2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require The VA To Provide Annual Training
On Military Sexual Trauma And Compensation Claims To Every Member Of The
Veterans' Appeals Board And Use Trauma-Informed Language When Conducting
Examinations And Explaining Claim Decisions. In May 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Dignity for MST
Survivors Act, which would "require the Veterans Affairs Department to
ensure that an annual training on military sexual trauma and resulting
compensation claims is offered to each member of the Veterans' Appeals
Board and prohibit the assignment of proceedings concerning such claims
to any board members who have not completed the most recent training. It
would also require the department to establish protocols for VA and
contract medical providers to conduct examinations related to such
claims using trauma-informed practices and to ensure that letters to
individuals explaining a decision to deny such claims use
trauma-informed language." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 405-12, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House
Vote 216, 5/18/22;
Congressional Quarterly,
5/18/22; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
6961]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require The VA To Contract With The
National Academies To Review Medical Examinations For Individuals Who
Submit Compensation Claims Related To Military Sexual Trauma. In May
2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for a bill
that would "require the Veterans Affairs Department to enter into an
agreement with the National Academies to conduct a review of medical
examinations for individuals who submit claims for compensation related
to military sexual trauma. It would require the National Academies,
within 540 days of enactment, to submit a report to Congress on the
findings of its review, including legislative and administrative
recommendations, and require the VA, within 90 days of the report
submission, to submit a plan to carry out any recommendations." The vote
was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 414-2, thus the
bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 217,
5/18/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/18/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6064]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require Training For VA Peer Support
Specialists On Military Sexual Trauma Support And Annual Training For VA
Peer Support Specialists And Veterans Health Administration Military
Sexual Trauma Coordinators Over The Processing Of Compensation Claims
Related To Military Sexual Trauma. In May 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the VA Peer Support
Enhancement for MST Survivors Act, which would "require the Veterans
Affairs Department to provide annual training for VA peer support
specialists on how to provide support regarding military sexual trauma
and annual training for VA peer support specialists and Veterans Health
Administration military sexual trauma coordinators regarding the
processing of claims for compensation related to military sexual trauma.
It would require the department, in forms for such claims for
compensation, to allow veterans to elect to be referred to a Veterans
Health Administration military sexual trauma coordinator at the nearest
VA facility to their residence. It would specify that peer support
specialists are not responsible for assisting veterans with claims for
compensation, other than counseling services and guidance, and may not
participate in the adjudication of such claims." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 420-0, thus the bill was
sent to the Senate. [House Vote 224,
5/18/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/18/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2724]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require The VA To Provide Military Sexual
Trauma Information And Resources To Claimants During Or Following A
Medical Examination Or Board Of Veterans' Appeals Hearing. In May
2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the
MST Claims Coordination Act, which would "require the Veterans Affairs
Department, during or immediately after a medical examination or Board
of Veterans' Appeals hearing with respect to a claim for compensation
related to military sexual trauma, to provide claimants with outreach
letters, information on the Veterans Crisis Line, information on how to
make an appointment with a mental health provider and other information
on resources available relating to military sexual trauma." The vote was
on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 417-0, thus the bill
was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 215,
5/18/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/18/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7335]