VFW MO Legislative Updates - VFW Department Missouri: Legislative Updates

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VFW MO Commander: Dave Morgan	Recent News Entries VFW Washington Weekly, June 29, 2009 VFW Washington Weekly, June 19, 2009 VFW Washington Weekly, June 12, 2009 VFW Washington Weekly, June 5, 2009 VFW Washington Weekly, May 22, 2009
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VFW Washington Weekly, June 29, 2009

Posted at 08:55 PM on Monday, June 29, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:

1. GI Bill Hearing

2. GI Bill Transferability Rules

3. House Passes Defense Bill

4. Congress on Recess

 

1. GI Bill Hearing: The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity held another hearing on VA's implementation plans for the
Post 9/11 GI Bill. The GI bill benefit is scheduled to be fully
implemented on Aug. 1, 2009. The application process to determine
eligibility opened on May 1. VA has reported over 100,000 applications
filed for the education benefit.  Keith Wilson, Director of VA's
Education Services, testified that VA has a two-part IT strategy that
relies on short- and long-term goals for processing the claims. He
updated committee members on VA's partnership with the Navy's SPAWAR
Systems Center, which is contracted to design, develop, and deploy an
end-to-end solution that utilizes rules-based, industry-standard
technologies. VA is currently working with SPAWAR on the long-term IT
solution, and expects the program to be completed no later than December
2010. For more on the hearing, visit the House VA website at:
http://veterans.house.gov/.

 

2. GI Bill Transferability Rules: The Pentagon released final rules
under the transferability provision of the new GI Bill and began taking
applications today. Servicemembers can register to transfer their Post
9/11 GI bill benefits to family members on a special Pentagon website.
The application site is for servicemembers who do not plan to use their
benefits anytime soon or not at all. The Pentagon stresses that for
those who wish to begin using their benefit now to register through the
VA website (www.va.gov). Under the new law, servicemembers have up to 15
years from the time they leave the military to use their education
benefits. Transferability laws apply to those on active duty or in the
Selected Reserve on August 1, 2009 and include fulfilling a minimum
service obligation. If you are scheduled to retire anytime before July
31 or have separated and are in the Individual Ready Reserve you are not
eligible for the transferability benefit. All other eligibility criteria
for the benefit can be found at:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/DTM%2009-003%20Post%209-11%20GI%20Bill.p
df

 

The transferability of education benefits (TEB) website will be open and
available for applications on June 29, 2009 at:
https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB/

The site can only be accessed from military computers

 

3. House Passes Defense Bill: The House last week passed (389-22) its
version of the FY 2010 Defense Authorization Bill (HR 2647). One key
amendment passed was a provision to phase-in (within 5 years) concurrent
receipt for Chapter 61 retirees. The measure would allow disabled
military retirees with less than 20 years of service to collect both
their retirement pay and VA compensation without offset. It also extends
expiring authorities concerning a wide array of bonuses and special pays
that are critical to military recruiting and retention. The VFW thanks
Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) for his leadership
on this critical fix, and is hopeful that the language of this bill will
be incorporated into the Senate version of the FY 2010 NDAA. Other
provisions of the bill include a 3.4% military pay raise, TRICARE health
coverage for Reserve Component members, significant funding for family
housing, and increases in size of the military force by 15,000 Army
troops, 8,000 Marines, 14,650 Air Force, and 2,477 Navy. For more
information on the entire House-passed bill visit the House Armed
Services Committee at:
http://armedservices.house.gov/apps/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr061
709.shtml.

 

4. Congress on Recess: Congress is on recess and is expected to return
to Washington on July 7. Their very busy July agenda involves completing
all 12 appropriations packages - including the VA/Military Construction
and Defense bills. Other VFW legislative priorities that need final
approval and votes include the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement
Act, Advanced Funding for VA Medical Care, and several bills that will
expand benefits for veterans. Now is a great time to visit the district
offices and urge your legislators to pass our priority goals. For a list
of our goals and the bills we support, visit the VFW website and click
on the Capitol Hill link at:
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=caphill.home&tok=1.

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VFW Washington Weekly, June 19, 2009

Posted at 08:57 PM on Friday, June 19, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:

1. Priority 8 Enrollment Update

2. Endoscopic Procedures Hearing

3. VA Appropriations Update

4. House VA Committee Hearings

5. Defense Bill Passed by Committee

1. Priority 8 Enrollment Update: VA changed enrollment eligibility rules on June 15 to make it easier for more veterans to enroll in VA's health care system. Under this new provision, they expect about 266,000 more veterans to enroll this year and possibly 500,000 in the next four years. VA relaxed income restrictions on enrollment for health benefits. While this new provision does not remove consideration of income, it does increase income thresholds. A web-based calculator is available for veterans to enter personal data at http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/apps/enrollmentcalculator/. Veterans may also contact VA's health resource center at 1-877-222-8387 or visit the VA health eligibility website at http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/

2. Endoscopic Procedures Hearing: The House VA Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held hearing following reports that three VA medical facilities failed to use proper safeguards in the cleaning of endoscopic equipment. A recent VA Inspector General report said fewer than half of 42 VA facilities selected for no-notice inspections last month had proper training and guidelines in place. The report came after VA uncovered procedural errors at medical centers in Georgia, Florida and Tennessee that potentially exposed more than 10,00 veterans to HIV and other infections, such as Hepatitis B and C. Members of the committee expressed outrage and disbelief at the findings, and tasked VA to ensure that proper policies and training programs are in place. They also questioned the care and treatment of those exposed and how they are going to regain the trust of the veterans they serve. For prepared testimony and to listen to audio from the hearing, go to: http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=417

3. VA Appropriations Update: This week, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and VA moved advanced appropriations closer to final approval when it cleared a $77.9 billion bill. The bill, as approved, contains $48.2 billion in advanced funding for VA medical accounts for FY 2011. VFW testified before the committee several times in support of the concept, as we believe this will allow VA to better plan for the future, attract and recruit high-quality health care professionals, and allow them to better target gaps in care among other enhancements. For the subcommittee press release, go to: http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/Milcon-FY2010-EdwardsStatement-9-16-10.pdf

4. House VA Committee Hearings:

Thursday: VFW testified before the Subcommittee on Health on several bills designed to improve care to veterans. Some of the VFW-supported bills included:

HR 1293, The Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act, would increase the amount of VA grants for minor home improvements. This would be the first increase since 1992, and would bring the total to $6,900 and $2,000 for service and non-service connected veterans, respectively.

HR 1335 would exempt catastrophically disabled veterans (category 4) from for nursing home and health care co-payments.

HR 2734, and HR 2738 would provide much needed medical care and benefits to family members who are serving as caregivers.

Draft bill that would require VA to provide information and outreach to family caregivers, and allow them to also receive counseling and mental health services form VA.

Also on Thursday, VFW testified before the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs regarding the VA claims backlog. This is the third hearing the committee has held on how to simplify the claims process and reduce the backlog. The VFW testified that there is no quick fix to the ratings process, but there are still things that can be done to improve production, reduce backlogs, and ensure claims are completed with quality. We also testified on a VFW proposal to incorporate the best practices of a post-WWII claims system to make expedited provisional decisions based on existing records. Limited to servicemembers leaving the Armed Forces or recently discharged veterans, this proposal calls for the creation of a test program granting benefits on limited information quickly, but with quality. Under this program, a VA examination and a new decision would be required four years after the initial rating. A veteran would have the opportunity to accept the provisional rating or wait the six to eight months for a permanent rating.

To read VFW testimony, go to: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=caphill.leveld&did=3702

For more on both hearings, go to the House VA Committee website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

5. Defense Bill Passed by Committee: The House Armed Services Committee approved the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. HR 2647 authorizes $550.4 billion for DOD and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. It also provides $130 billion to support overseas contingency operations during fiscal year 2010. Some of the VFW-supported provisions include:

Providing a 3.4% pay raise to all servicemembers.

Extending DOD authority for bonuses and incentive pay.

Expanding chiropractic health care to all active duty military members.

Extending TRICARE Reserve Select to members of the Retired Reserve who are qualified for a non-regular retirement but are not yet age 60, otherwise known as "gray area retiree.

Requiring a medical examination prior to the involuntarily separation of service members with post-traumatic stress disorders or traumatic brain injuries.

Providing travel and transportation fees for up to three designated persons visiting hospitalized servicemembers.

For the House Armed Services press release and more on the provisions in the bill, go to: http://armedservices.house.gov/apps/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr061709.shtml

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VFW Washington Weekly, June 12, 2009

Posted at 03:26 PM on Friday, June 12, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:

1. VA Committees Hold Hearings on CARES

2. House Committee Clears Advanced Funding/Other Vet Bills

3. Defense Bill Update

1. VA Committees Hold Hearings on CARES: This week, VFW testified before both House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees on the future of VA's health infrastructure. VFW has been supportive of VA's Capitol Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services process (CARES). The CARES model is a systematic, data-driven assessment of VA's facilities designed to evaluate present and future demands for health-care services. We testified that the strength of CARES is in the decision making framework that it created enabling VA to reassess annually their construction priorities and veterans' needs. Currently VA has a large number of projects underway and some still in the planning and design phase. One of the challenges remains the funding issue. We stressed the need for Congress and the Administration to provide full funding for major construction accounts to reduce the backlog and to begin funding future construction priorities. Another difficulty has been communication between VA and the veteran communities affected by the changes to the CARES process. We believe that VA needs to do a better job of explaining what their plans are for every location based on the facts so as to not create a sense of urgency among veterans that there care is being taken away. Access to care for all involved, especially those in rural areas, is a major challenge and we believe that many of the answers lie outside of the construction process.

