The Committee has already passed legislation to restrict reimbursement for beneficiary travel to eligible veterans. These restrictions are contained in Public Law 94-581 and Public Law 96-151, both of which amend Section 111, Title 38, United States Code. No further amendments are planned.

D. PRESIDENTIAL BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1982 FOR PROGRAMS UNDER EXISTING AUTHORIZATIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

The proposed budget calls for a reduction in average employment in the activities of the Department of Veterans Benefits of 186 in veterans services, 197 in compensation, pension and education, and 160 in the loan guaranty program. Additionally, a modest increase of 60 employees is called for in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and 39 in office services.

The Presidential Budget, during the last several years, has substantially underestimated the number of employees needed to deliver veterans' benefits. Last year, an urgent supplemental request of almost 500 employees was required by unmanageable workloads. In view of projected workload requirements, the Committee disagrees with the proposed reductions of 444 FTEE, and recommends restoration of these sorely needed benefits personnel to the programs from which they were removed.

Department of Medicine and Surgery plans called for a procurement of ten CAT Scanners for this year which, in the opinion of the Committee, is a very modest plan for this sorely needed medical equipment. The President's request is for 9 CAT Scanners, leaving an unfunded requirement of $650,000 for the additional Scanner which the Committee is recommending be funded.

The President requests an overall increase of employment (FTEE) of 651 for the Department of Medicine and Surgery for fiscal year 1982. Further review reveals that existing health care facilities are being reduced by 1,344 FTEE to provide for newly activated facilities and new medical programs. Four hundred and forty-five FTEE earmarked for newly activated nursing home facilities in fiscal year 1981 were utilized for inpatient hospital care; and, therefore, should be returned to the activity for which appropriated. Also, the 41 FTEE being transferred from the VAMC Washington, D.C. to Medical Administration and Medical Operating Expenses is appropriate. The deficiency in existing medical facilities totals 845 FTEE, and it is the Committee's recommendation that 845 FTEE and $14.279 million in funds be restored to the budget.

Testimony received from VA hospital officials in hearings conducted by the Committee in the 96th Congress indicated that the Unit

Dose Program was urgently required to assist hospital staff in reducing drug losses, which had become substantial. The Committee recommends increasing the President's budget by $7.4 million and 317 FTEE to provide appropriate resources to implement this Program in certain major VA Medical Centers.

The Committee is concerned that the President's Budget Request does not contain funds for the Geriatric Research and Care program, which was authorized by Public Law 96-330 on August 6, 1980. This program, which is discussed in other sections of this Report, is considered by the Committee to be of utmost importance in developing the medical methodologies necessary to treat the aging veteran population, which will be increasing dramatically in the next decade. As a consequence, it is recommended that 116 FTEE and $10.034 million be added to the budget for this program.

The Committee also recommends adding 49 FTEE and $1.5 million to implement the Preventive Health Program which was authorized by Public Law 96-22.

The VA Health Professionals Scholarship Program was authorized by Public Law 96-330 to assist the Department of Medicine and Surgery in solving its acute recruitment and retention problems with physicians and nurses. The program became effective October 1, 1980 and is available for utilization for any fiscal year thereafter only to the extent that appropriated funds are available for the scholarship program. No funds were requested in the fiscal year 1981 Supplemental Appropriation request or in the fiscal year 1982 Presidential Budget Request. The Committee recommends increasing the budget by $13.8 million and 10 FTEE to provide resources to implement this program. The Automatic Data Processing Program is a very important part of the medical care budget. With the increased emphasis placed on this Program by the Congress in the areas of pharmacy, centralized scheduling, clinical laboratory, and other health information systems, the Committee considers it necessary to add $2.307 million and ten FTEE to ensure successful implementation of this important capability.

Other Committee recommendations include continuing the grants to the Republic of the Philippines for the operations of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Manila at a cost of $1.2 million. In addition, the Committee recommends $13.9 million for two projects in the Medical Construction Program.

A. CONGRESSIONAL PROPOSALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1982 LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATIONS CONTROL

The Committee also expects to consider H.R. 1138 which proposes to extend the Veterans Readjustment Appointing Authority (VRA) to hire certain Vietnam and disabled veterans for another two years from October 1, 1981 to September 30, 1983. The Congressional Budget Office has advised that there is no additional cost involved in the extension of this program.

The Administration has recommended extending the delimiting period for two years for Vietnam veterans in on-the-job training and educationally disadvantaged Vietnam veterans in vocational, technical

or high school training. The Veterans Administration estimates such an extension would benefit 36,300 persons for Fiscal Year 1982 at a cost of $63 million. The Subcommittee on Education, Training and Employment plans to take up this proposal, together with other measures which would expand and improve training and assistance for certain Vietnam veterans who desire to take on-the-job, vocational or technical training.

This Committee amendment would extend for twelve months the authority of the VA to expend appropriated funds for grants to new State medical schools established under Subchapter I, Chapter 82, Title 38, USC. The present authority expires the seventh year after a grant has been made to such school. Only one new State medical school will be affected (Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio.) This authority would permit this school to expend funds in fiscal year 1982 that have already been granted to it by the VA. Without this authority, any grant funds not expended on or before September 30, 1981 would no longer be available to this school. This authority will provide for the most effective utilization of funds committed to this new State medical school.

This Committee bill would authorize the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to recover the cost of medical care furnished to veterans for non-service-connected conditions that are incident to employment (workmen's compensation), automobile accidents covered by automobile accident reparations insurance (no fault), and crimes of personal violence where the individual is entitled to receive health, care and services under State law or a political subdivision thereof as a result of such crime. While the cost savings under this bill are minimal, it is appropriate that the VA recover such costs where the veteran is entitled to receive the care by virtue of employment or by law of the State or political subdivision thereof.