Veterans' Administration Health-Care Program Amendments of 1980

Summary

Veterans' Administration Health-Care Personnel Act of 1980 - Amends the Veterans' Administration Physician and Dentist Pay Comparability Act of 1975 to authorize the payment of special pay to physicians and dentists in the Department of Medicine and Surgery of the Veterans' Administration (VA) who are employed intermittently or less than half-time, occupy internship or residency positions, or are retired annuitants. Exempts physicians, dentists, nurses, and other health-care professionals employed by the Department from the Senior Executive Service. Directs the Administrator of the Veterans' Administration to appoint such licensed practical or vocational nurses, and nursing assistants as he or she may deem necessary for the medical care of veterans. Requires that such medical personnel have medical and technical qualifications as prescribed by the Administrator. Increases pay under the basic pay schedules for: (1) employees of the Office of the Chief Medical Director; (2) physicians and dentists; (3) nurses; (4) nursing support; and (5) clinical podiatrists and optometrists. Provides for special pay and additional pay under special guidelines for such personnel. Authorizes the Administrator to increase the rates of pay, within specified limits, for selected personnel in specified geographic areas in order to provide rates competitive with comparable health personnel by non-federal health care facilities in the same labor market. Requires the Chief of Staff of a VA medical center to be a full-time VA employee who does not receive remuneration of any kind from an affiliated institution. Permits chiefs of staff serving on a less than full-time basis to continue to receive remuneration from an outside source. Prohibits such employee from receiving increases in special pay. Authorizes the Administrator to provide support for the training of selected registered nurses and nurse practitioners for a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Stipulates that the personnel of the Department of Medicine and Surgery serving on less than full-time basis shall receive civil service retirement credit for such service only on a pro-rata basis. Excludes licensed practical or vocational nurses and nursing assistants from the jurisdiction of the disciplinary boards appointed by the Chief Medical Officer. Restricts the activities of the Special Medical Advisory Groups established by the Administrator to policy matters related to education and training arising in connection with the program with respect to which it was appointed. Stipulates that final decisions concerning employment at the VA facility must be made by the VA. Establishes a medical center advisory committee in each VA health-care facility to advise medical center management with respect to all matters concerning the provision of health care to eligible veterans and dependents. Authorizes the Administrator to appoint licensed practical or vocational nurses and nursing assistants to part-time or temporary positions without regard to civil service or classification rules. Authorizes the defense of such personnel in malpractice suits. Increases special and incentive pay for physicians and dentists in the Department of Medicine and Surgery. Establishes additional special pay for physicians and dentists serving in an area in which there are extraordinary difficulties in the recruitment and retention of such personnel. Establishes a Veterans' Administration Physicians' and Dentists' Pay Board. Sets forth the composition and duties of such Board. Requires the Board to investigate pay distinctions among VA doctors and dentists and such professionals in other Federal agencies and in the private sector and to report annually on the need for special pay as an incentive for recruitment of doctors and dentists by the VA. Requires the Administrator to conduct a pilot program and study for a specified period of time on the difficulties of recruitment and retention of nursing and nursing support personnel in at least six geographic regions. Requires the submission of the results of such study to Congress.

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Documents

3 official files

• Indefinitely postponed in Senate

  summary · EN · 5 June 1980

  Open at official source

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 15 May 1980

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 2 April 1980

  Open at official source

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