Benefits
VA contacts 140,000 vets
The Department of Veterans Affairs late last week released its latest twice-monthly report on veterans' access to health care at VA facilities, and announced it had increased the number of individual vets it has contacted.
Benefits
CBO says compensation reforms could save DOD billions
The Congressional Budget Office has laid out a range of options for reducing compensation for military service members and retirees as a way to cut the defense budget to meet sequestration-mandated spending levels.
Benefits
VA medical center leaders to meet monthly with local partners
The Department of Veterans Affairs took steps this week to bolster its relationships with community health providers and veterans service organizations.
Benefits
OPM urges agencies to increase mental health awareness
The Office of Personnel Management last week issued a memo to heads of departments and agencies urging them to help raise mental health awareness in the workplace.
Benefits
Tricare to expand test coverage
Tricare announced that it will expand coverage of laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) under a new demonstration program.
Benefits
OPM issues guidance on transgender health coverage
The Office of Personnel Management has issued guidance to Federal Employees Health Benefits insurers that opens the way for carriers to provide coverage for sex-change surgeries.
Benefits
Senate bill likely to draw more vets into VA health care system, CBO says
A Senate bill aimed at improving veterans' access to care at the Department of Veterans Affairs could carry a hefty price tag, according to a preliminary assessment of one portion of the bill by the Congressional Budget Office.
Benefits
McCain bill would let vets seek care outside VA system
Several Republican senators have introduced a bill aimed at quickly addressing problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs by giving veterans greater flexibility to seek care outside the VA system at the government's expense.
Benefits
Commission to survey service members on compensation preferences
A commission aimed at modernizing military compensation and benefits programs is soliciting input from service members on their preferences.
Benefits
It could be worse (seriously)
If you think things are getting dicey when it comes to your federal benefits, step into this private-sector scenario for a moment ...
Benefits
Lawmaker wants to fast-track fixes for VA
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) over the weekend laid out a legislative package he said would correct problems that hinder veterans' access to medical care.
Benefits
Bill would let patients sue VA employees
Another lawmaker has taken aim at the Department of Veterans Affairs, this time with legislation that would let VA patients sue VA employees.
Benefits
Shinseki orders care for vets left off Phoenix waiting list
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki said he has ordered the Phoenix VA Health Care System to immediately triage for care 1,700 veterans who VA's Office of Inspector General found were waiting for a primary care appointment but were not on the facility's waiting list.
Benefits
DOD to review military healthcare system
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel this week ordered a comprehensive review of the military health system.
Benefits
VA OIG releases interim report on Phoenix facility
An ongoing review of the Department of Veterans Affairs Phoenix Health Care System by the department's Office of Inspector General has identified 1,700 veterans who were waiting for a primary care appointment but were not on the facility's waiting list, according to an interim report issued by the OIG.
Benefits
VA effort to speed medical care will enlist private resources
The Department of Veterans Affairs on May 24 issued a statement saying that it has "redoubled" its efforts to provide veterans with high quality care—and that it "has taken steps at national and local levels to ensure timely access to care" that includes pulling in private health care resources.
Benefits
Shinseki tells vets VA will regain their trust
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki addressed allegations of VA employee misconduct in a message to veterans in advance of the Memorial Day holiday, and offered assurances that the department would re-earn veterans' trust.
Benefits
VA head testifies before Senate committee
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki told a Senate panel this week that VA will take timely action if allegations of misconduct within the department are substantiated by the department's inspector general, but also reminded senators that VA succeeds on a daily basis at providing a massive amount of care for vets.
Benefits
More USPS losses; CFO says prefunding fix is no cure
The U.S. Postal Service recorded yet another quarter of net losses in spite of cost-cutting measures, and warned that without reform legislation it would miss yet another payment to prefund retiree health benefits.
Benefits