VFW WI Legislative Updates

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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LEGISLATIVE REPORT FOR STATE OF WISCONSIN

Posted at 9:46 AM on Friday, January 16, 2009 by Legislative

 

As we begin a new session of our State Legislature , we face significant financial issues.

The State faces a projected budget deficit of some five billion dollars.  This means that we must remain vigilant if we are to maintain the current benefits offered by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

We are also facing a steady decline in the numbers of senators and assemblymen who have experienced some form of military service.

Most legislators want to do the right thing.  However their unfamiliarity with our issues means constituents who are veterans need to make special efforts  to educate legislators.  We must outline both the problems and the solutions for them.

The leaders of both parties have determined the membership of the veterans committees in the Senate and the Assembly.  Our good friend, Terry Musser, has retired and is no longer head of the Assembly Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.

There are no changes to the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs, Biotechnology and Financial Institutions.  Jim Sullivan chairs the Committee with Spencer Coggs, Tim Carpenter, Joseph Leibham and Ted Kanavas as members.  Senator Jim Sullivan is the only veteran on the committee.

There are significant changes to the Assembly Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.  The new chair is Steve Hilgenberg with Marlin Schneider, Robert Turner, Mary Hubler, Christine Sinicki, Nick Milroy, Kevin Petersen, Jerry Petrowski, John Townsend, and Dan Meyer as members.     

Chairman Hilgenberg and Dan Meyer as US Army veterans of the Vietnam era.  Assemblymen Turner, Petersen and Townsend are VFW members.  Assemblyman Milroy is a Persian Gulf War veteran, while Assemblyman Petrowski is a veteran of the US Army Reserve.  

I look forward to renewing old acquaintances and meeting new committee members  as we work together to make Wisconsin a better place for veterans to live.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BY MOAA

Posted at 9:21 AM on Monday, January 12, 2009 by Legislative

> --------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Budget "Options" Stir Concerns
>
> The Congressional Budget Office recently published a list of 115
> "options" to cut (or in some cases, increase) federal health care
> spending - including several that would affect military and VA
> beneficiaries.
>
> Should you be worried?  MOAA's Government Relations Director offers his perspective.
>
> "Paid-up" SBP Dispute Period Opens.  If you've attained age 70 and paid 30 or more years of SBP premiums, you should have seen the premiums stop coming out of your retired pay check.  But DFAS acknowledges their records aren't complete in some cases.  If you think you should qualify, you need to make your case to DFAS.

