Reps. Cherfilus-McCormick, Ciscomani Reintroduce the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act

Washington, D.C. ─ Today, Representatives Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) reintroduced the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act.

Therapeutic Medical Physicists (TMPs) and Diagnostic Medical Physicists (DMPs) assist radiation oncologists in delivering high-quality cancer care and treatment for veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health system. This bill lifts the arbitrary pay cap imposed on VA TMPs and DMPs that harm veterans’ access to care and exacerbate clinical staffing shortages at VA medical facilities. 

Over the past fifteen years, TMP and DMP salaries have increased nationwide as radiation therapy has become more sophisticated and more common. However, VA TMPs and DMPs earn approximately $40,000 less than their private sector counterparts ― forcing the VA to overspend on contracted TMP/DMP services, which could be done more reliably in-house and at a much lower cost.

“Our veterans and wounded warriors deserve the highest quality cancer care available,” said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL). Unfortunately, too many VA facilities lack the necessary staff needed to deliver for our veterans. This common-sense, bipartisan legislation corrects a long-standing gap that has prevented veterans from receiving the first-rate oncology treatment they have earned fighting for us on the battlefield.”

“When our veterans and wounded warriors return home, they deserve access to convenient and high-quality care, especially when it comes to receiving cancer treatment,” said Congressman Ciscomani (R-AZ). “However, far too often, VA facilities lack the necessary equipment and staff needed to properly care for our veterans. The brave men and women who serve in our military are America’s heroes, and I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation to ensure they are able to receive the oncology care they need at VA facilities.”

“Medical physicists form an integral part of a patient's clinical care team, ensuring safe and precise diagnosis and treatment of disease, most often cancer,” said Dr. M. Mahesh, President of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. “If signed into law, this bill will ensure our veterans have access to the highest quality of radiology and radiation oncology care. We commend Representatives Cherfilus-McCormick and Ciscomani for their leadership on this important issue.”

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) have endorsed this legislation. 

The full text of the legislation can be found here.