Department of Veterans Affairs Therapeutic Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act of 2026

This bill, known as the "Department of Veterans Affairs Therapeutic Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act of 2026," aims to formally integrate and provide competitive compensation for therapeutic and diagnostic medical physicists within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It amends title 38, United States Code, to explicitly include these professionals in the VA's healthcare appointment categories. The legislation establishes clear qualification requirements , mandating post-graduate clinical training and board certification by a Secretary-approved body for both therapeutic and diagnostic medical physicists. A significant provision of the bill is the integration of these roles into the VA's special pay structure , aligning them with physicians, podiatrists, and dentists. This change is intended to address potential pay caps and make VA positions more attractive, thereby enhancing the department's ability to recruit and retain highly skilled personnel. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submit a report within one year of enactment. This report must assess the effects of increased pay for these medical physicists, covering both full-time employees and those providing care through agreements, as well as any associated changes to departmental costs.