> No Purple Heart for PTSD.  The Defense Department just recently made public its November 3 decision not to award a Purple Heart to combat vets diagnosed with PTSD.
>
> More Nondisabled Vets to Get VA Care.  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) said this week it will start enrolling more "Category 8"(nondisabled, middle-income) veterans who were previously denied access to VA health care.
>
> New Council Focuses on Families.  The Pentagon's new Military Family Readiness Council convened last month to discuss areas of concern for 2009.
>
> "Paid-up" SBP Dispute Period Opens
>
> In October, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) modified the Retiree Account Statement (RAS) by adding a "premium counter" that tracks the number of months of paid Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) premiums credited to retirees. Most retirees saw the counter for the first time in the annual RAS mailed last month.
>
> The paid-up SBP program became effective October 1, 2008, and all retirees who are at least 70 years of age and have paid at least 360 months (30 years) of SBP premiums will no longer have to make monthly payments.  Participants in the Retired Servicemen's Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) who were age 70 or older on October 1, 2008 will also have their premiums stopped.
>
> Affected retirees shouldn't have to take any action, as DFAS will
> notify members of their paid-up status and when premiums will be stopped.
>
> But DFAS acknowledges that their records of premium payments may be incomplete in some cases, especially during periods when the member received no net retired pay for some reason.
>
> Retirees who believe that DFAS has undercounted the length of time
> they've paid SBP premiums can file a dispute with DFAS between now and June 30, 2009.  All disputes must be made by completing a DD Form 2656-11.  For more information, contact DFAS toll-free at (800) 321-1080.
>
> No Purple Heart for PTSD
>
> After months of discussion, the Defense Department has decided that servicemembers suffering from PTSD will not be awarded the Purple Heart.  Officials left the door open for a re-evaluation in the future if one is needed.
>
> The review was prompted by a question put to Defense Secretary Robert Gates at a press conference in May.  Gates' initial response was that the issue was "clearly something that needs to be looked at."
>
> But Gates has concurred with the findings of the subsequent review.
>
> The logic for the decision was that PTSD is a "secondary effect caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event" as opposed to a physical wounded intended by an enemy.
>
> This isn't the first time the issue has come up.  One factor in the
> review was that PTSD is specifically listed in the federal
> code as not justifying award of the Purple Heart.   Over many
> decades, the precedent has been that the decoration is awarded for physical wounds, but not psychological ones such as combat fatigue, shell-shock, and other stress disorders that have been diagnosed in many previous combat eras.
>
> An important consideration, officials said, is that current medical
> capacities can't establish the degree of PTSD as objectively and
> routinely as would be required for such an award.
>
> More Nondisabled Vets to Get VA Care
>
> The VA is gearing up to expand opportunities for certain "Priority 8" (nondisabled, middle-income) veterans to enroll in VA health care. Since January 2003 Priority 8 vets have been barred from enrolling because their income exceeded the VA's means test threshold.
>
> A new regulation is in the works to modify that.  It's expected to
> take effect in June 2009 and will be applied retroactively to all
> enrollment applications received on or after January 1, 2009.
>
>
> It's important to understand that this won't be a blanket opportunity for all Priority 8 vets to enroll.  The new rule will authorize enrollment only for those nondisabled vets whose income exceeds the current means test thresholds by 10 percent or less. The thresholds vary by locality.
>
> It's estimated that up to 265,000 additional veterans will be able to enroll under the new rule, and Congress has appropriated $375 million to cover the cost of that expansion for FY2009.
>
> "Reopening the doors of the VA system to veterans who have earned these benefits sends a clear message that we honor and respect their service and sacrifice to country," said Representative Chet Edwards (D-TX), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.
>
>Veterans with questions on this issue can
> contact VA's Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222 VETS
> (8387) or visit the VA health eligibility website.
>
> New Council Focuses on Families
>
> The DoD Military Family Readiness Council, created by Congress in the 2008 Defense Authorization Act, convened for the first time last month and agreed to focus on five areas:  access to health care, child care, financial readiness, children's K-12 education, and spouse employment.
>
> The Council is chaired by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and includes representatives from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, along with the service Senior Enlisted Advisors (or spouses of senior enlisted members). The Council also includes representatives from Armed Services YMCA, National Military Family Association and National Association for Uniformed Services.
>
> By law, the Council owes a report on military family readiness to the Secretary of Defense and the congressional defense committees by February 1 each year, including recommendations for action to meet the needs of military families.

> ©2008 MOAA, All rights reserved 201 N. Washington St., Alexandria, Va.
> 22314 | (800) 234-6622 (MOAA)
>
> MOAA - Military Officers Association of America
> 201 N. Washington Street
> Alexandria, VA 22314

ADVANCE FUNDING FOR VA HEALTHCARE MAY SOON BE A REALITY

Posted at 8:50 AM on Friday, September 19, 2008 by Legislative

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, was joined by a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing legislation today to secure timely funding of veterans’ health care, through a process known as “advance funding.”  Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Ted Stevens (R-AK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and John Thune (R-SD) joined Akaka as original cosponsors.    

Under the bill, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) would be funded one-year in advance.  Currently, VHA is funded one-year at a time, and is too often the victim of delays and short-term budgets. 

Senator Akaka said: “The Department of Veterans Affairs operates the largest health care system in the nation, but its funding is untimely and unpredictable.  Advance funding for veterans’ health care is better for veterans, taxpayers, and VA.  Funding would be set two-years in advance, enabling VA to make strategic long term decisions.  I am proud to join bipartisan Congressional leaders and many of America’s veterans service organizations in seeking to provide a more secure and predictable funding system for veterans health care.” 

Senator Snowe said: “Healthcare funding for veterans is an issue that we cannot afford to delay with partisan politics and Congressional deadlocks.  It is unacceptable that over the past six years, the Department of Veterans Affairs has not received its annual funding on average until more than three months after the start of the new fiscal year.  This legislation will ensure that the brave veterans of our armed forces will receive the healthcare funding appropriated by Congress for the VA’s budget on time and in full.”

Senator Johnson said: "I have always been an advocate for timely and adequate funding for our veterans.  I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation, which is another step towards ensuring our veterans receive the health care they’ve earned, when they need it, and without having to worry about what is going on in Congress.  While I still support mandatory funding, I believe this may be the compromise we need to gain support from those that have opposed mandatory funding in the past.  I applaud Senator Akaka’s efforts on this legislation.” 

Senator Landrieu said: “First-class healthcare for our veterans is a basic right for our returning heroes.  It is critical that the VHA get advance funding, as other government programs already do, to prevent delays and holdups in care for our veterans.”  

