Eclipse Magazine - Produced by NABVETS Winter 2014 | Page 12

National Association for Black Veterans, Inc.

“Creating a Positive Lifestyle for Veterans”

A VOICE FOR VETERANS

NABVETS Helps Pass
Non-VA Healthcare Provider Care for Veterans

President Obama signs VA reform bill – Aug 7, 2014 at Ft. Belvoir in a ceremony attended by
NABVETS National Vice Commander Joe Wynn

NABVETS National Vice Commander Joe Wynn was at Fort
Belvoir, Virginia, along with representatives of other Veteran
Service Organizations, Senator Bernie Sanders, Congressman
Michaud, the new VA Secretary, Bob McDonald, and others,
on August 7th when President Obama signed a $16.3 billion
emergency spending measure that will allow veterans to
receive medical care from non-VA healthcare providers. It will
also bolster the VA’s capacity to treat more veterans in-house.
After the signing of the bill, Wynn was guardedly optimistic
about its possible effects, stating, “Many of us are now
concerned with how the VA will implement and manage these
new requirements. We don’t want this to turn into an overly
burdensome process in an attempt to expedite treatment.”
This bill is a joint effort of SVAC Chairman Senator Bernie
Sanders and Congressman Jeff Miller, HVAC Chairman. “It’s
good to see that veterans issues are supported on both sides of
the aisle.” The measure will also provide enhanced incentives
to attract more doctors and nurses and other healthcare
professionals to the VA.

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Other provisions in the bill authorize new clinics; improve the
delivery of care for veterans who experienced sexual trauma
while serving in the military; extend a program about to expire
which provides housing for veterans struggling with traumatic
brain injuries; and allow eligible veterans under the Post 9/11
GI education benefits to qualify for in-state tuition.
The reform package, which provides additional VA medical staff
and allows the VA greater authority to dismiss directors who fail
to meet expectations, was introduced after VA whistle-blowers
came forward last spring to announce that they had been
directed to falsify appointment records leaving some veterans
on secret lists with no appointments scheduled at all.
“It was truly an honor and a privilege to be a part of history in
witnessing President Obama sign a bill into law and especially
one pertaining to military veterans like me,” said Wynn.
By:
Joe Wynn
NABVETS
National Vice-Commander
Communications

NABVETS EclipSE MAgAziNE

Winter 2014