To read our testimony visit the VFW website at: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=caphill.leveld&did=3702

For more on both hearings, visit the House and Senate VA websites at:

http://veterans.house.gov/

http://veterans.senate.gov/

2. House Committee Clears Advanced Funding/ Vet Bills. The House Veterans' Affairs Committee approved 23-0, VFW-supported legislation that would fund VA medical care one year in advance. The committee also included VA's IT accounts in the bill (HR 1016) as an amendment. HR 1016, The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, will allow VA to better plan for the future, attract and recruit high-quality health care professionals, and allow them to better target gaps in care. The Senate passed their version (S.423) in May.

Other VFW-supported bills cleared by the committee include:

HR 952 would expand the meaning of combat with the enemy to mean active duty service in a combat theater during a time of war not just during actual combat. The bill aims to shorten the claims process for many veterans suffering from psychological injuries.

HR 2270 would establish a compensation fund for certain WWII veterans who were not eligible for readjustment benefits. Those eligible would receive a monthly payment of $1000

HR 1037 would authorize $10 million annually to implement a five-year pilot program to expand work-study activities for veterans on campuses.

HR 1098, The Veterans' Worker Retraining Act of 2009 would increase educational assistance for veterans pursuing internships or on-the-job training. It also increased the monthly training assistance for eligible veterans and their dependents under the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program.

HR 2180 would waive housing loan fees for veterans with service-connected disabilities called to active duty.

HR 1821, The Equity for Injured Veterans Act of 2009 would extend VA's Vocational Rehabilitation program to 15 years following discharge or release from active duty. It also authorizes single parents participating in the program up to $2000 a month for child care services.

HR 1211, The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act is a comprehensive bill that will improve health care services for female veterans.

For more information on any of the bills cleared visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

OR type the bill # into the box at http://thomas.loc.gov/

3. Defense Bill Update: The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, this week, approved the subcommittee's markup of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. For the first time ever, the Department of Defense (DOD) will have the statutory mandate to account for all the missing from World War II, Korea, the Cold War, the Vietnam era, the Persian Gulf War and other conflicts designated by the Secretary of Defense. Furthermore, the DOD will be tasked to significantly increase the number of identifications from the current 70 per year to 200 by 2015 and subsequently to 350 per year by 2020.

Other initiatives included in the markup are:

**Expanding chiropractic health care to all active duty military members;

**Extending TRICARE Reserve Select to members of the Retired Reserve who are qualified for a non-regular retirement but are not yet age 60 otherwise known as "gray area retirees; and,

**Requiring a medical examination prior to the involuntarily separation of service members with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury.

The subcommittee's markup will be forwarded to the House Armed Services Committee for approval.

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VFW Washington Weekly, June 5, 2009

Posted at 04:07 PM on Friday, June 5, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:

1. House Committee Marks up Vet Bills

2. Healthcare Bill for Women Veterans Cleared

3. House VA Committee Hearings

4. Japan Apologizes to American POWs

5. McHugh Tapped for Army Secretary

1. House Committee Marks up Vet Bills: Several VFW-supported bills cleared their respective subcommittees this week. All of the bills now move to the full committee for consideration.

HR 952 would expand the meaning of combat with the enemy to mean active duty service in a combat theater during a time of war not just during actual combat. The bill aims to shorten the claims process for many veterans suffering from psychological injuries.

HR 2270 would establish a compensation fund for certain WWII veterans who were not eligible for readjustment benefits. Those eligible would receive a monthly payment of $1000

HR 1037 would authorize $10 million annually to implement a five-year pilot program to expand work-study activities for veterans on campuses.

HR 1098, The Veterans' Worker Retraining Act of 2009 would increase educational assistance for veterans pursuing internships or on-the-job training. It also increased the monthly training assistance for eligible veterans and their dependents under the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program.

HR 2180 would waive housing loan fees for veterans with service-connected disabilities called to active duty.

HR 1821, The Equity for Injured Veterans Act of 2009 would extend VA's Vocational Rehabilitation program to 15 years following discharge or release from active duty. It also authorizes single parents participating in the program up to $2000 a month for child care services.

For more information on any of the bills cleared visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

OR type the bill # into the box at http://thomas.loc.gov/

2. Benefits Bill for Women Veterans Cleared: A comprehensive bill that will improve health care for female veterans cleared the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health this week. HR 1211, The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act is a VFW priority goal. The bill as passed would:

**Authorize $4 million to VA to study barriers women face in accessing care and another $5 million for an assessment of the VA's health care services and programs provided to female veterans.

**Create a new program to offer graduate medical education, training and certification to mental health professionals who provide counseling, care and services for veterans suffering from sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.

**Authorize $1.5 million in 2010 and 2011 for a pilot program to provide child care to veterans who are receiving mental health or other intensive care services at VA facilities.

**Provide health care services for the newborns of female veterans who delivered at VA facilities for 7 days after birth.

Last month, the Senate VA Committee passed similar legislation in a large health care bill. VFW thanks both Senator Patty Murray and Representative Herseth-Sandlin for their leadership on this most important bill.

3. House VA Committee Hearings

Wednesday: The Full Committee met to discuss homeless veterans. Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) talked about the commitment to end homelessness by the Administration and the growing number of OIE/OEF and female veterans at risk because of poverty and lack of support from family, friends and program availability. Panelists discussed VA programs that have proven successful such as the Grant and Per Diem program which helps public and non-profit organizations establish and operate transitional housing and service centers. Many suggested increasing the per diem amount for the program as it uses an antiquated system that does not allow for geographic differences and changes in service costs. Witnesses all agreed that a more comprehensive strategy to combat homelessness to include more outreach by VA would help prevent veterans from becoming homeless in the first place. VA reported that the number of veterans who are homeless has decreased from 195,000 in 2005 to 131,000 in 2008.

Thursday: The Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on meeting the needs of family caregivers of veterans. The hearing hoped to identify gaps in supportive services to those family members providing care to severely disabled veterans. Witnesses included representatives from the Wounded Warrior Project, National Military Family Association, VA, DOD, HHS, and groups that provide in-home and respite care for individuals in need. Chairman Michael Michaud (D-ME) asked panelists to comment on recent legislation introduced and what the committee can provide by way of economic and other support for those caring for their wounded family members. Lack of coordination between VA and DOD when providing services was the most common complaint of witnesses. Retired Cmdr. Rene Campos, Deputy Director for government relations, Military Officers Association of America said it best when she commented as a part of her testimony that "There needs to be a commitment from VA and DOD to work together to build a total package that will meet the needs of the servicemember and their families now and into the future."

For more information on the hearings or to view the recorded webcast go to: http://veterans.house.gov/

4. Japan Apologizes to American POWs: Japan's Ambassador to the U.S. delivered his government's historic apology to the former POWs of Japan, their families, and friends at the last convention of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor (ADBC) on May 30 in San Antonio, Texas. In the Pacific Theater, during World War II, over 29,000 American military personnel were captured by the Japanese. Nearly 40 percent of those POWs died in captivity as a result of the Bataan Death March and the horrific conditions that existed in the Japanese POW forced labor camps and enslavement at private Japanese companies. The ADBC, for decades, has been pressing Japan for an apology for the inhumane treatment American POWs suffered under Japan's colonial rule during WWII. They also seek an apology from Japanese industry for their inhumane actions and to include the American POWs in a new and permanent Peace, Friendship, and Exchange Fund. Note: The VFW has been working closely with the ADBC and the U.S. State Department over the past six months to facilitate this apology, and to pressure Japan to include American POWs in the Peace, Friendship, and Exchange program.

5. McHugh Tapped for Army Secretary: President Obama has nominated Congressman John McHugh to be Secretary of the Army. McHugh represents New York's 23^rd Congressional District and is the Republican Ranking Member on the House Armed Services Committee. He is presently serving in his 9^th term in the U.S. House of Representatives and if confirmed by the Senate will become the 21^st Secretary of the Army.

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VFW Washington Weekly, May 22, 2009

Posted at 07:57 AM on Saturday, May 23, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:

1. Senate VA Committee Clears Advanced Funding

2. House VA Committee Hearings

3. House Passes Veteran Small Business Centers

4. Military Overseas Voting Hearing

5. Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial

1. Senate VA Committee Clears Advanced Funding/ Other Vet Bills: The Senate VA Committee cleared a bill authorizing advanced funding for VA. S. 423, The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, would allow VA to receive their budget one year in advance. It's a top priority for VFW. VFW believes that advanced funding will allow VA to better plan for the future, attract and recruit high-quality health care professionals, and allow them to better target gaps in care, among many other program enhancements. Other VFW-supported bills cleared by the committee include:

S. 252, The Veterans Health Care Authorization Act - Would authorize enhanced care and services for women veterans, to include hiring more mental health professionals. Other parts of the bill strengthen VA recruiting programs, institutional and non-institutional care, rehabilitative care for OEF/OIF veterans, research, homelessness, and mental health services, among others.
S. 728, The Veterans Benefit Enhancement Act - Would strengthen insurance programs for disabled veterans, expand eligibility for traumatic injury protection, ease the burden on certain combat veterans who seek to establish a service-connection for their disabilities, and strengthen laws protecting veterans and servicemembers from employment discrimination.
S. 801, The Caregiver and Veterans Health Services Act - Would establish an unprecedented permanent program to train, support and assist caregivers of disabled veterans. It would also improve care and treatment for veterans living in rural areas, and enable VA to reimburse eligible veterans for emergency care in non-VA facilities.
S. 475, Military Spouses Residency Act - Would update USSERA laws for spouses of military personnel with regard to matters of residency.
S. 407, Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act - Would increase rates of compensation and DIC for service-connected veterans and their survivors. Rates would be effective Dec. 1.

All of the bills now move to the Senate floor for action. For complete details, visit the committee's website at http://veterans.senate.gov/.

