VFW MO Legislative Updates

VFW Washington Weekly, July 21, 2008

Monday, July 21, 2008 at 07:49 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. FY2009 VA Funding Bill
2. House VA Committee Action
3. VA Outreach Hearing
4. SECDEF Recommends New Guard Chief

1. FY2009 VA Funding Bill: The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously cleared its version of the 2009 VA Funding Bill. The bill provides $72.7 billion in discretionary funding for military construction and Veterans Affairs. This is about $5 billion more than the current fiscal year, and is in line with the House Appropriations Committee's recommendations. It includes:
$47.7 billion in total VA discretionary funding.
$41.1 billion for VA health care.
$1.2 billion for VA construction projects, nearly double the president's request, and $1.1 billion for hospital maintenance and repairs.
$84 million more than the president's request for medical and prosthetic research.
$350 million to help certain higher income Category 8 veterans to begin enrolling in VA.
$250 million targeted to the care of rural veterans.
The bill now moves to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

2. House VA Committee Action: The House Veterans Affairs Committee cleared seven benefit-related bills which now move to the floor for final passage. Among the bills is HR 6445, which will eliminate co-payments for catastrophically disabled veterans. VFW Resolution 639 supports this action. The VFW also supports other features of HR 6445 that would direct VA to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on the management of pain, mandate the VA to centralize third party billing, and allow family members of veterans receiving non-service connected treatment to be eligible for counseling.

Some of the other bills passed by the committee include:
HR 1527 would create a three-year pilot program to allow certain rural veterans to receive covered health services through outside providers. The bill defines rural veterans as one who lives at least 60 miles from a VA facility that provides primary care and 120 miles from an acute care provider.
HR 6225 would improve Servicemember Civil Relief Act and USERRA protections by capping interest rates at 6% during deployments, requiring institutes of higher learning to refund tuition and fees, as well as guarantee service members a place when they return to school. It will also allow service contracts to be terminated or suspended without penalty while on deployment.
For the entire list of bills and the House VA Committee press release, visit their website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

For more information on the bills, type the bill number into the search box at: http://thomas.loc.gov/

3. VA Outreach Hearing: The House subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations talked to servicemembers, marketing and policy experts on how the VA can increase awareness of its programs to the newest generation of veterans. Subcommittee Chairman Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) believes that VA needs to reach out to current OIF/OEF veterans through Internet sites such as Facebook and television advertisements. Iraq veteran and National Guard member Liz O'Herrin testified that e-mail and other electronic modes of communication are critical today's veterans, whereas the VA still relies on mail, often to outdated addresses. She suggested that VA allow veterans to use their e-mail address as a way of communication. She also suggested that the creation of an electronic mail enrollment form by VA would enable veterans to select the areas they are interested in learning about regarding disability, healthcare and education benefits. Lisette Mondello, assistant VA secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs, said VA is looking into several types of advertising markets, including social marketing and internet-based, nontraditional media, to help pass on its message. For more about the hearing, go to: http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=278

4. SECDEF Recommends New Guard Chief: Defense Secretary Robert Gates has recommended to the president that Air Force Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley be nominated as the next Chief of the National Guard Bureau. McKinley is presently serving as the Director of the Air National Guard. With his pending nomination and Senate confirmation comes a promotion, as the FY2008 National Defense Authorization Act elevated the NGB chief to a four-star billet. Gates also announced that he is recommending the current NGB chief, Army Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, take over as the first guardsman to be the deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command, which oversees security in North America.

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VFW National Security & Foreign Affairs 18 Jul 08

Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 08:15 PM

by Missouri

 

SECDEF Recommends New Guard Chief: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is recommending Air Force Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley to the President for nomination as the next Chief of the National Guard Bureau (NGB).  McKinley is presently serving as the Director of the Air National Guard.  With his pending nomination and Senate confirmation comes a promotion, as the FY2008 National Defense Authorization Act elevated the NGB chief to a 4-star billet.  Gates also announced that he is recommending the current NGB chief, Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, to take over as the first guardsman to be the deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command, which oversees security in North America.

 

Korean War MIA Identified: The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.  He is Sgt. John H. White, U.S. Army, of Long Island, AL.  In November 1950, White was a member of H Company, 2^nd Battalion, 8^th Cavalry Regiment, 1^st Cavalry Division then occupying a defensive position near Unsan, North Korea, north of a bend in the Kuryong River known as the Camel's Head.  On Nov. 1, elements of two Chinese Communist divisions struck the 1^st Cavalry Division's lines, collapsing the perimeter and forcing a withdrawal. White was reported missing on Nov. 2, 1950, and was one of the more than 350 servicemen unaccounted-for from the battle at Unsan.  In April 2007, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), acting through the intermediary of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi, repatriated to the United States six boxes of human remains believed to be those of U.S. soldiers.  One box also included two military identification tags with White's name on them. The DPRK reported that the remains were excavated in November 2006 near Unsan in North Pyongan Province.

 

Vietnam War MIAs Identified: The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced that the remains of two U.S. servicemen, missing from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.  They are Chief Warrant Officer Bobby L. McKain, of Garden City, KS; and Warrant Officer Arthur F. Chaney, of Vienna, VA, both U.S. Army.  On May 3, 1968, these men flew an AH-1G Cobra gunship on an armed escort mission to support a reconnaissance team operating west of Khe Sanh, in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam.  Their helicopter was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire, exploded in mid-air and crashed west of Khe Sanh near the Laos-Vietnam border.  The crew of other U.S. aircraft flying over the area immediately after the crash reported no survivors, and heavy enemy activity prevented attempts to recover the men's bodies.  In 1985, an American citizen with ties to Southeast Asian refugees turned over to U.S. officials human remains supposedly recovered from an AC-130 aircraft crash in Laos.  While subsequent laboratory analysis disproved the association of the remains to the AC-130 crash, some of the remains were those of McKain and Chaney.  Between 1989 and 2003, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) investigative teams working in Laos and Vietnam made five attempts to locate the crew's crash site, but could not confirm the location.

 

Reserve Component Mobilization: The total number currently on active duty in support of the partial mobilization for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 84,570; Navy Reserve, 5,727; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 11,148; Marine Corps Reserve, 8,189; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 787.  This brings the total number of mobilized Guard and Reserve personnel to 110,421, a decrease of 1,378 from last week. These figures include the totals of voluntary and involuntary activated Reserve Component members.  Of this total, 83,734 personnel have been involuntarily mobilized, while 25,945 are voluntarily serving on active duty.

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VFW Washington Weekly, July 11, 2008

Monday, July 14, 2008 at 04:39 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. House VA Committee Questions Chantix Drug Use
2. House VA Committee Move Bills
3. Senate Holds Hearing on Claims Backlog
4. Medicare/TRICARE Vote

 

1. House VA Committee Questions Chantix Drug Use
The House Veterans' Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing on VA's use of the smoking cessation drug, Chantix, on veterans suffering from PTSD. Recent news articles have reported that VA did not properly warn veterans of the risks associated with the drug. Veterans were not informed that using the drug may cause side effects including anxiety, depression and feelings of suicide.
VFW Commander-in-Chief George Lisicki has demanded VA accountability over the incident and has asked Secretary James Peake to take decisive action with anyone involved. "Those in the VA who failed to properly notify America's veterans that their medication could produce fatal side effects must resign their positions," said Lisicki, if not, then the VA secretary must take decisive action to terminate their employment."

For the VFW's Press Release: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4627
For all the hearing information visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

 

2. House VA Committee Moves Bills
The House VA Subcommittee on Health moved several benefit bills yesterday, allowing the full committee to take action.
The VFW-supported bills before the committee included:
HR 6419 would extend mental health care benefits to family members of veterans who receive non-service-connected treatment.
HR 6445 would eliminate co-payments for catastrophically disabled veterans in category 4.
HR 1527 would create a three-year pilot program to allow certain rural veterans enrolled in four of the VA's 21 health care networks to receive covered health services through outside providers.
HR 6122 would direct VA to develop a pain management program for veterans.

 

3. Senate Holds Hearing on Claims Backlog
The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee held the fourth in a series of hearings on VA's claims backlog delays. Congress recently approved a historic increase in staffing for VBA, but the backlog in claims remains at around *300,000 with an average of 182 days to process. VA's goal is to process all claims in 125 days. Chairman Akaka questioned what else VA needs to make necessary technological and staffing improvements to speed the process. The VSO panel referenced recommendations of the IBM Claims Processing Improvement Study and how some of their recommendations can be implemented by VA.

*Please note that what was reported to the Committee represents only a part of the VA backlog. In the week ending July 5, 2008 there were a total of 637,000 rating and non-rating cases pending of which 23% were over 6 months old, in addition the VA has over 172,000 cases on appeal.

For more about the hearing visit the Senate VA website at: http://veterans.senate.gov/public/


4. Medicare/TRICARE Vote
The Senate voted (69-31) against a 10.6% cut to Medicare rates on Wednesday. The VFW was a strong advocate in making sure that the proposed cuts were defeated. Payments to TRICARE doctors are directly linked to Medicare which would have meant that many doctors would have chosen to stop seeing TRICARE patients as well as Medicare users.
For the Senate Roll Call Vote:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00169

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VFW Washington Weekly, June 27, 2008

Friday, June 27, 2008 at 07:46 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. New GI Bill Ready for President's Signature
2. House VA Committee Hearings
3. Senate Moves Vet Bills
4. Congress on 4th of July Recess

1. New GI Bill Ready for President's Signature: One of VFW's top legislative priorities has become a reality. The Senate, in a late night vote (92-6), passed a new GI Bill for the 21st Century. The House had passed their version June 19 by a vote of 416-12. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law next week. This legislation is a major victory for the VFW, who has been lobbying for a new GI Bill for the 21st Century for the past 10 years, and who led all veterans' service organization to ensure the passage of the legislation that Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) proposed on his first in office in January 2007.

The new GI Bill will pay the highest in-state public tuition rate, and provide for books, fees, and a living stipend. It eliminates the $1,200 enrollment fee, extends the use-or-lose benefit requirement from 10 to 15 years, and greatly enhances the amount paid to Guard and Reserve members. The new GI Bill automatically adjusts itself as tuitions increase, and provides a dollar-for-dollar tuition match for private colleges and universities who choose to participate in the program. A new provision added to the bill allows reenlisting servicemembers to transfer their educational benefit to their spouse and/or children. VFW wants to thank every National Legislative Committee member and the entire Action Corps for helping us bring this long-term goal to fruition.

To read VFW's Press Release, go to: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4614

2. House VA Committee Hearings:
Tuesday, the House VA Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on VA/DOD transition services for Guard and Reserve Members. The hearing's main focus was to address what DOD and VA are doing to help members of the National Guard and Reserves reintegrate into civilian life after their return from deployment. Currently, half of those serving in OIF and OEF are members of the Guard or Reserves. The FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act mandated a 30, 60 and 90-day reintegration program and outreach to ensure that all Guard and Reserve veterans and their families know about the services and benefits available to them. The Committee heard from witnesses about how those programs are working and where improvements need to be made.

Thursday, VFW testified on draft legislation that would improve several areas of health care. The bills before the Subcommittee on Health included draft bills to expand the VA counseling services to family members, especially of OIF/OEF veterans; one to eliminate co-payments for catastrophically disabled Category 4 veterans; and one to strengthen and improve VA's nonprofit research corporations by streamlining administrative costs to make more funds available for critical VA research.
To read our testimony and more about the hearings, visit the House VA Committee website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

3. Senate Moves Vet Bills: The Senate VA Committee marked up several veterans' bills yesterday. Among the bills discussed were the annual cost-of-living adjustment and two large health and benefit-related bills that would improve options for veterans and their families. Among the provisions in the benefits bill is language that would change the definition of "engaged in combat with the enemy" to all people who receive combat pay for purposes relating to VA compensation. It would also allow for new and better home loan refinancing options and a temporary increase in the maximum loan guaranty amount for veterans. The Committee also moved VFW-supported legislation that would expand and improve upon the health care services provided to women veterans. The bill would put special emphasis on providing mental health coverage, and requires several studies and assessments as to VA's capacity for care for women veterans and their future needs. For more about the bills, visit the Senate VA Committee website at: http://veterans.senate.gov/public/

4. Congress on 4th of July Recess: Congress heads out of town today to begin a week-long recess for the 4th of July holiday. They are expected back in Washington on July 7. Now is the perfect time to make an appointment to discuss VFW legislative priority goals in their district offices. Remember to thank them for providing a strong GI Bill for today's veterans. Many of your legislators will be campaigning and attending 4th of July events, so any time you can spend "bending their ear" is always helpful in furthering our legislative goals. To find contact information for your member, type your Zip Code in the box provided in this link: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/. For a list of our priority goals, go to the Capitol Hill link on the VFW website at: http://www.vfw.org/

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VFW Washington Weekly, June 20, 2008

Monday, June 23, 2008 at 02:16 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. GI Bill Update
2. House VA Committee Hearing
3. TRICARE for Reserve Retirees
4. President Signs Military Tax Break Legislation


1. GI Bill Update: The House approved a $257.5 billion measure yesterday to fund the Iraq and Afghanistan wars into 2009 and to create a new GI Bill for the 21st century for servicemen and women who have served at least three years on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001. The enhanced education benefits would cover the cost of a four-year education up to the most expensive in-state tuition, along with a monthly stipend of approximately $1,000 for living expenses and $1,000 annually for books. The education benefit can also be transferred to military spouses and children provided the member serves six years or longer. Current Montgomery GI Bill benefits only cover about 60 percent of the cost of public education. VFW is urging its swift passage in the Senate.

The major funding portions of the House bill include:
• $162 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
• $62.8 billion over 10 years for veterans' education benefits
• $8.2 billion to extend unemployment insurance 13 weeks
• $5.8 billion to strengthen New Orleans levees
• $2.6 billion for Midwest flood relief

Other money would be for food and disaster relief overseas, build VA medical facilities, and improve food and medical product safety.

 

2. House VA Committee Hearing: The House VA Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing Thursday on several bills focusing on transitioning services and employment-related benefits for servicemembers and their families. Some of the bills include updating the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), reviewing contracts for those on active duty, contracting goals for veterans' small business owners, and funding for the Service Members Occupational Conversion Training Act (SMOCTA). Another bill would create a Paralympics Program that would offer an opportunity for the U.S. Olympic Committee, in collaboration with Veterans, Paralympics and community-based organizations, to provide programs and mentors to disabled veterans. For the entire list of bills and testimony given, visit the House VA website at http://veterans.house.gov/

 

3. TRICARE for Reserve Retirees: As reported earlier, H.R. 6185 was introduced by Rep. Robert Latta (R-OH) to provide TRICARE Standard coverage for retired Reserve Component members and their families who are qualified for a non-regular retirement, but who have not yet reached the age of 60, commonly known as "gray area" retirees. The full premium cost, without government subsidies, would be the responsibility of the retired reserve member. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) is expected to introduce an amendment authorizing this benefit when the Senate takes up the FY09 National Defense Authorization Act. The VFW supports this initiative, as it would provide a continuity of healthcare between the member's active reserve service and the age of 60 when medical benefits are currently available. Action needed: Contact your representatives and ask him/her to cosponsor H.R. 6185, and urge your senators to vote in favor of Senator Nelson's amendment to the FY09 NDAA.

 

4. President Signs Military Tax Break Legislation: President Bush signed into law a military tax bill this week that contains a combination of new tax benefits and the extension of existing benefits. The Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008, or HEART Act, includes a provision allowing military families to receive the $600-per-person economic stimulus rebate, even if a spouse does not have a Social Security number. The law also allows for survivors of people who die on active-duty to put all or part of death gratuity payments into a tax-deferred savings or retirement plan, even if this puts them over the annual limit for contributions. Other highlights of the bill include: Mobilized National Guard and reserve members may make penalty-free withdrawals from their personal retirement plans, which especially helps those with financial troubles caused by military service; and Guard and reserve members who contribute to an employer-provided flexible spending account can get refunds of contributions at the end of a calendar year, rather than lose the money, if they have been mobilized, since mobilizations could interfere with their ability to spend money as expected.

