VA leadership nominee grilled over recent department layoffs
President Donald Trump nominated Paul Lawrence to serve as the second-highest leader in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
FedLife
VA dismisses over 1,000 employees as part of probationary worker purge
Department leaders promised the dismissals will not hurt veterans' benefits or medical care and will save almost $100 million annually.
Protestors demand VA oppose Trump efforts to trim federal workforce
Several dozen union members and VA employees rallied outside the department headquarters amid fears of staff cuts and funding reductions for the agency.
VA secretary tapped to temporarily lead 2 federal oversight offices
VA Secretary Doug Collins will lead the Office of Government Ethics and the Office of Special Counsel until new directors are named.
VA leaders working with DOGE but say veterans’ personal info is secure
An employee from the controversial new department will review VA contracts and IT system operations, VA officials confirmed.
More than 300k VA health jobs exempted from White House hiring freeze
About two-thirds of Veterans Affairs jobs will be excluded from a White House order blocking new hiring.
Trump’s federal hiring freeze raises fears about VA medical care
VA hires about 40,000 new workers every year to maintain operations at VA medical sites. It's unclear if that can continue under Trump's hiring halt.
Looming government shutdown could hurt military families, veterans
Plans to avert a partial government shutdown starting this weekend appeared scuttled after President-elect Donald Trump opposed the bipartisan deal.
As Congress returns to DC, so does the threat of a federal shutdown
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Sept. 9, 2024.
Vets may see only a small cost-of-living boost in benefits next year
An outside watchdog estimates the benefits adjustment will be less than 3% in 2025.
Ask Kevin: What’s the legal basis for the Part B late enrollment fee?
A reader asks if the enrollment penalty is statutory.
Ask Kevin: Why am I paying IRMAA on top of my Medicare Part B premium?
A reader asks why they are subject to a Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount
Ask Kevin: Which FEHB national plans offer Medicare Advantage plans?
Here's what retirees can do to learn more about Medicare Advantage plans offered by FEHB plans.
Defense Health Agency nurses face recruiting freeze, threats to pay
The agency has held town halls informing employees that it’s suspending a regrade of existing GS-13 nursing positions.
Ask Reg: Can I stay on FEHB self-plus-one if spouse moves to Medicare?
A reader asks when he can shift back to self-only coverage once his spouse moves to Medicare.
Ask Kevin: What are the pros and cons to Medicare Part B for retirees?
There are three main reasons to consider enrolling in Part B.
Opinion
How to establish an effective data management governance program
A compliance program should be able to clearly articulate the criteria for evaluating success, highlighting the technology or processes required.
