Kaine & Boozman Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Veterans’ Access to Cancer Treatment, Address Staffing Shortages at VA

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act, bipartisan legislation that would remove an arbitrary cap on the pay of Therapeutic Medical Physicists (TMPs) and Diagnostic Medical Physicists (DMPs)-physicists who assist radiation oncologists in delivering cancer care and treatment-employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This legislation would also help address staffing shortages of TMPs and DMPs at the VA.

"Our veterans have made tremendous sacrifices and deserve access to world-class, timely health care," said Kaine. "But arbitrary caps on the pay therapeutic medical physicists and diagnostic medical physicists receive contribute to clinical staffing shortages at VA clinics-delaying patients' access to crucial cancer treatment. I'm proud to introduce commonsense, bipartisan legislation that would make it easier for the VA to hire staff providing cancer treatment and help our heroes access the care they need."

"Ensuring those who have served can access the high-quality, timely care they need is only possible if the Department of Veterans Affairs is empowered to recruit and retain the best healthcare providers," said Boozman. "That includes the personnel helping deliver radiation and imaging care. I'm pleased to join Senator Kaine and build on the bipartisan efforts I championed in the Dole Act to support competitive wages at the VA in order to better meet veterans' needs."

Over the past two decades, TMP and DMP salaries have increased nationwide as radiation therapy has become more sophisticated and common. However, VA TMPs and DMPs earn approximately $40,000 less than their private sector counterparts. By removing this arbitrary cap, this legislation would allow the VA to offer salaries competitive with the private sector, which would help address persistent staffing shortages that can delay cancer treatments.

"Medical physicists are essential members of the clinical care team, helping ensure that imaging and radiation treatments are accurate and safe-especially for patients with cancer," said Robin Miller, President of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. "Passing this legislation would help ensure veterans receive the highest-quality radiology and radiation oncology care. We commend Senators Tim Kaine and John Boozman for their leadership and commitment to improving care for veterans nationwide."

Full text of the bill is available here.

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