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Veterans' Bill, S. 1982, Stopped by Procedural Vote |
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February 28, 2014 |
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On February 27, 2014, the Senate declined, by a vote of 56-41, to waive a budget point of order raised against S. 1982, a comprehensive expansion of veterans programs, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Sixty votes were needed to waive the budget point of order and continue work toward final passage of the bill. This vote effectively stopped the bill.
The measure would have expanded caregiver benefits to veterans of all generations and improved health and dental care services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It also would have allowed the VA to open 27 new clinics and medical facilities. Enrollment in VA health care would have been opened for more veterans. Educational and employment opportunities would have been expanded and would have improved access to care and benefits for veterans who experienced military sexual trauma. Also full cost-of-living adjustments would have been restored for future military retirees.
S. 1982 also included advance appropriations for VA’s mandatory funding to pay disability compensation, pension, survivor’s benefits and education and vocational rehabilitation benefits. In addition, this measure would have expanded survivors’ benefits and established a task force to examine how VA provides work credits to employees and another task force to examine VA’s benefits training programs.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the discretionary cost of the bill would be about $20 billion through fiscal year 2019. Opponents of S. 1982 expressed disagreement with the chosen route to pay for the discretionary portion of the bill. The point of order against S. 1982 was sustained, due to the bill’s exceeding by $261 million the government-wide spending limits Congress agreed to in the budget act passed in December 2013, in the wake of the government shutdown.
The legislation was supported by DAV, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and virtually every other veterans’ and military service organization.
A scaled-back proposal was offered by Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina included U.S. sanctions against Iran and offset the bill’s costs by preventing undocumented immigrants from receiving child tax credits. In remarks broadcast by C-SPAN, Senator Burr said that the Sanders’ bill “could hurt veterans, not help them,” by overloading VA facilities and services. Others believed the bill was too costly and would overwhelm the VA.
DAV will continue to work with members of the Veterans’ Affairs Committees to move legislation forward on advance appropriations for all VA programs, to expand caregiver benefits to all generations of veterans and work to enact the many other provisions in S. 1982. These measures would benefit wounded, injured, and ill veterans, their families and survivors.
Find out how your Senator voted by clicking here. | |
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Wounded Warrior Service Dog Act
From: The Honorable James P. McGovern
Sent By: alicia.molt@mail.house.gov
Bill: H.R. 2847
Cosponsors (28): Beatty, Bishop, Blumenauer, Capuano, Chu, Cicilline, Conyers, DeFazio, Grijalva, Hastings, Holt, Honda, Jones, Kaptur, Kennedy, Larson, Lofgren, McCollum, McNerney, Moore, Moran, Napolitano, Neal, O'Rourke, Schakowsky, Schiff, Titus, Tsongas.
With so many of our service men and women returning home with both physical and mental health disabilities, it is critical that we continue to provide them with access to multiple treatment resources.
On a recent visit to the nonprofit organization, National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS), located in my district, I was amazed to hear stories about how service dogs are helping to treat veterans with physical disabilities as well as individuals who suffer from post- traumatic stress. Assistance dogs help service men and women lead more independent lives, assisting with mobility and balance, retrieving and carrying objects, responding to sounds, getting help, and providing social interaction and companionship. Trained dogs also offer many therapeutic benefits to soldiers and veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress by elevating their moods, building confidence, and reducing stress, all of which ease the transition back into civilian life.
The Wounded Warrior Service Dog Act would direct the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly establish a program for the awarding of competitive grants to nonprofit organization whose mission is to address physical and mental health needs of service members and veterans with assistance from service dogs.
The bill defines the term "assistance dog" to mean a dog specifically trained to perform physical tasks to mitigate the effects of a disability. This bill authorizes $5 million for each of five fiscal years (2014-18).
I appreciate your consideration for this important bill. If you have any questions or would like to join as a cosponsor please contact Alicia Molt on my staff at Alicia.molt@mail.house.gov
Sincerely,
James P. McGovern
Member of Congress
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Good morning everyone,
This is the email we send out yearly regarding the Mid-Winter Conference with the Hotel information and tentative agenda. What we need from you is confirmation that you are attending, your phone number, complete address, membership number and your congressional district. Please have this information back to us by this Friday, January 17th. We would like to have a large delegation attending.
Thank you,
Ken Kooyman, Department Commander
2014 Mid-Winter Conference
February 23-26, 2014
Crystal Gateway Marriott
1700 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
Telephone: 703-920-3230
$190.00 Single/Double Occupancy
DAV has been making historic strides in protecting the rights and needs of our Veterans for close to 100 years. From the creation of the forerunner to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs in the 1920s, to caring for the returning heroes from Afghanistan and Iraq, DAV has responded time and time again to the changing needs of veterans by ensuring that their voices are heard by our Congress. We invite all DAV members to join us in the spirit of service and fellowship at this year’s Mid-Winter Conference in Arlington.
In anticipation of our upcoming Mid-Winter Conference, we have posted Talking Points to our website. They can be accessed here.
Tentative DAV 2014 Mid-Winter Conference And Commanders and Adjutants Association Meeting
Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
February 22-26, 2014
Schedule of Events/ Room /Time
Saturday, 2/22/14
DAV HQ Office Alexandria Room 8am-5pm
Registration Grand Registration Desk 8am-4pm
Sunday, 2/23/14
DAV HQ Office Alexandria Room 8am-5pm
Registration Grand Registration Desk 8am-4pm
Business Session Grand Ballroom-
Salon A-B-J-K 9am-12pm
Legislative Workshop Grand Ballroom-
Salon A-B-J-K 1:30pm-3pm
Interim Women Veterans Committee Fairfax 3:30pm-4:30pm
Monday, 2/24/14
DAV HQ Office Alexandria Room 8am-4pm
Interim Constitution & Bylaws Committee Ste #1870 TBD
Interim POW/MIA Committee Ste #1870 TBD
Interim Membership Committee Salon D 8am-9am
Interim Hospital & Vol. Svcs. Committee Salon G 8am-9am
Interim Employment Committee Salon F 8am-9am
Interim Legislative Committee Salon E 9am-10am
VA Health Fair Salon C 8:30am-4pm
Service Workshop Salon A-B-J-K 9am-10:30am
VAVS Workshop Salon A-B-J-K 10:30am-12pm
Membership Workshop Salon A-B-J-K 1pm-2pm
Inspector General Workshop Salon A-B-J-K 2pm-3pm
Communications Workshop Salon A-B-J-K 3pm-4:30pm
Guild Meeting (NSOs) Salon D-E 4:30pm-6pm
Tuesday, 2/25/14
DAV HQ Office Alexandria Room 8am-4pm
DAV National Service Foundation Salon A-B 9am
DAV Charitable Service Trust Salon A-B Immediately following
National Service Foundation
National Commander Presentation Canon House Office
To Joint Session of Veteran Affairs Building on Capitol Hill
Committees Room #345 2pm
National Commanders Reception Salon 4-5-6 6:30pm-8:30pm |
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Historic Veterans Bills Need Your Support
Please Contact Your Elected Officials Today!
Chairman Bernie Sanders of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs has introduced critically important legislation, S. 1950, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014. If enacted, S. 1950 would accomplish many of DAV’s most important priorities and legislative goals based on national resolutions approved by our members.
This massive bill would create, expand, advance, and extend a wide array of VA benefits, services and programs that are important to DAV and to our members and their families. For example, responding to a call from DAV as a leading voice for wounded, injured, and ill veterans, it would create a comprehensive family caregiver support program for all generations of severely wounded, injured and ill veterans. Also, the bill would fulfill DAV’s ongoing drive to enact advance appropriations for VA’s mandatory funding accounts to ensure that in any government shutdown environment in the future, veterans benefits payments would not be delayed or put in jeopardy. This measure also would provide additional financial support to survivors of service members who die in the line of duty, as well as expanded access for them to GI Bill educational benefits. A two-plus year stalemate in VA’s authority to lease facilities for health care treatment and other purposes would be solved by this bill. Crucially, the bill would fully restore military retirement cost-of-living adjustments that were outrageously reduced in the 2013 House-Senate budget agreement and the subsequent appropriations act. These are but a few of the myriad provisions of this bill that would improve the lives, health, and prospects of veterans—especially the wounded, injured and ill—and their loved ones, if enacted into law.
Please use the prepared electronic text, or draft your own version, to urge your Senators to cosponsor and support this important bill, and to bring it to the floor of the Senate for a vote as soon as possible. Also, we have prepared a second letter for you in this message to send to your House member to urge enactment of H.R. 813, the Putting Veterans Funding First Act, an alternative bill that would establish advance appropriations for all VA discretionary accounts. Please send that letter as well.
As always, we appreciate your support of DAV and your grassroots activism in participating in DAV CAN, our Commander’s Action Network. Your advocacy helps make DAV a highly influential and leading organization in veterans affairs in Washington.
Thank you for all you do for America’s veterans and their families.Historic Veterans Bills Need Your Support
Please Contact Your Elected Officials Today!
Chairman Bernie Sanders of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs has introduced critically important legislation, S. 1950, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014. If enacted, S. 1950 would accomplish many of DAV’s most important priorities and legislative goals based on national resolutions approved by our members.
