To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize a joint scholarship program under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pays for medical education of an officer of the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service at the Uniformed Services University in return for a period of obligated service by such officer at a medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · December 12, 2024
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The Supporting Medical Students and VA Workforce Act would create a new scholarship program allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for medical education at the Uniformed Services University for officers in the Public Health Service commissioned corps in exchange for military service at VA medical facilities. Under the program, participating officers would have their medical school tuition and expenses fully covered by the VA, and after completing their medical degree and residency, they would commit to working full-time at a VA medical facility for up to ten years. The program would operate through an interagency agreement between the VA, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Defense, with the VA responsible for covering all education costs and related expenses. Officers who fail to complete their obligated service would be required to reimburse twice the total amount of their education and salary costs, though the VA Secretary could waive this penalty if deemed inequitable. This legislation aims to strengthen the VA's medical workforce by creating a pipeline of trained physicians committed to serving veterans.
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