2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Honoring Our Promise
To Address Comprehensive Toxics Act Of 2021. In March 2022, according
to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "adoption of
the rule (H Res 950) that would provide for House floor consideration of
the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (Honoring our
PACT) Act (HR 3967). The rule would provide for up to one hour of
general debate on the bill and floor consideration of 28 amendments to
the bill." The vote was on adoption of the rule. The House adopted the
rule by a vote of 220-200. [House Vote 50,
3/1/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/1/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3967;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
950]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Honoring Our Promise
To Address Comprehensive Toxics Act Of 2021. In March 2022, according
to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "motion to
order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of
amendment) on the rule (H Res 950) that would provide for House floor
consideration of the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive
Toxics (Honoring our PACT) Act (HR 3967). The rule would provide for up
to one hour of general debate on the bill and floor consideration of 28
amendments to the bill." The vote was on a motion to order the previous
question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 221-202. [House
Vote 49, 3/1/22;
Congressional Quarterly,
3/1/22; Congressional Actions,
H.R.
3967;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
950]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Required The VA To
Submit A Quarterly Report On Reported Cases Of Veterans' Burn Pit
Exposures. In March 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment to the Honoring our Promise to
Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, which would "include
provisions of a bill (HR 2601) that would require the Veterans Affairs
Department to submit to Congress a quarterly report on each reported
case of a veteran's burn pit exposure." The vote was on adoption of an
amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 348-78. [House
Vote 56, 3/3/22;
Congressional Quarterly, 3/3/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
182;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3967]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted For Amendments That Required The Defense
Department To Include A Dedicated Budget Line Item For Incinerators And
Waste-To-Energy Waste Disposal Alternatives To Burn Pits. In March
2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for en
bloc amendments no. 1 to the Honoring our Promise to Address
Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, which in part would "require the
Defense Department to include in each annual budget submission through
fiscal 2027 a dedicated budget line item for incinerators and
waste-to-energy waste disposal alternatives to burn pits." The vote was
on adoption of amendments. The House adopted the amendments by a vote of
331-96. [House Vote 52,
3/2/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/2/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
177;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3967]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Establish A Presumption Of
Service-Connected Exposure For Certain Illnesses And Cancers For
Veterans Who Served Near Burn Pits Or Other Airborne Hazards In Iraq,
Afghanistan And Persian Gulf Countries Since August 1990. In July
2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the
Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, which would "expand VA health care
benefits for veterans with service-connected exposure to burn pits or
other toxic substances, making such veterans eligible for VA hospital
care, medical services and nursing home care. Specifically, it would
establish a presumption of service-connected exposure for certain types
of cancer and certain respiratory illnesses, including asthma diagnosed
after service, for all veterans who served in certain periods and
locations where burn pits or other airborne hazards were present,
including those who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Persian Gulf
countries beginning in August 1990." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote 342-88, thus the bill was sent to President
Biden and became law. [House Vote 309,
7/13/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/22;
Congressional Actions, S.
3373]
The Bill Expanded Benefits For Veterans Who Were Exposed To
Radiation During The Cold War And Vietnam Veterans Exposed To Agent
Orange. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would also
expand benefits for certain veterans exposed to radiation during the
Cold War and certain Vietnam War-era veterans exposed to Agent
Orange." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/13/22]
The Bill Required The VA To Create A Department Working Group To
Examine Toxic Exposure Cases And Modify Or Propose New Presumptions
Of Service-Connected Exposure, Inform Veterans Of New Eligibility
Expansions, And Examine The Scientific Connection Of Diseases And
Military Toxic Exposures. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"It would require the VA to establish a department working group to
assess cases of toxic exposure and make determinations for new or
modified presumptions of service-connected exposure based on working
group recommendations; conduct outreach to inform veterans of new
eligibility following all such modifications; and enter into a
five-year agreement with the National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering and Medicine to evaluate scientific evidence related to
determining the associations between diseases and military toxic
exposure." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/13/22]
The Bill Required The VA To Publish Resources For Toxic-Exposed
Veterans And Their Caregivers, Provide A Questionnaire In Initial
Screenings, Educate And Train Health Care Personnel How To Identify
And Treat Illnesses, Coordinate Collaborative Federal Research On
Toxic Exposure Health Effects, And Study Toxic Exposures And Mental
Health Conditions And Health Trends Of Veterans Involved In
Manhattan Project Activities. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "It would also require the VA to publish a list of
resources for toxic-exposed veterans and their caregivers and
survivors; include a toxic exposure questionnaire in initial
screenings conducted by VA primary care providers; provide
department health care personnel with education and training to
identify and treat illnesses related to toxic exposure; establish an
interagency working group to coordinate collaborative federal
research on health consequences of military toxic exposure; and
require the National Academies to conduct a study on toxic exposures
and mental health conditions and a study on health trends of
veterans who participated in Manhattan Project activities."