This massive bill would create, expand, advance, and extend a wide array of VA benefits, services and programs that are important to DAV and to our members and their families. For example, responding to a call from DAV as a leading voice for wounded, injured, and ill veterans, it would create a comprehensive family caregiver support program for all generations of severely wounded, injured and ill veterans. Also, the bill would fulfill DAV’s ongoing drive to enact advance appropriations for VA’s mandatory funding accounts to ensure that in any government shutdown environment in the future, veterans benefits payments would not be delayed or put in jeopardy. This measure also would provide additional financial support to survivors of service members who die in the line of duty, as well as expanded access for them to GI Bill educational benefits. A two-plus year stalemate in VA’s authority to lease facilities for health care treatment and other purposes would be solved by this bill. Crucially, the bill would fully restore military retirement cost-of-living adjustments that were outrageously reduced in the 2013 House-Senate budget agreement and the subsequent appropriations act. These are but a few of the myriad provisions of this bill that would improve the lives, health, and prospects of veterans—especially the wounded, injured and ill—and their loved ones, if enacted into law.
Please use the prepared electronic text, or draft your own version, to urge your Senators to cosponsor and support this important bill, and to bring it to the floor of the Senate for a vote as soon as possible. Also, we have prepared a second letter for you in this message to send to your House member to urge enactment of H.R. 813, the Putting Veterans Funding First Act, an alternative bill that would establish advance appropriations for all VA discretionary accounts. Please send that letter as well.
As always, we appreciate your support of DAV and your grassroots activism in participating in DAV CAN, our Commander’s Action Network. Your advocacy helps make DAV a highly influential and leading organization in veterans affairs in Washington.
Thank you for all you do for America’s veterans and their families.
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A new spending bill will likely reverse the 1 percentage Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) cut to the more than 63,000 disabled veterans. Military veterans receiving a pension, but are not disabled, will still receive the 1 percent COLA cut. While this is a step in the right direction, it is still unacceptable that veterans pensions were targeted in the first place. The spending bill should reverse the pension cut for ALL retired veterans.
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A massive spending bill taking shape on Capitol Hill is likely to repeal a recently enacted pension cut for disabled veterans.
Capitol Hill aides said Wednesday that the $1 trillion-plus omnibus spending bill measure will reverse a 1 percentage point cut to annual cost-of-living increases that was inadvertently applied to more than 63,000 veterans who have left the military due to injury or disability.
But the controversial pension cut included in last month’s budget agreement would continue to apply to other military retirees. It would save about $6 billion over the coming decade, money that’s being used to ease cuts to the Pentagon budget this year.
The pension cuts have drawn fierce opposition from veterans groups and lawmakers in both parties, but it’s unclear whether the entire provision will be repealed. The aides required anonymity because the spending bill isn’t complete and they aren’t authorized to discuss it publicly.
Some lawmakers originally claimed, incorrectly, that the pension cut in last month’s budget bill would not apply to disabled veterans. When they discovered that it did, they immediately promised to correct it. The upcoming budget measure is the first available vehicle.
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., recently defended the pension cut in an op-ed in USA Today, saying he stands behind “responsible reforms of military compensation.”
Service members are permitted to retire at half pay after 20 years in the military, which means they can claim their pensions as early as age 38, a generous benefit that defenders say helps retain servicemen and women. He says a typical serviceman who retirees at 38 would receive a $1.7 million pension over his lifetime instead of a $1.8 million benefit and that most military retirees go on to second careers.
Please pass this along to any of your fellow veterans that do not have emails.
John Gannon, Department Legislative Chairman
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January 6, 2014
TO: National Officers
Department/Chapter Officers
National Service Officers
FROM: Anthony L. Baskerville, National Membership Director
SUBJECT: MEMBERSHIP DUES
In November 2012, the National Membership Department began testing a new online billing product that allows prospective members to apply for Membership by establishing reoccurring monthly electronic payments, with as little as $10 minimum installments paid via credit card.
Due to the positive response to this payment method and the great potential to convert more part-life members to full-life members, the National Executive Committee has approved continuation of this temporary exception to Sections 11.4 and 11.9 – Membership Dues-- of the National Constitution and Bylaws through the 2014 National Convention. In doing so they’ve allowed us to expand testing to allow all DAV recruiters and National Service Officers to use this recruiting tool.
This expansion will allow for a greater test market and additional time to determine if this method of recruitment will result in a higher rate of new members becoming full paid life members.
The process of establishing reoccurring monthly electronic payments is administered through a third party and is strictly for online use ONLY! ALL PAYMENTS REFERRED TO THE MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE US POSTAL SERVICE STILL REQUIRE A MINIMUM DOWN PAYMENT OF $40.00.
To take advantage of this opportunity, you and prospective members can access our website at http://wwwdav.org/membership/join and click apply online now. Be sure to provide not only your name as sponsor but please include your membership code number.
DAV is concerned about the security of its members’ personal information and is Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Compliant. As such, you are urged to strictly adhere to the above instructions.
Should you have any questions, feel free to call me toll free, 888-236-8313.
Sincerely,
ANTHONY L. BASKERVILLE
National Membership Director
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Retiree COLAs targeted in bipartisan budget deal
Subject: COLA Reduction by 1% Each Year
MILITARY RETIREES, PRESENT AND FUTURE – HEADS UP!
The budget deal announced this morning would reduce COLAS for retirees under age 62 by 1% each year.
A proposed bipartisan budget deal threatens to significantly slash retirement benefits for current and future military retirees, and it’s scheduled to be voted on by the House tomorrow. The FY 2014 budget proposal drafted by Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Paul Ryan includes a provision that cuts the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for military retirees by 1 percent a year until reaching age 62.
The cuts will have a devastating and long-lasting impact, reducing retired pay for those who serve a 20 year career by nearly 20 percent over their lifetime. The proposed COLA cut is far worse than the 1986 REDUX retirement cut that had to be repealed after it undermined retention.
Act now. Send your elected officials the message below imploring them to reject this radical proposal that breaks faith with current and future military retirees, and threatens to long term readiness and retention in the uniformed services.
Text of Letter:
I'm writing to ask you to reject a provision within the Senator Patty Murray and Representative Paul Ryan budget proposal that threatens to significantly slash retirement benefits for current and future military retirees.
Their FY 2014 budget proposal includes a provision that cuts the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for military retirees by 1 percent each year until age 62.
The cuts will have a devastating and long-lasting impact, reducing retired pay for those who serve a 20 year career by nearly 20 percent over their lifetime. This proposed COLA cut is far worse than the 1986 REDUX retirement cut that had to be repealed after it undermined retention. I'm asking you to reject this radical proposal that breaks faith with current and future military retirees, and threatens to long term readiness and retention in the uniformed services.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 30, 2013
House Passes VALOR Act II
Legislation strengthens 2012 Valor Act and enhances commitment to Commonwealth’s veterans
(BOSTON) – State Representative [Rep name] joined [his/her] colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives today to pass the 2013 VALOR Act which builds on existing legislation to expand opportunities and services for military personnel, veterans and their families.
The legislation provides increased property tax relief and enhances employment, educational and healthcare support services. It also establishes a home modification program for veterans to help individuals stay in their homes and function independently.
“This legislation sends a message to our veterans that we appreciate their bravery, sacrifice and service,” Speaker DeLeo said. “Most importantly though, it aids those who have supported us during some of the country’s most difficult times. I’m incredibly proud that Massachusetts leads the nation in aiding veterans and military personnel and I believe this bill furthers that commitment.”
“Thanks to the efforts of Speaker DeLeo, Chairman Dempsey, and my colleagues on the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, we as a Legislature have done so much for our veterans and their families,” Representative Carlo Basile, Chairman of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs (D-East Boston) said. “This legislation allows us to do our small part in helping those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our families and our way of life. The VALOR Act II is our way to honor veterans, the bravest men and women of the Commonwealth, and offer them in some small manner, our sign of appreciation.”
[Rep. quote]
The bill also includes the below provisions:
· Allows students currently enrolled in college, who are called to active duty, to either complete their coursework without penalty following duty, or to withdraw and receive a tuition refund.
· Requires the Division of Professional Licensure to waive the initial application or certification fee for licensure for any veteran;
· Establishes a post-deployment council to make recommendations and study mental health issues to support military members transitioning to civilian life after deployment;
· Requires the Department of Public Health to issue guidance to acute hospitals and ambulance service providers to ensure the identification of veterans in emergency settings;
· Extends the award qualifications for the Medal of Liberty and updates criteria to qualify for a Purple Heart, Gold Star and the Support Our Veterans license plates
The 2013 Valor Act passed the House unanimously.
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SENATE POISED TO PASS VALOR II ACT TO ASSIST VETERANS
By Matt Murphy
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, OCT. 9, 2013….
The Senate on Thursday will consider a raft of proposals extending tax breaks, employment opportunities and new specialty license plates and medals to veterans and their families in time for next month’s celebration of Veterans Day.
The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs released newly written legislation on Wednesday packaging 14 different proposals into a single bill. The bill then quickly passed through the Senate Ways and Means Committee and Senate President Therese Murray said the Senate would vote on the bill (S 1876) Thursday when it convenes in a formal session, dubbing the bill “VALOR II,” a sequel to last year’s VALOR Act.
The bill, written by Sen. Michael Rush, of West Roxbury, and Rep. Carlo Basile, of East Boston, would allow veterans enrolled in college and called away on active duty to delay their coursework without penalty or withdraw from courses with a full refund of fees and tuition.
The buffer zone around military funerals to prevent disruptions would be doubled to 1,000 feet, and a local program created by the 2012 VALOR Act allowing cities and towns to offer property tax discounts to veterans that volunteer services to the community would be expanded to include spouses of deceased or disabled veterans.
“It’s an excellent bill, excellent. They’ve put an awful lot of work in and I’m very proud of them,” Murray said.
House and Senate leaders routinely organize to pass legislation around Veterans Day to honor those from Massachusetts who have served in the military, and fill bills with non-controversial measures that unite lawmakers from both parties and parts of the state.
