VFW WI Legislative Updates

CURRENT FEDERAL LEGISLATION FOR VETERANS

Posted at 8:35 AM on Monday, October 26, 2009 by Legislative

Here is the current federal legislation. 
 
Key Bills in Congress 
 
Bill Name  Number of Sponsors  Position
S. 1467 - 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide coverage under Traumatic Servicemembers'' Group Life Insurance for adverse reactions to vaccinations administered by the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.' 1 (1 D) 
S. 1390 - National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) FY 2010 1 (1 D) -
S. 1118 - 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.' 4 (4 D) 
S. 1106 - 'A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to require the provision of medical and dental readiness services to certain members of the Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve based on medical need, and for other purposes.' 8 (1 R, 7 D) 
S. 1026 - Military Protection Voting Act (MVP Act) 34 (27 R, 1 I, 6 D) 
S. 1015 - A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance disability compensation for certain disabled veterans with difficulties using prostheses and disabled veterans in need of regular aid and attendance for residuals of traumatic brain injury, and for other purposes. 3 (2 R, 1 D) 
S. 919 - 'Clarification of Characteristics of Combat Service Act of 2009 1 (1 D) 
S. 847 - 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that utilization of survivors'' and dependents'' educational assistance shall not be subject to the 48-month limitation on the aggregate amount of assistance utilizable under multiple veterans and related educational assistance programs.' 1 (1 D) 
S. 831 - 'A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to include service after September 11, 2001, as service qualifying for the determination of a reduced eligibility age for receipt of non-regular service retired pay.' 27 (10 R, 1 I, 16 D) 
S. 821 - 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain copayments from veterans who are catastrophically disabled, and for other purposes.' 1 (1 I) 
S. 820 - 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the automobile assistance allowance for veterans, and for other purposes.' 1 (1 I) 
S. 734 - rural Veterans Health Care Access and Quality Act of 2009 3 (3 D) 
S. 728 - Veterans' Insurance and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009 1 (1 D) 
S. 663 - Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of WW II Act of 2009 45 (10 R, 2 I, 33 D) 
S. 597 - 'Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 21 (4 R, 17 D) 
S. 572 - 'A bill to provide for the issuance of a "forever stamp" to honor the sacrifices of the brave men and women of the armed forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart.' 17 (5 R, 12 D) 
S. 546 - Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2009 43 (9 R, 2 I, 32 D) 
S. 543 - Requires VA and DOD to carry out a pilot program to asses the feasibility and advisability of providing caregivers of seriously disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces to provide caregiver services to such veterans and members, and for other purposes.' 13 (1 R, 12 D) 
S. 476 - Care and Affordability for Military Families Act 14 (4 R, 10 D) 
S. 475 - Military Spouses Residency Relief Act' 44 (26 R, 1 I, 17 D) 
S. 475 - Military Spouses Residency Act 44 (26 R, 1 I, 17 D) 
S. 423 - 'Advanced Funding Bill/ Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 56 (17 R, 2 I, 37 D) 
S. 407 - Veterans Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009 (COLA) compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.' 18 (6 R, 1 I, 11 D) 
S. 404 - The Veterans' Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2009 2 (2 D) 
S. 347 - 'A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to allow the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to distinguish between the severity of a qualifying loss of a dominant hand and a qualifying loss of a non-dominant hand for purposes of traumatic injury protection under Servicemembers'' Group Life Insurance, and for other purposes.' 2 (1 R, 1 D) 
S. 307 - 'The Crtitcal Access Hospital Flexibility Act of 2009 16 (7 R, 9 D) 
S. 263 - The Servicemembers Accsss to Justice Act of 2009 3 (3 D) 
H.R. 3590 - Servicemembers Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009 41 (3 R, 38 D) 
H.R. 3554 - The National Guard Education Equality Act 72 (6 R, 66 D) 
H.R. 3155 - Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act 10 (3 R, 7 D) 
H.R. 2879 - Rural Veterans Health Care Imporvment Act of 2009 6 (6 D) 
H.R. 2647 - National Defense Authorization Act - FY 2010 (NDAA) 1 (1 D) -
H.R. 2594 - 'To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide a plot allowance for spouses and children of certain veterans who are buried in State cemeteries.' 47 (35 R, 12 D) 
H.R. 2562 - 'To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the first-time homebuyer credit for one year for members of the Armed Services of the United States serving outside the United States in 2009.' 19 (8 R, 11 D) 
H.R. 2561 - 'To amend section 484B of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to forgive certain loans for servicemembers who withdraw from an institution of higher education as a result of service in the uniformed services, and for other purposes.' 21 (8 R, 13 D) 
H.R. 2547 - 'To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes.' 14 (8 R, 6 D) 
H.R. 2504 - Amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the annual amount authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans.' 5 (5 D) 
H.R. 2491 - 'To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income any enlistment, accession, reenlistment, retention, or incentive bonus paid to a member of the Armed Forces.' 5 (2 R, 3 D) 
H.R. 2461 - 'To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the responsibility of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to verify the veteran status of the owners of small business concerns listed in the database maintained by the Secretary.' 2 (1 R, 1 D) 
H.R. 2456 - Veterans Education Tuition Support Act of 2009 34 (2 R, 32 D) 
H.R. 2410 - 'To authorize appropriations for the Department of State and the Peace Corps for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, to modernize the Foreign Service, to authorize democratic, economic, and social development assistance for Pakistan, to authorize security assistance for Pakistan, and for other purposes.' 1 (1 D) 
H.R. 2393 - Military Protection Voting Act (MVP Act) 44 (42 R, 2 D) 
H.R. 2379 - 'To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide certain veterans an opportunity to increase the amount of Veterans'' Group Life Insurance.' 1 (1 R) 
H.R. 2270 - Benefits for Qualified World War II Veterans Act of 2009 7 (4 R, 3 D) 
H.R. 2254 - 'Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009 180 (47 R, 133 D) 
H.R. 2243 - Surviving Spouses Benefit Improvement Act of 2009 70 (35 R, 35 D) 
H.R. 2126 - Correspondence With Our Heroes Act 1 (1 R) 
H.R. 2014 - 'To award a congressional gold medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots ("WASP").' 334 (148 R, 186 D) 
H.R. 1821 - 'To amend chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, to increase vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance, and for other purposes.' 4 (4 D) 
H.R. 1821 - Equity for Injured Veterans Act of 2009 4 (4 D) 
H.R. 1803 - Veterans Business Center Program Act of 2009 4 (1 R, 3 D) 
H.R. 1681 - Veterans Transitional Assistance Act of 2009 17 (17 D) 
H.R. 1474 - The Servicemembers Access to Justice Act 29 (29 D) 
H.R. 1377 - 'To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility, and for other purposes.' 3 (3 D) 
H.R. 1335 - Amends title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain copayments from veterans who are catastrophically disabled.' 40 (2 R, 38 D) 
H.R. 1293 - Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Act 17 (12 R, 5 D) 
H.R. 1211 - The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act 53 (9 R, 44 D) 
H.R. 1171 - 'The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 5 (2 R, 3 D) 
H.R. 1169 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disabled veterans for specially adapted housing and automobiles and adapted equipment.' 3 (3 R) 
H.R. 1168 - Veterans Retraining Act of 2009 3 (3 R) 
H.R. 1088 - The Mandatory Veteran Specialist Trainng Act of 2009 1 (1 D) 
H.R. 1052 - Ensuring Military Readiness Through Stability and Predicatability Deployment Policy Act 26 (2 R, 24 D) 
H.R. 1017 - Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act 27 (7 R, 20 D) 
H.R. 1016 - Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 125 (20 R, 105 D) 
H.R. 972 - 'To amend title 10, United States Code, to eliminate the requirement that certain former members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces be at least 60 years of age in order to be eligible to receive health care benefits.' 2 (2 R) 
H.R. 953 - 'To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a deduction for travel expenses to medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs in connection with examinations or treatments relating to service-connected disabilities.' 52 (35 R, 17 D) 
H.R. 952 - Combat PTSD Act of 2009 95 (95 D) 
H.R. 819 - Extends DIC benefits to surviving spouses of former POW's 18 (2 R, 16 D) 
H.R. 816 - The Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act 191 (62 R, 129 D) 
H.R. 816 - Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act 191 (62 R, 129 D) 
H.R. 809 - Reduces from age 57 to age 55 the age after which the remarriage of the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran shall not result in termination of dependency and indemnity compensation otherwise payable to that surviving spouse.' 1 (1 R) 
H.R. 806 - 'To establish a mail-order pharmacy pilot program for TRICARE beneficiaries.' 1 (1 R) 
H.R. 785 - 'To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide outreach and training to certain college and university mental health centers relating to the mental health of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes.' 5 (5 D) 
H.R. 775 - Repeals the requirement for reduction of SBP by veterans dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) 297 (108 R, 189 D) -
H.R. 667 - The Heroes at Home Act of 2009 44 (5 R, 39 D) 
H.R. 466 - The Wounded Veteran Job Security Act 9 (9 D) 
H.R. 403 - Home for Heroes Act of 2009 42 (1 R, 41 D) 
H.R. 394 - 'To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the amount of the Medal of Honor special pension provided under that title by up to $1,000.' 2 (2 R) 
H.R. 333 - Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act 118 (25 R, 93 D) 
H.R. 303 - Concurrent Receipt for 111th 115 (57 R, 58 D) 
H.R. 228 - Direct VA to establish a scholarship program for students seeking a degree or certificate in the areas of visual impairment and orientation and mobility.' 1 (1 D) 
H.R. 32 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.' 41 (15 R, 26 D) 
 

URGENT ACTION REQUESTED: SENATE BILL S. 883 - MEDAL OF HONOR COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

Posted at 11:50 AM on Friday, October 9, 2009 by Legislative in Call for Action!