Senator Feingold said: “I have been a long time supporter of mandatory funding for veterans health care because Congress is routinely unable to provide funding for the VA on time.  By going the advanced appropriations route, delays in the annual appropriations process will no longer impact the VA's ability to get this critical funding to those who need it.” 

Senator Stevens said: “This legislation will make sure the VA gets its money on time each year, so the health care needs of our veterans are always met.  While my colleagues and I have sought to make sure the VA is properly funded over the years, that funding has frequently arrived late. If this bill becomes law, the VA will always have their health care funding on day one.”

Senator Murkowski said: “We demand much of the veterans’ healthcare delivery system in addressing the critical health issues presented by those who have just returned from Iraq and Afghanistan while at the same time continuing to serve the veterans of conflicts past. For 19 of the past 21 years, Congress has failed to provide the VA with certainty about its funding levels at the beginning of the federal fiscal year. There is considerable uncertainty over whether Congress will be able to conclude the VA appropriations bill before we leave this year. We expect the VA to step up and address health challenges like traumatic brain injuries, post traumatic stress disorders, the challenges of serving veterans in rural America and the unique issues that affect female veterans but make them wait interminably for the increased funding levels to which they are legitimately entitled. This is a budget process that must be reformed.”

Advance funding has been used to fund programs such as Section 8 housing vouchers, and the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  Under the proposed legislation, veterans’ health care would go through the same process as these entities, thus securing timely funding without making VA health care an entitlement. The advance funding bill would also increase transparency in the VA funding process, by requiring an annual GAO audit and public report on VA’s funding forecasts.

The proposed advance funding legislation is also supported by The Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform, which includes the following veterans service organizations: AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans, Jewish War Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

Comrades and Sisters, please contact Senator Kohl and ask him to co-sponsor this legislation.  Contact your Representative and ask him or her to support this legislation in the House.  Together we can achieve a victory for all Veterans!!

-END-

Ask President to Protect Medicare and TRICARE beneficiary’s access to doctors

Posted at 8:41 AM on Friday, July 11, 2008 by Legislative

 
 
 July 11, 2008   
 
 Ask President to Protect Medicare and TRICARE beneficiary’s access to doctors 
 
 
 Ask President to Sign (HR 6331) Repeal of Medicare/TRICARE Doctor Payment Cuts Take Action!
 
Protect TRICARE Beneficiary Access to Doctors!
 
Senate and House passed "The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act" (H.R. 6331), that will repeal the Medicare/TRICARE 10.6 percent rate cut for doctors that took effect 1 July 2008 and authorize a 0.5-percent increase for 18 months. Doctor participation is an even greater problem for TRICARE than for Medicare because low reimbursement rates are compounded by additional administrative requirements and fewer patients.  The bill now goes to the President for him to sign into law or veto.
 
The Administration has threatened to veto the measure.  Please contact the President to ask that he sign this important legislation into law to retroactively eliminate the Medicare/TRICARE doctor reimbursement cuts that will protect Medicare and TRICARE beneficiary’s access to doctors.     
 
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VETERANS RED-WHITE-BLUE PLATES ARE BACK AS OPTION

Posted at 10:32 AM on Thursday, June 5, 2008 by Legislative

 

MADISON…Many veterans were surprised by the new look of the veterans license plates when the renewal forms arrived in the mail. The traditional red, white and blue design had been changed. According to State Representative Terry Musser (R-Melrose), veterans from around the state have contacted him saying they want the old design back.

vfwwebcom.org/wi/uploads/l/legislative/961.pdf

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES COURTESY OF MOAA

Posted at 11:05 AM on Saturday, May 17, 2008 by Legislative

COLA Fizzes Up
>
This week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that consumer price index (CPI) for the month of April leapt 0.7 percentage points over March's value.  Cumulative inflation now stands at 3.5% through
April - with five months to go in the year.  Visit MOAA's Web site to view the month-by-month CPI track compared to last year...and eyeball where the number might go by the end of the fiscal year (Sept. 30).
Panel Acts on TRICARE, Commissaries, Survivors, Reserve Benefits. Check out what the House Armed Services Committee proposed this week on these topics and more.
MOAA Talks Priorities with Senate Leaders.  MOAA President VADM Norb Ryan, Jr. (USN-Ret) got his oar in the water with Senate leaders on Wednesday concerning top priorities remaining for 2008.
War Funding Fiasco.  It's a strange scenario when Republicans and Democrats combine forces to decline to fund an ongoing war, but that's what happened this week in the House of Representatives.  But the House did approve a major improvement in GI Bill benefits as part of the war-non-funding bill.
Panel Acts on TRICARE, Commissaries, Survivors, Reserve Benefits. The House Armed Services Committee completed its draft of the FY2009 Defense Authorization Bill (H.R. 5658) this week, approving a long list of changes affecting every segment of the military community. 

