Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015

1/11/2023, 1:29 PM

Congressional Summary of S 2134

Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the Grow Our Own Directive or G.O.O.D. pilot program to provide educational assistance to certain former members of the Armed Forces for education and training as VA physician assistants.

An individual is eligible to participate in the program if the individual:

  • has medical or military health experience gained while serving in the Armed Forces;
  • has received a certificate, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, master's degree, or postbaccalaureate training in a science relating to health care;
  • has participated in the delivery of health care services or related medical services; and
  • does not have a degree of doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, or doctor of dentistry.

The VA shall:

  • provide educational assistance to program participants for the costs of obtaining a master's degree in physician assistant studies or a similar master's degree,
  • ensure that mentors are available for program participants at each VA facility at which a participant is employed, and
  • seek to partner with specified government programs and with appropriate educational institutions that offer degrees in physician assistant studies.

The VA shall:

  • establish specified standards to improve the education and and hiring of VA physician assistants, and
  • implement a national plan for the retention and recruitment of VA physician assistants that includes the adoption of competitive pay standards.

VA physician assistant pay grades are established.

Current Status of Bill S 2134

Bill S 2134 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since October 5, 2015. Bill S 2134 was introduced during Congress 114 and was introduced to the Senate on October 5, 2015.  Bill S 2134's most recent activity was Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-252. as of November 18, 2015

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 2134

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
3
Democrat Cosponsors
2
Republican Cosponsors
1
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 2134

Primary Policy Focus

Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact Areas

Department of Veterans AffairsEmployee hiringGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementHealth personnelMedical educationStudent aid and college costsVeterans' education, employment, rehabilitationVeterans' medical care

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 2134

Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide educational assistance to certain former members of the Armed Forces for education and training as physician assistants of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to establish pay grades and require competitive pay for physician assistants of the Department, and for other purposes.Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015
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