; and (C) by striking (2)(A) For each year and all that follows through paragraph (1). and inserting the following: (2) Authorized Payments (A) Amount of payment (i) Full-time practice In the case of an individual who contracts to serve a period of obligated service under subsection (f)(1)(B)(iii)(I), for each year of the obligated service, the Secretary may pay up to $35,000 (or an amount equal to the amount specified in section 338B(g)(2)(A) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254l–1(g)(2)(A) )) on behalf of the individual for loans described in paragraph (1). (ii) Half-time In the case of an individual who contracts to serve a period of obligated service under subsection (f)(1)(B)(iii)(II), for each year of such obligated service, the Secretary may pay up to $17,500 (or an amount equal to half of the amount specified in section 338B(g)(2)(A) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254l–1(g)(2)(A) )) on behalf of the individual for loans described in paragraph (1). . 105. Improvements in hiring practices (a) In general Title VI of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act ( 25 U.S.C. 1661 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 605. Improvements in hiring practices (a) Direct hire authority The Secretary may appoint, without regard to subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of that title), a candidate directly to a position within the Service for which the candidate meets the qualifications standard established by the Office of Personnel Management. (b) Tribal notification (1) In general Before appointing, hiring, promoting, transferring, or reassigning a candidate to a Senior Executive Service position or the position of a senior level manager at an Area office or Service unit, the Secretary shall provide notice to each Indian tribe located within the defined geographic area of the Area office or Service unit, as applicable, of the content of an inclusion in an employment record. (2) Comment period Each Indian tribe that receives