
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 38USC8157]

 
                      TITLE 38--VETERANS' BENEFITS
 
            PART VI--ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY
 
   CHAPTER 81--ACQUISITION AND OPERATION OF HOSPITAL AND DOMICILIARY 
FACILITIES; PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY; ENHANCED-USE LEASES OF REAL PROPERTY
 
SUBCHAPTER IV--SHARING OF MEDICAL FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND INFORMATION
 
Sec. 8157. Joint title to medical equipment

    (a) Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary may enter into 
agreements with institutions described in section 8153(a) of this title 
for the joint acquisition of medical equipment.
    (b)(1) The Secretary may not pay more than one-half of the purchase 
price of equipment acquired through an agreement under subsection (a).
    (2) Any equipment to be procured under such an agreement shall be 
procured by the Secretary. Title to such equipment shall be held jointly 
by the United States and the institution.
    (3) Before equipment acquired under such an agreement may be used, 
the parties to the agreement shall arrange by contract under section 
8153 of this title for the exchange or use of the equipment.
    (4) The Secretary may not contract for the acquisition of medical 
equipment to be purchased jointly under an agreement under subsection 
(a) until the institution which enters into the agreement provides to 
the Secretary its share of the purchase price of the medical equipment.
    (c)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may 
transfer the interest of the Department in equipment acquired through an 
agreement under subsection (a) to the institution which holds joint 
title to the equipment if the Secretary determines that the transfer 
would be justified by compelling clinical considerations or the economic 
interest of the Department. Any such transfer may only be made upon 
agreement by the institution to pay to the Department the amount equal 
to one-half of the depreciated purchase price of the equipment. Any such 
payment when received shall be credited to the applicable Department 
medical appropriation.
    (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may 
acquire the interest of an institution in equipment acquired under 
subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that the acquisition would be 
justified by compelling clinical considerations or the economic 
interests of the Department. The Secretary may not pay more than one-
half the depreciated purchase price of that equipment.

(Added Pub. L. 102-405, title I, Sec. 103(a)(1), Oct. 9, 1992, 106 Stat. 
1973.)

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 8158 of this title.
