VFW Action Corps Weekly
VFW Testifies on Pending Legislation: VFW National Legislative Service Acting Director Nancy Springer testified at a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing on pending legislation. In her written statement, Springer addressed all 24 legislative proposals and bills under the Committee’s consideration, while highlighting three key measures during her oral testimony. She emphasized that this legislative triplet would eliminate automatic claim denials due to a missed medical examination, enable a more efficient and timely appeals process, and allow veterans to access available military medical treatment facilities, improving continuity of care and timely medical evaluations. Read the testimony or watch the hearing, which begins at the 1:18:12 mark.
VFW Addresses House Bipartisan Working Group on Veterans’ Employment: VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Joy Craig participated in a congressional breakfast hosted by the House Bipartisan Working Group to discuss policies that strengthen veterans’ employment and military-to-civilian transition. Craig emphasized that transition is a core Department of Defense responsibility and called for early VA benefits enrollment for all separating service members to prevent the “deadly gap” following discharge. Key priorities included modernization of education benefits, enhanced Veteran Readiness and Employment counseling, expanded hiring incentives for veterans and military spouses, and stronger oversight of the Transition Assistance Program to ensure full access to earned benefits.
VFW Highlights Data Security Concerns on Capitol Hill: VFW National Veterans Service Deputy Director Chris Macinkowicz spoke at a House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs roundtable focused on VA’s growing challenges with artificial intelligence and the urgent need to safeguard veterans’ data. Macinkowicz stressed that AI must be treated as a tool, not an employee, and called for strong oversight, clear guidelines and robust security protocols to protect sensitive information. He urged lawmakers to move quickly to establish transparent, enforceable standards for AI use across VA operations, noting that these safeguards are essential to maintaining veterans’ trust and addressing vulnerabilities in an already strained cybersecurity environment. Watch the roundtable, which begins at the 1:57 mark.
VFW Submits Statement for House Oversight Hearing: The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health conducted an oversight hearing titled, “Putting Families First: Strengthening CHAMPVA for Survivors and Dependents.” VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Meggan Coleman submitted a statement for the record that emphasized the urgent need for sustained momentum in Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) technological innovation stating, “The VFW calls on Congress and VA leadership to continue building on the existing modernization foundation. VA should further streamline internal processing systems by utilizing the digital infrastructure already in place for VA community care and TRICARE.” Read the testimony or watch the hearing, which begins at the 1:39:57 mark.
VFW Commends VA Women’s Health Policy Improvement: VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore released a statement praising VA Secretary Doug Collins and his team for removing mandated referrals for gynecological care. Going forward, women veterans will no longer need to meet with their VA primary care team for a referral; they may now contact gynecology directly for appointments. “As the first woman to lead the nation’s largest organization of combat veterans, and as a former Army Nurse who relies on VA for my own health care, I know firsthand how vital it is for women veterans to feel welcomed, respected and understood when they enter a VA facility,” said Whitmore. “For VA to remain a truly veteran-centered health system, removing barriers and eliminating inefficiencies must remain a priority.” Read the statement.