Michigan Veterans Attorney Comments on Unveiling of Veterans First Act
Jun 14, 2016
Legal Help for Veterans is a law firm helping veterans get the benefits they deserve.
Northville, MI (Law Firm Newswire) June 14, 2016 – Lawmakers have announced the Veterans First Act in an effort to create a culture of accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and improve services for veterans.
The sweeping measure combines various legislation to make the VA more accountable by changing employment policies, making it easier to hire and fire senior executives, blocking bonuses for problem employees and allowing any VA employee accused of wrongdoing to be fired more quickly. The bill will also enhance whistleblower protection.
“This legislation will help change the current corrosive culture at the VA by demanding a higher level of accountability,” said Jim Fausone, a Michigan veterans attorney. “Our veterans deserve much better than what they are currently getting. The VA must be prevented from future mismanagement and missteps that can harm the care of veterans.”
Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., announced the bipartisan bill. Isakson is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and Blumenthal is its ranking member. Although the proposal’s cost is estimated to be about $4 billion, the exact amount is unknown. However, Isakson said veterans benefits would not be cut nor money be taken from one veterans program to pay for another.
The reform package also proposes improving mental health care programs, enhancing caregiver support, expanding access to education benefits for veterans and their families, streamlining the Veterans Choice program and strengthening efforts to combat veteran homelessness. It also includes provisions to address a backlog of veteran disability claims and appeals.
The bill comes around two years after the VA hospital wait times scandal that forced agency leadership to resign. Lawmakers passed a major veterans omnibus afterward to allow incompetent senior executives to be fired more quickly. However, VA officials complained the new rules were ineffective in simplifying the process, sparking the current legislative efforts.
Isakson did not indicate when the proposal would be considered but expressed confidence it could become law later this year. “The bill seeks to address all the matters that are important to veterans. It has the power to be transformative for veterans’ health care and benefits and in delivering other services veterans need,” said Fausone.
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