House Amendment to S. 114, Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act, as amended

Floor Situation

On Friday, July 28, 2017, the House will consider the House Amendment to S. 114, the Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act, as amended, under a closed rule. S. 114 was introduced on January 12, 2017, by Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) and was referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The Senate passed S. 114 by unanimous consent on May 25, 2017. On Monday, July 24, 2017, the House failed to pass an earlier version of the bill under suspension of the rules by a vote of 219-186.

Summary

Similar to version earlier voted on earlier this week, the House Amendment to S. 114 authorizes and appropriates $2.1 billion to be available without fiscal year limitation for the Veterans Choice Fund, extends through December 2027 the current $90 per month limit on a pension paid to veterans residing in nursing homes when their nursing costs are paid through Medicaid, extends through December 2027 the Secretary’s authority to collect fees for certain housing loans made, insured, or guaranteed by the VA, and extends through December 2027 the Secretary’s authority to use IRS income information.

In addition, the legislation adds additional provisions.  Title II of the House Amendment addresses personnel matters at the Department of Veterans Affairs by addressing annual staffing shortages in the Veterans Health Administration, establishing an Executive Management Fellowship Program, creating accountability of managers within the VA, encouraging transition of military medical professionals into the VA, and exit surveys of employees. Title II also calls for promotional opportunities for technical experts within the VA system and establishes a recruiting database. Title III authorizes certain major medical leases of the Department and authorizes appropriation for such leases.

Background

The Veterans Choice Program (VCP) was enacted on August 7, 2014 and provided $10 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for certain veterans to receive health care from participating providers in the private sector through August 7, 2017 or the date when the funds are exhausted. In April 2017, the President signed S. 544 into law, which removed the August 2017 sunset of the program.  Through the end of Fiscal Year 2016, the VCP spent roughly $6.6 billion for health care appointments, Hepatitis C drugs, and other community care. The VA estimated that up to $1 billion of the VCP funds could remain unobligated by August 2017[1]; however, increased use of the program has resulted in an estimation that this funding would likely be expended by mid-August.  This legislation provides an additional $2.1 billion in funding to extend the program for approximately six more months.

Cost

A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate is currently unavailable; however, CBO previously provided an informal estimate on that earlier version of the bill that the $2 billion authorization and appropriation was mostly offset by the mandatory savings realized through the other provisions in the bill.

Staff Contact

For questions or further information please contact Jake Vreeburg with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 2-1374.