Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 105 Part 1.djvu/408

 105 STAT. 380 PUBLIC LAW 102-83 —AUG. 6, 1991 ods. If the President removes the Chief Medical Director before the completion of the term for which the Chief Medical Director was appointed, the President shall communicate the reasons for the removal to Congress. "(d)(1) Whenever a vacancy in the position of Chief Medical Director occurs or is anticipated, the Secretary shall establish a commission to recommend individuals to the President for appointment to the position. "(2) A commission established under this subsection shall be composed of the following members appointed by the Secretary: "(A) Three persons representing clinical care and medical research and education activities affected by the Veterans Health Administration. "(B) Two persons representing veterans served by the Veterans Health Administration. "(C) Two persons who have experience in the management of veterans health services and research programs, or programs of similar content and scope. "(D) The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. "(E) The Chairman of the Special Medical Advisory Group established under section 7312 of this title. "(F) One person who has held the position of Chief Medical Director (including service as Chief Medical Director of the Veterans' Administration), if the Secretary determines that it is desirable for such person to be a member of the Commission. "(3) A commission established under this subsection shall recommend at least three individuals for appointment to the position of Chief Medical Director. The commission shall submit all recommendations to the Secretary. The Secretary shall forward the recommendations to the President with any comments the Secretary considers appropriate. Thereafter, the President may request the commission to recommend additional individuals for appointment. "(4) The Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs who performs personnel management and labor relations functions shall serve as the executive secretary of a commission established under this subsection. "§ 306. Chief Benefits Director "(a) There is in the Department a Chief Benefits Director, who is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Chief Benefits Director shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation or activity and solely on the basis of demonstrated ability in— "(1) fiscal management; and "(2) the administration of programs within the Veterans Benefits Administration or programs of similar content and scope. "(b) The Chief Benefits Director is the head of, and is directly responsible to the Secretary for the operations of, the Veterans Benefits Administration. "(c) The Chief Benefits Director shall be appointed for a period of four years, with reappointment permissible for successive like periods. If the President removes the Chief Benefits Director before the completion of the term for which the Chief Benefits Director was appointed, the President shall communicate the reasons for the removal to Congress.