2. House VA Committee Hearings: The House VA Committee also had a busy week of hearings.

Tuesday: The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on Gulf War Illness research. Subcommittee Chairman Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) promised this would be one of many the committee plans to hold to examine the impact of toxin exposures during the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War, and the subsequent research and response by government agencies including the DOD and VA
Also Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on VA medical care and the outreach being made to veterans of all eras. Committee members believe VA is still not reaching those eligible for benefits and services, and has steered away from the use of public advertising.
Wednesday: The House VA Committee held a roundtable discussion about the growing needs of women veterans in VA. A diverse group of panelists discussed their experience with VA from health care to claims to other services provided. Virginia VFW District 10 Commander, Margo Sheridan, provided her recommendations on changes needed by both VA and DOD. She stressed the need for recognition of women in combat roles and the changing role of women in the military.
Thursday: The Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing on several bills.
HR 1522 would grant veteran status to United States Nurse Cadet Corps of WWII members, making them eligible for VA benefits and services.
HR 2270 would establish a compensation fund for other qualified WWII veterans, such as the Flying Tigers and other "civilian" groups that supported the war effort.
HR 1982 would amend the Veterans Claims Assistance Act by directing VA to acknowledge receipt of medical, disability and pension claims, and other communications submitted by veterans within 60 days.
Also Thursday, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity discussed bills designed to update VA's work-study program, increase educational assistance and apprenticeships and on-the-job training, as well as expanding services offered by VR&E and updating servicemembers rights under USERRA laws.

For more information on any of the hearings or to view the live webcast visit the committee's website at http://veterans.house.gov/.

3. House Passes Veteran Small Business Centers: By a vote of 406-15, the House passed VFW-supported legislation that would reauthorize the Small Business Administration's entrepreneurial development programs. HR 2352, The Job Creation through Entrepreneurship Act of 2009, would authorize $22 million to establish a veterans' business center program through FY 2011. The program will issue grants using guidelines set up by the SBA, and concentrate on areas where veteran populations exceed national medians. Veterans' business centers would use the money on veteran entrepreneurial development, such as providing small business counseling and government procurement information. VFW believes that this will dramatically increase a veteran's access to entrepreneurial resources.

For more on the bill, go to www.thomas.loc.gov and enter the bill number into the search block.

4. Military Overseas Voting Hearing: The House Administration Subcommittee on Elections held a hearing on Military Overseas Voting. The committee found that despite the enacting of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986, it is clear that military and overseas voters are not able to register and cast their ballots without numerous administrative burdens. Survey data from the Congressional Research Service suggested that one in four ballots from overseas military voters went uncounted in the 2008 election. Consequently, the committee is considering HR 2393, the Military Voting Protection Act, which would improve procedures for the collection and delivery of marked absentee ballots of military voters. The legislation, which the VFW strongly supports, was introduced by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). For more on the hearing, go to the committee's website at http://cha.house.gov/view_hearing.aspx?r=50.

5. Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial: The VFW participated in a press conference yesterday at the National Press Club in Washington on an upcoming Supreme Court case that will either save or threaten military veterans memorials that were erected on public lands with religious symbols. Salazar v. Buono is about a World War I veterans memorial that a VFW Post erected in the Mojave Desert in the shape of a cross in 1934. In 2002, Congress designated it a national memorial and authorized the National Park Service to transfer the one-acre site to the VFW in exchange for five acres of private property elsewhere within the Mojave Desert Preserve, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the transfer. The VFW has been joined by numerous other veterans groups in filing an amicus brief with the Supreme Court to defend its memorial. The high court is expected to hear the case this fall.

To read a VFW press release, go to http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4939.

For more information or to watch a video on efforts to save the memorial, go to http://www.donttearmedown.com/.

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VFW Washington Weekly, May 15, 2009

Posted at 12:54 PM on Friday, May 15, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:

1. VA Appropriations Update

2. House VA Committee Hearings

3. Merchant Mariner Bill Passes House

4. GI Bill Registration Update

1. VA Appropriations Update: In testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki reaffirmed the Administration's support for advanced appropriations, a VFW top priority goal. Advanced appropriations would ensure funding for veterans healthcare is sufficient, timely and predictable for all who use the system by funding the system one year in advance. H.R. 1016 and S. 423, sponsored by House VA Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) and Senate VA Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI), respectively, still needs your support. VFW asks you to contact your legislators and urge them to co-sponsor these critical bills. To send a message to your legislators, visit the VFW website at: http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=13251881.

2. House VA Committee Hearings:

Wednesday: The House VA Committee held a hearing to discuss innovative technologies and treatments available to help veterans with various health-related diagnoses. Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) discussed with panelists how new ideas and technologies can be brought into the VA health care system. Panelists were asked to summarize their latest discoveries. The ideas ranged from brain devises to help TBI patients with visual impairments, to a simple procedure that can detect oral cancer, as well as an FDA-approved drug to help battle alcohol dependency.

Thursday: The subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held its second hearing on the Court of Veterans Appeals and its effect on veterans. Judge Bruce Kasold testified on the courts two major initiatives: electronic filing and a mediation process that has been successful in expediting some 25% of claims filed at the appeals level. A panel of VSO advocates criticized the process as being inefficient, laborious and error-ridden. Barton Stichman, Joint Executive Director of the National Veterans Legal Services Program, referred to the appeals process as a "hamster's wheel of justice."

Thursday: The subcommittee on Economic Opportunity discussed the Department of Labor's federal contract process. The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program plays an important role in protecting veterans by ensuring that they are not discriminated as far as equal employment opportunities. Subcommittee Chairman Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (D-SD) stated that recent reports have shown federal contractors are not complying with federal regulations with regard to hiring practices. "This is specifically troubling considering the increased number of servicemembers returning to civilian workforce," she said. The VFW has made employment issues for returning veterans and the laws that protect them a priority goal.

3. Merchant Marine Bill Passes House: The House passed by voice vote this week a bill that would compensate merchant mariners who supported U.S. military activities during WWII. The bill, H.R. 23, sponsored by House VA Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), would provide a $1,000 special monthly pension to those veterans who served in the Merchant Marines from Dec. 7, 1941, to Dec. 31, 1946. VFW opposed the measure because we believe it creates inequities among veterans, and because the half-billion estimated cost over five years could take funding away from other programs. The Merchant Marines was one of 28 civilian groups who supported the war effort, but none of them receive a special monthly pension. In a letter to every member of the House, VFW Washington Office Executive Director Bob Wallace wrote, "The VFW greatly respects their bravery and their dedication, but we cannot support legislation that singles them out above other deserving groups. With waves of servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan presenting challenges for the entire VA health care system, especially for those who are grievously wounded, taking away money to give a special bonus to one segment of veterans is not right."

4. GI Bill Registration Update: VA received more than 25,000 claims for education benefits during the first two weeks that veterans and servicemembers could apply online for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. The number of education benefits' applications submitted in the first week was more than three times the rate of benefit applications usually received through the Veterans Online Application system (VONAPP). VONAPP is used for all education benefit programs, as well as for submission of applications for VA disability compensation and pension benefits. The unprecedented volume of first-day applications on May 1 slowed the system for some, but by the next morning performance was fully restored. Veterans can apply on-line through the GI Bill Web site at www.GIBILL.VA.gov. Additionally, paper applications are being accepted at VA regional processing offices located in Atlanta, St. Louis, Buffalo, and Muskogee, OK. Veterans applying now receive a "Certificate of Eligibility" and information about their benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Applicants may expect to receive their certificate within 24 days of submission. VA will begin paying benefits on Aug. 1, 2009.

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VFW Washington Weekly, May 8, 2009

Posted at 08:04 PM on Monday, May 11, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. VA Budget Released
2. House Small Business Committee Action
3. House VA Committee Moves Bills
4. Defense Budget Released

1. VA Budget Released: President Obama rolled out the specifics of his FY 2010 budget this week. Under his proposal, VA will receive $55.9 billion in discretionary funding, about $5.7 billion more than last year. The amount exceeds the $54.6 billion recommended by the Independent Budget. The funding provided would allow 500,000 more Category 8 veterans to enroll in VA by 2013. Other budget highlights include:
* $5.9 billion to expand institutional and non-institutional long term care.
* $4.6 billion to expand inpatient, residential and outpatient mental health clinics.
* $1.9 billion for five medical facility construction projects already in progress, and funding for seven new projects.
* $1.8 billion to improve claims processing, which includes sufficient funding for new GI Bill claims.
* $440 million to improve access to rural health care.
* $360 million for development and implementation of an electronic health record.
* $183 million for women veterans' services.
* $144 million for a paperless claims processing system.
VFW National Commander Glen Gardner applauded the budget, saying "This budget gives VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and his staff the funding to transform the VA into a true 21st century organization. The VFW urges Congress to appropriate the funding quickly yet responsibly."
To read the VFW press release, go to: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=5029.
For the complete budget and VA press statement, go to: http://www.va.gov/budget/products.htm.

2. House Small Business Committee Action: VFW testified before the House Small Business Committee on Wednesday. The hearing delved into veterans' employment with specific emphasis on opportunities for entrepreneurship through legislation sponsored by Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA). HR 1803, would establish a veterans' small business program, and enhance opportunities for veterans wanting to start their own business or build on an existing one. Title I of the bill would expand services by providing entrepreneurial education, information, and resources to assist veterans in starting or maintaining a business. The bill would allow $10 million in grants for veteran business centers in FY 2010 and $12 million in FY 2011. VFW looks forward to working with the committee to move the legislation forward.
To view the hearing, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e84H61KFy98&feature=PlayList&p=0A32F7F3A0F4C81B&index=5.

