Military-Veterans Advocacy™ (MVA) has established a Bill of the Week. With this program we will highlight critical legislature that will benefit veterans. Scroll down for previous Bills of the Week!
Week of March 20 - March 27 - HR 815
HR 815, the RELIEVE Act, will expand eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimbursement of emergency treatment for veterans who are treated in a non-VA facility. This bill will close a loophole that has been left open. Often by the time a veteran enrolls in the VA system, it can take months to get in to schedule a visit with a primary care doctor, let alone a specialty. If an emergency occurs and the veteran has to go to a non-VA emergency facility, it makes no sense that they would be held responsible for being seen prior to an emergency. These things are out of our control, and the veteran should not be penalized.
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Week of February 27 - March 20 - HR 1191
HR 1191 will amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for a presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents for certain veterans who served in Guam. The PACT Act grants the presumption of herbicide exposure to service members who ‘‘(5) performed on Guam or American Samoa, or in the territorial waters thereof, during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on July 31, 1980, or served on Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll during the period beginning on January 1, 1972, and ending on September 30, 1977.” Evidence complied by Military-Veterans Advocacy shows that the spraying on Guam commenced on August 15, 1958. HR 1191 will correct this deficiency in the law and make the commencement date for Guam retroactive to August 15, 1958.
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Week of February 20 - February 27 - HR 710
HR 710 will establish a national commission on fiscal responsibility and reform. This bill will shine a light on the need for fiscal reform. It also aligns with one of our legislative agenda’s here at MVA. We are extremely supportive of ways to improve fiscal responsibility, so that veteran benefits can be expanded, and we as a nation can take care of all our Veterans, without cutting from another veteran to help another veteran.
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Week of February 13 - February 20 - HR 562
HR 562, Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2023. This bill will provide for better accessibility for veteran constituents to meet with their legislative Congress people. By allowing the space within VA facilities, it gives a one-stop shop for veterans who might have more difficulty in reaching their lawmakers. The veteran issues can then be addressed and followed up with on the local level.
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Week of February 6 - February 13 - HR 303
HR 303, Retired Pay Restoration Act, will provide for concurrent receipt of veterans disability compensation and retirement pay for disabled retirees with fewer than 20 years of service and a combat-related disability. While fiscal responsibility is
important, placing that burden on the shoulders of our disabled veterans is unconscionable. This bill will shift the burden back to the United States government where it belongs.
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Week of January 30 - February 6 - HR 41
HR 41, VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure the timely scheduling of appointments for health care at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is very important to veterans. The VHA is still plagued with delays and wait lists. This bill will force the VA to act and schedule in one phone call.
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Week of January 23 - January 30 - HR 105
HR 105, TBI and PTSD Treatment Act, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to a veteran who has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS). MVA has reviewed several studies concerning HBOT treatment for PTS and TBI and there are positive indications associated with this treatment. Our interviews with MVA members who served in combat or in Special Operations also point to an affirmative correlation between HBOT and PTS/TBI. We believe that HBOT could potentially allow for a more successful treatment pathway for these invisible wounds.
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Week of November 27 - December 3 - S 1725
S 1725 will grant a Federal charter to the National American Indian Veterans, Incorporated. This bill has already passed the Senate. Help us to get it passed in the House. Veteran services for tribal areas have been spotty at best. Native American Veterans often do not have access to either service officers or medical clinics. Chartering this group will help to correct these deficiencies. Native Americans are participating in military service in ever increasing numbers. We need to ensure that the VA serves their needs.
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Week of November 13 - November 19 - HR 1282 HR 1282 and S 344, the Major Richard Star Act, will provide for concurrent receipt of veterans' disability compensation and retirement pay for disability retirees with fewer than 20 years of service and a combat-related disability. While fiscal responsibility is important, placing that burden on the shoulders of our disabled veterans is unconscionable. The Major Richard Star Act will shift that burden back to the United States government where it belongs. This is a bill that is long overdue.
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Week of September 6 - November 13 - HR 5026
HR 5026, Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act of 2021, will grant federal benefits to veterans who served in or near the Panama Canal Zone, all of whom were potentially exposed to deadly tactical herbicides such as Agent Orange. It will expand presumptive coverage to these veterans, similar to the coverage for those who served in Vietnam, along the Korean DMZ, and on the base perimeters in Thailand. It is long past time we recognize the sacrifices of those who defended this strategic position when our nation called upon them.
