentage of enrolled veterans living in rural, highly rural, or insular island areas. (3) States Facilities selected under paragraph (1) shall be located in not fewer than eight different States. (d) Use of amounts Of the amounts used to provide tuition reimbursement or loan repayment under the pilot program— (1) one-half shall be used to provide tuition reimbursement or loan repayment for individuals practicing in a general practice position; and (2) one-half shall be used to provide tuition reimbursement or loan repayment for individuals practicing— (A) in a specialist position; or (B) in an occupation, other than a position described in paragraph (1), included in the most recent staffing shortage determination of the Department under section 7412 of title 38, United States Code. (e) Tuition reimbursement Under the pilot program, the Secretary may provide to an individual attending medical school and seeking a degree as a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine full tuition reimbursement in exchange for a five-year commitment to serve at an underserved facility selected under subsection (c). (f) Student loan repayment Under the pilot program, in exchange for a three-year commitment to serve at an underserved facility selected under subsection (c), the Secretary may provide— (1) to an individual currently serving as a health care provider at an underserved facility, an amount not to exceed $30,000 to apply to any remaining student loan debt of the individual; and (2) to an individual other than an individual described in paragraph (1), an amount not to exceed $50,000 to apply to any remaining student loan debt of the individual. (g) Breach An individual who participates in the pilot program and fails to satisfy a period of obligated service under subsection (d) or (e) shall be liable to the United States, in lieu of such obligated service, for the amount that has been paid or is payable to or on behalf of the individual under the pilot program, reduced by the proportion that the number of days served for completion of the period of obligated service bears to the total number of days in the period of obligated service of such individual. (h) Expedited hiring The Secretary shall ensure that the hiring of individuals to serve in the Department under the pilot program is conducted in an expedited manner. (i) Continuation in pilot program An individual participating in the pilot program in an occupation included in a staffing shortage determination of the Department under section 7412 of title 38, United States Code, may continue participating in the pilot program notwithstanding that the occupation is no longer included in such determination under such section. (j) Annual report (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. (2) Contents Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) The number of participants, including number receiving tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment. (B) The number of facilities where participants are located. (C) The number of individuals who have applied to participate in the pilot program. (D) A list of the five most common occupations of the participants in the pilot program, other than general practice. (k) Definitions In this section: (1) Enrolled veteran The term enrolled veteran (2) Underserved facility The term underserved facility 233. Program to furnish mobile deployment teams to underserved facilities (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a program to furnish mobile deployment teams of medical personnel to underserved facilities. (b) Elements In furnishing mobile deployment teams under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider the following elements: (1) The medical positions of greatest need at underserved facilities. (2) The size and composition of teams to be deployed. (3) Such other elements as the Secretary considers necessary for effective oversight of the program established under subsection (a). (c) Use of annual analysis The Secretary shall use the results of the annual analysis conducted under section 231(c) to form mobile deployment teams under subsection (a) that are composed of the most needed medical personnel for underserved facilities. (d) Underserved facility defined In this section, the term underserved facility 234. Inclusion of Vet Center employees in education debt reduction program of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that clinical staff working at Vet Centers are eligible to participate in the education debt reduction program of the Department of Veterans Affairs under subchapter VII of chapter 76 (b) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the number of participants in the education debt reduction program of the Department under such subchapter who work at Vet Centers. (c) Vet Center defined In this section, the term Vet Center C Construction and leases 241. Definition of major medical facility project and major medical facility lease (a) Modification of definition of medical facility Section 8101(3) Secretary nursing home, Secretary, or as otherwise authorized by law, for the provision of health-care services (including hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, (b) Modification of definitions of major medical facility project and major medical facility lease Paragraph (3) of section 8104(a) (3) For purposes of this subsection: (A) The term major medical facility project (B) The term major medical facility lease section 3307(h) . 