Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 120.djvu/3480

 PUBLIC LAW 109–461—DEC. 22, 2006

120 STAT. 3449

(2) The medical, legal, and financial implications of each of the options identified, including recommendations regarding any statutory changes necessary for the Department to carry out any of the options identified. (3) A detailed cost-benefit analysis of each of the options identified. (4) Estimates regarding the length of time and associated costs needed to complete such a facility under each of the options identified. SEC. 822. BUSINESS PLANS FOR ENHANCED ACCESS TO OUTPATIENT CARE IN CERTAIN RURAL AREAS.

(a) REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a business plan for enhanced access to outpatient care (as described in subsection (b)) for primary care, mental health care, and specialty care in each of the following areas: (1) The Lewiston-Auburn area of Maine. (2) The area of Houlton, Maine. (3) The area of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. (4) Whiteside County, Illinois. (b) MEANS OF ENHANCED ACCESS.—The means of enhanced access to outpatient care to be covered by the business plans under subsection (a) are, with respect to each area specified in that subsection, one or more of the following: (1) New sites of care. (2) Expansions at existing sites of care. (3) Use of existing authority and policies to contract for care where necessary. (4) Increased use of telemedicine. SEC. 823. REPORT ON OPTION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER IN OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA.

(a) FEASIBILITY STUDY.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives of the House of Representatives a report identifying and outlining the various options available to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the placement of a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Okaloosa County, Florida. The report shall be prepared in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Air Force. (b) MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED.—The report under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) The feasibility of entering into a partnership with Eglin Air Force Base for the construction and operation of a new, joint Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense facility. (2) The medical, legal, and financial implications of each of the options identified, including recommendations regarding any statutory changes necessary for the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out any of the options identified.

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