News Releases
VA Streamlining Process for Medical/Surgical Purchases - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking a major step toward system improvement in the processes used to purchase medical and surgical supplies. VA is significantly enhancing the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor (MSPV) program by replacing it with the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor - Next Generation (MSPV-NG) program.
MSPV-NG purchasing capability greatly improves VA’s supply chain and aligns directly with VA Secretary Robert McDonald’s 12 Breakthrough Priorities designed to transform VA into a Veteran-centric organization of excellence.
(10/21/16)
VA and Stanford to Pursue the Nation’s First Hadron Center - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Stanford Medicine announced today that they are collaborating to establish the nation’s first Hadron Center in Palo Alto, CA, for the benefit of Veteran and non-Veteran cancer patients who could benefit from Hadron therapy. (10/17/16)
National Audiology Awareness Month - Hearing loss, including tinnitus, which is a ringing, buzzing or other type of noise that originates in the head, is the most prevalent service-connected disability among Veterans, with more than 30 million Veterans suffering from a form of it due to frequent exposure to loud noises from weaponry and aircraft. Because of the pervasiveness of hearing loss among Veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs is recognizing October as Audiology Awareness Month by highlighting important VA research on the subject and advances made in treating Veterans with hearing loss. (10/5/16)
VA Selects USDA as its Federal Shared Service Provider - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has selected the Department of Agriculture (USDA) as its federal shared service provider to deliver a modern financial management solution that will replace the existing system and improve financial transparency and processing across the Department. (10/4/16)
Veterans Affairs' Secretary Robert A. McDonald Issues Statement on Signing of the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016 - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald released the following statement after President Obama signed the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016. (9/29/16)
VA Announces $3.4 Million in Funding to Help the Homeless - Today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald announced the award of $3.4 million in grant funding offered through the Grant and Per Diem Program to 16 community agencies that provide enhanced services for homeless Veterans with special needs. (9/29/16)
VA Announces Several Caregiver Partnerships - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced several new and expanded partnerships to support the VA Caregiver Support Program. The VA Caregiver Support Program supports the-often unsung heroes of wounded or ill Veterans – the ones who take care of them. Announcement of the partnerships, made during a summit co-hosted by VA and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. The daylong event, Empowering Hidden Heroes: Pathways to InnoVAtion, attracted 400 leaders from government, the non-profit sector, private industry, academic and stakeholders from the Veteran and caregiver community. (9/28/16)
VA Awards $6.8 Billion for Medical Disability Examinations - The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced the awarding of 12 contracts between 5 firms totaling $6.8 billion to improve the Medical Disability Examination process (Compensation and Pension or Comp and Pen Examinations) for Veterans. The awards are intended to reduce Veterans’ wait times for examinations for service-connected benefits, thereby providing faster claims decisions in a more efficient and streamlined way. (9/19/16)
Chrysler Liquidating Trust Commits $750,000 to Support Homeless Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs is partnering with Chrysler Liquidating Trust to provide funds to support VA efforts to end Veteran homelessness. The partnership is part of the MyVA Strategic Partnership Initiative, which works with external organizations to improve the delivery and access of care for Veterans. (9/15/16)
VA Partners with Richmond International Raceway - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has partnered with Richmond International Raceway (RIR) for the second year in a row to promote greater access and awareness to VA benefits and services at NASCAR weekend -- today and tomorrow in Richmond. (9/9/16)
VA Proposes Rule to Consider Certain Diseases Associated with Exposure to Contaminants in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published proposed regulations to establish presumptions for the service connection of eight diseases affecting military members exposed to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, N.C. (9/9/16)
Veterans Who Need Routine Audiology and Optometry Appointments Will Soon Be Able to Directly Schedule - Veterans receiving care at Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Medical Centers will now be able to schedule routine ear and eye appointments at local VA Audiology and Optometry clinics without a primary care referral – a move that eliminates multiple steps and gets Veterans into appointments quicker. (9/8/16)
VA Awards $7.8 Million in Adaptive Sport Grants to Aid Disabled Veterans - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald today announced the awarding of up to $7.8 million in grants for adaptive sports programs for disabled Veterans and disabled Servicemembers of the Armed Forces. The grant recipients may use these funds for planning, developing, managing and implementing these adaptive sports programs. (9/7/16)
Statement From VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald on Commission on Care Report - Today, consistent with the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, the President’s formal response to the Commission on Care was transmitted to Congress. As the President has said, “a sacred covenant exists between Veterans and this nation: servicemen and servicewomen take an oath to protect our country, and in turn, our nation pledges to take care of them when they leave the service. The Commission’s work to evaluate the Veterans Affairs health care system is important in ensuring we keep our promise to our Veterans.” (9/1/16)
State of Women Veterans Social Media Campaign Launched - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is partnering with Women Veterans Interactive (WVI) to launch a State of Women Veterans’ social media campaign. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of women Veterans’ military and societal contributions and provide an avenue for informing women Veterans about the VA benefits they have earned. (9/1/16)
