Difference between revisions of "Donald Trump achievements: Veterans"
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*Samuels, Brett (January 15, 2019). [https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/425354-trump-touts-18-year-low-for-veteran-unemployment-rate Trump touts 18-year low for veteran unemployment rate]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 15, 2019. | *Samuels, Brett (January 15, 2019). [https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/425354-trump-touts-18-year-low-for-veteran-unemployment-rate Trump touts 18-year low for veteran unemployment rate]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 15, 2019. | ||
*Bogorowski, Hanna (January 15, 2019). [https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/15/trump-veterans-unemployment-low/ Trump Touts Low Veteran Unemployment Numbers]. ''The Daily Caller''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.</ref> | *Bogorowski, Hanna (January 15, 2019). [https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/15/trump-veterans-unemployment-low/ Trump Touts Low Veteran Unemployment Numbers]. ''The Daily Caller''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==2019== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Executive actions, 2019=== | ||
+ | *January 31, 2019—The VA announced new rules expanding private healthcare services for veterans, allowing them to see a private doctor if they live over 30 minutes away from a VA clinic or have to wait over 20 days for service.<ref>Multiple references: | ||
+ | *Kesling, Ben (January 30, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/va-will-issue-new-rules-expanding-access-to-private-care-11548866605 VA Issues New Rules Expanding Access to Private Care]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved January 31, 2019. | ||
+ | *Slack, Donovan (January 30, 2019). [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/30/veterans-get-more-choices-private-health-care-va-rules/2720456002/ VA unveils proposed rules extending more private care to veterans]. ''USA Today''. Retrieved January 31, 2019. | ||
+ | *Kheel, Rebecca (January 30, 2019). [https://thehill.com/policy/defense/427704-va-unveils-proposal-for-expanded-private-healthcare-for-veterans VA unveils proposal to expand private health care for veterans]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 31, 2019. | ||
+ | *Wentling, Nikki (January 30, 2019). [https://www.stripes.com/va-unveils-proposed-new-rules-for-expanding-private-sector-care-1.566623 VA unveils proposed new rules for expanding private-sector care]. ''Stars and Stripes''. Retrieved January 31, 2019. | ||
+ | *Shane, Leo (January 30, 2019). [https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/01/30/new-va-plan-vets-facing-30-minute-drives-20-day-waits-for-appointments-could-get-private-sector-care-instead/ New VA plan: Vets facing 30-minute drives, 20-day waits for appointments could get private-sector care instead]. ''Military Times''. Retrieved January 31, 2019. | ||
+ | *Kime, Patricia (January 30, 2019). [https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/01/30/proposed-va-rules-would-expand-veterans-access-private-health-care.html Proposed VA Rules Would Expand Veterans' Access to Private Health Care]. ''Military.com''. Retrieved January 31, 2019. | ||
+ | *Steinhauer, Jennifer (January 30, 2019). [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/30/us/politics/veterans-health-care.html Veterans Will Have More Access to Private Health Care Under New V.A. Rules]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved January 31, 2019.</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== |
Revision as of 02:22, February 1, 2019
- Main article: Donald Trump achievements
This article is a non-exhaustive list of achievements by U.S. President Donald Trump, his administration, and Congress related to veterans issues.
Contents
2017
Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin stated on June 7, 2017, that improving the Department of Veterans Affairs was a "top priority" for the Trump Administration.[1][2] Shulkin, a holdover from the Obama Administration, admitted that the Trump Administration was "quicker" and "more decisive" than the previous one,[3] and he moved to modernize the department during his tenure.[4] The Trump Administration worked aggressively and effectively to improve the VA, and Shulkin received bipartian support.[5]
Legislation signed, 2017
- April 19, 2017—President Trump signed an extension of the Veterans Choice Act of 2014, which allowed veterans to seek medical care outside the VA system due to serious VA problems.[6][7]
- June 2, 2017—President Trump signed a bill into law giving preference in federal grants to "federal and state law enforcement agencies that hire and train veterans".[8]
- June 23, 2017—President Trump signed the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act into law (Trump described the law as "one of the largest reforms to the VA in its history"[9]), which expanded protections for VA whistleblowers, gave the VA the authority to end bonuses to convicted employees, made quicker and easier the process for firing, suspending, and demoting employees.[10]
- August 12, 2017—President Trump signed a bill which, in addition to extending the department's Choice Program for an additional six months, authorized $1.8 billion so the VA could lease and open 28 medical facilities and so it could implement a new hiring program.[11]
- August 16, 2017—President Trump signed a bill into law expanding GI benefits for veterans, including removing a 15-year time limit on using GI benefits and giving veterans additional payments for science, engineering, and technology courses at universities, among other provisions.[12]
- August 23, 2017—President Trump signed a bill into law streamlining and making more convenient the process for veterans to appeal disability benefit claims.[13]
Executive actions, 2017
- April 27, 2017—President Trump signed an executive order creating an office in the Department of Veterans Affairs to investigate obstacles preventing the VA from firing incompetent employees, and to protect those who reveal cases of incompetence in the department.[14]
