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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“``(v) A list of any capital asset projects cancelled during the previous fiscal year, including any projects in the design phase and including the reason for the cancellation. ``(vi) A summary of total actual obligations for capital asset projects for the previous fiscal year, broken out by major construction, minor construction, nonrecurring maintenance, and leases from the medical facilities appropriation account of the Department.”
“``(V) The fiscal quarter the project was expected to begin, the fiscal quarter the project began, the month and year the project was completed, and the fiscal quarter the facility in connection to such project was in use by veterans, employees of the Department, or other relevant users, as the case may be. ``(iv) In the case of any capital asset project completed during the previous fiscal year with respect to which the final cost of the project (or any increment of the project) was more than 10 percent greater than the estimated cost of the project (or increment) or the completion of such project (or increment) was more than 180 days later than the planned schedule for such project (or increment)-- ``(I) the reason for any such overage or delay; and ``(II) actions being taken to prevent any such overage or delay in future projects.”
“``(ii) A brief summary of the accomplishments, impediments, and challenges experienced by the Department with respect to capital asset projects in the previous fiscal year and a description of efforts made to address any such impediments and challenges. [[Page H4601]] ``(iii) With respect to each capital asset project completed in such year, the following: ``(I) The type of project (major construction, minor construction, nonrecurring maintenance, leases, or other category, including disposals). ``(II) The estimated total cost and the actual total cost of the project. ``(III) A description of the project. ``(IV) The location and facility with respect to which the project was carried out.”
“Reports on key capital asset investments, activities, and performance ``(a) Capital Asset Investment, Activities, and Performance.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year, and every 60 days thereafter until the end of the subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on key capital asset investments, activities, and performance of the Department. ``(2) Elements.-- ``(A) First report in each fiscal year.--The first report under paragraph (1) in each fiscal year shall include the following: ``(i) A brief summary of work that was completed on each capital asset project that was completed in the previous fiscal year.”
“(b) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Acquisition workforce of the department.--The term ``acquisition workforce of the Department of Veterans Affairs'' means personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs occupying positions within occupational series, as defined by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, responsible for acquisition functions, as determined by the Secretary. (2) Appropriate committees of congress.--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. SEC. 659. REPORTS ON KEY CAPITAL ASSET INVESTMENTS, ACTIVITIES, AND PERFORMANCE OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) In General.--Section 8120 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 8120.”
“(d) Reporting.--The Secretary shall include information on donations accepted under this section in the reports required under section 2(g) of the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-294; 38 U.S.C. 8103 note), with separate tracking for donations under this section. SEC. 658. REPORT ON USE OF ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES RELATING TO RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF PERSONNEL. (a) Report Required.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report detailing how the Secretary will use the authorities of section 706 of title 38, United States Code, to increase the size and performance of the acquisition workforce of the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
“(c) Streamlined Requirements.--For donations under this section that do not involve transfer of real property title-- (1) the donor shall enter into an agreement with the Department that determines who is responsible to ensure environmental or historic preservation due diligence is completed; (2) the donor shall obtain all federally required construction and facility related permits; and (3) agreements may be simplified relative to those under section 2 of the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-294; 38 U.S.C. 8103 note) to reflect the nature of services or targeted contributions.”
“8103 note); (3) the Secretary determines such donation would-- (A) accelerate project completion; (B) reduce the expense to the Department; (C) improve facility condition; or (D) otherwise benefit veterans; (4) the donor enters into a formal agreement with the Secretary that includes-- (A) provisions for the Department's oversight during performance; (B) compliance with applicable construction codes and standards, and applicable laws and regulations; (C) donor-provided insurance, warranties, and liability protections; (D) the amount of the donation and the amount of the Department's funding contribution, if any; (E) that the donation shall not increase the cost to the Federal Government of completing such project described in subsection (a) (excluding activation and sustainment of such facility); and (F) such other terms as the Secretary determines necessary.”
“(b) Alignment to Needs.--The Secretary may accept a donation under this section only if-- (1) the donation aligns with-- (A) a need identified in a Strategic Capital Investment Planning process priority list, a five-year development plan, a facility master plan, or an annual capital needs inventory of the Department; or (B) any component or phase of a need described in subparagraph (A); (2) the donation is from an entity described in section 2(a)(2) of the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-294; 38 U.S.C.”
