VA Unveils Task Force Report

[admin]

Task Force Aims at Improved Services for GWOT Veterans
Nicholson - Vets "Shouldn't Fight For Benefits Earned"
WASHINGTON (April 24, 2007) - Military personnel returning from Iraq
and
Afghanistan can look forward to more timely receipt of benefits, better
information and more streamlined processes, thanks to streamlined
federal procedures announced today by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim
Nicholson, who chaired a presidential task force.

"The federal government must be responsive and efficient in delivering
our benefits and services to these heroes," Nicholson said during a
speech to the National Press Club. "They should not have to fight
bureaucratic red tape for benefits earned by their courageous service."

On March 6, President Bush appointed Nicholson to lead the Interagency
Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes, which reviewed
federal benefits and processes for changes that could quickly improve
veterans' access to services and programs.

Nicholson went to the White House April 23 to personally brief
President
Bush about the task force's recommendations.

The Task Force brought together top officials from the departments of
Defense, Veterans Affairs, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing
and
Urban Development, and Education, as well as the Office of Management
and Budget, the Small Business Administration and Office of Personnel
Management.

The task force focused on improvements that could be made within the
authority of the individual departments or agencies, using existing
resources. The panel specifically targeted health care, benefits,
employment, education, housing and outreach activities.

The report includes 25 recommendations to improve delivery of federal
services to returning military men and women. The government-wide
action plan contains steps for individual department and agency
activities and incorporates cooperative interaction among those
providing complimentary services.

Recommendations focus on increasing awareness of available benefits
among service members and their families and improving the process for
receiving them. Eighteen recommendations will involve collaborative
efforts among several federal agencies to improve the timeliness, ease
of application, and delivery of services and benefits.

The task force report is available on VA's Website at: www.va.gov.