Fischer Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve VA Hiring, Retention of High-Skilled Doctors

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Angus King (I-ME), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the bipartisan VA Salary Cap Waiver Adjustment Act to allow the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to issue waivers to VA medical directors allowing them to exceed existing salary caps for the hiring and retention of physicians. “Hiring and retaining skilled physicians is a serious challenge within the VA and it needs to be addressed now,” Fischer said . “ Giving the VA flexibility to retain medical professionals will help it compete with private-sector salaries and ensure veterans receive high-quality care. I thank Senators King and Blumenthal for their leadership, and I will continue working to support Nebraska’s veterans.” “Our men and women in uniform served our country with patriotism and without conditions, and they deserve medical attention with a minimum of red tape,” King said. “The VA Salary Cap Waiver Adjustment would allow VA facilities to have a more competitive salary structure that will maintain high levels of care for our veterans and reduce the odds that the VA lose doctors to higher paying opportunities elsewhere.” “VA’s current salary cap is outdated and counterproductive — hindering the Department as it competes with the private sector to hire doctors,” Blumenthal said . “Our bipartisan bill gives VA authority to raise physician salaries. As the cost of living continues to skyrocket, VA needs this authority to recruit and retain the best doctors around to serve veterans.” The VA Salary Cap Waiver Adjustment Act would allow the VA Secretary to issue as many waivers as necessary and give VA medical facilities the ability to compete with the salaries of private healthcare jobs. This legislation is supported by Vietnam Veterans of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), and the American Legion. Background : The United States Congress passed, and the president signed the bipartisan Elizabeth Dole Act in December of 2024. This legislation allowed the VA to exceed salary caps for a limited number of highly trained physicians and for a limited time. Last month, Fischer welcomed VA Secretary Doug Collins to the Omaha VA Medical Center, where they discussed this issue. ###