Sec. 775. Pilot program for participation by members of Selected Reserve in health professions scholarship and financial assistance programs
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Notwithstanding section 2123 of title 10, United States Code, and in accordance with such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for the purpose of carrying out this section, each Secretary of a military department shall carry out a pilot program under which that Secretary may modify service obligations for certain individuals under the health professions scholarship and financial assistance program of that military department, to expand participation in such program to such individuals.
To be eligible for participation in the pilot program under subsection (a), in addition to meeting the eligibility requirements under section 2122 of title 10, United States Code, an individual may not have previously been a member of the health professions scholarship and financial assistance program. As a condition of participating in the pilot program under subsection (a), an individual eligible under subsection
(b)shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary of the military department concerned pursuant to which the individual agrees— to participate as a member of the health professions scholarship and financial assistance program of that military department; to complete courses of study and specialized training under such program in a health profession discipline designated by that Secretary as a critically needed wartime discipline; and upon completion of participation in such program, to satisfy, in lieu of the active duty obligation under section 2123 of title 10, United States Code, a service obligation in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve of that military department for the period described in paragraph (2). The period described in this paragraph is a period of time of a length determined by the Secretary of the military department concerned, except that such period may not be shorter than a period equal to— each year of participation in the health professions scholarship and financial assistance program pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) multiplied by two and a half; plus if such participation was for a period of two years or fewer, an additional two and a half years. Unless otherwise specified by the Secretary of the military department concerned— any period of time spent in intern or residency training shall not be creditable in satisfying the service obligation under paragraph (1)(C); any period of time used to satisfy another military service obligation shall not be creditable in satisfying the service obligation under paragraph (1)(C); and the period described in paragraph
(2)shall be a consecutive period of time. A participant in the pilot program under subsection
(a)who is relieved of the service obligation under paragraph (1)(C) before the completion of that service obligation may be given, with or without the consent of the participant, either of the following alternative obligations, as determined by the Secretary of the military department concerned: A service obligation in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve of another military department for a period of time not less than the remaining service obligation of the participant. Repayment to the Secretary of Defense of a percentage of the total cost incurred by the Secretary under such pilot program on behalf of the member pursuant to the repayment provisions of section 303a(e) or 373 of title 37, United States Code. In addition to the alternative obligations specified in subparagraph (A), if a participant in the pilot program under subsection
(a)is relieved of the service obligation under paragraph (1)(C) by reason of the separation of the participant because of a physical disability, the Secretary of the military department concerned may give the participant a service obligation as a civilian employee employed as a health care professional in a facility of the uniformed services for a period of time determined by that Secretary, but not to exceed the remaining service obligation of the participant. The Secretary of Defense shall establish metrics, and carry out evaluations using such metrics, to determine the effectiveness of the pilot program under subsection (a). The authority to carry out the pilot program under subsection
(a)shall terminate on October 1, 2027. Not later than 180 days prior to the date on which the pilot program under subsection
(a)terminates, each Secretary of a military department shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the effectiveness of the pilot program. In this section: The terms course of study and specialized training have the meaning given those terms in section 2120 of title 10, United States Code. The term health professions scholarship and financial assistance program has the meaning given the term program under such section. The term member of the health professions scholarship and financial assistance program has the meaning given the term member of the program under such section.