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DOD to study whether COVID-19 vaccine helped or hurt troops
A provision in the annual defense bill continues the controversy surrounding the vaccine.
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Veterans
VA urging veterans, staff to get latest COVID-19 vaccine booster
Virus infection cases within the VA health care system are up more than 200% in the last two months.
![New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signs a bill, July 6, 2023, in Paulsboro, N.J.](https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/bIeU0hnYndTbiCst6X3QOzGdbiI=/800x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/OBQNS3LWXJBVHI53T7HQI2JJLI.jpg)
New Jersey failed vets in state-run homes hit by COVID-19, report says
A scathing federal report has found New Jersey's two state-run veterans homes were unprepared to keep residents safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Surge in COVID cases sparks worries among VA leaders
Active cases among VA patients have nearly tripled in the last month.
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GOP lawmakers target diversity training, COVID rules in defense bill
The annual defense authorization bill debate in the House focused mainly on hot-button social issues.
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Advocates struggle to help homeless vets as COVID support disappears
The end of the national pandemic emergency also ended extra support services for homeless veterans.
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Veterans Affairs medical sites drop mandatory mask requirements
Visitors and patients will no longer be required to wear masks at all times at the health care sites.
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VA move to curb remote work puts all federal workers on notice
Decisions on new federal policies for off-site work could upend the pandemic adjustments made by millions of workers.
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VA to scale back remote work rules, require more in-office time
The changes will begin with workers in the Washington, D.C. headquarters starting this fall.
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Should VA keep spending leftover COVID funds or give them back?
When the national COVID-19 emergency ended earlier this month, about $2.1 billion in extra money for veterans support remained unused.
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Support services for homeless veterans set to expire
Aid programs for homeless vets will end unless Congress speeds through new legislation.
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Veterans Affairs drops mask requirement for all agency medical offices
Masks will still be mandated for some high-risk areas or facilities with rising virus numbers.
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Troops who refused COVID vaccines still could face punishment
Individuals could face discipline or dismissal for failing to follow orders.
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VA needs COVID accommodations extended before emergency status ends
Officials say telehealth prescription services that benefit nearly 50,000 veterans will end if lawmakers don't extend special authorities.
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Troops booted over COVID vaccines would get jobs back under GOP plan
The legislation would also upgrade the discharge status of some individuals.
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VA to get new authority over education benefits for future emergencies
The move comes in response to problems that surfaced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in America.
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Defense policy bill with COVID vaccine repeal heads to Biden’s desk
The measure includes plans for $817 billion in military spending in fiscal 2023 and a 4.6% pay raise for troops starting next month.
![A vial of the Phase 3 Novavax coronavirus vaccine prepared for use in a trial at St. George's University hospital in London, Oct. 7, 2020. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine that could soon win federal approval may offer a boost for the U.S. military: an opportunity to get shots into some of the thousands of service members who have refused the vaccine for religious reasons. (Alastair Grant/AP)](https://www.militarytimes.com/resizer/Oa-NgymATX8r97LWgP8FSCs2028=/800x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/BGKADYPEJ5F4NNSRJCH57JK2QI.jpg)