This bill is no different, adding the Massachusetts Marine Corps League to the list of 13 veteran-related public charities exempt from paying fees to register with the Attorney General’s office, redesigning the Purple Heart specialty license plate, issuing new “Support Our Veterans” license plates and allowing the registrar to customize Gold Star Family plates with distinctive registrations of up to six characters.
Rush, a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserves, said the bill contained “good, common sense” proposals that had been vetted with Democrats, Republicans, the Patrick administration, and the veterans community. He said he hoped to have it on Gov. Deval Patrick’s desk before Nov. 11.
“The thing is we have been now for a while number one of all 50 states in the benefits we give to veterans and their families and have always been at the forefront from the Civil War onwards. Being consistent, we on the committee had a goal of not resting on our laurels and continuing to move forward,” Rush said.
Costs associated with the bill are embedded in proposals to begin training and certifying veterans’ benefits and service officers, and for a two-year pilot project to explore the creation of a veterans’ court in Massachusetts to handle minor offense cases involving military veterans.
The bill appropriates $350,000 for officer training and another $100,000 for the court pilot project in fiscal 2014.
The Medal of Liberty - awarded to next-of-kin of service men and women killed in action - would be extended to those who don’t necessarily meet the Department of Defense definition of “Killed in Action,” including those who die as a result of vehicle crashes or friendly fire.
The bill would also waive initial application fees for veterans seeking professional licenses or certifications in Massachusetts, and establish a home modification program for disabled veterans to help them “function more independently in their homes and in the community.”
Other highlights of the bill include:
Creation of a Service member Post-Deployment Council to recommend support programs for veterans transitioning to civilian life.
Guidance for hospitals and ambulance providers to identify veterans and service members in order to treat veterans with “unique mental health triggers.”
Creation of a special commission to establish a state office of veterans’ employment and business assistance;
Creation of a special commission to develop a long-term care and housing master plan;
Protections for private employers with preference hiring for veterans or spouses of fully disabled veterans;
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VA Halts Further Clinic Leases: Future Care to be Denied
Federal law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to obtain Congressional approval for a commercial lease of a future VA medical facility if the estimated first-year lease cost exceeds $1 million. This policy has been in place for more than a decade. Dozens of leases for VA-operated community-based outpatient clinics have been approved under this procedure. Using a leasing authority rather than constructing VA-owned facilities allows VA to quickly establish convenient primary care facilities for veterans in communities where they live. Veterans who use these community clinics report high satisfaction with their care and the convenience they offer.
In 2012, in evaluating 15 proposed VA leases that each exceed the $1 million threshold, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) concluded that Congressional rules require that funds to offset the entire 20-year prospective lease cost would need to be included either in the VA budget, or would be taken from funding of ongoing veterans programs—all in the first year of each lease. CBO indicated this policy also would apply to renewals of existing VA leases. This CBO decision multiplied VA’s costs for these proposed 15 leases by 20-fold, for a total need of $1.2-$1.5 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013. Since funds of this magnitude could not be diverted from other VA accounts for this surprising new requirement and aren’t covered in the budget request that had been submitted to Congress, these 15 leases were dropped from further Congressional consideration last year.
In VA's current planning, including 15 new community-based outpatient clinics located in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana (2 sites), Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Texas (2 sites), and South Carolina, VA also projects a need to lease or renew existing leases for 23 more community-based health care facilities through FY 2017 to provide care for more than 340,000 veterans across 22 states and US territories.
Unless CBO changes its policy or Congress acts to overturn this CBO decision with legislation or makes a change in House Rules in current funding policy, most if not all these leases are in jeopardy. Veterans consequently will be denied access to VA health care in these locations.
Please use the prepared electronic letter provided in this alert, or write your own letter, to express to your Senators and Representatives your concerns about this unfair policy that will negatively impact availability of services to wounded, injured and ill veterans. Unless a change is made, VA will be forced to buy land and construct government-owned clinics, or more likely will require veterans who need VA care to travel longer distances to receive it. VA-built clinics would be more expensive, would take much longer to approve and activate, and would reduce VA’s flexibility to place and move facilities based on the changing needs of the veteran population. Forcing veterans to unnecessarily travel for care would increase inconvenience and add additional costs.
As always, DAV appreciates your grassroots advocacy in the DAV Commander’s Action Network (DAV CAN) and your support for wounded, injured and ill veterans who need VA care |
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Tread Lightly
War on Veterans Preference
By Daniel J. Magoon
As Americans commemorate the invasion of Iraq we reflect on what we did, what we should have done and why we did it. One important aspect that is being forgotten in this conversation is- what are we doing for the men and woman that carried out the mission?
Over the last 5 years it seems more has been done to harm our Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan than to help, especially in the cities and towns we live in. Lately some municipalities are not fully funding Veterans Service Officers. Veterans have faced challenges at a national level battling PTSD treatment, service and compensation claims backlogs at regional VA offices, and our suicide rate is substantially high. We face possible closures at our local Vet Centers because the government will not provide the cash for paid upfront leases on the properties they rent. Of all these problems young Veterans face, the most pressing issue is in the job front.
Recently there have been many reports targeting Veterans and their preference for Civil Service jobs. These targets have painted the picture of Veterans preference and the hiring of Veterans as being negative and a bad idea for Civil Service hiring authorities. One particular war on Veterans preference has stemmed from the Boston Police Department.
In recent news stories, the Boston Police Department has claimed that Veterans are taking all the jobs and it is bearing a negative impact on community policing. The stories claim that the department cannot hire people of color or people that make up the neighborhoods the police serve.
“Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis has been convinced for years that white veterans are squeezing out minority civilian candidates.” -Boston Globe, Mar 2013
“We’re not trying to take a hill,’’ says Davis. “We’re trying to communicate with people.’’ -Boston Globe, Aug 2008
According to Commissioner Ed Davis, we should not be hiring Veterans and we should not be giving preference to veterans after they complete their service to this country. Most Veterans from the area who do join the military and most of who have gone to combat are white. The flagrancy of the department’s hiring preference of skin color opposed to service and experience is becoming a turn off to Veterans looking to join the police force.
“Veterans make up 25 percent of the police officers hired in Boston over the past five years. Statewide figures are higher. Nearly 40 percent of officers hired from the 2009 Civil Service eligibility list are veterans.” -Boston Globe, March 2013
This war on Veterans preference has been bouncing off the walls of many local Veterans’ Halls and has had a severe impact on Veterans pursuing careers as civil servants. Recently Larry Harmon of the Boston Globe reported “Prospects get dimmer for minority officers” and I respectfully disagree. The Department of Defense is an Equal Opportunity employer, all branches of the military will enlist or commission any able bodied American who wishes to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. To demoralize a Veteran that honorably completes their service because they do not look a certain way is not only illegal; it is immoral.
Department of Defense recruiting statistics show an increase in minority recruits. Latest numbers from FY10 show 18.9% of military recruits were black, 75.6% were white and 11.9% were Hispanic. Those numbers are a national average and Massachusetts ranked 47th in military recruiting compared to other states. The 2010 recruit pool numbers were slightly more male, younger, and more racially diverse than 2009.
“They (Veterans) currently jump to the top of the Civil Service eligibility list. But what is the benefit to public safety when a veteran who scores a minimum passing grade of 70 is placed ahead of a community college graduate or City Year volunteer who scores 90 or 100? This symbol of respect for military service has become a symbol of futility for others.” Boston Globe, March 2013
Veterans’ preference is not a symbol of respect; it is a right. It is the right of the Veteran who put his or her life on the line to serve this country. It is the right of the Veteran who raised their right hand and swore to protect and defend this country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. An oath and duty to do so does not and will never equate to someone who attends community college or volunteers for a local charity. For the naysayers who are futile over this right of Veterans preference there are over 30 recruiting stations in Massachusetts that are more than willing to help any American attain the said “preference”.
This issue is critical to the livelihood of Veterans, not only in Boston but everywhere. Once we as a country have told our Veterans to get to the back of the line, and no longer stand behind them or respect their service… we have lost our values, our traditions and our respect to the men and women who allow us to live the way we do.
Current Boston Mayoral candidate John Connolly has also weighed in on this issue. At a recent campaign kick off, now City Councilor Connolly said he vowed to create “a more inclusive Boston Police Department that reflects the city it protects.” How does Mr. Connolly plan on creating an inclusive department, will it be on the backs of the Veterans from his city?
Many Massachusetts business and corporate leaders are going above and beyond to promote the hiring of Veterans. Corporations such as the TJX Companies and Raytheon have made it a goal to hire more Veterans.
“In a study released this week by a national security think-tank, the Center for a New American Security, 69 companies interviewed discussed why they value veterans as employees. The interview subjects – including Massachusetts-based Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) and The TJX Companies (NYSE: TJX) as well as others that have operations in the state – gave 11 reasons why they hire veterans, the study said. The reasons include leadership, teamwork, character and discipline.”
-Boston Business Journal, June 2012
The more people like Ed Davis, Larry Harmon and in this case City Councilor John Connolly defend the “War on Veterans Preference” I respectfully recommend taking a look at the benefits of hiring Veterans. I also recommend they take a page out of the book of some of these “Think Tanks” and corporations that can appreciate the service of a Veteran. To the futile folks of Boston who do not appreciate Veterans’ Preference, join the Military and I can guarantee after your first week away from home, and after that first bullet or mortar goes over your head; you will appreciate it.
“One of the country’s top think tanks has a memo for American employers: Hiring veterans isn’t charity work, nor is it a decision grounded in patriotic duty. Actually, it’s simply smart business.”