Here's a summary:

> Health Care:
>
- Bar any TRICARE or pharmacy fee increases for FY2009 (see final note below)

- Authorize a pilot program to exempt certain preventive care (e.g.,mammograms, colonoscopies, vaccinations) from TRICARE copays and  deductibles (Note:  original reports indicated that Medicare-eligibles would be excluded, but Committee leaders resolved that problem)

- Add 1,023 to Navy manpower and 450 to USAF to restore
military medical positions previously civilianized
- Authorize chiropractic care for all active duty members (but not family members, retirees or survivors)
>
> Active Duty Issues:
>
- Authorize 3.9% pay raise for 2009 (vs. 3.4% DoD recommendation)
- Require military pay raises to be 1/2% greater than the average American's each year through 2013 (amendment offered by Rep. Thelma Drake, R-VA)
- Increase maximum temporary lodging/meals allowance to $290 per day per family (vs. current $180) for PCS moves
- Authorize an unpaid sabbatical from active duty of up to 3 years to pursue professional goals
- Authorize a second Family Separation Allowance payment (1/2 the normal rate) when both members of a dual-spouse couple are deployed
- Authorize "save pay" for officers reappointed in lower grade as medical officers

> Commissary Issues:

- Bar studies of commissary privatization through 2013
- Require DoD recommendation on selling beer and wine in commissaries
- Direct DoD recommendation on opening commissaries to disabled veterans with VA ratings of 30% or greater

> Guard/Reserve Issues:
>
- Require reduction in TRICARE Reserve Select premiums
- Direct DoD plan to simplify Guard/Reserve duty status categories - Authorize Reservists who retired with 20 years of active duty to switch to Reserve retirement if that provides greater retired pay, as of January 2009 (no retroactive payment)
- Authorize recomputation of Guard/Reserve retired pay
  following at least two years of recalled active duty
- Extend Guard/Reserve income replacement authority through 2009

> Survivor Issues:

- Expand eligibility for Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance to
 include survivors of members who died on active duty
- Restore SBP to survivors of members who died on active duty, but
 whose SBP was switched to children (when children attain majority or
 if remarriage ends)
- Rep. Thelma Drake's (R-VA) proposed amendment to eliminate the
 SBP-DIC offset was blocked on a procedural ruling that it was not
 allowed under the budget resolution guidelines.

 Family Issues:

- Add $15 million for family support programs
- $65 million in education aid for schools attended by military
> children
- Authorize 200-lb professional books/equipment shipping allowance for
> spouses on PCS moves
- Provide tuition assistance/training for spouses seeking portable
> careers
- Authorize transportation of two family pets if evacuated from
> overseas location

> One final note:  Fixing the TRICARE fee hike problem posed a technical
> budget challenge for committee leaders, because it required some level
> of "mandatory spending" offsets - either finding ways to increase
> revenues (e.g., selling DoD property) or cutting other mandatory
> spending programs (retired pay, TFL, SBP, etc.).
>
> Leaders came up slightly short on the revenue side and resorted to a
> budget maneuver that shifted 1% of retiree pay from September 2013
> into October 2013 (the next fiscal year).  All involved acknowledge
> that there's no intent to allow this to actually happen (they have
> five years to come up with the required alternative offset), and it's
> not the first time such things have been done, and then corrected
> later.
>
> But retirees are very sensitive that past congressional actions
> actually have curtailed their retired pay, and MOAA urges legislators
> to resist getting used to such administrative maneuvers.

> MOAA Talks Priorities with Senate Leaders
>
> Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) invited MOAA and a number of
> other association leaders to meet with him and several top Committee
> chairmen to discuss priorities for the military and veteran
> communities.
>
> Among those attending were Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl
> Levin (D-MI), Veterans Affairs Committee Daniel Akaka
> (D-HI) and 21 other Senate democrats.
>
> First and foremost, the leadership pledged to continue full funding
> for VA and military health care, including fairer treatment of wounded
> warriors and their families.
>
> Among the association leaders, there was a consensus that Congress
> should aggressively pursue the recommendations of the recent Veterans'
> Disability Benefits Commission as well as an upgraded GI Bill.  In
> addition, VADM Ryan urged:
>
- Quick action to reverse the 10.6% Medicare and TRICARE payment cut
> scheduled to take place on July 1 -- only 6 weeks away;
- Putting military health care principles in law to prevent
> annual budget-driven proposals for large increases in TRICARE
> fees; and
- Aggressive efforts to end compensation penalties imposed on
> disabled retirees and survivors.

