VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023 This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel matters and the training, recruitment, and retention of VA health care employees. Among other requirements, the VA must expand various staff training efforts and programs; comply with certain notification and staffing requirements when a VA medical center director is on detail; prescribe a system of pay for individuals appointed as directors of medical centers and directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks; and establish a consolidated annual leave account for certain VA employees with restored leave during 2020, 2021, and 2022. The bill also authorizes the VA to waive pay limitations for employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who are performing mission critical work; increases the maximum amount of incentive pay for pharmacist executives; modifies the special pay authority for nurse executives and the administration of pay for VA physicians, podiatrists, optometrists, and dentists; authorizes a waiver of certain licensure requirements for psychologists and mental health counselors in certain circumstances; requires the Inspector General of the VA to study and report on the use of direct hire authority, the contributions made by the use of such authority, and any vulnerabilities or inconsistencies with respect to the use of such authority; includes VA police officers as law enforcement officers for purposes of the federal retirement system; and requires the Government Accountability Office to report on human resources modernization conducted by the VHA.
The bill has significant potential implications for state laws governing the recruitment and compensation of healthcare professionals within the VA system. By authorizing the VA to waive certain pay limitations for mission-critical roles, it supports the agency's ability to respond proactively to staffing shortages and operational needs. Additionally, the increase in maximum incentive pay for pharmacist executives and modifications to pay authority for nurse executives aim to encourage higher performance and attract top-level administrators. Moreover, the establishment of programs to reimburse continuing education expenses promotes ongoing professional development among VA employees.
SB10, titled the VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023, aims to enhance the workforce of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by addressing various personnel matters. Key highlights of the bill include measures aimed at improving the recruitment and retention of health care employees within the VA system. To achieve this, the bill mandates expanded training programs, modifications to pay scales for clinicians, and adjustments to licensure requirements for specific health professionals. This comprehensive approach seeks to ensure that the VA can attract and retain qualified personnel to serve veterans effectively.
While SB10 has garnered support for its focus on improving health services for veterans, it has also faced scrutiny regarding the potential increase in administrative burden and the financial implications of the expanded pay and benefits for VA staff. There is concern about how these changes will be funded and whether they could detract from other critical areas within the VA budget. Opponents emphasize the need for careful oversight to ensure that the intended outcomes, such as improved veteran services, are genuinely achieved without compromising fiscal responsibility.