Veterans Health Programs Improvement Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-3936
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2004-03-11 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appellate courts
Armed forces reserves
California
Cemeteries and funerals
Claims
Coinsurance
Commemorations
Congress
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Construction costs
Counseling
Courthouses
Courts of special jurisdiction
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disabled
District of Columbia
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Ex-prisoners of war
Explosions
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government trust funds
Governmental investigations
Health
Higher education
Idaho
Kentucky
Land transfers
Law
Leases
Long-term care
Maryland
Maternal health services
Medical education
Medical research
Metropolitan areas
Military bases
Military training
Missing in action
Monuments and memorials
Names
New York City
Nursing homes
Parking facilities
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Rape
Revolving funds
Science, Technology, Communications
Sexual harassment
Social Welfare
Soldiers' homes
Surplus government property
Terminal care
Transportation and Public Works
Trauma care
Urban affairs
Veterans' benefits
Veterans' hospitals
Veterans' medical care
Victims of crimes
Virginia
War casualties
Women
Women veterans

Summary:
action_date: 2004-03-11
text: 
Amends Federal veterans' administrative provisions to require the principal office of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) to be in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. (Currently, such office must be in the District of Columbia.)
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a dedicated Veterans Courthouse and Justice Center (Center) should be provided for such Court; and (2) the Secretary of Defense should determine the feasibility of locating the Center at an appropriate site owned by the United States that is part of or proximate to the Pentagon Reservation in Arlington, Virginia.

action_date: 2004-06-25
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Amends Federal veterans' administrative provisions to require the principal office of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) to be in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. (Currently, such office must be in the District of Columbia.)
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a dedicated Veterans Courthouse and Justice Center (Center) should be provided for such Court; and (2) the Secretary of Defense should determine the feasibility of locating the Center at an appropriate site owned by the United States that is part of or proximate to the Pentagon Reservation in Arlington, Virginia.
 
Requires a joint report from the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs and the Administrator of General Services to the congressional defense and veterans' committees on the feasibility of locating the Center at such a site.

action_date: 2004-07-20
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

 
Amends Federal veterans' administrative provisions to require the principal office of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) to be in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. (Currently, such office must be in the District of Columbia.)
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a dedicated Veterans Courthouse and Justice Center (Center) should be provided for such Court; and (2) the Secretary of Defense should determine the feasibility of locating the Center at an appropriate site owned by the United States that is part of or proximate to the Pentagon Reservation in Arlington, Virginia.
 
Requires a joint report from the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs and the Administrator of General Services to the congressional defense and veterans' committees on the feasibility of locating the Center at such a site.

action_date: 2004-11-30
text: 
Department of Veterans Affairs Real Property and Facilities Management Improvement Act of 2004 - 
Title I: Real Property and Facilities Matters - Subtitle A: Real Property and Facilities Administration - 
(Sec. 101) Amends Federal veterans' provisions to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to dispose of excess real property of the Department of Veterans Affairs by: (1) transfer to or exchange with another Federal department or agency; or (2) conveyance to or exchange with a State or political subdivision, Indian tribe, public entity, or private person or entity (thereby eliminating certain other transfer requirements). Sets forth disposal procedures. Requires: (1) disposal proceeds to be deposited into the Capital Asset Fund (established in this section); and (2) the Secretary to include in annual budget justification documents a report on each such disposal. Provides authorized Fund uses. Authorizes FY 2005 appropriations to the Fund.
 
(Sec. 102) Modifies business plan-based determinations relating to the Secretary's enhanced-use lease authority by: (1) requiring consideration of the needs of the Veterans Benefits Administration or the National Cemetery Administration; and (2) allowing the Department to receive facilities, space, or services in consideration for such a lease regardless of whether the facilities, space, or services are on the leased property.
 
(Sec. 103) Authorizes funds in a Department construction or capital account that are available for a construction or non-recurring maintenance project to be used for the construction or relocation of a surface parking lot incidental to such project.
 
(Sec. 104) Prohibits the Secretary from implementing a mission change for a medical facility (with an exception) until 90 days after the Secretary submits to the congressional veterans' committees written notice of the mission change.
 