> War Funding Fiasco
>
> We knew that Republicans and Democrats in Congress don’t agree on much
> when it comes to the war in Iraq.  But it never occurred to us that
> they might work together to decline to provide funds for an ongoing
> war - yet that's what happened when Thursday's final House vote was
> tallied on the emergency wartime supplemental appropriations bill.
>
> Because of the anticipated disagreements, action on the bill was
> broken into three separate votes to let the various factions in the
> House get clear votes on the specific topics they cared about most.
>
> One was on a package of restrictions on the war effort, including a
> requirement to bring all of the troops home by the end of 2009 and a
> requirement for matching funding by the Iraqi government.  Another was
> on a package of domestic program improvements, including a major
> upgrade to the GI Bill (which MOAA and virtually all other military
> and veterans associations strongly support).  The third vote would be
> on funding the war operations.
>
> The anticipation was that the anti-war group would get their vote on
> the war restrictions package, but would lose, while a bipartisan
> majority of House members would approve the GI Bill and other
> improvements and also approve the war funding.
>
> But that expectation failed to give enough weight to the "inside
> politics" of the House of Representatives.
>
> Upset that the Democratic majority didn't give them much input in
> formulating the bill, the Republican leaders figured they'd teach the
> Democrats a lesson by demonstrating that they need Republican votes to
> pass legislation on most big issues.
>
> So they decided that Republican House members would abstain. Perhaps
> not a good decision in retrospect, since a majority of Democrats are
> unhappy with the war.
>
> In the end, the GI Bill package was approved as expected.
>
> But the package of war restrictions was approved by a majority of
> voting Democrats, but there weren't enough Democratic votes to approve
> the war-funding portion.
>
> So now the House will send a war supplemental funding bill to the
> Senate that includes no funding for the war and proposes bringing all
> the troops home within a year and a half - even though that's not what
> a clear majority of the House really wanted.
>
> Perhaps the whole House has been taught a lesson by this – that there
> are times when political games need to take a back seat to the serious
> business of funding wartime requirements.
>
> MOAA believes strongly that if we're going to put our troops in harm's
> way, we have to make sure they get the resources to get the job done. 
> This week's action demonstrates that neither party in the House can
> say they put a priority on that.

CONGRESSMAN STEVE KAGEN, MD IS WORKING HARD FOR VETERANS

Posted at 9:31 AM on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 by Legislative

 

May 12, 2008
 
GREEN BAY, WI -- Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. is working hard to guarantee veterans receive the benefits they have earned.  At the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay today, Kagen met with veterans from Northeast Wisconsin to discuss the 21st Century G.I. Bill, a bi-partisan measure that would expand educational benefits to all those who have served in the U.S. military since the attacks of September 11, 2001. 

“When this bill becomes law, veterans in Wisconsin and across America will become eligible for improved education benefits,” said Kagen.  “Our brave soldiers covered our backs, and now it is our turn to cover theirs.”

Resembling the original G.I. Bill, the new act would allow veterans to begin using their education benefits up to fifteen years following active duty, and for the first time, veterans who served in the National Guard would qualify for the same benefits other branches of the armed services receive.  Education benefits would be available to all members of the military who served at least three to thirty-six months on active duty, including activated reservists and National Guard, with benefits paid proportionally to the number of months in active duty.

Appearing with Congressman Kagen, WI Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary John A. Scocos said, “After World War II, the G.I. Bill helped to build our nation’s economic successes in the decades that followed. It stands to reason that this new G.I. Bill would do the same for those coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Scocos added, “More importantly, enacting a full G.I. Bill for the 21st Century is the right thing to do. Men and women from every walk of life serve in defense of our nation, and many do it for more than just the money. They risk their lives, their health, their physical, mental, social and economic well-being for the rest of us. Passing a full G.I. Bill for the 21st Century is the least we can do – we owe our newest greatest generation of veterans nothing less.”

Other important benefits in the new G.I. Bill would be a monthly stipend to cover housing costs.  The bill would also create the “Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program,” in which the federal government will agree to match, dollar for dollar, any voluntary additional contributions to veterans from institutions whose tuition is more expensive than the maximum educational assistance provided under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

UWGB has recently seen a 25 percent increase in veteran enrollment. University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Chancellor Bruce Shepard said, “Having veterans on our campus contributes to everybody’s education and it is very special to have them here.”

