Bill Overview
Title: VIPER Act of 2021
Description: This bill addresses research activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), particularly those within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for the VHA's Office of Research and Development to serve veterans through a full spectrum of research, technology transfer, and application. The bill exempts VA research activities from the Paperwork Reduction Act, including research conducted via the Office of Research and Development The bill also waives certain time limitations and other restrictions related to individuals who perform research for the VA under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program. The VA is authorized to appoint statisticians, economists, data scientists, and other professionals within the VHA.
Sponsors: Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41]
Target Audience
Population: People served by Departments of Veterans Affairs equivalent around the world
Estimated Size: 9000000
- The bill impacts the Department of Veterans Affairs' research activities, focusing on the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
- The key beneficiaries of enhanced research capabilities and technology under this bill are U.S. veterans who receive healthcare from the VHA.
- The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, serving millions of enrolled veterans.
- The bill directly influences research and data activities within the VA, indirectly impacting the quality and scope of healthcare services veterans receive.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy is U.S. veterans, specifically those who receive healthcare through the VHA. However, some veterans who do not actively use VHA services might still be affected indirectly through improvements in research and healthcare approaches that could be adopted elsewhere.
- We must consider a range of individuals from veterans currently utilizing VHA services to those indirectly related to the operations of VHA research, such as family members, healthcare professionals within the VA, and taxpayers possibly affected by the allocation of resources.
- Given that the policy focuses on research and development, individuals working in those areas within the VA might experience direct benefits from the opportunity to engage in less restricted and enhanced research activities.
- The $20,000,000 USD budget year one and $297,000,000 USD over ten years is relatively modest given the scale of VA operations, meaning the immediate and dramatic impact on most veterans' day-to-day lives might be limited, though specific research projects could see significant advancements.
- The commonness scores were assigned based on the likelihood of encountering individuals with similar circumstances and involvement with the VA.
Simulated Interviews
VA Healthcare Researcher (Texas)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy allows us to focus more on innovative solutions without the usual red tape. It will accelerate our research timelines significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired Veteran (Florida)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill might improve the services I receive, but I don't expect big changes right away.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Data Scientist at VHA (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The opportunity to contribute to meaningful research with fewer bureaucratic hurdles is exciting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Program Manager in VA (Ohio)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The increased research capabilities could help streamline and improve the programs I manage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Economist focusing on healthcare policy (New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The potential data from improved VA research could impact broader policy decisions I'm involved in.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Veteran Advocate (Virginia)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any improvement in VA research will help us advocate better services for women veterans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Healthcare Policy Researcher (Colorado)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The exemptions and waivers can lead to faster dissemination of useful healthcare research insights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Nursing Staff (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving research is essential but it feels a bit late for those like me who have already retired.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Veteran Healthcare Benefits Specialist (Michigan)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful this bill will lead to more informed decisions when advising veterans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Statistical Analyst (Illinois)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Removing bureaucratic obstacles will significantly enhance our efficiency and outcomes in research.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $22000000)
Year 2: $25000000 (Low: $22500000, High: $27500000)
Year 3: $28000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $31000000)
Year 5: $30000000 (Low: $27000000, High: $33000000)
Year 10: $35000000 (Low: $31500000, High: $38500000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $55000000)
Key Considerations
- Integration of research findings and technological innovations into practical healthcare can be complex and extended.
- Initial costs are significant due to the need for infrastructure development.
- There will be a need for careful management to integrate newly appointed staff effectively.