Happy Nurses Month!

What a wonderful reminder of the hard work, compassion, and amazing care that all of you provide to our Nation’s Veterans. NOVA continues to advocate for that care as Congress debates legislation that will affect the Department of Veterans Affairs in the future.

I wanted to provide a brief list of bills of interest that are still in play until the end of the session: S.10 VA CAREERS Act- NOVA helped introduce and highly supports this bill – talking points can be found here.

S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act*
H.R. 1315, The HEALTH Act*
*Both bills look to improve VA healthcare by expanding access to care for veterans, safeguard veterans’ ability to choose their own providers and require VA to improve the quality of care veterans receive.

H.R. 542 Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act would address home care and caregiver programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

H.R. 3225/ S. 42 - Build for Veterans Act both bills address VA’s capital asset management, planning, and investment plans.

H.R. 6324/ FY 24 VA Major Medical Facility Authorization – authorizes VA to conduct specified major medical facility projects during FY24.

H.R. 6531, TRAIN VA Employees Act would require VA to develop a training program after consulting with heads of at least three other Federal Departments and agencies, including the Department of Defense, the bill looks to improve the performance of supervisors at the VA in helping employees excel and follow existing law and provide consistency throughout the agency when it comes to evaluating employee performance.

H.R. 6538, VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023 would provide registered nurses and others at the VA access to negotiated grievance procedures to correct inaccuracies in their pay. AFGE, NFFE, SEIU AANA, DAV, PVA and the American Legion all support.

H.R. 3347/S. 2070 – NOVA opposes this legislation as it would limit CRNA from practicing within VHA without a Physician. It also prohibits the VA from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the provisions relating to anesthesia care of the proposed rule titled Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (81 Fed. Reg. 33155), or any similar rule.

As we move into the final months of the118th, it is likely that some of the language /provisions from these bills will be included as part of an Omnibus Veterans Package which is being negotiated between House and Senate VA Committees.

Let us continue to speak up and advocate by reminding policy makers that you are “VA Nurses Fighting for Veterans and VA Healthcare.”  The importance of the work you do taking care of Veterans is critical to VA remaining the highest level of coordinated care in the US.
 
There is always time to schedule a meeting with Congress and staff – I have provided the links to both the House of Representatives and United States Senate so that you can locate D.C. and District offices closest to you.

U.S. House
U.S. Senate