Mike Bost
Representative for Illinois · Republican · United States
“(B) Elements.--The Secretary, in coordination with participating critical access hospitals, shall ensure that any contract, agreement, or other arrangement entered into under subparagraph (A) establishes criteria, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to ensure-- (i) the provision of timely, safe, and high-quality health care services t…”
“(B) Elements.--The Secretary, in coordination with participating critical access hospitals, shall ensure that any contract, agreement, or other arrangement entered into under subparagraph (A) establishes criteria, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to ensure-- (i) the provision of timely, safe, and high-quality health care services t…”
“(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2306(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual a headstone or marker under this section, or any interment benefit under…”
“(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2306(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual a headstone or marker under this section, or any interment benefit under…”
“(d) Update of Information on Providers.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care or successor office, shall develop a process to ensure that third party administrators regularly, not less frequently than quarterly-- (1) update their lists of communit…”
“(d) Update of Information on Providers.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care or successor office, shall develop a process to ensure that third party administrators regularly, not less frequently than quarterly-- (1) update their lists of communit…”
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“``(D) For purposes of this subsection, the term `joint resolution of approval' means only a joint resolution the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: `That Congress approves the access standards established by the Secretary submitted on __ relating to __.', with the first blank space filled by the appropriate date and the second blank space filled with a description of the access standards. ``(E) A joint resolution of approval shall be considered under the expedited procedures outlined in section 802 of title 5 to the same extent as a joint resolution described in subsection (a) of that section is considered.”
“``(C) On and after the date that is eight years after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, the Secretary may not establish access standards for care and services described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) that are different from the standards set forth in those subparagraphs unless, not later than 180 days before establishing such different standards-- ``(i) the Secretary submits to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives notification of the intent of the Secretary to establish such different standards, including a description of the changes the Secretary intends to make and the justification for such changes; and ``(ii) a joint resolution of approval is enacted that approves such different standards.”
“``(B) Not later than seven years after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report containing-- ``(i) an assessment of the effects of the codification of eligibility access standards for primary care, mental health care, non-institutional extended care services, and specialty care under this subsection on the management and oversight of the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title; and ``(ii) the recommendation of the Secretary for continued codification of such standards along with a justification for such recommendation.”
“``(4) If a veteran agrees to a longer average drive time or a later date under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall document the agreement to such longer average drive time or later date in the electronic health record of the veteran and provide the veteran a copy of such documentation. Such copy may be provided electronically. ``(5) Paragraph (1)(C) shall not be construed to affect a covered veteran in a covered treatment program pursuant to a determination made on or before the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. ``(6)(A) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date that is eight years after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act.”
“``(2) For the purposes of determining the ability of the Secretary to schedule an appointment for a covered veteran with a health care provider of the Department under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not take into consideration the availability of telehealth appointments from the Department. ``(3) In the case of a covered veteran who has had an appointment with a health care provider of the Department canceled by the Department for a reason other than either the request of the veteran or the failure of the veteran to appear as scheduled, in calculating a wait time for a subsequent appointment under the eligibility access standards established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall calculate such wait time from the date of the request for the original, canceled appointment.”
“``(C) With respect to a covered treatment program, the Secretary must-- ``(i) provide to a covered veteran a screening not later than 48 hours after the date on which the veteran, or a relevant health care provider, makes a documented request for the veteran to be admitted to a covered treatment program; and ``(ii) if the veteran is determined eligible for priority admission to a covered treatment program-- [[Page H4588]] ``(I) admit the veteran to a covered treatment program not later than 48 hours after the date of such determination; or ``(II) give the veteran the option of seeking care at a non-Department facility pursuant to section 1792(e) of this title.”
“``(B) With respect to specialty care, the Secretary must schedule an appointment for the covered veteran with a health care provider of the Department who can provide the needed service-- ``(i) within 60 minutes average driving time from the residence of the veteran unless a longer average driving time has been agreed to by the veteran in consultation with a health care provider of the veteran; and ``(ii) within 28 days of either the date of request for such an appointment or a later date agreed to by the veteran in consultation with a health care provider of the veteran.”
