March 9, 2001
VA Construction Bill Introduced
House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Smith (R-N.J.) March 1 introduced legislation (H.R. 811) to address VA's crumbling health care infrastructure. Citing the lack of significant funding for construction in the last two VA budgets, the Veterans' Hospital Emergency Repair Act authorizes $250 million in FY 2002 and $300 million in FY 2003 for the renovation and upgrading of VA facilities. Projects would be determined by the VA Secretary with the guidance of Congress and an internal capital investments board independent of the Veterans Health Administration. Chairman Smith also noted that the VA's Capital Assets Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) program was still several years away from full implementation.
Information: Jonathan Fishburn, AAMC Office of Governmental Relations, 202-828-0525.
