South OC Times

U.S. Representative Young Kim addressed the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, advocating for the bipartisan bill H.R. 2201, also known as the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Claims Act. This legislative proposal was introduced by Rep. Kim alongside Representatives Nikki Budzinski, Don Bacon, and Chrissy Houlahan.

Rep. Kim expressed her gratitude to Chairman Luttrell and Ranking Member McGarvey for organizing the hearing and highlighted the significance of discussing H.R. 2201 during this session.

According to VA officials, about one in three women and one in fifty men experience military sexual trauma while serving. The department received 57,400 MST claims in fiscal year 2024, marking an 18% increase from the previous year. Approval rates for these claims have improved to over 63%, compared to approximately 40% a decade ago.

Rep. Kim emphasized that veterans filing disability benefits claims for MST face challenges due to insufficient training among VA claims processors and examiners. These professionals often lack the necessary skills to identify indirect markers of MST or prevent victims from reliving their trauma during examinations.

Currently, disability compensation examiners are required to complete outdated online sensitivity training only once every five years. Rep. Kim noted that filing these claims is already burdensome without adding further distress through the examination process.

The proposed legislation mandates annual training for all VA employees involved with MST claims to better identify evidence and avoid retraumatizing victims. It also requires automatic acquisition of all relevant service personnel medical records when a servicemember files an MST disability claim.

Additionally, the bill calls for an annual report from the VA Secretary to Congress detailing progress on MST sensitivity training programs and plans for improvement.

Rep. Kim described H.R. 2201 as "a commonsense, bipartisan measure" aimed at ensuring VA staff can adequately support veterans with MST-related issues by streamlining processes and enhancing training.

In closing, she thanked her colleagues Budzinski, Houlahan, and Bacon for co-leading this initiative with her.