–Forbes Magazine, June 2012
The Boston Police department can continue its fight against Veterans. Over the last few years many Veterans have been discriminated against and bypassed because they did not meet the ridiculous fabricated standards of the department. Of the many Veterans who where disparately treated because of their Veteran status many have moved on to take positions with the Massachusetts State Police, the Boston Fire Department and many continue their college studies looking for jobs. Many Veterans in the community know that after years of strict hiring practices, it is cheaper to opt out of taking the police entrance exam. Knowing that the department does not want to hire Veterans, it is conclusive why their numbers are down.
“Boston cops, faced with a dramatic, bewildering drop in candidates for police jobs, are launching a citywide blitz to boost their recruitment numbers, pushing applications at neighborhood meetings, on social media and even at yesterday’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.” –Boston Herald, March 2013
As City’s, towns and corporations defer from hiring Veterans, know one thing -tread lightly. Veterans stick together. When we served in the Military we all served together, as one team, and in one fight regardless of where we came from or what we looked like. We have a common bond and a brotherhood and we will never let another Veteran suffer. Whether it is a job, heath issues, education or family problems, we are always there for one another. The war on Veterans preference has gone on to long and it is starting to trickle outside of big cities like Boston and across the Commonwealth. Respect your Veterans!
DANIEL J. MAGOON, Jr. is a Combat Veteran of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He is a proud Boston Firefighter and serves as the 3rd Junior Vice Commander for the Disabled American Veterans, Department of Massachusetts and is the founder of the Massachusetts Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund.
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Subject: URGENT Continued support needed for Chained CPI
KEN KOOYMAN
Senior Vice Commander
Legislative Chairman
March 25, 2013
Good morning,
Again I want to thank Jesse Flynn, a member of the Legislative Committee and Chapter #3 for his diligent help and work over the weekend with the issue of the Chained CPI. I also want to thank all the members that did respond to our request to contact your elected official. As you know this is only step one. I will be blunt as to our next step.
The White House is responsible in large part for the Chained CPI. Since it passed the Senate, it now moves on to the House. With the Republican controlled House, there is little chance we will see success. Therefore, I am requesting each member that has any contact with family, friends and members of all veterans’ organization that are in Republican strong holds to urge them to contact their Republican representatives and urge them to support the Senate vote to exempt veterans and seniors from the Chained CPI. I would also urge everyone to contact the White House and let them know that this is dirty pool with campaign pledges to protect our veterans and seniors that this is not living up to that promise.
The Senate voted Friday night to oppose cutting entitlement benefits for veterans using a new method of calculating inflation.
President Obama has put the new method, known as chained consumer price index, on the table in deficit talks with Republicans. Using it reduces entitlement benefits like Social Security over time and also raises revenues by reducing the value of tax breaks.
The vote on the amendment was by voice vote, so its usefulness in quantifying Senate opposition to the proposal is minimal. The amendment is non-binding because it is attached to the budget resolution, which does not have the force of law.
Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) sponsored the amendment.
Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) said he supported protecting veterans, but supported using chained CPI elsewhere. “I support chained CPI, just like the president when it comes to entitlement reform,” he said.
Sanders pushed for a roll call vote. He was talked out of it by Senate Budget Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.).
The Senate then voted on a proposal by Burr to create a new barrier to any proposal to raise taxes on veterans. The Murray budget calls for $1 trillion in new tax revenue and raising that amount--or any amount in the individual tax code--could effectively be blocked by the Burr provision, Democrats argued. The Burr amendment was voted not germane to the bill by a 45 to 54 vote.
The powerful seniors lobbying group AARP hailed the vote.
“With the adoption of Senator Sanders’ amendment, the Senate makes clear the need to protect retirees, veterans and others from an unwarranted cut to their benefits. Much more than a mere technical adjustment or a ‘tweak,’ the chained CPI would, over the next ten years, take a combined $146 billion out of the pockets of America’s veterans and seniors who are already living on tight budgets," it said in a statement.
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Important Amendment Protecting Disability Compensation COLA |
Take Action! |
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Please Write to Your Senators Today! |
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This week the Senate is considering its budget resolution, a bill that would fund the entire federal government, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, for fiscal year 2014. One provision in this bill would have a long-lasting consequence: it would drastically change the way annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) are added to disability compensation and pension payments to veterans, their dependents and survivors. If adopted, this change will reduce government payments for these obligations by billions of dollars over the next ten years.
The Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, has asked for help from DAV (Disabled American Veterans) in gaining other Senators’ support for his amendment to stop this change from occurring, thereby preserving the current system for calculating COLA additions to payments to veterans and others.
Please use the prepared email in this alert, or write your own individualized email to your Senators to urge their support of the Sanders’ amendment. Veterans and their survivors earned the compensation and pension payments they receive by virtue of their military service to the nation. The federal deficit was not created by sick and disabled veterans, and they do not deserve to be unfairly penalized.
DAV appreciates your use of the Commander’s Action Network in helping DAV communicate our priorities to Congress. Your grassroots advocacy is key to our effectiveness in Washington. With your help, DAV CAN!
Please send your message to your Senators TODAY!
Sincerely,
Ken Kooyman
Department Sr. Vice Commander/Legislative Chairman
kkooyman@davma.org | |
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Subject: Legislation Action Alert High Priority
ACTION NEEDED
KEN KOOYMAN
Legislative Chairman
March 4, 2013
It is important that you read through this material and contact your legislators in Washington to prevent in the recalculation of our benefits as disabled veterans and senior citizens. We heard about this at the Mid-Winter Conference in Washington D.C. during the National Commander’s testimony. Chapter 3 member Jesse Flynn and I discussed this over the weekend and felt it is vitally important for our membership to take action immediately.
Chained CPI: An economic, moral disaster that will cut the
benefits of more than 3.2 million disabled veterans in this country.
By Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
How many candidates for Congress last year won on the following platform?
1. That Social Security cost-of-living adjustments are too generous. Social Security should be cut over the next two decades by more than $1,000 a year for 85-year-old widows living on $1,200 a month.
2. That benefits earned by disabled veterans as a result of losing their arms, legs
or eyesight in Iraq and Afghanistan are too generous. Disabled veterans’ benefits
should be cut over the next 15 years by more than $1,400 a year.
3. That working families and the middle class don’t pay enough in taxes. We need to enact an across-the-board tax increase that disproportionately hurts workers making between $30,000 and $40,000 a year.
Answer: None.
And yet all of these things will happen if Congress changes the way inflation is calculated by switching to a consumer price index (CPI) designed to lower cost of- living adjustments. The so-called “chained CPI” is Washington shorthand for one of the most-talked about cuts favored by Republicans and some Democrats.
Unfortunately, few outside the Beltway understand its consequences. It is a devious and underhanded way to wage class warfare against working families. Wall Street billionaires and other supporters claim that changing the consumer price index is a “minor tweak.” Tell that to the millions of senior citizens trying to survive on just $14,000 a year whose Social Security benefits would be cut overall by $112 billion during the next decade.
Average 65-year-olds would get $650 a year less in benefits when they turn 75
and see a $1,000 a year cut when they turn 85.
The truth is that the formula for calculating Social Security cost-of-living
adjustments does not accurately reflect the spending patterns of senior citizens.
It short-changes them because seniors by and large aren’t spending their money
on big-screen televisions, laptop computers or iPads.
Instead, a disproportionate amount of their income goes to pay highly inflated
prices for healthcare and prescription drugs. A superlative measure of inflation for seniors would increase benefits, not cut them.
A chained CPI would do more than cut Social Security. It also would cut the
benefits of more than 3.2 million disabled veterans in this country. Permanently disabled veterans who started receiving disability benefits from the Veterans Administration at age 30 would see their benefits cut by more than $1,400 a year at age 45; $2,300 a year at age 55 and $3,200 a year at age 65.
I challenge anyone who supports a chained CPI to go to Walter Reed. Visit with
the men and women who have lost their legs, lost their arms or lost their eyesight
as a result of their service in Afghanistan or Iraq. We made a promise to these
veterans. Cutting their cost-of-living adjustments would be reneging on those
promises.
Adding insult to injury, the chained CPI also would amount to an across-the board tax increase on working families.
According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, switching to a chained CPI would increase taxes by more than $59 billion over the next decade.
More than three-quarters of the new revenue raised by the year 2021 would
come from Americans making less than $200,000 a year. Those making between
$30,000 and $40,000 would be hit the hardest, while those making more than $1
million would see virtually no change. What about President Obama’s promise
that there would be no income tax increases for people making less than
$250,000 a year?
Deficit reduction is important, but we must not balance the budget on the backs
of the elderly, the veterans, the children, the sick and the most vulnerable people
in America. There are fair ways to reduce the deficit. Instead of cutting cost-of living adjustments for senior citizens and disabled veterans, let’s stop offshore
tax haven abuses that allow the wealthy and large corporations to avoid paying
$100 billion a year in U.S. income taxes. Instead of raising taxes on struggling
working families, let’s demand that the one 1 of 4 profitable corporations in
America that pay nothing in federal income taxes start paying their fair share.
There is a reason why every major organization representing senior citizens,
working families, veterans and women is strongly opposed to the chained CPI.
They understand, as do the vast majority of Americans, that working families
have suffered enough during this recession, and that it is time for the large
corporations and the wealthy to play a significant role in reducing the deficit.
Sanders is chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and also serves
on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the
Senate Budget Committee.
Source:
http://thehill.com/special-reports/state-of-the-union-february-2013/282395-
chained-cpi-an-economic-moral-disaster
The contents of this site are © 2013 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of
News Communications, Inc.
Read more: http://thehill.com/special-reports/state-of-the-unionfebruary-
2013/282395-chained-cpi-an-economic-moraldisaster#
ixzz2MVgOPRMA
Follow us: @thehill on Twitter | TheHill on F
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Subject: Annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Bills Introduced that Would Provide Annual and Automatic COLA
Rep. John Runyan (NJ) introduced similar bills, H.R. 569 and H.R. 570, that, if enacted into law would affect cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in VA compensation and pension benefit payments. H.R. 569 would increase effective on December 1, 2013, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for the survivors of certain disabled veterans. H.R. 570 would provide for automatic annual COLA adjustments each year on December 1st in the rates of disability compensation and the rates of DIC for survivors.
