Tag

Va

All articles tagged with #va

workforce14 days ago•11 min saved

Judge weighs contempt as VA again terminates AFGE contract after injunction

A Rhode Island federal judge moved to enforce an injunction ordering the VA to reinstate AFGE’s contract after the department again terminated the CBA, with possible contempt proceedings for a “blatant” violation of the court order; the VA argues the retermination moots the proceedings, while AFGE contends the department is noncompliant and not honoring contract provisions, and the judge set a deadline for the agency to explain why it shouldn’t be held in contempt.

via govexec.com|

#collective-bargaining #labor-management #unions

government14 days ago•6 min saved

VA Ends AFGE Contract Again, Court Warns of Contempt Risk

The Department of Veterans Affairs re-terminated its master collective bargaining agreement with AFGE/NVAC covering more than 300,000 employees despite a federal judge’s injunction to restore it, invoking national-security exemptions tied to recent executive orders; the judge condemned the action as a disrespect of the court’s order and gave the VA until the close of business to explain why it shouldn’t be held in contempt, while AFGE seeks to enforce the injunction and the DOJ has appealed, signaling an ongoing legal battle over federal labor contracts amid broader national-security considerations.

via Federal News Network|

#afge #collective-bargaining #fslmrs

labor29 days ago•3 min saved

Court Reinstates AFGE-VA Union Contract Covering 320,000 VA Employees

A federal judge ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs to reinstate AFGE/NVAC’s master and related collective bargaining agreements after Secretary Collins terminated them in August 2025, finding likely violations of the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act; the injunction protects union rights for over 320,000 VA employees while litigation continues.

via AFGE|

#administrative-procedure-act #afge #collective-bargaining

politics1 month ago•4 min saved

VA-DOJ Guardianship Plan Aims to Move Homeless Veterans into Long-Term Care

The Trump administration, in partnership with the Justice Department, announced a plan to empower VA attorneys to pursue legal guardianships for homeless or incapacitated veterans who cannot make medical decisions, potentially moving them into involuntary or long-term care; a pilot called Project Safe Harbor will test the approach in five VA hubs, reflecting a broader push to use guardianship tools to compel treatment for mental illness and addiction, a shift critics warn risks civil liberties while supporters argue it could provide structured care; guardianships are broader and longer-lasting than civil commitments, and their implementation will require coordination across agencies. There are about 33,000 homeless veterans in the U.S., including roughly 14,000 who are unsheltered.

via The New York Times|

#guardianship #homelessness #justice-department

world1 month ago•35 min saved

Pope shakes up San Diego diocese as bishop faces embezzlement charges

Pope Leo accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta of San Diego, who was arrested on 16 counts of embezzlement and money laundering for allegedly stealing about $250,000 from his congregation; he has pleaded not guilty and was reportedly stopped at San Diego airport while attempting to depart for Germany, with the alleged crimes said to have occurred in 2024.

via Reuters|

#brib #clj #crim

politics1 month ago•2 min saved

DAV praises VA halt on medication-impact disability rating rule

The Disabled American Veterans welcomed VA Secretary Collins’ decision to halt the implementation of a new rule that would weigh a veteran’s medication use in disability evaluations. After veterans voiced concerns, the halt took effect as of Feb. 19, with DAV releasing an updated statement and a Q&A to address common questions.

via DAV : Disabled American Veterans|

#dav #disability-benefits #medication-policy

veterans1 month ago•4 min saved

VA halts enforcement of medication-based disability ratings amid veteran backlash

The Department of Veterans Affairs said it will immediately stop enforcing a new interim rule that would base disability ratings on how well veterans function on medications rather than the underlying condition, after a strong backlash from major veterans groups; a public comment period remains open until April 20, with Secretary Doug Collins stating the rule will not be enforced going forward while feedback is collected, as VA seeks to expedite benefits processing and address concerns.

via Stars and Stripes|

#disability-ratings #medication-based-evaluations #public-comment

politics1 month ago•17 min saved

VA Disability Ratings May Be Cut as Meds and Earnings Are Considered Under New Rule