Your action is urgently needed to help pass this important legislation authorizing a commemorative coin to honor our nation's Medal of Honor Recipients.

The letter reproduced below was sent from our National VFW Legislative Office in Washington, DC. Now it's your turn to help by contacting your congressional delegation. Read the letter, then scroll down for a list of senators who need to hear from you in support of this legislation:

October 7, 2009       The Honorable [SENATOR FULL NAME] United States Senate Washington, DC  20510   Dear Senator [LAST NAME]:   On behalf of the 2.2 million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and our Auxiliaries, I would like to urge your support for S. 883, the Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act.   This legislation would help raise funds for the Medal of Honor Foundation, which promotes the spirit that embodies the Medal of Honor: courage, sacrifice, service and patriotism. In 1999, the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation was created to educate our nation’s youth on the power of heroism, selflessness and how one person can make an extraordinary difference. These commemorative coins would be legal tender and would be minted in 2011 in honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Medal of Honor’s initial authorization by Congress.      The VFW believes this is a worthy cause that recognizes America’s true heroes. The men and women who have been awarded the Medal of Honor have received the highest honor this country can bestow, and this coin would allow more Americans to hear about and learn from their inspiring stories. We ask you to do the right thing and honor our American Heroes by co-sponsoring S. 883 today.                                                                                Sincerely,                                                                             ROBERT E. WALLACE                                                                         EXECUTIVE DRIECTOR

Here's how you can help...

We need you to contact your Senator(s)- if they appear on the following list- and urge them to sponsor and vote for S. 883, The Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act . VFW has been instrumental in getting the bill introduced and would like it to see it  passed before the end of this congressional session - time is of essence!!

Below the list, you will find a link to getting their contact information.

Non Cosponsoring Senators of S.883 as of 11/7/09

 

Democrats COJR Michael F. Bennet CTSR Christopher J. Dodd FLSR Bill Nelson IAJR   Tom Harkin INJR   Evan Bayh MDSR Barbara A. Mikulski MISR Debbie A. Stabenow MNJR Al Franken MTJR Jon Tester MTSR Max Baucus NCJR Kay Hagan NDJR Byron L. Dorgan NESR Ben Nelson NJSR   Frank Lautenberg NMJR Tom Udall NVSR Harry Reid NYJR Kirsten Gillibrand ORJR Jeff Merkley RISR   Jack Reed SDSR Tim Johnson VAJR Mark Warner VASR James Webb VTSR Patrick J. Leahy WAJR Maria Cantwell WIJR   Russell D. Feingold WISR Herb Kohl WVJR John D. (Jay) Rockefeller, IV Total 27

Republicans ALJR Jeff Sessions ALSR Richard C. Shelby AZJR Jon Kyl IASR   Charles E. Grassley INSR   Richard G. Lugar KYJR Jim Bunning KYSR Mitch McConnell MEJR Susan Collins MESR Olympia Snowe MOSR Kit Bond NHSR Judd Gregg OKJR Tom Coburn TNJR   Bob Corker TXSR Kay Bailey Hutchison UTJR   Robert F. Bennett UTSR Orrin G. Hatch WYJR John A. Barrasso Total 17     Independent VTJR   Bernie Sanders

  

• You can use the letter (above) to let them know that we expect them to do the right thing and honor our Medal of Honor awardees with a coin.
• Call their district offices or DC offices today.
• You can use the capwiz link for phone numbers or look in your Congressional handbooks as well -
• Here is the CAPWIZ Link to Congressional addresses: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/
• Once you have made contact and/or gotten a response, please update our Washington Legislative Office by emailing Theresa Morris

 

 

 

 

 

HEARING ON POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER OCT 14, 2009

Posted at 8:50 AM on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 by Legislative

A public hearing has been scheduled by Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs in the Assembly.  Date/time: October 14, 2009 at 10:30 AM.  Location: 411 South.  Items: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Wisconsin Veterans:  Information for Policy Makers on the Availability of Clinical, Social, Legal, and Preventative Services

MOAA's LEGISLATIVE UPDATE for Friday, September 25, 2009

Posted at 8:43 AM on Friday, September 25, 2009 by Legislative

Courtesy of Mike "Gunner" Furgal

Hill leaders are working on resolving the differences between
the House and Senate versions of the FY2010 Defense Authorization
Bill.

There are big differences between them on many personnel and
benefit issues, including upgrades on concurrent receipt,
survivor benefits, health care, Guard/Reserve retirement, and
manpower levels.

Please send your legislators a MOAA-suggested message to retain
these important provisions in the final versions of the defense
bill.

Defense Funding Bill Moving.  It appears that the FY2010 Defense
Appropriations Bill will be enacted by the Oct. 1 start of the
fiscal year.  But Congress won't meet that deadline for many of
the other Executive Branch departments, perhaps including the VA.

Part B Premium Relief Coming.  Nervous members of Congress are
pushing through legislation to protect certain Medicare enrollees
(including many MOAA members) from taking a disproportional hit
on their 2010 Part B premiums.

MOAA Pushes Guard, Vet, Spouse Rights.  MOAA offered testimony
and mobilized members in support of proposed legislation being
considered at a Veterans Affairs Subcommittee hearing this week
to assist veterans, Guard members, and military spouses.

Defense Funding Bill Moving

As this item was being written, the Senate was preparing to
begin action on the FY2010 Defense Appropriations Bill (H.R.
3326), which the House already has passed.

This is one of 12 departmental appropriations bills Congress is
supposed to finish before the start of the new fiscal year on
Oct. 1.

The House has passed all of them already.  Senate leaders
acknowledge there's little chance of finishing all of them before
the end of the month, but the Defense bill should be one of the
ones that do pass before that deadline.

For the other departments, Congress will have to pass a
short-term "continuing resolution" to fund those executive branch
operations into the month of October until Congress finishes the
rest of the appropriations bills.

The Defense Appropriations Bill is not to be confused with the
FY2010 Defense Authorization Bill, which is still pending
negotiations between House and Senate leaders.  It's the latter
bill that addresses the personnel and compensation issues that
interest most MOAA members.

Will Congress finish action on the Authorization Bill before the
end of the month?  It's always possible, but don't hold your
breath.  In the last 10 years, Congress finished the Defense
Authorization Bill before mid-October only once.  In four of
those years, it didn't get done until December or later.

Part B Premium Relief Coming

As the potential implications sink in concerning the absence of
any 2010 Social Security COLA, House leaders have rushed to pass
legislation to prevent some unintended consequences for certain
groups of Medicare enrollees.

A special law protects most Medicare enrollees from seeing any
Part B premium increase in the event that there's no COLA for
Social Security.  Without that protection, a Part B hike would
result in a net reduction of the person's Social Security check
as of January 2010.

But the premium increase exemption doesn't apply to about 25% of
Medicare recipients, including those who will newly qualify for
Medicare, low-income seniors who qualify for both Medicare and
Medicaid, and those with incomes above $85,000 ($170,000 for a
married couple) who already are subject to "means-tested"
(higher) Part B premiums.

An additional wrinkle in the law requires disproportional Part B
premium increases for that 25% to help make up for the loss of
revenue from the 75% who are protected from the premium hike.  In
this particular case, the Congressional Budget Office says those
who aren't exempt would experience about four times the normal
increase - a serious political hot potato.

So House leaders rushed to pass legislation on Thursday (by a
vote of 406 to 18) to bar any 2010 Part B premium increase for
any Medicare beneficiaries.  The Senate is expected to follow
suit quickly -- and likely will have done so by the time you read
this update.

MOAA Pushes Guard, Vet, Spouse Rights

This week, MOAA has urged the House Veterans Affairs Economic
Opportunity Subcommittee to approve legislation supporting
military spouses, wounded warriors and National Guard members.

MOAA's statement for the subcommittee's Sept. 24 hearing urged
adoption of several initiatives.

One would increase the amount of VA assistance provided to
disabled veterans for specially adapted housing and automobiles,
and adapted equipment.  Rene' Campos, MOAA Deputy Director of
Government Relations for Health Affairs said, "Disabled veterans
have been hit especially hard by recent economic and unemployment
challenges.  These timely improvements are imperative to support
disabled vets of all ages."

Another bill would fix two significant inequities under the Post
9/11 GI Bill by authorizing vocational and related non-degree
training and extending the new GI Bill benefits to full-time
active duty members of the National Guard with post-September 10,
2001 service.

"All previous GI Bill legislation covered apprenticeship and
on-the-job training programs," said MOAA's COL Bob Norton,
USA-Ret.  "And all full-time active duty members, including those
full-time Guardsmen on active duty under state orders, deserve
coverage under the new GI Bill."

MOAA also urged quick action on legislation to allow active-duty
military spouses the option to select the same state of domicile
as his or her servicemember.  Earlier this week, MOAA sent a
special electronic alert to MOAA members whose U.S.
representatives are members of the Subcommittee to request their
legislators' support.

"Military spouses should be able to vote in the same state as
their servicemember.  This legislation is about reducing turmoil
and administrative hassle in the lives of military spouses," said
Joy Dunlap, also of MOAA's Government Relations staff.  "The
Senate already has passed this bill," she said.  "Now we need the
House to act."

DISABLED VETERANSBUSINESS PREFERENCE IN BIDS FOR STATE CONTRACTS

Posted at 8:26 AM on Monday, September 21, 2009 by Legislative

Wis. bill gives veteran businesses edge


MADISON, Wis. - The state Assembly has passed a bill that gives disabled veterans' businesses preferences in bids for state work.

