United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (English United States Department of Veterans Affairs - VA) of the U.S. government is responsible for benefits to veterans and their families and survivors. It was founded on July 21, 1930, the Federal Office. Seat is Washington, D.C. (810 Vermont Ave NW).
It is by the Minister, the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, led. January 20, 2009 Eric K. Shinseki this.
History
Was founded in 1930 by the merger of several government organizations, the Veterans Administration for all the veterans of these activities by the U.S. government. 1988 this office under President Ronald Reagan was upgraded to the Ministry.
The task of the Ministry is derived from a commencement speech by Abraham Lincoln: " ... to care for him who Shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan ... "
Organization
The Veterans Ministry is with 278.565 employees (2008) by the Ministry of Defence, the second-largest U.S. Federal Ministry. The staff are employed in medical institutions, hospitals, government agencies and national cemeteries. The budget is about $ 93.4 billion ( 2009). This puts it well behind the financially strong Ministries of Defence and Health, whose budget 6-7 times greater.
In the health sector, it is one of the largest employers in the United States. Due to the numerous collaborations with medical schools a quarter of all U.S. doctors has worked during their education at an institution of the Ministry.
The Ministry has three led by Under Secretaries of State departments:
- Veterans Health Administration: Health
- Veterans Benefits Administration: Social services: training and return to work, insurance, compensation and pension
- National Cemetery Administration: You cared for 123 of the 139 national cemeteries in the United States.
The Ministry has its own police force, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police.
Treatment costs
Due to the recent military conflicts, the treatment costs have risen sharply, especially by nursing homes and mental illness.
The Ministry distinguishes eight main groups of beneficiaries and numerous subcategories. Problems caused by the service disabilities, as well as income and assets are taken into account. From a disability of 50 % (loss of limbs, post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD) ) will be provided treatment and medicines free of charge.
In recent years, numerous outpatient facilities were built to replace inpatient care. There were patient data electronically stored, carried out research in the field of prostheses and PTSD and examines the effects of Agent Orange.