HR 919 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

February 9, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ AffairsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Veterans’ Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act of 2009’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITIES FOR RETENTION OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

(a) Secretarial Authority To Extend Title 38 Status to Additional Positions-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Paragraph (3) of section 7401 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘and blind rehabilitation outpatient specialists.’ and inserting the following: ‘blind rehabilitation outpatient specialists, and such other classes of health care occupations as the Secretary considers necessary for the recruitment and retention needs of the Department subject to the following requirements:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) Not later than 45 days before the Secretary appoints any personnel for a class of health care occupations that is not specifically listed in this paragraph, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Office of Management and Budget notice of such appointment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Before submitting notice under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall solicit comments from any labor organization representing employees in such class and include such comments in such notice.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) APPOINTMENT OF NURSE ASSISTANTS- Such paragraph is further amended by inserting ‘nurse assistants,’ after ‘licensed practical or vocational nurses,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Probationary Periods for Nurses- Section 7403(b) of such title is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘Appointments’ and inserting ‘Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, appointments’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (4); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraphs:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) An appointment of a nurse under this chapter, whether on a full-time basis or a part-time basis, shall be for a probationary period ending upon the completion by the person so appointed of 4,180 hours of work pursuant to such appointment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) An appointment described in subsection (a) on a part-time basis of a person who has previously served on a full-time basis for the probationary period for the position concerned shall be without a probationary period.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Prohibition on Temporary Part-Time Nurse Appointments in Excess of 4,180 Hours- Section 7405(f)(2) of such title is amended by inserting after ‘year’ the following: ‘, except that a part-time appointment of a nurse shall be for a period that does not exceed 4,180 hours’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Waiver of Offset From Pay for Certain Reemployed Annuitants-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Section 7405 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g)(1) The Secretary may waive the application of sections 8344 and 8468 of title 5 (relating to annuities and pay on reemployment) or any other similar provision of law under a Government retirement system on a case-by-case basis for an annuitant reemployed on a temporary basis under the authority of subsection (a) in a position described under paragraph (1) of that subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) An annuitant for whom a waiver under paragraph (1) is in effect shall not be considered an employee for purposes of any Government retirement system.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) An annuitant for whom a waiver under paragraph (1) is in effect shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 71 of title 5 (including all labor authority and labor representative collective bargaining agreements) applicable to the position to which appointed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) In this subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) The term ‘annuitant’ means an annuitant under a Government retirement system.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) The term ‘employee’ has the meaning under section 2105 of title 5.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) The term ‘Government retirement system’ means a retirement system established by law for employees of the Government of the United States.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date that is six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply to pay periods beginning on or after such effective date.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Minimum Rate of Basic Pay for Appointees to the Office of the Under Secretary for Health Set to Lowest Rate of Basic Pay Payable for a Senior Executive Service Position-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Section 7404(a) of such title is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘The annual’ and inserting ‘(1) The annual’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking ‘The pay’ and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) The pay’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by striking ‘under the preceding sentence’ and inserting ‘under paragraph (1)’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) The minimum rate of basic pay for a position to which an Executive order applies under paragraph (1) and is not described by paragraph (2) may not be less than the lowest rate of basic pay payable for a Senior Executive Service position under section 5382 of title 5.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the first day of the first pay period beginning after the day that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Comparability Pay Program for Appointees to the Office of the Under Secretary for Health- Section 7410 of such title is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘The Secretary may’ and inserting ‘(a) In General- The Secretary may’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Comparability Pay for Appointees to the Office of the Under Secretary for Health- (1) The Secretary may authorize the Under Secretary for Health to provide comparability pay of not more than $100,000 per year to individuals of the Veterans Health Administration appointed under section 7306 of this title who are not physicians or dentists to achieve annual pay levels for such individuals that are comparable with annual pay levels of individuals with similar positions in the private sector.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) Comparability pay under paragraph (1) for an individual is in addition to all other pay, awards, and performance bonuses paid to such individual under this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) Except as provided in paragraph (4), comparability pay under paragraph (1) for an individual shall be considered basic pay for all purposes, including retirement benefits under chapters 83 and 84 of title 5, and other benefits.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) Comparability pay under paragraph (1) for an individual shall not be considered basic pay for purposes of adverse actions under subchapter V of this chapter.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) Comparability pay under paragraph (1) may not be awarded to an individual in an amount that would result in an aggregate amount of pay (including bonuses and awards) received by such individual in a year under this title that is greater than the annual pay of the President.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Special Incentive Pay for Department Pharmacist Executives- Section 7410 of such title, as amended by subsection (f), is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Special Incentive Pay for Department Pharmacist Executives- (1) In order to recruit and retain highly qualified Department pharmacist executives, the Secretary may authorize the Under Secretary for Health to pay special incentive pay of not more than $40,000 per year to an individual of the Veterans Health Administration who is a pharmacist executive.