Under the bill, state officials could accept a bid from a disabled veteran's business that is 5 percent more than the lowest bid. The Department of Administration would report annually to lawmakers on the money paid to disabled veterans' businesses and develop a target percentage within four years.

Similar preferences already exist for minority-owned businesses trying to win state work.

The Democratic-controlled Assembly passed the bill on a voice vote. It goes next to the state Senate.

MOAA's LEGISLATIVE UPDATE for Friday, September 18, 2009

Posted at 8:21 AM on Monday, September 21, 2009 by Legislative

COLA Watch

Inflation rose 0.3% in August, but remains 2% down for the first
11 months of FY2009.  Since August is the mid-point of the annual
July-September COLA calculation period, that -2% should be about
where the index for FY209 ends up.  That confirms no COLA for
2010, and that the 2011 COLA countdown will start about 2% in the
hole.

Packed House Attends Wounded Warrior Symposium.  More than 600
people crowded Wednesday's day-long MOAA/USNI forum, "Coping with
Unseen Injuries:  From Battlefield to Homefront," to hear
progress reports from Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman ADM Mike
Mullen, USN, and a host of other leaders, troops, families and
government and non-government experts.

Discussion Panels Provide Riveting Testimony.  Also at the
symposium, three panels of unit leaders, mental health
professionals, and family members/caregivers provided
ground-level insights on progress and continuing needs, including
some urgent cries for help.

Panel Examines VA Rating System.  The Senate Veterans Affairs
Committee heard testimony Thursday that "mental health disorders
have a much more profound [adverse] impact on earnings than do
physical disabilities."

Packed House Attends Wounded Warrior Symposium

An overflow crowd of more than 600 people attended the day-long
symposium sponsored by MOAA and the U.S. Naval Institute on Sept
16 to highlight continuing challenges facing America's wounded
warriors, their units, families, and caregivers.

The event featured a special focus on the unseen injuries of
traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), and depression.

Three key speakers set the tone in expressing government actions
and intentions.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman ADM Michael Mullen, USN, kicked
off the event with a powerful statement of the nation's
obligation to those who have suffered the brunt of wartime
sacrifice.

"We need to create a system [not just in the military and the
VA, but] throughout America that sustains their needs for the
rest of their lives," said Mullen.  "We have a sense of urgency
to turn research into implementable solutions...I've pledged to
do all I can to avoid creating another generation of homeless
veterans.  Shame on us if we don't make sure that happens."

LTG Jack Stultz, Chief of the Army Reserve, highlighted the need
to provide help for children of the deployed and wounded, who
often experience suppressed and confusing fear and anger.  For
servicemembers, "Every returning soldier has suffered stress," he
said.  "Counseling should be mandatory, not voluntary."  He is
working to create "virtual installations" to assist families in
areas with significant military populations but no military
installation.

Assistant VA Secretary Tammy Duckworth, a medically retired Army
helicopter pilot who lost both legs and partial use of one arm in
Iraq, said, "On any given night, there are 131,000 homeless
veterans on the streets of America, and we're all dishonored by
that." Duckworth said the VA is making a special focus on mental
health outreach (including a 24/7 chat line to improve access to
therapists), accelerated disability determinations, and upgraded
care for female veterans.

Discussion Panels Provide Riveting Testimony

The symposium's three discussion panels provided "ground level"
insights on the effects of TBI, PTSD and depression on units,
families and caregivers, and actions still needed to address
them.

Panel 1:  "Managing the Battlefield and Beyond - A Leadership
View"

Moderated by COL Roger Dimsdale (USA-Ret), a Distinguished
Service Cross recipient who recently retired as Chief of Staff of
the Senior Oversight Committee on DoD/VA Health Care, this panel
of military leaders and medical and legal professionals explored
the challenges of unseen injuries for unit leaders before, during
and between operational deployments.

COL Richard O'Connor, USA, who deployed as an armored cavalry
squadron commander, has a son who suffered significant PTSD,
noted that behavioral health providers have been doubled at Ft.
Carson, and 16 family life counselors have been added to support
troops and their families.  "[But] we're supposed to train as we
fight, and our combat stress teams (CSTs) don't hook up with us
until after we've deployed...The stigma [associated with
self-identifying a need for help] is alive and well and is a huge
problem...Our medics are with us for the pre-deployment phase,
and the CSTs (which prepare troops on what to expect and help
them deal with combat stress) need to be, too."

Col Andrew McMannis, USMC, Commander, Training Command at
Quantico, VA who is selected to take command of the 31st Marine
Expeditionary Unit next year, said support for families is
improving, with units hiring full-time family support staff.
McMannis expressed the need to train unit leaders, including
officers and NCOs, to identify which unit members may need help
and how to positively connect them with that help.

COL Kathy Platoni, USAR, a clinical psychologist, cited a need
for better pre-deployment baseline screening than the current,
four-question survey.  Platoni's major concern is that many with
psychological injuries are reluctant to self-identify and are
being sent back to the battlefield, which dramatically increases
their risk of increasingly serious impairment.  "We need that
warrior ethos - about not leaving any fallen comrade behind -- on
this topic too," she said.

Mr. Brockton Hunter, a veteran and attorney who represents
veteran clients, said military leaders need to take another look
at how to deal with discipline issues that may be caused by PTSD
or TBI.  Many troops are self-medicating, get into altercations
or worse that lead to criminal convictions.  Hunter said civilian
legal systems can take the veteran's combat experience and PTSD
into account in ways that can lead to the record being expunged.
"The military justice system," he said, "is less forgiving."

CSM James Franklin, USA, Air Operations Group at Ft. McNair, DC,
said leadership and general manpower turnover between deployments
impedes training and cohesiveness, with many new soldiers
arriving only 90 days before deployment. Once in theater, many
are assigned to outposts without access to CSTs.  "They come back
for debriefs after missions, but many don't want to talk to the
CSTs."  Franklin expressed particular concern for medevac crews
who deal with the tragic aftermath of combat, and for soldiers
who "just check the blocks on the health assessment forms and say
they have no problems, then later get in trouble...If they get a
DUI, they get administrative action that will cause them to be
separated.  We need to find a way to exercise some compassion."

Panel 2:  Implications of Unseen Injuries:  How Do We Respond on
the Homefront?"

Moderated by Gregg Zoroya, a USA Today reporter, this panel
focused on post-deployment issues for reunited families and for
Guard/Reserve members and veterans returning to civilian life.
"Spouses tell me 'separation is easier; it's the reintegration
that's the challenge, and it gets harder each time,'" said
Zaroya.  "And it's aggravated by PTSD or TBI...Many are on their
4th and 5th deployment - and some elite units on their
13th!...What have we learned after 8 years of war?"

LTC David Rabb, USAR, Director of Psychological Health, 63rd
Readiness support Command, Moffett Field, CA, asserted, "Outreach
is the key.  Community heals; isolation kills.  Success requires
going beyond your organization, department or service; staying in
your lane doesn't work, because trauma isn't in your lane....We
have to educate down to the lowest level on what troops and
families are going through, and foster collaboration among all
available assets."

LTC Cynthia Rasmussen, USAR, Psychological Director, 88th
Regional Support Command, Fort Snelling, MN, is associated with
the Minnesota Yellow Ribbon program, often touted as a model for
other states.  "My job is to help people who fall through the
cracks," said Rasmussen, who visits Guard/Reserve troops and
families at post-deployment sites at regular intervals.  "One
huge problem is that we in the military speak a different
language than civilians and family members do."

CAPT Catherine Wilson (USN-Ret), Executive Director, Virginia
Dept of Veterans Services Wounded Warrior Program, described
Virginia's efforts, in cooperation with MOAA and other veterans'
organizations, to integrate state-wide resources in providing
behavioral health and other services to vets and families under
three health planning districts, recognizing that "all health
care is local."  Among other initiatives, the program trains
civilian providers on unique military/veteran needs and benefits,
works with the criminal justice system, and provides grants to
partnerships that deliver behavioral health for all veterans of
all ages, with special focus on the Guard and Reserve.

Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, a clinical psychologist, is founder of
Give an Hour, a national network of 4,400 mental health
professionals offering free services to troops, veterans, and
their loved ones.  "Many don't seek care because they don't want
to answer certain questions," said Van Dahlen. "We're trying to
create a model to deliver them care for the rest of their
lives...Partnerships out there are working; we just need
leadership.  Meetings to create opportunities for more meetings
won't hack it."

Panel 3:  "Caring for Families & Caregivers:  Facing the Truth"

Moderated by Dr. Karen Guice, Executive Director of the VA
Federal Recovery Coordination Program, this panel addressed the
longer-term needs of family members and other caregivers whose
own lives have been changed by service-caused injuries to their
loved ones.

Dr. Eric Christensen, author of a 2009 CNA report on the
economic sacrifices suffered by caregivers, said 7 out of 8 had
to quit or significantly curtail work to be a caregiver.  "It's
the rule, not the exception."  He said the average caregiver
income loss in cases of the seriously wounded is about $60,000
over 1 ½ years.  Many have to give up not just their jobs, but
their houses and health coverage.

