Largest Federal Union "Encouraged" by Steps to Invest in the VA
AFGE says new funding will allow the department to manage non-VA care more effectively
WASHINGTON, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to the passing of the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act today, the American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. issued the following statement:
"Today Congressional leaders came together, put party politics aside, and passed legislation that is vital to the future of the VA. We are very encouraged by the passing of this bill, which will allow additional investment in the VA, and allow the VA to manage non-VA care better than the broken Choice program.
"While we still stand with the veterans who overwhelmingly tell us they want the VA for their healthcare, it's important that those who cannot receive care at the VA have outside options. The VA Choice and Quality Employment Act isn't a cure-all for the VA or the Choice program, but is a temporary fix that will allow more veterans access to the care they need.
"But after years of starving the VA's funding for the Choice program, it's the investment in veterans' first preference for medical care that has us most in support of this legislation.
"Infusing our nation's largest healthcare system with $1.4 billion for hiring, workforce improvements, and the authorization of 28 new leases that increase the department's internal capacity to deliver care will make a huge difference at a time when the VA is facing nearly 50,000 vacancies nationwide. With the VA now more able to gather data in recruitment, retention, and staffing, there will finally be some transparency – but it's not enough.
"We at AFGE believe that for true transparency, and a fully-operational department, Congress must pass Rep. Anthony Brown's bill, the VA Staffing and Vacancies Transparency Act of 2017. If Rep. Brown's bill is passed, we will finally have transparency in the VA, and the ability to identify the necessary hires the department needs. That in turn will allow more veterans to receive more access to the only healthcare system created for veterans, and by veterans in this country."
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 700,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia, including 250,000 at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees
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