Joyce proposes bipartisan bill to help VA hire, retain high-quality nurses

Bipartisan legislation introduced on Oct. 12 by U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) would increase the rate of pay for certain nurses and other medical positions at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which is experiencing a shortage of quality professionals.

“With our nation on the verge of a nursing shortage, we cannot afford to undervalue the essential contributions our nurses make,” said Rep. Joyce, “not only when it comes to addressing the healthcare needs of our veterans, but also our continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Rep. Joyce introduced the Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse and Physician Assistant Retention and Income Security Enhancement Act, also known as the VA Nurse and Physician Assistant RAISE Act, H.R. 5575, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) to increase the pay limit on nurse and physician assistant salaries to help the VA attract and retain more healthcare talent. 

“Taking care of the brave men and women who have defended our country and our freedoms is the ultimate bipartisan cause,” Rep. Joyce said. “As the co-chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, I’m proud to work across the aisle to ensure the VA has the ability to attract and retain top-notch medical professionals and provide our heroes with the high-quality, timely care they deserve.”

Rep. Underwood also noted that increasing these pay limitations is “a critical step to ensure that our veterans have access to the high-quality care they deserve, from the very best clinicians our country has to offer.” 

The Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Affairs Physician Assistant Association, the American Academy of PAs, and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association endorsed the bill.