Welcome to the AVAPL Advocacy Home Page!

Here you will find articles and resources on various topics related to VA and VA Psychology.  Included here are statements and action alerts issued by AVAPL, articles written by AVAPL members regarding advocacy issues, and resources to assist with advocacy in various areas. 

AVAPL 2024 Advocacy Priorites

One-Page Briefing Sheet

AVAPL supports the National Shooting Sports Foundation's efforts to help correct myths about firearm confiscation that are barriers to Veterans seeking VA mental health Care.  Correcting Mistaken Beliefs Fact Sheet

Preserving VA as an Integrated Health Care System

Multiorganizational Statement for the Record - House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Hearing on “Restoring Focus: Putting Veterans First in Community Care” - January 22, 2025
by the American Psychological Association, Association of VA Psychologist Leaders, Association of VA Social Workers, National Association of Veterans Affairs Physicians and Dentists, National Association of Veterans’ Research and Education Foundations, Veterans Affairs PA Association, and Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute

Multiorganizational Statement for the Record - United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs With respect to Pending Legislation December 17, 2024
by the American Psychological Association, Association of VA Psychologist Leaders, Association of VA Social Workers, National Association of Veterans Affairs Physicians and Dentists, Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs, and Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute

Multiorganizational Statement for the Record - United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs With respect to Pending Legislation September 11, 2024
by the American Psychological Association, Association of VA Psychologist Leaders, Association of VA Social Workers, National Association of Veterans Affairs Physicians and Dentists, Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs, and Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute

Bookability and Mental Health White Paper - Developed by the AVAPL Executive Committee

Article by Suzanne Gordon - Privatization Warning - article about "Red Team" report on VA Community Care

Article by Suzanne Gordon and Russell B. Lemle, PhD Veterans Care in the Community Is Pushing VA to the Brink.

Article by Russell B. Lemle, PhD in response to an article by ProPublica critical of VA Mental Health Care:  Is it the VA or ProPublica Who Is Failing Veterans on Mental Health?

Article by Russell B. Lemle, PhD and Megan McCarthy, PhD: Veterans Will Benefit If the VA Includes Telehealth in its Access Standards. Published 5/9/2023 in Federal Practitioner

Multiorganizational Statement for the Record for Senate Veterans Affairs Full Committee Hearing to Consider Pending Legislation - Hearing occurred 7/12/2023 and was co-signed by American Psychological Association, Association of VA Social Workers, Association of VA Nurse Anesthetists, Military and Veterans Committee of the Group for Advancement of Psychiatry, National Association of VA Optemtrists, National Association of VA Physicians and Dentists, Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs, VA Physician Assistant Association, and Veteran Health Policy Institute.

Article by Russell B. Lemle, PhD and Katherine B. McGuire: The SHOW UP Act Threatens VA Telehealth - Published 3/7/2023 in Federal Practitioner

Multiorganizational Statement for the Record for House Veterans Affairs Full Commitee Hearing. Hearing occurred on 9/27/2022 and was co-signed by American Psychological Association, Association of VA Social Workers, Nurses Organization of VA, and Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute

Title 38 for VA Psychologists

The Quest for Title 38 by VA Psychologists - a PowerPoint presentation outlining the major issues about Title 38 for psychologists.

Title 38 White Paper - developed by the AVAPL Executive Committee