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Week of August 30 - September 6 HR 8736
HR 8736, the GUARD Act, will reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited claim representatives who charge unauthorized fees while assisting veterans with filing a claim for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation benefits.
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Week of August 22 - August 29 HR 7337
HR 7337, Access for Veterans to Records Act, will require the Archivist of the United States to submit a plan to Congress to eliminate the records backlog at the National Personnel Records Center. While we understand that the pandemic required a number of employees to work remotely, the medical situation has stabilized in this country. In order to obtain records to support the claims for sick and dying veterans, the National Archives must become more responsive. Contact your Senators and Member of Congress and ask for their support.
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Week of August 8 - August 22 - HR 6647
HR 6647 will make certain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program.
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Week of July 18 - August 8 - S 3373
The Honoring our PACT Act, will improve health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances. This comprehensive bill will address herbicide, radiation, and burn pits. A procedural issue required Congress to amend and pass the PACT Act again. The House has done its job and passed the bill with bipartisan support. Every day this bill is delayed means another day a veteran could get sick and die. The Senate must stop any further delays and immediately pass the Honoring our PACT Act. Contact your Senators and tell them no more delays, they must bring the Honoring our PACT Act to the floor immediately and vote YES.
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Week of July 4 - July 18 HR 7158 and S 2852
HR 7158 and S 2852, Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act, will authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of care in non-Department of Veterans Affairs medical foster homes for certain veterans who are unable to live independently.
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Week of June 27 - July 4 - HR 5819
HR 5819, Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act, will increase the amount paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans for improvements and structural alterations furnished as part of home health services.
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Week of June 13 - June 27 - HR 1476
HR 1476, PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act, will authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants to State and local entities and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) to carry out peer-to-peer mental health
programs. As you know veteran suicide has reached epidemic level. We are losing thousands of veterans to suicide every year. In most cases mental health plays a role in these tragic deaths. The VA is not able to provide needed services on the local level to arrest this trend. They lack both the expertise and the resources to expand into local communities and tribal areas. This bill will make State and local governments and NGOs allies in the battle against veteran suicide.
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Week of June 6 - June 13 - HR 2910 and S 3603
HR 2910 and S 3603, Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to improve the ability of veterans to provide the veterans the ability to choose health care providers.
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Week of May 30 - June 6 - HR 7048
HR 7048, Protect Lifesaving Anesthesia Care for Veterans Act of 2022. This bill will prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from replacing physician anesthesiologists with certified registered nurse anesthetists, or other health professionals in the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Week of May 16 - May 30 - HR 7589
HR 7589, Remove Copays Act, will prohibit the imposition or collection of copayments for certain mental health outpatient care visits of veterans.
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Week of May 9 - May 16 - HR 2992
HR 2992, TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act. This bill will direct the Attorney General to develop crisis intervention training tools for use by first responders related to interacting with persons who have a traumatic brain injury, another form of acquired brain injury, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Week of April 25 - May 9 - HR 7524
HR 7524, the ACES Act, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the incidence and mortality of cancer among individuals who served in the Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps as aircrew.
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Week of April 18 - April 25 - HR 4601 and S 2405
HR 4601 and S 2405, Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act, will authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants to states to improve outreach to veterans.
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Week of April 11 - April 18 - HR 7050
HR 7050, Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act, will make certain improvements in the laws relating to the administration of benefits payable to survivors of deceased veterans.
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Week of April 4 - April 11 - HR 6543
HR 6543, Restore Veterans' Compensation Act of 2022, will eliminate the recoupment of separation pay, special separation benefits, and voluntary separation incentive payments from members of the Armed Forces who subsequently receive disability compensation under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Week of March 28 - April 4 - Repeat of HR 3368, HR 5026, HR 2269, and S 657
We have had all of these as previous Bills of the Week, but we still need to get more support. HR 3368 will provide a presumption of service-connection for veterans exposed to certain herbicides while serving on Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Island. HR 5026 will grant federal benefits to veterans who served in or near the Panama Canal Zone, all of whom were potentially exposed to deadly tactical herbicides such as Agent Orange. HR 2269 & S 657 will modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era.
