Summary

Authorizes the Secretary to assign physicians as traveling physicians for up to one year to provide health care at Department facilities located in U.S. territories and possessions. Assigned physicians must coordinate with non‑Department medical providers to ensure quality, coordinated care, and the Secretary must pay a relocation or retention bonus in addition to regular pay. The bill also makes a clerical update to the statutory table of sections to add the new provision.

Key Points

• Authorizes the Secretary to assign physicians as traveling physicians to Department facilities in U.S. territories and possessions for up to one year.
• Requires traveling physicians to coordinate with non‑Department medical providers to support high‑quality, coordinated care.
• Directs the Secretary to provide a relocation or retention bonus in addition to regular pay for traveling physicians.
• Does not specify bonus amounts or appropriate new funds; implementation details are left to the Department.
• Includes a clerical amendment to the statutory table of sections to add the new law.
• Targets physician staffing and access to care at Department facilities located outside the 50 States.
• Assignment authority is time‑limited per assignment (one year) rather than creating permanent transfers.

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