H.R. 3262 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to modify compensation levels for physician assistants (PAs) and to carry out a five-year pilot program to provide educational assistance to veterans training to be PAs at the department. CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $120 million over the 2017-2022 period, assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts.
The bill also would increase the fees charged to certain veterans who obtain loans guaranteed by VA. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3262 would decrease direct spending by $83 million over the 2017-2027 period. Because enacting the legislation would affect direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Enacting the bill would not affect revenues.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 3262 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.
H.R. 3262 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
