A bipartisan bill backed by U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, aims to address doctor shortages at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers by making it easier to hire and retain highly skilled physicians.
The VA Salary Cap Waiver Adjustment Act would allow the VA secretary to issue waivers to VA medical directors, enabling them to exceed existing salary caps when needed to hire or retain highly skilled physicians.
“Our men and women in uniform served our country with patriotism and without conditions, and they deserve medical attention with a minimum of red tape,” said King, a senior member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
Higher private sector salaries are contributing to the VA’s doctor shortages.
Better compensation
The proposed measure aims to put VA facilities at more equal footing when it comes to compensation.
“The VA Salary Cap Waiver Adjustment would allow VA facilities to have a more competitive salary structure that will maintain high levels of care for our veterans and reduce the odds that the VA loses doctors to higher-paying opportunities elsewhere,” King said.
Other sponsors of the legislation are U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Supporters of the bill include the Vietnam Veterans of America Wounded Warrior Project, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In Maine, where veterans make up close to 10% of the population, the VA Maine Healthcare System offers services at 10 locations across the state, including a clinic in Portland that opened in 2022.
