VA Hiring Enhancement Act
1/11/2023, 1:49 PMSummary of Bill HR 3401
Bill 117 HR 3401, also known as the VA Hiring Enhancement Act, is a piece of legislation aimed at improving the hiring process within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 20, 2019 by Representative Andy Barr from Kentucky.The main goal of the VA Hiring Enhancement Act is to streamline and expedite the hiring process for medical professionals and other critical positions within the VA. The bill seeks to address the issue of lengthy hiring times and bureaucratic red tape that have hindered the VA's ability to recruit and retain qualified staff.
Specifically, the bill includes provisions that would allow the VA to waive certain hiring requirements, such as competitive hiring procedures, in order to fill critical positions more quickly. It also aims to improve the VA's recruitment efforts by allowing the department to offer competitive salaries and benefits to attract top talent. Additionally, the VA Hiring Enhancement Act includes measures to improve the VA's ability to hire and retain medical professionals in rural and underserved areas. This is particularly important as many veterans in these areas face challenges accessing quality healthcare services. Overall, the VA Hiring Enhancement Act is designed to help the VA address staffing shortages and improve the quality of care provided to our nation's veterans. The bill has received bipartisan support in Congress and is currently awaiting further action in the legislative process.
Congressional Summary of HR 3401
VA Hiring Enhancement Act
This bill modifies requirements and procedures related to the hiring of physicians at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Specifically, the bill negates enforcement of a noncompete agreement that an applicant for a specified appointee position (e.g., physician) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has entered into with a non-VA facility or party. As a condition of terminating the noncompete agreement, the physician must agree to serve at the VHA for one year or until the expiration of the noncompete agreement, whichever is later.
The bill also authorizes the VA to offer a contingent physician's appointment to a person if the VA anticipates that the person will have completed a residency program leading to board eligibility in a specialty and met other requirements for the appointment within two years after the VA offer.
Eligibility requirements for a VA physician's appointment are revised to require completion of a residency program rather than an internship.