242. Facilitating sharing of medical facilities with other Federal agencies (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 81 8111B. Authority to plan, design, construct, or lease a shared medical facility (a) In general (1) The Secretary may enter into agreements with other Federal agencies for the planning, designing, constructing, or leasing of shared medical facilities with the goal of improving access to, and quality and cost effectiveness of, health care provided by the Department and other Federal agencies. (2) Facilities planned, designed, constructed, or leased under paragraph (1) shall be managed by the Under Secretary for Health. (b) Transfer of amounts to other Federal agencies (1) The Secretary may transfer to another Federal agency amounts appropriated to the Department for Construction, Minor Projects section 8104(a)(3)(A) (2) The Secretary may transfer to another Federal agency amounts appropriated to the Department for Construction, Major Projects (A) the estimated share of the project costs to be borne by the Department is more than the threshold for a major medical facility project under subsection (a)(3)(A) of section 8104 (B) the requirements for such a project under such section have been met. (3) The Secretary may transfer to another Federal agency amounts appropriated to the applicable appropriations account of the Department for the purpose of leasing space for a shared medical facility if the estimated share of the lease costs to be borne by the Department does not exceed the threshold for a major medical facility lease under section 8104(a)(3)(B) (c) Transfer of amounts to Department (1) Amounts transferred to the Department by another Federal agency for the necessary expenses of planning, designing, or constructing a shared medical facility for which the estimated share of the project costs to be borne by the Department does not exceed the threshold for a major medical facility project under section 8104(a)(3)(A) Construction, Minor Projects (2) Amounts transferred to the Department by another Federal agency for the necessary expenses of planning, designing, or constructing a shared medical facility for which the estimated share of the project costs to be borne by the Department is more than the threshold for a major medical facility project under section 8104(a)(3)(A) Construction, Major Projects section 8104 (3) Amounts transferred to the Department by another Federal agency for the purpose of leasing space for a shared medical facility may be credited to the applicable appropriations account of the Department and shall be available without fiscal year limitation. (4) Amounts transferred under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be available for the same time period as amounts in the account to which those amounts are transferred. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8111A the following new item: 8111B. Authority to plan, design, construct, or lease a shared medical facility. 243. Review of enhanced use leases Section 8162(b)(6) (6) The Office of Management and Budget shall review each enhanced-use lease before the lease goes into effect to determine whether the lease is in compliance with paragraph (5). . 244. Authorization of certain major medical facility projects of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Authorization The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the following major medical facility project, to be carried out in an amount not to exceed the amount specified for that project: Construction of the new East Bay Community Based Outpatient Clinic and all associated site work, utilities, parking, and landscaping, construction of the Central Valley Engineering and Logistics support facility, and enhanced flood plain mitigation at the Central Valley and East Bay Community Based Outpatient Clinics as part of the realignment of medical facilities in Livermore, California, in an amount not to exceed $117,300,000. (b) Authorization of appropriations for construction There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2018 or the year in which funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major Projects account, $117,300,000 for the project authorized in subsection (a). (c) Submittal of information Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, for the project authorized in section (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives the following information: (1) A line item accounting of expenditures relating to construction management carried out by the Department of Veterans Affairs for such project. (2) The future amounts that are budgeted to be obligated for construction management carried out by the Department for such project. (3) A justification for the expenditures described in paragraph (1) and the future amounts described in paragraph (2). (4) Any agreement entered into by the Secretary regarding a non-Department of Veterans Affairs Federal entity providing management services relating to such project, including reimbursement agreements and the costs to the Department for such services. D Other health care matters 251. Program on use of wellness programs as complementary approach to mental health care for veterans and family members of veterans (a) Program required (1) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a program through the award of grants to public or private nonprofit entities to assess the feasibility and advisability of using wellness programs to complement the provision of mental health care to veterans and family members eligible for counseling under section 1712A(a)(1)(C) of title 38, United States Code. (2) Matters to be addressed The program shall be carried out so as to assess the following: (A) Means of improving coordination between Federal, State, local, and community providers of health care in the provision of mental health care to veterans and family members described in paragraph (1). (B) Means of enhancing outreach, and coordination of outreach, by and among providers of health care referred to in subparagraph (A) on the mental health care services available to veterans and family members described in paragraph (1). (C) Means of using wellness programs of providers of health care referred to in subparagraph (A) as complements to the provision by the Department of Veterans Affairs of mental health care to veterans and family members described in paragraph (1). (D) Whether wellness programs described in subparagraph (C) are effective in enhancing the quality of life and well-being of veterans and family members described in paragraph (1). (E) Whether wellness programs described in subparagraph (C) are effective in increasing the adherence of veterans described in paragraph (1) to the primary mental health services provided such veterans by the Department. (F) Whether wellness programs described in subparagraph (C) have an impact on the sense of wellbeing of veterans described in paragraph (1) who receive primary mental health services from the