3. House VA Committee Moves Bills: The House VA Committee approved several VFW-supported bills by voice vote. The bills include:
* HR 1170 would provide grants up to $200,000 for development of technologies to improve adaptive housing for disabled veterans.
* HR 1088, The Mandatory Veteran Specialist Training Act of 2009, would provide a one-year period for training (instead of the current three) for new DVOPs and LVOPs through the National Veterans Employment and Training Institute.
* HR 1089 would enforce employment rights of veterans and members of the armed services employed by the Federal Government.
* HR 466, The Wounded Veterans Job Security Act, would prohibit any employment discrimination against veterans who have an injury, illness or disability determined by VA. The bill was amended to clarify reemployment protections afforded to service members and veterans in the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
The bills now move to the full Committee and get moved to the House floor for action. For more on any of the bills, type the bill number into the search box at: http://thomas.loc.gov/

4. Defense Budget Released: The President released this week his proposed FY2010 budget, requesting $663.8 billion for defense. This figure includes $533.8 billion in discretionary budget authority and $130 billion to support overseas contingency operations. This is a 4% increase over FY2009 defense spending, but only 2.1% in real growth after adjusting for inflation. Some budget highlights are:
* 2.9% across-the-board military pay raise.
* 6% average increase in Basic Allowance for Housing and a 5% increase in Basic Allowance for Subsistence.
* 2% pay raise for civilian employees.
* Provides $11 billion to fund military housing and support programs, to include constructing new barracks and family housing units, funding for child care centers, youth programs, and morale, welfare, and recreation activities.
* Fully funds military healthcare this year with no proposal to raise Tricare fees.
* Provides $3.3 billion to support injured service members in their recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration.
* $6.8 billion to buy 30 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, and ends production of the Air Force F-22 air-superiority fighter.
* Halts production of the C-17 airlifter program as analysis has concluded that 205 aircraft already in the force or in production is sufficient.
* Reduces the Missile Defense Agency program by $1.2 billion by requesting only $7.8 billion. The program will be restructured to focus on the rogue state and theater missile threat.
The VFW will continue to monitor the defense budget as it makes its way through the legislative process to ensure adequate funding is provided for all needed programs and military quality of life initiatives. The full detailed defense budget can be found at the following website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2010/assets/mil.pdf.

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VFW Washington Weekly, May 1, 2009

Posted at 03:57 PM on Friday, May 1, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. VA Funding for the Future
2. VFW Testifies before Senate VA Committee
3. Wounded Warrior Programs
4. House Hearings this Week

1. VA Funding for the Future: How to fund the VA of the future was the topic of a House VA Committee hearing on Wednesday. Representatives from the Partnership for Veterans Healthcare Budget Reform, which includes the VFW, testified in support of advanced appropriations for VA healthcare. Advanced appropriation would ensure funding for veterans healthcare is sufficient, timely and predictable for all who use the system. Both the House and Senate have approved a budget that contains language making it easier to pass legislation that would accomplish this VFW priority goal, but H.R. 1016 and S. 423, sponsored by House VA Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) and Senate VA Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI), still needs your support. VFW asks you to contact your legislators and urge them to co-sponsor these critical bills. To send a message to your legislators, visit the VFW website at: http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=13251881.

2. VFW Testifies before Senate VA Committee: VFW testified this week before the Senate VA Committee on VFW-supported legislation that includes:
* S. 263, The Servicemembers Access to Justice Act, would close loopholes and strengthen protections under USERRA.
* S. 407, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, would increase the rates of disability compensation and DIC for veterans and their dependents.
* S. 820 would increase the automobile assistance allowance for disabled veterans from $11,000 to $22,800. (Note: This is the amount recommended by the VFW co-written Independent Budget.)
* S. 475, The Military Spouses Residency Relief Act would clarify and protect the rights of military spouses under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
Witnesses also included representatives from other VSOs, the VA, Congressional Research Service, and the Director of the Military Spouse Business Organization. Committee members discussed their concern that VA makes it too difficult for veterans to receive services and fair compensation for injuries. Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-NC) both sponsored legislation to clarify services for TBI patients, to include aid and attendance benefits, and to enhance coverage under VA's insurance programs. For a complete list of bills and VFW testimony, visit the Senate VA Committee website at: http://veterans.senate.gov/.

3. Wounded Warrior Programs: The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel held a hearing on Wounded Warrior policy and programs. Committee members heard from wounded soldiers and their families, care coordinators, and those responsible for implementing transition services under these programs. The four panels discussed the complexities of managing the myriad of services received from DOD to VA, and the need for consistency among the programs. One panelist, Lt. Andrew K. Kinard, USMC (Ret.), summed up his testimony by asking the committee to continue its oversight into interagency coordination, and to measure how effective each program is in helping the men and women who have sacrificed to recover, rehabilitate, and reintegrate into society.

4. House Hearings This Week:
* Tuesday: The House VA Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations discussed the Federal Recovery Coordination Program (FRCP), which is a joint VA-DOD program designed to provide support, recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration for severely injured servicemembers, veterans and their families. The program was launched two years ago as part of recommendations made by the Dole/Shalala Commission on caring for America's returning Wounded Warriors. It currently has 257 enrolled veterans and 14 coordinators throughout the country. Witnesses testified to the need for more simplicity in coordination and more continuity of care. FRCP Executive Director Karen Guice discussed challenges the program faces, and her intent to continue to build relationships with everyone at the recovery table.
* Wednesday: The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel held a hearing on the Military Health System. A reorganization of the program that provides health care for active duty and retired military members brought forth many questions about TRICARE and how to sustain current benefits. Congress has included, as a part of their budget resolution, language to reject any increases in TRICARE fees for FY 2010. VFW will continue monitoring any changes to this most important benefit.
* Thursday: The House VA Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on VA's allocation of funds for mental health care. A recent GAO report found that VA spent less for mental health initiatives than planned, and does not have the appropriate mechanisms in place to track funds. Witnesses were asked to provide successes and the challenges faced by the VA in implementing its Mental Health Strategic Plan, and how to best reach out to those veterans suffering from PTSD, depression and TBI injuries.
For more on any of this week's legislation, visit the Thomas website at: http://thomas.loc.gov/.
For the House VA Committee website, go to: http://veterans.house.gov/.

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VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY, April 24, 2009

Posted at 04:14 PM on Friday, April 24, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE
1. Stimulus Payments in May
2. VFW Testifies before Appropriations Subcommittee
3. House Hearing on PTSD Legislation
4. VA to Begin Accepting GI Bill Applications

NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS
1. Marines Want VFW Help
2. VFW Meets with Coast Guard
3. Defense & Nuclear Reviews Begin
4. Reserve Component Mobilization

NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE
1. VA Continues Precautionary Screenings


NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE

1. Stimulus Payments in May: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
signed into law in February will begin providing a one-time economic
recovery payment of $250 to people who receive Social Security,
Supplemental Security Income, Railroad Retirement, and veterans
benefits.  If you were eligible for one of these benefits at any time
during the months of November 2008, December 2008 or January 2009, you
should automatically receive your one-time payment by the end of May
2009.  To receive the payment, your address of record must be within one
of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S.
Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands.  For
more information, read the Social Security Administration pamphlet at:
http://socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10519.pdf.

2. VFW Testifies before Appropriations Subcommittee: VFW testified
before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction
and Veterans Affairs.  Speaking as part of an Independent Budget panel,
we presented our views on VA's FY 2010 Construction Budget.  Although
the committee and Congress made significant inroads in funding
construction the last few cycles, we relayed our concerns that much more
is needed for the numerous projects currently under construction and
those planned for the coming year.  
To read the VFW statement, go to:
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=caphill.leveld&did=3702. 
For read the FY 2010 Independent Budget, go to:
http://www.independentbudget.org/.

3. House Hearing on PTSD Legislation: The House Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on
VFW-supported legislation that would revise the claims process for PTSD
diagnosis.  H.R. 952, The Combat PTSD Act, would clarify and expand the
definition of "combat with the enemy," to include a theater of combat
operations during a period of war, or in combat against a hostile force
during a period of hostilities.  The subcommittee members reviewed the
original intent of the law and found VA is placing an unnecessary burden
on veterans diagnosed with PTSD and other conditions to prove their
combat stressors.  If passed, the bill would ease the claims process for
veterans who served in non-combat roles in war zones - but who are
suffering from post traumatic stress disorder - to receive benefits and
treatment from VA.  For more on the hearing and the testimony of
witnesses, visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/.

4. VA to Begin Accepting GI Bill Applications: VA will begin accepting
applications for the new GI Bill on May 1, three months in advance of
the program's Aug. 1 implementation date.  VA believes that early
enrollment will help identify and correct registration problems, as more
than 450,000 veterans are expected to apply for college benefits this
year.  VA Education Director Keith Wilson said he is personally
committed to ensuring the success of the program, and is confident it
will launch successfully.  VFW played a key role in the passage of the
new benefit and will continue monitoring its implementation.  For more
on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, visit the VA website at:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/. 

NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS

1. Marines Want VFW Help: VFW Sr. Vice Commander Tommy Tradewell visited
Quantico Marine Base Tuesday for a command briefing on the Marine Corps
Wounded Warrior Program, which stood up in 2007 as a regimental command
with a nationwide reach.  The regiment is currently reaching out to more
than 13,000 wounded, ill or injured Marines to ensure they are receiving
the proper care and benefits they deserve.  The regiment also asked if
VFW would provide assistance to help Marines reintegrate back into
civilian life.  Assistance could range from providing service work,
financial support and employment opportunities to sponsoring hometown
appreciation events, such as for Purple Heart recipients, among others.
"We have a sacred responsibility to help servicemembers and their
families wherever they live and in any way we can," said Tradewell, who
was accompanied by VFW Washington Office executive director and past
national commander Bob Wallace, and by past national commander John
Smart, the VA liaison officer to the Wounded Warrior Regiment.  If you
know of a current or former Marine in need of help, have them call the
24-hour Wounded Warrior Hotline at 1-877-4USMCWW (1-877-478-6299).  
To volunteer your VFW Post's assistance, contact Ken Ductor at
703-432-1846 or ken.ductor@usmc.mil.  
More information on the Wounded Warrior Program is available at:
http://www.woundedwarriorregiment.org/WWR.aspx.

