"The Mind is like a Parachute... It does not work if it isn't open"
Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:22:17 +0000
From: newsletter@vetfriends.com
Subject: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
| ||||||||||||
 |
|
VFW MEN'S AUXILIARY NV POST 10047
Monday, December 7, 2015
FW: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:22:17 +0000
From: newsletter@vetfriends.com
Subject: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
FW: VFW Action Corps Weekly, November 20, 2015
Subject: VFW Action Corps Weekly, November 20, 2015
To: rserge1@outlook.com
From: amarkel@vfw.org
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2015 15:03:22 -0500
November 20, 2015
In This Issue:
1. VFW Testifies at Senate Bill Hearing
2. Hearing on Pending Health Legislation
3. Hearing on Choice Consolidation
4. House Holds Hearing on VA OJT Program
5. Longtime Advocate Confirmed to Lead DOL VETS
6. Nomination Hearing for VA Inspector General
7. House Passes Several Veterans' Bills
8. Terrorist Attack a Wakeup Call to America
9. DOD Unveils Initial "Force of Future" Plan
10. New JCS Senior Enlisted Advisor Announced
11. Vietnam War MIA Recovery
1. VFW Testifies at Senate Bill Hearing: On Wednesday, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing to discuss pending legislation. VFW Deputy Legislative Director Aleks Morosky testified at the hearing, offering the VFW's views and recommendations. The bills cover a wide range of topics including VA whistleblower protection, GI Bill benefits restoration for veterans who attend schools that unexpectedly close, increased access to telemedicine, a training program to allow medics and corpsmen to become VA physician assistants, and improvements to the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program. The VFW supports all of the bills discussed at the hearing. To read the testimony and watch a video of the hearing, click here: http://www.veterans.senate.gov/hearings/pending-health-and-benefits-legislation-111815.
2. Hearing on Pending Health Legislation: On Tuesday, the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to consider a number of important bills. Subcommittee members discussed a range of issues, including access to mental health for military sexual trauma victims, surveys used to gauge veteran experiences, and improving the safety of adaptive automobile grants. VFW Senior Legislative Associate Carlos Fuentes testified, offering the VFW's support for most of the bills and recommendations to strengthen others. In his testimony, Fuentes urged the subcommittee to consider improving VA's patient advocate program. To view a video of the hearing, visit: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/legislative-hearing-4.
3. Hearing on Choice Consolidation: On Wednesday, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing to discuss VA's plan to consolidate non-VA care programs. The co-authors of the Independent Budget (IB) - the VFW, DAV and PVA - submitted testimony commending VA for its plan to integrate private sector providers into the way it delivers care to veterans. The IB urged the committee to reconsider a proposal that would authorize VA to charge veterans for service-connected emergency room and urgent care. The IB also opposed a proposal to give VA the authority to withhold care from veterans who fail to report their private health care insurance information. The IB's testimony also included our four-pronged vision for veterans' health care reform. To view a video of the hearing, visit: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/choice-consolidation-assessing-va-s-plan-to-improve-care-in-the-community. To read the IB's testimony, visit: http://www.vfw.org/VFW-in-DC/Congressional-Testimony/Choice-Consolidation--Assessing-VA%E2%80%99s-Plan-to-Improve-Care-in-the-Community/.
4. House Holds Hearing on VA OJT Program: On Wednesday, the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing to examine the VA On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Apprenticeship Program. Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, veterans can receive benefits while participating in OJT programs and apprenticeships. The subcommittee stated that the OJT program provides an excellent opportunity for those who participate, but focused on specific improvements needed, as outlined by a recent Government Accountability Office report. These included recommendations that VA improve awareness of the program, ease administrative burdens, and develop better outcome measures. VA concurred with the recommendations and has begun implementing them. The VFW strongly supports the OJT program. To learn more about the OJT program, click here: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/onthejob_apprenticeship.asp.
5. Longtime Advocate Confirmed to Lead DOL VETS: On Thursday, the Senate unanimously confirmed former member of Congress, Michael Michaud, to be the next assistant secretary of the Department of Labor-Veterans Employment and Training Service. Michaud has been a longtime veterans' advocate and was the ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee before leaving Congress in 2014. Michaud has been a longtime friend of the VFW, and we look forward to working with him again in his new position.