“(a) Authority.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may accept donations comprising the total cost or a portion of the cost of-- (1) minor construction projects; (2) nonrecurring maintenance projects; or (3) construction services relating-- (A) to minor construction projects; (B) to nonrecurring maintenance projects; (C) to an existing facility of the Department; or (D) to a new facility or portion thereof of the Department.”
“(b) Modification of Acceptance of Property.--Paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of such section is amended to read as follows: ``(1) the donation aligns with-- ``(A) a need identified in a Strategic Capital Investment Planning process priority list, a five-year development plan, a facility master plan, or an annual capital needs inventory of the Department; or ``(B) any component or phase of a need described in paragraph (1); and''. SEC. 657. AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT DONATIONS OF CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, MINOR CONSTRUCTION OR NONRECURRING MAINTENANCE PROJECTS, AND TARGETED CONTRIBUTIONS.”
“(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section or a report submitted under this section shall be construed to create or imply any financial or operational obligation beyond the availability of appropriated funds. SEC. 656. PILOT PROGRAM ON ACCEPTANCE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF DONATED FACILITIES AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS: EXTENSION; MODIFICATION. (a) Extension.--Section 2 of the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-294; 38 U.S.C. 8103 note) is amended, in subsection (i), by striking ``December 16, 2026'' and inserting ``the day that is five years after the date of the enactment of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act''.”
“(10) A discussion of the negative effect of the lack of stable and predictable capital asset funding on the ability of the Department to plan, staff, and execute effective capital asset management. (11) Overview of the strategy being utilized in the approach of the Secretary to capital investment, across all the capital and leasing programs, including the approach of repair versus recapitalization, use of leasing, and other relevant strategies as deemed appropriate by the Secretary. (12) Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate, including with respect to legislative or administrative action, if such actions are subject to the availability of appropriated funds.”
“(2) Operations and maintenance of facilities of the existing capital asset portfolio of the Department. (3) Operations and maintenance of the planned future capital asset portfolio of the Department. (4) New construction, disaggregated by type of new construction, including the following types of construction: (A) Major construction. (B) Minor construction. (C) Nonrecurring maintenance. (5) Leasing. (6) Alternative acquisition methods, such as partnerships and donations. (7) Activation of space. (8) Disposal, reuse, and remediation. (9) Facility lifecycle strategy process supporting the planning, programming delivery, management, and maintenance of the current and future capital asset portfolio of the Department.”
“(a) Report.--Not later than one year 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 on the strategic plan for infrastructure and capital assets of the Department of Veterans Affairs, which summarizes a facility lifecycle strategy targeting modernization of owned and leased facilities and infrastructure required to mitigate increasing systemic failures, veteran and staff safety, benefits delivery interruptions, and funding associated to address emergency repairs. (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall cover known and projected requirements over a period of not less than 10 years for the following: (1) Land acquisition.”
“FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR FULL-SERVICE HOSPITAL OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN CERTAIN STATES. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing a full- service hospital of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Alaska and Hawaii. (b) Publication.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary shall publish on a publicly available website of the Department the findings of the Secretary with respect to the study conducted under subsection (a). SEC. 655. REPORT ON STRATEGIC PLAN FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL ASSETS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.”
“(d) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Commercial codes and standards.--The term ``commercial codes and standards'' means building codes or standards of the following: (A) The National Fire Protection Association. (B) The International Code Council. (C) The American Society for Testing and Materials. (D) The American Society of Civil Engineers. (E) Any other building code or standard, other than those described in paragraph (2), determined by the Secretary. [[Page H4600]] (2) Federal codes and standards.--The term ``Federal codes and standards'' means the following: (A) Building codes or standards specific to one or more Federal agencies. (B) Building codes or standards specific to the Department, including the Technical Information Library. (C) Standards of the Federal Guidelines Institute. SEC. 654.”
“(b) Pilot Projects.--The Secretary shall carry out not fewer than three pilot projects during each of fiscal years 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, and 2031 utilizing commercial codes and standards instead of Federal codes and standards to lease or construct facilities of the Department for major construction, minor construction, or major lease projects. (c) Reports.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives not later than 90 days after the end of each of fiscal years 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, and 2031, a report detailing the use by the Secretary of the authority provided by subsection (a) and conduct of each pilot project required by subsection (b) that was initiated, ongoing, or completed during the fiscal year.”
