The U.S. Senate-approved bipartisan, bicameral Veterans Providing Healthcare Transition Improvement Act, introduced by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH), now awaits the president’s signature to make it a federal law.
S. 899 guarantees additional paid sick leave for all newly hired military veterans with a disability rating of 30 percent or higher who work at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) so they may receive related medical care.
“Providing men and women with service-related disabilities greater flexibility to pursue medical care is a sensible and important way to show our gratitude for protecting our freedoms, and I am pleased Congress is now sending this bill to the president’s desk,” said Sen. Moran.
The expanded policy under S. 899 applies to all so-called Title 38 employees at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who are “physicians, dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants, and expanded-function dental auxiliaries,” according to the congressional record summary.
According to March VHA data, more than 14,000 Title 38 vacancies exist in the United States that must be filled.
“This legislation – which builds on the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act signed into law in 2015 – will help better assist service-disabled veterans in Kansas and across the country during their transitions into the federal workforce and civilian life,” Sen. Moran added.
Currently, that law doesn’t permit newly hired veterans in frontline VA medical positions to take paid sick leave to receive medical care for their service-related disability, according to a statement released by Rep. Stivers’ office.
“Veterans have made an incredible choice to serve our nation, and thousands continue to care for their fellow soldiers,” Rep. Stivers said. “To then force these individuals to choose between a full paycheck and receiving care for their service-connected disabilities is outrageous.”
S. 899, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) in April 2017, included Sens. Moran and Jon Tester (D-MT) as original cosponsors. The Senate approved the U.S. House-amended version by unanimous consent on Aug. 22.
S. 899 includes the related Veterans Transition Improvement Act, H.R. 2648, which Rep. Stivers introduced in May 2017 along with original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA). U.S. Reps. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and Fred Upton (R-MI) are among cosponsors of the measure.
“I’m glad Congress has overwhelmingly supported expanding paid sick leave benefits to wounded warriors serving in medical roles at the VA,” said Rep. Takano, who noted that the bill also will support more veterans who transition into vacant Title 38 positions.
“I look forward to this bill becoming the law of the land,” said Rep. Stivers.
The Senate presented the bill to President Donald Trump for his signature on Aug. 28.