Sec. 324. Limitation on expansion of dialysis pilot program
333 words·~2 min read·
/bill/113/s/1982/rts/section-324A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall not expand the dialysis pilot program to, or expand the capacity to provide additional dialysis care at, any facility owned or leased by the Department that is not an initial facility until after the date that— the Secretary has implemented the dialysis pilot program at each initial facility for a period of not less than two years; an independent analysis of the dialysis pilot program has been conducted at each initial facility, including a consideration and comparison of factors including— the ability of veterans to access care under the dialysis pilot program; the quality of care provided under the dialysis pilot program; and the satisfaction of veterans who have received treatment under the dialysis pilot program; and the report required by subsection
(b)has been submitted. Not later than 60 days after the date of the completion of the independent analysis required by subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that— includes the results of that independent analysis; and addresses any recommendations with respect to the dialysis pilot program provided in a report prepared by the Government Accountability Office. In order to increase the access of veterans to dialysis care and decrease the travel time of such veterans to receive such care, the Secretary shall fully utilize existing dialysis resources of the Department, including any community dialysis provider with which the Department has entered into a contract or agreement for the provision of such care. In this section: The term dialysis pilot program means the pilot demonstration program established by the Secretary in 2009 to provide dialysis care to patients at certain outpatient facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The term initial facility means one of the four outpatient facilities identified by the Secretary to participate in the dialysis pilot program prior to the date of the enactment of this Act. This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.