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…”
The complete record
Every one of 1,905 lines we hold for Mike Bost, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 25 of 39.
“(4) Funding.--The Chief Financial Officer of the Department shall ensure that each organizational subdivision of the Department that enters into a contract under paragraph (1) proportionally contributes amounts to fund each such contract. (5) Definitions.--In this section: (A) Covered contract.--The term ``covered contract'' means any prime or subcontract with the Department, including-- (i) information technology support or software or system design, development, sustainment, or maintenance services; (ii) professional or management consulting services; or (iii) advisory and assistance services.”
“(3) Functions.--The functions specified in this subsection are the following: (A) The independent verification and validation of each major acquisition program project-- (i) when such major acquisition program is initiated, with respect to its design and the development of its requirements and acquisition; (ii) at the conclusion of such program; and (iii) at any other intervals during such program selected by the Chief Acquisition Officer of the Department. (B) The independent verification and validation of other programs or projects of the Department selected by the Chief Acquisition Officer of the Department, at intervals selected by the Chief Acquisition Officer.”
“(B) Past performance.--For any contract used to demonstrate eligibility under subparagraph (A), an entity must have performed the work at a satisfactory or better level as indicated by the past performance information in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System, or successor system. (C) Demonstration of lack of conflict of interest.--The Secretary shall revoke the eligibility of an entity under this subsection if an entity does not demonstrate clear and unmitigable evidence that the entity does not have a conflict of interest with respect to the effective performance of functions under paragraph (3). (D) No mitigation plans acceptable.--The Secretary may not accept from an entity a plan to mitigate a conflict of interest in order to ameliorate any limitation or prohibition under this subsection.”
“(2) Eligibility.-- (A) In general.--An entity is not eligible to be awarded a contract under this section unless the Chief Acquisition Officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs determines, at the time of evaluation of offers submitted under paragraph (1), that the entity is currently performing or has performed, during the preceding three-year period, not fewer than three prime contracts from either governmental or commercial health care organizations for-- (i) the independent verification and validation services or equivalent services, including systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) support of major acquisition programs; or (ii) the independent verification and validation or systems engineering and technical advisory (SETA) support of the development or acquisition of major acquisition programs or defense systems, in accordance with guidance of the Department of Defense relating to such acquisition programs or such business systems.”
“(d) Independent Verification and Validation of Major Acquisition Programs of Department of Veterans Affairs.-- (1) Contracting authority.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into one or more contracts using competitive procedures with one or more entities to carry out the functions described in paragraph (3).”
“(3) Plan and briefing.-- (A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after commencing organizational consolidation under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall-- (i) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a written plan to carry out such organizational consolidation; and (ii) provide such committees a briefing on such plan. (B) Contents.--The plan submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) shall include the following: (i) A timeline. (ii) A plan for communication and training activities for relevant Department personnel. (iii) A plan for modification of relevant Department policy and guidance. (iv) Such other matters as the Secretary considers relevant and appropriate.”
“(c) Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition and Procurement Reorganization Matters.-- (1) Organizational consolidation.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall organizationally consolidate under the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Acquisition every activity of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including the Veterans Benefits Administration, the Veterans Health Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration, that relates to-- (A) acquisition; (B) procurement and contracting; or (C) logistics and supply chain. (2) Relocation.--Paragraph (1) shall not be construed to require the physical relocation of employees of the Department.”
“``(d) Program Decision Authority.--(1) The Assistant Secretary for Acquisition is the program decision authority regarding a major acquisition program. ``(2) Program management offices for major acquisition programs shall-- ``(A) report directly to the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition; and ``(B) operate independently of the Veterans Benefits Administration, the Veterans Health Administration, the National Cemetery Administration, and staff offices of the Department. ``(e) Notification Required.--Not later than 30 days after any date on which a major acquisition program concludes an acquisition phase, the manager of such program appointed pursuant to subsection (a) shall notify the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition.''.”
