Bill Overview
Title: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transfer the name of property of the Department of Veterans Affairs designated by law to other property of the Department.
Description: This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to transfer the name of a facility, structure, real property, or a major part of such properties (e.g., a wing) to another VA facility under certain circumstances. Specifically, the VA may transfer the name if (1) the original property was designated with its name by law; (2) the VA no longer offers benefits or services at the original property; (3) the other property is similar in type and purpose to the original property; (4) the other property is located in a different location or a different address from the original property within the town, city, or other local government area specified in the designation; and (5) such transfer occurs at least 30 days after the VA notifies Congress of the intent to transfer the name.
Sponsors: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Target Audience
Population: People who use or work in VA facilities
Estimated Size: 19500000
- The bill affects the Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically its facilities and real properties, which means the primary stakeholders include veterans receiving services from VA facilities.
- The change in naming might affect veterans' ability to locate the services they require efficiently if not communicated properly.
- The bill involves the legal and administrative personnel within the VA who would oversee name changes and ensure compliance with criteria.
- Communities and individuals who recognize or have historical or emotional ties to the named VA facilities may be impacted, especially if these names hold significance.
Reasoning
- The bill impacts the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, thus mainly affecting veterans using these services and the administrative staff within the VA.
- The primary consideration for the policy's budget and commonness is the assumption that veterans or those employed by VA facilities will be directly involved or affected by name changes of facilities. As a significant segment of the population (over 19 million veterans), understanding their wellbeing impacts due to administrative changes like this is key.
- Given the policy's nature, it has less direct impact on the broader civilian population. The impact is primarily about the veteran's identity and historical ties to facilities.
- Budget constraints mean careful prioritization of name changes based on importance and impact, focusing on facilities with higher usage or those undergoing significant functional changes first.
- Considering that the policy is specific to facility naming rights, it is crucial to assess both emotional and practical impacts on veterans who use these facilities for their various health and social services.
Simulated Interviews
Administrative Assistant at VA (San Diego, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this change is a good idea if it means preserving the historical significance of the facilities.
- It could get confusing if the changes aren't clearly communicated, though.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired Army Nurse (Houston, TX)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good that they are thinking of preserving the names as they mean a lot to us.
- Hopefully, it doesn't create issues with our records.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Vietnam Veteran, Retired (Denver, CO)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel the names are part of our history and heritage.
- Changing names without losing the history is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
VA Facility Coordinator (New York, NY)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be a logistical challenge if not rolled out properly.
- We need robust communication plans to minimize confusion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Veteran, Volunteer at VA (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The names don't need changing but can respect if it's for a good cause.
- Consistency is what counts for service delivery.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Healthcare Provider at VA (Miami, FL)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We need clear instructions and updates if names change.
- This might affect patient records and appointments, which is a concern.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Civilian VA Employee (Chicago, IL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is part of the process of keeping VA facilities up-to-date.
- Names might change but what's important is the service quality.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Software Engineer, VA Volunteer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Technology will help bridge any confusion if names change.
- These efforts may modernize the services effectively.
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 |
VA Marketing and Communications (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Communication is key; incorrect information could lead to service shortfalls.
- Brand integrity can be maintained through clear, consistent messages.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Veteran Affairs Policy Analyst (Boston, MA)
Age: 49 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy is necessary for modernization but needs careful rollout.
- We need to avoid any potential disenfranchisement of the veterans.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 2: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $2500000)
Year 3: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $2500000)
Year 5: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Year 10: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The administrative costs of implementing the bill are a primary concern, especially in the initial phase post-enactment.
- The bill's impact on communities, veterans, and personnel due to the renaming of facilities should be carefully managed to avoid confusion.
- Communication strategies need to be effective to ensure all stakeholders are aware of the changes.
- Monitoring the cost-effectiveness of the name transfer process should be prioritized to refine the policy's implementation.