VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017
USA115th CongressS-114| Senate
| Updated: 8/12/2017
Dean Heller
Republican Senator
Nevada
Veterans' Affairs Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Introduced
- In Committee
- On Floor
- Passed Chamber
- Enacted
VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 TITLE I--APPROPRIATION OF AMOUNTS FOR VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM (Sec. 101) This bill provides funding for the Veterans Choice Program. TITLE II--PERSONNEL MATTERS (Sec. 201) The annual determination of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) staff shortages shall include shortages for a minimum of five clinical and five nonclinical occupations for each network. (Such determination currently includes the five occupations for which there are the largest Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]-wide shortages.) (Sec. 202) The bill establishes in the VA an executive management fellowship program to provide Veterans Benefits Administration and VHA employees with training and experience in the private sector and private sector employees training and experience in the VA. Employees shall be selected in a manner that reflects veteran demographics and provides a preference for rural employees. (Sec. 203) The VA shall conduct an annual performance plan for each political appointee that is similar to the plan conducted for VA career senior executive employees. (Sec. 204) The VA may noncompetitively appoint a qualified former employee to any VA position within the competitive service that is one grade or equivalent higher than the person's most recent position. (Sec. 205) The VA shall establish a promotional track system for employees who are technical experts to advance without being required to transition to management positions. (Sec. 206) The VA shall prescribe regulations to allow for excepted service appointments of qualifying students and recent graduates leading to career employment. (Sec. 207) The VA shall establish a program to encourage service members with a military health care specialty to seek postmilitary employment with the VHA. (Sec. 208) The VA shall establish a single database that lists each vacant VA position that is: (1) critical, difficult to fill, or both; or (2) for a mental health professional. A qualified applicant for a position in the database who is not selected may elect to be considered by the VA for similar positions in the database. (Sec. 209) The VA shall provide VHA human resources professionals with recruitment and retention training. (Sec. 210) The VA shall develop and implement a plan to hire qualified directors for VA medical centers without a permanent director. (Sec. 211) The VA shall develop a standardized exit survey for employees and executives who voluntarily separate from the VA. (Sec. 212) Physician assistants are included in the list of VA health care personnel who must receive pay that is competitive with non-VA health care facilities. (Sec. 213) The VA may appoint highly qualified candidates without regard to competitive service provisions if there is a severe shortage of highly qualified candidates. (Sec. 214) The Government Accountability Office shall assess the VA's succession planning policies. TITLE III--MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES (Sec. 301) The VA may carry out major medical facility leases in specified amounts at certain locations. TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS (Sec. 401) The bill extends through FY2027: (1) the $90 monthly limit on a VA pension paid to veterans residing in nursing homes when their nursing costs are paid through title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; (2) VA authority to collect certain fees at current levels for housing loans made, insured, or guaranteed by the VA; and (3) VA authority to obtain veterans' income verification information from the Social Security Administration or the Department of the Treasury.
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Timeline
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S3190)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S3190)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S3190)
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3190)
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Received in the House.
Mr. Roe (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6151-6158; text of measure as received: CR H6151)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 114.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6196-6197)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 219 - 186 (Roll no. 408).
View VoteRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 480 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 114 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Rules Committee report shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read.
Rule H. Res. 480 passed House.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 480. (consideration: CR H6531-6538)
Rule provides for consideration of S. 114 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Rules Committee report shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 114.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on S. 114, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced that the aye had prevailed. Mr. Roe(TN) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of passage until later in the legislative day.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6557-6558)
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 414 - 0 (Roll no. 438). (text: CR H6531-6535)
View VoteMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
Senate agreed to the House amendments to the Senate bill by Voice Vote. (text as Senate agree to the House amendment: CR S4686)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendments to the Senate bill by Voice Vote.(text as Senate agree to the House amendment: CR S4686)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Presented to President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 115-46.
