Bill > S2639

This bill, the Veterans Affairs Health Workforce Enhancement Act of 2014, aims to address physician shortages within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system by increasing the number of graduate medical education residency positions. Specifically, it mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs establish or ensure a sufficient number of residency positions at VA medical facilities experiencing a physician shortage. The Secretary must identify the specific medical specialties where shortages exist, including primary care and mental health, and allocate new residency programs and positions accordingly, while also informing Congress about the basis for these decisions. Furthermore, over a five-year period following the bill's enactment, the VA is required to add at least 2,000 new residency positions, with priority given to facilities that currently lack a residency program and are located in areas with a high need for veteran healthcare.