S.Amdt. 2756

1. Adds Subtitle E--Other Matters SEC. 641. IMPROVEMENTS TO AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT PHYSICIAN on page 291, line 21

   Adds a sectionPrinted page

   Inserted: Subtitle E--Other Matters SEC. 641. IMPROVEMENTS TO AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT PHYSICIAN.

   Inserted: (a) Extension of Temporary Authority.--Subsection (c) of section 704 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-183; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking "December 31, 2014" and inserting "December 31, 2016".

   Inserted: (b) Licensure of Contract Physicians.--

   Inserted: (1) Temporary authority.--Such section 704 is further amended--

   Inserted: (A) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and

   Inserted: (B) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection (d):

   Inserted: "(d) Licensure of Contract Physicians.--

   Inserted: "(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any law regarding the licensure of physicians, a physician described in paragraph (2) may conduct an examination pursuant to a contract entered into under subsection (b) at any location in any State, the District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, so long as the examination is within the scope of the authorized duties under such contract.

   Inserted: "(2) Physician described.--A physician described in this paragraph is a physician who--

   Inserted: "(A) has a current license to practice the health care profession of the physician; and

   Inserted: "(B) is performing authorized duties for the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a contract entered into under subsection (b).".

   Inserted: (2) Pilot program.--Section 504 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended--

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   Inserted: (A) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and

   Inserted: (B) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):

   Inserted: "(c) Licensure of Contract Physicians.--

   Inserted: "(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any law regarding the licensure of physicians, a physician described in paragraph (2) may conduct an examination pursuant to a contract entered into under subsection (a) at any location in any State, the District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, so long as the examination is within the scope of the authorized duties under such contract.

   Inserted: "(2) Physician described.--A physician described in this paragraph is a physician who--

   Inserted: "(A) has a current license to practice the health care profession of the physician; and

   Inserted: "(B) is performing authorized duties for the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a contract entered into under subsection (a).".

   Inserted: (c) Expansion of Pilot Program.--Subsection (b) of such section 504 is amended to read as follows:

   Inserted: "(b) Locations.--

   Inserted: "(1) Number.--The Secretary may carry out the pilot program under this section through not more than 15 regional offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

   Inserted: "(2) Selection.--The Secretary shall select the regional offices under paragraph (1) by analyzing appropriate data to determine the regional offices that require support. Such appropriate data shall include--

   Inserted: "(A) the number of backlogged claims;

   Inserted: "(B) the total pending case workload;

   Inserted: "(C) the length of time cases have been pending;

   Inserted: "(D) the accuracy of completed cases;

   Inserted: "(E) the overall timeliness of completed cases;

   Inserted: "(F) the availability and workload of the examination units and physicians of the medical centers in the regional office; and

   Inserted: "(G) any other data the Secretary determines appropriate.

   Inserted: "(3) Annual analysis.--The Secretary shall carry out the data analysis of the regional offices under paragraph (2) during each year in which the program under this section is carried out to determine the regional offices selected under paragraph (1) for such year.".

   Original wording

   On page 291, after line 21, add the following:

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As printed