"Biden's VA Bill Fails to Address Medical Worker Shortage Amidst Soaring Claims"
The Department of Veterans Affairs is facing a severe shortage of medical workers as burnout sets in and new legislation signed by President Biden increases work demands. A review by the department's inspector general found over 3,000 vacancies across various occupations at health centers, with practical nurses and medical support assistants being the most cited shortages. The VA is also dealing with a surge in claims related to the "burn pit legislation," which expands qualifications for veteran claims. The backlog of claims has exceeded 300,000, putting pressure on an already strained system. The VA is taking steps to increase support for claims processors and has hired and trained new processors, but concerns remain about the ability to fulfill claims and maintain confidence in the department.