The bill would create an independent Office of the National Veterans’ Advocate within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The National Veterans’ Advocate would report directly to the VA Secretary. The office would help veterans with casework, identify problems in their dealings with the VA, and recommend administrative and legislative changes. It would also send public reports to Congress twice a year with recommendations for improving veterans’ health outcomes, care, benefits, and VA cost efficiency.
The bill would establish a casework request portal and require the VA to inform veterans about the office. Each VA health-care network would have a deputy advocate and at least one veteran advocate for every 12,000 enrolled veterans in its area. Veteran advocates would receive annual training.
Veterans receiving VA care or benefits could use the office’s portal to request casework help. The office could also address problems that affect veterans more broadly. The bill does not specify when the portal or other services would begin.
The bill authorizes $25 million for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030. It does not state that this funding has been appropriated.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.