Mrs. Leslie Kammerdiener, mother of Cpl Kevin Kammerdiener, USA,
who was seriously burned and suffered severe brain injury, said
"The system is very broken for a lot of us."  As Kevin's
guardian, she was barred by the state court from accepting any
money from him, and has no income.  She reported receiving no
support from the Army since her son left Brook Army Medical
Center, even though he remains on active duty.  Transferred to a
VA polytrauma center, he was provided no bed, food or medication
for 30 hours after arrival.  "The commanders don't know what goes
on in the wards," she said, describing experiences with massive
medication overdoses, no-show therapists, and sitters who left
her son alone in her absence.  When Kevin indicated he wanted to
commit suicide, she called the VA for help and got no call back
for days.  "Whoever thought of creating federal recovery
coordinators deserves a lot of credit," she said. "My coordinator
is the only person who has helped me."  After the session, she
was connected with multiple sources of help.

Mr. Noel Koch, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Office of
Transition Policy and Care Coordination, said, "I'm not going to
say we're doing a great job of taking care of wounded warriors.
We do well at Powerpoint, conferences, and generating paper; we
haven't done so well on outputs to care for our wounded
warriors...One of our challenges is to find ways to measure
outcomes...We want to focus on education, rehabilitation, and
reemployment."

Mrs. Shannon Maxwell, spouse of Lt Col Tim Maxwell (USMC-Ret)
and co-founder of "Hope for the Warriors", said that, in contrast
to Mrs. Kammerdiener's experience with the Army, she has received
extensive Marine Corps support, even after her husband's
retirement.  But she said caregiver needs for those significantly
affected by TBI "are for life, not just 18 months.  No matter how
high-functioning the TBI victim, caregiver needs never cease."
Tim and Shannon Maxwell allowed MOAA to film a short video on how
they deal with obstacles confronting TBI victims.

Dr. Guice asked each panelist to identify the single most
important fix needed.

Mrs. Maxwell:  Wounded and families need expert advocate help in
filling out the medical/physical evaluation board paperwork
perfectly the first time.  "It's just extremely hard to go back
and make corrections."

Dr. Koch:  Providing cognitive rehabilitation should be made a
DoD obligation.

Mrs. Kammerdiener:  Caregivers desperately need a personalized
support system.  "Who takes care of moms?  Who provides me the
income, medical care, and retirement plan like I had before my
son was wounded?"

Dr. Christensen:  The government owes the same support for PTSD
and TBI victims that it does for more visible injuries.  "They
can perform the 'daily living functions,' but they have other
serious disabilities.  It's better to be an amputee than to have
severe TBI."

Panel Examines VA Rating System

Government witnesses, researchers and advocacy groups offered
different perspectives at a Sept. 17 Senate Veterans Affairs
Committee hearing on calculation of compensation for
service-caused disabilities.  Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI),
Committee Chairman, said recent studies suggest some vets are
undercompensated while others may be overcompensated, and that a
"deliberate approach" is needed in reforming the system.

Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) pointed out that the Veterans
Disability Benefits Commission (2007) and the Dole - Shalala
Commission both concluded that the rehabilitation aim of the VA
disability program was not being met.  Those studies also
recommended that veterans should be compensated not only for lost
earnings capacity but for lost quality of life.

Dr. George Kettner, PhD, President of Economic Systems, Inc.
testified that veterans with PTSD experience greater earnings
loss than veterans with physical disabilities.  For example,
veterans with a 100% rating for PTSD earn 92% less than their
physically disabled counterparts.  For other mental disorders,
earning loss can be even more significant.

LTG Terry Scott, USA-Ret., who chaired the VA Advisory Committee
on Disability Compensation, testified that his committee has
informally recommended to VA Secretary Shinseki that the Deputy
Secretary [Scott Gould] should be tasked to oversee a "systematic
review and update process" for the VA Schedule of Rating
Disabilities (VASRD) and a permanent staff to accomplish that
"high priority" task.  Scott also said that quality of life
compensation should be limited to "clearly defined and very
serious disability."

Scott noted that it takes about one year to do a complete review
of one of the 15 "body systems" in the VASRD.  He urged that work
get started to review and update three or four body systems per
year and that the work should be done internally by the VA.

Lt Col John Wilson, USAF-Ret., testifying for the Disabled
American Veterans, pointed out that the VA's strategic plan
doesn't address revising the VASRD, so tactical execution of the
task could be questionable.

MOAA believes strongly that the VA rating system needs to be
modernized, with priority emphasis on improving rating criteria
for TBI, PTSD and other behavioral wounds that occur in military
service.

MOAA - Military Officers Association of America
201 N. Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

MOAA's LEGISLATIVE UPDATE for Friday, September 11, 2009.

Posted at 12:11 PM on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 by Legislative

This update courtesy of Mike "Gunner" Furgal, our State Legislative Chair

FSA Discrimination Against Military Families

For years, MOAA has urged the Pentagon to allow military members
and families the same access to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
already available to all other federal employees and major
corporate employees in America.

MOAA Government Relations Director Steve Strobridge's September
"As I See It" column questions DoD's persistent resistance to
including the uniformed community in this important and valuable
program.

Defense Bill Confusion.  This is the time of year when it's hard
to keep news on multiple defense bills straight.  The FY2010
Defense Appropriations Bill made it through the Senate
Appropriations Committee yesterday.  But that's a much different
animal than the FY2010 Defense Authorization Bill.

Scam Targets Vets.  A reprehensible scam is targeting veterans
and attempting to obtain their credit card information, allegedly
to enroll them in a bogus "new VA pharmacy billing procedure."

New Fiscal Year, Same Old Delays.  Hill leaders' initial hopes
of passing all 12 government funding bills passed before Oct. 1
have been dashed by political reality.  How will that affect DoD
and VA programs and people?

Defense Bill Confusion

Our members ask what the difference is between the defense
authorization bill and the defense appropriations bill. It can be
confusing because both bills are currently under consideration.
The authorization bill is in conference committee while the
appropriations bill passed through the full Appropriations
Committee yesterday (September 10).

The defense authorization bill (which is the responsibility of
the House and Senate Armed Services Committees) includes the law
changes needed to authorize troop levels, weapons procurement,
new programs, and changes in pay and benefits (including pay
raises, health care, concurrent receipt and survivor benefits).

The defense appropriations bill (under the purview of the House
and Senate Appropriations Committees) provides the funding to pay
for the programs specified in the authorization bill.
Congressional rules normally bar putting authorizing provisions
in an appropriations bill, to make sure the legislators with the
purse strings don't usurp the Armed Services committees'
authority.

Ideally, the authorization bill should pass before the
appropriations bill.  That way all of the provisions authorized
by Congress can have the funds appropriated.

But it doesn't always happen that way.

At present, both the House and Senate have passed their versions
of the Authorization Bill and leaders of both chambers have begun
negotiations to resolve the thousands of differences between
them.  They hope to get that finished by the end of September.
But in past years it's usually taken until October, November, or
even later to resolve various contentious political issues that
cause negotiation gridlock.

The looming end of the fiscal year puts more pressure on the
appropriators, so they often act on a more accelerated schedule,
even though they start later.  The House already passed its
version of the Appropriations Bill, and the full Senate likely
will shortly.  Given that it includes much-needed war funding,
it's a better bet that House/Senate negotiations on the
Appropriations Bill may get finished before Oct. 1.

Scam Targets Vets

The VA reports that a reprehensible scam is targeting veterans.


Scammers are calling VA beneficiaries under the guise of a phony
"Patient Care Group".  The caller claims that VA prescriptions
are being administered by this company.

The scammers ask for personal information, including credit card
information, claiming that this is necessary for the beneficiary
to keep receiving prescriptions through the VA.

This is completely bogus.

The VA does not call vets and ask them to disclose personal
information over the phone, and the VA hasn't changed any
prescription dispensing rules.

Be safe.  Never give out personal information to any unsolicited
phone caller.

New Fiscal Year, Same Old Delays

September is the month when good congressional intentions bog
down and hopes for timely action go a-glimmering.

In theory, Congress is supposed to pass separate annual
appropriations bills for the various government departments
before October 1 -- the first day of the new fiscal year.

The reality is that happens extremely rarely, and that only some
of the bills are finished on time.

The House has passed all 12 department funding bills, but the
Senate almost always takes a more deliberate pace because its
rules allow much more latitude for individual senators'
time-consuming amendments, objections, and debate.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) this week conceded that
the Senate will likely finish only 8 of the 12 bills (hopefully
including the Defense Appropriations Bill) by the end of this
month.

That means Congress will have to pass a "continuing resolution"
to continue funding after September 30 so the remaining federal
departments can keep operating until their respective
appropriations bills are completed and signed into law.

LEGISLATIVE ALERT - IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

Posted at 9:56 AM on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 by Legislative

VFW Legislative Alert: Save the Women’s Health Care Bill

Comrades and Sisters, please contact our Senators concerning S.252
This is a high priority for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Thanks for your assistance on this legislation.

Current Status:

S. 252, which passed the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee earlier this year, is stuck in the Senate.  With time winding down in the year and the Senate is taking on many complicated bills, we need to ensure that the Senate approves this before the end of the session.

Background:

S. 252 includes a broad range of health-care improvements for all veterans, including expanded mental-health services and grants for homeless veteran programs.  It also includes a number of significant improvements for female veterans and the health care and services VA provides to them.  

Improving the care and treatment of female veterans is a VFW Priority Goal.  This is among our highest priorities.

The women veterans’ provisions include:

·         Studies into what access barriers exist

·         Requiring VA to provide a detailed plan on services and how to provide

·         A detailed study on the long-term health consequences of female vets serving in the Gulf Region

·         Improvements into training and care for military sexual trauma

·         Providing limited child care services for veterans seeking treatment at VA

·         Providing limited newborn care

Other important provisions: improvements to recruiting and retention of medical professionals; pilot program on dental care; expanded mental health counseling through Vet Centers.