“``(2) The term `common service' means a commercial service necessary to maintain or operate existing physical space, including maintenance, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electricity, energy, water, wastewater, landscaping, security, laundry, or any other service as determined by the Secretary. ``(3) The term `physical space' means a portion of a building or parking facilities.''. SEC. 653. USE OF COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES CODE AND STANDARDS. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may use commercial codes and standards instead of or in addition to Federal codes and standards in the construction or alteration of facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, where such commercial codes and standards do not conflict with statutory and regulatory requirements.”
“Section 8153 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)(3)-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``physical'' before ``space''; (B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting ``physical'' before ``space''; (C) by striking subparagraph (E); (D) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively; (E) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraph (C): ``(C) If the health-care resource required is physical space or common services with respect to existing buildings and is to be acquired from an institution affiliated with the Department in accordance with section 7302 of this title or another entity, the Secretary may enter into contracts or agreements for the acquisition of the space or service-- ``(i) without regard to any law or regulation (including any Executive order, circular, or other administrative policy) that would otherwise require the use of competitive procedures for acquiring the resource; and ``(ii) if all obligations are funded through available appropriations or borne by the institution or entity, without regard to any limitations applicable to leases of the Department, if, in the case of a multi-year space-sharing agreement, the agreement-- ``(I) requires that payments for each fiscal year be made only from appropriated funds and available that year; and ``(II) includes a provision that the Government's obligations for future years is contingent upon availability of appropriations.''; (F) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated by subparagraph (D) of this paragraph, by striking ``subparagraph (A) or (B)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (A), (B), or (C)''; (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(h) In this section: ``(1) The term `commercial service' means a service that is offered and sold competitively in the commercial marketplace, is performed under standard commercial terms and conditions, and is procured using firm-fixed price contracts.”
“SEC. 644. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. Nothing in this subtitle or an amendment made by this subtitle shall be construed to have any effect on any provision of law in effect before the date of the enactment of this Act. Subtitle E--Veterans Infrastructure and Transformation SEC. 651. SHORT TITLE. This subtitle may be cited as the ``Veterans Infrastructure and Transformation Act of 2026'' or the ``VITAL Act of 2026''. SEC. 652. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY FOR SHARING OF HEALTH- CARE RESOURCES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INCLUDE FLEXIBLE SPACE UTILIZATION AND STREAMLINED SERVICE AGREEMENTS.”
“``(H) A risk mitigation plan identifying significant operational, workforce, financial, information technology, patient care, and service-delivery risks reasonably anticipated by the Secretary and the actions planned to mitigate such risks.''; (2) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections (f) and (g), respectively; and (3) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection (e): ``(e) Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary completes an administrative reorganization for which the Secretary submitted under subsection (b) a report containing a detailed plan and justification for the administrative reorganization, and not less frequently than once every 180 days thereafter until the date that is two years after the date of the completion of such administrative reorganization, 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 assessing the administrative reorganization using the performance metrics described in the detailed plan and justification pursuant to subsection (g)(2)(G).''.”
“Section 510 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (f)(2)-- (A) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``in improving outcomes for veterans and their spouses, dependents, and caregivers through the delivery of high quality, accessible, and timely health care, benefits, and other services the Secretary considers appropriate'' before the period at the end; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs: ``(G) A description of how the Secretary will analyze success of the reorganization using results based performance metrics that are derived from the justification for the reorganization.”
“``(f) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) The term `appropriate committees of Congress' means-- ``(A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and ``(B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. ``(2) The term `reduction in force' means any action that would have required notice under part 351 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2026.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 729 the following new item: ``729A. Reductions in force.''. SEC. 643. DETAILED PLANS AND JUSTIFICATIONS FOR REORGANIZATION OF OFFICES.”
“``(5) An assessment of the anticipated impact of the reduction in force on the delivery of benefits and services furnished by the Department and the actions the Secretary plans to take to mitigate any adverse impacts. ``(d) Equal Content.--A notice regarding a reduction in force sent to an employee pursuant to subsection (a) shall be the same as the notice submitted under such subsection to Congress for the same reduction in force. ``(e) Administrative Remedy.--A reduction in force carried out with respect to an employee in violation of subsection (b) shall have no force or effect with respect to such employee until the Secretary complies with subsection (a).”
