FW: VFW Washington Weekly, February 14, 2014

Member
Robert serge

To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember

---

Subject: VFW Washington Weekly, February 14, 2014
To: rserge@live.com
From: tmorris@vfw.org
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 15:01:42 -0500

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY February 14, 2014 In This Issue: 1. COLA Penalty Removed for Most 2. Benefits Fights Not Over 3. VFW Joins Panel on Veterans' Education 1. COLA Penalty Removed for Most: Thanks in large part to VFW's grassroots advocates for bombarding their congressional offices with tens of thousands of phone calls and e-mails, Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation this week to eliminate the controversial one-percent COLA penalty on working-age military retirees. The House vote Tuesday was 326-90 and the Senate vote Wednesday was 95-3. The bill also contained a grandfather clause that extends to those currently serving, provided they were in uniform prior to the end of 2013. The legislation does not, however, remove the penalty on all future retirees who entered the military after Jan. 1. Regarding future retirees, VFW National Commander Bill Thien said "the world will remain a very dangerous and unpredictable place even after America ends its involvement in Afghanistan, and future military retirees will be required to serve just as long and perhaps sacrifice even more than their predecessors. It is in that regard that the VFW will continue to fight for a full repeal of the COLA penalty, and we hope that this week's vote continues that conversation." To read Thien's full statement, click here: http://www.vfw.org/News-and-Events/Articles/2014-Articles/VFW-STATEMENT-ON-MILITARY-RETIREE-COLA-VOTE/ 2. Benefits Fights Not Over: The COLA penalty was a surprise provision in last December's Bipartisan Budget Agreement. More surprises could come in March, when the administration releases its fiscal year 2015 budget recommendations. Back in August 2011, the VFW unveiled its 10 for 10 Plan, which were 10 DOD/VA programs that we believed were under threat of elimination or reduction to help pay for (then) 10 years of war. Below are the 10 programs, which are still on the radarscope based on present-day budget battles, the deficit, the continued threat of sequestration, and the recommendations to be made next year by the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission: * Change the 20-year military retirement plan to resemble civilian plans. * Increase healthcare premiums for military families and retirees on TRICARE. * Increase pharmaceutical fees for military families and retirees. * Reduce COLA increases. * End government subsidies to military commissaries. * Eliminate DOD elementary schools stateside. * Eliminate DOD tuition assistance programs for service members. * Eliminate presumptive service-connected conditions for disabled and ill veterans. * Lock out or increase fees for VA Priority Group 7 and 8 veterans. * And lower or freeze military pay, similar to the recent three-year (FY 2011-13) freeze for federal civilians. Become a VFW Action Corps member today and help us stop the government from balancing the budget on the backs of veterans, service members and their families. Join us at: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm 3. VFW Joins Panel on Veterans' Education: On Monday, your VFW joined a panel discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing student veterans as part of the mid-winter training conference for the National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA). During the panel, the VFW highlighted the recent launch of VA's student veteran complaint system and the GI Bill Comparison Tool. The panel also discussed why collaboration among all stakeholders in veterans' higher education was critical to ensuring student success. To learn more about the discussion, click here: http://thevfw.blogspot.com/2014/02/vfw-discusses-veterans-education-with.html 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. To sign up new veterans' advocates to receive the Washington Weekly every Friday, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.

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

FW: Your February 14 Washington Weekly

Blog Master

To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember 

---

Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 15:39:10 -0600
From: friendsoffreedom@vfw.org
To: rserge1@outlook.com
Subject: Your February 14 Washington Weekly

February 14, 2014 Post on Facebook COLA Penalty Removed for Most Thanks in large part to the VFW's grassroots advocates for bombarding their congressional offices with tens of thousands of phone calls and e-mails, Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation this week to eliminate the controversial one-percent COLA penalty on working-age military retirees. The House vote Tuesday was 326-90 and the Senate vote Wednesday was 95-3. The bill also contained a grandfather clause that extends to those currently serving, provided they were in uniform prior to the end of 2013. The legislation does not, however, remove the penalty on all future retirees who entered the military after Jan. 1. Regarding future retirees, VFW National Commander Bill Thien said, "the world will remain a very dangerous and unpredictable place even after America ends its involvement in Afghanistan, and future military retirees will be required to serve just as long and perhaps sacrifice even more than their predecessors. It is in that regard that the VFW will continue to fight for a full repeal of the COLA penalty, and we hope that this week's vote continues that conversation." Read Thien's full statement.  *Note: A "no" vote on the COLA fix does not necessary constitute an opposition to repealing the COLA penalty. Some legislators voted against the proposal because they wanted to include ALL retirees, as the VFW requested. Benefits Fights Not OverThe COLA penalty was a surprise provision in last December's Bipartisan Budget Agreement. More surprises could come in March, when the administration releases its fiscal year 2015 budget recommendations. Back in August 2011, the VFW unveiled its 10 for 10 Plan, which were 10 DOD/VA programs that we believed were under threat of elimination or reduction to help pay for (then) 10 years of war. Below are the 10 programs, which are still on the radarscope based on present-day budget battles, the deficit, the continued threat of sequestration, and the recommendations to be made next year by the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission: Change the 20-year military retirement plan to resemble civilian plans. Increase healthcare premiums for military families and retirees on TRICARE. Increase pharmaceutical fees for military families and retirees. Reduce COLA increases. End government subsidies to military commissaries. Eliminate DOD elementary schools stateside. Eliminate DOD tuition assistance programs for service members. Eliminate presumptive service-connected conditions for disabled and ill veterans. Lock out or increase fees for VA Priority Group 7 and 8 veterans. And lower or freeze military pay, similar to the recent three-year (FY 2011-13) freeze for federal civilians. Become a VFW Action Corps member today and help us stop the government from balancing the budget on the backs of veterans, service members and their families. Join us.  The VFW Joins Panel on Veterans' EducationOn Monday, your VFW joined a panel discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing student veterans as part of the mid-winter training conference for the National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA). During the panel, the VFW highlighted the recent launch of VA's student veteran complaint system and the GI Bill Comparison Tool. The panel also discussed why collaboration among all stakeholders in veterans' higher education was critical to ensuring student success. Learn more about this discussion. As always, we want to share your advocacy stories on the VFW Capitol Hill blog. To share your stories, fill out our online form or simply email photos and stories directly to vfwac@vfw.org. Was this Washington Weekly forwarded to you by a friend? Sign up to get your own free issue each week. — Find a Post | Contribute | About Us | Contact Us Unsubscribe | Tell A Friend © 2001 - 2013. All rights reserved. Veterans of Foreign Wars | 406 West 34th Street | Kansas City, MO 64111 Having difficulty seeing the images in this message? View it online.

FW: VFW Washington Weekly, February 14, 2014

FYI

VVA 17 Member

Blog Master

To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember 

---

Subject: VFW Washington Weekly, February 14, 2014
To: rserge1@outlook.com
From: tmorris@vfw.org
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 15:01:51 -0500

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY February 14, 2014 In This Issue: 1. COLA Penalty Removed for Most 2. Benefits Fights Not Over 3. VFW Joins Panel on Veterans' Education 1. COLA Penalty Removed for Most: Thanks in large part to VFW's grassroots advocates for bombarding their congressional offices with tens of thousands of phone calls and e-mails, Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation this week to eliminate the controversial one-percent COLA penalty on working-age military retirees. The House vote Tuesday was 326-90 and the Senate vote Wednesday was 95-3. The bill also contained a grandfather clause that extends to those currently serving, provided they were in uniform prior to the end of 2013. The legislation does not, however, remove the penalty on all future retirees who entered the military after Jan. 1. Regarding future retirees, VFW National Commander Bill Thien said "the world will remain a very dangerous and unpredictable place even after America ends its involvement in Afghanistan, and future military retirees will be required to serve just as long and perhaps sacrifice even more than their predecessors. It is in that regard that the VFW will continue to fight for a full repeal of the COLA penalty, and we hope that this week's vote continues that conversation." To read Thien's full statement, click here: http://www.vfw.org/News-and-Events/Articles/2014-Articles/VFW-STATEMENT-ON-MILITARY-RETIREE-COLA-VOTE/ 2. Benefits Fights Not Over: The COLA penalty was a surprise provision in last December's Bipartisan Budget Agreement. More surprises could come in March, when the administration releases its fiscal year 2015 budget recommendations. Back in August 2011, the VFW unveiled its 10 for 10 Plan, which were 10 DOD/VA programs that we believed were under threat of elimination or reduction to help pay for (then) 10 years of war. Below are the 10 programs, which are still on the radarscope based on present-day budget battles, the deficit, the continued threat of sequestration, and the recommendations to be made next year by the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission: * Change the 20-year military retirement plan to resemble civilian plans. * Increase healthcare premiums for military families and retirees on TRICARE. * Increase pharmaceutical fees for military families and retirees. * Reduce COLA increases. * End government subsidies to military commissaries. * Eliminate DOD elementary schools stateside. * Eliminate DOD tuition assistance programs for service members. * Eliminate presumptive service-connected conditions for disabled and ill veterans. * Lock out or increase fees for VA Priority Group 7 and 8 veterans. * And lower or freeze military pay, similar to the recent three-year (FY 2011-13) freeze for federal civilians. Become a VFW Action Corps member today and help us stop the government from balancing the budget on the backs of veterans, service members and their families. Join us at: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm 3. VFW Joins Panel on Veterans' Education: On Monday, your VFW joined a panel discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing student veterans as part of the mid-winter training conference for the National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA). During the panel, the VFW highlighted the recent launch of VA's student veteran complaint system and the GI Bill Comparison Tool. The panel also discussed why collaboration among all stakeholders in veterans' higher education was critical to ensuring student success. To learn more about the discussion, click here: http://thevfw.blogspot.com/2014/02/vfw-discusses-veterans-education-with.html 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. To sign up new veterans' advocates to receive the Washington Weekly every Friday, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.

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

FW: NDVS eNewsletter - Legislative Symposium Registration

Thank You

Robert Serge

VVA 17 Member

Blog Master

To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember 

---

From: vva17fstvice@live.com
To: rserge1@outlook.com
Subject: FW: NDVS eNewsletter - Legislative Symposium Registration
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2014 10:11:40 -0500

---

Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Nevada Department of Veterans Services eNewsletter Register for Veterans Legislative Symposium The Nevada Department of Veterans Services will be hosting a Veterans Legislative Symposium March 8 in Reno. The meeting is intended to bring together leaders and those interested in veterans issues together to plan for the upcoming 78th legislature in 2015.  If you are interested, please reply to the email below so we can put you on the list and update you as the March 8 draws near. Space is limited to 200 attendees. Date: March 8, 2014 | Location: Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, NV. | Time: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Coffee service will be provided throughout the meeting. To attend, reply to pio.ndvs@veterans.nv.gov with the subject line "Veteran Legislative Symposium".   NDVS Speakers Program The NDVS will begin a speakers program in 2014 to discuss veterans issues and NDVS programs and plans. "We have many programs and issues we want to present and discuss with organizations throughout the state. Speaking at organizational meetings and events will give us the opportunity to involve communities and gather information about veterans concerns," says Director Kat Miller. If your veteran or community organization is interested in the NDVS speaking at one of your group meetings, please contact Pamela at the NDVS Reno office - (866) 630-8387 ROVER February Schedules Click the links to see the list of upcoming locations for the NDVS Veterans Service Officer (VSO) during February and March. "We're asking for the assistance of community businesses and individuals to download a flyer from a location near them and post it so veterans and their families can become aware of our ROVER Outreach program for veterans," said Director Kat Miller. "Through the assistance of each community, we can alert more veterans to our visits and get them the assistance they need." See Schedules. Veteran of the Month Governor Brian Sandoval will present the February 2014 Veteran of the Month to William Maltman of Spark, NV at a presentation on Friday, February 14 at the State Capitol Building in Carson City. We encourage all who would like to attend to come and show appreciation and support for this veterans ongoing service to other veterans in the community. Date: February 14, 9:30 am, State Capitol Building Suicide Prevention If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Learn More. Upcoming NDVS Events Calendar Veterans Services Commission Meeting TBD AnnouncedSouthern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery Unaccompanied Services - Every Thursday, 8:40 am More InformationNorthern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery Unaccompanied Services - Fourth  Thursday, 3 pmElko - Combat Veterans Support Group 4th Monday of the month - Elko VFW - 775-777-1000Reno - Lady Veterans Meeting 4th Wednesday (or last) of the month - Carrows Restaurant @ Wells Ave, Reno 6 pm Additional information email: nvangel@charter.net (note "Lady Vets") More InformationLicense Plates - Available To Order Ten different license plates are available for veterans, spouses and children and each one helps fund the various NDVS outreach programs which assist veterans throughout the state. Click Here to Order. Thunderbirds Available Now Women Veterans Survivor Benefits in Nevada Survivor benefits in Nevada is a topic that we have been working on over the last few years. As most know, these are benefits for spouses and family members of service members who are lost, often in combat. Survivors are a part of a special group of Nevadans called Gold Star Families, and there are several ways that we at the Nevada Office of Veterans Services serve them. Learn More. Are you a Service-Connected Disabled Veteran business owner in Nevada? According to Nevada Revised Statutes NRS 333.3368 and 338.13846, you have a veterans preference regarding contracts for Purchasing contracts and State Public Works contracts under $100,000.00. Contact the Nevada Purchasing Division or the Nevada State Public Works Division for more information. Also, if you are looking for employment with the State of Nevada and you are a veteran or service connected disabled, you get a preference when competing for state jobs according to Nevada Revised Statutes 284.260. This statute explains that if the employment opportunity requires a test, a veteran with disabilities is awarded 10 additional points, and a veteran is awarded five addition points on a passing examination. Go here to see Nevada job opportunities that might be available.  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2014 Nevada Office of Veteran Services, All rights reserved. Your are receiving this email per your request to be included on the Nevada Office of Veterans Services eNewsletter. Our mailing address is: Nevada Office of Veteran Services 5460 Reno Corporate Dr. Suite 131 Reno, NV 89511 Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

*************************
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT:

This e-mail and any attachments are intended only for those to which it is addressed and may contain information which is privileged, confidential and prohibited from disclosure and unauthorized use under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, or copying of this e-mail or the information contained in this e-mail is strictly prohibited by the sender. If you have received this transmission in error, please return the material received to the sender and delete all copies from your system.

FW: Your February 7 Washington Weekly

Blog Master

To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember 

---

Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2014 16:29:57 -0600
From: friendsoffreedom@vfw.org
To: rserge1@outlook.com
Subject: Your February 7 Washington Weekly

February 7, 2014 Post on Facebook Press Conference Draws Support for Senate Vet Bill The VFW offered its support for comprehensive veterans' legislation at a Tuesday press conference with Senate VA Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to call on the full Senate to pass S. 1982—the Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014. The bill would eliminate the one-percent COLA reduction on working-age military retirees, as well as extend the Caregiver's Act to all generations, and provide advance appropriations for VA's mandatory accounts, which would guarantee monthly disability and survivor checks, and GI Bill education payments, in the event of future government shutdowns. Sanders was quick to point out that this bill is the result of a bipartisan effort, and that it was written based on suggestions expressed by the VFW and other veterans' organizations. The VFW strongly supports the bill and urges its quick passage. For more details, visit our blog. The VFW Testifies Before House SubcommitteeOn Wednesday, the VFW testified before the House VA Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs about technology use by the VA's Veterans Benefits Administration and its effect on the disability claims process. VFW National Veterans Service Deputy Director Jerry Manar testified that recent policy changes appear to make the backlog look smaller, but instead of fixing the problem, the VA just redefined it and often to the detriment of veterans. He also asked the subcommittee to block any action by VA to implement proposed rules that would eliminate a veteran's ability to file informal claims. Filing an informal claim allows veterans and other claimants to establish a date of claim for possible benefit entitlement without first filing a completed electronic application or form. For a complete explanation of why the VFW opposes this change, click here. To read our testimony or view a recorded webcast of the hearing, visit our blog. FY 2015 Independent Budget ReleasedThis week, the VFW and its partners—AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America—released their 28th edition of The Independent Budget (IB), a comprehensive budget and policy document written by veterans for veterans that details funding requirements for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Recommendations for FY 2015 include: $61.1 billion total for healthcare—$2.3 billion more than what the Administration recommended ($58.8 billion) in the FY 2015 advance appropriation last year. $62.4 billion total advance appropriation for healthcare for FY 2016. $2.5 billion for the Veterans Benefits Administration, which is approximately $44 million more than FY 2014 appropriated levels. $3.9 billion for all construction programs, which is approximately $2.7 billion more than FY 2014 appropriated levels. $611 million for medical and prosthetics research, which is approximately $25 million more than the FY 2014 appropriated level. Read the joint IB press release and the full IB. Veterans' In-State Tuition Passes HouseOn Monday, the House passed H.R. 357, a bill designed to extend in-state tuition protection to student veterans who seek to use their earned GI Bill benefits at a public college or university within three years of leaving active duty, by a unanimous vote of 390-0. The VFW has made in-state tuition protection for veterans one of its top legislative priorities, working to ensure that public colleges and universities cannot disqualify veterans from in-state tuition because of their prior military service obligations. Leading up to the vote, the VFW generated more than 1,000 messages to Congress, calling for the bill's passage. Learn more about the VFW's work on in-state tuition. The VFW Applauds Launch of GI Bill Comparison ToolThis week, the VFW applauded VA's roll out of its new GI Bill Comparison Tool to help student veterans compare GI Bill-eligible institutions from one online site. The comparison tool was the VFW's second major education reform priority over the past two years to help provide better information to college-bound veterans, and it combines resources that veterans used to have to find across dozens of websites and three federal agencies. Read the VFW's official response to the roll-out. Start comparing schools. CFPB Briefs Military Coalition on Consumer Protection On Thursday, the VFW joined its partners in The Military Coalition for a briefing by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). CFPB Director of Servicemember Affairs Holly Petraeus took the opportunity to directly explain the financial issues facing today's military and veterans' communities, and how these issues can be avoided through proper financial education and assistance programs. The CFPB offers a military-specific complaint process for military and veteran consumers who believe they are victims or fraud or abuse. The CFPB also works to develop new resources specifically geared toward financial literacy for the military and veterans' communities. To learn more about the CFPB's resources and Thursday's briefing, click here.  Tricare For Life Pharmacy Update Beginning Feb. 14, TRICARE for Life beneficiaries will be required to fill maintenance medication prescriptions through the TRICARE Home Delivery (mail-order) pharmacy system. The change stems from the recently passed FY 2013 Defense Authorization bill and is designed to save money by lowering costs for both beneficiaries and DOD. For instance, a 30-day refill of generic medication costs $5 at a retail drug store, but a 90-day refill through the mail-order pharmacy is free. For name-brand medications, the cost is $13 for a 90-day mail-order refill versus $17 for a 30-day refill at a retail store. Beneficiaries living near a military hospital or clinic can continue to fill their prescriptions there and do not need to enroll in the mail-order program. Additionally, nursing home patients and those with other prescription coverage are also exempt. Beneficiaries may opt out of the mail-order refill system after the one-year trial period. TRICARE is currently reaching out to affected beneficiaries. You can enroll online or over the phone at 1-877-363-1303. For more information or to sign-up, click here. As always, we want to share your advocacy stories on the VFW Capitol Hill blog. To share your stories, fill out our online form or simply email photos and stories directly to vfwac@vfw.org. Was this Washington Weekly forwarded to you by a friend? Sign up to get your own free issue each week. — Find a Post | Contribute | About Us | Contact Us Unsubscribe | Tell A Friend © 2001 - 2013. All rights reserved. Veterans of Foreign Wars | 406 West 34th Street | Kansas City, MO 64111 Having difficulty seeing the images in this message? View it online.

FW: VFW Washington Weekly, February 7, 2014

Blog Master

To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember 

---

Subject: VFW Washington Weekly, February 7, 2014
To: rserge1@outlook.com
From: tmorris@vfw.org
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2014 17:01:36 -0500

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY February 7, 2014 In This Issue: 1. Press Conference Draws Support for Senate Vet Bill 2. VFW Testifies Before House Subcommittee 3. FY 2015 Independent Budget Released 4. Veterans' In-State Tuition Passes House 5. VFW Applauds Launch of GI Bill Comparison Tool 6. CFB Briefs Military Coalition on Consumer Protection 7. Tricare For Life Pharmacy Update 1. Press Conference Draws Support for Senate Vet Bill: VFW offered its support for comprehensive veterans' legislation at a Tuesday press conference with Senate VA Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to call on the full Senate to pass S. 1982---the Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014. The bill would eliminate the one-percent COLA reduction on working-age military retirees, as well as extend the Caregiver's Act to all generations, and provide advance appropriations for VA's mandatory accounts, which would guarantee monthly disability and survivor checks, and GI Bill education payments, in the event of future government shutdowns. Sanders was quick to point out that this bill is the result of a bipartisan effort, and that it was written based on suggestions expressed by the VFW and other veterans' organizations. The VFW strongly supports the bill and urges its quick passage. For more details, visit our blog at http://thevfw.blogspot.com/2014/02/vfw-calls-on-senate-to-pass-veterans.html. 2. VFW Testifies Before House Subcommittee: On Wednesday, the VFW testified before the House VA Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs about technology use by the VA's Veterans Benefits Administration and its effect on the disability claims process. VFW National Veterans Service Deputy Director Jerry Manar testified that recent policy changes appear to make the backlog look smaller, but instead of fixing the problem the VA just redefined it and often to the detriment of veterans. He also asked the subcommittee to block any action by VA to implement proposed rules which would eliminate a veteran's ability to file informal claims. Filing an informal claim allows veterans and other claimants to establish a date of claim for possible benefit entitlement without first filing a completed electronic application or form. For a complete explanation of why VFW opposes this change, see: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=VA-2013-VBA-0022-0051. To read our testimony or to view a recorded webcast of the hearing, visit our blog site at: http://thevfw.blogspot.com/2014/02/vfw-warns-congress-that-vas-backlog.html 3. FY 2015 Independent Budget Released: This week, the VFW along with its partners---AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America---released their 28th edition of The Independent Budget, a comprehensive budget and policy document written by veterans for veterans that details funding requirements for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Recommendations for FY 2015 include: * $61.1 billion total for healthcare---$2.3 billion more than what the Administration recommended ($58.8 billion) in the FY 2015 advance appropriation last year. * $62.4 billion total advance appropriation for healthcare for FY 2016. * $2.5 billion for the Veterans Benefits Administration, which is approximately $44 million more than FY 2014 appropriated levels. * $3.9 billion for all construction programs, which is approximately $2.7 billion more than FY 2014 appropriated levels. * $611 million for medical and prosthetics research, which is approximately $25 million more than the FY 2014 appropriated level To read the joint IB press release with link to the full IB, go to http://www.vfw.org/News-and-Events/Articles/2014-Articles/Veterans-Service-Organizations-Urge-$72-9-Billion-Investment-in-Veterans'-Health-Care-and-Benefits/. 4. Veterans' In-State Tuition Passes House: On Monday the House passed H.R. 357, a bill designed to extend in-state tuition protection to student veterans who seek to use their earned GI Bill benefits at a public college or university within three years of leaving active duty, by a unanimous vote of 390-0. The VFW has made in-state tuition protection for veterans one of its top legislative priorities, working to ensure that public colleges and universities cannot disqualify veterans from in-state tuition because of their prior military service obligations. Leading up to the vote, VFW generated more than 1,000 messages to Congress, calling for the bill's passage. To learn more about the VFW's work on in-state tuition, click here: http://thevfw.blogspot.com/2014/02/veterans-in-state-tuition-bill-passes.html 5. VFW Applauds Launch of GI Bill Comparison Tool: This week the VFW applauded VA's roll out of its new GI Bill Comparison Tool to help student veterans compare GI Bill-eligible institutions from one online site. The comparison tool was the VFW's second major education reform priority over the past two years to help provide better information to college-bound veterans, and it combines resources that veterans used to have to find across dozens of web sites and three federal agencies. To read VFW's official response to the roll-out, click here: http://www.vfw.org/News-and-Events/Articles/2014-Articles/VFW-APPLAUDS-NEW-GI-BILL-COMPARISON-TOOL/ To start comparing schools, click here: http://department-of-veterans-affairs.github.io/gi-bill-comparison-tool/ 6. CFPB Briefs Military Coalition on Consumer Protection: On Thursday, your VFW joined its partners in The Military Coalition for a briefing by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. CFPB Director of Servicemember Affairs Holly Petraeus took the opportunity to directly explain the financial issues facing today's military and veterans' communities, and how these issues can be avoided through proper financial education and assistance programs. The CFPB offers a military-specific complaint process for military and veteran consumers who believe they are victims or fraud or abuse. The CFPB also works to develop new resources specifically geared toward financial literacy for the military and veterans' communities. To learn more about the CFPB's resources and Thursday's briefing, click here: http://thevfw.blogspot.com/2014/02/vfw-joins-tmc-briefing-on-consumer.html 7. Tricare For Life Pharmacy Update: Beginning Feb. 14, TRICARE for Life beneficiaries will be required to fill maintenance medication prescriptions through the TRICARE Home Delivery (mail-order) pharmacy system. The change stems from the recently passed FY 2013 Defense Authorization bill and is designed to save money by lowering costs for both beneficiaries and DOD. For instance, a 30-day refill of generic medication costs $5 at a retail drug store, but a 90-day refill through the mail-order pharmacy is free. For name brand medications, the cost is $13 for a 90-day mail-order refill versus $17 for a 30-day refill at a retail store. Beneficiaries living near a military hospital or clinic can continue to fill their prescriptions there and do not need to enroll in the mail order program. Additionally, nursing home patients and those with other prescription coverage are also exempt. Beneficiaries may opt out after using the mail-order refill system after the one-year trial period. TRICARE is currently reaching out to affected beneficiaries. You can enroll online or over the phone at 1-877-363-1303. For more information or to sign-up, go to http://www.tricare.mil/Home/Pharmacy/FillPrescriptions/HomeDelivery. 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. To sign up new veterans' advocates to receive the Washington Weekly every Friday, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.

