Service-disabled veterans working for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would have access to additional paid sick leave under bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) on Friday.
The VA Veteran Transition Improvement Act, S. 899, would ensure that service-disabled veterans with a disability rating of 30 percent or higher would have access to additional paid leave for medical care or treatment of their service-connected condition in their first year on the job.
“I’m pleased to support legislation to assist service-disabled veterans in Kansas and across the country in the transition into the federal workforce and civilian life,” Moran said. “This legislation builds on the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act to ensure veterans who sustained wounds or injuries while defending our nation can take time off to seek medical treatment without affecting their livelihood or paycheck. Providing men and women with service-related disabilities greater flexibility to pursue medical care is a simple way to show our gratitude for protecting our freedoms.”
Moran was joined by U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Jon Tester (D-MT) in introducing the bill.
The measure would apply to VA physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, chiropractors, podiatrists, optometrists and dentists that are newly hired by the VA. There are more than 18,000 medical position vacancies in the VA system, and S. 899 aims to incentivize veterans to fill them.
“It is imperative that our great nation protects veterans seeking medical treatment for service-connected disabilities from discrimination or reprisal,” Charles Schmidt, the national commander of the American Legion, said. “Under the current Wounded Warrior Federal Leave Act, disabled veterans employed by the VA do not enjoy the same benefits as other veterans who are federal employees. Specifically, the law as currently written excludes them from participating in the paid sick leave program available to other veteran federal employees.”
Moran led the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act to becoming law in November, which provides 104 hours of additional paid sick leave to service-disabled veterans who are newly hired to fill positions in the federal government — excluding certain VA medical positions.