Department. (G) Whether wellness programs described in subparagraph (C) are effective in encouraging veterans receiving health care from the Department to adopt a more healthy lifestyle. (b) Duration The Secretary shall carry out the program for a period of three years beginning on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Locations The Secretary shall carry out the program at facilities of the Department providing mental health care services to veterans and family members described in subsection (a)(1). (d) Grant proposals (1) In general A public or private nonprofit entity seeking the award of a grant under this section shall submit an application therefor to the Secretary in such form and in such manner as the Secretary may require. (2) Application contents Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A plan to coordinate activities under the program, to the extent possible, with Federal, State, and local providers of services for veterans to enhance the following: (i) Awareness by veterans of benefits and health care services provided by the Department. (ii) Outreach efforts to increase the use by veterans of services provided by the Department. (iii) Educational efforts to inform veterans of the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle. (B) A statement of understanding from the entity submitting the application that, if selected, such entity will be required to report to the Secretary periodically on standardized data and other performance data necessary to evaluate individual outcomes and to facilitate evaluations among entities participating in the program. (C) Other requirements that the Secretary may prescribe. (e) Grant uses (1) In general A public or private nonprofit entity awarded a grant under this section shall use the award for purposes prescribed by the Secretary. (2) Eligible veterans and family In carrying out the purposes prescribed by the Secretary in paragraph (1), a public or private nonprofit entity awarded a grant under this section shall use the award to furnish services only to individuals specified in section 1712A(a)(1)(C) of title 38, United States Code. (f) Reports (1) Periodic reports (A) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the commencement of the program, and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the program. (B) Report elements Each report required by subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the program during the 180-day period preceding the report. (ii) An assessment of the benefits of the program to veterans and their family members during the 180-day period preceding the report. (2) Final report Not later than 180 days after the end of the program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report detailing the recommendations of the Secretary as to the advisability of continuing or expanding the program. (g) Wellness defined In this section, the term wellness 252. Authorization to provide for operations on live donors for purposes of conducting transplant procedures for veterans (a) In general Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 1788. Transplant procedures with live donors and related services (a) In general Subject to subsections (b) and (c), in a case in which a veteran is eligible for a transplant procedure from the Department, the Secretary may provide for an operation on a live donor to carry out such procedure for such veteran, notwithstanding that the live donor may not be eligible for health care from the Department. (b) Other services Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary shall furnish to a live donor any care or services before and after conducting the transplant procedure under subsection (a) that may be required in connection with such procedure. (c) Use of non-Department facilities In carrying out this section, the Secretary may provide for the operation described in subsection (a) on a live donor and furnish to the live donor the care and services described in subsection (b) at a non-Department facility pursuant to an agreement entered into by the Secretary under this chapter. The live donor shall be deemed to be an individual eligible for hospital care and medical services at a non-Department facility pursuant to such an agreement solely for the purposes of receiving such operation, care, and services at the non-Department facility. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 1788. Transplant procedures with live donors and related services. . 253. Sense of the Senate It is the sense of the Senate that— (1) a strong and fully resourced Veterans Health Administration is necessary to effectively serve our veterans community; (2) veterans overwhelmingly report that they are satisfied with the care they receive at facilities operated by the Administration; (3) research has shown that the Administration produces as good or better outcomes for its patients than private health care systems; and (4) the Senate opposes any effort that would weaken the Administration or put the Administration on a path toward privatization. III Family caregivers 301. Expansion of family caregiver program of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Family caregiver program (1) Expansion of eligibility (A) In general Subparagraph (B) of subsection (a)(2) of section 1720G (B) for assistance provided under this subsection— (i) before the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress a certification that the Department has fully implemented the information technology system required by section 302(a) of the Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017 (ii) during the two-year period beginning on the date on which the Secretary submitted to Congress the certification described in clause (i), has a serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service— (I) on or before May 7, 1975; or (II) on or after September 11, 2001; or (iii) after the date that is two years after the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress the certification described in clause (i), has a serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service; and . (B) Publication in Federal Register Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits to Congress the certification described