March 20, 2018

MOAA has teamed with seven other veterans service organizations in support of a compromise measure to consolidate several VA community-care programs and extend caregiver benefits - moves that could measurably improve the lives of millions of veterans.

The VSOs called on congressional leaders to support a compromise on Veterans Affairs legislation in a letter sent to lawmakers Monday night. Congress must pass a funding bill by Friday to avoid triggering another government shutdown.

“Military Officers Association of America fully supports efforts on Capitol Hill to include compromise provisions to consolidate and reform VA's community care programs as part of the omnibus spending bill being considered by Congress this week,” said retired Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, MOAA's president and CEO. “The provisions provide the needed health care and services for our veterans, families and their caregivers - VSOs, Congress and the administration have collectively been working hard to achieve over the past two years."

The bill, a bipartisan effort, would consolidate and reform several existing VA community care programs. It will also “ensure that veterans who cannot get appointments or services at the VA will have the choice to use qualified to community providers,” the joint letter states.

The bill would also add transparency and stakeholder involvement in a large-scale infrastructure review of the VA. The intent of the review is to make more effectively deliver care to veterans.

Lastly, the bill would enable an expansion of the VA's comprehensive caregiver assistance program, created for caregivers of seriously injured pre-9/11 vets.

“It is our hope the necessary funding to reform community care, expand caregiver support to veterans of all eras, and infrastructure review in this legislation supports VA's delivery of health care to veterans and provides the necessary funding to executive the provisions, Atkins said. “MOAA looks forward to seeing the provisions enacted and working with Congress and the Administration to implement the reforms.”

MOAA has partnered on this call to action with the following VSOs: The American Legion, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Read the full letter here.