[Congressional Quarterly,
7/13/22]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against Expanding VA Health
Benefits For Veterans With Service-Connected Toxic Exposure. In July
2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the
"Bost, R-Ill., motion to recommit the bill to the House Veterans'
Affairs Committee." The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House
rejected the motion by a vote 208-219. [House Vote 308,
7/13/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/22;
Congressional Actions, S.
3373]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against Expanding VA Health
Benefits For Veterans With Service-Connected Toxic Exposure. In July
2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against
the "adoption of the rule (H Res 1224) that would provide for House
consideration of [...] the veterans' toxic exposure benefits bill (S
3373)." The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the
rule by a vote 217-204. [House Vote 304,
7/13/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/22;
Congressional Actions, S.
3373;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1224]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against Expanding VA Health
Benefits For Veterans With Service-Connected Toxic Exposure. In July
2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against
the "motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and
possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 1224) that would provide
for House consideration of [...] the veterans' toxic exposure
benefits bill (S 3373)." The vote was on a motion to order the previous
question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote 218-208. [House Vote
303, 7/13/22;
Congressional Quarterly,
7/13/22; Congressional Actions,
S.
3373;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1224]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Expand VA Health Care Benefits For Veterans
Who Were Exposed To Burn Pits Or Other Toxic Substances During Their
Military Service. In March 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive
Toxics Act of 2021, which would "expand Veterans Affairs Department
health care benefits for veterans with service-connected exposure to
burn pits or other toxic substances, making such veterans eligible for
VA hospital care, medical services and nursing home care." The vote was
on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 256-174. The Senate
version, S. 3373 became law in August 2022. [House Vote 57,
3/3/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/22; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
3967]
The Bill Established A "Presumption Of Service-Connected Exposure"
For Certain Cancer And Respiratory Illness Diagnoses For All
Veterans Who Served Near Burn Pits Or Other Toxic Substances,
Including Military Members That Served In Iraq, Afghanistan And
Persian Gulf Nations Starting In August 1990. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Specifically, it would establish a
presumption of service-connected exposure for certain types of
cancer and certain respiratory illnesses, including asthma diagnosed
after service, for all veterans who served in certain periods and
locations where burn pits or other airborne hazards were present,
including those who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Persian Gulf
countries beginning in August 1990." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/3/22]
The Bill Required The VA To Outreach And Inform Veterans Of The
Extended Eligibility For VA Benefits Under The Bill. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "It would require the VA to conduct
outreach to inform such veterans of their eligibility."