“601. CODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS FOR ACCESS TO COMMUNITY CARE FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) Eligibility Access Standards.--Section 1703B of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by striking subsections (a) through (e) and inserting the following: ``(a) Access Standards for Community Care.--(1) For purposes of section 1703(d)(1)(D) of this title, the eligibility access standards for hospital care, medical services, or non-institutional extended care services, are as follows: ``(A) With respect to primary care, mental health care, or non-institutional extended care services, the Secretary must schedule an appointment for the covered veteran with a health care provider of the Department who can provide the needed service-- ``(i) within 30 minutes average driving time from the residence of the veteran unless a longer average driving time has been agreed to by the veteran in consultation with a health care provider of the veteran; and ``(ii) within 20 days of either the date of request for such an appointment or a later date agreed to by the veteran in consultation with a health care provider of the veteran.”
“(C) Priority.--In awarding a contract under this subsection, the Commission shall give priority to a nonprofit organization that has demonstrated capability and expertise in carrying out the purpose described in subsection (b)(1). (4) Definitions.--In this section: (A) The term ``covered member'' means a deceased member of the Armed Forces who was Jewish and buried-- (i) in a United States military cemetery located outside the United States; and (ii) under a marker that indicates such member was not Jewish. (B) The term ``nonprofit organization'' means an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code. TITLE VI--VETERANS' ASSURING CRITICAL CARE EXPANSIONS TO SUPPORT SERVICEMEMBERS Subtitle A--Improvement of Veterans Community Care Program SEC.”
“Such program shall be known as the ``Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program''. (2) Duration.--The Commission shall carry out the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program during the first five fiscal years that begin after the date of the enactment of this Act. (3) Contracts.-- (A) Authority.--During each fiscal year described in subsection (b), the Commission shall seek to enter into a contract with a nonprofit organization under which such nonprofit organization shall carry out the purpose described in subsection (b)(1). (B) Term; amount.--Each contract under this subsection shall be for one year and in the amount of $500,000 to the nonprofit organization.”
“(4) American-Jewish servicemembers who fought and died for the United States must have their heritage properly recognized and honored. (5) The United States Government has a solemn responsibility to ensure that every American servicemember killed in action and buried overseas is properly honored. (6) The work of properly identifying American-Jewish servicemembers buried overseas is vital and integral to the responsibility of the American Battle Monuments Commission to ensure that past mistakes in honoring those servicemembers who died in the line of duty are corrected. (b) Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program.-- (1) Establishment.--The American Battle Monuments Commission shall establish a program to identify covered members and to contact survivors and descendants of such covered members.”
“(b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to an individual who dies on or after January 5, 2021. SEC. 503. FALLEN SERVICEMEMBERS RELIGIOUS HERITAGE RESTORATION PROGRAM. (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following: (1) An estimated 900 American-Jewish servicemembers of the Armed Forces, killed in World War I and World War II and buried overseas in United States military cemeteries, were, for various reasons, mistakenly buried under Latin Crosses. In most instances, those mistakes were made inadvertently. (2) In 2022, more than 2,000,000 people visited the United States World War I and World War II cemeteries in foreign countries. (3) American-Jewish servicemembers played a vital role in the Allied victories in World War I and World War II.”
“(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2306(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual a headstone or marker under this section, or any interment benefit under section 2402 of this title, unless-- ``(A) in the case of a request for a headstone or marker under this section-- ``(i) such request is made at the same time as a request for placement of a headstone or marker for another individual who is eligible to have such a headstone or marker placed in a national cemetery, a veterans' cemetery in receipt of a grant made under section 2408 of this title, or a post cemetery; and ``(ii) the Secretary furnishes one headstone or marker inscribed for both individuals; or ``(B) in the case of a request for interment, the individual is interred at the same time and in the same gravesite as the interment of another individual eligible for interment in a national cemetery under section 2402(a) of this title.''.”
