WINGMAN Act
Bill journey · stage 1 of 5
Just introduced
What it doesSummary introduced in senate (Jun 21, 2016)
Working to Integrate Networks Guaranteeing Member Access Now Act or the WINGMAN Act
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide an accredited, permanent congressional employee with read-only remote access to the electronic Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) claims records system of a represented veteran, regardless of whether the employee is acting under a power of attorney executed by the veteran.
The VA shall ensure that access does not allow the employee to modify system data.
An employee must complete the VA certification process required of agents or attorneys in order to have system access.
Each Member of Congress who elects to have an employee have access to the system shall bear the certification cost, which shall be paid from the Member's representational allowance.
Information access by an employee shall be deemed: (1) a covered disclosure requiring prior consent, with specified exceptions; and (2) a permitted disclosure relating to the privacy of individually identifiable health information.
The VA may not recognize an employee for purposes of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA claims by reason of such system access.
"Accredited, permanent congressional employee" means an employee of a Member of Congress who assists constituents with issues regarding federal departments or agencies.
"Electronic VBA claims records system" means the VA system that provides claim status information, including information about medical records, compensation and pension exams records, rating decisions, a statement of the case and a supplementary statement of the case, a notice of disagreement, and Form-9.
What just happenedJun 29, 2016
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-707.
Who’s behind it
- Introduced in SenateJun 21, 2016
- Jun 29, 2016Committee
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-707.
Veterans' Affairs Committee - Jun 21, 2016IntroReferral
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Veterans' Affairs Committee - Jun 21, 2016IntroReferral10000
Introduced in Senate