Armed Forces and National Security
AlabamaAppropriationsCaliforniaColoradoCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEmployee hiringEmployee performanceFederal officialsFloridaGeorgiaGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment lending and loan guaranteesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth facilities and institutionsHealth personnelHigher educationHome and outpatient careIndianaMaineMassachusettsMedicaidMedical researchMental healthMichiganMilitary medicineMontanaNew York StateNorth CarolinaPennsylvaniaPerformance measurementPublic-private cooperationSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaStudent aid and college costsTexasUser charges and feesVeterans' loans, housing, homeless programsVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensationVirginia
VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017
USA115th CongressS-114| Senate
| Updated: 8/12/2017
VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 TITLE I--APPROPRIATION OF AMOUNTS FOR VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM (Sec. 101) This bill provides funding for the Veterans Choice Program. TITLE II--PERSONNEL MATTERS (Sec. 201) The annual determination of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) staff shortages shall include shortages for a minimum of five clinical and five nonclinical occupations for each network. (Such determination currently includes the five occupations for which there are the largest Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]-wide shortages.) (Sec. 202) The bill establishes in the VA an executive management fellowship program to provide Veterans Benefits Administration and VHA employees with training and experience in the private sector and private sector employees training and experience in the VA. Employees shall be selected in a manner that reflects veteran demographics and provides a preference for rural employees. (Sec. 203) The VA shall conduct an annual performance plan for each political appointee that is similar to the plan conducted for VA career senior executive employees. (Sec. 204) The VA may noncompetitively appoint a qualified former employee to any VA position within the competitive service that is one grade or equivalent higher than the person's most recent position. (Sec. 205) The VA shall establish a promotional track system for employees who are technical experts to advance without being required to transition to management positions. (Sec. 206) The VA shall prescribe regulations to allow for excepted service appointments of qualifying students and recent graduates leading to career employment. (Sec. 207) The VA shall establish a program to encourage service members with a military health care specialty to seek postmilitary employment with the VHA. (Sec. 208) The VA shall establish a single database that lists each vacant VA position that is: (1) critical, difficult to fill, or both; or (2) for a mental health professional. A qualified applicant for a position in the database who is not selected may elect to be considered by the VA for similar positions in the database. (Sec. 209) The VA shall provide VHA human resources professionals with recruitment and retention training. (Sec. 210) The VA shall develop and implement a plan to hire qualified directors for VA medical centers without a permanent director. (Sec. 211) The VA shall develop a standardized exit survey for employees and executives who voluntarily separate from the VA. (Sec. 212) Physician assistants are included in the list of VA health care personnel who must receive pay that is competitive with non-VA health care facilities. (Sec. 213) The VA may appoint highly qualified candidates without regard to competitive service provisions if there is a severe shortage of highly qualified candidates. (Sec. 214) The Government Accountability Office shall assess the VA's succession planning policies. TITLE III--MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES (Sec. 301) The VA may carry out major medical facility leases in specified amounts at certain locations. TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS (Sec. 401) The bill extends through FY2027: (1) the $90 monthly limit on a VA pension paid to veterans residing in nursing homes when their nursing costs are paid through title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; (2) VA authority to collect certain fees at current levels for housing loans made, insured, or guaranteed by the VA; and (3) VA authority to obtain veterans' income verification information from the Social Security Administration or the Department of the Treasury.
Suggested Questions
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S3190)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S3190)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S3190)
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3190)
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Received in the House.
Mr. Roe (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6151-6158; text of measure as received: CR H6151)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 114.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6196-6197)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 219 - 186 (Roll no. 408).
View VoteRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 480 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 114 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Rules Committee report shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read.
Rule H. Res. 480 passed House.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 480. (consideration: CR H6531-6538)
Rule provides for consideration of S. 114 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Rules Committee report shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 114.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on S. 114, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced that the aye had prevailed. Mr. Roe(TN) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of passage until later in the legislative day.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6557-6558)
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 414 - 0 (Roll no. 438). (text: CR H6531-6535)
View VoteMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
Senate agreed to the House amendments to the Senate bill by Voice Vote. (text as Senate agree to the House amendment: CR S4686)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendments to the Senate bill by Voice Vote.(text as Senate agree to the House amendment: CR S4686)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Presented to President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 115-46.
Dean Heller
Republican Senator
Nevada
Veterans' Affairs Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee
Armed Forces and National Security
Related Bills
- HR 115-90: To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out certain major medical facility leases of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- S 115-233: A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out certain major medical facility leases of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- S 115-2807: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report regarding performance awards and bonuses awarded to certain high-level employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- S 115-2906: A bill to establish a permanent community care program for veterans, to improve the recruitment of health care providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to improve construction by the Department, and for other purposes.
- S 115-2193: Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017
- HRES 115-480: Providing for consideration of the bill (S. 114) to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report regarding performance awards and bonuses awarded to certain high-level employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- S 115-1550: A bill to improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire and retain physicians and other employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
- HR 115-1690: Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act
- Introduced
- In Committee
- On Floor
- Passed Chamber
- Enacted
AlabamaAppropriationsCaliforniaColoradoCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEmployee hiringEmployee performanceFederal officialsFloridaGeorgiaGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment lending and loan guaranteesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth facilities and institutionsHealth personnelHigher educationHome and outpatient careIndianaMaineMassachusettsMedicaidMedical researchMental healthMichiganMilitary medicineMontanaNew York StateNorth CarolinaPennsylvaniaPerformance measurementPublic-private cooperationSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaStudent aid and college costsTexasUser charges and feesVeterans' loans, housing, homeless programsVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensationVirginia