[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,108],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":71,"_73":71},"mediaId",6229887,"mediaKeyId","3444071-6c79443392ba0451b60813ac6c5ec38c","parentId",3444071,"title","Witnesses back bills to support caregivers, menopause research and rural veteran transportation","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3621000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3444071-6c79443392ba0451b60813ac6c5ec38c&start=3621&end=3621","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3444071-6c79443392ba0451b60813ac6c5ec38c/thumbnail_3621000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6229887/Witnesses-back-bills-to-support-caregivers-menopause-research-and-rural-veteran-transportation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229887-89f7e0e995079e4487f73ce507f1f2e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167579&Signature=lKpmqh7JiAaAwZhEzUffrwmkI8jCVWZl2NpwK6kXdb58rAMIXuQRcB1sb9NMAfUZ2fsmibLkrSVTmNLsh0katRqzYKHADpu-fkXjHiiQ~yYIgMOUPHz8cuTzvp0UbF7K3KSsOf~TZh9PJb-CwRqlUH8Mj1aBYDNemzE9WL9FbSkRU6gBy2w4vXdzuWmgkm49kaq8GjMJ6A897hpxnp2RWuqHuusEMU3Vu1eND1T5esxEs9QuiFgBDE8OMSQgEOaWcWB8Jxf30oeo9FVy851SJWB3Qhg-Q6A4gQ9OPyECAotZRL2UAnmqqlNCNhl24HmnpqFupLe8fv8FpjfRrkrv5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives of veterans service organizations told the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee they support a slate of bills intended to improve services for caregivers, advance women's health research and expand transportation aid for rural veterans.

Brian Dempsey of the Wounded Warrior Project and Morgan Brown of Paralyzed Veterans of America expressed support for the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment and Retirement Act, saying it would help family caregivers reclaim careers, stabilize finances and transition out of full‑time caregiving roles. \"About 36% of post‑9/11 caregivers had reported income below 130% of federal poverty levels,\" Dempsey said, citing RAND research and arguing that better benefits and portable supports are needed when caregiving ends.

Senator Patty Murray urged stronger menopause research, noting a VA study found earlier menopause in some women veterans; she and witnesses supported the Service Women and Veterans Menopause Research Act to expand VA and DOD research on perimenopause and midlife women's health. VA acting officials said they supported the intent but would provide resource specifics for the record.

Paralyzed Veterans of America also urged raising the VA mileage reimbursement rate, noting the current VA rate remains at 41 cents per mile (set about 15 years earlier) and recommending tying it to the GSA rate to reduce veterans' out‑of‑pocket travel costs. The panel also supported bills to expand rural transportation grants and CHAMPVA children's coverage, though VA officials said they do not support extending CHAMPVA eligibility to children up to age 26.

Committee members asked VA to provide implementation timelines and funding details; witnesses urged the committee to ensure funding and program rules accompany statutory changes so supports reach caregivers and vulnerable veterans.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hearing to Consider Pending Legislation: May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Veterans service organizations told the Senate committee they support legislation to expand caregiver re‑employment and retirement services, menopause research for women veterans and rural transportation grants, while urging careful implementation and funding.","taxTitle","Veterans Affairs: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",2000,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":71,"_73":71},6229892,"Veterans groups tell Senate VA committee accessibility gaps include diagnostic equipment and facility access",1096,2502000,3598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3444071-6c79443392ba0451b60813ac6c5ec38c&start=2502&end=3598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3444071-6c79443392ba0451b60813ac6c5ec38c/thumbnail_2502000.jpg","/articles/6229892/Veterans-groups-tell-Senate-VA-committee-accessibility-gaps-include-diagnostic-equipment-and-facility-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229892-74fbaade440cdda9906f2a558a754d5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167579&Signature=NN2OipgSwnRfEn7~nLLvz2ku2yKVrP7YXH7dzZBboj~mHwb9Xw7iduB3vzfF0uXdFb9hecGNHYfjYN5B2H6ctuJSw3H~bM8Olcz9v6kEi7pGdGN-3QAwC6GHV-MBotAe07l0DWhTS1MWN-ldsBohPQNHDEUvCsTExZ5yHcfe-LC~I0efUXJU0lbfkxZiuRF4BIAZMtNPn1Mms-9tnOgMbO7YcLWExu13vUxzBrXcWFxAQzxvDB5FUVKdWAoJ6~r5jxMSQqR1iMMn-qVGC0~1gliB-ABXBRoWXD912ixJ92Lvgu7OuJrDzr25tfSGB~n5zPBrUoacqGjdG2fBpHPLaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of veterans service organizations told the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee that accessibility problems remain at some VA facilities and in community care, and urged the creation of a Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Morgan Brown, national legislative director for Paralyzed Veterans of America, described repeated problems veterans face accessing VA care: inaccessible medical diagnostic equipment such as mammography machines, dental chairs and scales, and clinics configured so staff cannot see or assist patients arriving at entrances. \"Those are the types of barriers that we're talking about,\" Brown said, urging VA to lead in accessibility standards.