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

FW: VFW in Budweiser Super Bowl Ad

Blog Master

To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember 

---

Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2014 15:17:06 -0600
From: friendsoffreedom@vfw.org
To: rserge1@outlook.com
Subject: VFW in Budweiser Super Bowl Ad

FEBRUARY 2014 VFW Honors America's Returning Veterans in Budweiser Super Bowl Ad Urge Passage of Comprehensive Veterans' Health Benefits Package Today! Sport Clips Haircuts Announces $500,000 in Scholarships for Veterans Student Veterans Get Answers During Facebook Town Hall Everything You Need to Know for 2014 Tax Planning Other ways to help VFW HONORS AMERICA'S RETURNING VETERANS IN BUDWEISER SUPER BOWL AD Lt. Chuck Nadd got the surprise of his life when he returned from Afghanistan. Budweiser and the VFW gave him a welcome fit for a hero—Clydesdales, parade and all. This is the first effort in Budweiser's yearlong social media campaign to honor America's military. Read More >> URGE PASSAGE OF COMPREHENSIVE VETERANS' HEALTH BENEFITS PACKAGE TODAY! If signed into law, S. 1950 will improve health care for all generations of veterans and their families. You can help. Call or email your Senators and tell them you support our veterans. Sport clips haircuts announces $500,000 in scholarships for veterans Sport Clips Haircuts is once again supporting our veterans through the VFW-administered "Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship" program. Presenting a $500,000 check, Sport Clips has already provided 43 veterans with scholarships for the spring semester. Read More >> STUDENT VETERANS GET ANSWERS DURING FACEBOOK TOWN HALL The VFW hosted its first hour-long town hall meeting on Facebook in January. Participants got the chance to share feedback and ask questions about what the VFW is doing for veterans' education on the Hill. Read More >> everything you need to know for 2014 tax planning Start the new year off right by getting an early start on your tax planning. The sooner you understand your income tax situation, the sooner you can address your tax liabilities. By investing a little time now, you may be able to save big later. Here are some key tax provisions to keep in mind for 2014. Read More >> Find a Post | Contribute | About Us | Contact Us Unsubscribe | Tell A Friend © 2001 - 2013. All rights reserved. Veterans of Foreign Wars | 406 West 34th Street | Kansas City, MO 64111

Having difficulty seeing the images in this message? View it online.