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Week of March 21 - March 28 - HR 5607 and S 3483
HR 5607 and S 3483, Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2022, these bills will extend increased dependency and indemnity compensation paid to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, regardless of how long the veterans had such disease prior to death.
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Week of March 7 - March 21 - HR 3967
HR 3967, Honoring our PACT Act of 2021, will improve health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances.
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Week of February 28 - March 7 - HR 3402 and S S 976
HR 3402 and S 976, Caring for Survivors Act of 2021, will improve and expand eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation paid to certain survivors of certain veterans.
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Week of February 15 - February 28 - HR 6659 and S 3541
HR 6659 and S 3541, the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Acts, will provide health care and benefits to veterans suffering from the effects of toxic exposure. It is a cost of war that must be paid, and it is past time for Congress to deliver on this promise. It is consistent with the pending COST of War Act, won’t negatively impact VA’s delivery of care or benefits to veterans, and can garner enough bipartisan support to get it all the way to the President’s desk— making it our best chance at ensuring all past, present, and future generations get the care and benefits they earned.
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Week of February 7 - February 14 - HR 6402 and S 1725
HR 6402 and S 1725 will grant a Federal charter to the National American Indian Veterans, Incorporated. Veteran services for tribal areas have been spotty at best. Native American Veterans often do not have access to either service officers or medical clinics. Chartering this group will help to correct these deficiencies. Native Americans are participating in military service in ever increasing numbers. We need to ensure that the VA serves their needs.
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Week of January 24 - February 7 - HR 5944
HR 5944, Veterans Administration Backlog Accountability Act of 2021, will direct the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the backlog of disability compensation claims submitted to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
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Week of January 17 - January 24 - HR 3596
HR 3596, the Lawrence J. Hackett, Jr., Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Fairness Act, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a task force on Agent Orange exposure.
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Week of January 10 - January 17 - HR 1836
HR 1836, the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021, will ensure that the time during which members of the Armed Forces serve on active duty for training qualifies for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Week of January 3 - January 10 - HR 6260
HR 6260, the Casualty Assistance Reform Act of 2021, will direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a working group for the reform of the casualty assistance officer program.
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Week of December 27 - January 3 - HR 2992
HR 2992, TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act, will direct the Attorney General to develop crisis intervention training tools for use by first responders related to interacting with persons who have a traumatic brain injury, another form of acquired brain injury, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Week of December 20 - December 27 - HR 3400
HR 3400, VA Emergency Transportation Act, will reimburse Veterans for the cost of emergency medical transportation to a Federal facility.
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Week of December 13 - December 20 - HR 2800
HR 2800, the WINGMAN Act, will permit veterans to grant access to their records in the databases of the Veterans Benefits Administration to certain designated congressional employees.
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Week of November 29 - December 13 - HR 1361 and S 444
HR 1361 and S 444, AUTO for Veterans Act, will authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide or assist in providing an additional vehicle adapted for operation by disabled individuals to certain eligible persons.
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Week of November 22 - November 29 - HR 2601 and S 1188
HR 2601 and S 1188, SFC Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to notify Congress regularly of reported cases of burn pit exposure by Veterans.
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Week of November 8 - November 22 - HR 2819 and S 1198
HR 2819 and S 1198, Solid Start Act of 2021, will improve and expand the Solid Start program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Week of November 1 - November 8 - HR 3537 and S 1813
HR 3537 and S 1813, Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act, will direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to support research on, and expanded access to, investigational drugs for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Week of October 18 - November 1 - S 1970
S 1970, The Clean Water for Military Families Act, will require the Secretary of Defense to conduct testing for and remediation of perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances at or surrounding installations of the Department of Defense located in the United States, formerly used defense sites, and State-owned facilities of the National Guard.
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Week of October 11 - October 18 - HR 4949 and S 692
HR 4949 and S 692, the Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021, will award a Congressional Gold Medal to the female telephone operators of the Army Signal Corps, known as the "Hello Girls".
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Week of September 27 - October 11 - HR 852 and S 221
HR 852 and S 221, United States - Israel PTSD Collaborative Research Act, will direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a grant program to increase cooperation on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder research between the United States and Israel.