David A. Kurtz, State Commander of the American Legion in Wisconsin, attended the event.  He spoke in support of expanded educational benefits and praised Congressman Kagen’s efforts. “The state American Legion is wholeheartedly behind your efforts to pass the 21st Century G.I. Bill.”

The 21st Century G.I. Bill is expected to be included in the Emergency Spending Supplemental legislation considered in the House of Representatives this week.

Jennifer Johnson of Grand Chute, a Marine Corps veteran, said, “I’d like to thank all those who are supporting this bill. Expanding educational benefits can only help veterans like myself as we look for opportunities after our service has ended.”

Recently, Congressman Kagen authored a provision that would provide grants for mortgage foreclosure and credit counseling to veterans returning from active duty.  Congressman Kagen has also been working with the Bush administration and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs on construction of a new Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Brown County.  The bill funding the new VA Outpatient Surgery Center will soon be sent to the House floor for a vote.

GI EDUCATION BILL FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Posted at 11:19 AM on Monday, April 14, 2008 by Legislative

Comrades, Sisters and friends:  Pleas contact your Senator's and your representative concerning the following legislation.  This is our best chance to make a difference.


We are arriving at a critical moment for the GI Bill for the 21st Century! This week, a new and improved S. 22, "The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007," was introduced in the House of Representatives as H.R. 5740 to covers all education costs. Please call or visit your congressional district or Washington offices and urge your legislators to co-sponsor either S. 22 or H.R. 5740. A new GI Bill for the 21st Century is one of the highest VFW legislative priorities. For information about your elected official use the attached link: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/ or find a listing of offices in your local phone book.

ASK THE PRESIDENT TO SIGN THE TBI BILL (S.793)

Posted at 7:53 AM on Friday, April 11, 2008 by Legislative

 
 
The Congress passed “The Reauthorization of the Traumatic Brain Injury Act” (S. 793), sponsored by Senator Orin Hatch ( Ut. ) and sent the measure to the President for his signature.  The legislation authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide state grants for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to enter treatment and rehabilitation programs. The measure would also require the CDC to monitor brain injury incidents and create a reporting system to track the condition. The CDC also would study treatment techniques, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) would be directed to conduct basic research to improve treatment. Furthermore, the bill would authorize a study on improving access to care for veterans with TBI.  

An overriding priority is ensuring that wounded troops, their families and the survivors of those killed in action are cared for by a grateful Nation. This legislation will have a significant benefit for wounded warriors suffering from TBI.  Please ask the President to sign this important legislation to help our wounded warriors.

THIS LEGISLATIVE ALERT BROUGHT TO YOU COURTESY OF THE FLEET RESERVE ASSOCIATION
 

PAC DONATIONS JAN 1 - MAR 31, 2008

Posted at 5:17 PM on Monday, April 7, 2008 by Legislative

Comrades and Sisters:

I have received a PAC Donation update from National.  I know that Mike Furgal and Carolyn Olkives will be interested in this list from National.  If you have donated to the VFW PAC, thank you for your donation.  If you haven't, please consider a fund raiser to raise funds for PAC.  These funds cannot come from your Post or Auxiliaries general funds.

The information is a PDF file with the link attached, just click the button.


BUTTON

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BY MOAA

Posted at 9:05 AM on Monday, April 7, 2008 by Legislative

The Department of Defense announced this week that it plans to remove Social Security Account Numbers (SSAN) from military identification cards by the end of 2010. Instead, the cards will display only the last four digits of the SSAN.


MOAA Storms Hill for Troops, Survivors, Retirees
MOAA leaders and staff members teamed up to visit almost every U.S. representative's and senator's office this week, urging them to oppose disproportional TRICARE fee increases, fix Survivor Benefit Plan and concurrent receipt inequities, and push for a bigger military pay raise.

MOAA and AMA Join Forces
MOAA's Director of Government Relations spoke at an AMA Capitol Hill press conference on April 2, opposing the 10.6% cut in Medicare and TRICARE payments to doctors scheduled to take effect on July 1.

Veterans' Groups: Fix VA Problems this Year
When asked at a joint Senate and House Committees' on Veterans Affairs hearing this week, MOAA and other veterans’ organizations told legislators they intend to hold Congress' feet to the fire to get the VA spending bill done before October 1.

MOAA Honors Hill Champions
On April 1, MOAA honored several legislators, congressional staff members, and private citizens for their efforts in supporting the military community.