2. VFW Meets with Coast Guard: VFW Senior Vice Commander Tommy
Tradewell, accompanied by National Security & Foreign Affairs Director
Mike Wysong, also met this week with Vice Adm. Clifford Pearson, the
U.S. Coast Guard Chief of Staff.  The admiral's briefing and roundtable
discussion included the Coast Guard's mission, both in the homeland and
abroad in the war of terror.  Tradewell emphasized the VFW's support for
the Coast Guard in a number of areas, and provided the admiral with
information on the VFW Military Assistance Program.

3. Defense & Nuclear Reviews Begin: The Department of Defense announced
the start of the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) and the Nuclear
Posture Review (NPR).  The processes will culminate in final reports to
Congress in early 2010.  The QDR, which is conducted every four years,
is one of the principal means by which the tenets of the National
Defense Strategy are translated into potentially new policies,
capabilities and initiatives.  The NPR will be conducted in consultation
with the Departments of Energy and State.  The purpose of the NPR is to
establish U.S. nuclear deterrence policy, strategy, and posture for the
next five to 10 years, and to provide a basis for the negotiation of a
follow-on agreement to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).
This report will be submitted concurrently with the 2010 Quadrennial
Defense Review.

4. Reserve Component Mobilization: The total number currently on active
duty in support of the partial mobilization for the Army National Guard
and Army Reserve is 103,067; Navy Reserve, 6,599; Air National Guard and
Air Force Reserve, 14,705; Marine Corps Reserve, 7,624; and the Coast
Guard Reserve, 698.  This brings the total number of mobilized Guard and
Reserve personnel to 132,693, an increase of 4,157 from last week.
These figures include the totals of voluntary and involuntary activated
Reserve Component members.  Of this total, 98,160 personnel have been
involuntarily mobilized, while 34,533 are voluntarily serving on active
duty.  Total activated since 9/11 is 709,212.

NATIONAL VETERAN SERVICE

1. VA Continues Precautionary Screenings: The VA is continuing to notify
and provide free medical screenings to thousands of veterans across the
South who had colonoscopies and other procedures with equipment that was
not properly sterilized.  The precaution applies to:
*        6,400 veterans who received colonoscopies at the Alvin C. York
Campus in Murfreesboro, TN, between April 23, 2003, and Dec. 1, 2008.
These veterans should call 1-877-345-8555.  More information is
available at:
http://www.tennesseevalley.va.gov/news/endoscopyquestions.asp.
*        3,260 veterans who had colonoscopies at the Miami VA Healthcare
System Special Care Clinic between May 2004 and March 12, 2009.  These
veterans should call 1-877-575-7256.  A press release is at:
http://www.miami.va.gov/pressreleases/MVAHSSCCUpdate001.asp. 
*        And to 1,800 veterans who had Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic
procedures at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, GA, from
January through November 2008.  These veterans should call
1-888-483-9674.  A press release is at:
http://www1.va.gov/augustaga/page.cfm?pg=16. 
If you believe you may be affected or need additional information,
please contact the 24-hour Special Care Call Center at 1-877-575-7256,
or through e-mail at Endoscopy Inquiry
opiawebcom@va.gov?subject=Endo%20Inquiry> .  When submitting
e-mail inquiries, please include the facility where you were treated.

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VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY, April 17, 2009

Posted at 02:15 PM on Friday, April 17, 2009 by Missouri

NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS
1. DHS Assessment Report
2. Korean War MIA Identified
3. Reserve Component Mobilization

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE
1. Congress in Recess

NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS

1. DHS Assessment Report: A Department of Homeland Security intelligence
assessment about rightwing extremism in America created an emotional
firestorm this week. One section of the nine-page, Unclassified/For
Official Use Only report, said extremist groups "will attempt to recruit
and radicalize returning veterans" in order to learn military skills to
carry out violence, either as lone wolves or in small terrorist cells.
Many veterans misinterpreted that real world assessment as a blanket
accusation that every servicemember or veteran should be placed on a
terrorist watch list, or worse, are threats to the United States.
Although the DHS assessment report could have been better written, and
should have also mentioned law enforcement professionals with
paramilitary training, it did not question the service or patriotism of
any veteran. It just said rightwing extremist groups want to recruit
veterans and learn military tactics. Intelligence assessments are meant
to address possible threats based on historical facts, current trends
and potential scenarios. Such assessments cannot be restricted by
political correctness or fear that someone's feelings may be hurt. In a
press release, VFW National Commander Glen Gardner said the report
proves that DHS is doing its job, which is to protect America and
Americans. "A government that does not assess internal and external
security threats would be negligent of a critical public
responsibility," he said. A link to the DHS report is at the bottom of
the VFW press release at
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4992.

2. Korean War MIA Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office
announced that the remains of Army PFC David Woodruff of Poplar Bluff,
MO, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial
with full military honors. Woodruff was assigned to Company K, 3rd
Battalion, 9th Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. In early 1951, the 2nd
ID, augmented by Republic of Korea forces, and was occupying positions
near Hoengsong in South Korea. On Feb. 11, the Chinese Army launched a
massive attack on the U.S. line, overwhelming ROK forces and exposing
the American flank. The 2nd ID was forced to withdraw to the south and
Woodruff was captured by enemy forces. He died in or near one of the
North Korean prison camps in Suan County, North Hwanghae Province.
Between 1991-94, North Korea turned over to the United States 208 boxes
of remains, believed to contain the remains of 200-400 U.S. servicemen.
One box turned over in 1991 contained Woodruff's military identification
tag, and a box turned over in 1992 contained remains recovered from Suan
County.

3. Reserve Component Mobilization: The total number currently on active
duty in support of the partial mobilization for the Army National Guard
and Army Reserve is 99,239; Navy Reserve, 6,653; Air National Guard and
Air Force Reserve, 14,496; Marine Corps Reserve, 7,470; and the Coast
Guard Reserve, 678. This brings the total number of mobilized Guard and
Reserve personnel to 128,536, an increase of 121 from last week. These
figures include the totals of voluntary and involuntary activated
Reserve Component members. Of this total, 94,034 personnel have been
involuntarily mobilized, while 34,502 are voluntarily serving on active
duty. Total activated since 9/11 is 706,004.

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE

1. Congress in Recess: Although Congress is expected to return from
recess next week, there is still time to visit them in their home
offices to urge their support of VFW legislative goals. Ask them to
co-sponsor Advanced Funding for the VA (HR 1016 and S. 423), the Women
Veterans' Health Care Improvement Act (S. 597 and HR 1211), and support
expansion of the Veteran Business Development Centers and funding for
the Small Business Administration.
For a full list of VFW legislative priority goals, go to:
http://www.vfw.org/legislative/2009prioritygoals.pdf.
To contact your congressional members, enter your Zip Code at:
http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/.

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VFW Applauds Obama's 21st Century Vision for VA

Posted at 10:15 PM on Saturday, April 11, 2009 by Missouri

Washington, D.C., April 9, 2009 - The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is applauding President Obama for his vision for a 21st century Department of Veterans Affairs that includes support of advanced funding legislation and a single, unified electronic medical record between the Defense Department and VA.

Glen M. Gardner Jr., a Vietnam veteran from Round Rock, Texas, said the president's vision tracks with key VFW legislative goals to ensure that America properly cares for her service members, veterans and their families.

"A nation that creates veterans has a sacred responsibility to care for those veterans," said Gardner, who added that the VA has only started a new fiscal year with a fully funded budget once in the past 12 years.

"Advance funding does not diminish congressional oversight or the nature by which the discretionary process works. It just means Congress will prepare and appropriate the VA's healthcare budget a full year in advance, which is clearly a smarter and more efficient way for the nation's largest integrated healthcare system to conduct business," he said.

Read more

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VFW Washington Weekly, April 9, 2009

Posted at 10:56 PM on Friday, April 10, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:

1. President Announces Advanced Funding Support

2. Congress on Recess

3. Legislation Update

4. VFW Chief Meets NGB Chief

1. President Announces Advanced Funding Support: President Obama today strengthened legislation submitted by the two VA Committee chairmen when he announced his support of advanced funding for the VA. VFW National Commander Glen Gardner explained in a press release that advance funding does not diminish congressional oversight or the nature by which the discretionary process works. "It just means Congress will prepare and appropriate the VA's healthcare budget a full year in advance, which is clearly a smarter and more efficient way for the nation's largest integrated healthcare system to conduct business," he said. Senate VA Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and House VA Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-Calif.) reintroduced advanced funding legislation into the 111th Congress - S. 423 and H.R. 1016, respectively. Now that the president supports advanced funding, the VFW national commander is urging his total membership of 2.2 million to contact their elected officials and urge them to sign on as co-sponsors, and to vote accordingly when the bills come up on the floor.

To contact your congressional members, enter your Zip Code at: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/.

To read the VFW press release, go to: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4988.

To read the president's comments, go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-Improving-Veterans-Health-Care-4/9/2009/.

2. Congress on Recess: Congressional members headed out of town late last week to begin a two-week district work period. Now is a great time to visit them in their home offices and urge their support of VFW legislative goals. Ask them to co-sponsor Advanced Funding for the VA (HR 1016 and S. 423), the Women Veterans' Health Care Improvement Act (S. 597 and HR 1211), and support expansion of the Veteran Business Development Centers and funding for the Small Business Administration. Congress returns to Washington April 20 with a full agenda, which includes appropriations for VA and other agencies.

For a full list of VFW legislative priority goals, go to: http://www.vfw.org/legislative/2009prioritygoals.pdf.

To contact your congressional members, enter your Zip Code at: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/.

3. Legislation Update: Below are several VFW-supported bills that have passed through the House and await Senate action:

H. Res 234 - would establish March 30 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" (passed the House on March 24).

HR 1377 -- expands veteran eligibility for VA reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished by non-VA facilities (passed the House on March 30). The Senate companion bill is S. 409.

HR 1171 - would reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program through 2014, and also includes special grants to program and facilities that provide for homeless female veterans and homeless veterans with children (passed the House on March 30)

HR 1513 - would provide a cost-of-living increase for disability and DIC payments equal to rates determined by the Social Security index (passed the House on March 30). The Senate companion bill is S. 407.

