U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs RSS 2.0 Feed

PRESIDENT'S BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDES PLANS FOR VA ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS

Fri, 8 May 2009 00:05:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) applauded President Barack Obama’s commitment to work with Congress on providing advance appropriations as set forward in his proposed budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“By allowing VA to plan ahead, taxpayer dollars will go further and veterans will receive better health care. I look forward to working with President Obama’s Administration to make the goal of on-time funding for veterans’ health care a reality,” said Akaka.

The Appendix to President Obama’s proposed Budget, released yesterday, includes projections on advance appropriations, as well as the statement that “the Administration plans to work with the Congress to develop a specific advance appropriation proposal for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care program.”

Earlier this year, Chairman Akaka sponsored the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 (S. 423), which would provide timely and predictable funding for the veterans health care system. Currently, veterans’ health care is funded through a year-by-year appropriation, which has been late 19 of the past 22 years. VA operates the largest health care system in the nation, providing care for millions of wounded and indigent veterans.

S. 423 is cosponsored by a bipartisan group of over 40 Democratic, Republican, and Independent senators, and has the strong backing of many national veterans service organizations. President Obama expressed his support for advance funding for VA last month.

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VA PROVIDES OVERDUE RELIEF FOR VETERANS IN NURSING HOMES

Fri, 8 May 2009 00:05:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) and Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) today applauded news that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is finally implementing a law to reimburse state nursing homes for the full cost of the care they provide for certain seriously disabled veterans. More than two years after Congress passed legislation to provide full nursing home reimbursements for veterans with disabilities rated 70 percent or greater, cash-strapped states and more than a thousand disabled and elderly veterans stand to benefit from the law’s implementation. VA will pay retroactive reimbursements for nursing home care back to March 21, 2007.

“This long-overdue benefit will help disabled veterans receive the care they earned through their service. It will provide relief to nursing homes across the country that have been burdened with the cost of their care, despite Congress’s order that VA provide reimbursement. I am pleased that VA will provide retroactive benefits for the veterans and state homes that have waited for over two years to receive the assistance they are entitled to,” said Akaka.

Feingold stated, “For over a year, I have been pressing the VA to put in place these regulations so that veterans, and the state homes that care for them, won’t have to pay for care in state long-term care facilities that they would receive for free in VA facilities. I am pleased that the new administration has finally acted on this issue and our veterans who have more than earned this care will be able to receive it in more facilities and without having to use their often limited income to pay for it.”

On May 5, 2006, Senator Akaka introduced the Veterans Long-Term Care Security Act directing VA to pay the full cost of nursing home care for certain disabled veterans. That bill was later incorporated into the omnibus Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006, which became Public Law 109-461 on December 22, 2006. When more than a year had passed and VA had yet to implement the law, Akaka and Feingold were joined by a bipartisan group of Senators in calling on VA to quickly issue the regulations necessary for implementation.

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INSPECTOR GENERAL TO REVIEW VA MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA BILLING POLICY NATIONWIDE DUE TO AKAKA OVERSIGHT

Thu, 7 May 2009 00:05:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following discoveries from an initial oversight request by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Inspector General (IG) will conduct a national review to determine whether veterans are being inappropriately charged for treatment related to military sexual trauma (MST).

Chairman Akaka requested a review of MST-related billing at the Austin VA outpatient clinic after receiving a letter from a veteran who discovered she was being inappropriately charged for her care. VA’s investigation into that facility revealed that the clinic was, in fact, billing veterans inappropriately for MST-related services and prescriptions. Under existing law, veterans are entitled to free VA treatment for conditions related to military sexual trauma.

“Disabilities resulting from military sexual trauma, physical or invisible, must be treated like other service-connected wounds: VA has an obligation to provide and pay for the care. I am disappointed to find that at least one outpatient clinic was wrongly charging veterans for this type of care, but I commend VA for immediately launching a national review to determine if this problem is occurring elsewhere, so appropriate corrective actions can take place as soon as possible.

“The veteran who notified me about this matter has done a great deed for veterans across this nation. With her help I was able to notify VA’s Inspector General, whose office conducted this very important review,” said Akaka.