MOAA Storms Hill for Troops, Survivors, Retirees
MOAA Council and Chapter Presidents from the 50 states and Puerto Rico, accompanied by members of the national Board of Directors and headquarters staff, swarmed Capitol Hill on April 2 to visit representatives' and senators' offices on key MOAA legislative initiatives.

This year, the "Hill-stormers" focused on three main issues, supporting efforts to:

Oppose disproportional TRICARE fee increases proposed by Defense leaders
Eliminate unfair compensation penalties imposed on thousands of disabled retirees and military survivors
Increase the 2009 military pay raise above the 3.4% proposed in the President's budget.

MOAA representatives carried a wealth of information supporting those goals, including two information brochures on why it's unfair to double or triple military retiree health care fees and illustrating the fixes needed to eliminate survivor benefits and concurrent receipt inequities.

MOAA Hill-stormers received very positive feedback from most legislators, and we've already seen a jump in the number of cosponsors for MOAA-supported bills on these topics. Check your representatives' and senators' cosponsorship status for the bills listed below:

H.R. 579 and S. 604 - Protect against disproportionate health fee increases
H.R. 1589, H.R. 1927, and S. 935 - Repeal the SBP-DIC offset
H.R. 333, H.R. 303, and S. 439 - Eliminate remaining offsets of retired pay

You can enhance MOAA's Hill-storming results by entering your ZIP code in the applicable box for each bill to send your legislator a MOAA-suggested "please cosponsor" or "thank you for cosponsoring" letter, as applicable.

MOAA and AMA Join Forces
MOAA joined with the American Medical Association (AMA) on Wednesday in the AMA's own "storming the Hill" event to convince Congress to change the law that is now scheduled to cut Medicare and TRICARE payments to doctors by 10.6% on July 1.

Col. Steve Strobridge (USAF-Ret), MOAA's Director of Government Relations, joined national and state AMA leaders at a Capitol Hill press conference highlighting the need for urgent action to protect health care access for America's seniors and military beneficiaries.

Speaking to a crowd that included 300 white-coated physicians, AMA president-elect Dr. Nancy Nielsen emphasized the urgency for action, noting that Congress had just 90 days to avert a health-care disaster, and that the nation's doctors just can't keep doing business with Medicare and TRICARE programs that keep cutting their payments below their cost of delivering care.

Nielsen said Congress must move quickly to pass Sen. Debbie Stabenow's (D-MI) bipartisan S. 2785, which would reverse the cut for 2008 and implement a small increase for 2009. "That will allow Congress two years," said Dr. Nielsen, "to find a permanent fix to the statutory payment formula that is driving these misguided cuts."

Strobridge told the group that reversing the cuts is particularly important to military beneficiaries. "The military community's number one problem is finding doctors who will accept Medicare and TRICARE," he said. "That's particularly true for Guard, Reserve and retired members and their families and survivors who live in areas that aren't near a military installation. When we send our troops in harm's way, the last thing they should have to worry about is whether their family doctor will stop seeing them."

Following the press conference, the attendees joined roughly 1,000 doctors and 135 MOAA representatives who visited every senator's and representative's office on Capitol Hill.

Veterans' Groups: Fix VA Problems this Year
MOAA and six other veterans' organizations testified at an April 3 hearing before both Senate and House Committees on Veterans Affairs.

Witnesses included CDR Rene Campos USN (Ret), MOAA's Deputy Director for Government Relations, and representatives from AMVETS, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Gold Star Wives of America, Fleet Reserve Association, The Retired Enlisted Association and the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs.

Campos told the committees that the current war has produced a number of challenges the nation was not fully prepared to meet, and that it's imperative to fund long-term improvements, starting with completing the FY2009 VA appropriations bill by Oct. 1.

House committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) was impressed with the remarkable unanimity among the veterans' organizations on health care funding, GI bill upgrades, disability claims processing, and care and support for veterans and their families. "Veterans should not have to beg for benefits," said Filner, and told the organizations that cost should not be the issue.

MOAA was pleased that the committees also signaled interest in the needs of family members as well as those of the veterans themselves. Campos stressed the need for further improvements in mental health care and assistance to families of wounded warriors in need of VA care.

Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN), a 24-year Army National Guard veteran, said he expects veterans' organizations to hold Congress accountable. "We possess the ability to pay for these programs and deliver on our promises," said Walz. "To do anything less is a slap in the face to veterans."

MOAA Honors Hill Champions
On April 1, MOAA presented its top annual awards to nine individuals for their support of the military and veterans community.

