(a)
(1) a facility of the Department;
(2) another facility pursuant to a Department contract for services relating to such delivery; or
(3) another location, including a health care facility, if the veteran delivers the child before arriving at a facility described in paragraph (1) or (2).
(b)
(c)
(d)
(2) Transportation furnished under subsection (a) includes transportation by ambulance, including air ambulance, or other appropriate medically staffed modes of transportation—
(A) to another health care facility (including a specialty pediatric hospital) that accepts transfer of the newborn child or otherwise provides post-delivery care services when the treating facility is not capable of furnishing the care or services required; or
(B) to a health care facility in a medical emergency of such nature that a prudent layperson reasonably expects that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would be hazardous to life or health.
(3) Amounts paid by the Department for transportation under this section shall be derived from the Medical Services appropriations account of the Department.
(e)
(2)(A) Reimbursement or payment by the Secretary under this section on behalf of an individual to a covered entity shall, unless rejected and refunded by the covered entity within 30 days of receipt, extinguish any liability on the part of the individual for the health care services or transportation covered by such payment.
(B) Neither the absence of a contract or agreement between the Secretary and a covered entity nor any provision of a contract, agreement, or assignment to the contrary shall operate to modify, limit, or negate the requirements of subparagraph (A).
(3) In this subsection, the term "covered entity" means any individual, transportation carrier, organization, or other entity that furnished or paid for health care services or transportation under this section.
(Added Pub. L. 111–163, title II, §206(a), May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1145; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. H, title XCI, §9102, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4781; Pub. L. 116–315, title III, §3006(a), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4994.)
A prior section 1786 was renumbered section 3686 of this title.
Another prior section 1786, added Pub. L. 89–358, §3(b), Mar. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 23, related to the examination of records, prior to repeal by section 316(1) of Pub. L. 92–540. See section 3690 of this title.
2021—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–315, §3006(a)(1)(A), inserted "and transportation necessary to receive such services" after "described in subsection (b)" in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 116–283, §9102(1), substituted "Except as provided in subsection (c), the Secretary" for "The Secretary" in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 116–315, §3006(a)(1)(B)–(D), added par. (3).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–315, §3006(a)(2), inserted before period at end ", including necessary health care services provided by a facility other than the facility where the newborn child was delivered (including a specialty pediatric hospital) that accepts transfer of the newborn child and responsibility for treatment of the newborn child".
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 116–283, §9102(2), added subsec. (c).
Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 116–315, §3006(a)(3), added subsecs. (d) and (e).
Pub. L. 116–315, title III, §3006(b), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4995, provided that:
"(1)
"(A) waive a debt owed by the veteran to the Department of Veterans Affairs or reimburse expenses already paid by the veteran to the Department for such transportation;
"(B) reimburse the veteran for expenses already paid by the veteran to a covered entity for such transportation; or
"(C) reimburse a covered entity for the costs of such transportation.
"(2)
"(3)