“Strong Grassroots Lobbying Makes Congressional Leaders Listen”
Two days ago, a Legislative Alert was sent out via The American Legion Legislative Action Center to over 3,200 subscribers concerning Senator Tom Coburn’s “holds” on two bills passed by the Veterans Affairs Committee:
Thanks in large part to a strong grassroots lobbying effort from across the country, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Senator Coburn’s staff has told The American Legion that the “holds” will be lifted and the bills will be cleared to go to the Senate floor for consideration.
Hopefully, these bills will be public laws by Veterans’ Day, if not sooner.
The effectiveness of the National Legislative Council and concerned Legionnaires as grassroots lobbyists is clearly outstanding and imperative to the advancement of legislative issues adopted by The American Legion National Executive Committee.
Senator Coburn (OK) has placed “holds” on two significant pieces of veterans’ legislation in the U.S. Senate: S. 252, Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009, and S. 728, Veterans’ Insurance and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009.
Under the rules of the Senate a “hold” allows a Senator to prevent a bill from reaching a vote on the Senate floor. It appears Sen. Coburn is using this parliamentary procedure to prevent these two bills from going to the Senate floor and, as a result, VA is being deprived of essential tools to provide high quality care to those who have suffered in service to our nation.
VA faces a looming shortage of health care personnel. Without concerted and timely action, this situation will only worsen in the years ahead. This is especially true as more Iraq and Afghanistan veterans return home injured and in need of new and specialized care. In order to avert this problem, VA must be able to offer competitive salaries, work schedules, and benefits. The provisions in S. 252 will allow VA to recruit and retain nurses, home health aides, and specialty care providers.
S. 252 also contains measures that would improve the efficiency of health care delivery to veterans, including a number of pilot programs designed to help VA find new and innovative ways to deliver better, faster, and more comprehensive treatment.
Women make up an ever-growing percentage of the Armed Forces. As such, they are also making up an ever-growing percentage of the veterans’ population. While there have been efforts over the years to address the unique needs of women veterans, there is much more that VA might do. To that end, there are provisions in this bill to address current shortcomings and help VA better respond to the increased demand for care from women veterans.
One of the most troubling and difficult challenges of warfare, which can be seen particularly in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, is diagnosing and treating those who suffer from the invisible wounds of war. The lack of understanding of these injuries, the stigma associated with them, and many other factors make effective treatment difficult. Last Congress, the Veterans Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act, was enacted as Public Law 110-387. This Congress must build on those advances and continue to provide accessible, cutting-edge care for those afflicted with invisible wounds. S. 252 would expand eligibility and authority for the Vet Centers to provide needed services, and would commission a comprehensive study on suicides among veterans so that we can improve efforts to prevent such tragedies.
S. 252 will also provide support for homeless veterans through a proposed series of innovative pilot programs. These programs are designed to significantly improve VA outreach to these veterans, in order to help them access the benefits and services provided by VA.
This comprehensive legislation, much of which was considered and passed by the Senate in the last Congress, would improve benefits and services for veterans both young and old.
S. 728, Veterans’ Insurance and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009, addresses a broad range of veterans’ benefits. This legislation expands insurance programs, improves benefits for veterans with severe burn injuries, and secures cost-of-living increases for certain benefits, some of which have not been updated for decades.
Insurance enhancements include:
•A new insurance program for service-connected disabled veterans that would provide up to a maximum
of $50,000 in level premium term life insurance coverage. This new program would be available to
service-connected disabled veterans who are less than 65 years of age at the time of application. More
importantly, unlike VA’s Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance program, the premium rates for this
program would be based on an updated mortality table, meaning that premiums under this program
would be fairer to veterans;
•Expanded eligibility for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury protection coverage under the
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program; and
•A $10,000 increase to the amount of supplemental life insurance available to totally disabled veterans.
Many totally disabled veterans find it difficult to obtain commercial life insurance. This legislation
would provide these veterans with a reasonable amount of life insurance coverage.
Other benefits include:
•Extending eligibility for automobiles and adaptive equipment for servicemembers and veterans with
severe burn injuries;
•Significantly raising the benefit rate for parents whose children die either during military service or as
a result of a service-connected disability; and
•Securing indexed cost-of-living increases for certain additional benefits for veterans and their
families.
Both of these important bills have passed the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Unfortunately, Senator Coburn has placed “holds” on them.
Please give a call to Senator Coburn’s office at (202) 224-5754 and urge him to lift his “holds” on both bills.
The leader of The American Legion expressed disappointment today at the failure of Congress to okay an appropriations bill to fund the Department of Veterans Affairs during this new fiscal year, though a Continuing Resolution (CR) to provide additional funding for VA medical accounts was approved,
“A year ago, Congress made history by passing, on time, before the beginning of the new fiscal year, the Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2009.” said Clarence E. Hill, national commander of The American Legion. “We at The American Legion applauded the record-setting event, especially since the majority of federal agencies did not receive their new appropriations until March 11 – six months into the new fiscal year.”
