US Code

Public Law 119-88 (05/04/2026)

38 U.S.C. § 1711

Care during examinations and in emergencies

(a)
The Secretary may furnish hospital care incident to physical examinations where such examinations are necessary in carrying out the provisions of other laws administered by the Secretary.
[(b)
Pub. L. 107–135, title II, § 208(d)115 Stat. 2463 Repealed. , , .]
(c)
(1)
section 5902 of this title The Secretary may contract with any organization named in, or approved by the Secretary under, to provide for the furnishing by the Secretary, on a reimbursable basis (as prescribed by the Secretary), of emergency medical services to individuals attending any national convention of such organization, except that reimbursement shall not be required for services furnished under this subsection to the extent that the individual receiving such services would otherwise be eligible under this chapter for medical services.
(2)
The authority of the Secretary to enter into contracts under this subsection shall be effective for any fiscal year only to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts.

Pub. L. 85–85772 Stat. 1142 Pub. L. 94–581, title II90 Stat. 2856 Pub. L. 96–22, title II, § 20293 Stat. 54 Pub. L. 96–128, title V, § 501(a)93 Stat. 987 Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, § 402(d)(1)105 Stat. 239 Pub. L. 102–83105 Stat. 404–406 Pub. L. 107–135, title II, § 208(d)115 Stat. 2463 (, , , § 611; , §§ 202(e), 210(a)(2), , , 2862; , , ; , , ; , , ; renumbered § 1711 and amended , §§ 4(b)(1), (2)(E), 5(a), , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

section 3511 of this titlePrior section 1711 was renumbered .

Amendments

Pub. L. 107–1352002—Subsec. (b). struck out subsec. (b) which read as follows: “The Secretary may furnish hospital care or medical services as a humanitarian service in emergency cases, but the Secretary shall charge for such care at rates prescribed by the Secretary.”

Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a)section 611 of this title1991—, renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1), (2)(E), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 102–40Subsec. (c)(1). substituted “5902” for “3402”.

Pub. L. 96–221979—Subsec. (c). added subsec. (c).

Pub. L. 96–128Subsec. (c)(1). substituted “named in, or approved by the Administrator under,” for “recognized by the Administrator for the purposes of”.

Pub. L. 94–581, § 202(e)(1)1976—, substituted “Care” for “Hospitalization” in section catchline.

Pub. L. 94–581, § 210(a)(2)(A)Subsec. (a). , substituted “administered by the Administrator” for “administered by him”.

Pub. L. 94–581Subsec. (b). , §§ 202(e)(2), 210(a)(2)(B), substituted “hospital care or medical services” for “hospital care”, “the Administrator shall charge” for “he shall charge”, and “prescribed by the Administrator” for “prescribed by him”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1979 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–128section 601(b) of Pub. L. 96–128section 1114 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–581section 211 of Pub. L. 94–581section 111 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .