Over thirty provisions to improve veterans’ programs were included in legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives in early February. Sponsored by Congressman Brad Wenstrup, the Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement Act, H.R. 3016, incorporated legislation from over a dozen legislators, with provisions ranging from improving maternity care in the Veterans Health Administration to streamlining G.I. Bill education benefits.
“As a veteran of the Iraq War, I understand the commitment we’ve made to those who serve and served,” Wenstrup said. “They have my commitment that I am working every day to ensure we maximize the value and effectiveness of our VA programs. We must maximize the effectiveness of our programs realign parts that may not be truly serving our veterans.” Wenstrup pointed to one part of the legislation that closed an expensive loophole some private flight schools used to charge the VA well above market value and far more than federal law intended.
Important provisions in the legislation expand the Fry scholarship for survivors of service members killed since 9/11 and expand medical care for new mothers and newborns in the VA health system. The bill also improves claims processing and expands the VA’s work-study program for student veterans.
The legislation received the support of veteran service organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