Both bills contain provisions that would round down less than whole dollar amounts of COLA increases to the next lower dollar. DAV and other veterans service organizations strongly oppose this rounding-down feature which, for over twenty years, has reduced compensation and pension payments by millions of dollars – all at the expense of disabled veterans and their families. While DAV supports the overall purposes of these bills to provide COLA increases, applying a rounding-down policy to disabled veterans’ payments is wrong and should be halted.
H.R. 569 currently has 5 cosponsors and H.R. 570 has 2 cosponsors; both bills were referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Please use the prepared electronic letter or draft your own to urge your Representative to cosponsor these important bills, to remove the objectionable language that would round down COLA payments, and to bring these bills to the floor of the House for a vote as soon as possible.
As always, we appreciate your support of DAV and you grassroots activism in participating in DAV CAN, the Commander’s Action Network. Your advocacy helps make DAV a highly influential and persuasive organization in Washington.
Thank you for all you do for America’s veterans and their families
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Subject: VA Halts Further Clinic Leases: Future Care to be Denied
VA Halts Further Clinic Leases: Future Care to be Denied
Take Action!
Federal law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to obtain Congressional approval for a commercial lease of a future VA medical facility if the estimated first-year lease cost exceeds $1 million. This policy has been in place for more than a decade. Dozens of leases for VA-operated community-based outpatient clinics have been approved under this procedure. Using a leasing authority rather than constructing VA-owned facilities allows VA to quickly establish convenient primary care facilities for veterans in communities where they live. Veterans who use these community clinics report high satisfaction with their care and the convenience they offer.
In 2012, in evaluating 15 proposed VA leases that each exceed the $1 million threshold, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) concluded that Congressional rules require that funds to offset the entire 20-year prospective lease cost would need to be included either in the VA budget, or would be taken from funding of ongoing veterans programs—all in the first year of each lease. CBO indicated this policy also would apply to renewals of existing VA leases. This CBO decision multiplied VA’s costs for these proposed 15 leases by 20-fold, for a total need of $1.2-$1.5 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013. Since funds of this magnitude could not be diverted from other VA accounts for this surprising new requirement and aren’t covered in the budget request that had been submitted to Congress, these 15 leases were dropped from further Congressional consideration last year.
In VA's current planning, including 15 new community-based outpatient clinics located in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana (2 sites), Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Texas (2 sites), and South Carolina, VA also projects a need to lease or renew existing leases for 23 more community-based health care facilities through FY 2017 to provide care for more than 340,000 veterans across 22 states and US territories.
Unless CBO changes its policy or Congress acts to overturn this CBO decision with legislation or makes a change in House Rules in current funding policy, most if not all these leases are in jeopardy. Veterans consequently will be denied access to VA health care in these locations.
Please use the prepared electronic letter provided in this alert, or write your own letter, to express to your Senators and Representatives your concerns about this unfair policy that will negatively impact availability of services to wounded, injured and ill veterans. Unless a change is made, VA will be forced to buy land and construct government-owned clinics, or more likely will require veterans who need VA care to travel longer distances to receive it. VA-built clinics would be more expensive, would take much longer to approve and activate, and would reduce VA’s flexibility to place and move facilities based on the changing needs of the veteran population. Forcing veterans to unnecessarily travel for care would increase inconvenience and add additional costs.
As always, DAV appreciates your grassroots advocacy in the DAV Commander’s Action Network (DAV CAN) and your support for wounded, injured and ill veterans who need VA care.
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KEN KOOYMAN
Senior Vice Commander
Legislative & Informational
News ReleaseFebruary 12, 2013
The State House provided the latest in Joint Committee Chairs. Of interest to veterans is the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee. The Chairs are Senator Michael Rush (D-West Roxbury) and Representative Carlo P. Basile (D East Boston)
The information provided below is for your consideration and those items you feel strongly about please contact your elected officials that represent us in Washington D.C. They need to know how we feel about our benefits and our futures. We have 19 people attending the Mid-Winter Conference on February 23-27 in Washington. What a great showing!
With 4 weeks before budgetary sequestration goes into effect on March 1st it is looking more and more likely that either full or partial sequestration cuts will go into effect. Every federal department and agency has been working on contingency plans that they are keeping very close to the vest.
There is a memo concerning the military health system which included a goal to “identify and implement” savings in Private Sector Care (that means TRICARE managed care contracts and the USFHP) A tiger team is being created to study the contracts and find savings. The memo also includes “curtailing facility sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (FSRM)” spending and a hiring freeze for DHP funded civilian employees plus much much more.
Indeed, we have already been seeing cuts and changes caused by the CR and the pending sequestration. The yearly Military Health Care Conference, schedules to be held in the DC area in early February was abruptly cancelled last week. And this is just one segment of DoD- its Defense Health Program (DHP)
Meanwhile Bloomberg has calculated that over one third of the $85.3 billion in automatic cuts will come from contract programs throughout the government. They stated that since Congress has appropriated only half the funding for FY2013 in the continuing resolution (CR) running through March 27th on March 1st $23.6 billion in defense cuts and $21.3 billion in nondefense cuts will occur on March 1st. And the remaining cuts will take place when additional funds are appropriated.
As you can see all of this is very complicated. What is clear is that starting on March 1st unless Congress acts quickly and unexpectedly we will all see immediate changes in numerous programs.
New Veterans’ Bills Introduced in Congress
S.140 Sponsor: Chairman of Senate Finance Committee Max Baucus (D-MT): this bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the work opportunity credit to certain recently discharged veterans, to improve the coordination of veteran job training services between the Department of Labor, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense, to require transparency for Executive departments in meeting the Government-wide goals for contracting with small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
S.131 Sponsor: Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA): this bill amends title 38, United States Code, to improve the reproductive assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to severely wounded, ill, or injured veterans and their spouses, and for other purposes.
S. 62 Sponsor: Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA): The Check the Box for Homeless Veterans Act of 2013 offers taxpayers the opportunity to help keep those who have served our country off the streets by making a voluntary contribution on their annual federal income tax return to support programs that prevent and combat veteran homelessness.
Senators Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) are all cosponsors of this novel legislation that aims to help end veteran homelessness.
This legislation would give taxpayers the option to check a box on their annual tax return and make a voluntary contribution in the amount of their choice to a new Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund established in the U.S. Treasury. Donations to the fund would be used to provide assistance to homeless veterans through initiatives at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Labor.
The legislation would support the Administration's comprehensive five-year plan to end homelessness among our nation's veterans by 2015.
S.49 Veterans Health Equity Act of 2013 Sponsor: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) A bill to ensure that veterans in each of the 48 contiguous States are able to receive services in at least one full-service Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in the State or receive comparable services provided by contract in the State, and for other purposes.
(and its companion bill in the House of Representatives)
H.R. 257 “Veterans Health Equity Act of 2013” Sponsor: Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that veterans in each of the 48 contiguous States are able to receive services in at least one full-service hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in the State or receive comparable services provided by contract in the State.
H.R. 241 Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act Sponsor: Dennis Ross (R-FL) A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish standards of access to care for veterans seeking health care from Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, and for other purposes.
H.R. 183 Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act Sponsor Rep. Michael Grimes (R-NY) A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy.
Hagel Commits to Audit of Pentagon
The Department of Defense is the only budget in the Federal Government that cannot be audited. It is our position that it is impossible to make an accurate judgment about defense personnel costs if DoD has no idea what it spends elsewhere in its budget and we believe before they ever consider cutting personnel benefits DoD must be able to audit its books and find out where all of the waste, fraud and abuse is.
While this idea has been scoffed at by some in the past it appears to be finally be gaining traction in Congress. Last year Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced a bill to force DoD to get its books in order so it can be audited, even though there was already a law requiring that.
On Thursday of this week during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the nomination for former Senator Chuck Hagel to be the new Secretary of Defense he was asked by both Senators Claire McCaskill and Joe Manchin if he would commit to making sure the Defense Department was ready to be audited by 2017, which Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has committed to in the past. Hagel stated that he agreed it is very important that DoD can be audited and he committed to the 2017 date.
A Copy of this News Release ia attached for download.
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Massachusetts Congressional Delegation
Attached are updates of our Senators and Representatives and a map of the new Congressional districts since the election. Please print these out for your use and keep in contact with your Senators ad Representatives concerning Veterans issues.
Thank you,
Ken Kooyman
Legislative Chairman
DAV Department of Massachusetts
The Attached file has all the information you need just download it to your computer.
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Important Legislation on Concurrent Receipt |
Take Action! |
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Please Contact Your Representative Today |
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On January 15, 2013, Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL) introduced H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act. This bill would end the unfair policy of forcing many military longevity retirees to forfeit some of their retired pay in order to receive equal amounts of disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The effect of this policy means military retirees are paying for their own disability with their military retired pay. This unfair policy has adversely impacted disabled veterans and their families for more than a century, but was partially repealed by Congress in 2004. Under current law disabled veterans with 20-plus years of active military service who are also in receipt of a VA disability determination of 50 percent or higher may retain both military retirement pay and their VA compensation.
In line with Disabled American Veterans (DAV) resolution 019, H.R. 303 would end the longstanding and unfair practice of the government’s withholding of military longevity retired pay in exchange for VA disability compensation, regardless of disability rating. DAV believes what is unfair for a veteran rated 50 percent disabled or higher by the VA is equally unfair for a disabled veteran rated 40 percent disabled or lower. Disabled military longevity retirees should not be penalized by the government for any reason.