(Sec. 105) Terminates the Nursing Home Revolving Fund. Transfers unobligated balances to the Capital Asset Fund.
 
(Sec. 106) Removes congressional notice-and-wait limits on the use of Advanced Planning Fund amounts for major medical facility projects when funds for such projects have already been authorized by law.
 
(Sec. 107) Authorizes the Secretary to lease any undeveloped land or unused or underutilized buildings or lots of the National Cemetery Administration. Allows a lease term of up to ten years. Establishes in the Treasury the National Cemetery Administration Facilities Operation Fund to cover costs incurred by such Administration in operating and maintaining its property.
 

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

Subtitle C: Designation of Facilities - 
(Sec. 121) Designates the Department medical center in the Bronx, New York, as the James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
 
(Sec. 122) Designates the memorial to former prisoners of war and members of the Armed Forces missing in action that is under construction at Riverside National Cemetery, California, as the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action National Memorial.
 

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

Title II: Benefits Matters - 
(Sec. 201) Exempts veterans receiving hospice care from certain Department copayment requirements.
 
(Sec. 202) Makes permanent (currently terminates at the end of 2004) the Department's authority to provide counseling and treatment to veterans suffering from an incident of sexual trauma that occurred during service. Expands such authority to include members of the reserves suffering from an incident that occurred during training.
 
(Sec. 203) States that Department per diem payments to States for the care of veterans in State nursing homes shall not be considered a liability of a third party or otherwise utilized to offset or reduce any other payment made to assist veterans.
 
(Sec. 204) Authorizes the Secretary to provide up to 14 days of care following birth for the newborn child of a woman veteran receiving maternity care furnished by the Department if the child was delivered in a Department facility or a Department-contracted facility.
 
(Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary, subject to the appropriation of funds, to establish and operate at least one and up to three centers for research, education, and clinical activities on blast injuries. Outlines requirements for proposals submitted for the designation of a center. Authorizes appropriations. Requires reports during 2006 through 2008 from the Secretary to the veterans' committees on center status and activities.
 
(Sec. 206) Extends through: (1) 2009 required reports from the Special Medical Advisory Group on care and treatment provided to disabled veterans; and (2) 2005 a pilot program to evaluate three different models of providing long-term care to veterans.
 
(Sec. 207) Requires an annual report from the Secretary to the veterans' committees on the waiting times of veterans for appointments for care and services from the Department.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-30
text: Became Public Law No: 108-422.
action_date: 2004-11-30
text: Became Public Law No: 108-422.
action_date: 2004-11-30
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2004-11-30
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3936.
action_date: 2004-11-17
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments. (consideration: CR H9772-9787; text as House agreed to Senate amendments: CR H9772-9777)
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2004-10-09
text: See also S. 2485.
action_date: 2004-10-09
text: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 2485 with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2004-10-09
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 2485 with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2004-10-09
text: Senate struck all after the Enacting Clause and substituted the language of S. 2485 amended.
action_date: 2004-10-09
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S11007)
action_date: 2004-10-09
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2004-10-09
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2004-09-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2004-07-21
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2004-07-20
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-07-20
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text:  CR H6076-6077)
action_date: 2004-07-20
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text:  CR H6076-6077)
action_date: 2004-07-20
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3936.
action_date: 2004-07-20
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration:  CR H6076-6078)
action_date: 2004-07-20
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2004-06-25
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 336.
action_date: 2004-06-25
text: Committee on Armed Services discharged.
action_date: 2004-06-25
text: Committee on Armed Services discharged.
action_date: 2004-06-25
text: House Committee on Armed Services Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 25, 2004.
action_date: 2004-06-25
text: Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-574, Part I.
action_date: 2004-06-25
text: Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-574, Part I.
action_date: 2004-05-19
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2004-05-19
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2004-05-13
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2004-05-13
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2004-04-29
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2004-04-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.
action_date: 2004-03-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2004-03-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2004-03-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2004-03-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E355)
action_date: 2004-03-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-03-11
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 108-422