Bill Overview
Title: Senator Johnny Isakson VA Regional Office Act of 2022
Description: This act designates the Department of Veterans Affairs Atlanta Regional Office in Georgia as the Senator Johnny Isakson Department of Veterans Affairs Atlanta Regional Office or the Isakson VA Atlanta Regional Office.
Sponsors: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
Target Audience
Population: People using the VA Atlanta Regional Office
Estimated Size: 0
- The bill renames a specific VA regional office in Atlanta, Georgia.
- The primary population directly affected are those who use the Atlanta VA Regional Office services.
- Veterans and their families in the region, specifically those utilizing the Atlanta office, may be impacted.
- No services are being expanded or reduced; it's strictly a name change.
Reasoning
- The policy entails renaming a VA regional office, which might have minimal impact beyond symbolic purposes.
- Given the symbolic nature of the change, there may not be a measurable impact on wellbeing scores except possibly for those who feel represented by the naming.
- Veterans and their families using the Atlanta office might experience a sense of recognition, but this is intangible and hard to quantify.
- The cost of renaming is minimal and would likely only involve changing signage and letterheads, well within the budget constraints.
Simulated Interviews
Retired Army Veteran (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the name change as Johnny Isakson was a strong advocate for veterans.
- It doesn't affect my day-to-day use of the services, but it feels good to know that veterans are being recognized.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
VA Social Worker (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The name change doesn't affect my work but might boost morale knowing we honor a figure like Johnny Isakson.
- It's a nice gesture towards valuing veterans.
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 |
Veteran, part-time receptionist (Macon, Georgia)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The name change doesn't impact the services I receive.
- It's always good to acknowledge those who have supported veterans.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Veteran undergoing training (Columbus, Georgia)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a nice gesture but doesn't affect the educational benefits I receive.
- Anything that brings more attention to veteran services is positive.
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 | 8 | 8 |
Retired Navy Veteran (Savannah, Georgia)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I met Johnny Isakson once, and it's nice to see his legacy honored, but it'll have no effect on my use of the VA services.
- Name changes don't matter much to me unless they affect services.
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 |
Local business owner (Augusta, Georgia)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The name change doesn't influence how I use the VA.
- Supporting veterans is key, whether through symbolic or actual support measures.
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 |
Veterans Affairs Counselor (Athens, Georgia)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Symbolic changes can have a small impact on the morale of the staff and veterans we serve.
- Operationally, nothing will change, but ideas do matter.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Civil Engineer, veteran (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 66 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good for recognition, but the veteran community needs more than just name changes.
- Real changes come from improved services.
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 |
Veterans Service Officer (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change shows a commitment to honoring those who support veterans, but it won't change claim processing speed.
- Symbolism can sometimes boost morale but won't optimize operations.
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 | 8 | 8 |
Healthcare Administrator (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Customers won't see a difference, but a name change can spark internal pride among staff.
- While nice, practical support is always preferred.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000 (Low: $25000, High: $75000)
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 policy is limited strictly to a name change with no extensions or reductions in service.
- No notable economic impacts are expected.
- The primary costs will involve minor logistical changes for signage and official documentation.