Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act
PL 114-19 (H.R.2496), enacted 05/22/2015

129 STAT. 215 
PUBLIC LAW 114–19—MAY 22, 2015 
Public Law 114–19 
114th Congress 
An Act 
To extend the authorization for the replacement of the existing Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, to make certain improve-
ments in the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Construction Authorization and 
Choice Improvement Act’’. 
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR MAJOR MEDICAL 
FACILITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT PREVIOUSLY AUTHOR-
IZED. 
(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 speci-
fied in the law for that project (or would add to total obligations 
exceeding such specified amount). 
SEC. 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 Depart-
ment based on— 
‘‘(aa) geographical challenges; 
‘‘(bb) environmental factors, such as roads 
that are not accessible to the general public, 
traffic, or hazardous weather; 
Construction 
Authorization 
and Choice 
Improvement 
Act. 
38 USC 101 note. 
May 22, 2015 
[H.R. 2496] 
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129 STAT. 216 
PUBLIC LAW 114–19—MAY 22, 2015 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2496: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 161 (2015): 
May 21, considered and passed House. 
May 22, considered and passed Senate. 
‘‘(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. 
Approved May 22, 2015. 
38 USC 1701 
note. 
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