WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to protect veterans hurt by the pandemic, reduce veteran homelessness, and improve Veterans Affairs (VA) services for female veterans, Congress unanimously approved the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (H.R. 7105).  This comprehensive package of veterans legislation includes several key measures and reforms backed by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) that are designed to enhance care and boost support for our nation’s veterans.

Reed, a West Point graduate who served in the 82nd Airborne, was part of a bipartisan taskforce that negotiated key provisions of the CARES Act.  This new legislation builds on that law, which directed $19.6 billion to boost the VA’s coronavirus response capabilities, including the purchase of more testing kits, medical equipment, and personal protective equipment for doctors, nurses, and staff.  This funding level is $19.6 billion more for veterans than Senate Republican’s original proposal, which did not include any federal funding to support the VA.  However, Reed noted at the time of passage of the CARES Act that additional steps are needed to help protect veterans from COVID-19 and ensure they are getting access to the benefits, care, and support they earned.

“We’ve lost too many veterans to COVID-19 and we must prioritize veterans’ health.  That means taking care of our most vulnerable veterans with the dignity and respect they deserve.  This legislation includes critical measures to take better care of our veterans, modernize the benefits system, and increase transparency and accountability at the VA,” said Senator Reed.

The bill is named after former Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and retiring House Veterans’ Affairs Committee ranking member Phil Roe (R-TN).

The bill includes several key provisions, reforms, and measures backed by Reed, including:

Helping to Prevent Veterans Homelessness: Increases the range of VA services for homeless veterans, improves and expands eligibility for the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, and increases federal payments to organizations that house homeless veterans.  The bill also improves access to VA telehealth services for veterans experiencing homelessness.  And it enhances the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for servicemembers returning to civilian life.

Improving Women’s Health Care at the VA: Includes the Deborah Sampson Act, which Senator Reed cosponsored, to help improve a range of VA services for women veterans.  Notably, it directs funds to help retrofit VA health care facilities to ensure women have access to equitable care and services.  Women are the fastest growing population of veterans and the bill establishes an Office of Women’s Health within the Veterans Health Administration to oversee all women’s health programs at VA hospitals and facilities.  To improve access to primary care and emergency care for female veterans, the bill mandates that every VA facility have at least one women’s health primary care provider.

Preventing Sexual Assault: Requires the VA to create anti-harassment and anti-sexual assault policies and holds department leaders accountable.  This is especially important due to recent sexual assault scandals during the Trump Administration.  It also expands military sexual trauma counseling at VA facilities to former members of the National Guard and reserves.

Strengthening Veterans Education Benefits: Strengthens veterans’ education by investing in improving GI benefits for surviving family members, increasing work study options and fellowship opportunities for veterans, and making benefits available for those who were unable to complete courses due to pandemic-related reasons.  Includes the Protect the GI Bill Act to increase transparency and accountability among educational programs that receive VA funding.  Waives time limits for Montgomery GI Bill and Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits during the pandemic.  The bill triples funding for the VET TEC Program, which helps transitioning servicemembers gain technology skills.  And it cracks down on deceptive advertising practices aimed at student veterans and penalizes educational institutions that violate anti-predatory advertising rules.

Studying Toxic Exposure Issues: Mandates study on toxic exposure issues related to veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals through burn pits or other military-related events.

The measure was unanimously approved by both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.  It now goes to the President's desk to be signed into law.