Teresa Morris, Director, Advocacy & Government Relations

Greetings NOVA Members –

Another month of stay at home orders and Congress is still working on more stimulus funding to help those suffering during this crisis. 

As we mark three packages that have already passed and been signed into law- the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, CARES Act, and most recently the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Protection Act; healthcare workers are still working on the frontlines saving lives.

NOVA remains vigilant in advocating for all VA healthcare workers and has launched a COVID-19 Resource page on its website and released another statement on the pandemic.

https://www.vanurse.org/page/COVID-19Resources

I continue to discuss VA issues with Hill staff and VSO leadership and have made suggestions on items we may want to see in a 4th stimulus package. They include possible bonus/hazard pay for frontline workers, retention incentives, and increases in pay scale tables.

Media stories continue to be posted on lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), COVID-19 testing, and other equipment for frontline workers, and the VA has continued to respond that they are following CDC guidelines.  

Following our first survey (emailed in March), NOVA has sent a second one to membership asking the tough questions to see where we stand at this moment.  Our first survey provided interesting responses to questions about PPE, staffing and communication within VHA facilities – it can be found on our COVID-19 Resource page.

I ask all of you to read your emails and answer the survey questions so we can again provide up-to-date information to Hill and VSO leadership. This helps to provide information and credibility as to how the frontline staff are prepared and feeling during this crisis.

I urge you to continue your advocacy efforts and to let Congress know what is happening during the crisis – the good and the bad.

A reminder that both House and Senate VA Committees  have resources on their website and social media sites with current information for Veterans and their caregivers.

Finally, it looks like Congress may come back in mass to DC during May – social distancing and wearing masks as they debate FY 2021 funding, and other priorities – even during a pandemic – legislation will continue...

Thank you again for all you do and for your heroism every day!  Wishing all of you a wonderful Nurses Week and Happy Birthday Florence Nightingale. 

Stay Tuned!