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VFW Washington Weekly, June 13, 2008

Friday, June 13, 2008 at 07:28 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. VA Funding Given a Boost
2. Wounded Warrior Hearing
3. House Committee Moves Vet Bills
4. New USAF Leaders Nominated


1. VA Funding Given a Boost: The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction/VA marked up a bill that would provide the VA $4.6 billion more than last year. Included in the FY 2009 funding package are resources to hire 1,400 new claims processors, and increases to address the maintenance at VA medical facilities - an issue the VFW testified on during the budget process. The bill also provides additional caseworkers and medical services for homeless veterans, and $3.8 billion for mental health and substance abuse programs. The committee also included a provision to increase oversight on programs that provide mental illness, PTSD, suicide and military sexual trauma services to veterans. For a complete breakdown of the bill, visit the committee website at: http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/EdwardsSubMarkup06-12-08.pdf

 

2. Wounded Warrior Hearing: The House VA Committee held a hearing this week on how VA and DOD are implementing the Wounded Warrior provisions that were passed in the FY 2008 defense budget (PL 110-181). Witnesses discussed the quality of VA and DOD mental health and traumatic brain injury care provided across the country, as well as in the public and private sectors. RAND Corporation analysts testified that VA is ahead of many of the private sector health care companies in providing services for TBI and mental health care. VA and DOD representatives discussed how they are implementing recommended changes as a part of a joint senior oversight committee. A Disability Evaluation System pilot test placed at three major military medical facilities is one of the largest initiatives undertaken since the law was passed.

 

3. House Committee Moves Vet Bills: The House VA Committee also held a Wednesday mark-up and a Thursday hearing on several veterans bills designed to enhance benefits and services to veterans.
• HR 2818 - legislation that would establish Epilepsy Centers at each of the five poly-trauma rehabilitation centers within VA. It would also require each center to employ an expert clinical and research staff to focus on research, treatment and long-term effects of epilepsy. This bill passed the Committee and now moves to the House floor for debate.
• HR 2192 - requires VA to hire a non-governmental employee (ombudsman) to provide patient advocacy and problem solving within VBA and VHA. Six regional ombudsmen will be hired representing six geographic areas across the country. This bill passed the Committee and now moves to the House floor for debate.
• HR 1197 - "The Prisoner of War Benefits Act" would amend current law by repealing the current 30-day minimum requirement for internment prior to the presumption of service connection for payment of veterans' disability compensation. It would also add diabetes (type 2) and osteoporosis to the list of presumptive diseases.
• HR 3008 - "The Rural Veterans Services Outreach and Training Act" would direct VA to provide financial assistance to state departments of veterans' affairs for the training of rural county veteran service officers in order to improve outreach and assistance to veterans and their families.
• HR 5155 - "Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act," would prohibit VA from collecting debts owed by certain veterans who die as a result of a service-connected disability incurred or aggravated on active duty in a war after the Persian Gulf War or a combat zone after September 11, 2001
• HR 5709 - "Veterans Disability Fairness Act," requires VA to carry out quality assurance activities regarding disability compensation ratings.
For the entire list of bills visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/, or type the bill number in the search box at http://thomas.loc.gov/


4. New USAF Leaders Nominated: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recommended and the President has nominated Michael Donley to serve as Secretary of the Air Force, and Gen. Norton Schwartz to serve as Air Force Chief of Staff. Donley is presently the Director of Administration and Management for the Department of Defense, essentially charged with running the Pentagon and its many complex operations. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management in the first Bush Administration and, for a period, as Acting Secretary of the Air Force. The President has appointed Donley as Acting Secretary of the Air Force pending his confirmation. Schwartz is presently the commander of U.S. Transportation Command, which is in charge of the department's worldwide transportation network. Prior to that assignment, Schwartz served in senior joint military positions as Director of the Joint Staff, Director for Operations for the Joint Staff, and Deputy Commander of Special Operations Command.

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VFW Washington Weekly, June 6, 2008

Friday, June 6, 2008 at 10:34 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue
1. House VA Committee Reviews Health Bills
2. Senate Holds Hearing on Current VA Outcomes on PTSD
3. SECDEF Fires Air Force Leaders
4. TRICARE Bill for Reserve Retirees Introduced
5. Korean War MIA Identified

1. House VA Committee Reviews Health Bills: This week, VFW provided testimony to the House Veterans Affairs' Subcommittee on Health. The Committee reviewed five health-related bills designed to improve and enhance health care options for veterans using VA. VFW supported the following bills:
HR 4463 "The Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act," would enforce and ensure higher uniformed professional standards as well as addressing recruitment and retention among health care professionals within VA.
HR 5888, a bill that would allow veterans to be reimbursed for emergency medical treatment provided them outside VA facilities.
HR 6114, legislation that would simplify and update National standards for HIV testing within VA.
HR 6122, "The Veterans Pain Care Act of 2009" would direct VA to implement comprehensive policies on pain management for veterans seeking care in VHA.
To read our testimony or for more on the hearing visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

2. Senate Holds Hearing on Current VA outcomes for PTSD: The Senate Veterans Affairs' Committee held a hearing to discuss VA's response to veterans seeking help for mental health issues related to their service. Members of the Committee are concerned that VA has not remained focused on balances between care and compensation with regard to mental healthcare. Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) asked the panel members ( all VA witnesses) how VA is ensuring that best practices for dealing with PTSD, both in VHA and VBA, are in place throughout the system.
Others wanted to make sure that the issues or problems regarding PTSD or other psychological problems related to service, receive accurate diagnoses from VA, proper care, and appropriate benefits.
For more on the hearing visit the Senate VA website at: http://veterans.senate.gov/public/

3. SECDEF Fires Air Force Leaders: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, after conferring with President Bush and support of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, asked for the resignations yesterday of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff T. Michael "Buz" Moseley. This action was taken following an investigation revealing a decline in the Air Force's nuclear program focus, performance and effective leadership. The investigation was triggered by Gates following the shipment of four MK-12 forward-section reentry vehicle assemblies to Taiwan and the bomber-specific August 2007 Minot-Barksdale nuclear weapons transfer incident. In response to a question, Secretary Gates said, "...the stewardship of our nuclear deterrent is the most sensitive mission that we have. And therefore, I think, the problems that have been identified - despite the fact there was no compromise of the technology, despite the fact that there was no danger involved - the fact that the stewardship itself and the declining standards raised questions in the minds of the public as well as internationally, in my view, required strong action."

4. TRICARE Bill for Reserve Retirees Introduced: The VFW attended a press conference yesterday and offered its strong support for the "TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2008." The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH). This legislation would provide TRICARE Standard coverage for "Gray Area" retired Reserve members and their families. These are retired members who are qualified for a non-regular retirement but who have not yet reached 60 years of age. The full cost of premiums would be the responsibility of the beneficiary. A bill number should be assigned within the next few days.

5. Korean War MIA Identified:  The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is PFC Milton Dinerboiler Jr., U.S. Army, of Elkhart, IN. In late November 1950, Dinerboiler was assigned to the Heavy Mortar Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, and then attached to the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), 7th Infantry Division. The team was engaged in battle against the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, from late November to early December 1950. Dinerboiler was captured by the Chinese and marched on a route north of the Chosin Reservoir. He died in mid-to-late April 1951 from poor health and the lack of medical treatment. He was buried beside a hill along the route. In 2002, a joint U.S./Democratic People's Republic of Korea team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), recovered human remains from an isolated grave north of the Chosin Reservoir. The site correlates to a route that American POWs were taken while being moved north to a POW camp.

