Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 6.djvu/402

 106 STAT. 4960 PUBLIC LAW 102-585—NOV. 4, 1992 (c) EXECUTION OF LEGAL INSTRUMENTS.— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall execute such legal documents as necessary to carry out subsection (a). The Secretary may include in such legal documents such terms, conditions, reservations, easements, and restrictions (other than those released pursuant to subsection (a)) as the Secretary considers necessary to protect the interest of the United States. '38 USC 1710 SEC. 525. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO EVALUATE INSTALLATION note. OF TELEPHONES FOR PATIENT USE AT DEPARTMENT HEALTH-CARE FACILITIES. (a) DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a demonstration project to evaluate— (1) the feasibility and desirability of (A) providing telephone service in patient rooms in Department of Veterans Affairs health-care facilities which do not currently provide such service, and (B) the use of telephones by the patients of such health-care facilities; and (2) the relative feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a variety of options for providing such service. (b) PROJECT ACTIVITIES. —(1) In carrying out the demonstration project under this section, the Secretary shall, at an appropriate number (as determined by the Secretary) of health care facilities, provide patients reasonable access to telephone service in patients' rooms to the extent feasible, and subject to paragraph (2). (2) The Secretary shall ensure that patients who use such telephones bear financial responsibility for the cost of any longdistance telephone calls made during such use. (c) PROJECT EVALUATION.— In carrying out the evaluation under subsection (a), the Secretary shall determine— (1) the cost of the installation, use, and maintenance of such telephones, including— (A) the amount of any savings which accrue to the facility by reason of such installation and use (including the amount of euiy savings that may result from any decrease in the amount of assistance in using telephones that the staff of the facility would otherwise provide to patients); and (B) any costs that result from providing special telephones or other special equipment to facilitate the use of telephones by disabled veterans; and (2) the effect of the use of such telephones on the therapeutic course of veterans who receive care at the facility; and (3) the relative feasibility and cost effectiveness of a range of options for providing access to telephone service, including— (A) the expenditure of appropriated funds; (B) the receipt of donated funds, equipment, and services; and (C) the procuring of equipment and services by the Veterans Csinteen Service. (d) REPORT. — Not later than September 30, 1994, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the demonstration project. The report shall contain the following: (1) The determinations of the Secretary under subsection (c).

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