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Week of September 13 - September 27 - RECA Cleanup Veterans
We have reason to believe RECA (Radiation Exposure Compensation Act) legislation will be introduced mid-September that may not include two groups of Veterans that should be included. The first group is approximately 6000 Veterans that participated in the Enewetak Atoll Radiological Cleanup Project. The second group omitted is the Palomares, Spain Broken Arrow Operation. Click the link to learn more and to contact your Member of Congress and Senators.
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Week of September 6 - September 13 - HR 3368, HR 5026, HR 2269, & S 657
We have had all of these as previous Bills of the Week but we still need to get more support. HR 3368 will provide a presumption of service-connection for veterans exposed to certain herbicides while serving on Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Island. HR 5026 will grant federal benefits to veterans who served in or near the Panama Canal Zone, all of whom were potentially exposed to deadly tactical herbicides such as Agent Orange. HR 2269 & S 657 will modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era.
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Week of August 23 - September 7 - HR 5026
HR 5026, The Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act of 2021 will grant federal benefits to veterans who served in or near the Panama Canal Zone, all of whom were potentially exposed to deadly tactical herbicides such as Agent Orange.
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Week of August 16 - August 23 S 2189 and HR 1014
S 2189 and HR 1014 will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to a veteran who has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS).
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Week of July 26 - August 16 HR 2192
HR 2192, The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021, will provide a federal cause of action for those individuals affected by exposure to the water provided at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC from August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987.
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Week of July 12 - July 26 - HR 1976 and S 810
HR 1972 and S 810, the Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act, will extend the list of diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents for which there is presumption of service connection for veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam to include hypertension.
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Week of June 28 - July 12 - HR 1656
HR 1656, TREAT PTSD Act, will require the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to furnish enrolled members and veterans of the Armed Forces who have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with stellate ganglion blocks, should they elect to have them.
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Week of June 21 - June 28 - HR 303 and S 1147
HR 303 and S 1147, The Retired Pay Restoration Act, will permit additional retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or combat-related special compensation.
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Week of June 7 - June 21 - HR 2441 and S 1468
HR 2441 and S 1468, Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand the Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study to access certain mental health care resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs available to veterans who live in rural and tribal areas.
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Week of May 24 - June 7 - HR 3368
HR 3368 will provide for a presumption of service-connection for certain veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in the Armed Forces on Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Island.
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Week of May 17 - May 24 - HR 855
HR 855, VETS Safe Travel Act, will provide PreCheck to certain severely injured or disabled veterans. Our disabled American heroes have suffered enough in the service of their country.
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Week of May 10 - May 17 - HR 2580 and S 1151
HR 2580 and S 1151 will provide for the treatment of veterans who participated in the cleanup of Palomares, Spain as radiation-exposed veterans for purposes of the presumption of service-connection of certain disabilities by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
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Week of May 3 - May 10 - Recap of previous bills
This week we are doing a recap of all of our previous Bills of the Week. HR 1014, HR 109, HR 1355, S 454, HR 1585, S 565, HR 1022, S 951, HR 1448, S 613, HR 2372, S 952, HR 2269, S 657, HR 2127, and S 927.
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Week of April 26 - May 3 - HR 2127 and S 927
HR 2127 and S 927 will improve the provision of health care and other benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances.
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Week of April 19 - April 26 - HR 2269 and S 657
HR 2269 and S 657 cover herbicide exposure in Thailand. These bills will modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era.
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Week of April 7 - April 14 - HR 2372 and S 952
HR 2372 and S 952 will provide for presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure
to toxins. The Warfighter bills are essential to provide needed medical coverage and compensation for victims of military toxic exposure.
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Week of March 31 - April 7 - HR 1022, S 951, HR 1448, and S 613
HR 1022 and S 951 will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a grant program under which the Secretary shall make grants to private entities for the provision of service dogs to eligible veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
HR 1448 and S 613 will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy, and to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses who do not have mobility impairments.
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Week of March 24 - March 31 - HR 1585 AND S 565
These companion bills will provide for the treatment of veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll as radiation-exposed veterans for purposes of the presumption of service-connection of certain disabilities by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
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Week of March 17 - 24 - HR 1355 AND S 454
These companion bills will provide health care and benefits to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces at Karshi Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan.
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Week of March 10 - March 16 - HR 109
This bill will establish an advisory committee on the implementation by the Department of Veterans Affairs of an electronic health record.
