Dear Neighbor,

Our team's Vision of Service is to champion the voice of the people through passionate advocacy and legislation that matters. As your voice in Congress, I leaned into several initiatives in 2023:

1. I held the VA accountable on the reissuing of faulty CPAP devices;
2. I reached out to senior VA leadership about VA wait times and increasing the use of the Community Care program;
3. And I supported Congress in passing the PACT Act.

Through the implementation process, we face many more challenges in meeting our veterans' needs. As your representative, I promise to continue listening and staying active to champion the policy changes that support our heroes.

Additionally, since 2019, we have heard about the broken VA appeals system. We need input from you—our veterans—on your experiences and how you believe this problem can best be solved. We'd also like to hear your thoughts on other problem areas that affect your delivery of entitlements and services. 

Back home in Florida's Third, I love meeting with our veterans and hearing their stories. Our retired heroes are living testaments to the history of our country. While I have a deep sense of admiration for all veterans, I was particularly happy to see the legislation passed on Veterans Day weekend that provides no-cost VA health care to all World War II veterans. Our staff is waiting to hear more from the VA on how they will be implementing this benefit for our WWII heroes. We will have more information to share on this soon. 

With all that's happening this Congress, it is my greatest honor to represent you and hear from you about the issues that matter most. You can read below about what we've been up to this week, and as always, you can stay up-to-date with us here, on our website, and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

For the Republic,

Congresswoman Kat Cammack                                                                                Proudly Representing Florida's Third Congressional District

D.C. Legislative Update

Over the last month, my D.C. team has been focused on several pieces of legislation that affect veterans in Florida's Third. H.R. 4278 is a bill I've cosponsored, led by VA Committee Chairman Mike Bost of Illinois. 

H.R. 4278: Restore VA Accountability Act

• The Restore Accountability Act of 2023 is a bill that would strengthen the authorities the VA has to discipline unsatisfactory VA middle managers. It would also plug holes that courts have punctured in the 2017 Accountability Act by restoring Congress's intent to give the VA the authority it needs to quickly remove, demote, and suspend employees who are a disservice to veterans. The bill would allow the department's secretary to remove or demote any employees and, for supervisors, eliminate their ability to launch an appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Attending VA Committee Hearing On VA Appeals Process

This week, Brown and Dave from our D.C. and Gainesville offices attended a hearing of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs titled "Examining the VA Appeals Process: Ensuring High Quality Decision-Making for Veterans' Claims on Appeal." Over the last several years, our team has been working to ease the burden on our veterans who file claims with the VA, especially during the appeals process. It's important that we continue to support our nation's heroes through the care they receive at the VA, especially when it comes to the prompt delivery of decisions that can affect so much of their lives.

We will always work to make sure our heroes receive the best care possible and the prompt attention of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

VA Office Of The Inspector General News

In Missouri, Charles Adams stole over $105,000 in VA disability benefits. He made several fraudulent medical claims and he underwent medical evaluations after he applied for VA disability benefits due to service-connected degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis.

After his evaluations, videos were posted online that showed him lifting heavy weights and squatting. Charles Adams pleaded guilty following an investigation by the VA OIG and SSA OIG.

VA Expands Maternity Care Coordination For Veterans

Starting on October 1, veterans will have access to maternity care coordinators from the beginning of their pregnancy to 12 months postpartum—an expansion from the previous end-date of 8 weeks postpartum.

These coordinators help veterans navigate health care inside and outside of the VA, connect veterans with care after delivery, ensure access to follow-up screenings, and more. This means that all new mothers will have the support and resources they need from the VA, regardless of where they give birth.

Agent Orange Newsletter

Made for Vietnam-era Veterans, read this year's issue to learn more about:

• Toxic Exposure Screening
• Vietnam-era Veterans, the PACT Act and the Agent Orange Registry
• Question: Can I be tested for Agent Orange exposure?
• What is early-onset peripheral neuropathy?
• Find your advocate for benefits with VA’s accredited list of Veteran Service Organizations
• The Women’s Operational Military Exposure Network
• VA holds annual Military Environmental Exposures Training Conference

KWVA Chapter #267 Recognized For Recruiting Efforts

In Gainesville, The Korean War Veterans Association Chapter #267 was nationally recognized for their outstanding community service.

Thank you to our Korean War Veterans Association in Chapter #267 for your service to our country and recruiting fellow heroes into your brotherhood.

Beware Of Fraudulent, Unaccredited Service Officers

Beware unaccredited individuals who prepare, present, or prosecute VA benefit claims, or hold themselves out as being authorized to do so, are in violation of Federal law.

To find out whether your service officer, claims agent, or attorney is accredited by the VA, click the button below. 

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