“``(c) Duties.--Each manager appointed pursuant to subsection (a) for a major acquisition program shall-- ``(1) report to the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition through the Program Executive Officer responsible for the major acquisition program; and ``(2) be responsible for, with respect to the major acquisition program-- ``(A) developing, in coordination with the Program Executive Officer, a plan to administer the major acquisition program, which shall be known as the `program baseline' for the major acquisition program, that includes-- ``(i) a description of each acquisition phase of the major acquisition program; ``(ii) for each such acquisition phase, requirements for advancing the major acquisition program to a subsequent acquisition phase; and ``(iii) estimates of the cost, schedule, and performance of the major acquisition program that account for the entire life cycle of the major acquisition program; ``(B) ensuring the major acquisition program is in compliance with such requirements and providing all program documentation, including program baseline documentation, cost, schedule, performance and risk assessments, and other relevant materials, to designated officials and relevant governance boards; ``(C) developing resource requests and justifications necessary to satisfy such requirements; and ``(D) on a continuous basis, assessing and managing risks to satisfying the requirements of such program baseline relating to cost and schedule.”
“Major acquisition program managers ``(a) Appointments.--Not later than 30 days after any date on which the Secretary approves a major acquisition program to commence, the applicable Program Executive Officer shall appoint a manager to be responsible for administering such program. ``(b) Qualifications.--Each manager appointed pursuant to subsection (a) shall be-- ``(1) certified in project management at level three by-- ``(A) the Department; ``(B) the Federal Acquisition Institute pursuant to section 1201 of title 41; or [[Page H4584]] ``(C) the Department of Defense pursuant to section 1701a of title 10; or ``(2) hold an equivalent certification by a private sector project management certification organization, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.”
“``(3) Each Program Executive Officer shall be-- ``(A) certified in project management at level three by-- ``(i) the Department; ``(ii) the Federal Acquisition Institute pursuant to section 1201 of title 41; or ``(iii) the Department of Defense pursuant to section 1701a of title 10; or ``(B) hold an equivalent certification by a private sector project management certification organization, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.''. (b) Department of Veterans Affairs Major Acquisition Program Managers.--Subchapter VII of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 8183.”
“``(f) Program Executive Officers.--(1) The Assistant Secretary for Acquisition shall appoint no fewer than four Program Executive Officers, each responsible for overseeing major acquisition programs in one of the following areas: ``(A) Medical. ``(B) Information technology. ``(C) Professional services. ``(D) Other areas not included in subparagraphs (A) through (C). ``(2) Each Program Executive Officer shall report directly to the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and shall supervise the managers of major acquisition programs within their respective area, as appointed under section 8183 of this title.”
“``(e) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Program Management, and Performance.--(1) Pursuant to section 308(d) of this title, the Secretary shall appoint a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Acquisition, Program Management, and Performance, who shall report to the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition. ``(2) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Program Management, and Performance shall be responsible for the following: ``(A) Lifecycle management. ``(B) Requirements planning. ``(C) Programming and budgeting. ``(D) Policy. ``(E) Performance standards. ``(F) Governance. ``(G) Enhancing the capabilities of the acquisition workforce.”
“``(c) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Logistics.--(1) Pursuant to section 308(d) of this title, the Secretary shall appoint a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Logistics, who shall report to the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition. ``(2) The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Logistics shall be responsible for administration of logistics and supply chain operations of the Department. ``(d) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Procurement.--(1) Pursuant to section 308(d) of this title, the Secretary shall appoint a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Procurement, who shall report to the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition. ``(2) The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Procurement shall be responsible for all procurement and contracting organizations of the Department.”
“``(2) The head of the Office of Acquisition shall be the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Acquisition designated pursuant to subsection (a). ``(3) The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that major acquisition program offices of the Department align under the Office of Acquisition and report directly to the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Acquisition. ``(4) The budget of the Office of Acquisition, including budgets for major acquisition programs, shall be established in the budget justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the budget of the Department (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31).”
“(3) Acquisition organization.--Subchapter VII of chapter 81 of such title, as added by paragraph (1), is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 8182. Acquisition organization ``(a) Assistant Secretary for Acquisition; Chief Acquisition Officer.--(1) The Secretary shall designate one of the Assistant Secretaries specified in subsection (a)(1) of section 308 of this title as the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Acquisition, who shall focus solely on the administration of functions specified in subsection (b)(10) of such section. ``(2) Pursuant to section 1702(a) of title 41, the Secretary shall designate the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Acquisition as the Chief Acquisition Officer of the Department. ``(b) Office of Acquisition.--(1) There is in the Department an Office of Acquisition.”
