1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Veterans Access to Quality Care Act of 2017 . 2. Expansion of availability of prosthetic and orthotic care for veterans (a) Establishment or expansion of advanced degree programs To expand availability of care The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall work with institutions of higher education to develop partnerships for the establishment or expansion of programs of advanced degrees in prosthetics and orthotics in order to improve and enhance the availability of high quality prosthetic and orthotic care for veterans. (b) Report (1) In general Not later than one year after the effective date specified in subsection (d), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report setting forth a plan for carrying out subsection (a). (2) Development of plan The Secretary shall develop the plan required under paragraph (1) in consultation with veterans service organizations, institutions of higher education with accredited degree programs in prosthetics and orthotics, and representatives of the prosthetics and orthotics field. (c) Funding (1) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2017 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, $5,000,000 to carry out this section. (2) Availability The amount authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1) shall remain available for expenditure until September 30, 2020. (d) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 3. Provision of full practice authority for advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and other health care professionals of the department of veterans affairs (a) Full practice authority The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide full practice authority to advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and such other licensed health care professionals of the Department