Early last month, Hill testified before a joint session of the Veterans’ Affairs Committees that timely passage of the FY 2010 Mil Con-VA budget was a top priority of The American Legion. “Since my election, I have emphasized this to every member of Congress with whom I have met,” Hill, said. “Running the ‘best health care system in the nation’ is an important responsibility and having a budget that is sufficient, predictable, and on time will help hospital administrators make efficient and cost-effective management decisions. Both long and short range strategies are more relevant and reliable when ‘the money is in the bank’ rather than having a ‘check in the mail.’ Therefore, we urge Congress to approve VA funding immediately.”
There are currently eight million veterans enrolled in the VA health care delivery system, with nearly six million patients dependent on timely access to quality health care. There are also many ongoing medical and prosthetics research programs that depend on annual federal funding. Historically, VA administrators have often found themselves delaying maintenance projects, implementing hiring freezes, and postponing equipment and supply purchases in order to maintain medical services for American veterans and their families.
“Most Americans understand the importance of meeting the needs of the nation’s wounded warriors, but there is also an ongoing obligation to generations of men and women who served honorably and earned the benefits provided by a grateful nation,” Hill said. “Admittedly, the Continuing Resolution provides additional funding for VA medical accounts, but its balance does not fully fund other quality-of-life benefits for service members and their families. Therefore, passage of the FY 2010 Mil Con – VA appropriations remains a top priority for The American Legion family.”
Secretary Shinseki Announces Ability to Sign Up for Emergency Education Benefit Payments on VA Web-Site this Friday Vans to Help Veteran Students
Washington
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced further outreach to Veteran-students eligible for a special emergency payment of their education benefits. Veterans can now apply online beginning Oct. 2. Veteran-students can also request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits offices.
“Our Veterans went the extra mile for their country,” Shinseki said. “One of our top priorities in transforming VA is to be, first and foremost, the advocate for Veterans.”
Last week Shinseki announced that on Friday, Oct. 2, VA’s 57 regional benefits offices will begin providing on-the-spot emergency payments up to $3,000 to students who have applied for their education benefits but who have not yet received a government payment.
Citing the distance many Veterans would have to travel to apply in person at a VA benefits office, Shinseki announced Veterans can also apply online at http://www.facebook.com/l/b9387;www.va.gov, starting Oct. 2.The online application will guide Veterans through the process to supply needed information.Shinseki noted that online applicants will receive their emergency payments through the mail after processing.
“VA is adapting to meet the financial needs of our Veteran-students who are on campus,” Shinseki said. “They should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties.”
Students without their own transportation can also request free van service, provided by volunteers, to carry them to the nearest benefits office.To obtain this service, Veterans would have to call their nearest VA medical center and ask for the “Volunteer Transportation Coordinator.”Transportation will be on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Veterans can find a map and list of medical centers at http://www.facebook.com/l/b9387;www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1.
Whether traveling by personal vehicle or volunteer van, VA officials suggest students check their mail boxes and banking accounts before leaving home, since some Veterans will find their checks have already arrived.VA would like to recognize the volunteers and Veterans Service Organizations for partnering with the Department to ensure that Veterans’ needs are met.
The emergency checks are an advance on each student’s education benefits, and the amount will be deducted from future benefits payments.Checks will be written at the regional offices for Veterans who bring a photo ID and evidence of their enrollment.VA officials emphasize that $3,000 is the maximum payment, with many Veterans receiving smaller payments based upon their likely monthly education benefits.
Shinseki: “Voice of Survivors” Will Strengthen Existing Programs”
Washington
To strengthen the programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the survivors of the nation’s
Veterans and military personnel, the Department has staffed an office to serve as their advocate, with a charter that includes creating or modifying programs, benefits and services.
“Taking care of survivors is as essential as taking care of our Veterans and military personnel,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. “By taking care of survivors, we are honoring a commitment made to our Veterans and military members.”
The office serves as the primary advisor to the secretary on all issues affecting the survivors and dependents of deceased Veterans and service members.It will monitor VA’s delivery of benefits to survivors, make appropriate referrals to VA offices for survivors seeking benefits and explore innovative ways of reaching survivors who are not receiving the VA benefits for which they are eligible.
VA benefits for eligible survivors include educational assistance, home loan guaranties, health care insurance and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, a monthly payment to the survivors of some people who die on active duty and some seriously disabled Veterans.
More than 554,000 spouses, dependents and other survivors of Veterans are receiving VA benefits.That figure includes nearly 5,000 spouses of World War I Veterans, 90 spouses and 94 children of Spanish-American War Veterans, and two children of Civil War Veterans.
The establishment of this office was authorized in the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008.
Civil liberties group says it “shares deep concern” about safety of troops. Legion has doubts!!!
The leader of the nation’s largest veterans’ service organization says he considers a civil liberties group’s continuing campaign to force the public release of photographs purporting to exhibit abuse of suspected terrorists to be “unconscionable.” In a breakfast briefing at the National Press Club in Washington this week, the legal director of The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Steven R. Shapiro, said his group “shares deep concern” about the safety of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq but, nevertheless, will pursue a legal course that could, say some, endanger them.
