VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE APPROVES RESIDENT COMMISSIONER’S VETERANS SERVING VETERANS BILL

Washington DC- July 12, 2018 - The Veterans Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives gave its approval today to a Bill sponsored by Resident Commissioner, Jenniffer González Colón, which has a national impact in staff recruiting for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that would benefit all states and territories including Puerto Rico.

At the Mark-Up hearing of the Committee on Veterans Affairs held today, several bills were voted upon, which included H.R. 5938, the Veterans Serving Veterans Act, which seeks to alleviate the problem of recruitment and retention of personnel within VA on two fronts.

First, it requires VA to collaborate with the Department of Defense in the creation of a searchable database that will help identify and recruit service members who are about to be discharged from the armed forces, with the possibility of filling vacant positions in VA.

Second, it requires VA to implement a program to recruit, train and certify former military medics as Intermediate Care Technicians (ICTs) to work at VA facilities. The ICT program is a pilot program in VA that has managed to maintain high levels of satisfaction among veterans and VA providers. This portion of the project aims for uniformity and consistency in the education and training of ICT program participants. This helps preserve the integrity of the program and allow it to continue to grow.

"The idea for this bill was born from the concerns I have received, like other members of the Committee, from veterans who reside in our districts. The Veterans affairs Department faces several challenges, including the process of recruiting and maintaining appropriate staff for the care of our veteran community. My bill proposes a way to alleviate this difficulty while allowing us to help veterans in their transition from the armed forces and in the job search process as a civilian. We must do everything we can to facilitate this process. This project bill them the opportunity to work with and for other veterans as part of the VA, if they wish," said González Colón.

On June 13, González Colón defended her proposal at the public hearing of the he Health Subcommittee where the recommendations of veterans and VA organizations were collected. On June 27, the bill with amendments was moved and approved by the Subcommittee on Health, and today by the whole of the Committee.

The leadership of the House of Representatives will determine when would the Bill be brought to a vote in the Floor of the Chamber.

"The bill was amended prior to today's vote, to accommodate the concerns of the VA and some veteran assistance organizations. Both are extremely important, as they are the ones who work directly with our veterans and are our allies in continuing to serve the needs of the men and women of this community," explained the congresswoman.