In This Issue:
1. Economic Stimulus Packaged Passed
2. FY 2009 Budget Released
3. House Hearing on VA Budget
4. VFW Wants Dole/Shalala Recommendation Blocked
5. Senate Holds Hearing on VA Rehabilitation Programs
6. FY 2009 Defense Budget1. Economic Stimulus Package Passed: Congress passed a $168 billion Economic Stimulus package late last night (HR 5140) which included certain disabled veterans and senior citizens who had not been included in the first versions of the bill. The changes were made to the Senate version of the bill, and expand eligibility for the rebates to include low-income senior citizens as well as disabled veterans and survivors of veterans whose sole or primary income consists of VA compensation. On a 91-6 vote, the Senate added a provision to grant $300 payments to disabled veterans and veterans' widows who could show $3,000 in veterans' disability and/or Social Security benefits last year. The President is expected to sign the package, and rebate checks could be arriving as early as May. The VFW and its grassroots network came out in force in support of including veterans in the bill.
2. FY09 VA Budget Released: The VFW called Monday's FY 2009 budget request for the VA "a good start," but looks to Congress to improve upon the funding and, more importantly, to ensure it is approved on time so that VA can receive its funding before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. VFW Commander-in-Chief George Lisicki was pleased with the recommended $1.7 billion dollar increase in discretionary funding, but pointed out shortfalls that need to be addressed. "There are serious funding shortfalls in critical areas such as medical research and construction, and we will work with Congress to see that these programs are fully funded so that no veteran is denied service," he said. The VFW vehemently opposes a recommendation for separate legislation to create annual enrollment fees - ranging from $250 to $750 - for nonservice-connected disabled veterans in Categories 7 and 8, and to increase their pharmacy copayment fees from $8 to $15 per 30-day supply per prescription. For the VFW Press Release, go to:
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4442
3. House Hearing on VA Budget: The VFW testified on behalf of the Independent Budget (IB) before the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Testifying on the construction portion of the proposed FY 2009 VA budget, we pointed out that VA construction funding was woefully inadequate and does not come close to meeting the IB's recommendation of $1.275 billion for construction projects. Both major and minor construction are almost half of what was in last's year's budget, with major construction about $693 million dollars short and minor construction around $291 million short. The proposal for major construction is to fund five currently ongoing projects throughout the country, and to begin the construction process at two new polytrauma facilities in Tampa, FL, and Palo Alto, CA, as well as construction and renovations in Bay Pines, FL. The VFW believes that this is a good start, but more funding needs to be dedicated to these projects so that VA can continue to make progress on its new construction priorities.
4. VFW Wants Dole/Shalala Recommendation Blocked: The VFW has called on Congress to block attempts to create a separate disability system that would have the VA compensate veterans with similar wounds differently based on their age. The recommendation was made by the President's Commission on the Care for America's Wounded Warriors, more commonly called the Dole/Shalala Commission after co-chairs retired Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS) and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala. The VFW wants more emphasis placed on the recommendations made by the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, which spent three years researching critical VA issues, compared to the four months the Dole/Shalala Commission was in inexistence. The VFW wants a thorough evaluation of the recommendations made by both commissions. To read the VFW press release, go to:
http://vfwwebcom.org/blog/8986/VFW+Wants+DoleShalala+Recommendation+Blocked.html5. Senate Hearing on VA Rehabilitation Programs: The Senate VA Committee held the second in a series of oversight hearings on veterans' disability compensation. Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) asked witnesses to comment on the VA's vocational rehabilitation and employment program, which is supposed to provide services and assistance to help veterans with service-connected disabilities to gain and maintain employment. Both the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission and the Dole/Shalala Commission reports have emphasized the need for more complete vocational assessments to assist disabled veterans with vocational decisions. The goal is to identify what work a veteran can do, not can't do. For more on the hearing, visit the Senate VA Committee website at:
http://veterans.senate.gov/public/6. FY09 Defense Budget: Earlier this week, the President sent his fiscal year 2009 Defense budget to Congress. It provides $515.4 billion in discretionary authority for DOD, a 7.5% increase over the enacted level for FY08. The budget provides funds to increase the end strength of the Army to 532,400 and the Marine Corps to 194,000; a military pay increase of 3.4% and for civilians, 2.9%; to improve force readiness, missile defense capabilities, and sustain research and development; and to improve the quality of life for military personnel and their families. Once again, it includes a proposal to increase TRICARE premiums and other fees for military retirees, which the VFW will vigorously oppose. The next step is for Congress to come up with a budget resolution, which serves as a blueprint for spending, and then debate and mark up the defense appropriations bill and other spending measures.
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