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VFW Washington Weekly, May 30, 2008

Friday, May 30, 2008 at 10:37 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE

1. Congress in Recess

 

NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS

1. Tax Relief for Military families and Veterans

2. Vietnam Wars MIA's identified

3. Reserve Component Mobilization

 

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE

1. Congress in Recess

Congress remains on recess -working out of their local offices and are
expected to return to DC next Tuesday. They return to a very busy June
schedule to include passage of VA Funding (Appropriations), Defense bill
provisions and other veterans' bills important to the VFW. We also have
more to do with regards to the GI Bill which passed both House and
Senate before the Memorial Day holiday. The Senate amended the
House-passed bill so the Senate package now goes to the House.  We ask
you now to keep the pressure on to encourage positive House action. For
more on the GI Bill visit the Senate VA website
http://veterans.senate.gov/public/
OR type the bill (S. 22/HR 5740) in the box at: http://thomas.loc.gov/


 

 

NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS

1. Tax Relief for Military Families and Veterans:  The House and Senate
approved last week and sent to the President H.R. 6081, the Heroes
Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act (HEART) that will help military
families pay for education, purchase a home, and save for retirement.
HEART provisions include:  Tax Fairness for Military Personnel - a
permanent allowance for soldiers to count their non-taxable combat pay
when figuring their eligibility for the earned income tax credit, a
refundable federal income tax credit that puts cash in the hands of
low-income working individuals and families;  the ability for active
duty troops to withdraw money from retirement plans, and an allowance of
two years to replace the funds without tax penalty;  a 180-day period
for Reservists called to active duty to use unspent funds in a health
flexible spending account or cafeteria plan;  the ability for military
families to count most military cash allowances beyond basic pay to be
treated as earned income for purposes of determining Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) eligibility and benefit amounts, and treat certain
housing payments as in-kind support and maintenance;  clarification that
members of the military who file a joint tax return would be eligible
for the stimulus rebate payment even if the spouse does not have a
Social Security number; and a one year extension of parity between
mental and physical health benefits.  Honoring our Veterans - a
permanent allowance for all veterans to use qualified mortgage bonds to
purchase their homes; extension of a provision that gives retired
veterans more time to claim a tax refund on some types of disability
benefit payments; authority for the IRS to treat gifts of thanks from
states to veterans-such as payments of excess state revenue-as
nontaxable gifts; and the ability for blind, disabled, and aged veterans
to disregard state annuity payments when determining Supplemental
Security Income eligibility and benefits.  Helping Military Families and
Survivors - the ability for families of Reservists killed in the line of
duty to collect life insurance and other benefits provided by the
civilian employer; and the ability for families of soldiers killed in
the line of duty to contribute up to 100 percent of survivor benefits to
retirement savings accounts or to education savings accounts.  Helping
Businesses Support Military Personnel - a tax cut for small businesses
when they continue paying some salary to members of the National Guard
and Reserve who are called to duty; and an end to cumbersome rules for
reporting of income when companies continue paying some salary to
members of the National Guard and Reserve who are called to duty.  This
makes it easier for reservists to file their taxes and simpler for
employers to keep contributing to those employees' retirement plans.

 

2. Vietnam War MIAs Identified: The Department of Defense POW/Missing
Personnel Office (DPMO) announced that the remains of four U.S.
servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified
and will be returned to their families for burial with full military
honors.  They are Maj. Barclay B. Young, of Hartford, CN; and Senior
Master Sgt. James K. Caniford, of Brunswick, MD. The names of the two
others are being withheld at the request of their families.  All men
were U.S. Air Force.  Remains that could not be individually identified
are included in a group which will be buried together in Arlington.
Among the group remains is Air Force LTC Henry P. Brauner of Franklin
Park, NJ, whose identification tag was recovered at the crash site.  On
March 29, 1972, 14 men were aboard an AC-130A Spectre gunship that took
off from Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, on an armed
reconnaissance mission over southern Laos.  The aircraft was struck by
an enemy surface-to-air missile and crashed.  Search and rescue efforts
were stopped after a few days due to heavy enemy activity in the area.
In 1986, joint U.S.- Lao People's Democratic Republic teams, lead by the
Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), surveyed and excavated the
crash site in Savannakhet Province, Laos.  The team recovered human
remains and other evidence including two identification tags, life
support items and aircraft wreckage.  From 1986 to 1988, the remains
were identified as those of nine men from this crew.  Between 2005 and
2006, joint teams resurveyed the crash site and excavated it twice.  The
teams found more human remains, personal effects and crew-related
equipment.  As a result, JPAC identified Young, Caniford and the other
crewmen using forensic identification tools, circumstantial evidence,
mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons.

 

3.Reserve Component Mobilization: The total number currently on active
duty in support of the partial mobilization for the Army National Guard
and Army Reserve is 77,007; Navy Reserve, 4,543; Air National Guard and
Air Force Reserve, 8,135; Marine Corps Reserve, 9,704; and the Coast
Guard Reserve, 341.  This brings the total number of mobilized Guard and
Reserve personnel to 99,730, an increase of 410 from last week.

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VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY, May 23, 2008

Friday, May 23, 2008 at 08:59 PM

by Missouri

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE
1. Tough Fight Still Awaits New GI Bill
2. House Passes Vet Bills
3. Senate Healthcare Hearing
4. Congress in Recess

NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS
1. House Approves FY09 NDAA
2. House Honors POWs
3. Korean War MIAs Identified
4. Reserve Component Mobilization

NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE
1. Memorial Day 2008

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE

1. Tough Fight Still Awaits New GI Bill: The Senate voted 75-22
yesterday to advance the VFW-backed GI Bill for the 21st century, but no
one is celebrating yet, because S. 22 is attached to a war supplemental
funding bill that also includes billions in domestic spending that the
president said he would veto.  Though there is still a long way to go
before the 21st century GI Bill becomes reality, all VFW members should
take great pride in yesterday's overwhelming affirmation in the Senate.
The Senate package now goes to the House to reconcile differences.  The
House passed the 21st century GI Bill last week by a vote of 256-166. 
Go here to see how your senator voted:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm
.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00137
Go here to see how your representative voted:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll330.xml

2. House Passes Vet Bills: The House cleared several VFW-supported bills
this week.  They are:
*        H.R. 5856 would authorize funds for construction and leases of a
number of VA medical facilities, to include a polytrauma health care and
rehabilitation facility in San Antonio, construction of a new facility
in Las Vegas, and consolidation of two VA campuses in Pittsburgh.
*        H.R. 3819 would reimburse veterans receiving emergency treatment
in non-VA facilities until the veteran is transferred to a VA facility
*        H.R. 5826 would provide a cost-of- living increase for
disability compensation, DIC, and a clothing allowance based on the rate
of increase given Social Security effective December 31, 2008.
*        H.R. 3480 protects grave markers from crimes by enforcing
federal desecration laws.

3. Senate Healthcare Hearing: VFW testified this week before the Senate
VA Committee on a broad range of health care bills. The legislation
before the committee ranged from new ways to fund the VA health care
system, mental health benefits for the newest generation of veterans,
outreach efforts, and benefits for those who offer home care for the
severely wounded.  Some of the bills we testified in support of include:
*        S. 2639, Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act, would
provide a funding mechanism to ensure that VA is given a sufficient,
timely and predictable budget.
*        S. 2797 would authorize the construction and leasing of a number
of major medical facilities throughout the country.
*        S. 2799, The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, would
expand and improve health care services provided to female veterans, to
include requiring VA to hire a full-time women veterans' program manager
at each medical center.
*        S. 2929, The Caring for Wounded Warriors Act, would create pilot
programs to improve care for veterans suffering from traumatic brain
injuries.  It would also offer training and certification programs for
family caregivers to serve as personal care attendants, thus qualifying
them for VA compensation.
For a complete listing of bills and/or to read VFW testimony, go to the
Senate VA Committee website at: http://veterans.senate.gov/public/

4. Congress in Recess: Congress recessed on Thursday for the Memorial
Day weekend and will return to Washington June 2. Still awaiting passage
is VA Funding (Appropriations), War Supplemental funding, Defense bill
provisions and other veterans' bills important to the VFW.  Now is a
great time to make an appointment to visit your members in their
district offices.  Review the VFW legislative Priority Goals and tell
your elected officials that we expect them to do the right thing for all
veterans.  For a list of House/Senate district offices, go to:
http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/

NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS

1. House Approves FY09 NDAA: The House passed the FY 2009 National
Defense Authorization Act yesterday by a vote of 384-23.  Among many
other defense initiatives, the bill provides a 3.9-percent pay raise for
all service members; much need money for National Guard and Reserve
equipment; military construction funding to improve and upgrade housing,
recreation and other defense facilities; increases Army and Marine
personnel end strength; and prohibits fee increases in TRICARE and its
pharmacy program. 

2. House Honors POWs: Late last night, before recessing for Memorial
Day, the House adopted H.Res. 986 to express gratitude for and recognize
the courage and sacrifice of those members of the U.S. Armed Forces who
were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam War, and calling for a
full accounting of the 1,729 military members who remain missing and
unaccounted-for from that war.  It also urges states, localities and all
Americans to honor the courage and sacrifice of members of the Armed
Forces who were held as POWs during the Vietnam War.