“Section 2306(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended in subparagraphs (B) and (C) by striking ``who dies on or after November 11, 1998,'' each place it appears. SEC. 502. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL BURIAL BENEFITS WHEN AN URN OR COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE IS FURNISHED.”
“''; and (F) in the section heading-- (i) by striking ``process and requirements for scheduling appointments for health care from department of veterans affairs and non-department health care.'' and inserting ``scheduling of appointments''; and (ii) by conforming the typeface and typestyle, including capitalization, to the typeface and typestyle used in the section heading of section 1703G of such title. (3) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting, after the item relating to section 1703G, the following new item: ``1703H. Scheduling of appointments.''. TITLE V--MEMORIAL AFFAIRS SEC. 501. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEMORIAL HEADSTONE OR MARKER FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.”
“(2) Conforming amendments.--Section 1703H of such title, as transferred and redesignated by this subsection, is amended-- (A) by striking any heading that is not a section heading or subsection heading and conforming the margins accordingly; (B) by striking ``of title 38, United States Code'' both places it appears and inserting ``of this title''; (C) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary'' and inserting ``The Secretary''; (D) in subsection (c)-- (i) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary'' and inserting ``The Secretary''; and (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting ``The Secretary shall require each medical facility of the Department to use the method or tool described in paragraph (1).''; (E) in the section enumerator, by striking ``sec.'' and inserting ``Sec.”
“(d) Codification.-- (1) In general.--Section 3101 of such Act, as amended by subsection (a), is transferred to subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, inserted after section 1703G, and redesignated as section 1703H.”
“(c) Expansion.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a plan to integrate the scheduling of appointments for health care furnished through health care providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs into the electronic process under subsection (d) of section 1703H of such title, as added by this section. Such plan shall include the following elements: (1) A timeline to implement such plan. (2) Estimated costs to carry out such plan. (3) Changes to policies and procedures of the Department the Secretary determines necessary to implement such plan.”
“(6) Oversight.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives, with regards to the electronic process under such subsection, the following: [[Page H4587]] (A) Not later than 30 days after the Secretary establishes guidelines under paragraph (2) of this subsection, a copy of such guidelines. (B) Not later than 30 days after the Secretary formulates the plan under paragraph (5) of this subsection, a briefing on the outreach strategy under such paragraph. (C) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the benchmarks and metrics prescribed under paragraph (4).”
“Such outreach shall-- (A) include contacting each such provider during such 90 days; (B) include seeking to enter into an agreement with each such provider under which the provider shall participate in the electronic process; (C) include collaborating with State hospital associations and rural health associations to promote such participation; (D) focus on providers in specialties or underserved areas, as determined by the Secretary; and (E) include the publication, on a publicly accessible website of the Department, of information regarding-- (i) details of the electronic process; (ii) how a provider may elect to participate in the electronic process; and (iii) a point of contact in the Department regarding the electronic process.”
“(4) Evaluation.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe performance benchmarks and outcome-based metrics for the electronic process under such section, including-- (A) time between a referral and a scheduled appointment; (B) patient satisfaction; and (C) the percentage of appointments scheduled exclusively through the electronic process. (5) Outreach.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall plan and carry out an outreach strategy to encourage non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers that participate in the Veterans Community Care Program to participate in the electronic process under such subsection.”
“(C) A directive that employees described in subparagraph (A), when scheduling an appointment for a covered veteran (as such term is used in section 1703 of such title) for health care furnished by the Secretary, inform such covered veteran of available appointments through providers of the Department and through providers under the Veterans Community Care Program when eligible. (D) Procedures for engaging with non-Department health care providers in specialized cases. (E) Standards regarding timeliness and accuracy. (F) Escalation protocols for scheduling failures or delays. (3) Training.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall implement a mandatory training program for employees described in subparagraph (B) regarding the guidelines under subparagraph (B).”