Currently, H.R. 303 has bipartisan support. This legislation was referred to the House Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for a period to be determined by the Speaker of the House. Please use the prepared e-mail, or draft your own message, to request that your Representative support this important bill and ask that it be brought to the floor for a vote and passed as soon as possible.
Thank you for all that you do for veterans and their families. We need your grassroots action to gain Congressional enactment of this important legislation. | |
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Important Legislation Regarding SBP/DIC Offset |
Take Action! |
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Please Contact Your Representative Today! |
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On January 3, 2013, Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina introduced H.R. 32, the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act.
This bill would repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan to offset the receipt of survivors Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. This bill is in accordance with a longstanding DAV resolution, passed each year by the delegates to our National Convention. H.R. 32 has 19 cosponsors and was referred to the House Armed Services Committee on January 3, 2013
Please use the prepared e-mail or draft your own to request that your Representative supports this important bill and ask that it be brought to the floor for a vote and passed as soon as possible.
Thank you for all you do for veterans and their families. | |
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HELEN BENNETT
2ND Junior Vice Commander
Service & Charitable
December 18, 2012
Good morning,
This was brought to my attention and based on conversations with fellow officers; we thought this was important enough for general distribution to our membership. It is important to note and in my opinion, this is a precedent setting case that will have far reaching effects for countless other veterans. The following text is only a partial extract from the original document but clearly establishes the link necessary. If you have any questions, please contact either the National Service Office. The phone number is (617)303-5675.
“…While neither of one of these medical opinions definitively establishes a direct link between the veteran's bladder cancer and in-service Agent Orange and/or diesel fuel exposure, the Board finds that the collective medical opinion evidence provides some indication that the veteran's bladder cancer is likely related to in-service Agent Orange and/or diesel fuel exposure.
The Board also finds supportive of the medical opinion evidence the 2005 Gulf War and Health article from the National Academy of Sciences (submitted by the veteran In February 2006), that reflects a conclusion that
results of studies taken together constitute limited or
suggestive evidence of an association between ombustion
products and bladder cancer (even though a definitive
association could not be established). Significantly, there is no contrary medical opinion evidence of record.
When, after careful consideration of all procurable and
assembled data, a reasonable doubt arises regarding service origin, the degree of disability, or any other point, such doubt will be resolved in favor of the claimant. By reasonable doubt is meant one that exists because an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence which does satisfactorily prove or disprove the claim.
It is a substantial doubt and one within the range of probability as distinguished from pure speculation or remote possibility. See 38 C.F.R. § 3.102. See also 38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(b); Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 49, 53-56 (1990).
Given the totality of the evidence, to include the veteran's current bladder cancer disability, his presumed Agent Orange exposure, the veteran's and his former service comrade's credible assertions, to include of in-service diesel fuel exposure, and the collective medical opinion evidence addressed above, and resolving all reasonable doubt on the question of claimed in-service exposure in the veteran's favor, the Board finds that the criteria for service connection for bladder cancer, as due to Agent Orange exposure and/or diesel fuel exposure, are met.
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KEN KOOYMAN
Legislative Director
Senior Vice Commander
December 10, 2012
VA makes 5 illnesses presumptive for TBI claims
By Patricia Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Dec 7, 2012 16:02:12 EST
The Veterans Affairs Department is proposing to add five medical conditions to a list of diseases that, if diagnosed in a patient with a brain injury received during military service, automatically would be presumed service-connected.
The proposed regulations change, expected to be published Monday in the Federal Register, would make it easier for afflicted veterans to receive benefits and health care from VA.
Illnesses under consideration include unprovoked seizures, symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, certain types of dementia including Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and hormone deficiencies caused by changes of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands.
Service connection will depend in part on the severity of the traumatic brain injury and onset of the illness, which will be considered secondary to the TBI, according to VA.
Officials said the change was made based on a 2008 Institute of Medicine report that noted “sufficient evidence of an association” between the diseases and moderate and severe TBI, and in the case of depression, mild concussions.
“We must always decide veterans’ disability claims based on the best science available, and we will,” VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said. “Veterans who endure health problems deserve timely decisions based on solid evidence that ensure they receive benefits earned through their service to the country.”
More than 250,000 service members suffered a TBI from 2000 to 2012, with 194,000 classified as “mild” — a concussion. About 42,000 suffered a “moderate” TBI defined as a “confused or disoriented state that lasts more than 24 hours but less than seven days” and can be seen in brain images. Another 2,527 received a severe TBI, and 3,949 had a penetrating wound to the head, which can be caused by a weapon or blow that results in skull fragments lodged in the brain.
The public will have 60 days to comment on the proposed rule before it is finalized.
The new regulation has the potential to add claims to an already burdened VA disability claims backlog. About 900,000 benefits claims are pending before the department.
Paul Sullivan, a Persian Gulf War veteran and spokesman for the law firm Bergmann & Moore, which handles disability claims, called the new regulation “good news for veterans.”
“What this does is make it easier for VA to process the claim with one less evidentiary step. And it established a framework for considering other conditions secondary to TBI,” Sullivan said.
Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, newly minted ranking Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, issued a statement applauding the move but cautioned VA to prepare for a fresh influx of claims.
“While this announcement is a positive step forward, VA needs to be prepared for the new claims, which could stress an already backlogged and overwhelmed claims process,” he said.
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TRICARE Medication Co-Payment Increases Likely |
Take Action! |
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Please Write Your Senators TODAY to Prevent this Outcome! |
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In recent years, Congress restricted or rejected the Department of Defense’s (DOD) desire to increase cost-sharing to TRICARE beneficiaries as a way to shift costs and save itself money.
The House and Senate are considering bills which differ significantly regarding increasing TRICARE medication copayments.
The House-passed version, H.R. 4310, would allow modest fee increases, but it would impose caps on future co-payments beneficiaries are required to pay at levels below those allowed under current law, and far below the Administration’s plans to increase them.
The Senate version, S. 3254, contains no provision reducing DOD’s authority to increase TRICARE pharmacy co-payments, and in fact it would acknowledge that DOD already has the power to increase this tax on sick military family members.
The Senate will shortly vote on S. 3254, which would allow DOD to nearly double, and over time almost triple, medication co-payments.
DAV has a longstanding resolution (No. 209), generally opposing all health care co-payments and other forms of cost sharing, and opposing any increase in existing co-payment requirements.
Please contact your Senators today and ask them to add final language to S. 3254 that would restrict DOD’s authority to increase TRICARE pharmacy copayments. This is not a tax that military families should be required to pay.
We need your help in raising our voices loud and clear to express our unanimous opposition to this policy change. Please write your Senators today. | | |
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Senate passes inflation adjustment for veterans payments next year Published November 13, 2012 Associated Press WASHINGTON – The Senate sent the White House a bill on Tuesday giving nearly 4 million veterans and survivors a 1.7 percent increase in their monthly benefit payments next year. Democrats said the normally routine measure was delayed for weeks because an unidentified Republican senator objected to it. Republicans were not given enough time to ensure that all senators were okay with the bill, said Don Stewart, a spokesman for Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. He said the clearance process was completed soon after Congress adjourned for the elections and that Democrats could have brought the bill up if necessary. When the Senate returned this week, it acted quickly to ensure that checks issued beginning in January reflect the adjustment for the higher cost of living. The House approved the measure in July. The bill now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, welcomed the financial boost. "Particularly in this difficult economy, our veterans deserve a boost in their benefits to help make ends meet," Murray said. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/11/13/senate-passes-inflation-adjustment-for-veterans-payments |
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT
October 4, 2012
Ken Kooyman
Senior Vice-Commander/Legislative Director
DAV Department of Massachusetts
Room 546, State House
Boston, MA 02767
(617) 727-2974
(314) 750-3752
DISABLED VETERANS’ “COLA” HELD UP BY SENATE
Greetings,
As part of my duties, the legislative process doesn’t end with the resolutions and filing and lobbying on behalf of Bills. It also includes reporting on the outcome of legislation and how our congressional delegation voted or didn’t.
In the final hours of the Senate session the COLA of 1.3% was tabled. The Senate according to Senator Patty Murray, Chairman Veterans Affairs Committee, stated “An anonymous Senate Republican is blocking a cost of living increase for America’s disabled veterans.” She also stated this was done with full consent of Senator Mitch McConnell.
The Senate also failed to establish a $1 billion jobs program putting veterans back to work. It would have placed some of these capable young men and women into jobs in local fire and police departments and other federal jobs where much needed staffing for our common good. Please contact our state senators and urge them to take the appropriate actions on these bills and that disabled veterans are not “political footballs.” In order to secure a timely COLA vote. This will have to occur by November 13, 2012, for processing for January 1, 2013 checks. The failure of this both bills was due to partisanship voting and politics.
As we near the November 6, 2012, please remind your membership of the need for voter registration. You will need to check with your local town clerk for the deadlines. The town clerk will also be able to advise you about absentee voting. This is URGENT as deadlines are nearing. PLEASE help your fellow members get out to vote on November 6th.
I am hoping next week we will be able to release a list of bills that we need to monitor. Little has been done by either the House or Senate in the last two years.
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT Action Needed
September 21, 2012
Ken Kooyman
Senior Vice-Commander/Legislative Director ( kkooyman@davma.org)
DAV Department of Massachusetts
Room 546, State House
Boston, MA 02767
(617) 727-2974
(314) 750-3752
Greetings,
Please contact your elected officials regarding the COLA for December 2012. Below is the current status and opinion sent to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Please let me know the response you receive when communicating with your Senate and House representatives.
