JOINT DOD-VA PILOT PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR PHYSICIANS.

SEC. 738. JOINT DOD-VA PILOT PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR PHYSICIANS. (a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may jointly carry out a pilot program under which graduate medical education and training is provided to military physicians and physician employees of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs through one or more programs carried out in military medical treatment facilities of the Department of Defense and medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) Cost-Sharing Agreement.—If the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs carry out a pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretaries shall enter into an agreement for carrying out the pilot program under which means are established for each respective Secretary to assist in paying the costs, with respect to individuals under the jurisdiction of such Secretary, incurred by the other Secretary in providing medical education and training under the pilot program. (c) Use of Existing Authorities.—To carry out the pilot program, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall exercise authorities provided to the Secretaries, respectively, under other laws relating to the furnishing or support of medical education and the cooperative use of facilities. (d) Period of Program.—If the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs carry out a pilot program under subsection (a), such pilot program shall begin not later than August 1, 2002, and shall terminate on July 31, 2007. (e) Reports.—If the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs carry out a pilot program under subsection (a), not later than January 31, 2003, and January 31 of each 115 STAT. 1174year thereafter through 2008, the Secretaries shall jointly submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. The report shall cover the preceding year and shall include each Secretary’s assessment of the efficacy of providing education and training under the program.