“``(D) The services provided by the office. ``(3) A justification for the reduction in force, including how-- ``(A) the new staffing levels resulting from the reduction in force align with the current and future projected demand for benefits and services administered by the Department, disaggregated for each component by facility location, facility type, region, administration, program office, the type of benefit or service, and such other categories as the Secretary determines appropriate; and ``(B) the reduction in force aligns with the strategic human capital plan required by section 729 of this title. ``(4) Budgetary effects of the reduction in force.”
“``(b) Limitation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may not carry out any reduction in force with respect to any employee who has not received the notice required under subsection (a) in the manner and within the time required by such subsection. ``(c) Contents.--Notice regarding plans to carry out a reduction in force submitted pursuant to subsection (a) shall include the following: ``(1) The total number of employees of the Department who will be affected by the reduction. ``(2) The offices of the Department that will be affected by the reduction, including, for each such office, the following: ``(A) The location of the office. ``(B) The program of the Department carried out by the office. ``(C) The total number of employees of the office before and after the reduction in force.”
“(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, as amended [[Page H4599]] by section 641, is further amended by inserting after section 729 the following new section: ``Sec. 729A. Reductions in force ``(a) Notice Required.--In any case in which the Secretary plans to carry out a reduction in force, the Secretary shall, not later than the date that is 60 days before the date on which the Secretary commences carrying out such reduction in force, submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and the employees of the Department who will be affected by the reduction in force notice of the intention of the Secretary to carry out such reduction in force.”
“``(f) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) The term `appropriate committees of Congress' means-- ``(A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and ``(B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. ``(2) The term `veterans service organization' means any organization recognized by the Secretary under section 5902 of this title.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 728 the following new item: ``729. Strategic human capital plan.''. SEC. 642. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REDUCTION IN FORCE NOTICE REQUIREMENT.”
“``(e) Comptroller General of the United States Biennial Reviews.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the human capital plan is submitted to the appropriate committees of Congress pursuant to subsection (a), and not less frequently than once every 2 years thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall-- ``(1) review the strategic human capital plan developed pursuant to subsection (a) and updated pursuant to subsection (d), as the case may be, particularly with respect to the adequacy of the plan to fulfill the mission and responsibilities of the Department; and ``(2) submit to Congress the findings of the Comptroller General with respect to the review conducted pursuant to paragraph (1).”
“``(d) Annual Updates.--Not later than September 30, 2028, and on September 30 of each of year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an update on the implementation of the strategic human capital plan developed pursuant to subsection (a), including an assessment by the Secretary of-- ``(1) the progress of the Department in implementing the strategic human capital plan; ``(2) the progress of the Department in improving outcomes for veterans and their spouses, dependents, and caregivers through the delivery of high quality, accessible, and timely health care, benefits, and other services the Secretary considers appropriate using results based performance measures; ``(3) changes to projected demand for benefits and services based on new legislative action or other factors, disaggregated for each component by facility location, facility type, region, administration, program office and the type of benefit or service; ``(4) changes to the staffing levels included in the strategic human capital plan, including justifications for such changes, disaggregated by employee position, facility location, facility type, region, administration, program office, the type of benefit or service and such other categories as the Secretary determines appropriate; ``(5) any differentiation between the staffing levels included in the strategic human capital plan and those included in the budget justification materials most recently 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); and ``(6) any differentiation from the Quadrennial Veterans Health Administration review required by section 7330C of this title.”
“``(C) Specific strategies for recruiting and retaining veterans, spouses of veterans and members of the Armed Forces, family members of veterans and members of the Armed Forces, caregivers of veterans, and survivors of members of the Armed Forces as employees of the Department. ``(D) Specific goals to reduce the time to hire and onboard employees of the Department and a strategy to achieve such goals, including draft legislative language for any legislative action necessary to achieve such goals, without degradation of-- ``(i) necessary background checks; and ``(ii) measures to protect Department customer and employee safety.”
“``(2) An implementation plan that includes the following: ``(A) Specific recruitment and retention goals to fulfill the staffing needs identified in the strategic human capital plan and the strategy of the Department to achieve such goals. ``(B) Specific strategies-- ``(i) to improve workforce productivity using technological, organizational, behavioral, and such other approaches as the Secretary determines appropriate and productivity measures that are specific to employee positions and the benefits or services they provide; and ``(ii) that are informed by applicable industry best practices.”
