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H.R.2814 / 104th Congress

To authorize major medical facility projects and major medical facility leases for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 1996, and for other purposes.

See H.R.3376.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 20, 1995

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Construction Authorization Title II: Strategic Planning for Health Care Resources Title I: Construction Authorization - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out specified major medical facility projects, in specified amounts, in Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Texas, and Arizona. Provides an obligation limitation with respect to two outpatient clinic projects. (Sec. 102) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into leases for two medical facilities in Florida and New York, in specified amounts. (Sec. 103) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for FY 1996 for two Construction, Major Projects, accounts and for the Medical Care account, in specified amounts, with a limitation. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees (veterans' committees) on the health care needs of veterans in east central Florida. Prohibits the obligation of funds for the conversion of the former Orlando Naval Training Center Hospital in Orlando, Florida, until such report is submitted. Title II: Strategic Planning for Health Care Resources - Directs the Secretary, based on an analysis and recommendations of the Under Secretary for Health, to submit to the veterans' committees an annual report regarding long-range health planning of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Directs the Secretary to report annually to such committees showing the current Department priorities (listing the top 20) for proposed major medical construction projects. (Sec. 202) Specifies additional information required to be included in a prospectus submitted by the Secretary to the veterans' committees in connection with proposed medical facilities. (Sec. 203) States that the definition of "major medical facility project" shall include a project involving a total expenditure of more than $5 million in the case of a project which is principally for the alteration of a medical facility in order to provide additional space for the provision of ambulatory care. Repeals a provision of the Veterans' Medical Programs Amendments of 1992 which makes inapplicable to projects for which funds were appropriated prior to the enactment of such Act a prohibition on the appropriation, obligation, or expenditure of funds for any major medical facility project unless funds for such project have been specifically authorized by law. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating funds in excess of $500,000 from the Advance Planning Fund of the Department toward design or development of a major medical facility project until the Secretary submits a report to the veterans' committees on the proposed obligation and 30 days have passed since the receipt of such report. (Sec. 205) Requires the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to include such professional and auxiliary services as the Secretary finds necessary to carry out VHA functions. Requires the Under Secretary for Health to ensure that his office is staffed so as to provide appropriate expertise. Amends Federal provisions concerning the Office of the Under Secretary to: (1) repeal the requirement that the Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Health be a qualified doctor of medicine; (2) no longer require such Office to include a Director of Nursing Service, Pharmacy Service, Dietetic Service, Podiatric Service, and Optometric Service; and (3) no longer require one Assistant Under Secretary for Health to be a qualified doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine and another to be a qualified physician trained in geriatrics.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Stump, Bob [R-AZ-3] · R–AZ

Committees

  • Veterans' Affairs Committee
3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. See H.R.3376.

  2. See H.R.3019.

  3. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 216.

  4. Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 104-443.

  5. Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 104-443.

  6. Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

  7. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  8. Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

  9. Introduced in House

  10. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2814 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2814 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2814 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2814 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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