“Definition of major acquisition program ``In this subchapter, the term `major acquisition program' means a program of the Department to acquire services, supplies, technology, systems, or a combination thereof, with an estimated total program cost, estimated by the Secretary, that exceeds-- ``(1) $1,000,000,000 (adjusted pursuant to section 1908 of title 41) for the total life cycle cost of the program; or ``(2) $200,000,000 (adjusted pursuant to section 1908 of title 41) annually.''. (2) Assistant secretary for acquisition.--Section 308 of such title is amended-- (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``seven'' and inserting ``eight''; (B) in subsection (b)(10), by striking ``Procurement functions'' and inserting ``Acquisition functions''; and (C) in subsection (d)(1), strike ``19'' and insert ``22''.”
“``(b) Employee Described.--An employee described in this subsection is an employee of the Department-- ``(1) whose position is that of chief financial officer of an Administration of the Department or a Veterans Integrated Service Network; or ``(2) whose duties are substantially similar to a position described in paragraph (1).''. SEC. 403. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ACQUISITION REFORM AND COST ASSESSMENT. (a) Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Organization.-- (1) Definitions.--Chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after subchapter VI the following new subchapter: ``SUBCHAPTER VII--ACQUISITION ORGANIZATION, COST ASSESSMENT, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION ``Sec. 8181.”
“(2) The Secretary shall make such additional technical and conforming amendments to regulations, directives, delegations, organizational charters, manuals, and internal guidance as may be necessary to carry out this Act. (c) Financial Employees.--Subchapter I of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting after section 715 the following new section (and the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended accordingly): ``Sec. 716 Employees with certain financial authority: management; limitation on duties ``(a) In General.--An employee described in subsection (b)-- ``(1) shall report exclusively to the Chief Financial Officer of the Department designated under section 309 of this title; and ``(2) may not perform a programmatic or operational function in the Department.”
“``(2) Any delegation, determination, rule, regulation, order, permit, contract, agreement, certification, or other administrative action in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act shall continue in effect according to its terms until modified, superseded, terminated, or revoked. ``(h) References.--Any reference in any law, regulation, rule, directive, delegation, contract, agreement, determination, record, or other official document of the United States to the Chief Financial Officer of the Department shall be deemed to refer to the Under Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer.''. (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.-- (1) The table of sections for chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is amended accordingly.”
“``(f) Limitation on Authority to Appoint.--The Secretary may not establish an employee position-- ``(1) that performs a function substantially similar to the function of the Budget and Appropriations Affairs Office established under section 309(e); and ``(2) that is not within the Office of Management. ``(g) Transfer of Functions.--(1) All functions, powers, duties, authorities, responsibilities, personnel, property, records, contracts, delegations, directives, regulations, administrative actions, and unobligated balances of appropriations relating to the Chief Financial Officer of the Department immediately before the effective date of this Act are transferred to the Under Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer.”
“``(3) Congress or a congressional committee may submit a request for information described in paragraph (2) directly to the BAA Office. ``(4) Paragraphs (2) and (3) notwithstanding, the Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs may facilitate and transmit responses to requests described in paragraph (3) that are submitted to the BAA Office. Any response containing information described in paragraph (2) shall be prepared and certified by the BAA Office and may not be altered, delayed, withheld, edited, or modified by any other officer or employee of the Department prior to transmission to Congress or a congressional committee. ``(5) Not more than six full-time equivalent employees, including supervisors, may be assigned to the BAA Office.”
“``(2) Such Deputy Assistant Secretary shall be a career appointee (as that term is defined in section 3132(a) of title 5) within the Senior Executive Service of the Department. ``(d) Office of Infrastructure and Construction.--There is an Office of Infrastructure and Construction in the Department. ``(e) Budget and Appropriations Affairs Office.--(1) There is within the Office of Management a Budget and Appropriations [[Page H4583]] Affairs Office (in this subsection referred to as the `BAA Office'). The Under Secretary shall appoint a head of the BAA Office who shall report exclusively to the Under Secretary. ``(2) The sole function of the BAA Office is to provide to Congress (or a congressional committee), accurate, timely, and certified information regarding the finances and budget of the Department.”