“``(v) The rates at which veterans did not appear for appointments scheduled through the electronic process.''. (b) Implementation.-- (1) Date.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement the electronic process under subsection (d) of section 1703H of such title, as added by this section, not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Guidelines.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish guidelines. Such guidelines shall include the following: (A) Procedures for schedulers and other employees of the Department involved in the scheduling of appointments described in such section. (B) A directive that employees described in subparagraph (A) use the electronic process to the extent practicable.”
“Such a report shall include the following for each such period: ``(i) The number of non-Department health care providers that participated in such electronic process, disaggregated by-- ``(I) category of hospital care or medical services provided; and ``(II) medical center of the Department; ``(ii) The number of appointments scheduled pursuant to the electronic process, disaggregated by-- ``(I) category of hospital care or medical services provided; ``(II) medical center of the Department; and ``(III) month. ``(iii) A comparison of the average wait time for appointments scheduled through the electronic process and through non-electronic methods, disaggregated by medical center of the Department. ``(iv) The rates at which veterans cancelled appointments scheduled through the electronic process.”
“``(5) The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives the following regarding the electronic process: ``(A) Not later than 90 days after the Secretary makes a determination under subparagraph (B)(iii) of paragraph (2), a briefing regarding the functions the Secretary has determined necessary. ``(B) Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of Take Care of America's Veterans Act, and semiannually thereafter during the following three years, a report regarding operation of the electronic process during both the semiannual period preceding the date of the report and the cumulative period since the date of the enactment of such Act.”
“``(2) The electronic process under this subsection shall allow a scheduler, with regards to appointments described in-- ``(A) either clause of subparagraph (A) of subsection (a)(1), to view, search, and sort such appointments by type of care, location, and date; and ``(B) clause (ii) of such subparagraph-- ``(i) to schedule such an appointment; ``(ii) to provide referral and authorization documents directly to a non-Department provider; and ``(iii) to perform any other function the Secretary determines necessary. ``(3) The Secretary shall ensure that the electronic process allows a scheduler to schedule an appointment for health care furnished by the Secretary through a health care provider of the Department. ``(4) The Secretary shall implement the electronic process through an existing agreement if practicable.”
“(a) Electronic Process.--Subsection (d) of section 3101 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116- 315; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended to read as follows: ``(d) Electronic Process.--(1) The Secretary shall implement an electronic process through which a scheduler of the Department, using an information technology system, may schedule an appointment for health care furnished by the Department or through the Veterans Community Care Program, under section 1703 of this title, by a non-Department health care provider.”
“SEC. 406. MEMBERSHIP OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS GERIATRICS AND GERONTOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Section 7315 of title 38, United States Code, is amended, in subsection (a)-- (1) in the second sentence, by striking ``and at least one representative of a national veterans service organization'' and inserting ``, at least one individual who represents a national veterans service organization, at least one individual who has served veterans or families of veterans in a State home, and at least one individual who holds a professional license in nursing home administration''; and (2) by designating the first, second, and third sentences as paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively (and adjusting the margins accordingly). SEC. 407. SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS UNDER THE VETERANS COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM.”
“(b) Plan to Allow Fuel Sharing and Increased Coordination Between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Veterans Affairs.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, after consulting with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report regarding-- (1) the current limitations preventing the Federal Emergency Management Agency from providing fuel or other resources to the Department of Veterans Affairs during emergencies; (2) whether the Department requires action by Congress to allow such resource provision to occur; (3) whether the Secretary has been unable to coordinate with the Administrator during prior emergencies or Fourth Mission activations due to a lack of authority for such coordination; (4) whether the Secretary requires action by Congress to address any of the issues mentioned under paragraph (3); and (5) whether the Secretary requires action by Congress to address the issue of Department employees or responders being unable to use Department-purchased fuel.”