The following legislators received MOAA’s Colonel Arthur T. Marix Congressional Leadership Award for their efforts in championing improvements in pay and benefits for the military community. The award is named for MOAA's founder.

.Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) and Rep. Ike Skelton, respective Chairmen of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, were recognized for their leadership in securing much-needed initiatives to assist wounded warriors and their families, increase the 2008 military pay raise, expand eligibility for combat-related special compensation, and take the first step to ease the deduction of VA survivor benefits from military SBP annuities.

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) was honored for winning legislation to authorize a reduction in the reserve retirement age based on the member's active duty service.

Rep. Vic Snyder (D-AR) was recognized for his leadership in winning the most significant Guard and Reserve GI Bill improvements in more than a decade.

MOAA's Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals and groups other than members of Congress who distinguished themselves in support of the military community. This year's recipients include:

The General Electric Corp., which continues pay and benefits for mobilized employees and provides significant financial support for military family programs

Mr. Merrill Worcester, who for the past 15 years has donated and transported thousands of wreaths to Arlington national cemetery to decorate the graves of America's heroes during the holidays

LTG James Terry Scott USA (Ret), chairman of the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission, which recommended repeal of long-standing concurrent receipt and survivor benefits inequities

MOAA also provided its annual Colonel Paul W. Arcari Meritorious Service Award for congressional staff members. The award is named for MOAA's former director of government relations, who retired in 2001.

The award was given to Mr. Joel Rubin and Mrs. Stacie Oliver for their tireless work on behalf of military retirees, veterans, survivors and their families. Their efforts were instrumental in winning legislation in the areas of health care and survivor benefits.

UPDATE ASSEMBLY BILL 365

Posted at 10:41 AM on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 by Legislative

Senator Rossler:

 

Thank you for this update, I have sent your message out over the Internet to a large number of disabled military veterans as I know they will be outraged over the failure or should I say non support of our disabled military veterans.

Dear Thomas:

Now that the 2007-2008 regular session has ended, I am providing you with an update regarding Assembly Bill 365 (AB 365) relating to: expanding eligibility for the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit.  Regrettably, AB 365 failed to pass the Legislature this session. Why did the Legislative leadership not support AB 365? 

AB 365 would have expanded eligibility for the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit to include veterans who have a 100 percent disability rating based on individual unemployability, as determined by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and removed the age 65 requirement. This failure to not include disabled veterans rated unemployable and those not yet 65 years old is a slap in the face, we have so many younger disabled military veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan that would have benefited.  Why is it that when it comes to helping our disabled veterans this Legislature could not find the funding?

AB 365 was introduced on May 29, 2007 and referred to the Assembly Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs.  The Committee held a public hearing on AB 365 on June 13, 2007.  The Committee passed AB 365 by an 8-0 vote on June 28, 2007.  AB 365 was then referred to the Joint Finance Committee.  The Legislature took no further action on AB 365.

Related legislation, Senate Bill 101 (SB 101) and Assembly 292 (AB 292) would have removed the age 65 requirement.   Also under this related legislation, a veteran, or the unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran, would have been eligible to claim the credit if the veteran had been a resident of this state for any consecutive 10-year period after entry into active duty service. This is yet another failure on the part of our elected members of the WI Legislature.  I know veterans that have lived in WI for twenty or more years, paid WI taxes and because they did not enlist in WI they are being left out, why? Like AB 365, these bills passed their respective Committees but then did not advance past the Joint Finance Committee and failed to pass. Please provide all the names of those members of the Joint Finance Committee along with their Email addresses and telephone numbers.  What will it take to get them to recognize the fact that we as a Nation at war and because of this war many of our young men and women are coming home to Wisconsin wounded, maimed for life both physically and mentally and in many cases unable to obtain employment because of their combat service connected disabilities.

Below are links to the bill history for each bill, which detail the movement of each bill through the Legislature.

AB 365

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2007/data/AB365hst.html

SB 101/AB 292

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2007/data/SB101hst.html

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2007/data/AB292hst.html

Thank you for contacting me on this issue.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions that you may have.

Sincerely,

CAROL ROESSLER

State Senator

18th Senate District

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/senate/sen18/news/

1-888-736-8720

Senator Roessler I thank you for your dedicated service and your support of our military veterans, it is my hope that positive action will be forthcoming and retroactive. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Thomas P. Skaug
316 Sweet Street
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Tel: (920) 233-3511
Email: greenhornet929@aol.com

Member: AMVETS, DAV, TREA, LEGION, VFW, NAUS, WNGEA and USDR

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