The Association of American Medical Colleges and American Psychological Association circulated a letter for organizational and institutional signatures to urge the Senate to pass the VIPER Act before the end of the year. NAVAPD was asked to be a signatory to the letter that will be sent to the Senate.

The VIPER Act is the VA Infrastructure Powers Exceptional Research Act of 2021. The House passed the VIPER Act on November 17, 2022. The VIPER Act would improve the functionality and efficiency of the VA Medical and Prosthetic Research program, while also ensuring continuity of existing research affiliations in light of updated guidance from the VA that would impact outside salary support for VA Physician researchers. 

The VIPER Act would:

• Clarify VA authority and add resources to improve the functionality and efficiency of the VA Medical and Prosthetic Research program.

• Allow critical research affiliations between VA medical centers and specific partner organizations to continue without disruption. Earlier this year, the VA unexpectedly issued updated guidance that prohibits VA employees involved in VA research from receiving compensation from outside sources, including a VA-affiliated Nonprofit Education and Research Corporation or an affiliated nonprofit medical school. This policy will be highly disruptive to thousands of research projects focused on improving veterans health led by VA scientists, many of whom have joint appointments with non-profit medical schools. Section 3 of the VIPER Act would resolve this issue by continuing to permit outside compensation for VA researchers through existing affiliations and provide the stability for the continuity of these important research projects that have the ability to improve the health not only of our veterans, but all Americans.

• Better align the VA research program with other federal research agencies through a waiver of Paperwork Reduction Act requirements.

• Support the VA research program in keeping pace with cutting edge technology through the expansion of hiring authorities for additional research occupations to enhance the diversity of the VA research workforce, increase scientific opportunities, and would lead to improved health care for veterans

On behalf of our membership, and all VA Physicians and Dentists, the FOVA letter of support was signed by NAVAPD President, Dr. Abate. NAVAPD fought very hard on behalf of our members to allow VA Physicians and Dentists to be able to have the ability to work outside the VA and we feel this should extend to those physicians and dentists doing research affiliated with non-profit medical schools. The NAVAPD Board fully supports the VIPER Act provisions that would allow important research to continue uninterrupted. This research, done by VA Physicians will benefit our Nation’s veterans and provide improved outcomes in the future of prosthetic care in VA.

We value your membership in NAVAPD and ask that you consider encouraging your colleagues to join us in our important work ensuring the highest quality healthcare to our nation’s veterans. You can contact us or reach out directly to your regional board member , and as always, please like us on Facebook and follow us on LinkedIn.