We are giving notice that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs intends to reestablish the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Academic Affiliations Council (Council or NAAC) for a 2-year period. The Secretary has determined that the Council is necessary and in the public interest.

Justification—Without the NAAC, VA would lose the structured advisory infrastructure through which critical guidance on clinical education, research, and care delivery have been delivered. The guidance and recommendations provided by the NAAC are uniquely informed by its composition of senior academic and clinical leaders and therefore cannot be replicated or obtained through any other federal committee government source or more cost effective less burdensome alternative.

Why Committee is Essential—For 80 years, VA has educated health professions trainees (HPTs) and is now the nation’s largest health care training platform. Under the Office of Academic Affiliations oversight, VA annually provides clinical education and training programs to more than 124,000 HPTs from more than 60 health professions. In partnership with nearly 1,500 academic affiliates, VA conducts HPE programs offered at 142 VA medical facilities to advance HPTs knowledge and skills in caring for Veterans. The NAAC serves as a “strategic compass” for VA by supporting its education mission and ensuring that education policies, training infrastructure, and affiliation partnerships evolve in step with changes in U.S. health care, emerging professions, and national workforce shortages. By providing evidence-informed recommendations, the NAAC helps ensure VA maintains a robust pathway of highly qualified health professionals who support Veteran care across all Veterans Health Administration medical centers.

In conclusion, this Notice of Intent states that reestablishing this Council is in the public interest, essential to the conduct of agency business, and that the information provided is not available through any other advisory committee or source within the Federal Government.

The point of contact is Jeffrey Moragne, Committee Management Office, Department of Veterans Affairs, Advisory Committee Management Office (00AC), 811 Vermont Avenue, 4th floor, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone (202) 714-1578; or email at Jeffrey.Moragne@va.gov.

Please see the Federal Register notice for additional information.