“``(c) Contents.--The strategic human capital plan required by subsection (a) shall incorporate leading practices, including the following: ``(1) A workforce gap analysis, including an assessment of-- ``(A) the staffing levels of each employee position needed to deliver high quality, accessible, and timely health care, benefits, and other services the Secretary considers appropriate, disaggregated by employee position, facility location, facility type, region, administration, program office, the type of benefit or service, and such other categories as the Secretary determines appropriate; ``(B) how the staffing levels described in subparagraph (A) align with industry best practices in each employee position for the anticipated demand for health care, benefits, and other services described in subsection (b); and ``(C) core competencies, as defined by the Secretary, and the staffing levels needed in each of these core competencies, disaggregated by employee position, facility location, facility type, region, administration, program office, the type of benefit or service and such other categories as the Secretary considers appropriate.”
“``(b) Requirements.--(1) In developing the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall take into account and document current and future projected demand for benefits and services administered by the Department, disaggregated for each component by facility location, facility type, region, administration, program office, the type of benefit or service, and such other categories as the Secretary determines appropriate. ``(2) The Secretary shall develop and update the plan under subsection (a) in consultation with veterans service organizations and such other stakeholders as the Secretary considers appropriate.”
“Strategic human capital plan ``(a) Plan Development.--(1) Not later than September 30, 2027, the Secretary shall develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a five-year strategic human capital plan to support the mission and responsibilities of the Department, disaggregated by the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, the National Cemetery Administration, and such other administrative components of the Department as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out the mission of the Department. ``(2) Not later than September 30, 2028, and each September 30 thereafter, the Secretary shall update the plan developed pursuant to paragraph (1) and extend the plan so that it covers the next period of five fiscal years commencing immediately after the date of the update.”
“7601 note), including the current status of the pilot program and a timeline of the status of the pilot program since its initial implementation. Subtitle D--Optimization of Workforce SEC. 641. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS STRATEGIC HUMAN CAPITAL PLAN. (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 729.”
“(c) Update and Submittal of Data.--The data required to be provided under subsection (a)-- (1) shall be updated not less frequently than annually; and (2) may be submitted to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives as part of another report required by law. (d) Initial Data.--With the first iteration of data provided under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the implementation of the pilot program under section 246 of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018 (division J of Public Law 115-141; 38 U.S.C.”
“(b) Elements.--The data required to be provided under subsection (a) shall include, for each program, the following: (1) The number of active participants, broken down by position or expected future position or licensure. (2) The amount of funds spent each fiscal year. (3) The number of participants who have completed their education and are currently completing their service requirements at the Department of Veterans Affairs. (4) The number of participants who were previously active in the program but left the program before completing their education or service requirement during the year preceding the date on which the data is provided. (5) An overview of outreach by the Department to prospective participants in the program. (6) Such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate.”
“801 et seq.).''; and (4) in subsection (e), striking ``Nothing'' and inserting ``Except as provided in subsections (a) and (d), nothing''. SEC. 639. PROVISION OF DATA ON EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION. (a) In General.--Beginning not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives data on graduate medical education programs, health profession scholarship programs, and any other educational assistance programs within the Veterans Health Administration.”
“``(B) A health care professional conducting disability compensation evaluations pursuant to a contract with the Department.''; (3) in subsection (d)-- (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph (2): ``(2) State laws that may be inconsistent under paragraph (1) include-- ``(A) the laws of-- ``(i) the State of licensure, certification, or registration of the covered health care professional; [[Page H4598]] ``(ii) the State of practice of the covered health care professional; ``(iii) the State in which the patient is located; or ``(iv) the State of residence of the patient; and ``(B) such laws specified under subparagraph (A) as incorporated by the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.”
“Section 1730C of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any provision of law regarding the licensure of health care professionals or the prescribing of controlled substances, a covered health care professional may practice the health care profession of the health care professional and prescribe controlled substances at any location in any State or any of the Freely Associated States (as defined in section 1724(f) of this title), regardless of where the covered health care professional or the patient is located, if the covered health care professional is using telemedicine to provide treatment or prescribe controlled substances to an individual under this chapter.''; (2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) A health care professional who is a contractor of the Department acting in the scope of a contract with the Department to furnish care in a facility or clinic of the Department and who has an active, current, full, and unrestricted license, registration, or certification in a State to practice the health care profession of the health care professional, excluding the following: ``(A) A health care professional located outside a facility or clinic of the Department providing care through the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of this title or a similar authority under the laws administered 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 shall apply with respect to the second update under section 505(a)(3) of such Act beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act and each update thereafter. SEC. 638. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY OF LICENSURE OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS PROVIDING TREATMENT VIA TELEMEDICINE.”