HR 1804, Federal Retirement Reform Act of 2009 - includes a provision that would increase the special survivor indemnity allowance which began last October after it was passed as a part of the defense budget. The current payments start at $50 and increase to $100 by 2013; the new payment would increase to $345 by 2013. Please know that VFW continues to pressure Congress to repeal the full SBP-DIC offset, but the proposed legislation moves us a little closer to that goal. It also directs the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the cost and the effect on recruiting and retention of providing a matching payment for TSP contributions by members of the Armed Forces (passed the House on April 1)

4. VFW Chief Meets NGB Chief: VFW National Commander Glen Gardner, accompanied by National Security & Foreign Affairs Director Mike Wysong, met this week with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Craig R. McKinley. The discussion centered on military and Guard-specific issues. Gardner, who stressed the VFW's continued support for the airmen and soldiers of the National Guard, was also able to meet with troops recuperating from their wounds at nearby Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

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VFW Washington Weekly, April 3, 2009

Posted at 09:28 AM on Saturday, April 4, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. Budget Passes with Advanced Funding Provision
2. VFW Testifies on VR&E Program
3. New Vets Corps Created
4. VFW Testifies on POW/MIA Issue
5. New Navy Secretary Named
6. Military Pay Raise

1. Budget Passes with Advanced Funding Provision: The House and Senate have each passed their version of the budget for the FY 2010 that begins this October. The budget serves as the framework for the Appropriations bills, which give specific funding levels to various VA accounts.

Both versions give substantial increases to the budget above the President's request - in the case of the House, about $800 million more. And both provide in excess of a $5.3 billion increase over the current fiscal year in discretionary spending, the bulk of which is for VA medical care.

The Senate version includes an amendment the VFW strongly supported that was offered by Senator James Inhofe and cosponsored by Senators Akaka and Thune. The amendment removed a procedural hurdle that could have prevented advanced funding for veterans health care from passing later in the year. The VFW thanks these Senators and those others who supported the amendment.

The two versions we'll be reconciled into a single, joint congressional budget upon the conclusion of the spring break recess in three weeks.

2. VFW Testifies on VR&E Program: Yesterday, the VFW testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. The oversight hearing looked closely at VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) programs. The VFW made five recommendations to the Committee for improving the current program- They are:
**Removing the Delimiting Date for VR&E.
**Matching the educational stipend to Chapter 33 Benefits.
**Promote participation in higher education leading to meaningful careers.
**Revising VR&E Performance Metrics to Emphasize Long-term Success.
**Reducing enrollment time to start of services.
To view or read our testimony and for more information about the hearing visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

3. New Vet Corps Created: VFW-supported legislation that will create a new program called "Vet Corps" is on its way to the President. HR 1388 introduced by Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL) creates a volunteer program aimed at helping those who have served in the military who may require assistance for themselves or their families. The primary mission of the Corps will be to recruit and mobilize veterans to meet the needs of their fellow servicemen and women.

It calls collectively on Veterans Service Organizations, VA and others to provide education, job training and mentoring. VFW plans to work closely with Congress and the Corporation for National Community Service which is responsible for administering the program, to make sure that adequate funds are provided and allocated properly.

4. VFW Testifies on POW/MIA Issue: The VFW testified this week before the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on improving recovery and full accounting of POW/MIA personnel from all past conflicts. The VFW statement can be viewed at http://armedservices.house.gov/pdfs/MP040209/Wysong_Testimony040209.pdf along with other witnesses' statements at http://armedservices.house.gov/hearing_information.shtml.

5. New Navy Secretary Named: President Obama intends to nominate former Mississippi governor Ray Mabus to be the next secretary of the U.S. Navy. A University of Mississippi and Harvard Law School graduate, he served in the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare officer aboard the missile cruiser USS Little Rock and as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1994 to 1996. If confirmed by the Senate, he will become the 75th Secretary of the Navy.

6. Military Pay Raise: The House and Senate Armed Services Committees, with bipartisan support, have agreed to a 3.4 percent military pay raise effective January 2010. This is a half percentage point higher than the 2.9 percent proposed by President Obama and will continue on the course to closing the pay gap with private sector wages. With both chambers agreeing, this most likely will be enacted. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) introduced legislation (H.R.1864) this week that provides for the 3.4 percent raise.

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VFW Washington Weekly, March 27, 2009

Posted at 04:35 PM on Friday, March 27, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:

1. House VA Budget Update

2. Senate VA Committee Update

3. House VA Committee Hearings

4. President Announces New Afghanistan Strategy

5. VA Provides Precautionary Screenings

6. Veterans Data Theft Settlement

1. House VA Budget Update: The House Budget Committee this week provided a large increase in funding for VA in its budget resolution. The $53.3 billion increase, which excludes third-party collections, represents $5.5 billion more than last year, and is in line with recommendations made by the Independent Budget, which VFW coauthors. The historic increase will help VA to continue to provide high quality care to veterans of past wars, as well as meeting the unique needs of current OIF/OEF veterans. VFW thanks Chairman John Spratt (D-SC) and all the members of the committee for their strong leadership and advocacy on behalf of veterans. This is the first step in the budget process; the budget resolution is a blueprint for Congress to use as a guide during the appropriations process. For more, visit the House Budget Committee website at: http://budget.house.gov/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1676

2. Senate VA Committee Update: The Senate VA Committee held an oversight hearing on VA's use of information technology. Witnesses Stephen Warren, acting Assistant Director of VA's Information Technology, and Keith Wilson, Director for Education Services at VBA, testified to VA's short and long-term IT strategies to implement the Post-9/11 GI Bill. For more on the hearing, visit the Senate VA Committee website at http://veterans.senate.gov/public/

3. House VA Committee Hearings:

Tuesday: The Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on PTSD and combat veterans. According to subcommittee Chairman John Hall (D-NY), current law as well as VA's own general counsel have grappled with the definition of combat-related PTSD with regard to identifying "stressors" needed to rate a disability claim. The hearing delved into what can be done to change and update the current PTSD rating schedule, which is often too vague and subjective for today's combat forces. Committee members and witnesses looked at recent research, including the 2008 RAND report, entitled the "Invisible Wounds of War," and well as experiences described by and facing today's OIF/OEF troops. Also discussed was legislation (HR 952) introduced by Chairman Hall and supported by the VFW, which would further clarify the meaning of "combat with the enemy" as taking place in a theater of combat operations during a period of war, or in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities. For more about the hearing and testimony provided, visit the House VA Committee website at: http://veterans.house.gov/.

Wednesday: The full committee approved several VFW-supported bills by voice vote. The bills include:

HR 1377, legislation that expands veteran eligibility for reimbursement by VA for emergency treatment furnished in non-VA facilities.

HR 1171 was amended and includes provisions from HR 293 and now authorizes $300 million over five years for homeless veterans' reintegration programs, to include special provisions for homeless female veterans and homeless veterans with children.

HR 1513 which provides a cost-of-living increase for disability and DIC payments equal to rates determined by the Social Security index.

All of the bills now move to the House floor for debate and votes. For more information on any of the bills, visit the Thomas website and enter the bill number into the search box at: http://thomas.loc.gov/.

4. President Announces New Afghanistan Strategy: "The terrorists who planned and supported the 9/11 attacks are in Pakistan and Afghanistan," said President Obama, who announced a new strategy today to confront the growing threat in the two countries. In addition to the previously announced troop buildup, he announced plans for 4,000 more troops into Afghanistan, new legislation that would help the economies in Pakistan and Afghanistan, more training to bolster Afghan security forces, and an increase in civilian expertise to help develop Afghanistan's economic, social and governmental institutions. In a press release to support the new strategy, VFW National Commander Glen Gardner said "The surge in Iraq worked because it combined overwhelming military strength with a beefed up diplomatic and civilian nation-building presence. Now it's Afghanistan's turn."

To read portions of the president's remarks, go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/27/A-New-Strategy-for-Afghanistan-and-Pakistan/.

To read the VFW press release, go to: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4972

5. VA Provides Precautionary Screenings: The VA has notified and is providing free medical screenings to thousands of veterans across the South who had colonoscopies and other procedures with equipment that was not properly sterilized. The precaution applies to:

6,400 veterans who received colonoscopies at the Alvin C. York Campus in Murfreesboro, TN, between April 23, 2003, and Dec. 1, 2008. These veterans should call 1-877-345-8555. More information is available at: http://www.tennesseevalley.va.gov/news/endoscopyquestions.asp.
3,260 veterans who had colonoscopies at the Miami VA Healthcare System Special Care Clinic between May 2004 and March 12, 2009. These veterans should call 1-877-575-7256. A press release is at: http://www.miami.va.gov/pressreleases/MVAHSSCCUpdate001.asp.
And to 1,800 veterans who had Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic procedures at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, GA, from January through November 2008. These veterans should call 1-888-483-9674. A press release is at: http://www1.va.gov/augustaga/page.cfm?pg=16.

6. Veterans Data Theft Settlement: A federal judge last month approved government plans to pay a total of $20 million to veterans exposed to possible identity theft from a 2006 incident in which personal data on 26.5 million veterans was stolen and later recovered. The payments will range from $75 to $1,500 for veterans who incurred out of pocket expenses for credit monitoring or physical symptoms of emotional distress. In exchange, lawyers for the veterans agreed to drop their class-action lawsuit alleging invasion of privacy in a case involving the government's largest data security breach. All claims must be postmarked by Nov. 27, 2009. To submit a claim or for more information, go to: http://www.veteransclass.com/.

