VA Bills Continue Programs for Veterans, Strengthen Reform Efforts

Press Release

Congressman Kevin Cramer said two Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) bills passed by the House of Representatives this week continue programs that serve veterans well and strengthen the authority of the agency to enact much-needed reforms.

H.R. 5985, the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016, extends several expiring programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs for another year. These programs provide services in the areas of health care, veteran benefits and homeless veterans.

The health care programs it extends include those collecting copayments for hospital and nursing home care, and providing support services for caregivers, third-party cost of care recovery for non-service connected disabilities, child care for veterans receiving health care, transportation grants for rural veterans, counseling retreats for women veterans and use of community-based organizations to ensure veterans are receiving care and benefits.

Other programs extended in the bill include the Veteran's Advisory Committee on Education, the authority to calculate the net value of real property at the time of foreclosure, rehabilitation and vocational benefits for veterans with severe injuries or illnesses, and homeless programs for veterans with children, or mental health, disability or special needs.

"These programs have proven to be effective in serving veterans with many specific needs," said Cramer. "This bill ensures they will continue into 2017 without lapsing."

H.R. 5620, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016, reforms the appeals process for veterans seeking to claim benefits. The legislation also strengthens the authority of the VA Secretary to remove, demote and recoup bonuses or performances awards from employees due to poor performance or misconduct. And, it enhances whistleblower protections by allowing employees to file initial complaints with their immediate supervisor, streamlines the whistleblower complaint form and establishes annual whistleblower training to all VA employees.

"While the problems at the VA have been well documented, the reform has been too slow," said Cramer. "This legislation will help clarify the authority of the VA Secretary to deal with misconduct and poor performance and ease the backlog of benefit appeals."

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