I
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4575
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of inpatient
medical care services by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans
in areas remote from Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MAY 25, 2000
Mr. WELDON of Florida (for himself, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. MCCOLLUM, Mr.
WAMP, and Mr. HILL of Montana) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the
provision of inpatient medical care services by the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs to veterans in areas remote
from Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans Service Im-
provement Act of 2000’’.
SEC. 2. COORDINATION OF BENEFITS PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 17 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1724
the following new section:
‘‘§ 1725. Coordination of benefits program
‘‘(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary may carry out a program in not more than four
geographic areas of the United States to improve access
to and coordination of inpatient care of eligible veterans.
Under such program, the Secretary, subject to subsection
(b), may, as a secondary payor, pay certain costs described
in subsection (b) that a veteran would otherwise incur.
‘‘(b)(1) In carrying out the program described in sub-
section (a), the Secretary may, as a secondary payor, pay
reasonable costs of hospital care and services furnished in
a non-Department hospital to a veteran participating in
the program. Subject to paragraph (2), such costs may
include costs for deductibles and coinsurance and reason-
able costs of services not covered by the applicable health
plan of the veteran to the extent such services are covered
under this title.
‘‘(2) In the case of a veteran who under section 1710
of this title is required to pay a copayment to the United
States for hospital care furnished the veteran under that
section, the Secretary shall reduce any amount that the
Secretary would otherwise pay under this subsection for
costs of hospital care and services furnished to that vet-
eran in a non-Department hospital by the amount of the
copayment that the veteran would be required to pay the
United States if such care and services were furnished in
a Department medical center.
‘‘(c) A veteran may participate in the program if the
veteran—
‘‘(1) is enrolled to receive medical services from
an outpatient clinic operated by the Secretary;
‘‘(2) in the judgment of the Secretary (A) re-
quires such hospital care and services for a non-
service-connected condition, and (B) could not re-
ceive such services from a clinic operated by the Sec-
retary; and
‘‘(3) elects to receive such care under a health
plan (other than under this title) under which such
individual is entitled to receive such care.
‘‘(d) As part of the program, the Secretary shall co-
ordinate the care being furnished directly by the Secretary
and care furnished under the program in non-Department
hospitals to veterans participating in the program.
‘‘(e)(1) In designating geographic areas in which to
establish the program under subsection (a), the Secretary
shall ensure that—
‘‘(A) the areas designated are geographically
dispersed; and
‘‘(B) at least 60 percent of the veterans who re-
side in a designated area reside at least two hours
driving distance from the closest medical center
(which provides hospital care) operated by the Sec-
retary.
‘‘(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(B), the Sec-
retary may designate at least one area which is in prox-
imity to a Department medical center which, as a result
of a change in mission of that center, does not provide
hospital care.
‘‘(f)(1) Not later than 12 months after implementing
the program under subsection (a) at any one site, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs
of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on
the experience in implementing such program.
‘‘(2) Not later than three years after implementing
the program at any one site, the Secretary shall submit
to such committees a report on the first two years’ experi-
ence in operating the program. The report shall include—
‘‘(A) a comparison of the costs incurred by the
Secretary under the program and the cost experience
for the calendar year preceding establishment of the
program at each such site;
‘‘(B) an assessment of the satisfaction of the
participants in the program; and
‘‘(C) an analysis of the effect of the program on
access and quality of care for veterans.’’.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 1724 the following new
item:
‘‘1725. Coordination of benefits program.’’.
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