6. Nomination Hearing for VA Inspector General: On Thursday, the president nominated former federal and congressional investigations counsel, Michael J. Missal, to be the next VA Inspector General. The position has been vacant for two years, but the office has played an integral role in exposing system-wide wrongdoing and data manipulation issues that have contributed to the VA health care access crisis. The VFW is hopeful that permanent leadership in this important position will lead to better accountability at VA. To read Mr. Missal's testimony or view a video of the hearing, visit: http://www.veterans.senate.gov/hearings/pending-nomination-of-michael-j-missal-11172015.
7. House Passes Several Veterans' Bills: This week, the House of Representatives passed several pieces of veteran-related legislation. These included H.R. 1694, which sets aside federal transportation contracts for veterans; H.R. 3114, which gives funding to the Army Corps of Engineers to hire veterans to assist with historic preservation; and H.R. 1338, which requires VA to study and report on veterans' unclaimed remains in national cemeteries. Also approved by the House was H.R. 1384, the Honor America's Guard-Reserve Retirees Act, which extends veterans' status to reserve component retirees who are never activated. The VFW supports each of these bills. Stay tuned to the Action Corps Weekly for updates as they move through the Senate.
8. Terrorist Attack a Wakeup Call to America: VFW National Commander John Biedrzycki said the VFW stands with America's first ally as it mourns in the wake of a vicious and cowardly attack, but that "the attack on Paris should also serve as a wakeup call that our own homeland is vulnerable to attack from radical Muslim extremists who are hell-bent on destroying us and our entire way of life," he said. The Chief called America vulnerable because it has porous borders, a broken immigration system, and elected and appointed officials who refuse to recognize this enemy as a threat to national security, despite their having the great tactical advantage of choosing when and where to attack. He also said America is vulnerable because Congress still refuses to eliminate sequestration, which takes a meat cleaver to the budgets of national defense, intelligence and homeland security. Biedrzycki said America has been caught sleeping twice, on Dec. 7, 1941, and on Sept. 11, 2001. "There must not be a third time," he said, "and that's why the VFW will do what we must to force Washington to wake up and destroy this enemy before they strike our homeland. There is no higher nor more immediate national priority."
9. DOD Unveils Initial "Force of Future" Plan: On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Ash Carter unveiled his department's initial plans for a military force of the future. The details released were less than anticipated, but the VFW did learn during a teleconference prior to the unveiling that the new plan will expand internship and fellowship opportunities, create new doctorial programs, and bring in new ideas and talent, including entrepreneurs, to keep DOD forward thinking and ready for the future. More plans are expected to be released. Learn more about the initial plan at: http://www.defense.gov/Portals/1/features/2015/0315_force-of-the-future/documents/FotF_Fact_Sheet_-_FINAL_11.18.pdf.
10. New JCS Senior Enlisted Advisor Announced: The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., has selected Army Command Sgt. Maj. John W. Troxell as his new senior enlisted advisor. Troxell is currently stationed in South Korea and wears three hats as the command senior enlisted advisor to United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea. He enlisted in the Army in 1982 as an armored reconnaissance specialist, and has five combat tours that include Operations Just Cause and Desert Shield/Storm, two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. Troxell will replace Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, who is retiring after 36 years of service.
11. Vietnam War MIA Recovery: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains belonging to Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth L. Cunningham, 21, of Ellery, Ill. On Oct. 3, 1969, then Private 1st Class Cunningham was an observer in an OV-1C Mohawk aircraft on a surveillance mission over the tri-border area of Cambodia, Laos and South Vietnam. Contact was lost and the aircraft was found two days later on top of a 7,000 foot peak in a mountain range north of Kontum. His remains were not recovered. He was assigned to the 225th Aviation Company, 223rd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade.
To sign up new veterans' advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.
As always, we want to hear your advocacy stories. To share your stories or photos with us, simply email them directly to vfwac@vfw.org.
|
If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here.  |
FW: VFW Action Corps Weekly, November 13, 2015
Subject: VFW Action Corps Weekly, November 13, 2015
From: amarkel@vfw.org
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2015 15:03:09 -0500
|
November 13, 2015
In This Issue:
1. Fiscal Year 2016 MilConVA Appropriations Bill Clears Senate
2. VA National Access Stand Down
3. Veterans Day Week in Washington
4. New Medal of Honor Recipient
5. MIA Burial Update
1. Fiscal Year 2016 MilConVA Appropriations Bill Clears Senate: On Tuesday, the Senate voted 93-0 to pass an updated appropriations bill for VA's and DOD's military construction accounts. The bill reflects new budget levels that were established under the bipartisan budget deal. The updated appropriations bill would provide $79.74 billion for VA's discretionary accounts. It includes a nearly $2 billion increase to VA's medical services account from the previous Senate version. The bill also includes $8.2 billion for military construction and $101 million for the Arlington National Cemetery. The bill now heads back to the House for consideration. Stay tuned to the Action Corps Weekly for updates on this important bill.