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Week of March 3 - March 9 - HR 1014
This bill will establish a pilot program to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to a veteran who has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS).
Week of March 20 - March 27 - HR 815
HR 815, the RELIEVE Act, will expand eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimbursement of emergency treatment for veterans who are treated in a non-VA facility. This bill will close a loophole that has been left open. Often by the time a veteran enrolls in the VA system, it can take months to get in to schedule a visit with a primary care doctor, let alone a specialty. If an emergency occurs and the veteran has to go to a non-VA emergency facility, it makes no sense that they would be held responsible for being seen prior to an emergency. These things are out of our control, and the veteran should not be penalized.
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Week of February 27 - March 20 - HR 1191
HR 1191 will amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for a presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents for certain veterans who served in Guam. The PACT Act grants the presumption of herbicide exposure to service members who ‘‘(5) performed on Guam or American Samoa, or in the territorial waters thereof, during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on July 31, 1980, or served on Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll during the period beginning on January 1, 1972, and ending on September 30, 1977.” Evidence complied by Military-Veterans Advocacy shows that the spraying on Guam commenced on August 15, 1958. HR 1191 will correct this deficiency in the law and make the commencement date for Guam retroactive to August 15, 1958.
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Week of February 20 - February 27 - HR 710
HR 710 will establish a national commission on fiscal responsibility and reform. This bill will shine a light on the need for fiscal reform. It also aligns with one of our legislative agenda’s here at MVA. We are extremely supportive of ways to improve fiscal responsibility, so that veteran benefits can be expanded, and we as a nation can take care of all our Veterans, without cutting from another veteran to help another veteran.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of February 13 - February 20 - HR 562
HR 562, Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2023. This bill will provide for better accessibility for veteran constituents to meet with their legislative Congress people. By allowing the space within VA facilities, it gives a one-stop shop for veterans who might have more difficulty in reaching their lawmakers. The veteran issues can then be addressed and followed up with on the local level.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of February 6 - February 13 - HR 303
HR 303, Retired Pay Restoration Act, will provide for concurrent receipt of veterans disability compensation and retirement pay for disabled retirees with fewer than 20 years of service and a combat-related disability. While fiscal responsibility is
important, placing that burden on the shoulders of our disabled veterans is unconscionable. This bill will shift the burden back to the United States government where it belongs.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of January 30 - February 6 - HR 41
HR 41, VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure the timely scheduling of appointments for health care at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is very important to veterans. The VHA is still plagued with delays and wait lists. This bill will force the VA to act and schedule in one phone call.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of January 23 - January 30 - HR 105
HR 105, TBI and PTSD Treatment Act, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to a veteran who has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS). MVA has reviewed several studies concerning HBOT treatment for PTS and TBI and there are positive indications associated with this treatment. Our interviews with MVA members who served in combat or in Special Operations also point to an affirmative correlation between HBOT and PTS/TBI. We believe that HBOT could potentially allow for a more successful treatment pathway for these invisible wounds.
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Week of November 27 - December 3 - S 1725
S 1725 will grant a Federal charter to the National American Indian Veterans, Incorporated. This bill has already passed the Senate. Help us to get it passed in the House. Veteran services for tribal areas have been spotty at best. Native American Veterans often do not have access to either service officers or medical clinics. Chartering this group will help to correct these deficiencies. Native Americans are participating in military service in ever increasing numbers. We need to ensure that the VA serves their needs.
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Week of November 13 - November 19 - HR 1282 HR 1282 and S 344, the Major Richard Star Act, will provide for concurrent receipt of veterans' disability compensation and retirement pay for disability retirees with fewer than 20 years of service and a combat-related disability. While fiscal responsibility is important, placing that burden on the shoulders of our disabled veterans is unconscionable. The Major Richard Star Act will shift that burden back to the United States government where it belongs. This is a bill that is long overdue.
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Week of September 6 - November 13 - HR 5026
HR 5026, Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act of 2021, will grant federal benefits to veterans who served in or near the Panama Canal Zone, all of whom were potentially exposed to deadly tactical herbicides such as Agent Orange. It will expand presumptive coverage to these veterans, similar to the coverage for those who served in Vietnam, along the Korean DMZ, and on the base perimeters in Thailand. It is long past time we recognize the sacrifices of those who defended this strategic position when our nation called upon them.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of August 30 - September 6 HR 8736
HR 8736, the GUARD Act, will reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited claim representatives who charge unauthorized fees while assisting veterans with filing a claim for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation benefits.