in subsection (a)(2)(B)(i) of section 1720G (2) Expansion of needed services in eligibility criteria Subsection (a)(2)(C) of such section is amended— (A) in clause (ii), by striking ; or (B) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and (C) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause (iii): (iii) a need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision without which the ability of the veteran to function in daily life would be seriously impaired; or . (3) Expansion of services provided Subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii) of such section is amended— (A) in subclause (IV), by striking ; and (B) in subclause (V), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subclause: (VI) through the use of contracts with, or the provision of grants to, public or private entities— (aa) financial planning services relating to the needs of injured veterans and their caregivers; and (bb) legal services, including legal advice and consultation, relating to the needs of injured veterans and their caregivers. . (4) Modification of stipend calculation Subsection (a)(3)(C) of such section is amended— (A) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and (B) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause (iii): (iii) In determining the amount and degree of personal care services provided under clause (i) with respect to an eligible veteran whose need for personal care services is based in whole or in part on a need for supervision or protection under paragraph (2)(C)(ii) or regular instruction or supervision under paragraph (2)(C)(iii), the Secretary shall take into account the following: (I) The assessment by the family caregiver of the needs and limitations of the veteran. (II) The extent to which the veteran can function safely and independently in the absence of such supervision, protection, or instruction. (III) The amount of time required for the family caregiver to provide such supervision, protection, or instruction to the veteran. . (5) Periodic evaluation of need for certain services Subsection (a)(3) of such section is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D) In providing instruction, preparation, and training under subparagraph (A)(i)(I) and technical support under subparagraph (A)(i)(II) to each family caregiver who is approved as a provider of personal care services for an eligible veteran under paragraph (6), the Secretary shall periodically evaluate the needs of the eligible veteran and the skills of the family caregiver of such veteran to determine if additional instruction, preparation, training, or technical support under those subparagraphs is necessary. . (6) Use of primary care teams Subsection (a)(5) of such section is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting (in collaboration with the primary care team for the eligible veteran to the maximum extent practicable) evaluate (7) Assistance for family caregivers Subsection (a) of such section is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (11) (A) In providing assistance under this subsection to family caregivers of eligible veterans, the Secretary may enter into contracts, provider agreements, and memoranda of understanding with Federal agencies, States, and private, nonprofit, and other entities to provide such assistance to such family caregivers. (B) The Secretary may provide assistance under this paragraph only if such assistance is reasonably accessible to the family caregiver and is substantially equivalent or better in quality to similar services provided by the Department. (C) The Secretary may provide fair compensation to Federal agencies, States, and other entities that provide assistance under this paragraph. . (b) Modification of definition of personal care services Subsection (d)(4) of such section is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking independent (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D); and (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraphs: (B) Supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. (C) Regular or extensive instruction or supervision without which the ability of the veteran to function in daily life would be seriously impaired. . 302. Implementation of information technology system of Department of Veterans Affairs to assess and improve the family caregiver program (a) Implementation of new system (1) In general Not later than June 1, 2018, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement an information technology system that fully supports the Program and allows for data assessment and comprehensive monitoring of the Program. (2) Elements of system The information technology system required to be implemented under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) The ability to easily retrieve data that will allow all aspects of the Program (at the medical center and aggregate levels) and the workload trends for the Program to be assessed and comprehensively monitored. (B) The ability to manage data with respect to a number of caregivers that is more than the number of caregivers that the Secretary expects to apply for the Program. (C) The ability to integrate the system with other relevant information technology systems of the Veterans Health Administration. (b) Assessment of Program Not later than 180 days after implementing the system described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall, through the Under Secretary for Health, use data from the system and other relevant data to conduct an assessment of how key aspects of the Program are structured and carried out. (c) Ongoing monitoring of and modifications to Program (1) Monitoring The Secretary shall use the system implemented under subsection (a) to monitor and assess the workload of the Program, including monitoring and assessment of data on— (A) the status of applications, appeals, and home visits in connection with the Program; and (B) the use by caregivers participating in the Program of other support services under the Program such as respite care. (2) Modifications Based on the monitoring and assessment conducted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall identify and implement such modifications to the Program as the Secretary