S. 2259, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2012
Cross reference: HR 1407 / HR 4114 / S894
September 18, 2012
As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Veteransb Affairs
on September 12, 2012
S. 2259 would increase the amounts paid to veterans for disability compensation and to their survivors for dependency and indemnity compensation by the same cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) payable to Social Security recipients. The increase would take effect on December 1, 2012, and the resulting adjustment would be rounded to the next lower dollar.
The COLA that would be authorized by this bill is assumed in CBObs baseline, consistent with section 257 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, and savings from rounding it down were achieved by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-33) as extended by the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-183).
Because the COLA is assumed in CBObs baseline, the COLA provision would have no budgetary effect relative to the baseline. Relative to current law, CBO estimates that enacting this bill would increase spending for those programs by $686 million in fiscal year 2013. (The annualized cost would be about $915 million in subsequent years.) This estimate assumes that the COLA effective on December 1, 2012, would be 1.3 percent.
Enacting S. 2259 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
S. 2259 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments |
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT
September 20, 2012
Ken Kooyman
Senior Vice-Commander/Legislative Director
DAV Department of Massachusetts
Room 546, State House
Boston, MA 02767
(617) 727-2974
(314) 750-3752
VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT BILL RESULTS 9-19-12
Greetings,
As part of my duties, the legislative process doesn’t end with the resolutions and filing and lobbying on behalf of Bills. It also includes reporting on the outcome of legislation and how our congressional delegation voted.
Yesterday was a resounding affirmation of the ineffectiveness of our current congress to meet the needs of this county’s citizens and in particular disabled veterans, veterans and families. Senate Republicans blocked legislation Wednesday that would have established a $1 billion jobs program putting veterans back to work. It would have placed some of these capable young men and women into jobs in local fire and police departments and other federal jobs where much needed staffing for our common good.
As I visit chapters throughout the state, I am discussing the patrician climate in Washington. I am telling our membership that we need to check the voting records of our legislators. I have also stated there are those in Washington that do not consider veterans anything more than “cry babies” and part of the “entitlement” problem. It is sad to think that we are thought of in this manner and garner disrespect for our service.
It is also sad that less than 25% of those serving in Congress have no understanding of the covenant this government made and makes with our military men and women. This election on November 6, 2012, may change how our country looks at us. All I ask is that you review the voting records of those we are re-electing or understand the position of those that are new and running for office. We have worked too hard climbing up the ladder to be cast off and considered cry babies.
I am pleased to announce that both Senators Kerry and Brown voted to support this bill. 10.9% of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan era are unemployed. This is 2.9% higher than the national unemployment rate.
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DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
Building Better Lives for America’s Disabled Veterans
MEMO TO: National Officers
National Service Officers
Department Commanders and Adjutants National Interim Legislative Committee DAVA National Adjutant
FROM: Barry A. Jesinoski, Executive Director, Washington Headquarters
SUBJ: Supreme Court Decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act(ACA)
(A copy of this letter is attached for download)
DATE: July 3, 2012
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision of June 28, 2012 on the Constitutionality of the ACA, some DAV members and others have again asked how these laws (Public Law 111-
148, Public Law 111-152) might affect veterans who are Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patients or military health care (TRICARE) beneficiaries. We are happy to provide this clarification and reassurance.
As many of you know, in general the ACA requires that the vast majority of U.S. citizens and legal residents must obtain private health coverage by 2014 or they (or their employers in some cases) will face payment of a federal tax penalty. The majority opinion of the Court upheld this taxing policy as Constitutional, but with minority reservations. The ACA also requires all state Medicaid programs to expand coverage to larger populations of the poor, when their
incomes do not exceed 133 percent of the federal poverty rate. The Court expressed minority dissent on the Medicaid feature, noting that it was “economic dragooning” of the states. It is unclear how or if Congress, the states, or the Administration will deal with the Medicaid mandate. The Court determined the remainder of the ACA to be Constitutional; thus, the major thrust of the laws will stand unless Congress repeals them in a future act.
All veterans enrolled in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and their dependents and survivors enrolled in CHAMPVA; and, all military families, military retirees, military and retiree dependents; and survivors who are enrolled in military health care, TRICARE, and TRICARE for Life, are deemed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to possess the minimum essential coverage that satisfies the individual mandate. As such, veterans and military families are not required to buy private coverage in addition to their government-provided health services.
Furthermore, in 2014 under the ACA, veterans and their family dependents, like all other
Americans, gain the option to buy private health plans through their employers or the state-run
insurance exchanges being established. Based on income limitations, they may also be eligible for federal subsidies to enable them to purchase private insurance or exchange coverage.
On May 23, 2012, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final regulations that provide an individual is eligible for “minimum essential coverage” under the VA health care programs authorized under chapters 17 and 18 of Title 38, United States Code. This rule provides that veterans enrolled in VA health care and survivors, spouses, and dependents enrolled in the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), as well as the Spina Bifida Health Care Program for children of Vietnam veterans, meet the minimum essential coverage requirement under ACA.
One of the most popular features of the ACA guarantees that if health insurance plans provide for coverage of dependent children at all, they must continue to extend that coverage to young adult dependent children of insured families until those dependents achieve the age of 26 years. Within Title 38, United States Code, the authorizing statute for the VA’s CHAMPVA program does not conform to this ACA requirement. Under current law CHAMPVA coverage for dependents ends at age 18, or is extended to age 23 if the dependent child is enrolled in a course of accredited full-time education or training following high school.
Legislation was introduced in the House and Senate to establish parity between CHAMPVA and ACA policies on coverage of young adult dependents, but that bill has not been advanced in either legislative body. DAV continues to seek legislative equity to extend dependent coverage to age 26 under CHAMPVA, on par with the ACA.
The ACA includes several other provisions related to VA. One provision requires the VA to report to Congress on any effects on VA health care that might accrue from the annual fee ACA imposed on certain manufacturers and importers of brand name prescription drugs, and from application of a new excise tax on the sale of certain medical devices by manufacturers, producers and importers. This completed report is currently under internal review within VA.
We have been assured DAV will gain access to this report.
DAV intends to continue protecting the VA health care system upon which so many of our members must rely as a vital service. We will monitor the implementation of the ACA to ensure that it will not adversely impact wartime disabled veterans, their families, dependents and survivors.
BARRY A. JESINOSKI Executive Director Washington Headquarters
BAJ:lmb |
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Legislative Alert #12-2: SUPPORT H.R. 3337 and S. 1798, the Open Burn Pit Registry Act |
Take Action! |
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Issue Background: In both Iraq and Afghanistan the U.S. Military has oftentimes been required to use “open-air” burn pits as the only means to dispose of waste. Many veterans, of both Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), have been reporting symptoms now being linked to the use of these “open-air” burn pits. Unfortunately, little is known about the effects of “open-air” burn pits and the long term health problems they may cause. While there is still extensive research to be done, symptoms such as respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal failure have been commonly linked to the inhalation of chemicals identified in such “open-air” burn pits, such as the one in Balad, Iraq.
Action Required: Contact your Representatives and Senators and urge them to consider and cosponsor H.R. 3337 and S. 1798, the Open Burn Pit Registry Act. These bipartisan bills were introduced by Representative Todd Akin (R-MO-02) and Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) on 3 November 2011 in the House and Senate respectively. The bills would direct the Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) to: (1) establish and maintain an open burn pit registry for members of the Armed Services deployed in a contingency operation in Iraq or Afghanistan who may have been exposed to toxic chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits used for disposing of solid waste, (2) include in such registry information necessary to ascertain and monitor the health effects of such exposure, (3) develop a public information campaign to inform eligible individuals about the registry and (4) periodically notify such individuals of significant developments in the study and treatment of conditions associated with such exposure. The bills would also require the Secretary of the VA to: (1) contract with an independent organization to develop a report assessing the effectiveness of actions taken to collect and maintain information on the health effects of such exposure and (2) submit the completed report to Congress.
Take Action: Click the “Take Action” to immediately to email and/or write to your Senators and Representatives. This is the quickest and most effective method of expressing your views to Congress. Please use the AMVETS-suggested message below to urge your legislators to consider and cosponsor H.R. 3337 and S. 1798, the Open Burn Pit Registry Act. Also, contact friends and family and urge them to take action. It is not necessary to be a member to take action. Please direct any questions concerning this issue to our Director of Legislation, Diane Zumatto (301) 683-4016 dzumatto@amvets.org | | |
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Attached below is a PDF file of your benefits in the state of Massachusetts
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Increase Funding for the VA Health Care System |
Take Action! |
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June 1, 2012 Update |
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Earlier this year, DAV and our partner organizations in The Independent Budget, recommended that funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) FY 2013 health care budget be increased by $3.8 billion in order to meet increased demand and rising health care costs. By contrast, the Administration’s budget proposal called for a $2.3 billion increase for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), a difference of $1.5 billion. We strongly believe the additional funds we identified can be put to effective use within VA, including better meeting the needs of new veterans of our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
On May 31, by a vote of 407-12, the House passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. The bill includes a measure that would boost suicide prevention and homeless assistance funds for veterans. It would also provide $71.7 billion in discretionary funding for veterans’ benefits about four percent above the FY 2012 level, but $1.5 billion less than The Independent Budget recommendation.
Recently, we saw evidence of the negative effects of inadequate funding at a Senate hearing when witnesses testified that VA is failing to meet the mental health needs of the veterans it should be serving. VA’s Inspector General reported that these problems were caused by a multiplicity of factors, including funding and staffing shortages, and lack of quick, easy access by veterans to VA’s many mental health programs. The Inspector General’s findings are consistent with DAV’s own internal survey of the VA mental health care system that showed serious problems with access and response for veterans seeking care.
If you or a family member have experience with VA mental health care and would like to add your voice to our continuing survey, please complete the survey here.
