115 HR 1058 IH: VA Provider Equity Act U.S. House of Representatives 2017-02-14 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1058IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 14, 2017Mr. Wenstrup (for himself, Mr. Abraham, Ms. Brownley of California, and Mr. Ruiz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the role of podiatrists in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the VA Provider Equity Act.

2.

Role of podiatrists in Department of Veterans Affairs

(a)

Inclusion as physician

(1)

In general

Subchapter I of chapter 74 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

7413.

Treatment of podiatrists

For purposes of this chapter, the term physician includes a podiatrist.

. (2)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7412 the following new item: 7413. Treatment of podiatrists.. (3)

Conforming amendment

Section 7401(1) of such title is amended by striking Physicians, dentists, podiatrists, and inserting Physicians, dentists,. (b)

Qualifications

Section 7402(b) of such title is amended— (1)in paragraph (1)— (A)in subparagraph (A), by striking or of doctor of osteopathy and inserting , doctor of osteopathy, or doctor of podiatric medicine; and (B)in subparagraph (C), by inserting podiatry, after surgery,; (2)by striking paragraph (5); and (3)by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (14) as paragraphs (5) through (13), respectively. (c)

Period of appointment

Section 7403(a)(2) of such title is amended— (1)by striking subparagraph (C); and (2)by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (H) as subparagraphs (C) through (G), respectively. (d)

Modification of pay grade

(1)

Grade

The list in section 7404(b) of such title is amended by striking PODIATRIST,. (2)

Application

The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to a pay period of the Department of Veterans Affairs beginning on or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (e)

Contracts for scarce services

Section 7409(a) of such title is amended by striking podiatrists,. (f)

Personnel administration

Section 7421(b) of such title is amended— (1)by striking paragraph (3); and (2)by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (8) as paragraphs (3) through (7), respectively. (g)

Medical directors

Section 7306(a)(4) of such title is amended by inserting , doctor of podiatric medicine, after doctor of medicine. (h)

Application

The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to podiatrists employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs as of the date of the enactment of this Act or who are appointed on or after such date.