“(B) The roles and responsibilities of each office. (C) A detailed description of roles and responsibilities that are shared by both the Office of Emergency Management of the Department and the Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness of the Department, including an analysis of how each office plays a part in emergency management functions. (D) Recommendations for improving the structure and alignment of relevant offices to better prepare the Department for emergencies, remove redundancies, and improve accountability. (E) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability of consolidating relevant offices into one centralized emergency management office to improve communication and streamline emergency preparedness and response efforts of the Department.”
“(2) Consultation.--In preparing the report required by paragraph (1), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult with the Comptroller General of the United States, the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Defense, and such other Federal agencies as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers relevant, to obtain insights from their experience and [[Page H4586]] trends that they have found, and such recommendations as they may have with respect to the management by the Department of Veterans Affairs of emergency management functions. (3) Contents.--The report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A description of the organizational structure of each office, both during normal operations and during emergency or disaster operations.”
“(a) Report on Emergency Management Roles for Department of Veterans Affairs.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report outlining the roles and responsibilities of all offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs involved with emergency management.”
“(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after enactment, and annually for three years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on implementation, including call-answer rates, abandoned-call rates, average wait times, veteran complaints, spoofing or fraud-prevention measures, and any exceptions granted. SEC. 405. ADVANCING DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO CRISIS.”
“``(B) Central time. ``(C) Mountain time. ``(D) Pacific time. ``(E) Alaska time. ``(F) Hawaii time. ``(4) Clarification.--The Secretary is not required to ensure that the Veterans Health Administration has a call center in any location generally within a time zone specified in paragraph (3) that does not follow daylight saving time.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 63 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item: ``6321. Telephone communication.''.”
“``(b) Call Centers for Health Care Appointments and Referrals.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, the Secretary shall ensure that the Veterans Health Administration has at least one call center in each of the time zones specified in paragraph (3) to address concerns regarding appointments and referrals for health care under the laws administered by the Secretary. ``(2) Existing efforts and call centers.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary-- ``(A) shall ensure coordination with existing efforts of the Department to improve call center operations; and ``(B) may use existing call centers to meet the requirements of such paragraph. ``(3) Time zones specified.--The time zones specified in this paragraph are the following: ``(A) Eastern time.”
“Telephone communication ``(a) Calls Associated With Department.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, the Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable and feasible, that any call made to a veteran, beneficiary, claimant, or other relevant individual by an employee or contractor of the Department regarding services or benefits furnished by the Department-- ``(1) is made from a single, well-known telephone number; and ``(2) uses caller identification branding that indicates to the individual that the call is from or on behalf of the Department.”
“(j) Clerical Amendments.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by striking the item relating to section 8172; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``subchapter vii--acquisition review, cost assessment, and program evaluation ``8181. Definition of major acquisition program. ``8182. Acquisition reorganization. ``8183. Major acquisition program managers. ``8184. Cost assessment and program evaluation. ``8185. Requirements development process.''. SEC. 404. IMPROVEMENT OF TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) In General.--Chapter 63 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 6321.”
“(2) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report detailing the requirements process established pursuant to section 8183 of such title, as added by paragraph (1) and a plan for implementation of such process, including timelines for integration with major acquisition program baselines. (i) Conforming Amendments.--Subchapter VI of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in section 8171, by striking paragraphs (5) and (6); and (2) by striking section 8172.”
“``(b) Limitation on Personnel.--The Secretary shall implement the process established pursuant to subsection (a) using staff within the Office of Acquisition and other relevant offices of the Department, as established under section 8182 of this title, without creating new positions, unless a subsequent cost-benefit analysis, validated by the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, justifies additional resources.''.”
