OTHER REPORT REQUIREMENTS.

SEC. 202. OTHER REPORT REQUIREMENTS. (a) Report on Consolidation of Certain Programs.— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress, not later than March 1, 1997, a report on the advantages and disadvantages of consolidating into one program the following three programs: (1) The alcohol and drug abuse contract care program under section 1720A of title 38, United States Code. (2) The program to provide community-based residential care to homeless chronically mentally ill veterans under section 115 of the Veterans’ Benefits and Services Act of 1988 (38 U.S.C. 1712 note). (3) The demonstration program under section 7 of Public Law 102–54 (38 U.S.C. 1718 note). (b) Health Professional Scholarship Program.— (1) The Secretary shall submit to Congress, not later than March 31, 1997, a report setting forth the results of a study evaluating the operation of the health professional scholarship program under subchapter II of chapter 76 of title 38, United States Code. The study shall evaluate the efficacy of the program with respect to recruitment and retention of health care personnel for the Department of Veterans Affairs and shall compare the costs and benefits of the program 110 STAT. 771with the costs and benefits of alternative methods of ensuring adequate recruitment and retention of such personnel. (2) The Secretary shall carry out the study under this paragraph through a private contractor. The report under paragraph (1) shall include the report of the contractor and the comments, if any, of the Secretary on that report. (c) Enhanced Use Leases.— The Secretary shall submit to Congress, not later than March 31, 1997, a report evaluating the operation of the program under subchapter V of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code.