Workforce
VA Is Hiring at a Record Rate. Employees Say It's Still Not Enough.
Nearly every VA employee thinks its facility is understaffed, according to a new survey, despite the department's unprecedented hiring spree.
Workforce
VA Claims Progress in Union Talks. The Union Begs to Differ.
AFGE officials say department management continues to push illegal proposals in contract negotiations, and that claims the parties have reached “tentative agreements” are fabricated.
Management
Veteran Deaths Lead Lawmakers to Call for VA to Renegotiate Oracle EHR Contract
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester said that VA should “negotiate an entirely new contract” with Oracle Cerner following the revelation that the EHR system has resulted in the deaths of four veterans.
Workforce
VA Broke Settlement Agreement, Continued Bad Faith Bargaining, Arbitrator Finds
The American Federation of Government Employees and the Veterans Affairs Department have negotiated fruitlessly over a new union contract for more than a year.
Defense
Why Combat Veterans Are Turning to Oxygen Therapy for PTSD
The unapproved and, to some, unproven treatment is attracting many PTSD patients for whom other treatments have failed.
Tech
VA Announces Winners of $20M Challenge to Prevent Veteran Suicides
The 10 winners of the VA’s Mission Daybreak challenge developed innovative solutions that leveraged technology, artificial intelligence and mobile apps to help reduce the number of veteran suicides.
Pay & Benefits
VA Docs Are One Step Closer to Earning More than $400K Annually
A Senate committee advanced a sweeping compensation overhaul for VA health care workers that would create a more market-based pay system.
Management
VA Says Its Renewed Infrastructure Review Will Focus on Building First
Closures could still come, but that will be a "secondary matter."
Defense
Homelessness Among Veterans Has Been Cut in Half since 2010, VA Says
In Texas, the number of homeless veterans has dropped 65% between 2007 and 2020, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Agree It's Time to Lift the $400,000 Pay Cap for VA Doctors
The Biden administration has called the pay increases a top priority.
Pay & Benefits
Board Again Significantly Scales Back Marquee Federal Employee Firing Law
Tens of thousands of workers will no longer be eligible for expedited removal.
Oversight
VA Is Much Slower at Setting Appointments When Sending Vets to the Private Sector for Care
The department is failing to meet its less ambitious goals for health care appointments outside its own system.
Workforce
The House Passes a Bill to Give VA Medical Employees Greater Union Rights
The VA Employee Fairness Act would grant medical professionals the right to bargain over scheduling and official time, and to file grievances over pay disputes.
Workforce
VA Hopes Its Staffing Progress Will Help With the Looming COVID Wave
Officials are still looking for new tools to staff up, including by removing a $400,000 annual pay cap for some employees.
Tech
'It's a Great Time' for Laid off Tech Workers to Take a Job at VA, Agency CIO Says
During a media call on Friday, the VA’s CIO and CTO discussed the department’s efforts to attract new talent amid thousands of layoffs across the tech sector.
Workforce
Officials Seek to Reassure Lawmakers Skeptical VA Can Staff Up to Meet New Obligations
VA will soon provide new care and benefits to millions and lawmakers have concerns about its capacity.
Tech
VA Used COVID Relief Funds to Bolster IT and Digital Services
The VA used supplemental COVID funding from three different bills to support expanded telehealth services and remote operations during the worst of the pandemic.
Defense
Thousands of Veterans Deluge VA with Claims for Toxic Exposure Benefits, Health Care
The VA is processing claims at its fastest rate ever, as hundreds of thousands of veterans apply for health care under a toxic exposure law.
Workforce
VA Employees Launch a 'Rate My Professors' for Federal Supervisors
The new site will allow employees to anonymously review their bosses.
Defense
‘I Can Go Anywhere’: How Service Dogs Help Veterans With PTSD
The PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act means more veterans with symptoms of traumatic stress can get specially trained service dogs.
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