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Week of August 22 - August 29 HR 7337
HR 7337, Access for Veterans to Records Act, will require the Archivist of the United States to submit a plan to Congress to eliminate the records backlog at the National Personnel Records Center. While we understand that the pandemic required a number of employees to work remotely, the medical situation has stabilized in this country. In order to obtain records to support the claims for sick and dying veterans, the National Archives must become more responsive. Contact your Senators and Member of Congress and ask for their support.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of August 8 - August 22 - HR 6647
HR 6647 will make certain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of July 18 - August 8 - S 3373
The Honoring our PACT Act, will improve health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances. This comprehensive bill will address herbicide, radiation, and burn pits. A procedural issue required Congress to amend and pass the PACT Act again. The House has done its job and passed the bill with bipartisan support. Every day this bill is delayed means another day a veteran could get sick and die. The Senate must stop any further delays and immediately pass the Honoring our PACT Act. Contact your Senators and tell them no more delays, they must bring the Honoring our PACT Act to the floor immediately and vote YES.
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Week of July 4 - July 18 HR 7158 and S 2852
HR 7158 and S 2852, Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act, will authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of care in non-Department of Veterans Affairs medical foster homes for certain veterans who are unable to live independently.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of June 27 - July 4 - HR 5819
HR 5819, Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act, will increase the amount paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans for improvements and structural alterations furnished as part of home health services.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of June 13 - June 27 - HR 1476
HR 1476, PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act, will authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants to State and local entities and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) to carry out peer-to-peer mental health
programs. As you know veteran suicide has reached epidemic level. We are losing thousands of veterans to suicide every year. In most cases mental health plays a role in these tragic deaths. The VA is not able to provide needed services on the local level to arrest this trend. They lack both the expertise and the resources to expand into local communities and tribal areas. This bill will make State and local governments and NGOs allies in the battle against veteran suicide.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of June 6 - June 13 - HR 2910 and S 3603
HR 2910 and S 3603, Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to improve the ability of veterans to provide the veterans the ability to choose health care providers.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of May 30 - June 6 - HR 7048
HR 7048, Protect Lifesaving Anesthesia Care for Veterans Act of 2022. This bill will prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from replacing physician anesthesiologists with certified registered nurse anesthetists, or other health professionals in the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of May 16 - May 30 - HR 7589
HR 7589, Remove Copays Act, will prohibit the imposition or collection of copayments for certain mental health outpatient care visits of veterans.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of May 9 - May 16 - HR 2992
HR 2992, TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act. This bill will direct the Attorney General to develop crisis intervention training tools for use by first responders related to interacting with persons who have a traumatic brain injury, another form of acquired brain injury, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Week of April 25 - May 9 - HR 7524
HR 7524, the ACES Act, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the incidence and mortality of cancer among individuals who served in the Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps as aircrew.
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Week of April 18 - April 25 - HR 4601 and S 2405
HR 4601 and S 2405, Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act, will authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants to states to improve outreach to veterans.
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Week of April 11 - April 18 - HR 7050
HR 7050, Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act, will make certain improvements in the laws relating to the administration of benefits payable to survivors of deceased veterans.
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Week of April 4 - April 11 - HR 6543
HR 6543, Restore Veterans' Compensation Act of 2022, will eliminate the recoupment of separation pay, special separation benefits, and voluntary separation incentive payments from members of the Armed Forces who subsequently receive disability compensation under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Week of March 28 - April 4 - Repeat of HR 3368, HR 5026, HR 2269, and S 657
We have had all of these as previous Bills of the Week, but we still need to get more support. HR 3368 will provide a presumption of service-connection for veterans exposed to certain herbicides while serving on Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Island. HR 5026 will grant federal benefits to veterans who served in or near the Panama Canal Zone, all of whom were potentially exposed to deadly tactical herbicides such as Agent Orange. HR 2269 & S 657 will modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era.
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Week of March 21 - March 28 - HR 5607 and S 3483
HR 5607 and S 3483, Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2022, these bills will extend increased dependency and indemnity compensation paid to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, regardless of how long the veterans had such disease prior to death.