[Congressional Quarterly,
3/3/22]
The Bill Required The VA To Oversee Federally Funded Research Over
Health Consequences Of Military Toxic Substance Exposures, Create A
Toxic Exposure Advisory Committee, And Conduct Research On
Recommendations For New Or Altered Presumptions Of Service-Connected
Exposure. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would also
require the VA to coordinate federally funded research activities
related to health consequences of military toxic exposures;
establish a toxic exposure advisory committee to assess cases of
toxic exposure; and conduct research based on committee
recommendations to make determinations for new or modified
presumptions of service-connected exposure." [Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/22]
The VA Would Be Required To Publish Resources For Toxic-Exposed
Veterans, Provide A Toxic Exposure Survey In Initial Screenings,
Train And Education Health Care Personnel On How To Identify And
Treat Illnesses Caused By Toxic Exposure, And Create A Registry For
Military Members Who May Have Been Exposed To Per- And
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Among other provisions, it would require the VA to publish a list
of resources for toxic-exposed veterans and their caregivers and
survivors; include a toxic exposure questionnaire in initial
screenings conducted by VA primary care providers; provide
department health care personnel with education and training to
identify and treat illnesses related to toxic exposure; and
establish a registry for servicemembers who may have been exposed to
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances due to the release of aqueous
film-forming foam on military installations." [Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/22]
The Honoring Our PACT Act Would Expand Health Care Eligibility For
Veterans Who Were Exposed To Burn Puts And Other Toxic Substances
And Could Cover Up To 2.5 Million Veterans. According to CNN, "The
legislation is called the Honoring our PACT Act, which stands for
Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics. It was introduced by House
Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano, a California
Democrat, and has bipartisan support. The bill would expand health
care eligibility for former military service members exposed to burn
pits and other toxins and could provide coverage for up to 3.5
million veterans." [CNN,
3/3/22]
According To A Survey By Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans Of America,
86% Of Respondents Were Exposed To Burn Pits, Which Were Utilized To
Incinerate And Burn Waste, Hazardous Substances, And Chemical
Compounds In Iraq And Afghanistan. According to CNN, "Burn pits
were used to incinerate and burn waste, hazardous material, and
chemical compounds at military sites throughout Iraq and
Afghanistan. A 2020 member survey by the advocacy organization Iraq
and Afghanistan Veterans of America found that 86% of respondents
were exposed to burn pits or other toxins." [CNN,
3/3/22]
The Bill Would Recognize 23 Respiratory Illnesses And Cancers To
Have Been Caused During Military Service, Which Would Remove The
Burden For Veterans To Prove The Exposure Resulted In Their
Diagnoses. According to CNN, "Under the Honoring our PACT Act, 23
respiratory illnesses and cancers, including any type of lymphoma or
respiratory cancer, would be considered to have been incurred or
exacerbated during military service, removing the burden for
veterans to prove their toxic exposure resulted in these
conditions." [CNN,
3/3/22]
Republicans Argued The Bill Was Too Expensive, Claiming It Would
Cost More Than Nine Cabinet Departments, Whereas Democrats Argued
Republicans Were More Willing To Spend On Wars That Led To The Harm
Of Military Members. According to Congressional Quarterly, "House
Republicans criticized the bill during initial debate Wednesday as
more costly than nine Cabinet departments combined. Democrats ripped
such concerns, arguing Republicans had no trouble deficit-spending
on the wars that sent servicemembers into harm's way to begin with."
[Congressional Quarterly,
3/3/22]
According To The Congressional Budget Office, Direct Benefit
Payments For Disability Benefits Would Increase By $208 Billion
Over Ten Years And The New Health Care Benefits, Alongside
Administrative Costs, Would Require An Additional $114 Billion.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The sweeping House bill is
pretty expensive, too: Direct benefit payments for disability
compensation would increase by $208 billion over a decade, the
Congressional Budget Office found. And the provision of new health
care benefits, which is financed through the annual appropriations
process, plus VA administrative costs could require another $114
billion." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/3/22]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted For Amendments That Authorized $50 Million
Annually Through FY 2027 To Award Grants To States For Programs That
Improve Outreach And Assistance To Veterans Regarding The Benefits And
Programs They May Qualify. In March 2022, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for en bloc amendments no. 1 to the
Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, which
in part would "authorize $50 million annually for fiscal years 2023
through 2027 for the Veterans Affairs Department to award grants to
states for programs that improve outreach and assistance to veterans
regarding benefits and programs for which they may be eligible." The
vote was on adoption of amendments. The House adopted the amendments by
a vote of 331-96. [House Vote 52,
3/2/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/2/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
177;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3967]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted For Amendments That Raised The Minimum Time
Period To 96 Hours Within With Veterans May Be Required To Notify The VA
To Be Eligible For Coverage When Receiving Emergency Care At A Non-VA
Facility. In March 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for en bloc amendments no. 1 to the Honoring our
Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, which in part would
"increase from 72 to 96 hours the minimum time period within which
veterans may be required to notify the Veterans Affairs Department to be
eligible for VA coverage when receiving emergency medical care at a
non-VA facility." The vote was on adoption of amendments. The House
adopted the amendments by a vote of 331-96. [House Vote 52,
3/2/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/2/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
177;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3967]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted For Amendments That Require Veterans Affairs
To Establish An Interagency Toxic Exposure Research Working Group. In
March 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for
en bloc amendments no. 1 to the Honoring our Promise to Address
Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, which in part would "require the
Veterans Affairs Department to establish an interagency toxic exposure
research working group." The vote was on adoption of amendments. The
House adopted the amendments by a vote of 331-96. [House Vote 52,
3/2/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/2/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
177;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3967]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Make All Veterans Who Served In Certain
Location And Periods Where They May Have Been Exposed To Burn Pits And
Toxic Substances Eligible For A Mammography Screening By A VA Medical
Provider. In May 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas Supporting Expanded
Review for Veterans In Combat Environments Act, which would "require the
Veterans Affairs Department to ensure that all veterans who served in
certain locations and periods where they may have been exposed to burn
pits and other toxic substances are eligible for a mammography screening
by a VA health care provider. It would also require the VA, within two
years, to submit a report to Congress comparing the rates of breast
cancer among servicemembers deployed to such locations with rates among
other servicemembers and the civilian population." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 418-0, thus the bill was
sent to the President. [House Vote 228,
5/18/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/18/22;
Congressional Actions, S.
2102]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Required The VA To Make
Mammography Screenings Available For Veterans Who Served In The Middle
East, Southwest Asia Or Other Regions When Burn Pits Were Used And
Required A Report On Breast Cancer Rates Among Military Members In Such
Areas. In March 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment to the Honoring our Promise to
Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, which would "require the
Veterans Affairs Department to ensure that mammography screenings are
available for veterans who served in the Middle East, Southwest Asia or
other regions during periods when burn pits have been or are being used.
It would also require the department to submit a report to Congress on
rates of breast cancer among servicemembers deployed in these areas,
compared to rates among civilians and other servicemembers." The vote
was on adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a
vote of 425-0. [House Vote 54,
3/2/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/2/22; Congressional
Actions, H.Amdt.
179;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3967]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted Against A Substitute Amendment That Would
Expand Eligibility For VA Health Care Benefits Due To Toxic Exposure,
Including Expanding Eligibility From Five To 10 Years After The
Veteran's Discharge. In March 2022, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against a Republican substitute amendment
to the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021,
which would "strike the bill's text and insert provisions of a bill
that would expand eligibility for Veterans Affairs Department health
care benefits related to toxic substance exposure, including extending
the eligibility period from five to 10 years after an eligible
veteran's separation. Among other provisions, it would also require the
VA to provide toxic exposure-related education and training for
department health care personnel; include toxic exposure screening in
its patient enrollment health care screening; and conduct studies on
cancer rates among veterans and mortality among veterans who served in
Southwest Asia." The vote was on adoption of an amendment. The House
rejected the amendment by a vote of 203-223. [House Vote 53,
3/2/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/2/22; Congressional
Actions, H.Amdt.
178;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3967]
Republicans Attempted To Pass A Substitute Amendment That
Reflected The Senate Version Of The Honoring Our PACT Act, Which Was
A Narrower Proposal To Extend Eligibility For VA Health Care
Services From Five To 10 Years After The Member's Discharge Who
Served After September 11, 2001. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The Senate has already passed, by voice vote, a smaller
piece of the House package, a measure (S 3541) that would extend
eligibility for health care services from five to 10 years after
discharge for veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001. All but four
House Republicans voted for that measure as an amendment to the
larger House Democratic bill on Wednesday; the amendment was
rejected, 203-223." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/3/22]
Republicans Argued The Substitute Amendment Was An Inexpensive Way
To Deliver Aid To Veterans, Only Costing $1 Billion Over Ten
Years. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Republicans said it
was a relatively inexpensive --- $1 billion over a decade --- way
to deliver aid to veterans that could be signed into law
immediately, in what could be billed as a bipartisan win."