“Requirements development process ``(a) Establishment of Process.--(1) The Secretary shall establish a standardized requirements development process for major acquisition programs. ``(2) The process established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall-- ``(A) define and validate mission-driven requirements for major acquisition programs exceeding $200,000,000 annually or $1,000,000,000 in lifecycle costs, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition; ``(B) incorporate data-driven needs assessments, stakeholder input from relevant administrations, staff offices, and other elements of the Department, and alignment with statutory mandates, such as section 8121 of this title; and ``(C) ensure iterative validation of requirements through independent verification and validation, as described in section 8183 of this title, to confirm cost, schedule, and performance baselines.”
“(2) Report.--Not later than one year after the date in which the Secretary enters into the memorandum of understanding required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the Executive Director with respect to the analysis conducted under such subsection. (h) Requirements Development Process.-- (1) In general.--Subchapter VII of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) and amended by subsections (b) and (e), is further amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 8185.”
“(g) Independent Analysis of Acquisition Process of Department of Veterans Affairs.-- (1) Systems engineering analysis.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Executive Director of the Acquisition Research Center of the Department of Defense to conduct a systems engineering analysis of the acquisition process of the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
“(B) Termination.--The requirements of subparagraph (A) shall terminate on the date on which the Secretary certifies to the appropriate committees of Congress that the projected number of graduates of acquisition internship programs is sufficient to satisfy the human capital needs of the Department with respect to acquisition, taking into account the rate of attrition and projected retirements of personnel. (C) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.”
“(2) Annual number of participants in acquisition internship programs.-- (A) In general.--Not later than September 30 of the first fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that the annual number of participants in acquisition internship programs of the Department is-- (i) not fewer than twice the number of participants in such programs during fiscal year 2025; and (ii) not more than 4 times the number of participants in such programs during such fiscal year.”
“(B) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 30 days after receiving a report pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives the report received by the Secretary. (f) Improvements to Hiring of Entry-level Acquisition Positions in Department of Veterans Affairs.-- (1) Priority use of internship programs for hiring into entry-level positions in acquisitions.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prioritize the use of acquisition internship programs to hire employees to entry-level positions relating to acquisition in the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
“(2) Report on monitoring of operating and support costs for major acquisition programs.-- (A) Report to secretary of veterans affairs.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once each year thereafter until December 31, 2028, the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a report on systems and methods for tracking and assessing operating and support costs of major acquisition programs (as defined in section 8181 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)), including recommendations for establishing cost baselines.”
“``(c) Support and Resources.--The Chief Financial Officer of the Department shall [[Page H4585]] provide to the Secretary such support and resources as may be necessary for the Secretary to ensure the effective establishment and functioning of the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation.''.”
“``(4) To evaluate the effectiveness of major acquisition programs in meeting Department objectives. ``(5) Not less frequently than once each year, to submit to the Secretary and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives an annual report on cost estimation and program evaluation activities, including recommendations to improve acquisition efficiency. Such report shall include a list of all acquisitions where the independent cost estimate for a major acquisition program exceeded the budget request for the program by more than 5 percent.”
“Cost assessment and program evaluation ``(a) Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation.-- There is in the Department a Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, who shall report directly to the Secretary. ``(b) Responsibilities.--The responsibilities of the Director are as follows: ``(1) To develop policies and procedures for cost estimation and analysis of major acquisition programs of the Department. ``(2) To conduct independent cost estimates and analyses for major acquisition programs to support acquisition decisions, or any other acquisitions as directed by the Secretary. ``(3) To provide an independent cost estimate to the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition in advance of a decision to proceed with full-scale acquisition for a major acquisition program or any other program as directed by the Director.”
“(B) Independent verification validation.--The term ``independent verification and validation'' means a comprehensive inspection, a review, analysis, and testing, or an assessment of systems, software, or hardware, as applicable, performed by an entity awarded a contract under paragraph (1)-- (i) to verify that the requirements of a program, project or system, or a development phase of such a program or project, are correctly defined; and (ii) to validate cost, schedule, and performance baselines of current programs and measure program effectiveness. (e) Department of Veterans Affairs Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation.-- (1) In general.--Subchapter VII of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) and amended by subsection (b), is further amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 8184.”