“``(2) A description of the actions the Department is taking to improve the onboard timeline for facilities of the Department, including-- ``(A) in the case of facilities of the Veterans Health Administration, for facilities for which the duration of the onboarding process exceeds the metrics laid out in the Time to Hire Model of the Veterans Health Administration, or successor model; and ``(B) in the case of the Veterans Benefits Administration, for regional offices that exceed the time-to-hire target of the Office of Personnel Management. ``(3) The amount of additional funds necessary to enable the Department to reach full staffing capacity. ``(4) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary may have in order to achieve full staffing capacity at the Department.''.”
“301 note) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking ``information,'' and all that follows through ``facility:'' and inserting ``information:''; (ii) in subparagraph (B)-- (I) by inserting ``(i)'' before ``The number''; and (II) by adding at the end the following new clause: ``(ii) Information made available under this subparagraph shall be updated not less frequently than once each quarter to account for delays in data processing and shall reflect the most recently available data.''; (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``vacancies, by occupation.'' and inserting ``positions currently undergoing a recruitment action, disaggregated by occupation and by stage of recruitment.''; (iv) in subparagraph (E)(iii), by striking ``potential hires or''; and (v) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(F) The number of positions vacated during the quarter for which the Department has not initiated a recruitment action or is not planning to initiate a recruitment action.''; (B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); (C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph (5): ``(5) Display of information.--The display of information made publicly available on a website of the Department pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be disaggregated-- ``(A) by departmental component; ``(B) in the case of information relating to Veterans Health Administration positions, by medical facility; and ``(C) in the case of information relating to Veterans Benefits Administration positions, by regional office.''; and (D) in paragraph (6), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), by striking ``shall'' and all that follows and inserting the following: ``shall-- ``(A) review the administration of the website required under paragraph (1); ``(B) develop recommendations relating to the improvement of such administration; and ``(C) 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) the findings of the Inspector General with respect to the most recent review conducted under subparagraph (A); and ``(ii) the recommendations most recently developed under subparagraph (B).''; and (2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows: ``(b) Annual Report.--Each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report that includes the following: ``(1) A description of the steps the Department is taking to achieve full staffing capacity.”
“``(2) Authority to include in existing report.--The information required under paragraph (1) may be submitted independently or included in another annual report to Congress.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of subchapter I of chapter 74 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 7411 and inserting the following new item: ``7411. Reimbursement of continuing professional education expenses.''. SEC. 637. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PERSONNEL TRANSPARENCY. (a) In General.--Section 505 of the John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-182; 38 U.S.C.”
“``(e) Report Required.-- ``(1) In general.--Not less frequently than annually after the end of the first fiscal year following 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 information on utilization of reimbursement under this section, including-- ``(A) locations at which reimbursement is claimed; ``(B) position title and specialty of the individual claiming reimbursement; ``(C) average amount claimed per position and specialty; and ``(D) percent utilization by each position and specialty overall.”
“``(d) Priority Reimbursements.--In providing reimbursement under subsection (a), the Secretary shall prioritize reimbursement for individuals providing direct patient care or individuals who are decision-makers for direct patient care.”
“``(b) Authorized Reimbursement.--The Secretary may reimburse any full-time licensed practical or vocational nurse (including any nurse practitioner), medical technologist, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, diagnostic radiologic technologist, or social worker appointed under section 7401(3) of this title, not more than $1,000 per year for each such individual for expenses incurred for continuing professional education directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position of the employee or related to the duties and responsibilities of the position or positions of the employees overseen by the employee. ``(c) Maximum Number of Individuals Reimbursed.--The total number of individuals who may be reimbursed under this section may not exceed 50,000 per year.”
“Reimbursement of continuing professional education expenses ``(a) Required Reimbursement.--The Secretary shall reimburse any full-time physician, dentist, podiatrist, chiropractor, optometrist, psychologist, registered nurse (including any advanced practice registered nurse), or physician assistant appointed under section 7401(1) of this title not more than $1,000 per year for each such individual for expenses incurred for continuing professional education directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position of the employee or related to the duties and responsibilities of the position or positions of the employees overseen by the employee.”