The U.S. Senate is getting behind a bill that would apply new accountability measures to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — much of it with bipartisan support.
several small American flags (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The VA, of course, has long been the subject of intense criticism among veterans’ advocates. In recent years, the firestorm has gotten even hotter after a series of scandals and heartbreaking stories made headlines worldwide.
For the last month or so, Senate committees have been at work on various proposals, at times entertaining as many as six versions of the bill all at once, reports Military Times. Most of them are older proposals that were either shot down or never got off the ground in the past. Newly agitated by the recent VA controversies, though, Congress is interested in dusting off those old proposals and giving it another try.
This time, just about everyone is on board, including the VA itself… at least when it comes to some of the more universally palatable provisions: increasing some veterans benefits, expanding caregiver support, tightening certain medication restrictions, and a few modest accountability reforms.
But not all the proposals are so popular. The VA is objecting strenuously to harsher and costlier provisions, like those that would require the VA to cover additional childcare, counseling, and infertility services. Especially controversial is Senator Ron Johnson’s version of the bill, which would make it much easier to fire VA employees.
With a long road still ahead of it, the proposed bill is only just beginning to find its flesh, and there’s still no guarantee that it (or any version of it) will become law. That’s especially true now that the bill is tied up in the larger debate about funding for Planned Parenthood.
Still, after years of failed attempts and a recent bout of disturbing scandals, it is encouraging to see Congress paying more attention to the plight of veterans than perhaps it has in the recent past.
Here at O’Connell Law, we know first hand the challenges that many veterans face in navigating the VA and claiming the benefits they deserve. That’s why we’ve dedicated ourselves to helping them maneuver through a system that might otherwise seem insurmountable.
Stay tuned to our blog for updates as the bill makes its way through Congress — and if you need any help in your own journey with the VA in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here for you.
