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“(a) Pilot Program.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 2022], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence a pilot program under which covered veterans eligible for hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under subsection (d)(1) of section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, may use a technology that has the capabilities specified in section 133(a) to schedule and confirm medical appointments with health care providers participating in the Veterans Community Care Program. “(b) Expansion or Development of New Technology.—In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary may expand capabilities of an existing appointment self-scheduling technology of the Department of Veterans Affairs or purchase a new appointment self-scheduling technology. “(c) Competition.—In contracting for the expansion of capabilities of an existing appointment self-scheduling technology of the Department or the purchase of a new appointment self-scheduling technology under the pilot program, the Secretary shall comply with section 3301 of title 41, United States Code, and award any such contract not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. “(d) Selection of Locations.—The Secretary shall select not fewer than two Veterans Integrated Services Networks of the Department in which to carry out the pilot program. “(e) Duration of Pilot Program.—“(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall carry out the pilot program for an 18-month period. “(2) Extension.—The Secretary may extend the duration of the pilot program and may expand the selection of Veterans Integrated Services Networks under subsection (d) if the Secretary determines that the pilot program is reducing the wait times of veterans seeking hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under the Veterans Community Care Program. “(f) Outreach.—The Secretary shall ensure that veterans participating in the Veterans Community Care Program in Veterans Integrated Services Networks in which the pilot program is being carried out are informed about the pilot program.

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