Title 38 — Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-73
§7409 Contracts for scarce medical specialist services
Title 38 › Part PART V— - BOARDS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND SERVICES › Chapter CHAPTER 74— - VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION—PERSONNEL › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - APPOINTMENTS › § 7409
Summary
Allows the Secretary to make contracts with schools, clinics, or other qualified groups or people to provide scarce medical specialists at Department facilities. These can include doctors, dentists, nurses, and other specialist and support staff.
Full Legal Text
Title 38, §7409
Veterans' Benefits — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)The Secretary may enter into contracts with institutions and persons described in subsection (b) to provide scarce medical specialist services at Department facilities. Such services may include the services of physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, chiropractors, nurses, physician assistants, expanded-function dental auxiliaries, technicians, and other medical support personnel.
(b)Institutions and persons with whom the Secretary may enter into contracts under subsection (a) are the following:
(1)Schools and colleges of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, and nursing.
(2)Clinics.
(3)Any other group or individual capable of furnishing such scarce medical specialist services.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 4117 of this title prior to the repeal of that section as part of the complete revision of chapter 73 of this title by Pub. L. 102–40.
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–170 inserted “chiropractors,” after “optometrists,” in second sentence.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2003 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 108–170 effective at end of 180-day period beginning on Dec. 6, 2003, see section 302(h) of Pub. L. 108–170, set out as a note under section 7316 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 7409
Title 38 — Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73