U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, led a committee hearing on July 23 to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs research program and assess how it is prepared to sustain, strengthen, and modernize its research enterprise for veterans’ evolving needs.
Moran recently introduced the Precision Oncology Program for Cancer of the Prostate Authorization Act. This legislation would codify the VA’s precision oncology prostate cancer program and establish seven additional centers of excellence within the VA healthcare system to increase access to care for veterans with prostate cancer. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass my legislation that would codify VA’s Precision Oncology Program for Cancer of the Prostate,” said Moran. “Congress has the opportunity to safeguard this program’s funding, protect its infrastructure, and make certain that veterans battling prostate cancer continue receiving access to the world-class, specialty tailored care they have earned and deserved.”
During the hearing, Moran also discussed efforts around passing the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act and addressed comments from Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal regarding an alternate offset. The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act includes more than 60 pieces of bipartisan legislation such as the Major Richard Star Act, Love Lives On Act, and Veterans’ ACCESS Act. According to Moran during his remarks at the hearing, “I look forward to finding that path that not only takes care of the Major Richard Star Act, but this broad array, widely supported by VSOs and veterans across the country, [of] pieces of legislation.” He continued: “We asked CBO again today…if the pay-for that [Blumenthal is] suggesting is something that counts as a pay-for under the PAYGO Act passed by Congress years ago, and the answer was no.”
The bill is endorsed by over 20 military and veteran service organizations and would benefit millions of veterans along with their families, caregivers, and survivors nationwide. Funding would come from reinvesting savings generated by a rule proposed by VA in 2022.
“I worry that we are [on] this same path of having conversation…and we end up in same position we have been in for a long time,” concluded Moran. “We’ll continue to work…to satisfy needs of law but results in an outcome…as compared to words…that say we are for something but again ends up with no result. I want an outcome…and we are working to achieve that.”
The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee oversees benefits programs throughout all states; it collaborates closely with entities like VA while maintaining offices within Capitol complex facilities, according to the official website. The committee has contributed toward improving access to health care services for former service members as well as supporting their transitions into civilian life.