House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Washington, DC – Today by a vote of 425-1, the House passed H.R. 2528, the Fiscal Year 2006 Military Quality of Life Appropriations Act.  The bill provides an increase of $1.64 billion over FY05 funding levels for veterans healthcare. 

Washington, D.C. – This evening, the House passed H.R. 2046, The Servicemembers Health Insurance Protection (SHIP) Act of 2005.  The bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) to limit premium increases on reinstated health insurance coverage of servicemembers who are released from active duty after mobilization.  It also preserves employer-sponsored health plan coverage for certain reserve-component members who acquire TRICARE coverage in replacement of their health insurance prior to activation.  There are a total of 30 cosponsors on this bill.  

Washington, DC – Today, the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation held a hearing on the efforts by the Department of Defense and the Department Veterans’ Affairs in assisting military service personnel transitioning from active military service to veterans’ status – a concept generally referred to as Seamless Transition.  The hearing focused on the timely transfer of service members from military hospitals to VA medical centers, a review of the Benefits Delivery at Discharge Program, and service specific initiatives. 

Statement from Rep. Steve Buyer, Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, in connection with release of the VA Inspector General's May 19, 2005, "Review of State Variances in VA Disability Compensation Payments": 

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing to examine the performance of the Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) in administering its several programs, its resource needs, and review the state grant program that funds Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPS) and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER). 

Washington, D.C.— Today, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, chaired by Representative Jeff Miller (R-FL-01), held a hearing to examine the policy and operational issues facing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) and the Department’s Appeals Management Center (AMC).  The Subcommittee explored the Board’s performance goals and plans for increasing the accuracy and timeliness of appeals.