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) In determining whether and how much special pay to provide to such individual, the Under Secretary shall consider the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) The grade and step of the position of the individual.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) The scope and complexity of the position of the individual.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) The personal qualifications of the individual.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) The characteristics of the labor market concerned.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) Such other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) Special incentive pay under paragraph (1) for an individual is in addition to all other pay (including basic pay) and allowances to which the individual is entitled.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) Except as provided in paragraph (5), special incentive pay under paragraph (1) for an individual shall be considered basic pay for all purposes, including retirement benefits under chapters 83 and 84 of title 5, and other benefits.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) Special incentive pay under paragraph (1) for an individual shall not be considered basic pay for purposes of adverse actions under subchapter V of this chapter.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) Special incentive pay under paragraph (1) may not be awarded to an individual in an amount that would result in an aggregate amount of pay (including bonuses and awards) received by such individual in a year under this title that is greater than the annual pay of the President.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Pay for Physicians and Dentists-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) NON-FOREIGN COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT ALLOWANCE- Section 7431(b) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) The non-foreign cost of living adjustment allowance authorized under section 5941 of title 5 for physicians and dentists whose pay is set under this section shall be determined as a percentage of base pay only.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) MARKET PAY DETERMINATIONS FOR PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS IN ADMINISTRATIVE OR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS- Section 7431(c)(4)(B)(i) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘The Secretary may exempt physicians and dentists occupying administrative or executive leadership positions from the requirements of the previous sentence.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) EXCEPTION TO PROHIBITION ON REDUCTION OF MARKET PAY- Section 7431(c)(7) of such title is amended by striking ‘concerned.’ and inserting ‘concerned, unless there is a change in board certification or reduction of privileges.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Adjustment of Pay Cap for Nurses- Section 7451(c)(2) of such title is amended by striking ‘title 5’ and inserting ‘title 5 or in level of GS-15 as prescribed under section 5332 of such title, whichever is greater’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Exemption for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists From Limitation on Authorized Competitive Pay- Section 7451(c)(2) of such title is further amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ‘The maximum rate of basic pay for a grade for the position of certified registered nurse anesthetist pursuant to an adjustment under subsection (d) may exceed the maximum rate otherwise provided in the preceding sentence.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(k) Locality Pay Scale Computations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND SUPPORT FOR FACILITY DIRECTORS IN WAGE SURVEYS- Section 7451(d)(3) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) The Under Secretary for Health shall provide appropriate education, training, and support to directors of Department health-care facilities in the conduct and use of surveys under this paragraph.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) INFORMATION ON METHODOLOGY USED IN WAGE SURVEYS- Section 7451(e)(4) of such title is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph (D):CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) In any case in which the director conducts such a wage survey during the period covered by the report and makes adjustment in rates of basic pay applicable to one or more covered positions at the facility, information on the methodology used in making such adjustment or adjustments.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO PERSONS IN COVERED POSITIONS- Section 7451(e) of such title is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6)(A) Upon the request of an individual described in subparagraph (B) for a report provided under paragraph (4) with respect to a Department health care facility, the Under Secretary for Health or the director of such facility shall provide to the individual the most current report for such facility provided under such paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) An individual described in this subparagraph is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) an individual in a covered position at a Department health care facility; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) a representative of the labor organization representing that individual who is designated by that individual to make the request.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(l) Increased Limitation on Special Pay for Nurse Executives- Section 7452(g)(2) of such title is amended by striking ‘$25,000’ and inserting ‘$100,000’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(m) Eligibility of Part-Time Nurses for Additional Nurse Pay-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Section 7453 of such title is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘a nurse’ and inserting ‘a full-time nurse or part-time nurse’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in subsection (b)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in the first sentence--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) by striking ‘on a tour of duty’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) by striking ‘on such tour’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) by striking ‘of such tour’ and inserting ‘of such service’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) in the second sentence, by striking ‘of such tour’ and inserting ‘of such service’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in subsection (c)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking ‘on a tour of duty’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by striking ‘on such tour’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) in subsection (e)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘eight hours in a day’ and inserting ‘eight consecutive hours’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ‘tour of duty’ and inserting ‘period of service’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EXCLUSION OF APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL NURSE PAY PROVISIONS TO CERTAIN ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES- Section 7454(b)(3) of such title is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) Employees appointed under section 7408 of this title performing service on a tour of duty, any part of which is within the period commencing at midnight Friday and ending at midnight Sunday, shall receive additional pay in addition to the rate of basic pay provided such employees for each hour of service on such tour at a rate equal to 25 percent of such employee’s hourly rate of basic pay.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(n) Exemption of Additional Nurse Positions From Limitation on Increase in Rates of Basic Pay- Section 7455(c)(1) of such title is amended by inserting after ‘nurse anesthetists,’ the following: ‘licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and nursing positions otherwise covered by title 5,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. LIMITATIONS ON OVERTIME DUTY, WEEKEND DUTY, AND ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULES FOR NURSES.

