    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 133, 116th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 116-12
    116th Congress

    An Act

    To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the grade and pay of
    podiatrists of the Department of Veterans Affairs. <>

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
    United States of America in Congress assembled,
    SECTION 1. CLARIFICATION OF GRADE AND PAY OF PODIATRISTS OF THE
    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Grade.--The list in section 7404(b) of title 38, United States
    Code, is amended--
    (1) by striking ``PODIATRIC SURGEON (DPM)'' and inserting
    ``PODIATRIST''; and
    (2) by inserting after the item relating to ``Physician and
    surgeon grade.'' the following new item:

    ``Podiatrist grade.''.
    (b) Pay.--
    (1) In general.--Section 7431 of such title is amended--
    (A) by striking ``physician and dentist'' each place
    it appears and inserting ``physician, podiatrist, and
    dentist'';
    (B) by striking ``physicians and dentists'' each
    place it appears and inserting ``physicians,
    podiatrists, and dentists'';
    (C) by striking ``physician or dentist'' each place
    it appears and inserting ``physician, podiatrist, or
    dentist'';
    (D) by striking ``physicians or dentists'' each
    place it appears and inserting ``physicians,
    podiatrists, or dentists'';
    (E) by striking ``Physician and Dentist'' each place
    it appears and inserting ``Physician, Podiatrist, and
    Dentist''; and
    (F) in subsection (e)(1)(A), by inserting
    ``podiatrists and'' before ``dentists.''.
    (2) Administrative matters.--Section 7433 of such title is
    amended by striking ``physicians and dentists'' each place it
    appears and inserting ``physicians, podiatrists, and dentists''.
    (3) Conforming amendment.--The heading of subchapter III of
    chapter 74 of such title <>  is
    amended by inserting ``, PODIATRISTS,'' after ``PHYSICIANS''.
    (4) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
    beginning of chapter 74 of such title <>  is amended by striking the item relating to subchapter
    III and inserting the following new item:

    ``subchapter iii--pay for physicians, podiatrists, and dentists''.

    (5) Technical amendment.--Section 7433 of such title is
    further amended--

    [[Page 846]]

    (A) by striking subsection (b);
    (B) in subsection (a)--
    (i) by striking ``(1) The Secretary'' and
    inserting ``The Secretary''; and
    (ii) by redesignating paragraph (2) as
    subsection (b); and
    (C) in subsection (b), as so redesignated--
    (i) by striking ``In prescribing'' and
    inserting ``Recommendations and Views.--In
    prescribing''; and
    (ii) by striking ``this paragraph'' and
    inserting ``this subsection''.

    Approved April 8, 2019.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 863:
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    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 165 (2019):
    Mar. 25, considered and passed Senate.
    Mar. 28, considered and passed House.