- June 5, 2017—The Department of Veterans Affairs announced it would adopt the same medical records system as the Defense Department in order to bring better care for veterans.[15][16]
- July 7, 2017—The Department of Veterans Affairs made public its disciplinary actions against its employees,[17] and it reported that day having fired over 500 employees since January 2017 and suspending nearly 200.[18]
- August 3, 2017—The Trump Administration added several new services to the VA's telehealth program, making it easier for veterans to obtain health care services such as through letting them conduct medical examinations remotely and giving them the ability to schedule appointments electronically.[19]
Other achievements, 2017
While the following achievements were not official United States government policy actions by the Trump Administration, they were closely related to the Trump Administration and its policies:
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate of U.S. military veterans in October 2017 had fallen to a record low of 2.7%, mirroring the decreasing unemployment rate under President Trump.[20]
2018
In 2018, President Trump and his administration continued working to help veterans.[21]
Legislation signed, 2018
- June 6, 2018—President Trump signed the VA Mission Act into law, a major reform of the department which expanded veterans' access to private healthcare, created new healthcare programs, and reorganized existing programs for efficiency.[22]
Executive actions, 2018
- January 9, 2017—President Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to expand mental health services for veterans in order to reduce the number of veteran suicides.[23]
- September 2018—The VA announced it had exceeded its goal of delivering 81,000 appeals decisions in Fiscal Year 2018 – a 52% increase from Fiscal Year 2017 – on claims for disability benefits two weeks earlier than expected.[24]
- September 18, 2018—The VA announced that five of its hospitals were removed from its list of high-risk facilities because of improving conditions.[25]
- November 8, 2018—The VA announced it would end the practice of "official time" for its medical employees, where they get paid for working for their unions rather than for what they were hired to do.[26]
Other achievements, 2018
While the following achievements were not official United States government policy actions by the Trump Administration, they were closely related to the Trump Administration and its policies:
- The Trump Administration continued working to reduce the number of homeless veterans, and the number fell over 5% between 2017 and 2018 and stood at half the level in 2009, with female veteran homelessness falling 10% between 2017 and 2018.[27]
- In 2018, U.S. veteran unemployment fell to 3.5%, the lowest level since 2001, and the unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans fell to the lowest level on record.[28]
2019
Executive actions, 2019
- January 31, 2019—The VA announced new rules expanding private healthcare services for veterans, allowing them to see a private doctor if they live over 30 minutes away from a VA clinic or have to wait over 20 days for service.[29]
References
- ↑ Persons, Sally (June 7, 2017). Shulkin says veterans health care reform a ‘top priority’. The Washington Times. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
- ↑ Hayward, John (June 22, 2017). VA Secretary David Shulkin: ‘We Have 20 Veterans a Day Taking Their Lives; That’s Totally Unacceptable’. Breitbart News. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ↑ Bedard, Paul (June 26, 2017). Obama holdover: Trump style 'quicker, more decisive'. Washington Examiner. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ↑ Hayward, John (August 1, 2017). Secretary Shulkin on V.A. Modernization: Wait Times Posted Online, Same-Day Service for Emergencies. Breitbart News. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Allen, Arthur (August 28, 2017). Trump’s most popular Cabinet secretary is Obama holdover. Politico. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
- Crookston, Paul (August 28, 2017). Shulkin Receives Bipartisan Praise for Changes at VA. The Washington Free Beacon. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
- A good start at reforming the Veterans Administration. Washington Examiner. October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
- ↑ Boyer, Dave (April 19, 2017). Trump turns focus to veterans, signs extension for choice in health care. The Washington Times. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ↑ Westwood, Sarah (April 19, 2017). Trump signs bill allowing veterans to seek care outside broken VA system. Washington Examiner. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Trump signs bills to help police officers, veterans. Fox News. June 2, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
- Spiering, Charlie (June 3, 2017). Donald Trump Signs Bills Assisting Law Enforcement: ‘We Are Behind You 100 Percent’. Breitbart News. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
- ↑ Westwood, Sarah (June 23, 2017). Trump signs 'one of the largest reforms to the VA in its history'. Washington Examiner. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Chakraborty, Barnini (June 23, 2017). Trump signs VA reform bill, following through on campaign promise. Fox News. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- Fabian, Jordan (June 23, 2017). Trump signs VA reform bill. The Hill. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- Boyer, Dave (June 23, 2017). Trump signs VA accountability act into law, promises better care for veterans. The Washington Times. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- Wong, Kristina (June 23, 2017). Trump Signs Bill to Fire Failing VA Employees, Protect Whistleblowers. Breitbart News. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Trump Signs Bill Extending Veterans Health Care Program. Voice of America. August 12, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
- Wentling, Nikki (August 12, 2017). Trump signs $3.9 billion VA funding bill to avert crisis for Choice program. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
- Dinan, Stephen (August 12, 2017). Trump signs vets bill to keep veterans choice program afloat. The Washington Times. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