“Military leaders and President Obama himself have conceded that the release of the controversial detainee photographs could be used as propaganda and recruitment tools for terrorists and result in severe retaliation against our troops so it’s hard to not doubt the ACLU’s alleged concern for our warriors,” said Clarence E. Hill, national commander of The American Legion.
In pressing for release of the photos, the ACLU says that the public has a “right to know” about what they consider government misconduct in the form of prisoner abuse, and that suppression of the photos – which may number as many as two thousand, says the group – could seriously endanger the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and result in future cover-ups of abuse of governmental power.
“No one wants a government to go unchecked, but the detainee abuses have been very well documented and very well publicized already,” Hill said. “In response, the ACLU argues that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ That may be, but is the spotlighting in a sensational way of this past misconduct worth the risk? We don’t think so.”
The ACLU’s briefing was a preview of cases and issues to be considered by the U.S. Supreme Court in its upcoming legal season.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is warning Veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone to callers claiming to update VA prescription information.
“America’s Veterans have become targets in an inexcusable scam that dishonors their service and misrepresents the Department built for them,” said Dr. Gerald Cross, VA’s Under Secretary for Health. “VA simply does not call Veterans and ask them to disclose personal financial information over the phone.”
Veteran Service Organizations have brought to VA’s attention that callers are misrepresenting the VA to gain personal information over the phone.They say VA recently changed procedures for dispensing prescriptions and ask for the Veteran’s credit card number.
“VA has not changed its processes for dispensing prescription medicines,” Cross said. “Nor has VA changed its long-standing commitment to protect the personal information of this nation’s Veterans.”
Veterans with questions about VA services should contact the nearest VA medical center or call, toll-free, 1-877-222-8387.
Many veterans are eligible for a retroactive refund of co-payments they made for medical services and prescriptions associated with treatments related to their combat experience. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is currently reviewing medical records to determine which veterans are eligible for the refunds.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-108) has extended the period of enhanced enrollment eligibility and cost-free care for conditions that may be related to combat operations.
The law allows any combat veteran, discharged from active duty on or after Jan. 28, 2003, to be eligible for Priority Group 6 enrollment up to five years after they leave the service. Combat veterans discharged before that date – who did not previously enroll in the VA health-care system – are also eligible for Priority Group 6 enrollment through Jan. 27, 2011.
VHA plans on mailing letters in November to veterans affected by the extended eligibility period, informing them they will receive refunds by the end of December.
Combat veterans are encouraged to call VA’s Health Resources Center toll-free with any questions at (800) 983-0932.
Thousands of Checks to Alleviate Student Financial Burden
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has authorized checks for up to $3,000 to be given to students who have applied for educational benefits and who have not yet received their government payment. The checks will be distributed to eligible students at VA regional benefits offices across the country starting Oct. 2, 2009.
“Students should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties,” Secretary Shinseki said. “Education creates life-expanding opportunities for our Veterans.”
Starting Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, students can go to one of VA’s 57 regional benefit offices with a photo ID, a course schedule and an eligibility certificate to request advance payment of their housing and book allowance. Because not all these offices are located near students, VA expects to send representatives to schools with large Veteran-student bodies and work with Veteran Service Organizations to help students with transportation needs.
“I’m asking our people to get out their road maps and determine how we can reach the largest number of college students who can’t reach us,” VA’s Under Secretary for Benefits Patrick Dunne said. “Not everyone has a car. Not everyone can walk to a VA benefits office.”
Although VA does not know how many students will request emergency funds, it has approximately 25,000 claims pending that may result in payments to students.
The funds VA will give to students now are advance payments of the earned benefits for housing and books. This money will be deducted from future education payments.
VA officials said students should know that after this special payment, they can expect to receive education payments on the normal schedule — the beginning of the month following the period for which they are reimbursed.
“This is an extraordinary action we’re taking,” said Shinseki. “But it’s necessary because we recognize the hardships some of our Veterans face.”
More than 27,500 students have already received benefits for housing or books under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, or their schools received their tuition payments.
Mr. Steve L. Muro, Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, testified today in the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs that the department will send a site survey team to Colorado within the next few months to investigate potential sites for a new national VA cemetery.
“This is an exciting development for Colorado veterans and their families, many of whom have been working hard for over a decade to bring a new national cemetery to our state. I will continue to fight for a new cemetery that is more accessible to the veterans of Southern Colorado. We owe it to them and their families. It is the least we can do to honor them for their sacrifice in serving our nation and defending freedom around the world. I look forward to working closely with the VA’s site survey team in the selection process.” – Doug Lamborn (CO-05)
Fort Logan National Veterans Cemetery in Denver will reach full capacity in 2019. It generally takes the VA approximately five years to build a new cemetery once they have selected a site. A site survey team will first put an ad in area newspapers to announce they are looking for land. The survey team will then do several studies of potential sites, including a historical analysis and a review of utilities accessibility. The VA did not offer a timeline for a site survey process.
Note: Representatives Lamborn and John Salazar (CO-03) have cosponsored H.R. 174 which directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to “establish a national cemetery for veterans in the southern Colorado region.” Almost identical legislation, H.R. 1660, passed the Veterans Affairs Committee and the House last session
