S.Amdt. 3408

1. Adds SEC. 1068. ASSURANCE OF ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR VETERANS HEALTH CARE at the end of subtitle G of title X

   Adds a section

   In S. 2400 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   "(5) Not later than the 15th day of the month following the beginning of the fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2005), the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to each Federal department, establishment, or agency receiving sanitary sewer services from the District of Columbia shall submit a report to the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate analyzing the promptness of payment with respect to the services furnished to such department, establishment, or agency.".

   Inserted: SEC. 1068. ASSURANCE OF ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR VETERANS HEALTH CARE.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

   Inserted: "Sec. 320. Assured funding for veterans health care

   Inserted: "(a) For each fiscal year, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs an amount determined under subsection (b) with respect to that fiscal year. Each such amount is authorized to remain available, without fiscal year limitation, for the programs, functions, and activities of the Veterans Health Administration, as specified in subsection (c).

   Inserted: "(b)(1) The authorized amount applicable to fiscal year 2005 under this subsection is the amount equal to 130 percent of the amount obligated by the Department during fiscal year 2003 for the purposes specified in subsection (c).

   Inserted: "(2) The authorized amount applicable to any fiscal year after fiscal year 2005 under this subsection is the amount equal to the product of the following:

   Inserted: "(A) The sum of--

   Inserted: "(i) the number of veterans enrolled in the Department health care system under section 1705 of this title as of July 1 preceding the beginning of such fiscal year; and

   Inserted: "(ii) the number of persons eligible for health care under chapter 17 of this title who are not covered by clause (i) and who were provided hospital care or medical services under such chapter at any time during the fiscal year preceding such fiscal year.

   Inserted: "(B) The per capita baseline amount, as increased from time to time pursuant to paragraph (3)(B).

   Inserted: "(3)(A) For purposes of paragraph (2)(B), the term 'per capita baseline amount' means the amount equal to--

   Inserted: "(i) the amount specified in paragraph (1), divided by

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   Inserted: "(ii) the number of veterans enrolled in the Department health care system under section 1705 of this title as of September 30, 2003.

   Inserted: "(B) With respect to any fiscal year, there shall be a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the per capita baseline amount equal to the percentage by which--

   Inserted: "(i) the Consumer Price Index (all Urban Consumers, United States City Average, Hospital and related services, Seasonally Adjusted), published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the increase is made, exceeds

   Inserted: "(ii) such Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period preceding the 12-month period described in clause (i).

   Inserted: "(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the purposes for which amounts are authorized pursuant to subsection (a) shall be all programs, functions, and activities of the Veterans Health Administration.

   Inserted: "(2) Amounts authorized pursuant to subsection (a) are not available for--

   Inserted: "(A) construction, acquisition, or alteration of medical facilities as provided in subchapter I of chapter 81 of this title (other than for such repairs as were provided for before the date of the enactment of this section through the Medical Care appropriation for the Department); or

   Inserted: "(B) grants under subchapter III of chapter 81 of this title.".

   Inserted: (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

   Inserted: "320. Assured funding for veterans health care.".

   Inserted: "(b) For each fiscal year, the amount determined under subsection (b) with respect to that fiscal year shall be made available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs subject to appropriations. The amount appropriated shall be mandatory spending.".

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

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As printed