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VFW Washington Weekly, March 20, 2009

Posted at 03:48 PM on Friday, March 20, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. Third-Party Collection Proposal Withdrawn
2. VFW Commander-in-Chief Testifies
3. Akaka Receives VFW Congressional Award
4. House VA Committee Hearings
5. VFW Chief Meets with Secretary of State
6. Colorado to Get New VA Hospital
7. DOD to End Stop Loss

1. Third-Party Collection Proposal Withdrawn: The Obama Administration announced Wednesday that it had withdrawn consideration of a proposal to bill veterans with private insurance for their service-connected disability treatments. In a Monday White House meeting, VFW National Commander Glen Gardner said the president told a group of 11 military and veterans' organizations that he would listen if they objected to the proposal. "The president kept to his word and made the right decision," said Gardner. "Now we can move forward and work with his administration and Congress to ensure that the rest of the Department of Veterans Affairs budget recommendation is signed into law." The VFW thanks everyone for the e-mails and phone calls you made to the White House and your congressional offices on this critical issue. Your advocacy helped to defeat this proposal and reaffirms that when we all work together we can make a difference and help wounded and service-connected disabled veterans from every generation.
Read the VFW press release at: www.vfw.org.

2. VFW Commander-in-Chief Testifies: VFW National Commander Glen Gardner testified before a joint hearing of the Senate and House VA committees on Tuesday. He made the VFW's opposition to the administration's proposal to charge veterans with private insurance clearly known, and he spoke strongly about the claims process and the loss of trust veterans are having in the Veterans Benefits Administration. He called on VBA to strengthen its leadership and accountability at every level, and to find innovative solutions that actually work, not just look to quick fixes for the latest problem or controversy. Other issues addressed were the need for advanced funding for VA, increased traumatic brain injury research and treatment, suicide awareness and prevention, women veterans' healthcare needs, seamless transition, and timely implementation of the new GI Bill benefit.
His congressional testimony is linked to the VFW press release at: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4963.

3. Akaka Receives VFW Congressional Award: The VFW presented its 2009 Congressional Award to Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) for his outstanding service to national defense, homeland security, and to veterans, servicemembers and their families. A World War II veteran of the Army Corps of Engineers, Akaka has been a staunch supporter of veterans, servicemembers and their families throughout his seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and now four terms in the U.S. Senate, where he chairs the Veterans Affairs Committee, and is a senior member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management. "Our military, our veterans, and our families of past and present have no better friend in Congress than Senator Akaka," said VFW National Commander Glen Gardner, who presented the award in the senator's office Wednesday.
Read the VFW press release at: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4965.

4. House VA Committee Hearings:
Tuesday -- The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on the progress VA and DOD has made regarding the Vision Center of Excellence. Mandated by the Defense Authorization Act of 2008 (PL 110-181), the center was given funding in FY 2009, but delays and difficulties have been reported. Members of the subcommittee questioned both agencies about their commitment, and reiterated the need for this very important project as the number of TBI patients who are reporting vision problems has increased with the current conflicts.
Thursday -- The Subcommittee on Health heard testimony regarding VA's rural health funding, spending and resource coordination. Subcommittee Chairman Michael Michaud (D-ME) asked witnesses to speak specifically about how VA's resources are being used, and if all efficiencies are being taken to narrow the health disparities of veterans living in rural areas. VFW believes that Congress must provide continued oversight, and VA must be given sufficient resources to meet the needs of those veterans living in remote and rural areas.
For more on the hearings, visit the House VA Committee website at: http://veterans.house.gov/.
Thursday -- The Economic Opportunity and Health Subcommittees marked up several VFW-supported bills, that include:
* HR 1377: To expand veteran eligibility for VA reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished by non-VA facilities.
* HR 1171: To reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program for FY 2010 through 2014.
* HR 1088: To require all Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program specialists (DVOPs), and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVERs) to attend the National Veterans' Employment and Training Services Institute within one year of being employed; and
* HR 466: The Wounded Veteran Job Security Act, which would extend the prohibition against discrimination and acts of reprisal against armed service members, to include persons who receive treatment for illnesses, injuries and disabilities incurred in or aggravated by their military service.
All of the bills now move to the full committee for consideration.
For more on information on any of the bills, visit the Thomas website and type the bill number
At: http://thomas.loc.gov/

5. VFW Chief Meets with Secretary of State: VFW Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner met this week with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to discuss several issues, and to thank the secretary for the State Department's support for the VFW when national officers travel to foreign nations. Gardner also met with the Director of the Army Staff, Lt. Gen. David Huntoon, where he raised the VFW's concern over the reported increase in disciplinary action being taken against soldiers assigned to Wounded Warrior Units. Accompanying the Chief to these meetings were VFW Washington Office Executive Director Bob Wallace and National Security & Foreign Affairs Director Mike Wysong.

6. Colorado to Get New VA Hospital: VA Secretary Eric Shinseki announced Wednesday that a new VA hospital will be built on the grounds of the former Fitzsimons Army hospital in Aurora. It is being built as a replacement hospital to the one in Denver. The estimated opening date is 2013. The new medical center will provide Denver-area veterans with a full range of medical, laboratory, research and counseling services, as well as services for veterans with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities.
Read the VA press release at: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1659

7. DOD to End Stop Loss: The Department of Defense announced this week a comprehensive plan to eliminate the current use of Stop Loss. Stop Loss is a policy that retains some service members in uniform beyond their contractual commitment because of military necessity. The Army Reserve and Army National Guard will mobilize units without employing Stop Loss beginning in August and September 2009, respectively. The Regular (active duty) Army will deploy its first unit without Stop Loss by January 2010. For those service members affected by Stop Loss during fiscal 2009, DOD will provide a special monthly payment of $500 that will take effect for those impacted on or after Oct. 1, 2008.
Read the DOD press release at: http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12564

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VFW Washington Weekly, March 13, 2009

Posted at 03:48 PM on Friday, March 13, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. Third-Party Collection Proposal a Reality
2. VFW Testifies on FY 2010 VA Budget
3. House Small Business Hearing
4. VA Celebrates 20th Birthday Sunday

1. Third-Party Collection Proposal a Reality: VA Secretary Eric Shinseki confirmed in House and Senate VA Committee testimony Tuesday that the Administration's FY 2010 VA budget is considering a proposal to bill veterans with private insurance for their service-connected disability treatments. Although some committee members questioned the proposal, only three voiced their outright objections to it: Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking minority member Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), and Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME). VFW joins them in adamantly opposing any attempt to pass healthcare costs on to wounded and service-connected disabled veterans. Billing a veteran's private insurance could lead to higher premiums and make it difficult for veterans and their families to obtain or retain their health insurance, as well as discourage employers from hiring disabled vets. The VFW is asking all of its members as well as all Americans to contact the White House and their congressional delegations to urge them to stop this budget proposal.
To send a message to the White House, go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
To send a message to your members of Congress, go to: http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=12844211
To read the VFW press release, go to: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4952

2. VFW Testifies on FY 2010 VA Budget: VFW presented testimony this week before both House and Senate VA Committees. Testifying as a part of an Independent Budget panel, we reminded Congress that the recommendations found in the IB captures the full picture of what VA needs to provide for all veterans. We urged Congress to provide $3.6 billion over last year's budget to adequately meet all veterans' healthcare and benefit needs, and urged them to pass advanced funding legislation to provide sufficient, timely and predictable healthcare for veterans. As part of the IB, the VFW is responsible for the construction portion of the budget, so the majority of our testimony centered on VA's major and minor construction projects. We thanked Congress for making significant inroads in funding construction during the last few cycles, but relayed our concerns that much more is needed to complete the numerous projects currently under construction and that are planned for the coming year.
For more on the House hearing, go to: http://veterans.house.gov/
For more on the Senate hearing, go to: http://veterans.senate.gov/public/
For read the IB online, go to: http://www.independentbudget.org/

3. House Small Business Hearing: VFW testified before the House Small Business Committee yesterday to ensure that the highest attention is being paid to veteran-owned small businesses during this time of economic struggle. VFW testified that it is critical to increase the number of federal contracts awarded from the recently signed stimulus package to veteran entrepreneurs' and veteran small-business owners. The number of unemployed veterans increased to about one million, as of February 2009, and is statistically higher among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. VFW believes providing veterans with the financial tools to succeed in their own businesses, and demanding compliance of the 3% set-aside laws for federal contracting, would go a long way toward alleviating unemployment among veterans.
For more on the House Small Business hearing, go to:
http://www.house.gov/smbiz/hearings/hearing-3-12-09-stimulus-contracting/hearing-witnesses-food-recalls.htm
To view it on YouTube, go to: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=0AE3152F853E0A4F

4. VA Celebrates 20th Birthday Sunday: President Reagan signed the Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-527), elevating VA to a Cabinet-level agency effective March 15, 1989. VA is the second-largest of the 15 Cabinet departments, and is responsible for serving 23.4 million living U.S. veterans. VA operates more than 1,400 facilities, including medical centers, clinics, nursing homes, Vet Centers, regional offices and national cemeteries, with a staff of almost 280,000 and a budget that exceeds $90 billion.

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VFW Washington Weekly - March 6, 2009

Posted at 08:30 AM on Saturday, March 7, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. VA Proposal Would Charge Disabled Vets for Care
2. House VA Committee Hearings
3. President Announces Troop Withdrawal
4. Don't Ask, Don't Tell

2. House VA Committee Hearings: The House VA Committee had a busy week of hearings.
Tuesday:
* Subcommittee on Health: VFW testified on several recently-introduced bills designed to expand healthcare options for veterans. VFW supported all four bills with special emphasis on HR 1211, "The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act." The legislation would expand access and improve upon VA's current services for female veterans. With the number of female service members increasing, and those using VA after service on the rise, there is no better time for VA to begin enhancing access and improving its services for this unique group of veterans.
* Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs: An oversight hearing was held on a recent VA Inspector General report that investigated document mishandling at several VBA regional offices. Belinda Finn, Assistant Inspector General for Auditing, discussed the vulnerability of veterans' claims and the accuracy of benefit claim dates. Some of the new committee members questioned the need for duplicate documents being provided by veterans. Chairman John Hall (D-NY) asked Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits Michael Walcoff about the status of VA's electronic medical file project. Hall noted that moving quickly on implementation would help VA to move away from endless files, thus reducing the chance for loss. The VSO panel discussed accountability, demands made on employees to finish claims quickly and overall lack of management at senior levels.
Wednesday:
* Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity: VFW presented testimony on a host of bills regarding employment, vocational rehabilitation, education benefits, USSERA, and VA's homeless program. One of the bills, HR 950 introduced by VA Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), did not garner the support of VFW or VA. The legislation would allow distance learning students to be eligible under the new GI Bill for the same stipend as those students attending regular college classes. Under current law, the new chapter 33 education benefits will not pay living stipends to distance-learning students. To qualify for the stipend, a person must have at least one class in a regular classroom and carry a credit load that makes them at least a half-time student. VFW testified that Filner's bill would create an inequity by paying living stipends that are not based on actual costs that veterans would face while going to school.
To read VFW testimony and for more on the hearings, visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/.

