Veterans’ Affairs Department
Default could have catastrophic effects for veterans
Denis McDonough, VA Secretary, said that a default on the debt on June 1 could impact VA payments, and that this would be “catastrophic”. McDonough pointed to the $12 billion in benefits expected to be paid to Veterans on June 1, roughly 7.1 million payees. McDonough also mentioned the other payments that could be impacted, […]
Veterans filing claims in increasing numbers, VA staff may burn out
After the passing of the PACT Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs has seen an increase of claims being filed. Although this is good news to the veteran community, addressing this increase of veterans completing and submitting claims may burn out the VA staff processing these claims. The burnout, in turn, risks slowing down the […]
The Department of Veterans Affairs to change its motto
Since 1959, the Department of Veterans Affairs used the following motto: To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan. This statement is attributed to Abraham Lincoln. Based on interviews they conducted with over 30,000 veterans, the VA learned that the motto needed to incorporate a wider […]
VA hospitals facing police staffing shortages
An audit was conducted by 150 inspectors across 70 VA hospitals over three days. One of the things that the auditors reported was a shortage of police officers staffing many hospitals. This challenge amplifies considering that surveillance footage must also be reviewed to investigate irregularities. The auditors reported that the police officers who do staff […]
VA Employees with criminal history related to drugs
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report states that hundreds of employees, with drug related criminal histories, are still working at the VA. These histories relate to felony controlled-substance possession. These employees potentially increase the chances of drug theft being committed. In some cases, VA employees were allowed to continue with their employment after their drug […]
Veteran ends his life after VA denies his request related to pain management
Rayford Hill advanced a request, to the VA, to pay for a Neurolumen Pain Management device to help manage constant pain. This device reportedly aids pain reduction, with claims of reduced need for pain medications. The VA denied the request. The veteran made funeral arrangements, and then took his life behind the mortuary that would […]
Republican bill calls for Congress personnel to receive VA healthcare
Republicans rolled out a bill that, if approved, would require Congress personnel and their staff to obtain their healthcare from the VA. The intent, for the bill’s supporters, is to cause members of Congress to experience, for themselves, the quality and nature of healthcare that veterans receive. Congress personnel qualify for gold level plans with […]
The VA’s budget could top $300 billion for fiscal 2023
Congressional negotiators are working the details of a budget that could give the VA a budget that tops $300 billion. The VA is looking to receive $303.8 billion for fiscal 2023 if this is finalized and approved. From this total, $118.7 billion would go into VA medical care services. The Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick […]
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