3. Korean War MIAs Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office
announced that the remains of Army Sgt. 1st Class George W. Koon of
Leesville, SC, and Sgt. 1st Class Jack O. Tye of Loyall, KY, have been
identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full
military honors.  In late November 1950, Koon was assigned to Medical
Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, and Tye was assigned to Company L, 38th
Infantry Regiment.  Both were members of the 2nd Infantry Division
advancing north of Kunu-ri, North Korea.  On Nov. 25, the Chinese Army
counterattacked in what would become known as the Battle of the Chong
Chon (River).  This combat was some of the fiercest of the war, and the
2nd Division initiated a fighting withdrawal to the south. Koon and Tye
were captured by Chinese forces during the intense enemy fire, and
subsequently died while in captivity from malnutrition and medical
neglect.  In 2002, two joint U.S./North Korean teams, led by the Joint
POW/MIA Accounting Command, investigated and excavated a mass burial
site located 20 miles northwest of Kunu-ri, along the route taken by
captured Americans who were being moved to permanent POW camps along the
Yalu River.  The teams recovered remains at the site believed to be
those of several U.S. servicemen, including Koon and Tye.

4. Reserve Component Mobilization: The total number currently on active
duty in support of the partial mobilization for the Army National Guard
and Army Reserve is 76,905; Navy Reserve, 4,725; Air National Guard and
Air Force Reserve, 8,445; Marine Corps Reserve, 8,904; and the Coast
Guard Reserve, 341.  This brings the total number of mobilized Guard and
Reserve personnel to 99,320, an increase of 139 from last week.

NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE

1. Memorial Day 2008: The following is a recently published Military
Times editorial, entitled, "Remember the fallen."  The United States is
almost 232 years old, the world's greatest and oldest experiment in
freedom and democracy.  In that short history, Americans have paid for
that freedom - and increasingly over the past century, for the freedom
of untold others - in the blood and noble sacrifice of those who heard
the call to service and gave their lives to the cause. 
*        Some 4,435 died for their new country in the American
Revolution.
*        2,260 in the War of 1812.
*        13,283 in the Mexican War.
*        529,511 - probably more, but records are incomplete - in the
American Civil War.
*        2,446 in the Spanish-American War.
*        116,516 in World War I.
*        405,399 in World War II.
*        36,574 in the Korean War.
*        58,209 in the Vietnam War.
*        19 in Grenada for Operation Urgent Fury.
*        383 in the Persian Gulf War.
*        23 in Panama for Operation Just Cause.
*        43 in Somalia for Operation Restore Hope.
*        496 in Operation Enduring Freedom and 4,069 in Operation Iraqi
Freedom - and counting.
That's 1,173,666 in all.  Hundreds, perhaps thousands, more have died in
service to our country on virtually every continent on the globe in
conflicts we either don't recall or won't acknowledge.  This Memorial
Day, take a moment to remember them.

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VFW Washington Weekly, May 9, 2008

Friday, May 9, 2008 at 07:50 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue
1. GI Bill Call to Action
2. House Holds Veteran Suicide Hearing
3. Senate Holds Hearing on Benefit Bills
4. Senate Committee Boosts Pay, Rejects Fees

 

1. GI Bill Call to Action: The VFW still needs you to urge your senators to support S. 22, and your representatives to support H.R. 5740, so that the VFW goal of creating a new GI Bill for the 21st century becomes a reality. As of this morning, 57 senators are supporting S. 22, a number that is unchanged from last week. Introduced by Jim Webb (D-VA), S. 22 has strong bipartisan support from fellow senators such as Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and John Warner (R-VA). Its companion bill in the House, H.R. 5740, increased by 27 to 293 co-sponsors, or 67% of the House. Introduced by Harry Mitchell (D-AZ), it, also has strong bipartisan support from fellow congressmen such as Bill Young (R-FL) and Chris Smith (R-NJ). America's newest Greatest Generation needs your help to bring educational benefits back in line with current day tuitions. Use this link to contact your members: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/.

 

2. House Holds Veteran Suicide Hearing: The House Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing on suicides among America's veterans. It was part of their continuing attempts to understand the size and scope of the problem among the veterans community. This is an important issue and even one loss of life is a tragedy. With the number of returning service men and women who have been diagnosed with a mental health issue, it is something that VA is going to have to actively manage to ensure that veterans receive the proper treatment and care.
For more on the hearing visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

 

3. Senate Holds Hearing on Benefit Bills: The VFW testified before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee this week on a host of veterans' benefit legislation. Chief among them was legislation to create a new GI Bill for the 21st century, or S. 22, a comprehensive bill that would cover the full cost of education at the highest in-state rate, to include room and board, fees and a cost of living stipend. VFW has long advocated for legislation that mirrors the original WWII GI Bill and sees S. 22 as fulfilling that priority. Other bills discussed included annual cost-of-living adjustments, compensation for veterans and their survivors, adjudication reform for the veterans' disability benefits system, burial enhancements, and insurance increases for veterans. For the VFW's testimony and information on all the bills, visit the Senate VA Committee website at: http://veterans.senate.gov/public/

 

4. Senate Committee Boosts Pay, Rejects Fees: The Senate Armed Services Committee approved a 3.9% pay raise last week for all military personnel in their first draft of the FY 2009 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The pay raise is 0.5% above what defense officials requested, and is designed to further close the gap between military and private sector wages. SASC Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) hopes the bill will come up for a full Senate vote before Memorial Day. The committee also rejected an Administration proposal to increase Tricare premiums and other fees. In related news, the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee also included in its markup a 3.9% military pay raise and also rejected Tricare fee increases. The full House committee is scheduled to markup the NDAA next week. The VFW is working with Congress to close the pay disparity, which stands at about 3.4 percent, and opposes any Tricare premium or other fee increases.

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VFW Washington Weekly, May 2, 2008

Friday, May 2, 2008 at 03:41 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue
1. GI Bill Call to Action
2. House VA Committee Moves Bills
3. Paid Up Survivor Benefit Plan

 

1. GI Bill Call to Action: The VFW needs you to urge your senators to support S. 22, and your representatives to support H.R. 5740, so that the VFW goal of creating a new GI Bill for the 21st century becomes a reality. The VFW Washington Office joined other veterans and the leadership of the House and Senate at a press conference Tuesday to urge the passage of S. 22/H.R. 5740, the "Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act." As of this morning, 57 senators are supporting S. 22, which was introduced by Jim Webb (D-VA), and has strong bipartisan support from fellow senators such as Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and John Warner (R-VA). Its companion bill in the House, H.R. 5740, has 266 representatives signed on in support. Introduced by Harry Mitchell (D-AZ), it, also has strong bipartisan support from fellow congressmen such as Bill Young (R-FL) and Chris Smith (R-NJ). America's newest Greatest Generation needs your help to bring educational benefits back in line with current day tuitions. Use this link to contact your members: http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/.

 

2. House VA Committee Moves Bills: The House Veterans Affairs Committee cleared several VFW-supported bills, which now move to the House floor for debate. Some of the key bills include:
HR 3889 requires VA to conduct a 20-year study of veterans participating in VA vocational rehabilitation programs, starting in 2011.
HR 4884 increases from 90 to 100 percent the amount of a veteran's home loan guarantee.
HR 4889 moves educational benefits for the National Guard and Reserves under the authority of the VA, instead of DOD.
HR 3681 authorizes VA to purchase advertising in national media outlets for increased outreach on VA benefits.
HR 3819 supports VFW resolution #649 to require VA to pay for all emergency services a veteran receives at a non-VA facility until the veteran can be transferred to a VA facility.
HR 5729 supports VFW Resolution #640 to provide the full range of healthcare to children born with spina bifida born to certain Vietnam veterans.
HR 5826, the annual COLA bill, will increase the rates of compensation, DIC and clothing to the amount payable under Social Security for 2008.
For a complete listing of bills passed, visit the House VA Committee website at: http://veterans.house.gov/
For more on any of the bill's provisions, type the bill number in the search box at: http://thomas.loc.gov/

 

3. Paid Up Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP): The Defense Finance and Accounting Service is reviewing all military retiree accounts affected by the new "Paid-Up SBP" law. Under the law, retirees who are at least 70 years old and who have paid at least 360 months of premiums on
Oct. 1 will have their monthly premiums terminated. The change will be reflected in the November 2008 pay statement. If a retiree does not meet the eligibility criteria on Oct. 1, the premiums will op when the retiree has met both criteria -- reached age 70 and paid SBP premiums for 360 months. Eligible retirees will be notified by DFAS via mail regarding the status of their account and premiums.

