The chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, has re-introduced legislation to improve medical personnel incentives and other aspects of veterans’ health care.
The Veterans’ Health Care Authorization Act of 2009 is an updated version of a bill introduced in the previous Congress and includes recruitment and retention incentives for VA medical professionals such as pay, benefits, scholarships and work schedules.
It also includes provisions designed to improve services and care for female veterans, as well as pilot programs meant to assist family caregivers, provide outreach and assistance to returning servicemen in their communities, and help prevent homelessness among veterans.
