Tag: u.s department of veterans affairs

The bill has been championed in recent years by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, has also been a key backer of the proposal.

“Our veterans sacrificed for our country’s security, and they should not be subjected to inefficient collection procedures,” Steube said. “These heroes deserve the best care and should not be held fiscally responsible for the system’s failure to proactively capture the third-party billings that go uncollected.”

At the end of April 2019, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., introduced the “Keeping Our Promises Act" which “would aid veterans suffering from long-term illness as a result of Agent Orange exposure" and add to the VA’s list of covered illnesses nine medical conditions, which are already recognized by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) as having evidence of being linked to exposure to Agent Orange.”

Last week, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., brought out the “Solid Start Reporting Act” which will create “ oversight baselines for a newly created program to support veteran mental health during the first year after departing military service.” U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., a veteran who lost both legs during his Army service in Afghanistan, is cosponsoring the bill.

Last year, Mast and Gabbard brought back a proposal having the federal government evaluate veterans and active-duty personnel who might have been exposed to open burn pits and airborne chemicals. Over the past three decades, more than 140,000 servicemembers and veterans have reported exposure to burn pits and toxic chemicals.

A Republican congressman from Florida has teamed up with a Democrat from California to ask the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) about their long-term care plans for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including focusing on assisted living programs.

The new candidate’s campaign team stressed he is “running to lower prescription drug costs, defend Social Security and Medicare, protect the St. Lucie River and fight for the people who live here not special interests and D.C. insiders.”

Separating from the military after a career of service and returning to civilian life brings about unique mental,‭ ‬financial‭ ‬and physical challenges for military personnel.‭ ‬You may be asking yourself where you will live,‭ ‬what you will do‭ ‬and how you will afford life after service.

Despite engaging in a heated war of words with President Donald Trump in recent days, U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Mary., is also working with a Republican congressman from Florida in offering a bill to help veterans attending colleges and universities.

Bilirakis, who was the vice chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee when the GOP controlled the House, weighed in on why he was championing the proposal which Cunningham introduced last week.

“Currently, veterans receiving health care at the VA are not allowed to discuss marijuana with their health care providers and can be denied their VA benefits if it is discovered that they use marijuana," Gaetz said.

“As our nation’s veterans transition back to civilian life, we must ensure the VA adapts to the 21st century needs of our service men and women as they pursue civilian employment opportunities,” said Rubio.