Charleston Reporter

Washington, D.C. July 30, 2024 — Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace introduced the "Veterans Affairs Distributed Ledger Innovation Act of 2024." This legislation directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to study the power of distributed ledger technology, otherwise known as blockchain, to revolutionize how veterans receive their benefits and services.

"Our veterans deserve nothing less than the best," said Congresswoman Nancy Mace. "We need to bring the federal government into the 21st century. This bill will open the door to research on improving outdated systems that fail our veterans because we owe it to them to use every tool at our disposal to improve their lives."

Cody Carbone, Chief Policy Officer at The Digital Chamber, stated, "Blockchain technology can significantly improve the lives of our veterans by ensuring they receive the benefits and services they deserve in a transparent and secure manner. Veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and it is crucial that we leverage innovative technologies to provide them with the highest level of care and service. We are grateful to Congresswoman Mace for her leadership dedicated to exploring these cutting-edge solutions."

The Department of Veterans Affairs is struggling with severely outdated legacy systems, much of it dating back to the 1990s. These legacy systems are not only slow and inefficient but also pose significant security risks. The outdated infrastructure leaves veterans' sensitive personal and medical data vulnerable to breaches and cyber attacks. Moreover, these systems contribute to notorious backlogs in claims processing and appointment scheduling, leaving many veterans waiting months or even years for critical care and benefits.

The bill aims for a comprehensive report on modernizing the VA department by leveraging Distributed Ledger Technology.

For media inquiries, please contact SC01press@mail.house.gov.

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