Brian Dempsey of Wounded Warrior Project and John Retzer of Disabled American Veterans endorsed the committee bill to create an advisory committee to address equal access, saying it would help the VA ensure accessibility in facilities, equipment and community providers. Brown said the US Access Board published accessibility standards for medical diagnostic equipment in 2017 and that VA took steps to adopt those standards; he said veterans still report equipment‑related access failures and urged the committee to conduct further oversight.

Paralyzed Veterans of America also supported bills to raise mileage reimbursement rates for veterans traveling to appointments and to extend CHAMPVA coverage for surviving family members; VA witnesses supported the intent of some bills but expressed concerns about specific provisions. The hearing record contains no formal votes; witnesses asked the committee to consider targeted oversight of accessibility equipment adoption and to ensure accessibility requirements extend to community care providers.","Paralyzed Veterans of America, Wounded Warrior Project and others told the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs that accessibility barriers persist across VA facilities and in community care, including inaccessible diagnostic equipment and clinic layouts that impede veterans with disabilities.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":71,"_73":71},6229897,"VA backs permanent licensure portability pilot for contract disability examiners with caveats",277,1110000,1387000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3444071-6c79443392ba0451b60813ac6c5ec38c&start=1110&end=1387","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3444071-6c79443392ba0451b60813ac6c5ec38c/thumbnail_1110000.jpg","/articles/6229897/VA-backs-permanent-licensure-portability-pilot-for-contract-disability-examiners-with-caveats","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229897-30124dc973ee3776c7f975318ad14bd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167579&Signature=eitw~4gfDLijEoJJjkMAUvrd29zMxWkw0-WuTicW3U0Z7d2SzSMZNwTKWMzddoOjRQKCbf46OJprAkMJsJlpHpNPtWS7XA2~juxA2hqJ5pj9t65oxb3KSnXBFT2QoikJ8fjayz4dKgVerH4t7LZkAaSvgnir84j5~aMzctdIQcLIpbpGGJQUAvq55zELI~w9AWNJo0O0BLvD0eTzDCbbEHAe5GeRsO7aEs3coIytqvwyDkJO31oGB8FTkZVtH7mpHpnxLVrPiuy4ufp9ejHDGNLbMpvywbc-pn4kb-8Ac19BVDIJseOF8Zp7NRZQGghSQ540hP2YHEQqAox62ihvPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators and Department of Veterans Affairs officials discussed legislation that would permanently authorize a pilot program permitting contract medical disability examiners to serve veterans across state lines.

Senator asked about the VA Lisonbee Portability Act, which seeks to extend license portability for contract medical disability examiners to speed up timely medical disability examinations. Kenneth Smith, the VA's assistant deputy undersecretary for operations management, said the department \"strongly support[s] this\" goal but recommended language changes. \"We do have a couple of concerns … we would prefer to use 'healthcare providers' because 86% of our exams are currently conducted by non‑physician healthcare providers,\" Smith said. He also raised concerns about the submission of evidence to contract examiners, noting that contract examiners are subcontractors to prime contract vendors and that VA would prefer records be submitted directly to VA.