considers necessary to ensure the Program is functioning as intended and providing veterans and caregivers participating in the Program with services in a timely manner. (d) Reports (1) Initial report (A) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States a report that includes— (i) the status of the planning, development, and deployment of the system required to be implemented under subsection (a), including any changes in the timeline for the implementation of the system; and (ii) an assessment of the needs of family caregivers of veterans described in subparagraph (B), the resources needed for the inclusion of such family caregivers in the Program, and such changes to the Program as the Secretary considers necessary to ensure the successful expansion of the Program to include such family caregivers. (B) Veterans described Veterans described in this subparagraph are veterans who are eligible for the Program under clause (ii) or (iii) of section 1720G(a)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 301(a)(1) of this Act, solely due to a serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service before September 11, 2001. (2) Notification by Comptroller General The Comptroller General shall review the report submitted under paragraph (1) and notify the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives with respect to the progress of the Secretary in— (A) fully implementing the system required under subsection (a); and (B) implementing a process for using such system to monitor and assess the Program under subsection (c)(1) and modify the Program as considered necessary under subsection (c)(2). (3) Final report (A) In general Not later than June 1, 2019, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General a report on the implementation of subsections (a) through (c). (B) Elements The report required by subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) A certification by the Secretary with respect to whether the information technology system described in subsection (a) has been implemented. (ii) A description of how the Secretary has implemented such system. (iii) A description of the modifications to the Program, if any, that were identified and implemented under subsection (c)(2). (iv) A description of how the Secretary is using such system to monitor the workload of the Program. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Active military, naval, or air service The term active military, naval, or air service (2) Program The term Program 303. Modifications to annual evaluation report on caregiver program of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Barriers to care and services Subparagraph (A)(iv) of section 101(c)(2) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–163 38 U.S.C. 1720G , including a description of any barriers to accessing and receiving care and services under such programs (b) Sufficiency of training for family caregiver program Subparagraph (B) of such section is amended— (1) in clause (i), by striking ; and (2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new clause: (iii) an evaluation of the sufficiency and consistency of the training provided to family caregivers under such program in preparing family caregivers to provide care to veterans under such program. . IV Appropriation of amounts 401. Appropriation of amounts for health care from Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general There is authorized to be appropriated, and is appropriated, to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $1,000,000,000 to carry out subsection (c). (b) Availability of amounts The amount appropriated under subsection (a) shall be available for obligation or expenditure without fiscal year limitation. (c) Use of amounts The amount appropriated under subsection (a) shall be used by the Secretary to carry out the following: (1) Subchapters II and VII of chapter 76 (2) The program to increase the number of graduate medical education residency positions of the Department under sections 211 and 212; and (3) Section 221. (d) Funding plan Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a funding plan describing how the Secretary intends to use the amount appropriated under subsection (a). (e) Supplement not supplant Amounts appropriated under subsection (a) for purposes of carrying out subchapters II and VII of chapter 76 (f) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on how the Secretary has obligated the amount appropriated under subsection (a) as of the date of the submittal of the report. (g) Appropriate committees of congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress (1) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. 402. Appropriation of amounts for Veterans Choice Program (a) In general There is authorized to be appropriated, and is appropriated, to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $4,000,000,000 to be deposited in the Veterans Choice Fund under section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 1701 (b) Availability The amount appropriated under subsection (a) shall remain available until expended pursuant to section 802(c)(4) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 1701 December 5, 2017 Read twice and placed on the calendar

Summary: Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017 This bill establishes a Veterans Community Care Program to furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care services to covered veterans through non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care providers under specified circumstances. This program replaces the Veterans Choice Program. The VA shall develop: (1) an education program for veterans about their VA health care options, (2) processes to ensure safe opioid prescribing practices by non-VA health care providers; and (3) criteria to designate VA medical centers, ambulatory care facilities, and community based outpatient clinics as underserved facilities. The bill: (1) modifies the definitions of medical facility, major medical facility project, and major medical facility lease; and (2) establishes specified pilot programs. The VA family caregiver program is expanded. The VA shall implement a new information technology system.