Tag: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
VA reduces wait times for prosthetic limbs
June 4, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs says it has reduced wait times for prosthetic limbs by 10 days, after streamlining the purchasing process. The VA expects average wait times to fall more than 40% – from 94 days to 54 days – as facilities across the nation fully implement this new process. “Every day counts for veterans,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “By removing needless bureaucracy, VA is enabling clinicians and procurement teams to provide Veterans...
VA, DOJ expand legal authority to improve health care for veterans
March 12, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) have signed a memo of understanding (MOU) that will pave the way for the government to improve care for veterans, the agencies say. The MOU gives the DOJ the authority to appoint VA attorneys as special assistant U.S. attorneys, giving them the legal authority to initiate and participate in state court guardianship or conservatorship proceedings in cases where a legal decision-maker is required for post-acute...
BraunAbility president calls on VA to reduce 189-day payment drag
May 28, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – BraunAbility Americas President Craig Schrimsher testified before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee this week, advocating for long-overdue updates to policies impacting veterans in need of accessible transportation.
The testimony, shaped by input from BraunAbility’s dealer network and in partnership with the National Mobility Equipment Dealer Association (NMEDA), secured bipartisan commitments to address critical industry challenges, including:
Improving...
Somnoware receives security clearance
December 22, 2021HME News Staff
SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Somnoware has received Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Agency Authorization through a Department of Veterans Affairs sponsorship. The designation authorizes Somnoware to work with federal organizations and paves the way for the company to complete the rollout of its platform to VA Medical Centers nationwide. “Today, Somnoware has made federal security requirements the de facto standard available to current and future customers,” said...
Braze Mobility takes ‘next step’ with VA
November 23, 2021Liz Beaulieu, Editor
TORONTO – Braze Mobility had the opportunity to get important feedback on its terrain analysis system as part of the recent Breaking Boundaries: Collaboration Challenge, hosted by the Veterans Health Administration Ecosystem and Founder Institute, says CEO Pooja Viswanathan.
The system will help wheelchair users navigate outdoor environments more safely and independently, using proprietary machine-learning algorithms that identify hazards.
“It’s a co-creation process,...
Lawmakers urge VA to drop finger stick requirement
August 20, 2021HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, along with Reps. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., and Tom Reed, R-NY., Co-Chairs of the Senate and Congressional Diabetes Caucuses, sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough urging the VA to stop requiring veterans to use the medically unnecessary four finger stick tests prior to initiating continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) therapy.
In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted...
Golden secures VA's scooter business
April 22, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
OLD FORGE, Pa. - Golden Technologies has been notified by Veterans Affairs that the department plans to exercise its second year of a five-year contract to supply mobility products. Golden provides power scooters to the VA nationwide. “It is unprecedented for the VA to commit fully to a five-year contract, which is normally reviewed and approved year by year on an annual basis,” said Rich Golden, president and CEO. “We are humbled and honored to continue to provide top of the line...
Rep. Gallego calls on VA to speed up payments
October 1, 2019HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., has sent a letter to the Veterans Benefits Administrator expressing his concerns about delayed payments to providers that perform VA-authorized installations, repairs and maintenance of automobile adaptive equipment (AAE). Gallego expressed concerns over reports of thousands of past-due reimbursement invoices totaling more than $34 million between 2010-15. “This is causing serious operational and payroll issues at businesses that cannot afford to be...
VA taps SoftWheel for shock absorption system
July 10, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded its business relationship with SoftWheel, a Tel Aviv-based company that makes a flexible shock absorption system that's built into wheels, according to the Times of Israel. As part of a deal between VA-approved wheelchair manufacturer Key Mobility and SoftWheel, 2,000 sets of shock-absorbing wheels will be provided to veterans over a period of three years, the news outlet reports. The VA has already approved supplying some 361wheelchairs...
Standards for vehicle mods still in the works
January 5, 2018Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON - The clock is ticking on Veterans Affairs to establish quality and safety standards for adaptive equipment and vehicles.
Per the Veterans Mobility Safety Act, which was signed into law on Dec. 14, 2016, the VA had one year to establish standards.
“They were supposed to update their handbook within a year of enactment, and we're a little beyond a year,” said Seth Johnson, vice president of government affairs for Pride Mobility Products. “Those deadlines have...