Senators pressed for clarity on the definitions used in the bill and on the pathways for evidence submission, citing timeliness and quality of exams as central to reducing claims backlogs and remands. The hearing record shows no formal action; VA agreed to work with lawmakers on drafting technical changes.

The committee did not vote on the measure; senators and VA witnesses agreed to follow up on proposed statutory language and contract evidence flows.","Senate members discussed legislation to make permanent a VA pilot allowing contract medical disability examiners to practice across state lines; VA officials supported the intent but raised concerns about definitions and evidence submission pathways.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":90,"_45":102,"_46":103,"_48":93,"_50":104,"_52":105,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":106,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":107,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":71,"_73":71},6229901,"VA tells Senate it is building EHR exchange but warns of redundancy in proposed care‑coordination bills",203,1313000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3444071-6c79443392ba0451b60813ac6c5ec38c&start=1110&end=1313","/articles/6229901/VA-tells-Senate-it-is-building-EHR-exchange-but-warns-of-redundancy-in-proposed-carecoordination-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229901-7229d3ab771fed5e993fb1e0f117966a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167579&Signature=fywsYvKdQi558VA9Z09jADWl1KayYMf6IahCa9d8l6goW8uAez4GbnaoU6pNg5pNjtqV~CxEmnjPXPY3G4~S0BewxSXVwfRUgaUBW21sCqE8kmR8905P3e1bPDD80AviQS4cSmWic1D116axnSrfZ6hijlquV6MPyId45v~VRONo~cnm6lGMmY7my8XiHymQUUZkc2A2d35N6X9jiYT~B4R3lNCd66fYvGHYLTstAv4hivegDu0BkQm7gLe9QOicRIUVdKN6c-Wn83fZilR76ChmPiHV-Mdutj8HFGwlAIQGyRxoJur2HAlinj-y6rcNSfGMZvKbpSpLE8lpmH6fhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Veterans Affairs witnesses told the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee that the VA's electronic health record modernization (EHRM) work is central to improving information sharing with Medicare and community providers, but cautioned that new statutory care‑coordination structures risk duplicating existing VA care processes.

\"We are in the process, particularly through our EHRM efforts, and expansion in Oracle Health, developing a health exchange that does provide a more timely way for sharing medical records,\" Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Health Thomas O'Toole said. Senators asked whether the department's planned initiatives would make certain bills unnecessary or require amendments.

Senators discussed S.506, a bill intended to improve care coordination for veterans dually eligible for VA and Medicare, and S.219, the Veterans Healthcare Freedom Act, which would expand access to community care. O'Toole said VA supports the goals of improving coordination but expressed concern that statutory creation of an additional care coordination layer could create redundancy with existing VA primary care teams.

\"One of the primary concerns is related to ensuring, we currently provide care coordination through the primary care group at the VA,\" O'Toole said, adding that an “additional care coordination runs the risk … that we could have redundancy in that care and redundancy in those services.” He said EHRM work should reduce longstanding record‑sharing challenges and that VA would work with the committee on bill amendments.

Veterans service organizations on the panel urged targeted pilots and careful oversight. Brian Dempsey of Wounded Warrior Project told the committee that a three‑year pilot in S.506 could provide lessons for care integration and cost containment for younger dual‑eligible veterans. Disabled American Veterans asked the committee to emphasize VA‑led case management, training standards and oversight so community providers without VA experience do not fragment service‑connected care.