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Week of March 7 - March 21 - HR 3967
HR 3967, Honoring our PACT Act of 2021, will improve health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances.
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Week of February 28 - March 7 - HR 3402 and S S 976
HR 3402 and S 976, Caring for Survivors Act of 2021, will improve and expand eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation paid to certain survivors of certain veterans.
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Week of February 15 - February 28 - HR 6659 and S 3541
HR 6659 and S 3541, the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Acts, will provide health care and benefits to veterans suffering from the effects of toxic exposure. It is a cost of war that must be paid, and it is past time for Congress to deliver on this promise. It is consistent with the pending COST of War Act, won’t negatively impact VA’s delivery of care or benefits to veterans, and can garner enough bipartisan support to get it all the way to the President’s desk— making it our best chance at ensuring all past, present, and future generations get the care and benefits they earned.
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Week of February 7 - February 14 - HR 6402 and S 1725
HR 6402 and S 1725 will grant a Federal charter to the National American Indian Veterans, Incorporated. Veteran services for tribal areas have been spotty at best. Native American Veterans often do not have access to either service officers or medical clinics. Chartering this group will help to correct these deficiencies. Native Americans are participating in military service in ever increasing numbers. We need to ensure that the VA serves their needs.
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Week of January 24 - February 7 - HR 5944
HR 5944, Veterans Administration Backlog Accountability Act of 2021, will direct the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the backlog of disability compensation claims submitted to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
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Week of January 17 - January 24 - HR 3596
HR 3596, the Lawrence J. Hackett, Jr., Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Fairness Act, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a task force on Agent Orange exposure.
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Week of January 10 - January 17 - HR 1836
HR 1836, the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021, will ensure that the time during which members of the Armed Forces serve on active duty for training qualifies for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Week of January 3 - January 10 - HR 6260
HR 6260, the Casualty Assistance Reform Act of 2021, will direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a working group for the reform of the casualty assistance officer program.
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Week of December 27 - January 3 - HR 2992
HR 2992, TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act, will direct the Attorney General to develop crisis intervention training tools for use by first responders related to interacting with persons who have a traumatic brain injury, another form of acquired brain injury, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Week of December 20 - December 27 - HR 3400
HR 3400, VA Emergency Transportation Act, will reimburse Veterans for the cost of emergency medical transportation to a Federal facility.
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Week of December 13 - December 20 - HR 2800
HR 2800, the WINGMAN Act, will permit veterans to grant access to their records in the databases of the Veterans Benefits Administration to certain designated congressional employees.
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Week of November 29 - December 13 - HR 1361 and S 444
HR 1361 and S 444, AUTO for Veterans Act, will authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide or assist in providing an additional vehicle adapted for operation by disabled individuals to certain eligible persons.
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Week of November 22 - November 29 - HR 2601 and S 1188
HR 2601 and S 1188, SFC Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to notify Congress regularly of reported cases of burn pit exposure by Veterans.
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Week of November 8 - November 22 - HR 2819 and S 1198
HR 2819 and S 1198, Solid Start Act of 2021, will improve and expand the Solid Start program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Week of November 1 - November 8 - HR 3537 and S 1813
HR 3537 and S 1813, Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act, will direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to support research on, and expanded access to, investigational drugs for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Week of October 18 - November 1 - S 1970
S 1970, The Clean Water for Military Families Act, will require the Secretary of Defense to conduct testing for and remediation of perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances at or surrounding installations of the Department of Defense located in the United States, formerly used defense sites, and State-owned facilities of the National Guard.
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Week of October 11 - October 18 - HR 4949 and S 692
HR 4949 and S 692, the Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021, will award a Congressional Gold Medal to the female telephone operators of the Army Signal Corps, known as the "Hello Girls".
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Week of September 27 - October 11 - HR 852 and S 221
HR 852 and S 221, United States - Israel PTSD Collaborative Research Act, will direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a grant program to increase cooperation on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder research between the United States and Israel.
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Week of September 13 - September 27 - RECA Cleanup Veterans
We have reason to believe RECA (Radiation Exposure Compensation Act) legislation will be introduced mid-September that may not include two groups of Veterans that should be included. The first group is approximately 6000 Veterans that participated in the Enewetak Atoll Radiological Cleanup Project. The second group omitted is the Palomares, Spain Broken Arrow Operation. Click the link to learn more and to contact your Member of Congress and Senators.
