Caring for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) requires sharp assessment, time- and labor-intensive physical skills, and genuine empathy. Despite aggressive hiring practices during the pandemic and recent congressional approval to raise pay caps for key personnel, low staffing levels persist throughout the SCI/D system. These staffing shortfalls continue to have a direct, adverse impact on VA's SCI/D system of care. 

Congress should provide VA with additional tools to hire, train, and recruit the personnel it needs to care for veterans by passing the bipartisan S. 10, the VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023.

PVA Position:

Congress must pass S.10, the CAREERS Act, which would increase pay caps to help VA attract and retain top healthcare talent to ensure veterans receive timely, high-quality care.