2. VA National Access Stand Down: In an effort to meet the urgent care needs of veterans, VA plans to hold a national access stand down at every VA medical center. On Saturday, November 14, a team of clinical leaders, administrators and volunteers will be on site at every VA medical center from 9 a.m. to noon to reach out to all veterans waiting for urgent care. The VFW urges veterans who are waiting for urgent care to visit their local VA medical centers. If you are interested in sharing your experience with the VFW, please email us at: vfw@vfw.org, or call: 1-800-VFW-1899 (1-800-839-1899).
3. Veterans Day Week in Washington: VFW National Commander John A. Biedrzycki Jr.'s agenda this week included discussing big picture issues with senior military and civilian officials in Washington. On the military side, he met with Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and the Army personnel, operations and budget chiefs, as well as with Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Jim Cody. He discussed military accession issues with Selective Service Director Lawrence Romo, and met with five Ukrainian military and civilian health professionals who were here on a State Department-sponsored visit to learn how their country might replicate our Department of Veterans Affairs. The VFW National Commander and his wife, Bette Jean, and VFW Auxiliary National President Francisca Guilford, also represented the VFW at a Veterans Day breakfast at the White House, plus laid wreathes at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He also presented a check for $100,000 towards the construction of the Desert Storm War Memorial, which was the first installment on a VFW pledge to donate $500,000. He will end the week in D.C. by attending the U.S. Marine Corps' 240th birthday ball on Saturday.
4. New Medal of Honor Recipient: President Obama presented retired Army Capt. Florent A. "Flo" Groberg the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony yesterday for tackling a suicide bomber in Afghanistan's Kunar province three years ago. Groberg was serving at the time as a personal security detachment commander in the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. According to an Army Times article, the bomber's explosive vest detonated, as did one worn by a second suicide bomber, killing four Americans and wounding several others. But, had it not been for Groberg's actions, the planned simultaneous detonations could have caused far more casualties. Groberg becomes the 10th living and 17th overall recipient of the nation's highest award for valor for actions in Afghanistan or Iraq. Read more at: http://www.defense.gov/News-Article-View/Article/628805/president-presents-medal-of-honor-to-army-captain?source=GovDelivery.
5. MIA Burial Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that Marine Corps Cpl. Roger K. Nielson, 22, of Denver, will be buried with full military honors in his hometown on Nov. 16. Nielson was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, when he was killed in action fighting on the Pacific island of Tarawa on Nov. 20, 1943. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/NewsStories/NewsReleases/tabid/10159/Article/628301/marine-missing-from-world-war-ii-accounted-for-nielson.aspx.
To sign up new veterans' advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.
As always, we want to hear your advocacy stories. To share your stories or photos with us, simply email them directly to vfwac@vfw.org.
|
If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here.  |
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
FW: One More Day and Some Great News
From: friendsoffreedom@vfw.org
Subject: One More Day and Some Great News
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2015 10:41:39 -0600
 | ||
| ||
| ||
 |
Monday, November 9, 2015
FW: VFW Action Corps Weekly, November 6, 2015
Subject: VFW Action Corps Weekly, November 6, 2015
From: amarkel@vfw.org
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2015 12:33:00 -0500
November 6, 2015
Due to technical difficulties, the Action Corps Weekly dated Nov. 6
is being delivered today. We apologize for any inconvenience.
In This Issue:
1. House Holds Hearing on VA Technology Systems
2. House Holds Joint Hearing on Veteran-Owned Small Business Contracting
3. Hearing on Misuse of VA's Relocation Program
4. Miller and Walz on Improving VA
5. VA Releases Plan to Consolidate Community Health Care Programs
6. Government Shutdown Still Looms
7. Veterans Day in Washington
8. MIA Update
1. House Holds Hearing on VA Technology Systems: On Tuesday, Nov. 3, the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing entitled, "Examining VA's Information Technology Systems that Provide Economic Opportunities for Veterans." The purpose of the hearing was to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the various IT tools that help veterans receive training and get jobs. These include the systems that allow VA to process GI Bill claims and manage the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program. Also discussed was the effectiveness of the VA Veteran Employment Center, a new website designed to connect veterans and employers who are looking to hire them. To visit the Veterans Employment Center website, click here: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/jobs. To watch a webcast of the hearing, visit: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/examining-va-s-information-technology-systems-that-provide-economic-opportunities-for.
2. House Holds Joint Hearing on Veteran-Owned Small Business Contracting: On Wednesday, Nov. 4, the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce and the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a joint hearing to examine the progress and challenges of VA's Vets First Verification Process. This is the process by which VA verifies that small businesses that receive veteran-owned contracting preferences are in fact owned and controlled by veterans. A 2013 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that VA needed to improve the accuracy and timeliness of this process. The newest GAO report found that VA has made progress, reducing processing times by more than 50 percent - from 85 to 41 days - and improving accuracy. Still, VA must continue to streamline its process to make it less cumbersome and more veteran friendly. To watch the hearing, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIBe0zy6HBI. For the full transcript, click here: http://smallbusiness.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=398559.
3. Hearing on Misuse of VA's Relocation Program: On Monday, Nov. 2, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a hearing to receive testimony from witnesses who were subpoenaed following the release of a VA Office Inspector General (VA OIG) report which found that the Veterans Benefits Administration spent more than $1.5 million dollars on the questionable relocation assignments of several senior executives. Philadelphia VA Regional Office Director Diana Rubens and St. Paul VA Regional Office Director Kimberly Graves, who allegedly abused their authority for financial gain, appeared before the committee but opted to follow legal advice and refused to answer any questions. The committee was informed that VA is pursuing punitive action against Rubens and Graves, using the recently enacted expedited firing authority for senior executives. Committee members discussed the VA OIG's findings and the need to improve accountability and address numerous issues with VA's relocation program. To view a video of the hearing, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLCCjMJxZP4.
4. Miller and Walz on Improving VA: On Wednesday, Nov. 4, House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller and Congressman Tim Walz visited the Brookings Institute's Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence to discuss what VA is doing well and areas of concern that need to be improved. The discussion focused on how to improve the VA health care system and the need for better accountability. Chairman Miller emphasized that VA must leverage the private sector to improve health care access. Congressman Walz discussed the importance of holding VA employees accountable for wrongdoing, but warned that moving to a federal right-to-work structure would have long-lasting implications. To learn more or listen to the audio, visit: http://www.brookings.edu/events/2015/11/04-veterans-health-administration.
5. VA Releases Plan to Consolidate Community Health Care Programs: VA released its plan to consolidate its community care programs and authorities to improve access to health care for veterans, while streamlining and increasing the use of public and private health care providers in local communities. The plan is aimed at ensuring VA has the proper authority and processes to provide timely access to high quality care when veterans need it, regardless if it's through VA or non-VA health care providers. The VFW is committed to ensuring that VA health care reforms put veterans' health care needs and preferences first. The VFW is reviewing VA's plan and will release its views on the plan soon. To learn more or read VA's plan, visit: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/23804/va-releases-plan-to-consolidate-community-health-care-programs/.
6. Government Shutdown Still Looms: The recently signed Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 sets funding levels for the federal government through FY 2017, but it didn't appropriate any funding, which is a task that now falls on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. To prevent another government shutdown, both the House and Senate must approve the legislation and the president must sign it into law before Dec. 11, 2015. If funding can be agreed upon, the two-year deal would provide defense officials some much needed fiscal stability, even though it did not repeal sequestration. If an appropriations bill fails to pass, and if a Continuing Resolution is not used as a temporary stopgap funding measure, then a government shutdown would occur immediately, and its impact on military training and readiness and VA would be widespread, similar to the 16-day shutdown in 2013. The VFW Action Corps Weekly will publish more updates as they become available.
7. Veterans Day in Washington: VFW Posts everywhere will be recognizing Veterans Day on Nov. 11. Visitors to Washington can join in the national salute starting at the World War II Memorial at 9 a.m., at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m. and at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 1 p.m. More updates will be posted on the respective websites at: WWII Memorial, http://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/news-and-events/news-events; Arlington, www.arlingtoncemetery.mil; and The Wall, http://www.vvmf.org/2015-veterans-day-rsvp.
8. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced burial dates for four Americans who had been missing in action since World War II and Korea, and whose remains had been previously identified and returned to their families. To be buried with full military honors are:
-- Army Pfc. Frank Worley, 21, of Wilmington, N.C., is being buried today in Salisbury, N.C. On Feb. 11, 1951, Worley and elements of Battery A, 503rd Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, were occupying a position in the vicinity of Hoengsong, South Korea, when their unit was overwhelmed by Chinese forces. Worley was reported missing after the attack. Read more here: http://www.dpaa.mil/NewsStories/NewsReleases/tabid/10159/Article/626795/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-accounted-for-worley.aspx.
-- Marine Pfc. James P. Reilly, 20, of New York, will be buried Nov. 9 in Bushnell, Fla. In November 1943, Reilly was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll. Approximately 1,000 Marines were killed over several days of intense fighting, to include Reilly on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943. Read more here: http://www.dpaa.mil/NewsStories/NewsReleases/tabid/10159/Article/627126/marine-missing-from-world-war-ii-accounted-for-reilly.aspx.
-- Army Cpl. Martin A. King, 18, of Harrisburg, Pa., will be buried Nov. 9 in Annville, Pa. In early November 1950, King was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, when his unit was attacked by Chinese forces while occupying a position along the Nammyon River, near Unsan, North Korea. King was reported missing on Nov. 2, 1950. It would be later learned that he had been captured, but died of malnutrition in a POW Camp. Read more here: http://www.dpaa.mil/NewsStories/NewsReleases/tabid/10159/Article/627128/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-accounted-for-king.aspx.
-- Army Air Forces 1st Lt. William O. Pile, 24, of Circleville, Ohio, will be buried Nov. 10 in Arlington National Cemetery. On Dec. 23, 1944, Pile was assigned to the 559th Bombardment Squadron, 387th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force. Pile was the pilot of a B-26C Marauder which crashed after being struck by enemy fire near Philippsweiler, Germany. Pile and his co-pilot, 2nd Lt. Robert Ward, were reported killed in action. Seven crewmen survived the crash by parachuting to safety. One crewman, however, was captured and later died in captivity. Read more here: http://www.dpaa.mil/NewsStories/NewsReleases/tabid/10159/Article/627582/airman-missing-from-wwii-accounted-for-pile.aspx.
To sign up new veterans' advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.
As always, we want to hear your advocacy stories. To share your stories or photos with us, simply email them directly to vfwac@vfw.org.
|
If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here.  |
FW: VVA: Fw: VFW Action Corps Weekly, October 30, 2015
From: vva@vva2.talklist.com
To: krrisk@comcast.net
CC: vvachapter842@comcast.net; vva@vva2.talklist.com
Subject: VVA: Fw: VFW Action Corps Weekly, October 30, 2015
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2015 07:52:00 -0500
VFW Action Corps Weekly, October 30, 2015
To: krrisk@comcast.net
CC: vvachapter842@comcast.net; vva@vva2.talklist.com
Subject: VVA: Fw: VFW Action Corps Weekly, October 30, 2015
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2015 07:52:00 -0500
Veteran new from the VFW.
Ken Riskedahl
Tupelo, MS.
Tupelo, MS.
|
October 30, 2015
In This Issue:
1. Joint Hearing on DOD/VA Interoperability
2. Senate Holds Hearing on Mental Health
3. Bipartisan Budget Deal Clears House
4. Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act Passes Congress
5. TRICARE Young Adult Premiums Going Up
6. Pay & Benefits Uncertainty Tops New Family Survey
7. Gulf War Illness Research Update
8. Monuments Men Receive Congressional Gold Medal
1. Joint Hearing on DOD/VA Interoperability: On Tuesday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Information Technology (IT) and the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a joint hearing on the interoperability of DOD and VA electronic health care records. During the hearing DOD and VA assured committee members that they would meet interoperability goals for 2015. The Government Accountability Office testified that fully interoperable health care systems are still years away. Committee members discussed the need for a more seamless transfer of health care data between the departments and private sector health care providers. To view a video of the hearing and read the testimony, visit: https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/18424/.
2. Senate Holds Hearing on Mental Health: On Wednesday, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing entitled, "VA Mental Health: Ensuring Access to Care." The hearing followed the release of a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which found that clearer guidance on mental health access policies and wait time data is needed at VA. A representative from GAO testified on the report, stating that VA's policy of calculating wait times from the "preferred date," a date determined by the VA scheduler when the appointment is made, often does not accurately reflect the wait time perceived by the veteran. This corroborates a concern that the VFW has consistently expressed that the wait times reported by VA do not match those actually experienced by veterans. GAO recommended that VA reevaluate the way it calculates wait times. The VFW believes that it is critically important that VA accurately report wait times to ensure that veterans are receiving timely care. Another topic included in the hearing was VA's inability to hire providers quickly due to cumbersome federal hiring regulations. To watch a webcast of the hearing, click here: http://www.veterans.senate.gov/hearings/va-mental-health-ensuring-access-to-care10282015.
3. Bipartisan Budget Deal Clears Congress: On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed a newly announced two-year budget deal with a vote of 392 to 37, the Senate followed suit early Friday morning with 64-35 vote. The deal was the result of negotiations between congressional leadership and the White House. It would increase the Budget Control Act budget caps that were established in 2011 by providing an $80 billion budget increase divided equally among defense and domestic accounts over the next two years. Although the deal fails to permanently repeal sequestration, it does provide DOD and VA two years of budget predictability near the president's requested levels, which would improve the administration's ability to carry out a strong national defense strategy and fully support service members, veterans and their families. The deal would also fix the social security disability insurance shortfall, reduce the Medicare Part B premium increase for this year for those expecting an increase, and raise the debt limit. The bill now heads to the President for his signiture. Stay tuned to the Action Corps Weekly for updates on this important bill.
4. Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act Passes Congress: On Monday, the Senate unanimously passed the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act, legislation strongly supported by the VFW. Having already passed the House, the bill now heads to the president's desk for signature. Once it becomes law, it will provide federally employed disabled veterans with 104 hours of "Wounded Warrior leave" during their first year of employment that may be used to seek care for their service-connected disabilities. The VFW thanks Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kans.), as well as Representative Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), for their leadership on this issue and their bipartisan effort in securing the passage of this important bill.
5. TRICARE Young Adult Premiums Going Up: This week, DOD announced significant premium increases for the TRICARE Young Adult program. Under the new rates, effective January 1, 2016, TRICARE Young Adult Prime will increase from $208 to $306 per month and TRICARE Young Adult Standard will increase from $181 to $228. The program, which began in 2011, allows adult children of TRICARE beneficiaries to receive coverage until age 26. One of the statutory requirements when the program was created was that it remain cost-free to taxpayers. The rise in premiums represents a higher than expected usage rate of the program. These increases do not affect other TRICARE beneficiaries. To find out more, click here: http://www.tricare.mil/Costs/HealthPlanCosts/TYA.aspx.
6. Pay & Benefits Uncertainty Tops New Family Survey: Military pay and retirement benefits changes are the top two concerns of the just released Blue Star Families' 2015 Military Family Lifestyle Survey. The uncertainty in budget and continued opportunity to serve in uniform has created a theme of "eyes on the exits," said Cristin Orr Shiffer, the nonprofit group's deputy director of research and policy, in a Military Times article. The VFW-supported survey, now in its sixth edition, surveyed almost 6,300 military service members, spouses and veterans. Regarding obstacles to financial readiness, respondents cited uncertainty in military life, spouse employment, and benefits uncertainty and changes as their top three concerns. 75 percent of spouses reported that being a military spouse negatively impacted their ability to pursue a career. On the upside, 87 percent of respondents reported the military did prepare them to be a leader in the civilian workplace and community, and 97 percent felt pride in their accomplishments during their service. Download the survey at: http://www.bluestarfam.org/resources/military-family-lifestyle-survey.
7. Gulf War Illness Research Update: The Department of Veterans Affairs War Related Illness and Injury Study Center currently has several research studies that may be of interest to Operation Desert Shield/Storm veterans and non-deployed Gulf War Era veterans at their East Orange, N.J., medical campus. If you are a veteran from the 1990-91 era, or if you have Gulf War Illness or would like to know more about the research, please call 1-800-225-5170 or visit their Gulf War Research page at: http://1.usa.gov/1LpLQ2o.
8. Monuments Men Receive Congressional Gold Medal: On Oct. 22, four of six surviving members of the Monuments Men were present in the U.S. Capitol to receive the Congressional Gold Medal for their World War II service to find and secure priceless pieces of art that at the time were being plundered by Nazi Germany. Once 350-men strong from 14 allied countries, the Monuments Men were a little-known band of art curators, scholars and architects until a movie by the same name was released last year. The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation's highest civilian honor. Read more about the presentation here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article41044539.html.
To sign up new veterans' advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.
As always, we want to hear your advocacy stories. To share your stories or photos with us, simply email them directly to vfwac@vfw.org.
|
| If |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)