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S.2484 PASSES HOUSE
(November 18, 2004)
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It has been a struggle to get S. 2484, the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Enhancement Act of 2004, cleared by Congress and sent to the President for signature and enactment. Congressman Lane Evans (D-IL), ranking Democratic member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee said, “It is unfortunate these critical measures were held up for so long, especially when we have service members coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan in need of health care and transition benefits.”
S. 2484 simplifies and enhances the pay system for VA physicians and dentists, and authorizes an alternative work schedule for nurses and provides special pay for nurse executives.
As amended, this bill will:
...Authorize VA to offer two additional options for alternative tours of duty for nurses working in VA health care facilities, as follows: (1) three 12-hour tours of duty in a week would be paid as 40 hours; and (2) nine months of work with three months off in a year that would be paid over a 12-month period.
...Authorize VA to provide nurse executives employed in VA health care facilities and VA’s Central Office special pay allowances of not less than $10,000 or more than $25,000.
...Establish the effective date of the reformed compensation system to be the first day of the first pay period that begins on or after January 1, 2006.
...Require the Secretary to submit a series of reports to Congress on the effectiveness of the reformed compensation system and include an assessment of its impact on recruitment and retention.
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