Teresa Morris, Director, Advocacy & Government Relations

Greetings NOVA Members!

As we enter June, Members of Congress are moving closer to the final months of work and the end of the 116th Congress. With little time left to debate critical issues and with COVID-19 still very much with us – it will be a race to the finish to get funding bills passed and other important legislation finalized prior to them leaving DC to campaign for the November elections.

As I write this article, the House passed another stimulus package (HEROES Act) which included several provisions designed to give VA the tools needed to continue providing care during the public health emergency. The Senate has indicated they are not in favor of the $3 trillion dollar package and may work on their own language. As details emerge, I will of course pass along information to the NOVA membership as to anything affecting you and your role caring for Veterans.

NOVA continues advocating for all VA healthcare workers and has made our suggestions to Hill staff on what we deem important in any next steps in a stimulus package. We continue to update our COVID-19 Resource page and finished putting together our second survey taking the temperature of how things are going among frontline workers and within facilities nationwide.

The survey questions were updated but remain in the same context as the first so as to get a sense of how everyone is feeling about personal protective equipment (PPE), testing, communication within VA facilities, and other concerns.

Survey results showed some improvements in availability of PPE, but many are reusing what is provided daily, and find getting PPE difficult when needed. Communication between leadership, staff and Veterans is changing rapidly causing some confusion overall. Concerns about how the opening up of VA facilities (the Secretary announced his plans to begin reopening of various facilities in a phase in type manner) remained high as noted by the many comments made by NOVA nurses. 

To take a look at the survey questionnaire and responses, visit the NOVA website. Click Here

I urge you to continue your advocacy efforts and to speak opening and candidly to your leadership and also to let Congress know what is happening during the crisis – they want to know how things are going especially for those on the frontline taking care of Veteran and community patients.

A reminder that the Department of Veterans Affairs and both House and Senate VA Committees have resources on their website and social media sites with up to date information on the pandemic for Veterans and those taking care of them.

Thank you again for all you do and for your heroism every day!   

Stay Tuned!