Bill Overview
Title: To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic to be constructed in Toms River, New Jersey, the Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell, Jr. VA Clinic, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill designates the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be constructed in Toms River, New Jersey, as the Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, Jr. VA Clinic.
Sponsors: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Target Audience
Population: People using or associated with VA clinics named after distinguished veterans
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill is specific to the naming of a VA clinic in Toms River, New Jersey.
- It primarily impacts veterans who will be using the clinic, as they are the main beneficiaries of VA services.
- It affects the local community in Toms River by potentially creating a sense of pride and recognition through the naming after a local or national hero, Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell, Jr.
- Veterans across the United States are symbolically affected by efforts to honor distinguished veterans, though direct service impacts are on the users of the specific clinic.
- Staff and employees of the new VA Clinic may also find significance in working in a facility with a distinguished name.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts veterans in Toms River, New Jersey, where the clinic is being constructed, and may have symbolic impacts on the broader veteran community.
- The budget constraint suggests minimal direct financial input but significant symbolic value from honoring a distinguished veteran.
- The main respondents should be veterans, local residents, and VA staff, as they are most likely to directly or symbolically experience changes in wellbeing.
- Due to the naming focus, the impact on wellbeing is expected to be more symbolic and emotional rather than material.
Simulated Interviews
VA Clinic Staff (Toms River, New Jersey)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel honored to work in a clinic named after a distinguished veteran.
- It gives us a sense of pride and motivation to serve with excellence.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired veteran (Toms River, New Jersey)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Naming the clinic after a veteran feels like we are being seen and appreciated.
- It's a good reminder of the sacrifices some of us have made.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Veterans Affairs Advocate (Newark, New Jersey)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Naming clinics after veterans is a symbolic move.
- It boosts morale among the community but has limited material impact on wellbeing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Social Worker (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's more likely to impact morale than wellbeing.
- Naming a clinic helps create history and legacy but doesn't change day-to-day challenges.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Veteran Affairs Coordinator (Lakewood, New Jersey)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Feels like a good tribute to those who served.
- Could help in driving more support for veteran services locally.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired Teacher (Toms River, New Jersey)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's wonderful to see such honors connected to local history.
- Gives a sense of community pride.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Veteran (Atlantic City, New Jersey)
Age: 73 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition is always appreciated, even if it's just a name.
- Wish there were more resources for health services themselves.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Research Analyst (New York, New York)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This type of naming provides symbolic respect and can boost morale.
- However, the financial and health benefits are indirect.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Nurse in VA healthcare (Toms River, New Jersey)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our work sometimes feels so transactional, and this feels more human and personal.
- I like that it honors someone who served; it inspires some of us here.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Medical Student (Trenton, New Jersey)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It highlights veteran contributions but doesn’t change clinical operations.
- Good for morale and local history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000 (Low: $5000, High: $20000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The primary cost is associated with physical changes to signage and updates to administrative materials, estimated to be minimal.
- The symbolic nature of naming the clinic elevates the recognition of veterans in the area, though it does not have quantifiable economic impacts.
- This bill is unlikely to affect service delivery, operating costs or financial interactions within the VA system.