“``(7) To provide to Congress, or a congressional committee upon request, information regarding the budget, finances, and fiscal condition of the Department. ``(8) To serve as the head of the Office of Budget of the Department. ``(9) To establish and oversee Department-wide financial management policies, accounting systems, internal controls, enterprise risk management programs, strategic planning processes, and capital planning activities. ``(10) To oversee infrastructure investment planning, financial systems modernization, and business transformation initiatives of the Department. ``(c) Deputy Assistant Secretary.--(1) There is in the Department a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure and Construction.”
“``(4) The Under Secretary shall exercise authority, direction, and control over the Office of Budget and such other offices as may be assigned by law or by the Secretary. ``(b) Duties.--The duties of the Under Secretary include the following: ``(1) To advise the Secretary on financial management of the Department. ``(2) To formulate, justify, execute, oversee, and certify the budget of the Department. ``(3) To control, account for, audit, and report on the finances of the Department. ``(4) To coordinate and assist the Chief Acquisition Officer with the life cycle of major acquisition programs of the Department. ``(5) To exercise the authority and carry out the functions specified in section 902 of title 31. ``(6) To ensure compliance with sections 1341, 1342, 1349, 1350, and 1511 through 1519 of title 31.”
“402. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNDER SECRETARY FOR MANAGEMENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. (a) Chief Financial Officer; Office of Budget.--Section 309 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 309. Under Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer ``(a) Under Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer.-- ``(1) The Under Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer shall be the principal management and financial officer of the Department. ``(2) The Under Secretary shall report directly to the Secretary. ``(3) The Under Secretary shall serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Department for purposes of chapter 9 of title 31.”
“(h) Use of Existing Contracting Authorities.--The Secretary shall carry out the activities authorized under this section, to the maximum extent practicable, through contracts, task orders, delivery orders, interagency agreements, cooperative agreements, or other agreements entered into under existing authorities of title 38, United States Code, as applicable. Amounts made available under this section shall not be used to establish a new full-time equivalent position, hire additional employees of the Department, or otherwise increase the number of full-time equivalent employees of the Department, except to the extent the Secretary determines that such personnel are necessary for the oversight, management, cybersecurity supervision, acquisition administration, or operational integration of activities carried out under this section. SEC.”
“(3) Continuation of existing activities.--Nothing in paragraph (2) shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary from-- (A) maintaining, sustaining, securing, operating, completing, or supporting any program, project, activity, contract, system, platform, infrastructure capability, or operational activity lawfully initiated using amounts obligated before September 30, 2031; or (B) carrying out similar information technology modernization, cybersecurity, continuity of operations, logistics modernization, communications modernization, operational resiliency, or mission assurance activities using amounts otherwise authorized and appropriated under any other provision of law.”
“(2) Limitation on new obligations after sunset.--Beginning on October 1, 2031, the Secretary may not initiate, award, enter into, renew, extend, or otherwise obligate funds for any new program, project, activity, contract, task order, or operational capability carried out pursuant to this section unless expressly authorized by a subsequent Act of Congress.”
“(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the public disclosure of classified information, controlled unclassified information, operational details, cybersecurity architecture, contingency planning information, mission-essential system design, or information otherwise protected from disclosure under Federal law or Executive Order. (g) Reauthorization and Sunset.-- (1) Reauthorization required.--The authority provided under this section to obligate or expend amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) shall terminate on September 30, 2031, unless subsequently reauthorized by law.”
“(d) Limitation.--Funds made available under this section may not be used for any purpose unrelated to information technology modernization, cybersecurity, operational resilience, logistics modernization, communications modernization, digitization, or fraud prevention activities of the Department. (e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Amounts made available under this section shall supplement and not supplant other amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated for the Office of Information and Technology of the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
“(B) Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter through September 30, 2031, the Secretary shall provide the Committees a briefing and written report on-- (i) obligations and expenditures to date, by category; (ii) progress against the implementation plan; (iii) any deviations from the plan and corrective actions; and (iv) updated projections for remaining funds. (C) The initial briefing under subparagraph (B) shall be in person and subsequent briefings may be virtual unless otherwise requested by the Committees. Reports under such subparagraph may include a classified annex.”