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VFW Washington Weekly, March 6, 2009

Posted at 03:28 PM on Friday, March 6, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. VA Proposal Would Charge Disabled Vets for Care
2. House VA Committee Hearings
3. President Announces Troop Withdrawal
4. Don't Ask, Don't Tell

1. VA Proposal Would Charge Disabled Vets for Care: The administration's VA budget request for FY 2010 includes a proposal that would bill veterans with private insurance for their service-connected disability treatments. The budget calls for about a $1 billion dollar increase in collections from FY 2009. We believe that the revenue projections for the proposal make up the bulk of the third-party collections increase. VFW vehemently opposes any attempt to pass healthcare costs on to wounded and service-connected disabled veterans. Billing a veteran's private insurance could lead to higher premiums and make it difficult for veterans and their families to obtain or retain their health insurance, as well as discourage employers from hiring disabled vets. The VFW is asking all members as well as all Americans to contact their congressional delegations and urge them to stop this proposal from happening. To send a message to your legislators, go to: http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=12844211. To read the VFW Press Release, go to: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4952.

2. House VA Committee Hearings: The House VA Committee had a busy week of hearings.
Tuesday:
* Subcommittee on Health: VFW testified on several recently-introduced bills designed to expand healthcare options for veterans. VFW supported all four bills with special emphasis on HR 1211, "The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act." The legislation would expand access and improve upon VA's current services for female veterans. With the number of female service members increasing, and those using VA after service on the rise, there is no better time for VA to begin enhancing access and improving its services for this unique group of veterans.
* Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs: An oversight hearing was held on a recent VA Inspector General report that investigated document mishandling at several VBA regional offices. Belinda Finn, Assistant Inspector General for Auditing, discussed the vulnerability of veterans' claims and the accuracy of benefit claim dates. Some of the new committee members questioned the need for duplicate documents being provided by veterans. Chairman John Hall (D-NY) asked Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits Michael Walcoff about the status of VA's electronic medical file project. Hall noted that moving quickly on implementation would help VA to move away from endless files, thus reducing the chance for loss. The VSO panel discussed accountability, demands made on employees to finish claims quickly and overall lack of management at senior levels.
Wednesday:
* Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity: VFW presented testimony on a host of bills regarding employment, vocational rehabilitation, education benefits, USSERA, and VA's homeless program. One of the bills, HR 950 introduced by VA Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), did not garner the support of VFW or VA. The legislation would allow distance learning students to be eligible under the new GI Bill for the same stipend as those students attending regular college classes. Under current law, the new chapter 33 education benefits will not pay living stipends to distance-learning students. To qualify for the stipend, a person must have at least one class in a regular classroom and carry a credit load that makes them at least a half-time student. VFW testified that Filner's bill would create an inequity by paying living stipends that are not based on actual costs that veterans would face while going to school.
To read VFW testimony and for more on the hearings, visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/.

3. President Announces Troop Withdrawal: The President announced late last week "that the United States will pursue a new strategy to end the war in Iraq through a transition to full Iraqi responsibility." His plan is to proceed carefully with the responsible removal of all combat brigades from Iraq within the next 18 months. He stated that the combat mission will end Aug. 31, 2010. At that time the U.S. military presence will be a transitional force manned by 35,000 to 50,000 troops. By the end of 2011, all U.S. troops will be removed from Iraq.

4. Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) introduced H.R. 1283 this week to end the restriction on homosexuals serving in the Armed Forces. This initiative would repeal Section 654 of Title 10, US Code, and replace it with a "policy of nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation in the Armed Forces." Under current policy, referred to as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," homosexuals may serve only if they keep their sexual orientation private. Her bill currently has 123 co-sponsors. Note: The VFW has carried a resolution for 23 years opposing homosexuals from serving in the military To read our entire testimony and for more on the hearings visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

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VFW Washington Weekly, February 27, 2009

Posted at 02:11 PM on Friday, February 27, 2009 by Missouri

1. FY2010 VA Budget Released
2. GI Bill Hearing
3. FY2010 Defense Budget Released
4. HASC Hearing on Military Personnel
5. Dover Media Ban Lifted

1. FY2010 VA Budget Released: President Obama released a fiscal year 2010 budget outline Thursday for the Department of Veterans Affairs that contains a sizeable increase in veterans discretionary funding to a total of $55.9 billion, which is about $5.5 billion more than the current funding level. The president's proposal is in line with what the VFW is calling for in the Independent Budget. The budget proposal includes additional funding to allow more veterans to enroll in the VA system, and targets access issues, especially for rural veterans. It would also expand concurrent receipt of disability compensation and retirement pay for highly disabled veterans who are medically retired from the service. The VFW does have one note of concern that is being tracked down, and that's to determine if the budget anticipates charging a service-connected disabled veteran's private health insurance for service-connected disability care. If true, the VFW will fight this proposal vigorously. More information will be relayed as full budget details become available.
For more on the VFW co-written Independent Budget, go to: www.independentbudget.org.
To view the FY10 budget proposal for the VA, go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/fy2010_new_era/Department_of_Veterans_Affairs.pdf.

2. GI Bill Hearing: The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held the first of many oversight hearings on progress made to implement Public Law 110-252, the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Act. Currently VA is working with the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic to develop and utilize industry-standard technologies for the delivery of education benefits. Committee members delved into questions concerning the short and long term IT initiatives of the program. Keith Wilson, the VA's education services director, discussed current strategy and their two-part IT solution to meet the Aug. 1 rollout date. He also noted that VA received some 255 individual comments during public view and comment on the regulations posted to the Federal Register. VA is currently in the process of drafting the final rule. The committee plans to continue monitoring implementation of the new Chapter 33 benefit as well as details about the IT initiative and its ongoing progress. For complete hearing information, visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

3. FY2010 Defense Budget Released: The president released his fiscal year 2010 budget outline yesterday, which includes $533.7 billion for the Department of Defense. It is a 4% increase over the FY09 enacted level of $513.3 billion, but the proposed defense budget only constitutes 3.7% of Gross Domestic Product. The VFW calls for defense spending at a minimum level of at least 5% of GDP in order to meet the needs of military personnel, retirees and their families, and provide for the readiness, training, modernization and sustainability of our armed forces. The budget also includes an additional $75.5 billion in supplemental funding for FY09, and $130.0 billion for FY10 to support ongoing contingency operations. The new budget contains proposals to:
* Fund a military pay raise of 2.9%. This is equal to the Employment Cost Index, which measures employee pay growth in the private sector. The VFW is calling on Congress to approve a 3.4% military pay raise to help close the gap with private sector wages.
* Expand concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation to all retirees receiving disability retired pay.
* Increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps to 547,400 and 202,000, respectively, by the end of 2009.
* Improve the quality of life for service members by building, renovating and modernizing dormitories, family housing and base facilities.
* Expand DOD and VA pilot programs to expedite processing of injured troops through the Disability Evaluation System.
* Improve efforts to treat mental health needs by having DOD fully implement a comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury registry, to include a single point of responsibility to track incidents and recovery.
The president's full and detailed budget is expected to be released in April. The documents that outline the FY2010 Budget can be viewed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/.

4. HASC Hearing on Military Personnel: The House Armed Services Committee's Military Personnel Subcommittee held a hearing this week. The Military Coalition, which the VFW is a member, delivered oral testimony, along with the National Guard Association and Gold Star Wives. The VFW submitted written testimony for the record on a variety of top issues, to include TRICARE fees, military pay comparability, Reserve Component retirement pay, SBP-DIC offset, concurrent receipt of military retirement pay, VA compensation, Guard/Reserve GI Bill, and a TRICARE option for Reserve & Guard retirees under age 60. The VFW testimony can be read at: http://www.vfw.org/PR/NationalSecurity&ForeignAffairs/VFW%20Testimony2.25.09.pdf

5. Dover Media Ban Lifted: Defense Secretary Robert Gates ended an 18-year-old policy that barred media from photographing the arrival of American war dead at Dover AFB in Delaware. The VFW had supported the ban because the arrival of fallen warriors is a solemn occasion, not a media event. Although the ban has been lifted, media still do not have open access to arrival ceremonies; they must be invited by the families of the fallen. Read VFW Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner's commentary in today's Washington Times at: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/27/photo-ops-of-returning-fallen/print/.

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VFW Washington Weekly - February 20, 2009

Posted at 10:29 AM on Saturday, February 21, 2009 by Missouri

In This Issue

1. Support Needed for Advance Funding Bill

2. Final Stimulus Includes Funding for VA

3. Afghanistan Force Deployment

1. Support Needed for Advance Funding Bill: Senate VA Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and House VA Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) reintroduced advance funding legislation last week that is a VFW priority goal. The bill, "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009," currently has 10 cosponsors in the Senate for S. 423, and 18 cosponsors in the House for HR 1016, but many more are needed to get the bill moving. Please contact your senators and representatives and ask them to sign-on to the bill. Remind your elected officials that advance funding will enable the VA to better serve all veterans using the system.

To read the VFW press release, go to: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4924

To contact your congressional members, go to: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/

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