[Congressional Quarterly,
3/3/22]
Democrats Stressed The Substitute Amendment Would Only Help 16,000
Out Of 3.5 Million Potentially Eligible Veterans Who Were Exposed To
Burn Pits And Lacked The Presumption Of Service Connection To Ensure
Veterans Would Not Have To Fight For Their Health Benefits.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "But Democrats said it would
only help about 16,000 out of 3.5 million potentially eligible Iraq
and Afghanistan veterans who served in proximity to burn pits, and
was missing the key piece: clearly establishing that presumption of
service connection so veterans wouldn't need to fight for benefits."
[Congressional Quarterly,
3/3/22]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted For Amendments That Authorized $150 Million
For FY 2023 To Modernize And Expand Capabilities And Capacity Of The
Veterans Benefits Management System To Support The Predicted Increase In
Claims For Newly Eligible Veterans Under The Bill. In March 2022,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for en bloc
amendments no. 1 to the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive
Toxics Act of 2021, which in part would "authorize $150 million for
fiscal 2023 for the continued modernization and expansion of
capabilities and capacity of the Veterans Benefits Management System to
support the expected increase in claims processing for newly eligible
veterans pursuant to the bill." The vote was on adoption of amendments.
The House adopted the amendments by a vote of 331-96. [House Vote 52,
3/2/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/2/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
177;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3967]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against Amendments That
Established A Veterans Toxic Exposures Fund For VA Health Care And
Benefits Expenses Related To Toxic Exposure And Required The VA To
Provide Treatment To Veterans Who Participated In Efforts After The 1968
Crash Of The U.S. Force B-52 Bomber. In March 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick effectively voted against the
automatic adoption of a manager's amendment to the Honoring our Promise
to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, which would "establish a
Veterans Toxic Exposures Fund within the Treasury and authorize such
sums as necessary for the fund, beginning in fiscal 2023, for expenses
related to providing Veterans Affairs Department health care and
benefits related to environmental hazard exposure; authorize $30
million in fiscal 2023 for the VA to automate and streamline claims
processing to support the expected increase in claims by veterans made
eligible for benefits by the bill; modify provisions related to the
VA's appointment of five members to a toxic exposure advisory committee
established by the bill; and require the department to provide treatment
to veterans who participated in response efforts following the 1968
crash of a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber that caused the release of four
thermonuclear weapons in the vicinity of Thule Air Force Base,
Greenland." The vote was on adoption of the rule. The House adopted the
rule by a vote of 220-200, thus the manager amendment was adopted
automatically. [House Vote 50,
3/1/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/1/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3967;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
950]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Provide 500 Million For FY 2022 For A
Veterans' Health Care Fund Associated With Toxic Exposure To Improve
Veterans Benefits Administration Operations. In July 2022, according
to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Honoring our PACT
Act of 2022, which would "provide $500 million for fiscal 2022 for a
new fund to support veterans' health care associated with toxic
exposure and authorize the VA to use such funding to improve Veterans
Benefits Administration operations, including for claims automation, to
support increased claims processing for veterans made eligible by the
bill." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote
342-88, thus the bill was sent to President Biden and became law.
[House Vote 309,
7/13/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/22;
Congressional Actions, S.
3373]
The Bill Required The VA To Enact A "National Rural Recruitment
And Hiring Plan For The Veterans Health Administration," Required
The VA To Create Qualifications For Human Resources Positions, And
Authorized The VA To Enact Incentives To Retain And Recruit
Workers. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would also
include various provisions related to VA personnel policy, including
to require the VA, in collaboration with the directors of outpatient
clinics and medical centers, to develop and implement a national
rural recruitment and hiring plan for the Veterans Health
Administration; require the VA to establish qualifications for each
human resources position within the department; and authorize the VA
to issue retention bonuses, student loan repayment and other
incentives to retain and recruit personnel." [Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/22]
Unlike The First Version That Passed The House, The Final Version
Of This Bill Did Not Include A "Blue-Slip Provision" That Specified
That Contract Buy-Outs By The VA To Hire Medical Professionals At
Rural Facilities Would Not Be A Taxable Benefit. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "This version of the bill would not include
a blue-slip provision that would specify that contract buy-outs by
the VA to employ health care professionals at rural VA facilities
would not be considered a taxable benefit or event." [Congressional
Quarterly, 7/13/22]