This was voted on months ago. Exactly how the VA really intends to execute this plan will come in time. It will be one of many things that I will be asking members of the VA and members of our government when I get a chance to meet with them. Currently it is not yet completed. The reason, the differences are no resolved! No status in nearly 5 months. So much for it getting into the 2008 budget.
Introduced Mar 15, 2007
Scheduled for Debate Mar 20, 2007
Amendments (13 proposed) [details]
Passed House [details] Mar 28, 2007
Passed Senate Jul 25, 2007
Differences Resolved -
Signed by President -
You can track the status here.
When it is completed, these are some of the provisions that would:
- End the inconsistent ratings for the same disabilities by the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Veterans Administration (VA).
- Provide for a seamless transition from DOD to VA care by requiring the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to jointly develop a comprehensive policy on the care and management of service members’ transition.
- Authorize $50 million for improved diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of members with Traumatic Brian Injury (TBI) or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
- Authorize medically retired service members with disability ratings of 50% or higher to receive the active duty medical benefit for three years after the member leaves active duty.
- Authorize military and VA health care providers to provide urgent and emergency medical care and counseling to family members on invitational travel orders.
- Establish a DOD and VA Interagency Program Office to develop and implement a joint electronic health record.
- Require the Secretary of Defense to establish standards for housing for military out-patients and for military hospitals and clinics and specialty medical care facilities.
- Increase the minimum severance pay to one year’s basic pay for those separated for disabilities incurred in a combat zone, and six months’ basic pay for all others.
- Eliminate the requirement that severance pay be deducted from disability compensation for disabilities incurred in a combat zone.
The entire Act can be found here
The summarized version is here.