In This Issue:
1. VFW Urges Passage of Veterans Health Care Bill
2. FY 2011 Independent Budget Critical Issues On-line
3. Record Stories to Honor Veterans
1. VFW Urges Passage of Veterans Health Care Bill: A large veterans' health care bill is being held up in the Senate and awaits final passage. It has been reported that Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) is objecting to the bills costs and has placed a hold on the legislation which prevents action. S. 1963, The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009 contains many VFW supported provisions including:
* Health care improvements for female veterans, to include studies on barriers to care.
* Improvements into training and care for military sexual trauma.
* Requiring VA to provide a detailed plan on services provided to female veterans.
* A pilot program to offer child care at several VA facilities.
* Mental health programs for veterans in rural areas utilizing local community mental health centers.
* Health care, living stipends, counseling and support for family caregivers.
* Enhanced programs for homeless veterans.
VFW asks everyone to contact their Senators, especially those of you living in Oklahoma and urge quick passage of this most important bill.
For information on contacting your Senators click here:
http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/ 2. FY 2011 Independent Budget Critical Issues On-line: The Independent Budget (IB) critical issues report for fiscal year 2011 is available on-line. The critical issues report is designed to alert Congress VA and the Administration as to issues we believe need special scrutiny and attention. The FY2011 IB will be released in February 2010 concurrent with the release of the President's proposed budget for VA. Co-authored by the VFW, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America, the IB is a comprehensive recommendation of what VA truly needs to provide healthcare, benefits and services to veterans.
For FY 2011 IB critical issues report go to:
http://www.independentbudget.org/2011/CI_2011.pdf 3. Record Stories to Honor Veterans: The VA and Library of Congress wants America to honor her military heroes this Veterans Day by getting their stories recorded into the Library's Veterans History Project. To find out more about the Veterans History Project and how to submit
Author
