The VA could be directed to conduct research on the benefits of marijuana use for a variety of health conditions under a new bill. (Photo: Louis Reed)
Our fourth February 2023 roundup covers new veterans legislation as well as new VA agreements aimed at further increasing the department’s ability to tackle PACT Act benefits claims.
Readers can also submit veterans news stories to southards.calegion@gmail.com.
Statewide: California Veterans News
- The VA’s National Cemetery Administration topped the American Customer Satisfaction Index for 2022 with the highest score ever given. The National Cemetery Administration, which runs 10 veterans cemeteries in California, has earned the ACSI’s top spot seven years in a row.
- The VA reached an agreement with the National Federation of Federal Employees to, among other provisions, hire NFFE employees faster as part of the VA’s effort to carry out PACT Act-related mandates.
- U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., has introduced a bill in Congress that would increase funding the VA can provide to organizations that offer transitional services for homeless veterans.
- Twin, bipartisan bills launched in both chambers of Congress would legalize and direct the VA to conduct research on the benefits of marijuana use for veterans suffering from a wide array of mental and physical health problems. Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., joined Jack Bergman, R-Mich., in introducing the House version of the bill.
- A new bill introduced by California Sen. Bob Archuleta, D-Pico Rivera, would allow veterans to take Veterans Day in California without penalty, provided they give at least three weeks’ notice, can prove their veteran status, and their absence would not harm public health and safety or cause irreparable harm to their employer.
Recent Veterans Posts & Videos From California American Legion
- News: GAO report questions VA’s current methods for serving rural veterans’ mental health needs
- Sons of The American Legion members can now renew online
- January DEC Photos
- News: VA to pay for all emergency mental health care
Important Veterans & Military Holidays in January
- Jan. 25 — Anniversary of the U.S. & Allied victory at the Battle of the Bulge
- Feb. 3 — Four Chaplains Day
- Feb. 9 — Anniversary of the U.S. Victory at the Battle of Guadalcanal
- Feb. 28 — Anniversary of the U.S.-led victory in the Persian Gulf War
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.