Veterans' Health Care, Training, and Small Business Loan Act of 1981

Summary

Veterans' Health Care Act of 1981 - Extends from December 31, 1981, to September 30, 1982, the authority of the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to contract for hospital care or medical services in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands without reference to patient loads or incidence of provision of medical services for veterans treated by the Veterans' Administration in the contiguous 48 states. Authorizes the Administrator to furnish hospital care or nursing home care to a veteran of the Vietnam-era determined to be in need of such care for the treatment of a condition that may be associated with exposure to Agent Orange. Extends through September 30, 1984 (three additional years) the period during which Vietnam-era veterans may initially request psychological readjustment counseling. Permits the Administrator to provide medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans in Veterans' Administration medical facilities not being utilized for the care of eligible veterans. Extends through September 30, 1986 the period during which, the President may authorize the Administrator to provide for payments for hospital care and medical services in the Veterans' Memorial Medical Center, Philippines for eligible U.S. veterans. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982 through 1986 to make grants to such Center for the replacement and upgrading of equipment and the rehabilitation of the facilities. Entitles the United States to recover the costs of certain medical care and services furnished to a veteran for a non-service connected disability when such disability is covered by another form of insurance or compensation. Sets forth the formula and procedure for the United States' recovery against the insurer or other entity. Subrogates the United States to the rights of such veteran. Reduces the minimum number of hospital and nursing home beds the Administrator must establish in medical facilities of the Veterans' Administration. Requires the Administrator to maintain a contingency capacity to assist the Department of Defense in time of war or national emergency. Requires the Chief Medical Director to analyze annually, rather than periodically, agencywide admissions policies and the records of eligible veterans who apply for care but are rejected or not given immediate attention. Requires the Director to review the adequacy and geographic distribution of operating beds and the demographic characteristics of the veteran population. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the appropriate Congressional committees. Amends the Veterans Health Programs Extension and Improvement Act of 1979 to permit the expansion of the scope of the epidemiological study of the health effects of agent orange to include an evaluation of the long term adverse health effects in humans serving in the armed forces of the United States in Vietnam during the Vietnamese conflict or other factors involved in such service, including exposure to other herbicides, chemicals, medications, or environmental hazards or conditions. Permits the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to expand the scope of the literature analysis and review to include an analysis and review of the literature covering other studies relating to the effects of such factors.

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Documents

6 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 4 November 1981

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• House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment

  summary · EN · 2 October 1981

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• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 16 June 1981

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• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 2 June 1981

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• Reported to House with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 19 May 1981

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 7 May 1981

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