VA MISSION act may up costs, lower vet health care quality

VA MISSION act may up costs, lower vet health care quality

he Veterans Affairs Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (VA MISSION) Act may increase costs and reduce quality of health care for veterans, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online July 24 in the Annals of...
Acquisition Reforms Survive in Defense Authorization Bill

Acquisition Reforms Survive in Defense Authorization Bill

Contractors hoping to protect their right to file bid protests got much of what they wanted in the conference report for the fiscal 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, which also contained several provisions to streamline the Pentagon’s acquisitions. In...
Forging Ahead in Medical Product Development

Forging Ahead in Medical Product Development

The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command realigned major functions of two subordinate commands, the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity and the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency, July 9, at Fort Detrick, Maryland. Approved earlier this year by...
VA funding dispute sidelines Congress’ appropriations progress

VA funding dispute sidelines Congress’ appropriations progress

Work on a “minibus” of multiple federal agencies’ fiscal 2019 budgets was abruptly halted Thursday over a dispute regarding Department of Veterans Affairs health funds that critics say could cripple the agency in coming years. A conference committee scheduled to...
Conferees urged to reject Senate-passed Tricare fee increases

Conferees urged to reject Senate-passed Tricare fee increases

The Military Coalition, a consortium of almost three dozen associations and veterans groups, is urging House-Senate conferees, as they negotiate a final defense policy bill, to reject Senate-passed language that would impose higher Tricare enrollment fees and...
Foreign Military Sales Fortify Medical Readiness of U.S. Allies

Foreign Military Sales Fortify Medical Readiness of U.S. Allies

When the U.S. Army decides to send Soldiers into battle, they do not go alone. Increasingly, military actions are joint, multi-service operations that often include coalition partners. U.S. allies are essential to effective modern warfare. To help protect and build...
Senate confirms Robert Wilkie to serve as secretary of veterans affairs

Senate panel OKs Trump nominee Robert Wilkie to lead troubled VA

A Senate panel has voted to approve President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead Veterans Affairs. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee agreed on voice vote Tuesday to back Robert Wilkie, currently a Pentagon undersecretary. Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont...