FW: VFW Action Corps Weekly, November 6, 2015

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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.

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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

Veteran new from the VFW.

Ken Riskedahl
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

FW: VFW Action Corps Weekly, October 30, 2015

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Subject: VFW Action Corps Weekly, October 30, 2015
From: kwiseman@vfw.org
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2015 15:48:01 -0400

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 you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here.

Fwd: VFW Action Corps Weekly, October 23, 2015

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Fwd: VFW Action Corps Weekly, October 23, 2015
From: Duane Serge <rserge@live.com>
Sent: Friday, October 23, 2015, 7:34 PM
To: Robert Serge <rserge1@outlook.com>
CC:

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: VFW Action Corps Weekly, October 23, 2015
From: Ann Markel <amarkel@vfw.org>
Sent: Friday, October 23, 2015, 12:02 PM
To: Robert Serge <rserge@live.com>
CC:

October 23, 2015 In This Issue: 1. President Vetoes NDAA 2. VA Primary Care Oversight Hearing 3. Veterans Education Oversight Hearing 4. House Holds OIG Report Hearing 5. Two MIAs Recovered 1. President Vetoes NDAA: As expected, President Obama vetoed the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Thursday because it kept sequestration in place and blocked his ability to close the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The $611.9 billion defense bill contained a number of VFW-supported provisions ranging from an enhanced military retirement system and the repeal of the 1 percent cost-of-living adjustment penalty on new retirees, as well as keeping the Guantanamo facility open, which is supported by VFW National Resolution. The bill also contained provisions that the VFW opposed, such as the gradual reduction of military housing allowances. Ending sequestration is the VFW's top legislative goal, as it directly impacts military readiness and could affect all discretionary-funded programs that are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies with veterans-oriented programs, such as Labor. Congress has the authority to override the veto should there be a two-thirds majority vote. The House is expected to vote on it Nov. 5. Stay tuned to the Action Corps Weekly for updates on this important bill. 2. VA Primary Care Oversight Hearing: On Thursday, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing to discuss a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that found VA lacks reliable data to properly determine the size and need of primary care panels. The GAO also found that VA lacks the proper quality assurance mechanisms to ensure the accuracy of self-reported data. Committee members discussed how VA can increase efficiency and access to primary care. VA described how its unique patient-centric medical home model of primary care delivery has improved the primary care it provides veterans. To view a video of the hearing, visit: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/evaluating-va-primary-care-delivery-workload-and-cost. 3. Veterans Education Oversight Hearing: Yesterday, the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing on VA's Vet Success on Campus (VSOC) initiative. The program, which stations VA counselors at 94 schools across the country, is aimed at providing on-campus benefits assistance and career guidance to GI Bill beneficiaries. The VFW supported the establishment of VSOC. Although the subcommittee largely praised the program, they also uncovered significant opportunities for improvement, such as keeping VSOC counselors at the same schools longer for continuity purposes and ensuring that VSOC counselors are not tasked with additional duties by VA Regional Offices. To watch a video of the hearing, click here: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/a-review-of-va-s-vetsuccess-on-campus-program. 4. House Holds OIG Report Hearing: On Wednesday, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing entitled, "An Examination of the VA Office of Inspector General's Final Report on the Inappropriate Use of Position and the Misuse of the Relocation Program and Incentives." To watch the full hearing, click here: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/an-examination-of-the-va-office-of-inspector-general-s-final-report-on-the-inappropriate-use. 5. Two MIAs Recovered: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of two soldiers who had been missing in action since World War II and Korea. Being returned home for burial with full military honors are: -- Army Pvt. John H. Klopp, 25, from New Orleans, La., was declared missing while fighting on Papua New Guinea on Dec. 5, 1942. He was assigned to the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. -- Army Sgt. 1st Class Dean D. Chaney, from Ohio, was declared missing while fighting in North Korea on Nov. 28, 1950. It would be later learned he had been captured, but died in a POW camp. He was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. 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, October 23, 2015

 Subject: VFW Action Corps Weekly, October 23, 2015
From: amarkel@vfw.org
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2015 15:02:59 -0400

October 23, 2015 In This Issue: 1. President Vetoes NDAA 2. VA Primary Care Oversight Hearing 3. Veterans Education Oversight Hearing 4. House Holds OIG Report Hearing 5. Two MIAs Recovered 1. President Vetoes NDAA: As expected, President Obama vetoed the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Thursday because it kept sequestration in place and blocked his ability to close the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The $611.9 billion defense bill contained a number of VFW-supported provisions ranging from an enhanced military retirement system and the repeal of the 1 percent cost-of-living adjustment penalty on new retirees, as well as keeping the Guantanamo facility open, which is supported by VFW National Resolution. The bill also contained provisions that the VFW opposed, such as the gradual reduction of military housing allowances. Ending sequestration is the VFW's top legislative goal, as it directly impacts military readiness and could affect all discretionary-funded programs that are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies with veterans-oriented programs, such as Labor. Congress has the authority to override the veto should there be a two-thirds majority vote. The House is expected to vote on it Nov. 5. Stay tuned to the Action Corps Weekly for updates on this important bill. 2. VA Primary Care Oversight Hearing: On Thursday, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing to discuss a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that found VA lacks reliable data to properly determine the size and need of primary care panels. The GAO also found that VA lacks the proper quality assurance mechanisms to ensure the accuracy of self-reported data. Committee members discussed how VA can increase efficiency and access to primary care. VA described how its unique patient-centric medical home model of primary care delivery has improved the primary care it provides veterans. To view a video of the hearing, visit: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/evaluating-va-primary-care-delivery-workload-and-cost. 3. Veterans Education Oversight Hearing: Yesterday, the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing on VA's Vet Success on Campus (VSOC) initiative. The program, which stations VA counselors at 94 schools across the country, is aimed at providing on-campus benefits assistance and career guidance to GI Bill beneficiaries. The VFW supported the establishment of VSOC. Although the subcommittee largely praised the program, they also uncovered significant opportunities for improvement, such as keeping VSOC counselors at the same schools longer for continuity purposes and ensuring that VSOC counselors are not tasked with additional duties by VA Regional Offices. To watch a video of the hearing, click here: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/a-review-of-va-s-vetsuccess-on-campus-program. 4. House Holds OIG Report Hearing: On Wednesday, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing entitled, "An Examination of the VA Office of Inspector General's Final Report on the Inappropriate Use of Position and the Misuse of the Relocation Program and Incentives." To watch the full hearing, click here: http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/an-examination-of-the-va-office-of-inspector-general-s-final-report-on-the-inappropriate-use. 5. Two MIAs Recovered: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of two soldiers who had been missing in action since World War II and Korea. Being returned home for burial with full military honors are: -- Army Pvt. John H. Klopp, 25, from New Orleans, La., was declared missing while fighting on Papua New Guinea on Dec. 5, 1942. He was assigned to the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. -- Army Sgt. 1st Class Dean D. Chaney, from Ohio, was declared missing while fighting in North Korea on Nov. 28, 1950. It would be later learned he had been captured, but died in a POW camp. He was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. 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 16, 2015

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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 16, 2015
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2015 15:04:12 -0500

some good info to pass along from the VFW news letter.

Ken Riskedahl
Tupelo, MS.

