Bill > HR8017

This bill, the VA Workforce Investment and Expansion Act of 2022, aims to make several improvements to the workforce of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Key provisions of the bill include: 1. Requiring the VA to develop and implement a national rural recruitment and hiring plan for the Veterans Health Administration to recruit and retain healthcare professionals for rural and highly rural VA facilities. 2. Authorizing the VA Secretary to buy out non-VA service contracts of certain healthcare professionals (e.g., physicians, nurse practitioners) in exchange for them agreeing to work at rural or highly rural VA facilities for at least 4 years. 3. Establishing qualifications and performance metrics for VA human resources positions, and requiring the VA to develop a plan to recruit and retain human resources employees. 4. Increasing the pay cap for certain VA Health Administration employees from 30% to 50% above the Executive Schedule Level IV. 5. Expanding opportunities for housekeeping aides in the VA by exempting those positions from competitive service requirements. 6. Providing the VA Secretary additional authorities related to recruitment, relocation, and retention bonuses, awards programs, student loan repayments, and expedited hiring for certain positions. 7. Authorizing VA healthcare providers to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine, subject to certain requirements. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the VA's ability to recruit, retain, and compensate its workforce, particularly in rural and highly rural areas.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8017/all-info