Government Relations
Key T AK e A w A ys • The ACGRD monthly meeting was held with roll call, approval of July minutes, and officer elections conducted. • National PVA presented an overview of legislative priorities, including the Taking Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA), which bundles several key veteran benefit bills. • TCAVA faces significant opposition in both chambers due to its pay-for mechanism involving changes to sleep apnea and tinnitus compensation ratings. • Updates were provided on air travel accessibility legislation and upcoming regulatory changes affecting wheelchair users. Government • VA staffing shortages at spinal cord injury centers were raised as a Relations growing concern by multiple members. • New ACGRD officers were elected by acclamation: Mac McIntyre (Chair), Milton Young (Vice Chair), Joe Dornbrock (Treasurer), and • Amanda Vazquez (Secretary). • The next ACGRD meeting was rescheduled to September 14th due to Labor Day conflict. Challenges • TCAVA faces significant opposition in both the House and Senate due to disagreement over using reduced veteran benefits (sleep apnea/tinnitus rating changes) as a pay-for mechanism for concurrent receipt (Major Richard Starr Act). The bill failed procedural votes in both chambers and requires substantial additional work before passage. • VA staffing shortages at SCI centers, particularly Iowa City and Baltimore, are resulting in patients being redirected to community care, sometimes against their preference. VA Directive 1176 is not legally binding, limiting enforcement options. • Air travel accessibility enforcement remains inadequate despite new regulations. DOT has signaled it may revisit recently finalized wheelchair user and lavatory rules, potentially rolling back protections. • No federal ADA specification exists for hotel bed height in accessible rooms, and efforts to establish one have repeatedly stalled. • VA advance payment for airfare to VA facilities remains unresolved, particularly on the West Coast, though VA has indicated it is developing a workaround. • Grant check mailing reliability is a concern following recent incidents of checks not reaching their destination. • ACGRD membership engagement is uneven; some members are less active in advocacy, and the new chair is working to identify strategies to increase participation.