October 16, 2015 In This Issue: 1. No COLA in 2016; Higher Part B Premiums Possible 2. New Medal of Honor Recipient Announced 3. Grants Awarded to Train Veterans as Commercial Drivers 4. VA Launches Mobile App to Answer General Benefits Questions 5. Veterans Day in Washington 6. MIA Update 1. No COLA in 2016; Higher Part B Premiums Possible: The government announced this week that there will be no cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment next year for millions of military and federal civilian retirees, Social Security recipients, and veterans and survivors receiving Department of Veterans Affairs checks. COLA increases are tied to the Consumer Price Index, which has been flat due to low gasoline prices. Even so, some Medicare Part B enrollees — those who delayed receiving Social Security and those who aren't eligible — could see their premiums increased by more than half, from the basic $105 per person per month to $159. Higher earners would pay more. A White House spokesman acknowledged that the potential premium increase was an unintended consequence resulting from calculating COLA adjustments. There have been Part B premium increases in the past, but a 52-percent increase in one year is unprecedented. Congress is working to prevent this from happening. 2. New Medal of Honor Recipient Announced: The White House announced this week that President Obama will present the Medal of Honor on Nov. 12 to retired Army Capt. Florent A. "Flo" Groberg for tackling a suicide bomber in Afghanistan's Kunar province three years ago. He was serving at the time as a personal security detachment commander for Task Force Mountain Warrior, 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 quick recognition and reaction to a threat, the planned simultaneous detonations could have caused far more casualties. Groberg, 32, is a naturalized U.S. citizen born in France who had spent the past three years recovering from his wounds at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. He was medically retired in July. He 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.armytimes.com/story/military/2015/10/11/embargo-embargo-4th-id-captain-receive-medal-honor-valor-asadabad/73656708/. 3. Grants Awarded to Train Veterans as Commercial Drivers: The Department of Transportation recently announced that it has awarded $2.3 million in grants to 13 technical and community colleges around the country to train veterans and their families to get jobs in the high demand field of commercial truck driving.  The recipients of the largest grants were given to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and to the Central Technical Center in Drumright, Oklahoma. The total grant amount of $2.3 million is double that of 2014.  For more information including a complete list of grant awardees, click here: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/fmcsa-awards-23-million-grants-help-train-veterans-jobs-commercial-truck-and-bus. 4. VA Launches Mobile App to Answer General Benefits Questions: VA has launched "311 Vet," which allows veterans to ask questions regarding VA benefits through a mobile app or text messages. If a veteran's question is in VA's database, the answer will appear instantly. Questions not in VA's database are routed to benefits specialists, who VA says will respond within minutes. For more information, visit: http://www.311vet.com/. 5. 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. 6. MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced burial dates for four Korean War soldiers whose remains had been previously identified and returned to their families. To be buried with full military honors are: -- Army Cpl. Grant H. Ewing, 28, will be buried Oct. 19 in his hometown of Fort Lupton, Colo. Ewing was assigned to Battery C, 38th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, which was deployed north and east of the town of Kunu-ri, North Korea. On Nov. 25, 1950, his division was attacked by Chinese forces, which forced them to withdraw south through a series of Chinese roadblocks known as "the Gauntlet." Ewing was reported missing in action. It would be later learned he was captured by Chinese forces, but died in a POW camp in February 1951. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/NewsStories/NewsReleases/tabid/10159/Article/622614/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-accounted-for-ewing.aspx. -- Army Cpl. George H. Mason, 19, will be buried Oct. 20 in his hometown of Byhalia, Miss. Mason was assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Infantry Division, which was deployed near Chuam-ni, South Korea, when their defensive line was attacked by Chinese forces and forced to withdraw south to a more defensible position. Mason was reported as missing in action on Feb. 14, 1951. Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/NewsStories/NewsReleases/tabid/10159/Article/623136/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-accounted-for-mason.aspx. -- Army Cpl. Robert V. Witt, 20, of Bellflower, Calif., will be buried Oct. 24 in Whittier, Calif. Witt was assigned to 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division. The 31st RCT, historically known as Task Force Faith, was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea when it was attacked by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces. Witt was reported as missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950. It was later learned he had been captured, but died in a North Korean prisoner of war camp on Jan. 31, 1951. -- Army Cpl. Robert E. Meyers, 21, of Greencastle, Pa., will be buried Oct. 26 in Arlington National Cemetery. Meyers, who was assigned to Company A, 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, was declared missing on Dec. 1, 1950, after his unit was involved in combat operations in the vicinity of Sonchu, North Korea. His remains were among those returned after the war, but unidentifiable at the time, and subsequently buried as an "unknown" in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, also known as the "Punchbowl." Read more at: http://www.dpaa.mil/NewsStories/NewsReleases/tabid/10159/Article/622619/soldier-missing-from-korean-war-accounted-for-meyers.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.