Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 93.djvu/1124

 93 STAT. 1092

PUBLIC LAW 96-151—DEC. 20, 1979

Public Law 96-151 96th Congress An Act Dec. 20, 1979 [H.R. 3892]

Veterans Health Programs Extension and Improvement Act of 1979. 38 USC 101 note.

To amend title 38, United States eode, to extend the authorizations of appropriations for certain grant programs and to revise certain provisions regarding such programs, to revise and clarify eligibility for certain health-care benefits, to revise certain provisions relating to the personnel system of the Department of Medicine and Surgery, and to assure that personnel ceilings are allocated to the Veterans' Administration to employ the health-care staff for which funds are appropriated; to require the Veterans' Administration to conduct an epidemiological study regarding veterans exposed to Agent Orange; and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That (a) this Act may be cited as the "Veterans Health Programs Extension and Improvement Act of 1979", (b) Whenever in this Act (except in section 306) an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code. TITLE I—EXTENSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF CERTAIN EXPIRING VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION HEALTH PROGRAMS GRANTS TO STATE HOME FACILITIES

38 USC 5033.

38 USC 641.

Effective date. 38 USC 641 note.

SEC. 101. (a) Section 5033(a) is amended by striking out "and a like sum for the succeeding fiscal year" and inserting in lieu thereof "a like sum for each of the two succeeding fiscal years, and such sums as may be necessary for the fiscal years ending September 30, 1981, and September 30, 1982". (b)(1) Section 641(a) is amended by striking out "$5.50", "$10.50", and "$11.50" and inserting in lieu thereof "$6.35", "$12.10", and "$13.25", respectively. (2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on January 1, 1980, but, with respect to fiscal year 1980, shall take effect only to such extent and in such amounts as may be specifically provided for such purpose in appropriation Acts. E X C H A N G E OF M E D I C A L INFORMATION

38 USC 5054.

38 USC 5055.

SEC. 102. (a) Section 5054 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: "(c) The Administrator is authorized to enter into agreements with public and nonprofit private institutions, organizations, corporations, and other entities in order to participate in cooperative health-care personnel education programs within the geographical area of any Veterans' Administration health-care facility located in an area remote from major academic health centers.". (b) Section 5055(c)(l) is amended by inserting "and for each of the three succeeding fiscal years" after "fiscal year 1979".

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