((a)) The Secretary, subject to the approval of the President, may use as medical facilities such suitable buildings, structures, and grounds owned by the United States on , as may be available for such purposes, and the President may by Executive order transfer any such buildings, structures, and grounds to the control and jurisdiction of the Department upon the request of the Secretary.

((b)) The President may require the architectural, engineering, constructing, or other forces of any of the departments of the Government to do or assist in the construction and alteration of medical facilities, and the President may employ for such purposes individuals and agencies not connected with the Government, if in the opinion of the President such is desirable, at such compensation as the President may consider reasonable.