Action Needed:

Contact your two Senators to urge them to support this critical bill and to pass it before adjourning for the year.   Its provisions – especially the ones aimed at female veterans – are among the VFW’s highest priorities.  Let them know that you expect their strong support for this legislation and that you expect them to quickly approve the bill.

MOAA's LEGISLATIVE UPDATE for Friday, August 28, 2009.

Posted at 11:34 AM on Friday, August 28, 2009 by Legislative

Compliments of Mike "Gunner" Furgal
--------------------------------------------------------------

Contact Your Legislators

Congress will return from the month-long August recess on
September 8. That's when Hill leaders will get serious about
resolving differences between the House and Senate versions of
the FY2010 Defense Authorization Bill.

There are big differences between them on many personnel and
benefit issues, including upgrades on concurrent receipt,
survivor benefits, health care, Guard/Reserve retirement, and
manpower levels.

Please send your legislators a MOAA-suggested message to retain
these important provisions in the final versions of the defense
bill.

Widows Beat US Government. The US Court of Appeals has ruled in
favor of a group of widows who sued the government, asserting
that otherwise-qualifying widows who remarry after age 57 are
entitled to both SBP and VA survivor benefits, without any
offset.

COLA in the Hole for 2011, Too?  We've said there won't be any
2010 COLA for Social Security, retired pay, or SBP annuitants.
But a closer look at the COLA law reveals a "negative COLA
carryover" effect for next year, too.

MOAA, Coalition List Defense Bill Priorities.  The Military
Coalition signed out a letter to House and Senate Armed Services
Committee leaders this week, offering prioritized recommendations
on resolving personnel and benefits disparities between the two
chambers' respective versions of the FY2010 Defense Authorization
Bill.

Congress On Report(s). When Congress isn't sure what to do on a
military issue, they require a report from the Defense
Department.  Many more trees will die in the coming year, because
the pending defense bill is full of report requirements.  Check
out a sample selection.

Widows Beat US Government

On August 26, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
issued a decision in the case of Sharp v. the United States, a
lawsuit brought by a group of widows over a recent law change
that they say makes them eligible to receive Survivor Benefit
Plan (SBP) annuities from DoD and VA Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC), without any offset between the two.

At issue is a 2004 law that restored DIC payments to veterans'
surviving spouses who remarry after their 57th birthday.  Before
the law change, survivors lost DIC upon remarriage at any age.

In restoring eligibility for DIC, the language of the new law
barred deduction of DIC from other veterans' benefits for these
widows "under any other provision of law."

When VA restored their DIC, but the Pentagon continued deducting
it from their SBP annuities, three widows took the government to
court, claiming violation of the new law.  DoD rejected that
interpretation, in essence claiming that SBP is a DoD benefit
rather than a veterans' benefit.

On June 12, 2008 the U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruled in favor
of the widows.  The government filed an appeal, and the U.S.
Court of Appeals heard the case on June 4.

The Appeals Court's ruling for the widows this week said what
MOAA has been saying all along:  "Perhaps [the 2004 law change]
simply represents a first step in an effort to eventually enact
full repeal [of the SBP-DIC offset].  After all, the
servicemember paid for both benefits: SBP with premiums; DIC with
his life".

This is a remarkable ruling and a poignant victory for the three
widows involved.

But the case isn't necessarily over yet, because it remains to
be seen whether the government will appeal the decision to the US
Supreme Court.

We again commend these brave survivors for their tenacity.  This
important case can only help in our continuing crusade to repeal
the SBP/DIC offset.

COLA in the Hole for 2011, Too?

Last week, we officially threw in the towel on any prospect for
a 2010 COLA for Social Security, military/federal retired pay,
SBP, and VA disability compensation recipients.

With inflation 2.3% in the hole through the first 10 months of
the fiscal year, inflation would have to rise more than 4.6% in
the next two months (the COLA is based on the
July/August/September average) for there to be a 2010 COLA, and
that's not going to happen.

But this is the first time the nearly 50-year history of COLAs
that there's been negative inflation for the full year, and that
sent us back to research how the COLA law deals with that event.

We know there won't be a cut in retired pay, Social Security,
etc.  There just won't be a COLA.

But how about 2011?  Does the "COLA clock" reset at zero, or do
we start the new fiscal year in the hole by whatever negative
number the CPI represents at the end of September?

The short answer is that it's a cumulative calculation, and we
will, in fact, start FY2010 in the "COLA hole."

The law says the COLA is calculated based on CPI growth from the
third quarter average to the next year's third quarter average.
However, it specifies that the starting point for the calculation
is the third quarter of the year prior to "the most recent
adjustment..."  So if there's no COLA in 2010, then the starting
point for the 2011 COLA calculation still remains the third
quarter of 2008.

So inflation will have to rise at least a couple of percentage
points during the next fiscal year before the 2011 COLA clock
will even start.

MOAA, Coalition List Defense Bill Priorities

MOAA and The Military Coalition (TMC), a consortium of uniformed
services and veterans associations representing more than 5.5
million current and former servicemembers and their families and
survivors, sent letters to House and Senate Armed Services
Committee leaders this week, outlining Coalition recommendations
for resolving numerous differences between the House- and
Senate-passed versions of the FY2010 Defense Authorization Bill.


The TMC cover letter singled out several top priorities that
merited special mention, including provisions concerning end
strength, concurrent receipt, survivor benefits, TRICARE fees,
and Reserve retirement service credit.  Attached to the letter
was a detailed matrix of TMC views on selected House- and
Senate-approved provisions.

Conferees are expected to start work on resolving defense bill
differences as soon as they return to Washington after Labor Day.
 But the Armed Services Committee staffs already have begun
preliminary negotiations.

We urge MOAA members to act now to help move the negotiations in
the right direction.  Please use MOAA's action alert to urge your
legislators to support the Coalition's priorities.

Congress On Report(s)

The House and Senate Armed Services Committees have massive
oversight responsibilities, but relatively modest staffs.  In
considering what to do about various problems, they often have
more questions than answers.

In such cases, they include requirements in the annual defense
bill for reports from the Pentagon, the Government Accountability
Office (GAO), or others to provide findings and recommendations
for action on various topics.

The FY2010 Defense Authorization Bill is particularly laden with
reporting requirements. Here's a selection of some of the more
notable ones.

DoD to report by Feb. 1, 2010 on whether open burn pits in Iraq
are meeting health and environmental standards for solid waste
disposal and whether DoD has the ability to track such hazards.

DoD to review and report by Mar. 31, 2010 on service
inconsistencies in awarding the Purple Heart for traumatic brain
injuries (TBI) and recommendations to improve consistency.

GAO to report by Mar. 3, 2010 on the impact of prohibiting
civilian employers from offering incentives for employees to use
TRICARE in lieu of the employers' health plan (e.g., has it
raised DoD health costs by causing more enrollments in TRICARE
Prime?).

DoD and VA will jointly report by Dec. 31, 2010 on current
studies and alternative methods to treat PTSD.

DoD to report within one year on shortfalls in dependents'
access to health care, including behavioral health needs for
children, and recommendations to ease the shortfalls.

DoD to review TRICARE dental coverage for active duty and
Guard/Reserve members and families, consult with beneficiary
organizations and report to Congress by Apr. 1, 2010 on any
recommended changes, particularly with respect to orthodontics
coverage.

GAO to report by Sept 30, 2010 on DoD efforts to minimize and
track hearing loss.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BY MOAA

Posted at 12:39 PM on Monday, August 24, 2009 by Legislative

Compliments of Mike "Gunner" Furgal


This is MOAA's LEGISLATIVE UPDATE for Friday, August 21, 2009.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Forget Any 2010 COLA

The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that inflation dropped
0.2% in July.  For the first 10 months of FY2009, cumulative
inflation has declined 2.3%.

What would it take for retirees and survivors to see any COLA
for 2010?  Inflation would have to rise more than 2.4% each month
for August and September.  That's just not going to happen,
barring some kind of disaster that nobody wants to see.

One last reminder: The law doesn't allow a negative COLA.  If
inflation is negative for the year, as seems almost certain,
there just won't be a COLA.

--------------------------------------------------------------

TRICARE Contracts Under Protest.  The current contractors for
TRICARE's North and South regions have formally protested the
Pentagon's recent award of those contracts to different
companies.  What does that mean for you?

--------------------------------------------------------------

More Member Questions.  Last month we answered some of our
members frequently asked questions.  We opened up the mail bag
again to address legislative questions that have been coming into
our member service center.

--------------------------------------------------------------

TRICARE Contracts Under Protest

Last month, the Defense Department announced that the TRICARE
contract for the North region (from North Carolina to Wisconsin
and northeast) would be awarded to Aetna Government Health Plans,
and the contract for the South region (from Texas to South
Carolina) would be awarded to UnitedHealth Military & Veterans
Services.

The contract changeover wasn't scheduled until next year, to
allow for a 10-month transition period.

But the current contractors for those regions (Health Net
Federal Services for the North region and Humana Military
Healthcare Services for the South) have filed formal protests of
DoD's decision.

As a result, a "stop work" order has been issued on the contract
changeover until the Government Accountability Office (GAO) rules
on the validity of the protests.  That ruling is supposed to come
within 100 days.

What's the likelihood that the protest could nullify the award?
It's possible, but our non-insider guess is it's unlikely.

Barring that possibility, the practical effect for beneficiaries
is a delay in the effective date of the contract changeover until
sometime next fall.

We'll provide more on the implications of the contract changes
in future updates.

--------------------------------------------------------------


More Member Questions

Here are some answers to the legislative questions most
frequently asked by MOAA members over the last several weeks.

