S.Amdt. 2984

SA 2984. Ms. CORTEZ MASTO submitted an amendment intended to be
proposed by her to the bill H.R. 3944, making appropriations for
military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related
agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place in title II, insert the following:

SEC. ___. OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN VETERANS COMMUNITY
CARE PROGRAM.

(a) Conditions on Contract Expansion.--None of the funds
made available by this title may be used to expand or renew
contracts under the Veterans Community Care Program under
section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, unless the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs certifies to the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives that--
(1) a comprehensive oversight framework is in place for
monitoring contractor performance under such program;
(2) roles and responsibilities for contract oversight under
such program are clearly defined and documented; and
(3) performance metrics for such program are being used to
assess timeliness, quality of care, and veteran satisfaction
across all providers under such program.
(b) Limiting Redundant Use of Community Care.--The
Secretary shall ensure that--
(1) referrals to care under section 1703 of title 38,
United States Code, are made only when facilities of the
Department of Veterans Affairs cannot provide the required
care within clinical access standards; and
(2) preference for care provided to veterans is given to
care provided by the Department if capacity exists.
(c) Reporting Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after
the date of the enactment

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of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report
detailing the steps taken to ensure effective oversight,
prevent inappropriate overuse of community care, and improve
internal service capacity of the Department.
______