Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act

Bill: 114-hr-2496
Sponsor: Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6]
Introduced: 2015-05-21 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Colorado
Department of Veterans Affairs
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: 

Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act

 
This bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the replacement of the existing VA Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, in FY2015, in an amount not to exceed $900 million. 
 
The 40-mile distance requirement for a veteran to use a non-VA medical facility under the veterans choice program of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 shall be construed to allow a veteran to access a non-VA medical facility if: 
 
 
the veteran resides more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA facility; or 
 
 the veteran faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to such VA medical facility not only because of geographical challenges (as under current law) but also because of environmental factors, such as roads that are not accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous weather, because of a medical condition that impacts the ability to travel, or because of other factors as the Secretary determines.


action_date: 2015-05-21
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 
C
onstruction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the replacement of the existing VA Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, in FY2015 in an amount not to exceed $900 million. 
 
(Sec. 3) The 40-mile distance requirement for a veteran to use a non-VA medical facility under the veterans choice program of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 shall be construed to allow a veteran to access a non-VA medical facility if: 
 
 
the veteran resides more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA facility; or 
 
 the veteran faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to such VA medical facility not only because of geographical challenges (as under current law) but also because of environmental factors, such as roads that are not accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous weather, because of a medical condition that impacts the ability to travel, or because of other factors as the Secretary determines.
 

action_date: 2015-05-22
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)
 
C
onstruction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the replacement of the existing VA Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, in FY2015 in an amount not to exceed $900 million. 
 
(Sec. 3) The 40-mile distance requirement for a veteran to use a non-VA medical facility under the veterans choice program of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 shall be construed to allow a veteran to access a non-VA medical facility if: 
 
 
the veteran resides more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA facility; or 
 
 the veteran faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to such VA medical facility not only because of geographical challenges (as under current law) but also because of environmental factors, such as roads that are not accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous weather, because of a medical condition that impacts the ability to travel, or because of other factors as the Secretary determines.


action_date: 2015-05-22
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)
 
C
onstruction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the replacement of the existing VA Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, in FY2015 in an amount not to exceed $900 million. 
 
(Sec. 3) The 40-mile distance requirement for a veteran to use a non-VA medical facility under the veterans choice program of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 shall be construed to allow a veteran to access a non-VA medical facility if: 
 
 
the veteran resides more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA facility; or 
 
 the veteran faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to such VA medical facility not only because of geographical challenges (as under current law) but also because of environmental factors, such as roads that are not accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous weather, because of a medical condition that impacts the ability to travel, or because of other factors as the Secretary determines.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Became Public Law No: 114-19.
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Became Public Law No: 114-19.
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3289-3290)
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S3289-3290)
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Received in the Senate, read twice.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H3547)
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H3547)
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H3546-3547)
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged. (consideration: CR H3546)
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged.(consideration: CR H3546)
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Mr. Coffman asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider. (consideration: CR H3546)
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 114-19