1)      Am I eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill?  Do I qualify to
transfer the benefit to my spouse or child?

Servicemembers who have active duty service of at least 90
consecutive days since Sept. 10, 2001 qualify for Post-9/11 GI
Bill benefits.

Any current member of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected
Reserve) who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and agrees to
complete the service required under the transfer policy may
transfer their benefits to a spouse and/or dependent children.

For more information on GI bill benefits check out our Post 9/11
GI Bill Guide.

2)      When will we find out whether Congress will approve
concurrent receipt or a fix for military widows' SBP?

The House and Senate have approved separate versions of this
year's National Defense Authorization Act.  The bill now heads to
conference committee to hash out the differences between the two
versions of the bill.  The House bill would phase out the offset
for all medical (Chapter 61) retirees, and the Senate bill would
eliminate the widows' SBP/DIC offset.

The conference committee will start in earnest when Congress
reconvenes in September.  Hill leaders hope to finish by the end
of September, but that may prove optimistic.

In the past, the final bill usually hasn't been finished until
October or November...or later.

3)      I rarely get responses when I write my legislator, do my
letters and e-mails really matter?

Each legislator's office has a different policy about how it
responds to letters and e-mails.

The absence of a reply doesn't necessarily mean your legislator
isn't listening.  We've learned through experience that volume
counts.  The more mail legislators get on a topic, the more they
pay attention to it.  Legislators typically get inundated with
inquiries on all kinds of subjects, and most give standard
replies.  When they get large numbers on a particular subject,
staffers usually get tasked to craft an answer aimed specifically
at that topic.

4)      I think most members of Congress don't understand what it's
like to serve in the armed services.  How many members of
Congress have served in the military?

The numbers of veterans in Congress has significantly diminished
over the years.  From the 70's to today the number of veterans in
Congress has dropped by 75 percent.  According to a recent report
published by the Congressional Research Service:

There are 121 total legislators who have served in the military
(five less than the last Congress)
There are 96 veterans in the House and 25 in the Senate
Their collective wartime service includes World War II, Korea,
Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

5)      I enjoy the monthly "As I See It" column.  How do I submit a
suggestion for a topic?

We encourage our readers to write a review of the monthly As I
See It column, using the space provided at the end of the column.
 If you have specific suggestions please feel free to e-mail them
to legis@moaa.org.

--------------------------------------------------------------

RESTITUTION FOR MISAPPROPRIATION FROM A CEMETERY OF CERTAIN OBJECTS THAT RELATE TO A VETERAN

Posted at 9:23 AM on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 by Legislative

Comrades and Sisters:

Your Legislative Chairman Mike Furgal has asked that this legislation be introduced.  Thanks Mike.  If your Representative or Senator is not a co-sponsor, ask him or her why not??

LRB -2930/2, your bill relating to: restitution for misappropriation from a cemetery of certain objects that relate to a veteran has been sent to the Chief Clerk for introduction today. Co-sponsors are:

Assembly – Turner, Davis, Brooks, Berceau, Shilling, Mason, Hilgenberg, Pope-Roberts, Nass, Kaufert, Gundrum, Zepnick, Lothian, Townsend, Gunderson, Murtha, Steinbrink, Hintz, Hebl, A. Ott, Zigmunt, Nerison, Schneider, Petrowski


Senate – Lehman, Kedzie, Lassa, Darling, Erpenbach, Wirch, Schultz, Olsen, Coggs, Taylor

Lorna J. George

Office of State Representative Robert L. Turner

Senate Passes Defense Bill

Posted at 3:14 PM on Monday, July 27, 2009 by Legislative

After more than a week of debate and consideration of more than
300 amendments, the Senate passed its version of the FY2010
National Defense Authorization Bill (S. 1390) late Thursday
night, July 23 by a vote of 87 to 7.

One key amendment was Sen. Bill Nelson's initiative to end the
deduction of VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from
military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities.  Upon learning at
8:00 AM Tuesday that the amendment would be considered that same
afternoon, MOAA sent out a special alert to legislative update
subscribers.  This alert generated nearly 13,000 messages to the
Senate in support of the amendment in under 6 hours, resulting in
the amendment's adoption.  Thanks to all who participated in this
time-sensitive action to help military widows.

We're pleased that several other MOAA-supported amendments were
adopted by the Senate including:

Sen. Joe Lieberman's (I-CT) amendment to increase Army manpower
levels by 30,000, starting in FY2010.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg's (D-NJ) amendment emphasizing the need to
sustain a military health benefit consistent with the unique
demands and sacrifices inherent in a military career, and the
need to find other ways of cutting DoD health costs besides
shifting costs to retirees.

Sen. John Kerry's (D-MA) and Saxby Chambliss' (R-GA) amendment
to provide reserve retirement age credit for all post-9/11 active
service.

Sen. Charles Schumer's (D-NY) amendment (with inputs by Sen.
John Cornyn, R-TX) to protect military absentee voting rights by
authorizing electronic communications and limiting the counting
of absentee ballots based on technicalities (e.g., lack of
notarization).

Sen. Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) amendment (prompted by MOAA's
discussion with her staff) expressing Congress's view that the
Secretary of Defense should use existing authority to implement
Flexible Spending Accounts for currently serving members so they
can set aside pre-tax money to pay out-of-pocket health and
dependent care expenses, just as all other federal and major
corporate employees can.

Sen. Richard Burr's (R-NC) amendment to give military spouses
the option to elect the same state of domicile as their
servicemember spouse.

Unfortunately, several other amendments we were hoping for were
not acted upon, including Sen. Harry Reid's (D-NV) concurrent
receipt amendments and Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) amendment to
authorize a one-year reduction in the reserve retirement age for
each two years served beyond the 20-year point.

The proposal to phase out the disability offset for medically
retired members, regardless of length of service is still very
much alive, though, as it was included in the House bill.

Next, House and Senate leaders will be appointed to a conference
committee to resolve more than a thousand differences between the
House- and Senate-passed versions of the defense bill, including
difficult issues on procurement, detainees and more.

In the past, these difficult negotiations have usually dragged
on into October, November or beyond.  It's possible that Congress
will have an incentive to expedite defense bill negotiations this
year in order to clear the legislative decks for action on
national health reform.  But that remains to be seen.

Hearing Highlights Family Needs

A July 22 House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee
hearing reinforced that access to healthcare providers - both on
and off installations - continues to present a serious challenge
for many military families.  With military medical personnel
deployed, there's an increasing reliance on civilian providers.
But many civilian doctors don't accept TRICARE due to low
reimbursement rates and administrative hassles.

DoD Principal Director of Military Community and Family Policy
Art Myers said DoD leaders are visiting areas where there are
provider challenges in hopes of finding a solution.

Healthcare wasn't the only concern raised as military witnesses
said families face troubles coping with separation, relocation
and, in some cases, isolation.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West said, "How we
support the families of those we put in harm's way defines us as
a nation."

Discussion on the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration program ranged
from very positive to some clearly defined concerns.  Col. Cory
Lyman, DoD's Assistant Director of Individual and Family Support,
Reserve Affairs noted that the program is less than a year old.

Rep. David Loebsack (D-IA) cited complaints from his
constituents that the program is not family-friendly and no
longer includes the VA.

Rep. John Kline (R-MN) noted the program runs well in his state
- with veterans' organizations and the VA included.

"We've got to make sure that across the board they have good
experiences,' said Lyman.

Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) raised the issue of compensation
for caregivers of injured troops, observing that many family
members must give up their jobs to support wounded warriors.  "We
should compensate these families," she asserted, rather than
leaving them "hanging over a financial cliff."

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) observed that, while numerous programs
have been implemented to help families in various areas in
various ways, "I'm not convinced those efforts are fully
coordinated and integrated."

The panelists also expressed their concern regarding the funding
of family readiness programs.  Currently the programs are funded
through supplemental appropriations.  The panel stressed the
importance of funding these programs through base-line budgets.

New Bill Benefits 'Blue Water' Vets

Posted at 10:11 AM on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 by Legislative

Washington, D.C. – House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) announced the introduction of H.R. 2254, a bill to restore equity to all Vietnam veterans that were exposed to Agent Orange.

“We owe it to our veterans to fulfill the promises made to them as a result of their service,” said Chairman Filner (D-CA). “If, as a result of service, a veteran was exposed to Agent Orange and it has resulted in failing health, this country has a moral obligation to care for each veteran the way we promised we would. And as a country at war, we must prove that we will be there for all of our veterans, no matter when they serve. The courts have turned their backs on our veterans, but I believe this Congress will not allow our veterans to be cheated of their earned benefits.”

H.R. 2254 would clarify the laws related to VA benefits provided to Vietnam War veterans suffering from the ravages of Agent Orange exposure. In order to try to gain a better military vantage point, Agent Orange, which we now know is a highly toxic cocktail of herbicide agents, was widely sprayed for defoliation and crop destruction purposes all over the Vietnam War Battlefield, as well as on borders and other areas of neighboring nations. It was also stored on U.S. vessels and used for vegetation clearing purposes around U.S. bases, landing zones and lines of communication.

Currently, VA requires Vietnam veterans to prove a “foot on land” occurrence in order to qualify for the presumptions of service-connection for herbicide-exposure related illnesses afforded under current law. This issue has been the subject of much litigation and on May 8, 2008, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals upheld VA’s overly narrow interpretation and the Supreme Court later denied certiorari essentially affirming this ruling. However, Congress clearly did not intend to exclude these veterans from compensation based on arbitrary geographic line drawing by VA.