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VFW National Security & Foreign Affairs Update - 2 May 08

Friday, May 2, 2008 at 08:44 AM

by Missouri

Paid Up Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP): The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is reviewing all military retiree accounts affected by the new "Paid-Up SBP" law.  Under the law, retirees who are at least 70 years old, and have paid at least 360 months of premiums on Oct. 1, will have their monthly premiums terminated. The change will be reflected in the November 2008 pay statement.  If a retiree does not meet the eligibility criteria on Oct. 1, the premiums will stop when the retiree has met both criteria - reached age 70 and paid SBP premiums for 360 months.  Eligible retirees will be notified by DFAS via mail regarding the status of their account and premium payment count.

 

WWII MIA Airmen Identified: The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced that the remains of 11 U.S. servicemen, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.  They are CPT Robert L. Coleman, of Wilmington, DE; 1LT George E. Wallinder, of San Antonio, TX; 2LT Kenneth L. Cassidy, of Worcester, MA.; 2LT Irving Schechner, of Brooklyn, NY; 2LT Ronald F. Ward, of Cambridge, MA; TSgt William L. Fraser, of Maplewood, MO.; TSgt Paul Miecias, of Piscataway, NJ; TSgt Robert C. Morgan, of Flint, MI.; SSgt Albert J. Caruso, of Kearny, NJ; SSgt Robert E. Frank, of Plainfield, NJ; and PVT Joseph Thompson, of Compton, CA; all U.S. Army Air Forces.  On Dec. 3, 1943, these men crewed a B-24D Liberator that departed Dobodura, New Guinea on an armed-reconnaissance mission over New Hanover Island in the Bismarck Sea.  The crew reported dropping their bombs on target, but in spite of several radio contacts with their base, they never returned to Dobodura.  Subsequent searches failed to locate the aircraft.  In 2000, three Papua New Guineans were hunting in the forest when they came across aircraft wreckage near Iwaia village.  The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) was notified and began planning an investigation.  In 2002, a JPAC team traveled to Deboin Village to interview two individuals who said they knew where the crash site was.  However, the witnesses could not relocate the site.  In 2004, the site was found about four miles from Iwaia village in Papua New Guinea where a JPAC team found an aircraft data plate that correlated to the 1943 crash.  Between 2004 and 2007, JPAC teams conducted two excavations of the site and recovered human remains and non-biological material including some crew-related artifacts such as identification tags.

 

Korean War MIA Soldiers Identified: The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced that the remains of two U.S. servicemen, missing from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.  They are CPL Robert L. Mason of Parkersburg, WV; and PFC Joseph K. Meyer Jr., of Wahpeton, ND, both U.S. Army.  Mason was assigned to B Company, 32^nd Infantry Regiment, and Meyer was assigned to K Company, 31^st Infantry Regiment.  Both were attached to the 31^st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), 7^th Infantry Division.  The team was engaged against the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, from late November to early December 1950.  Both men died as result of intense enemy fire, and their bodies were not recovered at the time.  Between 2001 and 2005, joint U.S. and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), conducted excavations of several burial sites near the Chosin Reservoir.  The sites correlate closely with defensive positions held by the 31st RCT at the time of the Chinese attacks.  The teams recovered remains believed to be those of U.S. servicemen.  Analysis of the remains recovered from the sites led to the identification of several individuals, including Mason and Meyer.

 

Reserve Component Mobilization: The total number currently on active duty in support of the partial mobilization for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 78,982; Navy Reserve, 5,014; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 8,088; Marine Corps Reserve, 8,581; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 347.  This brings the total number of mobilized Guard and Reserve personnel to 101,012, a decrease of 1,645 from last week.

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VFW Washington Weekly, April 28, 2008

Monday, April 28, 2008 at 01:21 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. Senate Passes Large Benefits Bill
2. House VA Committee Bills
3. Senate Hearing on VA/DOD Improvements
4. OIF/OEF Campaign Stars

1. Senate Passes Large Veterans Bill: The Senate passed 96-1 a large veterans' package that improves a wide-array of benefits, including life insurance, burial allowance and adaptive equipment grants. The package now moves to the House. Some of the VFW-supported provisions in S. 1315 would:
• Increase the maximum amount of supplemental Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance from $20,000 to $30,000.
• Expand eligibility for home improvement and structural alteration assistance to include permanently disabled servicemembers.
• Provide a specially-adapted housing grant to veterans and qualified servicemembers with severe burn injuries.
• Extend authority of the VA to assist individuals living temporarily in residences owned by family members.
• Provide automobile and adaptive equipment assistance to disabled veterans and servicemembers with severe burn injuries.
• Increase to $445 from the current $300 allowance for veteran burial plots.
• Provide a presumption of service-connection for osteoporosis for former POWs with post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Increase cost-of-living for additional dependency and indemnity compensation paid to certain surviving spouses with minor dependent children.
• Expand retroactive traumatic injury protection under SGLI (TSGLI) to include all servicemembers, not just those injured in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
For a complete listing of S. 1315 provisions, visit the Thomas website at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:s.01315:

 

2. House VA Committee Bills: The House Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity took quick action last Wednesday on several VFW-supported bills. The bills improve adaptive grants, vocational rehabilitation and home loans, and would also increase the Montgomery GI Bill to help veterans obtain a college education. VFW provided testimony in support of the bills at an earlier hearing. Below is a synopsis of the bills:
• HR 4883 would prohibit the foreclosure of property owned by a servicemember for one year following military service.
• HR 3889 would require VA to conduct a 20-year study of veterans participating in VA vocational rehabilitation programs, starting in 2011.
• HR 4884 would increase from 90 to 100 percent the amount of a veterans' home loan guarantee.
• HR 4889 would move educational benefits for the National Guard and Reserves under the authority of the VA, instead of DOD
• HR 3681 would authorize VA to purchase advertising in national media outlets to increase their veterans' outreach efforts on VA benefits.
• HR 5664 would require VA to update the adaptive housing handbook every six years, and to include new and/or unique disabilities, such as vision impairments and burn injuries.
• HR 5684 would increase GI Bill benefits from $650 to $1,250 for those with two years active duty, and would allow money to be used for business courses, continuing education and preparatory courses. It would provide a monthly stipend in addition to the tuition assistance benefit -- $500 for veterans attending school at least as half-time students, and $250 for less than half time hours. It also extends education eligibility from 10 to 15 years after release from active duty, and allows for enrollment in the GI Bill at any time while serving on active duty.
 

Also on Wednesday, the Subcommittee on Health approved five VFW-supported bills at a markup. All now move to the full Committee. VFW has testified in support of all five bills, and has a resolution in support of two of them:
• VFW Resolution #649 supports HR 3819, which would require VA to pay for all emergency services a veteran receives at a non-VA facility until the veteran can be transferred to a VA facility
• VFW Resolution #640 supports HR 5729, which would give the full range of healthcare to children born with spina bifida of certain Vietnam veterans.
The other three VFW-supported bills include:
• HR 5554, which would improve the range of services VA provides for substance abuse disorders, particularly among OEF/OIF veterans, who are dealing with depression, PTSD and other mental health issues.
• HR 2790, which would create a VA director of physician assistant services to help plan and implement programs to better use the services of physician assistants throughout the VA healthcare system.
• HR 5856, which would authorize a number of VA construction projects for the coming year, allowing them to be funded at a later date.
For more information on any of the bills, enter the bill number at: http://thomas.loc.gov
For committee information, visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

3. Senate Hearing on VA/DOD Improvements: The Senate VA Committee held a hearing on how VA and DOD can improve care and services for returning servicemembers. DAV represented the Independent Budget and discussed our four areas of concern: the Disability Evaluation System, Mental Health (PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries), Care Management, and Data Sharing. The senators discussed the need for the two Departments to work together, especially with reports of increased suicides risks and severe PTSD among returning veterans. The hearing was the eleventh in a series on VA /DOD collaboration dating back to January of 2007. For more information, visit the Senate VA website at: http://veterans.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?pageid=16


4. OIF/OEF Campaign Stars: The Department of Defense announced last week that campaign stars are authorized for wear on the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) and Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM). Servicemembers who have qualified for the ACM and/or ICM may now display a bronze campaign star on their medal for each designated campaign phase they participated. You can find the campaign names and associated dates for each medal at http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11848.

