The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) applauded the introduction in the U.S. Senate of a bill that would lift a restrictive pay cap for medical physicists who work at Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers.
“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 AAPM, in a news release.
To date, the pay cap has hindered access for veterans to essential care and worsened staffing shortages at VA medical centers. Passing the legislation would help ensure veterans receive the highest-quality radiology and radiation oncology care, Miller said.
The bill was introduced by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and John Boozman (R-AR) and is companion legislation to H.R. 3489, the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act, which was introduced in the U.S. House in mid-2025.
