DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON ALTERNATIVES FOR EXPANDING CARE FOR VETERANS IN RURAL AREAS.

SEC. 303. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON ALTERNATIVES FOR EXPANDING CARE FOR VETERANS IN RURAL AREAS.(a) In General.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may, through the Director of the Office of Rural Health, carry out demonstration projects to examine the feasibility and advisability of alternatives for expanding care for veterans in rural areas, which may include the following:(1) Establishing a partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate care for veterans in rural areas at critical access hospitals (as designated or certified under section 1820 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–4)).(2) Establishing a partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate care for veterans in rural areas at community health centers.(3) Expanding coordination between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service to expand care for Indian veterans.(b) Geographic Distribution.—The Secretary shall ensure that the demonstration projects carried out under subsection (a) are located at facilities that are geographically distributed throughout the United States.(c) Report.—Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report on the results of the demonstration projects carried out under subsection (a) to—(1) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and(2) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and each fiscal year thereafter.124 STAT. 1150