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VFW Washington Weekly - April 18, 2008

Friday, April 18, 2008 at 02:11 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. House VA Committee Hearings
2. Senate Passes VA Home Package
3. New GI Bill Needs Your Help

1. House VA Committee Hearings:
- On Tuesday, VFW testified before the Subcommittee on Health on several bills designed to enhance health care options for veterans and their families, such as Spina Bifida, epilepsy research centers, substance use disorder treatment and prevention, and dental care. The VFW has a resolution on the epilepsy research centers and strongly supported the bill, noting that the prevalence of brain injuries from the current war is likely to lead to an increased number of epilepsy and seizure disorders in the coming years.
- On Wednesday, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing on 13 bills under consideration. The VFW testified in support of all the bills, which included several that would improve education benefits for servicemembers as well as Guard and Reserve members serving since 9/11. The VFW once again stressed support for a GI Bill that would cover the full cost of education for all veterans. Other bills discussed would improve transition benefits, make changes to USSERA, and enhance VA's adaptive housing and home loan guaranty programs to bring them more in line with today's markets.
- To read our testimony or for more on the hearings including the webcast visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

 

2. Senate Passes VA Home Package: Earlier this week, the Senate passed a large housing package aimed at increasing housing opportunities for veterans and offering mortgage relief for returning servicemembers. It also increased VA Home Loan limits to the levels offered in the Economic Stimulus package for other federal home loans. The Dodd-Shelby Housing bill includes:
**An increase in the length of time a lender must wait before starting foreclosure involving a returning servicemember, from three to nine months
**One year of relief from increases in mortgage interest rates for returning servicemembers.
**The establishment of a counseling program carried out by DOD to assist servicemembers and veterans with financial issues
**Eligibility for VA-provided home improvement and structural alteration payments to totally disabled members of the Armed Forces before their discharge or release from the Armed Forces
**Extension of specially adapted housing benefits to certain veterans and servicemembers with severe burns
The bill now moves to the House for action.

 

3. New GI Bill Needs Your Help: We are arriving at a critical moment for the new GI Bill for the 21st Century! Last week, a new and improved S. 22, "The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007," was introduced in the House of Representatives as H.R. 5740. The new bill has 206 co-sponsors but needs your help to call or visit your elected members and urge their support of either S. 22 or H.R. 5740. A new GI Bill for the 21st Century is one of the highest VFW legislative priorities. Use this link to contact your members - http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials/ - find their offices in your local phone book.

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VA News - Week of April 14, 2008

Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 07:24 AM

by Missouri

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VFW Washington Weekly, April 14, 2008

Monday, April 14, 2008 at 03:49 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. VFW Legislative Alert Supports GI Bill for 21st Century
2. House Hearings on Disability Claims, Homelessness
3. President's Statement on Iraq
4. VFW Travels to Southeast Asia


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

2. House Hearings on Disability Claims, Homelessness: The House Veterans Affairs Committee held two hearings this week.
• VFW testified at the hearing on a draft bill to improve the disability claims processing system. Improving the system has been, and remains, one of the VFW's top priorities. The claims backlog continues to grow, especially as the number and complexity of each individual claim increases, but the answers to the problem are not simple, and it cannot be fixed overnight. The VFW supports some of the provisions of the bill, and offered suggestions to fix others. To read our full testimony, go to: http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=223
• The hearing on homeless veterans programs took testimony from a number of organizations, including a few that provide direct services to homeless veterans through VA grant programs. The VFW continues to push for full funding for these vital programs. A continued emphasis on these programs is going to be important, given the increasing rate of mental illness and the difficulties many OEF/OIF veterans are having with finding meaningful employment. For more, go to: http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=220

3. President's Statement on Iraq: VFW Washington Office directors and staff attended the White House press conference yesterday where President Bush provided an update on the Iraq War. He announced the long awaited news that Army deployments will return to 12 months for those deploying after Aug. 1, and stipulated that "Army units will have at least a year at home for every year in the field." The President also outlined the progress being made on the security, economic, political and diplomatic fronts by the Iraqi government. As Iraq's economy continues to grow and oil revenues rise, the U.S. share of the cost for Iraq's security and reconstruction will continue to decline.
To read the President's statement and view the video, go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/04/20080410-2.html
To read VFW National Commander George Lisicki's press release, go to: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4533

4. VFW Travels to Southeast Asia: VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner and Washington Office Executive Director Bob Wallace recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Thailand, Vietnam and Laos to gain firsthand, up-to-date knowledge and facts of the ongoing U.S. and host nation efforts to resolve the fate of missing Americans from the Vietnam War. They met with Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command officials, U.S. Ambassadors and diplomatic personnel, and foreign government officials in Bangkok, Hanoi and Vientiane. They also accompanied JPAC recovery teams to excavation sites in Vietnam and Laos.

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VFW Washington Weekly, April 4, 2009

Friday, April 4, 2008 at 04:13 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. New GI Bill Needs Our Help
2. House VA Committee Hearings
3. Women Veterans' Bill
4. VA Home Loan Fix
5. VA Names Acting Benefits Chief
6. Soldier Missing in Iraq Identified


1. New GI Bill Needs Our Help: Now is the time to push for a GI Bill for the 21st Century, one that will cover all education costs, to include tuition, fees, books and a subsistence stipend. Two bills introduced last year would provide these benefits: S. 22 and HR 2702, "The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007." Yet only half the Senate and a quarter of the House have signed on as co-sponsors. Please call or visit your Congressional offices at home or on Capitol Hill and urge your legislators to sponsor this VFW priority goal. Both bills would:
• Increase education benefits for members of the military serving on active duty since September 11, 2001. Qualifying veterans must have served at least two years on active duty. Members of the Reserve and National Guard need a total of two years of active duty service.
• Provide a powerful transition assistance program by allowing veterans to readjust to civilian life and improve their ability to care for themselves and their families. The subsistence stipend will also help ease a tough decision new veterans with families have to make: school or food and rent.
• Create additional tax revenue generated by better-educated veterans, which will likely pay for the program, as it did with the WWII GI Bill.
• Increase military recruitment efforts, broadening the socio-economic makeup of the military, and strengthening our national security.
A new GI Bill for the 21st century is the right thing to do for those who are now serving in harm's way. To view our Alert and contact your elected officials, go to:

 http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=11232976
To read a joint opinion editorial by VFW National Commander George Lisicki, and Paul Rieckhoff, the founder and executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, go to: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4526.

 

2. House VA Committee Hearings:
On Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on PTSD treatment and research options. PTSD has been diagnosed in more than 60,000 veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, yet a recent Institute of Medicine report showed that there are not enough studies on PTSD identification and treatment options. VFW submitted written testimony that called for more research into PTSD causes, identification and treatment. VA must ensure that current and previous generations of veterans have full access to a wide range of treatments. VFW also testified for improved services and outreach to women veterans and their families, who are a critical support base for recovery.
On Wednesday, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations heard testimony from veterans and VA about Traumatic Brain Injury and vision issues facing wounded service members. TBI is considered one of the signature injuries of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Witnesses said research being conducted by physicians; psychologists and blind rehabilitation specialists at VA have found that TBI causes vision issues in many veterans with 20/20 vision who show no signs of injury to the eye. Companies working with VA to provide innovative treatment for TBI-related vision deficits, and physicians from DOD and VA were also on hand to talk about what they are doing to identify and help patients suffering with this type of injury.
For more on the hearings or to view the live webcast, visit the House VA website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

 

3. Women Veterans' Bill: Legislation to improve care, services and outreach to women veterans was introduced at a press conference Wednesday held by Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). VFW strongly supports the bill, as it will address the unique needs of female veterans by authorizing programs to improve care for Military Sexual Trauma, expand women veteran coordinator positions at VA, and increase research on barriers to care. Women currently make up 14% of the total force, and it is estimated that the number of female veterans entering the VA system will double in the next five years.

