Tag

Veterans Affairs

All articles tagged with #veterans affairs

politics2 days ago•7 min saved

Divisive Veterans Benefits Bill Tests GOP Unity and the Veteran Community

The Take Care of America's Veterans Act, which would expand retirement and survivor benefits (including the Star Act) and be funded by changes to VA disability ratings, has become a wedge issue in the veteran community and among House Republicans, with Democrats opposing offsets and several GOP members signaling opposition, threatening a floor vote and potentially delaying a broader veterans policy agenda. The Star Act would boost retirement payouts for about 50,000 combat-wounded veterans at an estimated $13 billion over ten years, financed by roughly $57 billion in savings from limiting new disability payouts for tinnitus and sleep apnea. Veterans groups like VFW and DAV oppose using disability benefits as budget offsets, while others push forward, creating a sharp intra-party split even as rallying support continues.

via Politico|

#congress #defense #health-care

politics4 months ago•2 min saved

Court Orders Reinstatement of VA’s 300,000-Worker Union Contract

A federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs to reinstate a three-year union contract covering more than 300,000 workers, ruling that terminating the agreement was retaliatory and likely violated the First Amendment; the contract, ratified in 2023, must be restored for the remainder of its term.

via The New York Times|

#court-ruling #federal-workers #first-amendment

politics4 months ago•213 min saved

VA halts controversial disability-rule after veteran outrage

The Department of Veterans Affairs will not enforce a newly published interim rule that would base disability ratings on functional status while on medications, halting enforcement after widespread backlash; the rule—aimed at adjusting benefits and published in the Federal Register—drew fierce criticism from the VFW and lawmakers who warned it could penalize veterans who follow doctors’ orders, including concerns about psychiatric medications, and a lawsuit has been filed to block it.

via CNN|

#disability-benefits #lawsuits #policy-change

politics11 months ago•0 min saved

Trump administration seeks to restrict abortion access at Veterans Affairs hospitals

The Trump administration proposed a rule to restrict abortion access at VA hospitals, reversing a Biden-era policy that allowed abortions in certain circumstances, including rape, incest, or health threats, following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn federal abortion rights.

via The Washington Post|

#abortion #biden-policy #healthcare

government11 months ago•4 min saved

VA Workforce Shrinks as Privatization Threatens Veterans' Care

The Department of Veterans Affairs initially planned to cut 83,000 employees to save $8.3 billion but has since abandoned the department-wide layoffs, instead opting to eliminate 30,000 positions mainly through attrition by the end of fiscal 2025, citing safeguards to prevent impact on veteran care.

via Federal News Network|

#federal-government #government #staff-cuts

government1 year ago•4 min saved

VA-based DOGE associate dismissed after revealing work details

Sahil Lavingia, a former associate of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and CEO of Gumroad, was dismissed after discussing his work at the VA and DOGE in a blog post and an interview. He highlighted limited progress in improving VA services and criticized DOGE's culture and effectiveness, noting that his efforts to implement AI and streamline processes were limited and that DOGE lacked real authority. His departure underscores ongoing challenges in government tech modernization efforts.

via Nextgov|

#ai #doge #government

world1 year ago•0 min saved

Veterans and Employees Criticize VA Budget Cuts Amid Morale and Care Concerns

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to cut its workforce by 15%, or about 83,000 employees, causing significant concern among staff, veterans, and advocates due to fears of reduced care and benefits, despite assurances that front-line workers will be protected.

via The Washington Post|

#benefits #healthcare #morale

politics1 year ago•5 min saved

House Passes Comprehensive Veterans Reform Bill with Bipartisan Support

The House has passed the Sen. Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs' healthcare delivery. Key provisions include expanded pay flexibility for VA healthcare workers, strategic staffing models, and a focus on value-based care. The bill also reauthorizes the VET-TEC program and enhances services for aging and disabled veterans. However, it omits the RESET Act, which sought to address issues with the VA's troubled Oracle-Cerner EHR system rollout.

via Federal News Network|

#ehr-system #healthcare-reform #legislation

politics1 year ago•5 min saved

Doug Collins Tapped by Trump to Lead Veterans Affairs

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former U.S. Representative Doug Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Collins, a close ally of Trump and a former Air Force chaplain, is known for his staunch defense of Trump during impeachment hearings and his conservative record in Congress. If confirmed, Collins will oversee an agency responsible for the care of 8.3 million veterans. His nomination is seen as noncontroversial, with supporters highlighting his military background and commitment to veterans' issues.

via The Atlanta Journal Constitution|

#cabinet-nomination #doug-collins #georgia-politics

politics1 year ago•2 min saved

Trump Selects Doug Collins as Veterans Affairs Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former congressman Doug Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Collins, a veteran and Air Force Reserve chaplain, previously served as the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, where he defended Trump during his first impeachment. As VA secretary, Collins will oversee a major agency responsible for the welfare of over 16 million veterans. His nomination is seen as a reward for his loyalty to Trump and aligns with Trump's recent appointments of other staunch Republican allies.

via CNN|

#doug-collins #house-republicans #impeachment

politics1 year ago•2 min saved

Trump Nominates Doug Collins as Veterans Affairs Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Doug Collins, a former GOP House member and staunch Trump supporter, to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Collins, who served as an Air Force Reserve chaplain and in Congress, has pledged to reduce regulations and combat corruption within the VA. If confirmed, he will face challenges such as financial issues from expanded veteran benefits and an over-budget electronic health records overhaul. Collins' nomination reflects Trump's tendency to reward loyalists, as Collins previously defended Trump during his first impeachment.

via POLITICO|

#doug-collins #impeachment #politics

politics1 year ago•0 min saved

Trump Nominates Doug Collins as Veterans Affairs Secretary

Former President Donald Trump has selected Doug Collins, a former congressman known for defending Trump during his impeachment, to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.

via The New York Times|

#doug-collins #impeachment #leadership

politics1 year ago•1 min saved

Trump Nominates Doug Collins as Veterans Affairs Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Georgia Congressman Doug Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Collins, a veteran and current Air Force Reserve chaplain, was a key defender of Trump during his first impeachment proceedings. This appointment is part of Trump's strategy to elevate Republicans who supported him during the impeachment to prominent roles in his administration.

via NPR|

#administration #doug-collins #impeachment

politics2 years ago•3 min saved

House GOP Passes VA Bill Amid Biden's Veto Threat Over Abortion Policies

House Republicans passed a veterans' funding bill that includes new abortion restrictions, prohibiting the Department of Veterans Affairs from offering abortion counseling and procedures in certain cases. This move overturns a Biden administration rule and sets up a partisan clash with Democrats in the Senate and the White House, who have threatened to veto the bill. The provision is part of broader conservative policy measures in the bill, which has drawn criticism from Democrats for including contentious issues like reproductive rights.

via NBC News|

#abortion #government-funding #house-republicans

politics2 years ago•2 min saved

House Republicans Approve Funding Bill Amid Veto Threat

House Republicans passed their first funding bill for fiscal 2025, focusing on the Veterans Affairs Department and military construction, but including partisan riders on issues like abortion that Democrats oppose. The bill, which faces a veto threat from the White House, is unlikely to advance and a stopgap funding measure is expected. The plan allocates $379 billion for VA and military construction, but Democrats criticize provisions restricting abortion access and other initiatives.

via The Hill|

#abortion #fiscal-2025 #house-republicans