H.R. 2254 is intended to clarify the law so that Blue Water veterans and every servicemember awarded the Vietnam Service medal, or who otherwise deployed to land, sea or air, in the Republic of Vietnam is fully covered by the comprehensive Agent Orange laws Congress passed in 1991. If enacted, this bill will make it easier for VA to process Vietnam War veterans’ claims for service-connected conditions that are linked to toxic exposures during the Vietnam War and that are identified in current law.

Chairman John Hall leads the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, the subcommittee with jurisdiction over these issues. He stated, “With this legislation, Congress will leave no doubt that the ‘Blue Water Navy’ and all combat veterans of Vietnam are intended to be covered and compensated; thus ensuring that these veterans will receive the disability benefits they earned and deserve for exposure to Agent Orange. This is the cost of war. We asked these brave men and women to fight for us and serve their country, and it is a grave injustice that they have had to wait this long for treatment. We must place care of our soldiers among our top priorities. This applies for all past, present, and future conflicts.”

“Time is running out for these veterans,” concluded Chairman Filner. “Many are dying from their Agent Orange related diseases, uncompensated for their sacrifice. There is still a chance for America to meet its obligations to these noble veterans. I will work with my Congressional colleagues to provide the earned disability benefits and health care to the thousands of Navy blue water veterans and survivors that earned this care in battle.”

MOAA's LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Posted at 12:30 PM on Friday, May 1, 2009 by Legislative

This is courtesy of Mike "Gunner" Furgal

MOAA Federal Charter: Questions and Answers

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Representatives Chris Van Hollen
(D-MD) and Walter Jones (R-NC) have recently introduced
legislation to award a Federal Charter to the Military Officers
Association of America.
What's the purpose behind the charter?  Find out with MOAA's
Federal Charter Q and A's.
http://echo4.bluehornet.com/ct/4572771:5401205066:m:3:230910909:4DE88849A00A2CC10C7AA168CB70B522

Wounded and Families: Care Isn't Seamless Yet.   Three separate
hearings this week focused on continuing problems experienced by
wounded troops, veterans and their families despite two years of
sweeping legislative and policy efforts to make transition
seamless between DoD and VA.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Sign-Ups Begin.  Currently serving men and
women, military retirees and veterans who have qualifying active
duty service after September 10, 2001 can enroll in the new
Post-9/11 GI Bill beginning today, May 1.

Disability Board to Loosen Restrictions.  Pentagon officials
announced this week that the Physical Disability Board of Review
(PDBR) will expand the criteria under which medical separatees
can apply to have their records evaluated for upgrade to
disability retirement status.

Wounded and Families: Care Isn't Seamless Yet.
The same issues were played out at a number of hearings this
week in both chambers as the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees gathered information on just how effective wounded warrior policies and programs are between DoD and VA.

"Care continues to be a confusing maze of massive
bureaucracies," said one wounded warrior.

"They [DoD/VA] don't tell you about the process, you just have
to stumble on the information and care," said a wounded warrior
spouse.
One mother of a young disabled veteran stated that families are
desperate for information, but would rather get counsel from
other wounded families instead of DoD or VA.
Witnesses from DoD, VA and other federal agencies spoke to their leaderships' commitment and intentions to continue making
progress on transition issues.  Wounded warriors and family
members in attendance agreed that things are improving, but said
the government is nowhere close to actually delivering seamless
care and transition services.

MOAA is encouraged by the much-improved collaboration and
cooperation between the DoD and VA secretaries, but believes far
more needs to be done.  And the first requirement is permanent
statutory authority for a joint DoD/VA transition office staffed
by senior, full-time DoD, service and VA personnel with
responsibility and authority to develop joint policies, programs,
new initiatives and oversight of the entire transition process
from start to finish.
There are still too many disconnects between the services, DoD
and VA, too little authority vested in a temporary joint office,
too little emphasis on funding and staffing some of the joint
activities, even for such basic things as offices and phones in
some cases.
Further, there's still too little regular collaboration between
House and Senate Armed Services and Veterans Affairs and
Appropriations Committee leaders and staffs.  There are too many
cases where real people are having real problems today, and too
many people saying the short term fix is someone else's
responsibility, or that someone else isn't doing their part, or
arguing over which agency and which committee is going to pay for
what.  Working on solutions for 3 to 5 years down the road is
fine, but far more close collaboration is essential to get real
help to real people who needed it yesterday.
There are still too many significant breakdowns in records,
care, compensation, benefits, caregiver support, and information
once the wounded warrior and his or her family leave active duty.

Just as DoD and VA need a joint agency, Congress may need a
joint subcommittee to enforce closer and more effective
collaboration and take better care of those who bear the severe,
personal consequences of our national wartime decision-making.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Sign-Ups Begin

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced this week that
qualifying military personnel and veterans may enroll in the new
Post-9/11 GI Bill program beginning today - May 1.

To qualify for the benefit, a servicemember, including members
of the National Guard or Reserve, must have completed at least 90
days of active duty service after September 10, 2001 unless
separated for medical reasons.  Full benefits are awarded upon
completion of an aggregate of 36 months of active duty service.

For those who have 36 months of qualifying active duty, the
Post-9/11 GI Bill pays for:

Tuition and fees up to the highest-cost public college or
university in the respective state A monthly housing stipend payable at the E-5 with-dependents Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for the ZIP code of the school.  The housing stipend is available only to veterans -- not active duty servicemembers -- who attend a physical campus full-time
An annual book stipend of $1,000

Servicemembers or veterans with Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
entitlement may make an irrevocable election for the Post-9/11 GI
Bill program.  But the VA cautions MGIB participants to weigh all
aspects of this option.  MOAA recommends that currently serving
members consult an education counselor before making the
decision.  Veterans and military retirees with the MGIB should
contact the VA before giving up those benefits for the new
program.

MGIB participants who elect to transfer to the Post-9/11 GI Bill
may use their benefits for vocational training, on the job
training, apprenticeships and approved flight training instead of
academic study, if they wish.  Other participants can use the
Post-9/11 GI Bill only for post-secondary study at schools that
award traditional academic degrees (no vocational training).

A "yellow ribbon" feature of the new program allows enrollment
in private colleges which have agreed with the VA to waive up to
half the difference between the cost of tuition and fees at the
private school and the highest amount the VA pays in that state.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pick up the other half of the
tuition-and-fees for participating private colleges.

The VA's GI Bill website provides additional information and a
link to the application form.

http://echo4.bluehornet.com/ct/4572772:5401205066:m:3:230910909:4DE88849A00A2CC10C7AA168CB70B522

The VA will begin making payments directly to colleges and
universities for enrolled veterans after Aug. 1, 2009.

Also this week, the Department of Defense announced "rules of
engagement" for currently serving men and women to transfer their benefits to spouses and/or children.  Servicemembers must agree to complete the service required under the transfer policy.

In essence, anyone who is eligible for retirement on Aug. 1,
2009, or who has an approved retirement date after Aug. 1, 2009
and before July 1, 2010 will be able to transfer their benefits
with no additional service requirement.  There are also
exceptions for servicemembers who will be mandatorily separated
or retired due to service policy or statutory requirements.

Additional questions and answers on the Post-9/11 GI Bill are
available on MOAA's website.

http://echo4.bluehornet.com/ct/4572774:5401205066:m:3:230910909:4DE88849A00A2CC10C7AA168CB70B522

Disability Board to Loosen Restrictions

Pentagon officials announce this week that the Physical
Disability Board of Review (PDBR) will loosen current
restrictions in two main areas in order to meet Congress'
original intent of the board.

The PDBR allows disabled servicemembers who were medically
separated since September 11, 2001 an opportunity to have their
disability ratings reviewed to ensure fairness and accuracy.

The acting director of the board, testifying at a Senate Armed
Services Personnel Subcommittee hearing this week on the PDBR's progress, said the Pentagon will soon make two major changes that increase the possibility of an applicant's disability retirement upgrade.

Currently the board is limited to reviewing the specific
condition(s) that made a member unfit for continued military
service.  The board will now expand its review to include all
disability findings of a service during the medical evaluation
process.

Additionally, any service-specific and DoD guidance at the time
that conflicted with the VA Schedule of Rating Disabilities
(VASRD) will be disregarded during the review.  In many cases,
the more restrictive DoD/service guidance caused the member to
receive a lower disability rating than the VASRD would have
provided.

MOAA previously identified these board shortfalls to
congressional staffers and Pentagon officials, and we applaud
DoD's decision to make these adjustments and provide fairer
evaluations for many who were previously separated with
"low-balled" disability ratings.

WISCONSIN'S VETERANS 2009 LEGISLATIVE GOALS

Posted at 9:26 AM on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 by Legislative

 

Fund the Wisconsin Veterans Museum with GPR. 

Currently, this state treasure is funded almost entirely by veterans.

 

The current budget proposal does not include the Agency requested $1.7 million annual shift in funding of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum from the Veterans Trust Fund to the General Fund.  Veterans alone should not have to pay to preserve Wisconsin’s proud military history.  The Veterans Trust Fund has not received any major GPR support since the mid 1980’s, this is not a new problem.  The lack of GPR support for Wisconsin’s veterans programs in general and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in particular, combined with the more recent economic decline and lack of a reliable revenue source have weakened the solvency of the Veterans Trust Fund.  Delaying support of the Veterans Trust Fund will both speed its insolvency and make solutions ultimately all the more difficult.  

 

Reverse the  proposed 1% “transfer” of our veterans’ funds to the

General Fund to help balance the state budget.

