Veterans' Health-Care Programs Amendments of 1988

Summary

Veterans' Health-Care Programs Amendments of 1988 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to prohibit the Administrator of Veterans Affairs from furnishing treatment and rehabilitation for alcohol or drug dependence or abuse disabilities of veterans after September 30, 1991. Extends through FY 1992 the authority of the President to authorize the Administrator to contract with the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in the Republic of the Philippines to provide for payments for care in the VMMC for eligible U.S. veterans. Extends through FY 1992 the authority of the Administrator to make grants annually to the VMMC for equipment upgrading and replacement and rehabilitation of the physical plant and facilities. Increases the amount of grants authorized. Excludes personnel hired for services provided to the Department of Defense under sharing agreements for health care resources between the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Department of Defense from any ceiling on full-time VA employees. Extends premium pay for nurses for work performed during certain hours or for overtime work to licensed practical or vocational nurses and nurse assistants of the VA Department of Medicine and Surgery (the Department). Excludes Department employees appointed and paid under general Federal provisions governing appointments in the competitive service from any Federal veterans' benefits provisions limiting employment outside of the VA. Revises provisions to include nurses who are retired military personnel and who are necessary to meet emergency employment needs in the category of Department personnel who are exempt from reductions in retirement pay under Federal provisions regarding pay administration in the competitive service. Waives parking fees at VA medical facilities for certain Department health-care employees who are eligible for basic pay increases. Provides that fees prescribed by the Administrator for parking facilities which are acquired by lease may be in effect only during the original term of the first lease by the VA of such facility. Rescinds a certain VA medical regulation relating to the use of community nursing home facilities. Authorizes the Administrator, as part of a pilot program to assist medical schools which are primarily State-supported, to transfer all right, interest, and title of the United States in certain medical equipment to such schools. Prohibits the VA canteen service from contracting for the performance by any individual not employed by the United States of any activity that would otherwise be performed by an individual employed by the United States who is compensated with nonappropriated funds. Declares that the head of such service may not be required to report to any VA official other than the Administrator and Deputy Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator, upon the recommendation of the Chief Medical Director of the VA, to appoint qualified individuals in the competitive civil service to the Department without regard to Federal provisions regarding examination, certification, and appointment in the competitive service. Requires the Administrator to apply the principles of preference for hiring established under such Federal provisions. Directs the Administrator, during FY 1989 and 1990, to carry out a pilot program in one medical region of the Department for an improved management system for amounts payable to the United States arising from programs administered by the Department. Requires the Administrator to develop an automated program to carry out billing and collection of fees. Sets forth the requirements of such program and the allocation of amounts received by the VA through such program. Provides that the amounts retained and allocated shall be used for: (1) pay and other personnel benefits to enhance the recruitment and retention of Department health-care employees; and (2) the supplement of medical equipment accounts of medical centers at which such accounts are deficient. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator, by October 1, 1988, to compile a list of individuals eligible for medical care under veterans' benefits provisions regarding survivors and dependents of certain veterans. Provides that the Administrator may pay benefits only to persons on such list. Directs the Administrator, no later than October 1, 1988, to establish a procedure for the periodic review of the need for, and the cost effectiveness of, such medical care. Requires the Inspector General of the VA to report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees on the Administrator's compliance with the establishment of such list and the procedure of such review. Directs the Administrator to study alternative methods for providing for the costs of such medical care and to report such study to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Makes military dependents who are eligible for medical care under Federal provisions regarding the armed forces eligible for health care under sharing agreements for health-care resources between the VA and the Department of Defense. Provides that certain non-physician directors of the VA Department of Medicine and Surgery shall be career appointees in the Senior Executive Service.

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Documents

2 official files

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 22 September 1988

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 28 July 1988

  Open at official source

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