Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act

Bill: 114-hr-2496
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6]
Introduced: 2015-05-21
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
Latest action: action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Became Public Law No: 114-19.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-05-21
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act</strong></p> <p>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. </p> <p>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: </p> <ul> <li>the veteran resides more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA facility; or </li> <li> 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.</li></ul>

action_date: 2015-05-21
action_desc: Passed House without amendment
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)</p> <p>C<strong>onstruction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act</strong></p> <p>(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. </p> <p>(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: </p> <ul> <li>the veteran resides more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA facility; or </li> <li> 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.</li> </ul>

action_date: 2015-05-22
action_desc: Passed Senate without amendment
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)</p> <p>C<strong>onstruction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act</strong></p> <p>(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. </p> <p>(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: </p> <ul> <li>the veteran resides more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA facility; or </li> <li> 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.</li></ul>

action_date: 2015-05-22
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)</p> <p>C<strong>onstruction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act</strong></p> <p>(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. </p> <p>(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: </p> <ul> <li>the veteran resides more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA facility; or </li> <li> 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.</li></ul>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2496 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 21, 2015 Received AN ACT To extend the authorization for the replacement of the existing Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, to make certain improvements in the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act . 2. Extension of authorization for major medical facility construction project previously authorized (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the replacement of the existing Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, in fiscal year 2015, in an amount not to exceed $900,000,000. (b) Limitation on obligation of funds Notwithstanding section 8104(c) of title 38, United States Code, or any other provision of law, funds may not be obligated or expended for the project described in subsection (a) in an amount that would cause the total amount obligated for that project to exceed the amount specified in the law for that project (or would add to total obligations exceeding such specified amount). 3. Clarification of distance requirement for expanded availability of hospital care and medical services for veterans through the use of agreements with non-Department of Veterans Affairs entities (a) In general Section 101(b)(2) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 ; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B), by inserting (as calculated based on distance traveled) after 40 miles ; and (2) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking subclause (II), and inserting the following new subclause (II): (II) faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to such a medical facility of the Department based on— (aa) geographical challenges; (bb) environmental factors, such as roads that are not accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous weather; (cc) a medical condition that impacts the ability to travel; or (dd) other factors, as determined by the Secretary. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply with respect to care or services provided on or after such date.

Passed the House of Representatives May 21, 2015. Karen L. Haas, Clerk

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2496 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To extend the authorization for the replacement of the existing Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, to make certain improvements in the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act . 2. Extension of authorization for major medical facility construction project previously authorized (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the replacement of the existing Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, in fiscal year 2015, in an amount not to exceed $900,000,000. (b) Limitation on obligation of funds Notwithstanding section 8104(c) of title 38, United States Code, or any other provision of law, funds may not be obligated or expended for the project described in subsection (a) in an amount that would cause the total amount obligated for that project to exceed the amount specified in the law for that project (or would add to total obligations exceeding such specified amount). 3. Clarification of distance requirement for expanded availability of hospital care and medical services for veterans through the use of agreements with non-Department of Veterans Affairs entities (a) In general Section 101(b)(2) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 ; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B), by inserting (as calculated based on distance traveled) after 40 miles ; and (2) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking subclause (II), and inserting the following new subclause (II): (II) faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to such a medical facility of the Department based on— (aa) geographical challenges; (bb) environmental factors, such as roads that are not accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous weather; (cc) a medical condition that impacts the ability to travel; or (dd) other factors, as determined by the Secretary. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply with respect to care or services provided on or after such date.

Passed the House of Representatives May 21, 2015. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: I One Hundred Fourteenth Congress of the United States of America At the First Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the sixth day of January, two thousand and fifteen H. R. 2496 AN ACT To extend the authorization for the replacement of the existing Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, to make certain improvements in the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act . 2. Extension of authorization for major medical facility construction project previously authorized (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the replacement of the existing Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, in fiscal year 2015, in an amount not to exceed $900,000,000. (b) Limitation on obligation of funds Notwithstanding section 8104(c) of title 38, United States Code, or any other provision of law, funds may not be obligated or expended for the project described in subsection (a) in an amount that would cause the total amount obligated for that project to exceed the amount specified in the law for that project (or would add to total obligations exceeding such specified amount). 3. Clarification of distance requirement for expanded availability of hospital care and medical services for veterans through the use of agreements with non-Department of Veterans Affairs entities (a) In general Section 101(b)(2) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 ; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B), by inserting (as calculated based on distance traveled) after 40 miles ; and (2) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking subclause (II), and inserting the following new subclause (II): (II) faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to such a medical facility of the Department based on— (aa) geographical challenges; (bb) environmental factors, such as roads that are not accessible to the general public, traffic, or hazardous weather; (cc) a medical condition that impacts the ability to travel; or (dd) other factors, as determined by the Secretary. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply with respect to care or services provided on or after such date.

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.