Health Care for Veterans of Project 112/Project SHAD Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-2433
Sponsor: Rep. Rodriguez, Ciro D. [D-TX-28]
Introduced: 2003-06-11 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Biological warfare
Chemical warfare
Evidence (Law)
Health
Hospital care
Law
Long-term care
Military research
Nursing homes
Veterans' hospitals
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2003-06-11
text: 
Health Care for Veterans of Project 112/Project SHAD Act of 2003 - Makes a veteran who participated in a test conducted by the Department of Defense Deseret Test Center as part of a program for chemical and biological warfare testing from 1962 through 1973 (including the program designated as Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) and related land-based tests) eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care through the Department of Veterans Affairs for any illness, notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such illness is attributable to such testing. Terminates such eligibility after December 31, 2005.

action_date: 2003-07-16
text: 
Health Care for Veterans of Project 112/Project SHAD Act of 2003 - Makes a veteran who participated in a test conducted by the Department of Defense Deseret Test Center as part of a program for chemical and biological warfare testing from 1962 through 1973 (including the program designated as Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) and related land-based tests) eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care through the Department of Veterans Affairs for any illness, notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such illness is attributable to such testing. Terminates such eligibility after December 31, 2005.
 
(Sec. 3) Prohibits the lack of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from being a bar to, or resulting in the denial of, a promotion to the next higher grade for a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) registered nurse who has accomplished required performance elements.
 
(Sec. 4) Authorizes additional pay for Saturday VHA nursing duty.
 
(Sec. 5) Allows: (1) employees of the Veterans' Canteen Service (Service) to be considered for appointment to a Department position in the competitive service in the same manner that Department employees in the competitive service are considered for transfer to Service positions; and (2) former Service employees to count their previous period of employment toward the time-in-service requirement of a Department position in the competitive service.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-09-11
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-09-10
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-09-10
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-09-10
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8094-8095)
action_date: 2003-09-10
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8094-8095)
action_date: 2003-09-10
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2433.
action_date: 2003-09-10
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8094-8097)
action_date: 2003-09-10
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2003-08-18
text: Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-07-16
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 119.
action_date: 2003-07-16
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-213.
action_date: 2003-07-16
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-213.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-06-24
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2003-06-24
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-06-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2003-06-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-06-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-06-11
text: Introduced in House