No committee action occurred; senators and witnesses agreed to continue working together on technical fixes and statutory language to avoid operational duplication and to ensure records interoperability.","VA witnesses said electronic health record modernization and an Oracle Health exchange should improve record sharing with Medicare, but warned proposed legislation creating parallel care‑coordination structures could create redundant services.",{"_33":109,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":110,"_41":111,"_43":112,"_45":113,"_46":114,"_48":115,"_50":116,"_52":117,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":118,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":119,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":71,"_73":71},6229906,"Senate committee presses VA on staffing cuts, contract cancellations and rulemaking delays",393,1604000,1997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3444071-6c79443392ba0451b60813ac6c5ec38c&start=1604&end=1997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3444071-6c79443392ba0451b60813ac6c5ec38c/thumbnail_1604000.jpg","/articles/6229906/Senate-committee-presses-VA-on-staffing-cuts-contract-cancellations-and-rulemaking-delays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229906-2f436dbb219ec0fe78e1f2dfcdef6191/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167579&Signature=k8Hhg~DKuLpKcm8UlotSiT16WfC5ZPmJAC~NnX192p4bphprwxH2l6uTI08oiP2hOA-VWUfzHKcNkXJGUS1L5DWqh6z1pNdNH1h-Z~SOL9x3ONH68AGKw4cosofYcyXcxfKJ4rv311BSJcHWCFA27cmR7OHYMFFofX5WjgaHWSSsuPsXX1f3Jyv-nJRw6ee~HMxYZUAyJ79umUoRKvlkF9osuUICJ~Dgo1WXcWglGGu~-cIMui8VAwnLnq-xeBWgBm7yvWRLBTXHKe9uQSeJSNNrLhfUySIgpABXgNQq3Dhh7~rNk1qcjtBcbIf6SHgMv-q3J1eOZdeG~CI2hKwJ0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs pressed Department of Veterans Affairs officials on implementation steps for major department decisions and on the status of contracts and rulemaking that they said threaten veteran services.

The concern came during a hearing on a package of bills affecting veterans, when Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal raised recent reporting that the VA planned to cancel contracts, including research work with universities, and said oversight questions had gone unanswered. “The VA has no more foundational and essential purpose than stopping veterans suicide,” Blumenthal said, adding that the committee had received no information on the cancelled contracts and that he had placed holds on nominations as a result.

The issue matters because senators said contract cancellations, delays to clinical trials and a departmental hiring-cut goal could prevent the VA from implementing statutes and running programs Congress has already passed. “Laws are dead letter if there are no rules and regulation,” Blumenthal said, warning that proposed workforce reductions could leave previously enacted laws without personnel to enforce them.

Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Health Thomas O'Toole told the committee he had seen news coverage of contract concerns and said he would take the specific questions for the record rather than speak for the entire department. \"I would have to take it for the record,\" O'Toole said when asked for details on the status of contracts and analyses. He also declined to confirm whether he had been consulted about the department's reported plan to reduce staff, saying some analyses were “pre-decisional” and that other senior clinicians were participating in related work.

Senators also pressed the VA about a 90-day pause on new clinical trials and asked whether paused or canceled trials and their research participants had been tracked and notified. O'Toole said he did not have that information available in the hearing and would provide details for the record. Senator Patty Murray asked specifically for lists of trials that were canceled or delayed; O'Toole said VA would provide the information as quickly as possible.

Senators from New Hampshire and other states pressed for clarity on a presidential executive order directing the VA to study establishing a full-service medical center in New Hampshire. O'Toole said he could not provide specifics at the hearing and would supply planning details for the record.

The committee requested prompt answers and follow-up. Chairman Jerry Moran closed the panel by asking that witnesses respond to follow-up questions for the record and reminded them that the hearing record would remain open for five legislative days.

The hearing did not produce any committee votes; members repeatedly asked the VA to provide documents and named information for oversight purposes.","Senators pressed Department of Veterans Affairs officials at a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing to explain plans to cut thousands of VA employees, recent contract cancellations and a freeze on rulemaking that members said could delay implementation of laws for veterans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Witnesses back bills to support caregivers, menopause research and rural veteran transportation

Veterans groups tell Senate VA committee accessibility gaps include diagnostic equipment and facility access

VA backs permanent licensure portability pilot for contract disability examiners with caveats

VA tells Senate it is building EHR exchange but warns of redundancy in proposed care‑coordination bills

Senate committee presses VA on staffing cuts, contract cancellations and rulemaking delays