Rolling Stone reports that the VA issued an interim final rule to rate disabilities partly by medications used to treat conditions and by a veteran’s earning capacity, potentially cutting disability and pension payments. The change departs from decades of rating based on medical impairment and cites the 2025 Ingram v. Collins decision; veterans groups oppose it, arguing it reduces benefits, while VA officials say it formalizes longstanding practice. The rule is part of broader reforms such as Project 2025 and could impact a significant share of VA spending.

via Rolling Stone|

#disability-benefits #politics #regulation

policy1 month ago•9 min saved

New VA rule ties disability ratings to medication effects, sparking veteran concern

The VA issued a Federal Register rule allowing disability ratings to reflect improvements from medications or treatments, potentially lowering ratings during reevaluation even when the underlying disability remains. Veterans groups warn this could reduce benefits and deter care, especially for PTSD and toxic-exposure conditions, while VA officials say the rule formalizes a longstanding practice and won’t affect current ratings. The rule has drawn widespread backlash and thousands of public comments as questions about implementation and legal implications remain unresolved.

via Task & Purpose|

#disability-rating #medications #note-not-used

government9 months ago•5 min saved

VA Reduces IT Workforce and Reorients Tech Funding Amid Modernization Efforts

The Department of Veterans Affairs is reducing its IT workforce by nearly 12% through voluntary separations, reallocating over $89 million of its budget to other priorities, and pausing new IT procurements to focus on core missions and improve efficiency, while seeking legislative flexibility to enhance agility in IT spending.

via Federal News Network|

#budget-reduction #government #it-workforce

politics9 months ago•5 min saved

Controversial VA Policy Permits Doctors to Refuse Treatment Based on Political and Personal Factors

New VA hospital rules, influenced by Trump's executive order, allow medical staff to refuse treatment to veterans based on personal beliefs, political affiliation, or marital status, raising concerns about discrimination and ethical standards in veteran healthcare.

via The Guardian|

#discrimination #medical-ethics #politics

technology10 months ago•3 min saved

Sahil Lavingia Exits DOGE After 55 Days

Sahil Lavingia, founder of Gumroad, recounts his 55-day stint working as a volunteer software engineer for Elon Musk's DOGE, a government initiative, where he was tasked with identifying wasteful contracts at the VA. He was surprised by the strict rules and lack of organization within DOGE and was abruptly dismissed after discussing his work with the media. His experience highlights the challenges of modernizing large government agencies with Silicon Valley volunteers.

via TechCrunch|

#doge #government-technology #sahil-lavingia

us-news1 year ago•2 min saved

Record Low in Veteran Homelessness Spurs New Support Initiatives

The Biden administration announced a record low in veteran homelessness since 2009, with a 55.6% decrease from 2010. In January 2023, 32,882 homeless veterans were counted, down from previous years. The "Housing First" approach has helped house nearly 48,000 veterans, and efforts continue to provide stable housing for all veterans. Despite progress, veterans still make up 13% of the homeless population. The VA and HUD are working on various initiatives, including grants and increased income eligibility for housing vouchers, to further reduce veteran homelessness.

via The Hill|

#biden-administration #homelessness #housing

us-news1 year ago•7 min saved

VA Faces Criticism for Inadequate Support on Veterans Day

Thousands of veterans, including Army vet Natalie Donaldson, have been left struggling with increased mortgage payments due to a flawed VA home loan program intended to provide COVID-19 relief. The program's mismanagement led to higher interest rates and payments, leaving many vets unable to afford their homes. Although the VA has introduced a rescue plan offering low-interest loans, it excludes those who accepted previous loan modifications, like Donaldson. Critics argue the VA could extend its authority to help these veterans.

via NPR|

#covid-19 #foreclosure #mortgage

government1 year ago•7 min saved

VA Secretary Faces Backlash Over Improper Executive Bonuses, Rejects Resignation Calls

VA Secretary Denis McDonough admitted to "massive mistakes" in awarding nearly $11 million in improper bonuses to ineligible executives, as revealed by a VA inspector general report. McDonough has recouped 92% of the bonuses and implemented new procedures to prevent future errors. Despite calls for firings, McDonough defended his team, taking personal responsibility for the oversight. The VA continues to justify bonuses for field executives as necessary retention incentives.

via Federal News Network|

#bonuses #denis-mcdonough #government