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

# Department of Veterans Affairs Therapeutic Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act of 2026 **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would address pay limitations for therapeutic medical physicists working at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Therapeutic medical physicists are specialized healthcare professionals who work with radiation therapy equipment to treat cancer patients. Currently, these employees face federal pay caps that may make it difficult for the VA to recruit and retain qualified professionals in this specialized field. The bill aims to provide relief from these pay restrictions, likely allowing the VA to offer more competitive salaries to attract experienced physicists. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions:** The bill primarily affects therapeutic medical physicists employed by the VA and the veterans who depend on cancer treatment services at VA hospitals.

By enabling higher compensation for these specialized positions, the legislation could improve access to quality radiation therapy services for veterans. The specific provisions of the bill remain in committee, so the exact mechanisms for pay relief have not yet been publicly detailed. **Current Status:** As of now, S 3771 is in committee and has not yet been brought to a full vote in the Senate. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, a Democrat, introduced the bill.