A bipartisan group of House members has reintroduced legislation aimed at the VA’s persistent difficulties in filling medical care positions by exposing those in medical studies to the department’s work in hopes that it will interest them as a career.
According to a summary by the sponsors, HR-1271 would create a three year pilot program in at least five Veteran Health Administration medical centers “to give undergraduates enrolled in pre-health programs the opportunity to gain clinical observation experience.”
“Students would earn a deeper understanding of veterans’ specific health needs and experiences and in the process create a viable pipeline of future VHA physicians and medical professionals. The program would prioritize students specializing in health professions with an identified staffing shortage, as well as first generation college students, students referred by minority-serving institutions, and veterans,” it says.
A similar bill passed the House in the prior Congress but did not pass the Senate.
