118 STAT. 365 PUBLIC LAW 108–199—JAN. 23, 2004 to and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘General operating expenses’’. NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) For administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan pro gram authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, subchapter V, as amended, $571,000, which may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘General operating expenses’’: Provided, That no new loans in excess of $50,000,000 may be made in fiscal year 2004. GUARANTEED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING LOANS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT For the administrative expenses to carry out the guaranteed transitional housing loan program authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, subchapter VI, not to exceed $600,000 of the amounts appro priated by this Act for ‘‘General operating expenses’’ and ‘‘Medical services’’ may be expended. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL SERVICES For necessary expenses for furnishing, as authorized by law, inpatient and outpatient care and treatment to beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans described in para graphs (1) through (8) of section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, including care and treatment in facilities not under the jurisdiction of the department and including medical supplies and equipment and salaries and expenses of health care employees hired under title 38, United States Code, and aid to State homes as authorized by section 1741 of title 38, United States Code; $17,867,220,000, plus reimbursements: Provided, That of the funds made available under this heading, not to exceed $1,100,000,000 shall be available until September 30, 2005: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Vet erans Affairs shall establish a priority for treatment for veterans who are service connected disabled, lower income, or have special needs: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall give priority funding for the provision of basic medical benefits to veterans in enrollment priority groups 1 through 6: Provided further, That of the funds made available under this heading, the Secretary may transfer up to $400,000,000 to ‘‘Construction, major projects’’ for purposes of implementing CARES subject to a determination by the Secretary that such funds will improve access and quality of veteran’s health care needs: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other provi sion of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may authorize the dispensing of prescription drugs from Veterans Health Administra tion facilities to enrolled veterans with privately written prescrip tions based on requirements established by the Secretary: Provided further, That the implementation of the program described in the previous proviso shall incur no additional cost to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
�
