Kifowit Passes Legislation to Create the Veterans Service-Related Ailments Task Force

AURORA, Ill. – Continuing to protect Illinois Veterans, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, has passed legislation to create the Veterans Service-Related Ailments Task Force to work along the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) to find new, efficient ways to help the IDVA advocate for Veterans so they can receive world-class healthcare.

“Over the years we have fielded many complaints from Veterans and Veteran Organizations stating that something needs to be done to systematically improve how they receive health care and medical claims,” said Kifowit. “The Veterans Service-Related Ailments Task Force is a task force made by Veterans, for Veterans to find new solutions that will make healthcare for our service men and women more efficient and effective.”

After reports that various community based hospitals are experiencing a backlog of unpaid VA medical claims dating back years, the legislature is seeking legislative changes to address many issues. Kifowit passed legislation to create the task force to review and make recommendations regarding Veterans’ service-related ailments that are not recognized by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA); and assess ways in which the state can improve the rate at which disability compensation claims are approved by the federal government, solving disparities between state and federal jurisdictions.

The task force will be required to meet once every two months and report their findings to the General Assembly and the Governor by the end of 2022.

“Creating this task force is a good first step to find ways we could better protect Veterans in Illinois,” said Kifowit. “I’m excited to work along the task force to provide oversight and solutions to the IDVA to ensure our service men and women can receive some of the best health care in the country.”