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Week of September 6 - September 13 - HR 3368, HR 5026, HR 2269, & S 657
We have had all of these as previous Bills of the Week but we still need to get more support. HR 3368 will provide a presumption of service-connection for veterans exposed to certain herbicides while serving on Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Island. HR 5026 will grant federal benefits to veterans who served in or near the Panama Canal Zone, all of whom were potentially exposed to deadly tactical herbicides such as Agent Orange. HR 2269 & S 657 will modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era.
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Week of August 23 - September 7 - HR 5026
HR 5026, The Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act of 2021 will grant federal benefits to veterans who served in or near the Panama Canal Zone, all of whom were potentially exposed to deadly tactical herbicides such as Agent Orange.
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Week of August 16 - August 23 S 2189 and HR 1014
S 2189 and HR 1014 will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to a veteran who has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS).
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Week of July 26 - August 16 HR 2192
HR 2192, The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021, will provide a federal cause of action for those individuals affected by exposure to the water provided at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC from August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987.
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Week of July 12 - July 26 - HR 1976 and S 810
HR 1972 and S 810, the Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act, will extend the list of diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents for which there is presumption of service connection for veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam to include hypertension.
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Week of June 28 - July 12 - HR 1656
HR 1656, TREAT PTSD Act, will require the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to furnish enrolled members and veterans of the Armed Forces who have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with stellate ganglion blocks, should they elect to have them.
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Week of June 21 - June 28 - HR 303 and S 1147
HR 303 and S 1147, The Retired Pay Restoration Act, will permit additional retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or combat-related special compensation.
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Week of June 7 - June 21 - HR 2441 and S 1468
HR 2441 and S 1468, Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021, will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand the Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study to access certain mental health care resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs available to veterans who live in rural and tribal areas.
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Week of May 24 - June 7 - HR 3368
HR 3368 will provide for a presumption of service-connection for certain veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in the Armed Forces on Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Island.
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Week of May 17 - May 24 - HR 855
HR 855, VETS Safe Travel Act, will provide PreCheck to certain severely injured or disabled veterans. Our disabled American heroes have suffered enough in the service of their country.
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Week of May 10 - May 17 - HR 2580 and S 1151
HR 2580 and S 1151 will provide for the treatment of veterans who participated in the cleanup of Palomares, Spain as radiation-exposed veterans for purposes of the presumption of service-connection of certain disabilities by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
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Week of May 3 - May 10 - Recap of previous bills
This week we are doing a recap of all of our previous Bills of the Week. HR 1014, HR 109, HR 1355, S 454, HR 1585, S 565, HR 1022, S 951, HR 1448, S 613, HR 2372, S 952, HR 2269, S 657, HR 2127, and S 927.
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Week of April 26 - May 3 - HR 2127 and S 927
HR 2127 and S 927 will improve the provision of health care and other benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances.
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Week of April 19 - April 26 - HR 2269 and S 657
HR 2269 and S 657 cover herbicide exposure in Thailand. These bills will modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era.
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Week of April 7 - April 14 - HR 2372 and S 952
HR 2372 and S 952 will provide for presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure
to toxins. The Warfighter bills are essential to provide needed medical coverage and compensation for victims of military toxic exposure.
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Week of March 31 - April 7 - HR 1022, S 951, HR 1448, and S 613
HR 1022 and S 951 will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a grant program under which the Secretary shall make grants to private entities for the provision of service dogs to eligible veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
HR 1448 and S 613 will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy, and to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses who do not have mobility impairments.
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Week of March 24 - March 31 - HR 1585 AND S 565
These companion bills will provide for the treatment of veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll as radiation-exposed veterans for purposes of the presumption of service-connection of certain disabilities by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
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Week of March 17 - 24 - HR 1355 AND S 454
These companion bills will provide health care and benefits to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces at Karshi Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan.
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Week of March 10 - March 16 - HR 109
This bill will establish an advisory committee on the implementation by the Department of Veterans Affairs of an electronic health record.
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Week of March 3 - March 9 - HR 1014
This bill will establish a pilot program to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to a veteran who has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS).