VA IG George Opfer notified Akaka of the results of the inquiry in a letter received last week.

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AKAKA CALLS FOR SWIFT CONFIRMATION OF VA LEADERSHIP TEAM AT HEARING

Wed, 6 May 2009 00:05:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, held a hearing today to review four of President Barack Obama’s nominees to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Roger W. Baker, to be Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology; Will A. Gunn, to be General Counsel; Jose D. Riojas, to be Assistant Secretary for Operations, Security, and Preparedness; and John U. Sepulveda, to be Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration.

“The President’s nominees are fine candidates who have committed themselves to public service, and are now positioned to continue that service for the veterans of this nation. It is time to provide Secretary Shinseki with a confirmed leadership team capable of fulfilling his commitment to transform VA and provide veterans with the care and benefits they have earned. Confirmation of these four nominees will help him achieve that goal,” said Akaka.

Chairman Akaka’s full statement on the nominees, as well as their written testimony, is available here.

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COMMITTEE REVIEWS PENDING BILLS FOR VETERANS' BENEFITS

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:04:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, held a hearing today reviewing pending veterans’ benefits legislation. The committee questioned witnesses and reviewed legislation in preparation for next month’s scheduled markup.

“Improving the vocational rehabilitation program and easing the burden on combat veterans seeking disability compensation will help veterans receive the benefits they have earned through their service,” said Akaka.

The bills reviewed at today’s hearing include:

• S. 407, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009:
This bill would provide a cost-of-living increase for millions of disabled veterans and their families by updating veterans’ disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children, and additional related benefits.

• S. 514, the Veterans Rehabilitation and Training Improvements Act of 2009:
Following the enactment of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, this legislation would upgrade the other critical aspect of VA’s education and training benefits system: rehabilitation for disabled veterans. S. 514 would increase VA’s flexibility in paying for veterans’ rehabilitation-related expenses, boost the living stipend for rehabilitating veterans, and remove the existing cap on participation in VA’s independent living services.

• S. 728, the Veterans’ Insurance and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009:
This comprehensive bill focuses on providing assistance to veterans disabled while serving their country and assisting veterans as they transition from military to civilian life. Improvements include a new insurance program for disabled veterans, better coverage options for existing insurance programs, extended benefits for burn injured servicemembers and veterans, and increases to certain benefits that have not been updated for many years for veterans and their survivors.

• S. 919, the Clarification of Characteristics of Combat Service Act of 2009:
S. 919 would ease the burden on many combat veterans seeking compensation for service-connected disabilities. VA would be required to issue regulations including standards that VA adjudicators would use for evaluating the consistency between lay evidence and claimed matters, such as exposure to factors common to servicemembers serving in particular combat areas.

For the Chairman’s full statement and the written testimony of the witnesses, click here. The Committee’s markup is scheduled for May 21, 2009. For more information, visit www.veterans.senate.gov.

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AKAKA APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF BUDGET RESOLUTION WITH ADVANCE VA FUNDING PROVISION

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:04:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, thanked his colleagues for supporting the fiscal year 2010 Budget Resolution, which contains language based on his bill to provide secure funding for veterans’ health care one year ahead of the regular budget process. While the Budget Resolution is non-binding, it plays a major role in guiding appropriations, and the inclusion of advance funding for veterans marks yet another step forward for the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009.

“The inclusion of the advance funding provision in the Budget Resolution shows growing momentum for securing on-time funding for veterans’ health care. I thank Chairman Conrad and my other colleagues for including this important provision, and I look forward to the enactment of my broadly supported bipartisan bill to improve veterans’ health care,” said Akaka.

S. 423, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, would secure timely and predictable funding for the veterans health care system. Currently, veterans’ health care is funded by a year-by-year appropriation, which has been late 19 of the past 22 years. VA operates the largest health care system in the nation, providing care for millions of disabled and indigent veterans.

S. 423 is cosponsored by a bipartisan group of over 40 senators, and is supported by an array of national veterans service organizations, President Barack Obama, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki.

