The Veterans Health Administration Management Improvement Act proposed

Bills to Address Health and Discrimination Issues Facing Veterans were just introduce into the House of Representatives. Although Congress passed a package to address several issues affecting veterans’ healthcare last June, these proposals aim to change the underlying culture that caused manipulated wait times and cover-ups.

•  The Veterans Health Administration Management Improvement Act seeks to supplement and enhance the changes that Congress already made by passing the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014. The bill takes additional steps to address leadership failures by management, and to make it easier for employees to report mismanagement. Specifically the legislation: 
• Directs the GAO to conduct a study to determine what management problems exist at the VA, and establishes a pilot program to provide an opportunity for management to improve;
• Establishes a VHA Management and Accountability Ombudsman to provide a safe avenue for employees to report issues they observe. The Ombudsman would be responsible for keeping the Secretary of Veterans Affairs appraised of employee concerns; and 
• Establishes a patients’ bill of rights to create basic rights for VHA beneficiaries, so that veterans have a clear sense of what they are entitled to in their healthcare. The bill of rights was written after consulting multiple stakeholders to ensure it meets industry best practices. 
•  The Veterans and Servicemembers Employment Rights and Housing Act of 2015 will add to anti-discrimination laws for housing and employment to ensure that military status isn’t used against anyone looking for a home or a job. The bill will provide comprehensive assistance to veterans of all eras and provide legal recourse for those who choose to seek it.

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EDITORIAL COMMENT: You will have to decide for yourself whether these are good ideas.  So far I count at least fifteen proposals this year:
1 . Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act of 2015 (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.366.IH][PDF]
2 . Making Servicemember Foreclosure Protections Permanent Act (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.190.IH][PDF]
3 . Servicemember Foreclosure Protections Extension Act of 2015 (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.189.IH][PDF]
4 . Comprehensive Homes for Heroes Act of 2015 (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.252.IH][PDF]
5 . Families of Fallen Servicemembers First Act (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.250.IH][PDF]
6 . Housing Fairness Act of 2015 (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.372.IH][PDF]
7 . Homes for Heroes Act of 2015 (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.251.IH][PDF]
8 . HERO Transition from Battlespace to Workplace Act of 2015 (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.76.IH][PDF]
9 . Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.360.IH][PDF]
10 . Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.474.IH][PDF]
11 . Half in Ten Act of 2015 (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.258.IH][PDF]
12 . To provide for the establishment of a pilot program to encourage the employment of veterans in manufacturing positions. (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.344.IH][PDF]
13 . Moving to Work Charter Program Act of 2015 (Introduced in Senate - IS)[S.65.IS][PDF]
14 . New Chance for a New Start in Life Act of 2015 (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.78.IH][PDF]
15 . Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act (Introduced in House - IH)[H.R.356.IH][PDF]
If you think any of the above are good ideas, then contact your Congresscritter in whatever District you live. If it doesn't happen, it'll be because veterans did not speak up - and if it DOES happen, it will be because YOU did!