By Gina Martinez
The House has passed U.S. Rep. Grace Meng’s (D-Flushing) provisions to the Veteran Affairs Bill that open up employment opportunities at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The first amendment to the VA bill requires the secretary of Veterans Affairs to create a program that encourages members of the armed forces serving as health professionals to go after jobs with the Veterans Health Administration after they leave the military.
The VHA is the largest health care system in the United States, providing care to millions of veterans at VA medical centers, clinics ad outpatient sites.
“As we all know, the VHA has existing shortages of health professionals,” Meng said. “We also know that our servicemen and women sometimes have difficulty transitioning back to civilian life after serving. What could be better than having a service member with health care training and experience transition into employment with the VHA serving their brothers and sisters? Everyone wins with this amendment.”
The second amendment will help the VA secretary fill job vacancies in the VHA, where there are severe staffing shortages. The inspector general of the VA issues an annual report on which positions within the administration are understaffed. The VA secretary is then given expedited hiring authority and can fill those vacant spots. Meng’s amendment enables the inspector general to report on additional shortages than those currently allowed by law so the VA secretary can fill those positions more quickly.
“Our veterans need the care that they have earned and that they deserve,” Meng said on the House floor. “They need it now. The first step in that endeavor is making sure that VA staffing levels are adequate.”
Meng’s amendments were passed unanimously by voice vote.
Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmart
