| October 2014 | VFW SUPPORTER EDITION | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| October 2014 | VFW SUPPORTER EDITION | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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September 26, 2014
In This Issue:
1. DOD Expands Military Financial Protections 2. Camp Lejeune Care Update 3. Campaign and Election Update 1. DOD Expands Military Financial Protections: The Department of Defense today announced a regulation proposal that will reduce predatory lending practices, expand protections provided service members by closing loopholes in current rules, and ensure military families receive the important consumer protections they deserve. The proposed actions will apply to the protections found within the "2006 Military Lending Act," and include payday loans, vehicle title loans, refund anticipation loans, deposit advance loans, installment loans, unsecured open-end lines of credit and credit cards. The proposal will be published in the Federal Register for public comment on Monday, Sept. 29, and is on display today at http://www.ofr.gov/(S(stnraikvfefq3v2y11k3buzu))/inspection.aspx. To read more about the proposal, go to http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=16954&source=GovDelivery. 2. Camp Lejeune Care Update: The Department of Veterans Affairs released final regulations for the "Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act." The published regulations put in motion VA's ability to provide hospital care and medical services for veterans, and to reimburse eligible Camp Lejeune family members for out-of-pocket health care costs related to any of the 15 covered medical conditions listed in the law (P.L. 112-154). What you should do now: * Call 1-877-222-8387 and ask to be added to VA's Camp Lejeune database. VA will contact you after Oct. 24. * Gather documents showing your relationship to a veteran who served at Camp Lejeune, such as marriage license or birth certificate, and copies of orders or base housing records that showed you lived on base for 30 days or more between Jan. 1, 1957 and Dec. 31, 1987. * Keep receipts for health care expenses you paid for a covered condition on or after March 26, 2013. This is the date when Congress began to fund this program. Hold on to your documents and receipts. You'll be able to submit these starting Oct. 24. For more information about VA's Camp Lejeune program, including eligibility and how to apply, visit http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/ or call 1-877-222-8387. 3. Campaign and Election Update: With federal midterm elections just weeks away, it is critical that VFW members and advocates get involved at every level. Now is the time to Host Town Hall and Candidate Forums, to conduct voter registration drives, and to begin organizing transportation assets to help veterans get to the polls. Below is some information to help you plan and educate others on the issues important to the VFW and the military and veterans' communities. * Know the Issues and How Your Members of Congress Vote: Let your elected members know that you are prepared to hold them accountable on the issues they debated and voted on in the 113th Congress. The link to congressional voting records is here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/keyvotes.xc/?lvl=C. Ask your elected officials how they plan to address the VA access issue and provide the necessary funding. Do they plan to end Budget Sequestration and provide what DOD needs to take care of our troops and their families? For a list of our current talking points and recommendations, click here: http://www.vfw.org/VFW-in-DC/National-Legislative-Service/. * Conduct a Voter Registration Drive and Get Out the Vote Campaign: It's not our job to tell people who to vote for, but it is our responsibility to ensure that all who wish to vote can cast a ballot. Contact your local Board of Registrar to get materials and ideas on how to conduct a voter registration drive. Arrange transportation (car and vanpools) on Election Day to get VFW and Auxiliary members who can't drive themselves to the polls. Assist in getting absentee ballots for those in long-term care. For more information, check out our Veterans' Vote brochure at http://www.vfw.org/uploadedFiles/VFW.org/VFW_in_DC/Veterans%20Vote%20brochure.pdf. * Attend or Host a Town Hall Meeting or Debate: Campaigns and congressional offices post where and when candidates are holding town hall meetings. Attend and ask questions on the future of VA and DOD quality of life programs. Contact current members of Congress -- visit their website and click on "Contact," then on "Ask to Speak." Find your member's website in the House at http://www.house.gov/, and in the Senate at http://www.senate.gov/. For other candidates in your state, contact them through their campaign headquarters or websites. * Involvement in Political Campaigns: The VFW wants you to support candidates at every level. Here are the Do's and Don'ts of getting involved in political activities as a VFW member: http://www.vfw.org/uploadedFiles/VFW.org/VFW_in_DC/VFW%20Involvement%20in%20Elections%20and%20Political%20Activities%202014.pdf. *Effective, Oct. 3, your VFW Action Corps Weekly will be sent by Lianna Phillips at lphillips@vfw.org. Teresa Morris will be retiring from the VFW on Sept. 30. The VFW thanks her for being part of our family for 27 years, and we wish Teresa and her family fair winds and following seas in their futures. To sign up new veterans' advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm. As always, we want to share your advocacy stories on the VFW Capitol Hill blog. To share your stories either fill out our online form by clicking here, http://www.vfw.org/Forms/Capitol-Hill-Blog-Submissions/, or simply email photos and stories directly to vfwac@vfw.org. |
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September 19, 2014
National POW/MIA Recognition Day
In This Issue:
1. Fall Legislative Conference Update
2. Congress Passes CR, Then Heads Home
3. Speak Up for Veterans While Congress on Campaign Trail
4. COLA Headed to President
5. Critical Vet Programs Extended
6. House Holds Heated Discussion on VAOIG Report
7. New Survey Reflects 13 Years of War
1. Fall Legislative Conference Update: VFW Commander-in-Chief John Stroud concluded a weeklong schedule of meetings and briefings by honoring the nation's former prisoners of war and those still missing-in-action at a Pentagon ceremony this morning. The Chief was in town with more than 70 members of the VFW Legislative Committee to urge Congress to end sequestration, to release a new VFW report on the state of VA health care, entitled "Hurry Up and Wait," and to urge support of legislation to tweak the VFW's congressional charter — to word change men to veterans, and widows to surviving spouses — per a national resolution (R301) that was passed by delegates attending the VFW's 115th National Convention in St. Louis. He also met with Marine Corp Commandant Gen. James Amos, new Secretary of Veterans Affairs Bob McDonald, Arlington National Cemetery leadership, and a number of defense officials and congressmen and senators, to include the leadership of the House and Senate VA Committees. Legislators were asked to ensure proper implementation of the recently-passed Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act, and to help veterans receive the care they need while improving timeliness and quality of veterans' health care within VA. For all of the week's activities and the full report click here: http://thevfw.blogspot.com/2014/09/live-updates-vfw-advocates-storm-hill.html.
2. Congress Passes CR, Then Heads Home: Congress left town after clearing a Continuing Resolution to fund the government through Dec. 11. The bill provides an additional $59 million for the VA's Veterans Benefits Administration to help fight the claims backlog, and $5 million for VA's Inspector General's Office to continue investigations into improper conduct, and for whistleblower protections. On the medical side, the VA's Veterans Health Administration remains at current FY 2014 levels, but the recently signed Veterans Access, Accountability and Choice Act provided more than $16 billion in emergency funding to the VA.
3. Speak Up for Veterans While Congress on Campaign Trail: Congress left Washington yesterday and are now on the campaign trail in your home states and Congressional Districts. Now is the time to speak up for veterans, hold Town Hall Meetings, and discuss critical issues facing the military and veterans' communities. Let your elected members know that you are prepared to hold them accountable on issues important to you and the VFW. Ask them how they plan to address VA access issues, properly fund the VA, end sequestration, and provide what DOD needs to take care of our troops and their families. For a list of our current talking points and recommendations, logon to http://www.vfw.org/VFW-in-DC/National-Legislative-Service/. For a list of our current priority goals, go to http://www.vfw.org/uploadedFiles/VFW.org/VFW_in_DC/2014%20Priority%20Goals%20brochure%20final%20pdf.pdf. And for the Do's and Don'ts of getting involved in political activities as a VFW member, click here:
4. COLA Headed to President: On Tuesday, the House passed by voice vote S. 2258, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2014, clearing it for the President's signature. The bill will provide an increase in veterans' disability compensation and Dependency and Indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. The increase is tied to the social security index and will be effective Dec. 1, 2014. The amount of increase has yet to be determined.
5. Critical Vet Programs Extended: This week, legislation that would extend several VFW-supported programs cleared Congress. The bill, HR 5404, would extend a requirement that the VA provide nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities, and reauthorize a grant program for homeless veterans with special needs. It would also allow the VA to continue collecting co-payments for hospital care and nursing home care. All the programs were set to expire on Sept. 30. The bill now heads to the President for signature.
6. House Holds Heated Discussion on VAOIG Report: The House VA Committee held a five-hour hearing on the final VA Office of the Inspector General report that examined the manipulation of appointment scheduling that may have led to the deaths of veterans in Phoenix. The witnesses included representatives from the VAOIG, Veterans Health Administration leaders, and VA Secretary Robert McDonald. Following last week's hearing before the Senate VA Committee, Secretary McDonald again said that VA is continuing to address many of the report's recommendations, and also advised that changing culture takes time, and that he intends to meet with employees, union leaders and other stakeholders to begin to work together on that change. Committee Members continually questioned the IG's report data that did not conclusively link wait times to any veterans' death, but uncovered lapses in follow-up, coordination, quality and continuity of care. The VFW will continue to monitor all aspects of VA reforms, and has made our own recommendations in our "Hurry Up and Wait" report here: http://www.vfw.org/HealthReport2014/. To view a recorded webcast of the House hearing, click here: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/scheduling-manipulation-and-veteran-deaths-in-phoenix-examination-of-the-oig%E2%80%99s-final-report
7. New Survey Reflects 13 Years of War: Blue Star Families released its fifth annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey this week. The key concerns identified by the 6,200 veterans, service and family members who participated in the VFW-supported survey were pay and benefits, and changes to retirement benefits. Other issues included military spouse employment, the effects of deployment on children, military lifestyle uncertainty, the military-civilian divide, and the Department of Veterans Affairs disability backlog. This year's survey also revealed information on financial readiness, caregiving, mental health, transition, and the impact of downsizing on the military community. Click here for survey results http://bluestarfam.org/resources/2014-military-family-lifestyle-survey
To sign up new veterans' advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.
As always, we want to share your advocacy stories on the VFW Capitol Hill blog. To share your stories either fill out our online form by clicking here, http://www.vfw.org/Forms/Capitol-Hill-Blog-Submissions/, or simply email photos and stories directly to vfwac@vfw.org.
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September 19, 2014
National POW/MIA Recognition Day
In This Issue:
1. Fall Legislative Conference Update
2. Congress Passes CR, Then Heads Home
3. Speak Up for Veterans While Congress on Campaign Trail
4. COLA Headed to President
5. Critical Vet Programs Extended
6. House Holds Heated Discussion on VAOIG Report
7. New Survey Reflects 13 Years of War
1. Fall Legislative Conference Update: VFW Commander-in-Chief John Stroud concluded a weeklong schedule of meetings and briefings by honoring the nation's former prisoners of war and those still missing-in-action at a Pentagon ceremony this morning. The Chief was in town with more than 70 members of the VFW Legislative Committee to urge Congress to end sequestration, to release a new VFW report on the state of VA health care, entitled "Hurry Up and Wait," and to urge support of legislation to tweak the VFW's congressional charter — to word change men to veterans, and widows to surviving spouses — per a national resolution (R301) that was passed by delegates attending the VFW's 115th National Convention in St. Louis. He also met with Marine Corp Commandant Gen. James Amos, new Secretary of Veterans Affairs Bob McDonald, Arlington National Cemetery leadership, and a number of defense officials and congressmen and senators, to include the leadership of the House and Senate VA Committees. Legislators were asked to ensure proper implementation of the recently-passed Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act, and to help veterans receive the care they need while improving timeliness and quality of veterans' health care within VA. For all of the week's activities and the full report click here: http://thevfw.blogspot.com/2014/09/live-updates-vfw-advocates-storm-hill.html.
2. Congress Passes CR, Then Heads Home: Congress left town after clearing a Continuing Resolution to fund the government through Dec. 11. The bill provides an additional $59 million for the VA's Veterans Benefits Administration to help fight the claims backlog, and $5 million for VA's Inspector General's Office to continue investigations into improper conduct, and for whistleblower protections. On the medical side, the VA's Veterans Health Administration remains at current FY 2014 levels, but the recently signed Veterans Access, Accountability and Choice Act provided more than $16 billion in emergency funding to the VA.
3. Speak Up for Veterans While Congress on Campaign Trail: Congress left Washington yesterday and are now on the campaign trail in your home states and Congressional Districts. Now is the time to speak up for veterans, hold Town Hall Meetings, and discuss critical issues facing the military and veterans' communities. Let your elected members know that you are prepared to hold them accountable on issues important to you and the VFW. Ask them how they plan to address VA access issues, properly fund the VA, end sequestration, and provide what DOD needs to take care of our troops and their families. For a list of our current talking points and recommendations, logon to http://www.vfw.org/VFW-in-DC/National-Legislative-Service/. For a list of our current priority goals, go to http://www.vfw.org/uploadedFiles/VFW.org/VFW_in_DC/2014%20Priority%20Goals%20brochure%20final%20pdf.pdf. And for the Do's and Don'ts of getting involved in political activities as a VFW member, click here:
4. COLA Headed to President: On Tuesday, the House passed by voice vote S. 2258, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2014, clearing it for the President's signature. The bill will provide an increase in veterans' disability compensation and Dependency and Indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. The increase is tied to the social security index and will be effective Dec. 1, 2014. The amount of increase has yet to be determined.
5. Critical Vet Programs Extended: This week, legislation that would extend several VFW-supported programs cleared Congress. The bill, HR 5404, would extend a requirement that the VA provide nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities, and reauthorize a grant program for homeless veterans with special needs. It would also allow the VA to continue collecting co-payments for hospital care and nursing home care. All the programs were set to expire on Sept. 30. The bill now heads to the President for signature.
6. House Holds Heated Discussion on VAOIG Report: The House VA Committee held a five-hour hearing on the final VA Office of the Inspector General report that examined the manipulation of appointment scheduling that may have led to the deaths of veterans in Phoenix. The witnesses included representatives from the VAOIG, Veterans Health Administration leaders, and VA Secretary Robert McDonald. Following last week's hearing before the Senate VA Committee, Secretary McDonald again said that VA is continuing to address many of the report's recommendations, and also advised that changing culture takes time, and that he intends to meet with employees, union leaders and other stakeholders to begin to work together on that change. Committee Members continually questioned the IG's report data that did not conclusively link wait times to any veterans' death, but uncovered lapses in follow-up, coordination, quality and continuity of care. The VFW will continue to monitor all aspects of VA reforms, and has made our own recommendations in our "Hurry Up and Wait" report here: http://www.vfw.org/HealthReport2014/. To view a recorded webcast of the House hearing, click here: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/scheduling-manipulation-and-veteran-deaths-in-phoenix-examination-of-the-oig%E2%80%99s-final-report
7. New Survey Reflects 13 Years of War: Blue Star Families released its fifth annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey this week. The key concerns identified by the 6,200 veterans, service and family members who participated in the VFW-supported survey were pay and benefits, and changes to retirement benefits. Other issues included military spouse employment, the effects of deployment on children, military lifestyle uncertainty, the military-civilian divide, and the Department of Veterans Affairs disability backlog. This year's survey also revealed information on financial readiness, caregiving, mental health, transition, and the impact of downsizing on the military community. Click here for survey results http://bluestarfam.org/resources/2014-military-family-lifestyle-survey
To sign up new veterans' advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.
As always, we want to share your advocacy stories on the VFW Capitol Hill blog. To share your stories either fill out our online form by clicking here, http://www.vfw.org/Forms/Capitol-Hill-Blog-Submissions/, or simply email photos and stories directly to vfwac@vfw.org.
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