The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was passed out of the Senate Armed Services Committee on July 21, and it included the Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act (MJIIPA) (S. 1520)! For years, IAVA has advocated for this legislation as it would directly address the systemic fear that survivors of military sexual assault have in deciding whether to report the crimes committed against them. While this inclusion was a leap forward in the right direction, the House still has to vote on their bill. IAVA will continue to push for full passage of this legislation until the president signs it into law. Read our press release HERE.

On July 20, Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA, joined Bob Woodruff, co-founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, and Dr. Kavita Patel, physician and former Obama administration official, for a live discussion to raise awareness about vaccine safety and availability and shared solutions for communities serving veterans and their families. The event also featured a discussion around current vaccination initiatives that can inspire community leaders who are looking for ideas to help keep their community safe and healthy. Watch the full video HERE.

The House Veteran Affairs Committee held a hearing on July 21 to discuss the halt on the electronic healthcare record rollout and the recent discovery of several issues. Representatives from VA insisted the problems are not with the software, but with the preparation and training work of establishing the new system. VA and Cerner stated they have plans to try a strictly technical  deployment of the new technology at both the Spokane and Columbus sites before the end of summer. This is said to have no effect on clinicians or patients. Read more about the hearing HERE.

We know that this time can be stressful and IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF) is here to help! This program provides 24/7 peer support, comprehensive care management, resource connections, and can help with accessing your VA benefits. To get connected to a Veteran Care Manager for immediate help anytime, day or night, please call 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) or fill out our online form. Our services are remote, free, and confidential and QRF is here for all veterans, regardless of era, discharge status, or location. If you are a veteran or a veteran family member facing challenges or have questions, QRF is here to help you get back on your feet and meet your goals.

If you are currently experiencing a crisis please contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1.800..273.8255, and press 1. Alternatively, use the Crisis Text Line by texting “RISING” to 7417