Tag: Veterans Affairs

Nikki Haley Aims to Require Members of Congress to Get Health Care from Veterans Affairs

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called for requiring members of Congress to get their health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), saying it would prompt them to fix that broken system. “My way of fixing this is I think every member of Congress should have to get their health…


California Ranks Among Worst States for Military Retirees: Study

The Golden State is one of the worst states for military retirees to live out their golden years, according to a new study published May 22 by the personal finance company WalletHub. California’s economic environment was the biggest factor for the low ranking, placing it last among all states, including Washington, D.C. The state also…


56 House Republicans Criticize Veterans Affairs Secretary Over Debt Limit Bill Claims

House Republicans have sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, criticizing his department for making “baseless political talking points” about the GOP legislation to raise the debt ceiling while cutting future spending. In a May 4 letter led by Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), a former Navy helicopter pilot, 56 House Republicans fended…


How a Strike by Federal Public Service Workers Could Impact Canadians

A strike by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC)—a union representing more than 120,000 federal public servants across the country—could impact federal services for veterans, indigenous people, immigrants, and those looking to get passports and tax returns. The government of Canada has released details on how a potential strike among the five bargaining groups of…


Following Veteran Patient Deaths and Injuries, VA Pauses Rollout of Electronic Record System

Following a long series of problems in the delivery of veteran health care linked to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic health record (EHR) system—including several serious injuries and four deaths—the VA announced on April 6 that it had extended the eight-month pause on rolling out the technology. In July 2022, the VA Office…


Lawmakers Question Veterans Affairs Secretary on Use of Toxic Exposures Fund

At a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on March 29, lawmakers continued to press Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough on a budget issue that is top of mind for many in Congress: how the VA plans to use a block of the money that was appropriated in the PACT Act, the landmark law…


Nurse Sues Veterans Affairs Over Abortion Rule at Texas Facility

A Texas nurse sued the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Wednesday over a new abortion rule, alleging it violates the law and her religious beliefs. First Liberty Institute, a conservative legal firm, filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas on behalf of nurse Stephanie Carter, who…


Case Managers Warn Veterans’ Lives at Stake as Ottawa Presses Ahead on Rehab Contract

Case managers at Veterans Affairs Canada are warning that lives could be at stake as the government presses ahead with plans to change the way physical and mental rehabilitation services are provided to ill and injured ex-soldiers. The warnings were delivered in emotional testimony before the House of Commons veterans affairs committee Monday, where three…


Veterans Affairs Minister Stands Firm on Record in Face of Anger, Call to Resign

Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay is standing firm in the face of frustration over the Liberal government’s treatment of ill and injured veterans and even a call for him to resign. MacAulay says in an interview with The Canadian Press that Ottawa is making progress on a number of fronts when it comes to providing…


Union Calling for Prime Minister to Fire Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay

A union representing thousands of Veterans Affairs Canada employees is asking the prime minister to replace Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay. In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Union of Veterans Affairs’ Employees says it has lost faith in MacAulay for repeatedly refusing to meet to discuss their concerns. Those concerns include a…