Physician Ambassadors Helping Veterans Act

“7405A. Physician Ambassadors Helping Veterans program

“(a) In general—The Secretary shall seek to use the authority under section 7405 of this title to employ physicians on a without compensation basis in any practice area or speciality for which—

“(1) the average waiting time for veterans seeking an appointment with a physician in such practice area or specialty exceeds the waiting time goals established by the Department; or

“(2) the Department facility where the physician will be employed has demonstrated staffing shortages, as determined by the Secretary.

“(b) Volunteer coordinators—There shall be in each medical facility of the Department a volunteer coordinator. The volunteer coordinator for a medical facility shall—

“(1) seek to establish relationships with medical associations serving the area where the facility is located;

“(2) recruit physicians for employment on a without compensation basis in the facility; and

“(3) serve as the initial point of contact for physicians seeking employment on a without compensation basis in the facility.

“(c) Qualifications—A physician employed on a without compensation basis shall agree, as a condition of being granted a credential or privilege to practice medicine in a facility of the Department, to commit to serving a minimum of 40 hours in the facility during the 12-month period beginning on the date on which such credential or privilege is granted.

“(d) Credentialing process

“(1) The Secretary shall ensure that each physician who seeks employment at the Department on a without compensation basis receives a credential or privilege to practice medicine in the Department, or a decision that such a credential or privilege will not be granted, by not later than 60 days after the date on which the physician requests such credential or privilege.

“(2) The director of a medical facility of the Department shall approve, and accept the services of, any physician who meets the qualifications under subsection (c) and receives a credential or privilege to practice medicine in the facility under paragraph (1).

“(e) Annual report—Not later than March 31 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on physicians employed on a without compensation basis at the Department. Each such report shall include, for the year preceding the year during which the report is submitted, each of the following:

“(1) The number of physicians employed on a without compensation basis by the Department in each of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks.

“(2) Information about staffing levels and appointment waiting times for facilities located in each such Veterans Integrated Service Networks.”