Bill introduced in Merced to better VA, veteran communications
MERCED, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A new bill proposed Friday by Central Valley Congressman John Duarte, who represents California’s 13th Congressional District, aims to ease the VA claims process, which many vets claim is a large roadblock in the way of receiving proper care.
Duarte announced the bill surrounded by veterans and veteran advocates in Merced, it’s titled the Clear Communications for Veterans Act. Duarte says it would help streamline current forms of communications for vets working with the VA to get care or file claims. Communications he says, can be complex and confusing.
“Where they have a service letter sent to them that might be 20 pages long and as exciting as the paperwork you sign when buying a new car. Pages and pages and pages of bureaucratic nonsense that don’t necessarily help the veteran,” said Duarte.
The congressman claims the bill would accomplish the task at hand by allowing Congress to seek out experts on matters of bureaucratic communications, and to work with those experts to implement alternative ways to contact veterans.
“Ask them to take a look at our veteran’s engagement letter process and the length of the letters and get them paired down to where a veteran, who’s a layman in many ways with bureaucratic processes, can get the information they need and get the services they deserve,” Duarte said.
One former servicemember Friday shared his struggle with mental health, one he says many others suffer, and one that requires proper and timely care.
“When I returned from Afghanistan I battled with depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. I’m not alone in this. Our community is facing an epidemic. On average 22 veterans commit suicide each day,” said Chris Watts, who now works with Stanislaus County Veteran Suicide Prevention.
The congressman also announced a new veteran’s liaison at Friday’s announcement and veteran roundtable, called a “Green and Gold position”. that person will focus solely on Veteran needs in California’s 13th Congressional District.
Veterans gave mostly positive feedback to the idea, with one pitching an idea to have the liaison attend VFW and American Legion meetings around the region.
“Talk about some issues that are affecting their local community and then they can bring it back to you congressman. And then now, you get boots on the ground, what’s happening in your district,” they said.
The bill is still in early stages, as it would still have to pass the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate before it could head to the president’s desk.
