New York Consolidated Laws, Public Health Law - PBH § 3800. Policy and purposes of article

The availability of adequate numbers of competent personnel for the provision of health services required by the people of the state is essential to the public health.  Many of those returning from duty with the armed services possess experience acquired during assignment to military hospitals or other medically connected duty for which there exists a critical need in civilian health service fields.  It is the policy of the state to utilize this valuable resource in the protection and promotion of the health of the inhabitants of the state.

For that purpose the department of health is hereby vested with responsibility for the identification of veterans health manpower resources and the recruitment and qualification of veterans having experience in health fields for employment in health service occupations.