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VETERANS' GROUPS GIVE UNANIMOUS SUPPORT TO CAREGIVER AND RURAL HEALTH BILLS AT HEALTH CARE HEARING

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:04:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, chaired a hearing yesterday during which several veterans organizations testified in support of pending health care legislation. The backing of Paralyzed Veterans of America, Wounded Warrior Project, and Disabled American Veterans adds momentum to the Chairman’s veterans’ health care agenda, which includes reforming health care funding, breaking down health care barriers for rural veterans, and establishing a permanent support program for family caregivers.

“VA must adapt to the changing needs of America’s veterans and their families. These bills recognize veterans’ families as partners, allow veterans to receive the care they’ve earned, and make veterans’ health care funding more timely and secure. I look forward to moving these important measures from the Veterans’ Affairs Committee to the President’s desk,”

said Akaka.

S. 801, the Family Caregiver Program Act of 2009, would establish a permanent program for the caregivers of disabled veterans, providing them with training and certification, access to VA health care and financial support, and new travel benefits.

S. 734, the Rural Veterans Health Care Access and Quality Act of 2009, would improve health care staffing, enhance access to quality care, and provide travel benefits, for veterans living in rural and remote areas.

S. 423, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, would promote timely and predictable funding for the largest health care system in the country, which has started 19 of the past 22 fiscal years without knowing its budget for the year. S. 423 is cosponsored by a bipartisan group of more than one-third of the Senate, and is supported by the President and numerous veterans service organizations.

The written testimonies of the hearing’s witnesses, as well as the Chairman’s full opening statement, are available here.

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TAMMY DUCKWORTH CONFIRMED AS VA ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:04:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, issued this statement following the Senate’s unanimous confirmation tonight of the nomination of L. Tammy Duckworth to be Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs:

“I am pleased my colleagues confirmed Major Duckworth unanimously. More than three months after taking office, Secretary Shinseki now has his first confirmed Assistant Secretary. As VA’s new public face and intergovernmental liaison, Tammy can begin the long and hard work of improving the Department’s reputation and relations across the country. I look forward to working with her,” said Akaka.

Prior to being nominated by President Obama, Ms. Duckworth was the Director of the Illinois State Department of Veterans Affairs. A member of the Illinois State National Guard, Ms. Duckworth was deployed to Iraq in 2004, where she was injured when her Black Hawk helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. She was unanimously approved by the Veterans’ Affairs Committee earlier this week.

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DUCKWORTH NOMINATION APPROVED BY VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:04:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs unanimously approved the nomination of Major L. Tammy Duckworth to be the Department of Veterans Affairs Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. Committee Chairman Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) issued the following statement after the vote:

'With the Senate’s final approval, Major Duckworth will be Secretary Shinseki’s first confirmed Assistant Secretary. While I have been frustrated that this vote was held up and her confirmation delayed, I am pleased that Tammy received the unanimous support of the committee today', said Akaka.

Prior to being nominated by President Obama, Ms. Duckworth was the Director of the Illinois State Department of Veterans Affairs. A member of the Illinois National Guard, Ms. Duckworth was deployed to Iraq in 2004, where she was injured when her Black Hawk helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

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AKAKA DISAPPOINTED BY CONTINUED COMPUTERIZED SCHEDULING FAILURES

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:04:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued this statement today following the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) admission that its computerized medical appointment system has failed to improve patient scheduling:

"VA's repeated failure to implement an effective computerized scheduling application for medical appointments is unacceptable. The continued inability to put a working system in place damages both the efficiency and effectiveness of VA's health care system, to the detriment of veterans in need and the hard working professionals striving to assist them.

"I look forward to learning about Secretary Shinseki's plan to fix this problem that he has inherited," said Akaka.

In 1998, the Government Accounting Office (GAO) published a report on excessive wait times for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients. VA disclosed in a Congressional briefing today that the current system, the Replacement Scheduling Application (RSA) Development Program, has failed to develop any usable scheduling capacity. Today's disclosure follows reports on an internal VA memo regarding systematic RSA failures.

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