“(3) Detailed implementation plan and quarterly briefings.-- (A) Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Office of Information and Technology, shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a comprehensive implementation plan. The plan shall include-- (i) specific milestones, deliverables, and performance metrics for each category of activities in subsection (b); (ii) a zero trust architecture strategy with timelines and technical requirements; (iii) a detailed expenditure plan by fiscal quarter and by activity category; and (iv) any proposed interagency or private-sector partnerships.”
“(2) Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until September 30, 2031, the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing and report on-- (A) activities carried out using funds made available under this section; (B) progress on improving cybersecurity, resiliency, continuity, logistics, communications, digitization, and mission assurance capabilities; and (C) coordination with other Federal agencies, as appropriate. Such reports may include a classified annex.”
“(3) $150,000,000 for Resilient Communications and Digital Records Modernization -- For interoperable, survivable communications infrastructure, and targeted digitization/ automation of high-volume paper-based workflows (claims, correspondence, administrative records) to reduce fraud risk and improve continuity during degraded or emergency environments. Funds shall not be used for broad Electronic Health Record Modernization expansion. (c) Oversight and Protection of Sensitive Information.-- (1) The Secretary may obligate and expend amounts under this section in classified, controlled, or protected environments consistent with applicable law.”
“These systems shall support both routine veteran care operations and 4th Mission medical surge, patient movement, and emergency distribution requirements in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the heads of other Federal agencies. (2) $200,000,000 for Cybersecurity and Operational Resiliency -- For zero trust architecture implementation, threat detection, secure cloud hardening, endpoint protection, continuity of operations (COOP) platforms, and protection of mission-essential systems against cyber and physical disruptions. Funds shall prioritize high-risk legacy systems and medical device security.”
“(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated, and there is appropriated, to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, to remain available until September 30, 2031, for deposit into the accounts of the Office of Information and Technology of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purposes described in subsection (b). (b) Use of Funds.--Funds shall be allocated and expended only as follows: (1) $150,000,000 for Enterprise Logistics and Supply Chain Visibility -- To develop and deploy integrated, real-time enterprise-wide logistics systems, inventory visibility, pharmaceutical tracking, and medical supply chain resiliency capabilities.”
“(k) Covered Veteran Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered veteran'' means a veteran who-- (1) is enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs established and operated under [[Page H4582]] section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code; (2) has a spinal cord injury or disorder; and (3) is dependent upon others for bowel and bladder care while residing in non-institutional settings. TITLE IV--ORGANIZATION SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS TO THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.”
“(h) Continued Participation in Program.--If a covered veteran has been medically determined to require care under the program for a continuous period of three years or more, the veteran is deemed to require such care for life or until such time as the medical provider for such veteran determines the service is no longer needed. (i) Not Vendors or Contractors.--Family members and individually employed caregivers providing care to covered veterans under the program shall not be considered vendors or contractors for purposes of the program. (j) Limitation.--Care may not be provided under the program to a veteran who can perform the bowel and bladder functions of the veteran without assistance.”
“(B) Home health agencies.--Payment to a home health agency for care provided to a covered veteran under the program may not exceed the payment rates of the Department under section 17.4035 of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to payment rates and methodologies), or successor regulations. (g) Submission of Documentation.--Family members and individually employed caregivers providing care to covered veterans under the program shall provide such documentation and information in such format and under such terms as the Secretary may require as a condition of receiving payment under the program.”
“(f) Payment.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide a monthly stipend to family members and individually employed caregivers and payment to contracted home health agencies for care provided to covered veterans under the program. (2) Limitation.-- (A) Family members and individually employed caregivers.-- The stipend for a family member or individually employed caregiver for care provided to a covered veteran under the program-- (i) shall be determined by the Secretary; (ii) shall be based on the amount and degree of assistance provided; and (iii) may not exceed the fifth step of the applicable grade of the General Schedule hourly rate paid to nursing assistants who provide such care at the medical facility of the Department that is nearest to the residence of such veteran.”
