PDA

View Full Version : VA and DoD collaborate



CAS3
04-21-03, 09:53 AM
VA Deputy Secretary Leo S. Mackay, Jr. and Dr. David S. C. Chu,
under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, approved the plan at
a quarterly meeting of the VA/DoD Joint Executive Council, which they
co-chair.

"This is an important step because it provides a framework with
specific goals for delivering high quality services and benefits to service
members and veterans. It ensures the process will continue into the
future," said Mackay.

"Our aim is to build a world-class partnership guided by principles
of collaboration, stewardship and leadership," Chu said. "This approach
will help us provide the best value for our beneficiaries as well as the
taxpayer. It also recognizes both our common and unique mission
requirements and ensures accountability for the results."

Among the plan's goals are efforts to improve access to benefits,
streamline application processes, eliminate duplicated requirements and
smooth other business practices that complicate service members' transition
from active duty to veteran status. This will be done by ensuring service
members are aware of benefits, eligibility rules and services available to
them from both VA and DoD.

These benefits include healthcare, educational assistance, home
loans, disability compensation, pension, insurance, burial and memorial
services.

The ability to transfer data from DoD to VA quickly, easily and
securely is a key element to making the transition seamless. In addition to
enhancing and expanding the technical capability of DoD and VA information
systems, an "Information Sharing Task Force" will be established under the
VA-DoD Benefits Executive Council to develop a plan to automate the data
collection process so necessary information is received in a timely and
accurate manner.

VA and DoD also plan improved coordination of their business
processes to better manage capital assets, leverage their combined
purchasing power, develop complementary workforce plans, and find ways to
enhance other key business functions.