Barbara Mikulski: “this does attempt to recruit the very best and brightest in the field of primary care to the VA. I proposed the debt…”

“this does attempt to recruit the very best and brightest in the field of primary care to the VA. I proposed the debt reduction program, a student debt reduction program, back in 1992. Now, why do I approach this as debt reduction rather than scholarships? The scholarship program is very worthwhile, but there are many very talented people who have already graduated. They have a substantial student debt from studying either nursing or other primary care practices. What the $5 million would do would go towards reducing their student debt if they would enter VA services; they would get a year's worth of debt reduction for a year's worth of service. This way, we know they have completed their training, they have passed their licensing requirement, they are as fit for duty as the veterans they will serve. That is why we approached it from that policy standpoint. It also joins with the outstanding efforts being made by Senator Rockefeller to also develop other tools. I concur in the amendment, and I urge its adoption and ask it be accepted unanimously.”