Rep. Takano’s Bill Extending Paid Sick Leave Benefits to Wounded Warriors Working at the VA Becomes a Law
Washington, D.C. –Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Rep. Steve Stivers’ (R-Ohio) Veterans Providing Healthcare Transition Improvement Act was signed into law. This law will ensure that newly hired veterans with service-connected injuries working in medical positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are able to take paid sick leave to receive the care they need. This bill will also help in hiring and recruiting veterans to fill VA “Title 38” employee vacancies nationwide.
“Veteran employees at the VA have already made incredible sacrifices and this law ensures that their paychecks will not continue to be one of them,” said Rep. Mark Takano. “I thank my colleagues in the House and the Senate for their overwhelming support in expanding paid sick leave benefits to wounded warriors serving in medical roles at the VA. This is a just law for VA employees and for the veterans who require much-needed care.”
The Veterans Providing Healthcare Transition Improvement Act improves existing law by correcting a loophole to provide the same Wounded Warrior Federal Leave Act benefits to VA “Title 38” employees, which include physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, chiropractors, podiatrists, optometrists, and dentists.
“When a careless and regrettable oversight at the federal level punishes the men and women who have and continue to sacrifice and serve our country, action must be taken,” Stivers said. “I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their help in righting this wrong, and I’m eager to see it take effect so that our veterans can get the care they need.”
According to March 2018 data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), there are over 14,000 “Title 38” vacancies nationwide. Extending benefits to “Title 38” employees at the VA will help with the recruitment and hiring of veterans who want to continue helping other veterans.
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