118 STAT. 2641 PUBLIC LAW 108–445—DEC. 3, 2004 ‘‘(C) The number of unfilled physician positions and dentist positions in each specialty in the Veterans Health Administra tion, the average and maximum lengths of time that such positions have been unfilled, and an assessment of the reasons that such positions remain unfilled. ‘‘(D) An assessment of the impact of implementation of this subchapter on efforts to recruit and retain physicians and dentists in the Veterans Health Administration. ‘‘(3) The first two annual reports under this subsection shall also include a comparison of staffing levels, contract expenditures, and average salaries of physicians and dentists in the Veterans Health Administration for the current fiscal year and for the fiscal year preceding the current fiscal year, set forth by facility and by specialty.’’. (c) INITIAL RATES OF BASE PAY FOR PHYSICIANS AND DEN TISTS.—The initial rates of base pay established for the base pay steps under the Physician and Dentist Base and Longevity Pay Schedule provided in section 7431(b) of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (b)), are as follows: Base Pay Step: Rate of Pay: 1 ......................................................................................................... $90,000 2 ......................................................................................................... $93,000 3 ......................................................................................................... $96,000 4 ......................................................................................................... $99,000 5 ......................................................................................................... $102,000 6 ......................................................................................................... $105,000 7 ......................................................................................................... $108,000 8 ......................................................................................................... $111,000 9 ......................................................................................................... $114,000 10 ....................................................................................................... $117,000 11 ....................................................................................................... $120,000 12 ....................................................................................................... $123,000 13 ....................................................................................................... $126,000 14 ....................................................................................................... $129,000 15 ....................................................................................................... $132,000. (d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—(1) Notwithstanding the 60 day waiting requirement in section 7431(e)(1)(C) of title 38, United States Code (as amended by subsection (b)), pay provided for a physician or dentist under subchapter III of chapter 74 of such title, as amended by subsection (b), shall take effect on the first day of the first pay period applicable to such physician or dentist that begins on or after January 1, 2006. (2) Pay provided for the Under Secretary for Health under subchapter III of chapter 74 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by this section shall take effect on the first day of the first pay period applicable to the Under Secretary that begins on or after January 1, 2006. (e) TRANSITION PROVISIONS.— (1) PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS.— (A) PAY.—(i) The amount of the pay payable on and after the date of the enactment of this Act to a physician or dentist in receipt of pay under section 7404 or 7405 of title 38, United States Code, as of the day before such date shall continue to be determined under such section (as in effect on the day before such date) until the effective date that is applicable under subsection (d) to such physi cian or dentist, as the case may be. (ii) A physician or dentist appointed or reassigned on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, but before 38 USC 7431 note. 38 USC 7431 note. 38 USC 7431 note.
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