(a) Overtime Duty-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Subchapter IV of chapter 74 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘Sec. 7459. Nurses: special rules for overtime duty

‘(a) Limitation- Except as provided in subsection (c), the Secretary may not require a nurse to work more than 40 hours (or 24 hours if such nurse is covered under section 7456) in an administrative work week or more than eight consecutive hours (or 12 hours if such nurse is covered under section 7456 or 7456A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Voluntary Overtime- (1) A nurse may on a voluntary basis elect to work hours otherwise prohibited by subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) The refusal of a nurse to work hours prohibited by subsection (a) shall not be grounds to discriminate (within the meaning of section 704(a) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-3(a))) against the nurse, to dismiss or discharge the nurse, or to take any other adverse personnel action against the nurse.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Overtime Under Emergency Circumstances- (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may require a nurse to work hours otherwise prohibited by subsection (a) if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the work is a consequence of an emergency that could not have been reasonably anticipated;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the emergency is non-recurring and is not caused by or aggravated by the inattention of the Secretary or lack of reasonable contingency planning by the Secretary;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) the Secretary has exhausted all good faith, reasonable attempts to obtain voluntary workers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) the nurse has critical skills and expertise that are required for the work; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) the work involves work for which the standard of care for a patient assignment requires continuity of care through completion of a case, treatment, or procedure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) A nurse may not be required to work hours under this subsection after the requirement for a direct role by the nurse in responding to medical needs resulting from the emergency ends.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Nurse Defined- In this section, the term ‘nurse’ includes the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) A registered nurse.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) A licensed practical or vocational nurse.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) A nurse assistant appointed under this chapter or title 5.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) Any other nurse position designated by the Secretary for purposes of this section.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 74 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7458 the following new item:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘7459. Nurses: special rules for overtime duty.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Weekend Duty- Section 7456 of such title is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty’ and inserting ‘scheduled 12-hour periods of service’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (b)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘service performed as part of a regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty’ and inserting ‘any service performed’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘regularly scheduled two 12-hour tours of duty’ and inserting ‘scheduled 12-hour period of service’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘regularly scheduled two 12-hour tour of duty’ and inserting ‘scheduled 12-hour period of service’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘regularly scheduled two 12-hour tours of duty’ and inserting ‘scheduled two 12-hour periods of service’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by striking subsection (c); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Alternate Work Schedules-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Section 7456A(b)(1)(A) of such title is amended by striking ‘three regularly scheduled’ and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting ‘six regularly scheduled 12-hour periods of service within a pay period shall be considered for all purposes to have worked a full 80-hour pay period.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS- Section 7456A(b) of such title is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘36/40’ and inserting ‘72/80’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘40-hour basic work week’ and inserting ‘80-hour pay period’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘regularly scheduled 36-hour tour of duty within the work week’ and inserting ‘scheduled 72-hour period of service within the bi-weekly pay period’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) in subparagraph (C)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) in clause (i), by striking ‘regularly scheduled 36-hour tour of duty within an administrative work week’ and inserting ‘scheduled 72-hour period of service within an administrative pay period’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) in clause (ii), by striking ‘regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty’ and inserting ‘scheduled 12-hour period of service’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) in clause (iii), by striking ‘regularly scheduled 36-hour tour of duty work week’ and inserting ‘scheduled 72-hour period of service pay period’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty’ and inserting ‘scheduled 12-hour period of service’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘regularly scheduled 12-hour tour of duty’ and inserting ‘scheduled 12-hour period of service’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. IMPROVEMENTS TO CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

(a) Reinstatement of Health Professionals Educational Assistance Scholarship Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Section 7618 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘December 31, 1998’ and inserting ‘December 31, 2013’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS- Paragraph (2) of section 7612(b) of such title is amended by striking ‘(under section’ and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: ‘as an appointee under paragraph (1) or (3) of section 7401 of this title.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Improvements to Education Debt Reduction Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INCLUSION OF EMPLOYEE RETENTION AS PURPOSE OF PROGRAM- Section 7681(a)(2) of such title is amended by inserting ‘and retention’ after ‘recruitment’ the first time it appears.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ELIGIBILITY- Section 7682 of such title is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘a recently appointed’ and inserting ‘an’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking subsection (c).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF ASSISTANCE- Section 7683(d)(1) of such title is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘$44,000’ and inserting ‘$60,000’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking ‘$10,000’ and inserting ‘$12,000’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers From Disadvantaged Backgrounds-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, may utilize the authorities available in section 487E of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 288-5) for the repayment of the principal and interest of educational loans of appropriately qualified health professionals who are from disadvantaged backgrounds in order to secure clinical research by such professionals for the Veterans Health Administration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) LIMITATIONS- The exercise by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of the authorities referred to in paragraph (1) shall be subject to the conditions and limitations specified in paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 487E(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 288-5(2) and (3)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) FUNDING- Amounts for the repayment of principal and interest of educational loans under this subsection shall be derived from amounts available to the Secretary of Veterans for the Veterans Health Administration for Medical Services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink