VFW Washington Weekly - February 13, 2009

[TheShu]

In This Issue:
1. Advance Funding Bill Reintroduced
2. Senate Holds VA Appeals Process Hearing
3. FY 2010 Independent Budget Now Online
4. TRICARE for Retired Reserve

1. Advance Funding Bill Reintroduced: Senate VA Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and House VA Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) reintroduced advance funding legislation at a press conference yesterday.  A VFW priority goal, advance funding (or advanced appropriations) would require Congress to approve a VA budget a full year ahead of time, instead of just for the upcoming fiscal year.  The bill, "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009," or S. 423 and HR 1016, respectively, would deliver a budget to the VA that is sufficient, timely and predictable, which would enable the VA to more properly and efficiently care for America's veterans past and present.  The VFW thanks the two chairmen and their early cosponsors for their support.  We also urge the entire Congress to support this much needed legislation.  To read the VFW press release, go to:  http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4924.

2. Senate Holds VA Appeals Process Hearing: The Senate VA Committee held a hearing to examine ideas that could improve the timeliness of claims at the appeals level, as well as the relationship between the Board and the Court.  According to witnesses, the complexity of the appeal process adds months and sometimes years to the timeliness of a decision, and increases the workload at every level.  One witness said about 100,000 appeals were generated from the VA's 824,844 claims decisions in 2007.  In 2009, it is estimated 132,000 appeals will be created from the 942,700 claims decisions VA will make this year.  Members of the Committee questioned the need for drastic changes to include a military style "surge" to decrease claims decisions.  Other ideas discussed were holding federal workers more accountable for errors, and shortening deadlines for filing and ruling, to include reducing the amount of time a veteran has to appeal a case.  For more on the hearing, visit the Senate committee website at: http://veterans.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?pageid=16&release_id=11839&view=all.

3. FY 2010 Independent Budget Now Online: The Independent Budget, now in its 23rd year of publication, is now available online.  Co-authored by VFW, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Independent Budget is a comprehensive look at what VA truly needs to provide healthcare, benefits and services to its veteran population.  It also contains our recommendations to Congress on what the budget should look like for the upcoming fiscal year.  To read the FY 2010 Independent Budget, go to: http://www.independentbudget.org/.

4. TRICARE for Retired Reserve: Rep. Robert Latta (R-OH) has introduced legislation (H.R. 270) that would allow Retired Reserve members younger than age 60 to be eligible for TRICARE Standard health benefits.  This benefit would also include family members and require the retiree to pay the full premium.  The VFW supports this initiative, as it will provide continuity of health care between reserve retirement and age 60, when the member is eligible for TRICARE Standard.  Action Needed: Contact your member of Congress at http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/ and ask them to sign on as a cosponsor to H.R. 270, the TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2009.

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