38 USC § 7409 - Contracts for scarce medical specialist services

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t38/s7409"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "38 USC § 7409 - Contracts for scarce medical specialist services"
title_number: 38
title_name: "VETERANS’ BENEFITS"
section_number: "7409"
section_name: "Contracts for scarce medical specialist services"
chapter_number: 74
chapter_name: "VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION—PERSONNEL"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "APPOINTMENTS"
part_number: "V"
part_name: "BOARDS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND SERVICES"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, § 401(b)(2), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 229; amended Pub. L. 108–170, title III, § 302(f), Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2058.)"
---


# § 7409. Contracts for scarce medical specialist services

**(a)** The Secretary may enter into contracts with institutions and persons described in subsection (b) to provide scarce medical specialist services at Department facilities. Such services may include the services of physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, chiropractors, nurses, physician assistants, expanded-function dental auxiliaries, technicians, and other medical support personnel.

**(b)** Institutions and persons with whom the Secretary may enter into contracts under subsection (a) are the following:

**(1)** Schools and colleges of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, and nursing.

**(2)** Clinics.

**(3)** Any other group or individual capable of furnishing such scarce medical specialist services.

---

**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, § 401(b)(2), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 229; amended Pub. L. 108–170, title III, § 302(f), Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2058.)

## Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in  prior to the repeal of that section as part of the complete revision of chapter 73 of this title by .

### Amendments

2003—Subsec. (a).  inserted “chiropractors,” after “optometrists,” in second sentence.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Amendment by  effective at end of 180-day period beginning on , see , set out as a note under .