 

4. VA Home Loan Fix: The Economic Stimulus Package signed by the President last month also increased loan limits for federal home loan programs, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA. VA Home Loans, however, were not included. Congress has introduced legislation to fix the problem. H.R. 5561 and S. 2768 would extend the home loan guarantee to 125% of metropolitan medium home prices (about $730,000 in the highest cost areas) through December 31, 2011. The fix would enable veterans to utilize their VA benefit to purchase homes of higher value while the housing market remains unpredictable. For more information on the legislation, type the bill number in the search box at: http://thomas.loc.gov/

 

5. VA Names Acting Benefits Chief: The VA announced this week that Patrick W. Dunne, a retired Navy rear admiral and a senior official within VA, would be named acting Under Secretary of Benefits. He replaces retired Vice Adm. Daniel L. Cooper, who resigned effective April 1. Admiral Dunne will be responsible for a $52 billion budget that provides compensation and pensions to nearly 4 million veterans and survivors, along with administering the Montgomery GI Bill educational program, VA home loan guaranties, among other programs.

 

6. Soldier Missing in Iraq Identified: The Department of Defense announced the change in status of a soldier supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom from missing-captured to deceased. The armed forces medical examiner confirmed March 29 that human remains recovered in Iraq were those of Staff Sgt. Keith M. Maupin, 24, of Batavia, OH. Maupin had been listed as missing-captured since April 16, 2004. His convoy came under attack by rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire on April 9, 2004. He was assigned to the 724th Transportation Company, Bartonville, IL. Maupin's loss incident remains under investigation, as well as those associated with the three other American soldiers currently listed as missing-captured.

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VFW Washington Weekly, March 28, 2008

Friday, March 28, 2008 at 01:24 PM

by Missouri

In This Issue:
1. IRS to Hold Super Saturday/ Stimulus Package Outreach
2. WWII MIA Identified
3. Korean War MIA Identified
4. Reserve Component Mobilization

1. IRS to Hold Super Saturday/Stimulus Package Outreach: The IRS has deemed Saturday, March 29 as "Super Saturday" in an effort to reach out to individuals who are eligible for an economic stimulus payment but do not normally file tax returns - like veterans and some retirees. To be eligible for a rebate under the recently signed Economic Stimulus package you must file a 2007 tax return by April 15. The stimulus package allows disabled veterans - whose primary income consists of VA compensation - to qualify for rebates. IRS offices will be open this Saturday to prepare the 1040A form for people who are filing a return solely to receive their stimulus payment. This links below provide information on how to file to receive your rebate.
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vafeature/stimulus.asp
http://www.irs.gov/

2. WWII MIA Identified: The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from World War II, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is 2LT Arthur F. Eastman, U.S. Army Air Forces, of East Orange, NJ. On Aug. 18, 1944, Eastman departed the airdrome at Finschhafen, New Guinea, on a test flight of his F-5E-2 aircraft, but never returned. Subsequent searches failed to locate Eastman or his aircraft. In 2003, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) found documents in the Australian National Archives about an earlier site visit believed to be associated with an F-5E crash. According to the archives, an Australian official had visited the crash site in 1950 in Morobe province near Koilil Village, but there was no subsequent recovery. In 2004, a team from JPAC investigated the crash site in the mountains of Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. The team found aircraft wreckage and recommended the site be excavated. From February to March 2007, a JPAC team excavated the crash site and recovered human remains, pilot-related items and other personal effects, including Eastman's military identification tag.

 

3. Korean War MIA Identified: The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is U.S. Army Sgt. Harry J. Laurence of Cleveland, OH. Laurence was a member of L Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, then making up the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), 7th Infantry Division. The team was engaged against the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, from Nov. 27 - Dec. 11, 1950. The unit was forced to retreat to the south due to intense enemy fire. Laurence was among many soldiers reported missing in action. In 2001, joint U.S. and Democratic People's Republic of Korea teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), conducted two excavations of a mass grave near the Chosin Reservoir. The site correlates closely with defensive positions held by the 31st RCT at the time of the Chinese attacks. The teams recovered remains believed to be those of 11 U.S. servicemen. Analysis of the remains subsequently led to the identifications of three individuals, including Laurence.

 

4. Reserve Component Mobilization: The total number currently on active duty in support of the partial mobilization for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 76,309; Navy Reserve, 5,495; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 7,614; Marine Corps Reserve, 8,638; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 344. This brings the total number of mobilized Guard and Reserve personnel to 98,400, an increase of 2,443 from last week.

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Missouri Legislature Updates - 3-14-08

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 08:55 AM

by Missouri

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HB 1307 --- Sponsor: Day, David (148) --- Co-sponsors: Jones (89), Holsman (45), Kraus (48), Wright (159), Norr (137), Weter (142), Wallace (143), Wells (147), Schad (115), Ruestman (131), Brown (30) and Cooper (155)

Requires higher education institutions which receive state funds to limit the amount charged for tuition to certain combat veterans (See also SB 830)

Status: 01/10/2008 - Referred: Special Committee on Veterans (H)

HB 1313 --- Sponsor: Wright, Billy Pat (159) Co-sponsors: Day (148), Fisher (125), Stream (94), Page (82), Brown (30), Dusenberg (54) and Schad (115)

Gives a preference in all state purchasing contracts to certain disabled veterans doing business as Missouri companies when the quality of work is equal or better and the price is the same or less

Status: 01/10/2008 - Referred: Special Committee on Veterans (H); 01/31/2008 - Reported Do Pass - Consent (H); Referred: Rules Pursuant to Rule 25(21)(f)(H); 02/06/2008 - Rules - Reported Do Pass Consent (H); 02/14/2008 - Perfected by Consent - Pursuant to House Rules (H). This bill has remained on the HB for Perfection Consent Calendar for five legislative days without any objection, and any committee substitutes and committee amendments are hereby adopted by consent; 2/19/2008 - Third Read and Passed (H); Reported to the Senate and First Read (S); 03/03/2008 - Second Read and Referred: Pensions, Veteran Affairs & General Law(S)


HB 1373 --- Sponsor: Day, David (148) --- Co-sponsors: Meadows (101), Jones (89), Holsman (45), Brown (30), McGhee (122), Loehner (112), Funderburk (12), Portwood (92), Wilson (130), Walton (81), Darrough (75), Dusenberg (54), Scharnhorst (93), Deeken (114), Nolte (33), Guest (5) and Schad (115)

Requires any American or Missouri flag flown over state buildings to be made in the United States (See also HB 1673 and HB 1784)

Status: 01/10/2008 - Referred: Corrections and Public Institutions (H)

HCS HB 1518 --- Sponsor: Cunningham, Mike (145)  --- Co-sponsor: None

Establishes a tuition grant program for the spouse and children of certain veterans who were killed or injured in action after September 11, 2008

Status – 01/10/2008 - Referred: Special Committee on Veterans (H); 01/29/2008 - Public Hearing Completed (H); 02/12/2008 - HCS Voted Do Pass (H); 2/28/2008 - HCS Reported Do Pass (H); Referred: Rules Pursuant to Rule 25(21)(f) (H); 03/03/2008 - Rules - Returned to the Committee of Origin (H); 03/12/2008 - HCS Reported Do Pass (H)

HB 1562 --- Sponsor: LeVota, Paul (52) --- Co-sponsors: Burnett (40), Kraus (48), Yaeger (96), Roorda (102), Holsman (45), Grill (32) and Schieffer (11)

Authorizes a tax credit to a taxpayer for 100% of the salary and benefits paid to an employee while on active military duty

Status: 01/17/2008 - Referred: Special Committee on Veterans (H); 02/12/2008 - Public Hearing Completed (H)

HB 1651 --- Sponsor: Dethrow, Mike (153) --- Co-sponsors: Day (148), Wilson (119), Sater (68), May (149), Avery (95), Schieffer (11), Roorda (102), Dusenberg (54), Wallace (143), Denison (135), Nieves (98), Schad (115) and Emery (126)

Revises the requirements for firearms safety training by allowing proof of certain types of military service to satisfy the requirements

Status: 01/24/2008 - Referred: Special Committee on General Laws (H); 02/19/2008 - Public Hearing Completed (H)

HB 1653 --- Sponsor: Dethrow, Mike (153) --- Co-sponsors: None

Removes the additional fees charged for Purple Heart special license plate

Status: 02/28/2008 - Referred: Transportation (H)

HB 1659 --- Sponsor: Smith, Joe (14) --- Co-sponsors: Ruzicka (132), Meadows (101), Onder (13), Bivins (97), Day (148), Funderburk (12), Dougherty (53), McGhee (122), Bruns (113), Dusenberg (54), Deeken (114), Schieffer (11), Portwood (92) and Sander (22)

Creates the Gu