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Quil Lawrence Quil Lawrence is a New York-based correspondent for NPR News, covering veterans' issues nationwide.
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The Impact of War

VA Studying Suicide Prevention In Veterans

Suicide among veterans is 22 percent higher than for civilians of the same age. The VA and the Pentagon have been studying how to prevent suicides.

VA Studying Suicide Prevention In Veterans

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National

Paralyzed Veterans Vs. Airlines

A rule to track and report how airlines take care of wheelchairs has been delayed for a year by the government. The group Paralyzed Veterans of America is suing to stop that delay.

Paralyzed Veterans Vs. Airlines

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The Impact of War

VA Re-Evaluates Family Caregiver Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs is re-evaluating some of the people it dropped from its caregiver program following an NPR report. We have an update on what's changed and what's next.

VA Re-Evaluates Family Caregiver Program

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National

LA's VA Campus: A Ballpark, An Oil Well ... And, Maybe Soon, A Home For Homeless Vets

Los Angeles has one of the nation's worst rates of homeless veterans, but its Veterans Affairs campus doesn't support many of them. Instead it has gardens, a baseball stadium ... but that may change.

LA's VA Campus: A Ballpark, An Oil Well ... And, Maybe Soon, A Home For Homeless Vets

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Veterans At Risk Of Suicide Negotiate A Thorny Relationship With Guns

Researchers say putting guns out of reach reduces the chances that suicidal veterans could take their own lives, but changing the law is a controversial idea. RienkPost/Getty Images/iStockphoto hide caption

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RienkPost/Getty Images/iStockphoto

National

Veterans At Risk Of Suicide Negotiate A Thorny Relationship With Guns

Researchers say putting guns out of reach reduces the chances that suicidal veterans could take their own lives, but changing the law is a controversial idea.

Veterans At Risk Of Suicide Negotiate A Thorny Relationship With Guns

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Politics

Veterans' Advocates Hope To Prevent Suicide By Limiting Access To Guns

There's no clear consensus on why veterans' suicide is on the rise. There is a consensus on how to prevent it: take away their guns. But that may not be a viable suggestion politically.

Veterans' Advocates Hope To Prevent Suicide By Limiting Access To Guns

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The Impact of War

The Call-In: Your Stories About Veterans Affairs

This week's Call-In is about the Department of Veterans Affairs: stories from veterans about getting health care and ideas for reforming the whole agency.

The Call-In: Your Stories About Veterans Affairs

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National

Rate Of Suicide Among Female Veterans Climbs, VA Says

Veterans have a significantly higher rate of suicide than civilians. The numbers for female veterans, however, are two to five times higher than their civilian counterparts.

Rate Of Suicide Among Female Veterans Climbs, VA Says

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Some VAs Are Dropping Veteran Caregivers From Their Rolls

Alishia Graham had been part of a Veterans Affairs program as a caregiver for her husband, Jim. The couple lives in Jacksonville, N.C. Jim's tattoo commemorates his best friend, who was killed in 2006 by the mortar blast that also left Jim with a brain injury. Quil Lawrence /NPR hide caption

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Quil Lawrence /NPR

National

Some VAs Are Dropping Veteran Caregivers From Their Rolls

Veterans Affairs has a program to pay family members who care for veterans with disabilities. Several caregivers say they have been dropped without explanation; the VA says it is not cutting back.

Some VAs Are Dropping Veteran Caregivers From Their Rolls

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Politics

VA Urged To Take Advantage Of Momentum And Keep Reforming Itself

The combination of a GOP controlled government and a secretary held over from the Obama administration may have created an opportunity for progress at the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs.

VA Urged To Take Advantage Of Momentum And Keep Reforming Itself

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National Security

State Department Halts Special Visa Program For Afghans

The State Department is running out of visas to offer Afghans who worked with American troops, and the prospects appear dim for offering more. The end of the visa program for Afghans is taking place at the same time the U.S. is tightening other restrictions on travel, especially from mostly-Muslim countries.

State Department Halts Special Visa Program For Afghans

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Senate Confirms First Nonveteran To Lead VA

Veterans Affairs Secretary-designate Dr. David Shulkin, then the undersecretary for health at the VA, testifies on Capitol Hill Feb. 1. Shulkin was confirmed on Monday. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

The Two-Way

Senate Confirms First Nonveteran To Lead VA

Senators unanimously voted to confirm VA Health Undersecretary Dr. David Shulkin as full secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. He's a rare Trump holdover from the Obama administration.

Politics

VA Secretary Nominee David Shulkin Faces Senate For Confirmation Hearing

Veterans Affairs secretary nominee David Shulkin faces his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday. The session follows reports by NPR that document shortcomings in the longstanding attempts to improve the way the VA provides care, and promises by President Trump to further privatize its health services.

VA Secretary Nominee David Shulkin Faces Senate For Confirmation Hearing

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Health

VA: Competition With Private Sector Is An Obstacle To Hiring More Medical Staff

An NPR investigation examines reasons why it's hard to bring new medical personnel into the VA, including a cumbersome hiring process.

VA: Competition With Private Sector Is An Obstacle To Hiring More Medical Staff

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