“(e) Supportive Medical Training and Qualifications.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to each family member or individually employed caregiver providing care to a covered veteran under the program necessary supportive medical training to participate in and receive payment by the Secretary for the provision of such care. (2) Qualifications.--The Secretary shall establish such requirements, conditions, and qualifications for providers of care under the program as necessary to provide clinically appropriate bowel and bladder care to covered veterans and to ensure the financial and administrative integrity of the program.”
“(3) Individualized assessment.--The Secretary shall conduct an individualized assessment with respect to a covered veteran to determine the number of hours of bowel and bladder care needed by such veteran under the program. (4) Denial of care.--Before denying bowel and bladder care for any covered veteran under the program, the Secretary shall first obtain review of and concurrence with respect to such denial from a designated Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Center of the Department. (d) Coordination of Care and Benefits.--The Secretary shall ensure the program is coordinated with other programs and benefits of the Department for which the covered veteran is eligible to ensure that covered veterans and caregivers receive appropriate support without duplicating benefits or services.”
“(b) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a program to address the bowel and bladder care needs of covered veterans (in this section referred to as the ``program''). (c) Provision of Care.-- (1) Clinical need.--The Secretary shall provide bowel and bladder care under the program to covered veterans based on clinical need, which may include covered veterans receiving aid and attendance benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) Caregiver or agency.--A covered veteran may receive bowel and bladder care under the program through a qualified family member, an individually employed caregiver, or a contracted home health agency.”
“(D) Family caregivers and individually employed caregivers provide life-sustaining care for the bowel and bladder care needs of veterans that allow them to live in their communities. (2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that-- (A) family caregivers and individually employed caregivers should not be subjected to self-employment taxes and treated as vendors or contractors for the veterans to whom they provide care; (B) veterans should not be forced to finish their bowel and bladder care needs in a set period of time that does not consider their individual needs; and (C) veterans should not be subjected to ongoing clinical determinations regarding their bowel and bladder care needs absent a decision by their medical care provider that such care is no longer needed.”
“(a) Findings; Sense of Congress.-- (1) Findings.--Congress finds the following: (A) Bowel care and bladder care are supportive and necessary medical services for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders when they are unable to manage their bowel and bladder functions independently. (B) Inadequate care will lead to complications and problems such as autonomic dysreflexia that can be potentially life- threatening and result in illness and hospitalization. (C) Bowel care and bladder care are essential to support veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders in non- institutional settings, improve quality of life, optimize health, and prevent complications from neurogenic bowel and bladder.”
“(c) Notification.--Not later than 60 days after making a waiver, modification, or substitution relating to the project under subsection (a), including a waiver under subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a notification describing the waiver, modification, or substitution and the reason for such waiver, modification, or substitution. (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the Construction, Major Projects account $1,641,570,000 for the project under subsection (a), to remain available until expended. SEC. 333. BOWEL AND BLADDER CARE PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.”
“(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a major medical facility project for the replacement of a medical center, a new central utility plant, a replacement multi-specialty outpatient clinic, and associated parking in Indianapolis, Indiana. (b) Non-Department Federal Entity Waiver.--In order to reduce cost and expedite timelines, the Secretary may waive the requirements under section 8103(e) of title 38, United States Code, and section 1096 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92; 38 U.S.C. 8103 note) for a non-Department Federal entity to be engaged in project management and other activities for the project under subsection (a).”
“(c) Notification.--Not later than 60 days after making a waiver, modification, or substitution relating to the project under subsection (a), including a waiver under subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a notification describing the waiver, modification, or substitution and the reason for such waiver, modification, or substitution. (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the Construction, Major Projects account $30,000,000 for the project under subsection (a) to remain available until expended. SEC. 332. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECT OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.”
“(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a major medical facility project for the acquisition of land for a new Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility in San Antonio, Texas. (b) Non-Department Federal Entity Waiver.--In order to reduce cost and expedite timelines, the Secretary may waive the requirements under section 8103(e) of title 38, United States Code, and section 1096 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92; 38 U.S.C. 8103 note) for a non-Department Federal entity to be engaged in project management and other activities for the project under subsection (a).”