Despite the coronavirus crisis there are a lot of things happening for Veterans right now.

Bladder cancer has been added to the presumptive illness list for Agent Orange Veterans.  The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network is holding a speaking engagement for experts in the field to update Veterans on what this means for them.  This speaking engagement will be held November 11th on zoom.  You can register for this event at: https://t.co/wKziNAaG1U?amp=1 .

The VA announced that they will be outsourcing C&P exams in order to tackle their backlog of 350,000 cases without having Congress’ approval.

“For many veterans, thorough and accurate C&P examinations are crucial to securing service-connected benefits,” Luria wrote. “VA’s quiet decision to carry out a major reorganization of its C&P program without a plan to make key improvements, reduce backlog, or retain employees is unlikely to deliver the high-quality results we expect.”

Luria leads the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, part of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. During a hearing she led last year, the VA said it would contract with more outside medical providers to perform C&P exams. Lawmakers were led to believe the contracted examiners merely supplemented the existing program, primarily to help rural veterans and those veterans facing long wait times, Luria said.

Recently, however, VA staff told Luria’s office about the department’s plan to shutter the C&P program at the VA and contract with the private sector for 100% of the exams.