- Trump signs bill to fund veterans medical care program. Breitbart News. August 12, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
- Gehrke, Joel (August 12, 2017). Trump signs bill helping vets get access to private medical care. Washington Examiner. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Trump Signs Bill Expanding College Assistance for Veterans. Voice of America (from the Associated Press). August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
- Wentling, Nikki (August 16, 2017). Trump signs ‘Forever GI Bill,’ boosting aid to student vets. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
- Superville, Darlene (August 17, 2017). Veterans get expanded college assistance under Trump. The Washington Post (from the Associated Press). Retrieved August 17, 2017.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Pappas, Alex (August 23, 2017). Trump signs ‘historic’ veterans bill at American Legion convention. Fox News. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
- Wentling, Nikki (August 23, 2017). In Reno, Trump signs bill to overhaul VA appeals process. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
- Arter, Melanie (August 23, 2017). Trump Signs Bill to Streamline VA Disability Claims Appeals Process. CNS News. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
- Mitchell, Ellen (August 23, 2017). Trump signs bill to speed up veteran disability appeals process. The Hill. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
- Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (August 23, 2017). Trump to sign veterans bill in Nevada: Here's what it does. Fox News. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
- ↑ Wong, Kristina (April 27, 2017). Trump Signs Executive Order to Hold VA Employees Accountable. Breitbart News. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
- ↑ Boyer, Dave (June 5, 2017). Trump to overhaul VA medical records system to link with Pentagon. The Washington Times. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
- ↑ Singman, Brooke (June 5, 2017). Veterans Affairs to adopt same medical records system as Pentagon. Fox News. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- VA Makes Public Its Disciplinary Action Against Employees. Newsmax. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
- Wentling, Nikki (July 7, 2017). VA employee disciplinary actions are now public information. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
- Rosiak, Luke (July 7, 2017). VA To Post Employee Firings, Stop Rewarding Employees For Bogus Discrimination Claims. The Daily Caller. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Westwood, Sarah (July 7, 2017). Trump administration has fired more than 500 VA employees since January. Washington Examiner. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
- Heretik, Jack (July 7, 2017). More Than 500 VA Employees Fired During Trump Administration. The Washington Free Beacon. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
- Rodriguez, Katherine (July 10, 2017). VA Under Trump Admin Fires More Than 500 Employees, Suspends 200 for Misconduct. Breitbart News. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- Erickson, Bo; Watson, Ellee (July 7, 2017). Hundreds of VA officials fired since Trump's inauguration. CBS News. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
- Zimmerman, Malia (July 20, 2017). VA has fired 500 employees since Trump took office, report shows. Fox News. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Trump Announces New Health Care Initiatives for Veterans. Voice of America. August 3, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
- Boyer, Dave (August 3, 2017). Trump, VA show off new service to help veterans schedule doctor visits. The Washington Times. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
- Heretik, Jack (August 3, 2017). Trump and Shulkin Unveil VA’s Telehealth Program. The Washington Free Beacon. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
- Kasperowicz, Pete (August 3, 2017). Trump rolls out new telehealth services for veterans. Washington Examiner. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
- Przybyla, Heidi M. (August 3, 2017). Trump touts Veterans Affairs 'tele-health' program with new appointment scheduling application. USA Today. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Veteran unemployment rates fall to record low in October. Fox News. November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
- Rodriquez, Katherine (November 8, 2017). Veteran Unemployment Rate Falls to Record Low 2.7 Percent in October. Breitbart News. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Boyer, Dave (November 15, 2018). Trump touts achievements for veterans. The Washington Times. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
- Keller, Megan (November 11, 2018). Pence: 'Veterans have no better friend than President Trump'. The Hill. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
- Pence, Mike (November 11, 2018). Vice President Mike Pence: Veterans Day – Veterans have no better friend than President Trump. Fox News. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Boyer, Dave (June 6, 2018). Trump signs law to expand health care choices for veterans, reform VA. The Washington Times. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- Morrongiello, Gabby (June 6, 2018). Trump signs VA Mission Act into law to give veterans more healthcare choices. Washington Examiner. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- Arter, Melanie (June 6, 2018). Trump Signs VA Mission Act to Give Veterans Access to Private Health Care. CNS News. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- Trump signs bill to expand private care for veterans. Fox News (from the Associated Press). June 6, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- Slack, Donovan (June 6, 2018). Trump signs VA law to provide veterans more private health care choices. USA Today. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- Risk, Richard (June 6, 2018). Trump Signs $55 Billion Bill to Replace VA Choice Program. Military.com. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- Spiering, Charlie (June 6, 2018). Donald Trump Recognizes D-Day and Signs Veterans Choice Bill. Breitbart News. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- Shaffer, Tony (June 6, 2018). Real change finally comes to the VA, thanks to Trump. Washington Examiner. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Boyer, Dave (January 9, 2018). Trump signs executive order expanding mental health services for new veterans. The Washington Times. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- Trump orders mental health aid for military veterans to prevent suicide. Reuters. January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- Slack, Donovan (January 9, 2018). Trump expands mental health benefits to decrease suicide rates among new veterans. USA Today. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- Wentling, Nikki (January 9, 2018). Trump signs order to improve mental health care for new vets. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- Nicholas, Peter; Kesling, Ben (January 9, 2018). rump Signs Order Expanding Mental-Health Help for New Veterans. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- Executive Order 13822 of January 9, 2018 -- Supporting Our Veterans During Their Transition From Uniformed Service to Civilian Life. Federal Register. January 12, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Biery, Maria (September 18, 2018). VA celebrates 'historic achievement' after exceeding goal for appeals decisions on disability claims. Washington Examiner. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- Wing, Terry (September 18, 2018). VA exceeds goals for delivering appeals decisions on disability claims. Federal News Radio. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Kesling, Ben (September 18, 2018). Some Low-Performing VA Hospitals Show Improvement. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- Wentling, Nikki (September 18, 2018). VA cites improvements at five hospitals removed from 'high-risk' list. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- Biery, Maria (September 18, 2018). 5 poorly performing VA hospitals ready to graduate from high-risk list: Report. Washington Examiner. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Boyer, Dave (November 12, 2018). 'Union business on the taxpayer's dime': Trump administration cracks down on 'official time' at VA. The Washington Times. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
- McMorris, Bill (November 12, 2018). Trump Admin Ends Official Time Policy for VA. The Washington Free Beacon. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
- Greszler, Rachel (November 12, 2018). Trump Is Cracking Down on Wasted Time and Money at the VA. The Daily Signal. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
- Davidson, Joe (November 8, 2018). VA, skirting court order, kills ‘official time’ for medical professionals. The Washington Post. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
- Shane, Leo; Bur, Jessie (November 9, 2018). VA, unions spar over move to end physicians’ use of ‘official time'. Military Times. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Kesling, Ben (November 1, 2018). More U.S. Veterans Are Off the Streets. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- Biery, Maria (November 1, 2018). Trump administration announces drop in veterans' homelessness. Washington Examiner. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- Shane, Leo (November 1, 2018). Fewer veterans were homeless in 2018, after a worrisome rise last year. Military Times. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- Wentling, Nikki (November 1, 2018). HUD reports drop to 37,878 homeless veterans in 2018. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- Officials: US veteran homelessness declines 5 percent. Fox News (from the Associated Press). November 1, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- Altman, Howard (November 1, 2018). Number of homeless veterans in Tampa Bay dropping faster than nationwide. Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- Morris, Kyle (November 10, 2018). Exclusive Interview—Ben Carson Touts ‘Tremendous Progress’ Reducing Veteran Homelessness. Breitbart News. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- De Lea, Brittany (January 14, 2019). US veteran unemployment rate hits all-time low in 2018. Fox Business. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
- Gross, Natalie (January 11, 2019). Vet unemployment hit an all-time low in 2018. Mission accomplished? Military Times. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
- Biery, Maria (November 2, 2019). Veteran unemployment rate hit near-record low in October. Washington Examiner. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- Gross, Natalie (November 2, 2019). Veteran unemployment falls across the board. Military Times. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- Samuels, Brett (January 15, 2019). Trump touts 18-year low for veteran unemployment rate. The Hill. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- Bogorowski, Hanna (January 15, 2019). Trump Touts Low Veteran Unemployment Numbers. The Daily Caller. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Kesling, Ben (January 30, 2019). VA Issues New Rules Expanding Access to Private Care. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- Slack, Donovan (January 30, 2019). VA unveils proposed rules extending more private care to veterans. USA Today. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- Kheel, Rebecca (January 30, 2019). VA unveils proposal to expand private health care for veterans. The Hill. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- Wentling, Nikki (January 30, 2019). VA unveils proposed new rules for expanding private-sector care. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- Shane, Leo (January 30, 2019). New VA plan: Vets facing 30-minute drives, 20-day waits for appointments could get private-sector care instead. Military Times. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- Kime, Patricia (January 30, 2019). Proposed VA Rules Would Expand Veterans' Access to Private Health Care. Military.com. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- Steinhauer, Jennifer (January 30, 2019). Veterans Will Have More Access to Private Health Care Under New V.A. Rules. The New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2019.