Veterans' Health Care Programs Improvements Act of 1986

Veterans' Health Care Programs Improvements Act of 1986 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to authorize the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to furnish respite care to eligible veterans. Defines "respite care." Directs the Administrator, no later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees concerning the provision of such respite care.

Authorizes the Administrator to contract to furnish hospital-based home care to a veteran, when medically appropriate, in lieu of furnishing hospital care or nursing home care to such veteran.

Authorizes the Administrator to contract to provide certain described services to veterans unable to perform a necessary act of daily living, but who do not require continual nursing home care as determined by the Administrator. Outlines a priority order for the furnishing of such services to veterans. Limits the total amount to be paid for such services to 60 percent of the cost of providing such veterans with nursing home care.

Authorizes the Administrator to contract for care and treatment and rehabilitative services in halfway houses, therapeutic communities, psychiatric residential treatment centers, and other community-based treatment facilities for the care of eligible veterans suffering from chronic mental illness disabilities. Requires the Administrator to approve the quality and effectiveness of such program before entering into a contract for such care. Requires the Administrator to designate a Veterans Administration (VA) employee to provide case management services for each veteran provided care and services under this provision. Authorizes the Administrator to contract to provide in-kind assistance under this provision. Requires the VA to receive full reimbursement from the contract facility for any such in-kind assistance provided. Directs the Administrator, no later than one year after the enactment of this Act, to report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees concerning the provision of such services.

Provides the authority to waive a specified licensing requirement for certain VA psychologists.

Provides for the inclusion of beds for domiciliary care in the determination of the total number of beds required by the VA for the care of veterans.

Requires the Administrator to determine the priority in the making of grants to States for State veterans' homes construction projects. Directs the Administrator, within 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to: (1) develop criteria for determining such priority; and (2) report on such priority and its implementation to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees.

Requires the Administrator to establish and maintain a record to be known as the Ionizing Radiation Registry containing hospital histories and medical data of each veteran exposed to ionizing radiation. Requires the Administrator to establish the Registry not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act. Requires certain other follow-up reports concerning such Registry.