 

The proposed 1% “lapse” takes cash from the Veterans Trust Fund, the Mortgage Loan Repayment Fund and the Homes Fund to fill holes in the state budget.  The lapse will take money used to purchase medications, food, and pay for contracted medical services for the residents of the Homes.  It would also take cash from donations made to our Homes.  Veterans programs and services to include grants to veterans in need, CVSO Grants and County Transportation Grants will be impacted providing less support to our veterans.  This lapse could prevent the Department from having the resources to meet federal requirements and could cause the loss of key federal revenues.  As the stewards of the Veterans Trust Fund, we are especially concerned about the potential for a lapse or transfer of funds that would hasten insolvency of the Veterans Trust Fund.  Under the proposed budget insolvency is projected to accelerate to 2012, two years earlier than under the agency budget submitted.  

 

Exempt the Wisconsin Veterans Home from the Bed Tax increase.

 

In most private care settings, the proposed bed tax increase could be offset by a similar increase in Medicaid reimbursement.  However, an increased bed tax on the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King would be different.  The Home is already at the Medicaid upper limit and not eligible for increased payments.  The bed tax increase proposal at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King would pull an additional $1.5 million over the biennium from the revenues of the Home, with no additional Medicaid Offset.  This is in addition to the proposed lapse of an additional $1.5 million discussed above.  Instead, the Home will have to make ends meet by increasing private pay rates or by decreasing services provided while our money goes to fill holes in the state budget.  

MOAA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Posted at 8:45 AM on Saturday, March 21, 2009 by Legislative

This update provided Courtesy of Mike "Gunner" Furgal

Retirees May Face "Economic Stimulus Tax"

The recently enacted stimulus plan reduces federal income taxes up to $400 for working individuals and $800 for couples via smaller tax withholding from their paychecks.  But the need for quick-implementation is leading the IRS to apply the smaller withholding to all taxpayers - including non-working retirees who aren't eligible for the tax cut but have retired pay.

 

Obama Heeds Vet Leaders.  After meeting with MOAA President VADM Norb Ryan (USN-Ret) and other veterans' association leaders this week, President Obama agreed to drop a budget proposal to bill veterans'health insurance companies for the cost of treating their service-caused injuries.

 

Pelosi Hears Association Priorities.  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the House Democratic leadership met with MOAA and other association leaders this week to discuss legislation priorities for FY2010.

 

 

COLA Making Headway.  Inflation crept up one-half percentage point in February, but still has a long way to go before retirees can expect any COLA next year.

 

 

Stop Loss Stopping.  The Secretary of Defense announced a two-year plan to end the practice of forcing troops to stay in the military for deployments after their service obligation has expired.

 

 

Obama Heeds Vet Leaders

 

Stunned at veterans' negative backlash to a draft plan to have the VA bill vets' health insurance plans for the cost of treating their service-connected injuries and illnesses, President Obama asked for a personal meeting this week with the leaders of 11 military and veterans' association leaders who wrote him a letter urging him to drop the plan.

 

MOAA president VADM Norb Ryan (USN-Ret) was one of the

signatories invited to the meeting, where the president explained that the intent was to help fund his multi-billion-dollar expansion of the VA budget by billing insurance companies that his staff saw as getting a "free ride" (collecting premiums from veterans but not paying for care).

 

Under current law, the VA bills private insurers only for care concerning conditions that were not caused by military service.

 

Ryan and the others explained the concern that expanding billing to service-caused conditions - many of which are catastrophic - could result in raising veterans' premiums, exhausting coverage needed for their family members, causing cancellation of vets' family health policies for the more severely injured, or deterring small business from hiring disabled veterans for fear of large health care bills.

 

They reiterated that the government has a moral obligation to fully fund medical care for service-caused conditions, without seeking to shift any of that cost to civilian insurers or to veterans.

 

President Obama responded that he didn't intend to do anything to raise financial risks for disabled veterans and asked the leaders back for another meeting on Wednesday.

 

Following that Wednesday afternoon meeting, the President announced he was canceling the proposal.

 

"Our voices were heard," said VADM Ryan after the announcement. "The President told us he wouldn't do this if it hurt veterans. After listening to our concerns, he kept his word.  We're grateful that he invested his personal time to get the facts and do the right thing on this important matter of principle."

 

Pelosi Hears Association Priorities

 

On Wednesday, MOAA President Norb Ryan and Government Relations Director Steve Strobridge joined other military and veterans' association leaders in meeting with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and more than two dozen House Democrats, including the chairmen of all of the key committees.

 

At the beginning of the meeting, Speaker Pelosi drew a standing ovation by announcing that the President had dropped the budget proposal to bill vets' health insurance for service-caused injuries.

 

Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) applauded the president's budget for including funds to extend concurrent receipt eligibility to severely disabled retirees forced into medical retirement before attaining 20 years of service.  He said his committee will eagerly support that, but congressional rules on "mandatory spending" will require him to ask other committees to volunteer mandatory spending reductions to pay for it.  He expressed concern that this would put the committee at a disadvantage - having to use up offsets that might be needed to reverse any TRICARE fee hikes that might be in the budget.

 

This comment perked up MOAA attendees' ears, since it's the first indication we've had that the president's budget might include some TRICARE fee increases.  The initial budget outline sent to Congress a few weeks ago gave no specific indication of that.  MOAA will work to check that out and generate grass-roots alerts as appropriate.

 

Later in the meeting, the Speaker asked attendees to outline their priorities for the year.  Association leaders expressed a general consensus in support of advance funding for the VA, doing more for wounded warriors and especially their family caregivers,

concurrent receipt, SBP-DIC, and homeless vets, among others.

 

In addition, VADM Ryan stressed MOAA's strong support for sustaining end strength increases as the only way to ease deployment-related stresses on members and families, as well as the importance of sustaining a commitment to restoring full pay comparability by authorizing a 3.4% military pay raise, rather than the 2.9% raise proposed in the initial defense budget submission.

 

COLA Making Headway

 

This week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the consumer price index (CPI) for February.  The CPI is the metric used to calculated annual cost of living adjustments (COLA) for military retired pay, Social Security and survivor annuities. Inflation is making its way towards positive territory, but not very fast.  The February CPI increased 0.5% over January's number.  That puts cumulative inflation at -4.1% since October.

 

This is the lowest rate of inflation in almost 40 years.  Only five times since 1970 has there been a CPI swing of more than 4% in the space of five months.  And this is the first time that large of a swing has been negative.   Check out MOAA's month-by-month COLA track comparison for the last three years.

 

If inflation is negative or flat for the entire fiscal year, there would be no COLA for retired pay or Social Security.

 

Stop Loss Stopping

 

Earlier this week, the Defense Department made public a two-phase plan to end "stop loss" - the practice of involuntarily retaining servicemembers on active duty when their unit is scheduled for deployment with six months, even if their service obligation will expire before the end of the deployment.

 

Starting this fall, Army Reserve and National Guard units being mobilized will not impose stop-loss rules on individual soldiers in those units. The same policy change will be applied to active duty Army units deploying after the first of the year.

 

Currently, more than 13,000 soldiers are affected by the stop-loss policy.

 

DoD's goal is to cut that number in half by June 2010 and to "near zero" by March 2011, while still retaining the authority to use stop loss for extraordinary circumstances.

 

For servicemembers who were stop-lossed during fiscal year 2009, DoD plans to pay a new Stop Loss Special Pay at a rate of $500 per month to help ease the effects of being involuntarily extended on active duty.

 

The $500 monthly payments, scheduled to start this month, will be paid retroactive to October 2008.

 

MOAA - Military Officers Association of America

201 N. Washington Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: MARCH 31ST IS "VETS IN THE CAPITOL DAY"

Posted at 9:37 AM on Friday, February 27, 2009 by Legislative

VFW Legislative Priorities for 2009

Posted at 3:21 PM on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 by Legislative

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States operates with a firm set of Legislative Priorities focused on issues of most importance to Veterans and our fellow citizens.

Please take the time to review those priorities as presented in the document below. At the end of the document you will find a complete list of key State and Federal Legislators to contact if you would like to emphasize your support of these issues.

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BILL (HR 613) FORGIVENESS OF CERTAIN OVERPAYMENTS

Posted at 11:14 AM on Thursday, January 22, 2009 by Legislative

The following information was provided by the Fleet Reserve Association.  Please help support this Legislation.

A bill (HR 613) to provide for forgiveness of certain overpayments for military retirees following their death. Take Action!
 
The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA'S) Full Final Month’s Retired Pay for Surviving Spouse Introduced!
 
At the request of FRA Rep. Walter Jones (NC) has introduced legislation “The Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act” (H.R. 613) authorizing the retention of the full final month’s retired pay by the surviving spouse (or other designated survivor) for the month in which the member was alive for at least 24 hours.

This proposal is in response to complaints from surviving spouses who were unaware that the Department of Defense (DFAS) immediately recouping payments after being notified on the death of the military retiree.  Those who had joint bank accounts, in which retirement payments were made electronically, gave little if any thought that DFAS could swoop down on the joint account and recoup any overpayments of retirement pay.  This action could easily clear the account of any funds remaining whether they were retirement payments or money from other sources.  DFAS than sends back a portion of the payment based on when the retiree died.  Shipmates are urged to contact their member of Congress to ask them to co-sponsor this important legislation.

OBAMA INAUGURATION: COMPLETE TEXT OF SPEECH

Posted at 5:06 PM on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 by Legislative

At his inauguration on Tuesday, January 20th, President Barack H. Obama delivered the following Inaugural Address.

It is presented here in its entirety in the interest of keeping all members of the Wisconsin VFW more fully informed on the issues of our time.

 
OBAMA INAUGURAL - Get more Business Documents

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