We need grassroots support: please use the prepared e-mail to write your Senators to urge them to increase funding for VA’s FY 2013 appropriation by at least $1.5 billion for medical care services to match or exceed the recommendations of the Independent Budget. We are concerned that failure to provide this increase could lead to further disruptions of VA health care and other vital programs, including its critical mental health efforts.
As always, we at DAV are grateful for your participation in our legislative and grassroots advocacy program. Without your active assistance DAV would not be able to accomplish many of our goals in support of the interests of sick and disabled veterans. | |
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Stand Up For Veterans Update |
More Info |
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April 24, 2012 |
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VA to Increase Mental Health Capacity in Response to Calls from Congress, VSOs
The Washington Post reports that in advance of a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing scheduled by Chairman Patty Murray for next week, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki yesterday announced that 1,900 mental health professionals would be hired this year to meet the growing demand for services. DAV and other major veterans’ organizations have repeatedly called for increasing VA’s capacity to meet the mental health care needs of veterans, particularly those transitioning out of the military. “The DAV continues to hear reports from veterans on the difficulty of getting mental health appointments, even though VA’s official policy requires a veteran to be seen within 24 hours of a crisis," said DAV Executive Director Barry Jesinoski.
House Subcommittee Moves Legislation to Make Vets Disability COLA Automatic
Legislation to provide automatic cost-of-living-adjustments (COLAs) for veterans disability compensation and DIC payments was approved this week by the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, the Army Times reports. The bill, H.R. 4142, was modified to eliminate the practice of “rounding down” COLA increases that DAV and other VSOs have long opposed. The full Committee is expected to approve the legislation next Friday.
Training, Testing and Quality Control Key to Solving Veterans Claims Backlog
At a hearing on Wednesday called by House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller, DAV and other major veterans’ organizations urged Congress to keep VA focused on strengthening training, testing and quality control programs in order to reform their claims processing system. While reports of a growing backlog of claims have garnered national media attention, The Washington Post quoted DAV’s Jeff Hall cautioning the Committee that, “It is essential that Congress provide careful and continuing oversight of this transformation to ensure that the VBA achieves true reform and not just arithmetic milestones, such as lowered backlogs or decreased cycle times.” | |
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Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act |
Take Action! |
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Please Contact Your Senators Today! |
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A House bill that is important to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and to service-disabled veterans in particular, passed the House of Representatives on October 11, 2011, and is now languishing in the Senate. If enacted, H.R. 2074, the “Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act,” will—
• help improve personal safety and security at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities;
• clarify Congressional intent that service-connected veterans gain full access to skilled nursing, adult day health and domiciliary care provided by state veterans homes;
• improve and broaden rehabilitative care and services for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury;
• allow veterans accompanied by service dogs to freely enter VA properties without restriction; and,
• establish a new pilot program for veterans to train dogs as a therapeutic option in VA mental health.
Despite the positive benefits and non-controversial intentions of this bill, at least one US Senator has caused the bill to be placed “on hold,” pending the outcome of the Senate’s consideration of an unrelated bill. The bill will die when Congress adjourns later this year. We ask that you contact your Senators to urge the Senate to give final consideration to H.R. 2074, and clear it for approval by the President. Please send the prepared e-mail, or your own message, to your Senators today.
Thank you for your grassroots advocacy on behalf of DAV and service-disabled veterans. Our effectiveness as an advocate for disabled veterans depends heavily on strong grassroots assistance by our members and DAV supporters. | |
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(Resolutions PDF attached)
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DAV |
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS |
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Building Beller LivesIbr America:5' Disabled Veterans |
MEMORANDUM
TO: National Officers
National Executive Committee
Department Commanders and Adjutants
Department Legislative Chairmen DAVA National Adjutant DAVA National Commander DAVA Department Commanders Interim Committee Chairmen Interim Legislative Committee Supervisory National Service Officers
Chapter Adjutants
FROM: Joseph A. Violante, National Legislative Director
SUBJ: 2012 DAV LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION BOOK
DATE: March 2012
I am pleased to enclose the new 2012 DAV Resolution Book. These resolutions were
adopted by the delegates attending our most recent National Convention, held in New Orleans,
Louisiana, August 6-9, 2011, and, accordingly, represent the DAV's 2012 Legislative Program.
I hope this information will be helpful to you in your legislative activities.
SEPH A. VIOLANTE
National Legislative Director
JAV:lmb
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NATIONAL SERVICE & I.EGISI ATIVE HEADQUARTERS * 807 MAINE Av, EN U E. S. W. * WASHINGTON. D.C. 20024-2410 PHONE (202) 554-3501 * FAx (202) 551-3581 * www.dav.org |
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DAV
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
807 Maine Ave., SW ■ Washington, D.C. 20024-2410 ■ Phone (202) 554-3501 ■ Fax (202) 554-3581
LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN
February 2012
DAV Mid-Winter Conference in Washington, DC
Several hundred DAV members at the 2012 Mid-Winter Conference participated with our National Commander and other senior DAV leaders during a hearing before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees on February 28, and visited with Members of the House and Senate during their week in Washington. At our Benefits Protection Team workshop we was addressed by the Hon. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the Veterans Affairs’ Committee in the House. We have placed our members’ recommended “talking points” on our website, at http://www.dav.org/news/documents/2012TalkingPoints.pdf, for the information of DAV members at large. We ask that you meet with your Congressional Representatives in their districts and states to impress upon them the importance of these issues to you, their constituents, and to all veterans. During our Mid-Winter Conference, National Commander Donald L. Samuels presented the DAV’s
prestigious “Going to Bat for Veterans” award to Chairman Miller and Chairman Patty Murray of the
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Appropriations and Deficit Reduction
As we indicated in the December 2011 Bulletin, the enforcement mechanisms contained in Public Law 112-25 will trigger automatic across-the-board cuts in federal departments and agencies resulting in a $1.2 trillion reduction in federal spending over the next ten years.
Based on our interpretation of Public Law 112-25 and prior budget laws, and after consultation with outside budget experts, we believe that VA health care and benefits programs will be exempt from any automatic budget cuts. To eliminate any possibility of a different interpretation, Chairman Miller has introduced a bill to explicitly exempt VA from any sequestration of appropriated funds. A similar bill was introduced in the Senate by Sen. John Tester. We strongly support these bills.
On Friday, December 16, 2011, the House passed H.R. 2055, the Fiscal Year 2012 Military Construction-VA Appropriations bill. This measure served as the vehicle for a “Megabus” appropriations bill (the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012), which included all the pending appropriations bills. On Saturday, December 17, the Senate passed the bill and sent it to the President. The President approved this bill on December 23, as Public Law 112-74. This bill provides full-year funding for all VA programs for Fiscal Year 2012.
Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Proposal
With the 2012 appropriations work now completed, we turn our attention to the FY 2013 budget for
VA benefits and services, proposed by the President on February 13, 2012.
The budget request includes funding increases for VA health care and benefits programs. In light of tight budgetary constraints government-wide, DAV is pleased with these increases, but some concerns remain.
Medical Care: The Administration requested $55.7 billion, an amount that presumes a downward trend for medical care first- and third-party collections of $3.0 billion. Alternatively the Independent Budget recommends $57.2 billion for these accounts, an increase of $3.3 billion above the FY 2012 enacted appropriations level, and $1.5 billion higher than the Administration’s request.
Medical and Prosthetic Research: The Administration requested $583 million, an increase of $1.7 million from the current year. The IB recommended $611 million to cover biomedical research inflation, to continue currently-funded research projects, and to allow VA to develop new treatments for the unique injuries, illnesses and diseases prevalent in veterans.
Benefits Processing: The $2.2 billion budget request for the FY 2013 activities of the Veterans Benefits Administration is $145 million more than the current level and $54 million more than the IB recommendation for that period. However, the request falls short on funding for of the IB-recommended staffing level of 585 for the Board of Veterans Appeals and an additional 195 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment counselors.
Major and Minor Construction: Contrasted to the IB’s recommendations, the Administration is requesting $2.2 billion less for Major Construction and $461 million less for Minor Construction. This continued underfunding trend is deeply concerning to DAV. The Administration requested $532 million and $604 million for Major and Minor Construction, respectively.
Operational Improvements: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reported that VA had reduced its FY 2012 and FY 2013 budget requests by more than $3.4 billion due to gimmicks and unreasonable assumptions not relevant to the actual needs of sick and disabled veterans.
VA reported in this budget a carryover amount of $500 million from FY 2012. This trend greatly concerns DAV because we continually receive reports from our members and from VA personnel of widespread funding shortages in the health care system.
Finally, the FY 2013 budget proposal includes a request for $54.6 billion in advance appropriations for
VA health care accounts in FY 2014, a 3.3% increase, not including medical collections.
VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011
As indicated in our prior bulletin, Congress approved the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 on November 16, 2011, and the President approved the bill on November 21, 2011.
The House VA Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held the first oversight hearing on this new veterans-employment law on December 15, 2011, to receive testimony from VA and DOL witnesses (http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/reviewing-the-implementation-of-the-vow-to-hire- heroes-act-of-2011 ). We are hopeful the Administration will place implementation of this important new employment and training law as a high-priority objective.
Pending Legislation
H.R. 3438 would require the Department of Defense (DoD) to meet the annual goal outlined under the Small Business Act for participation in federal procurement contracts by businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans. This bill is fully consistent with the intent of DAV Resolution No. 215.
H.R. 3612, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2011, would clarify presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam. The DAV supports this bill, consistent with Resolution No. 014.
H.R. 3687, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for coverage under the beneficiary travel program of the VA of certain disabled veterans for travel for certain special disabilities rehabilitation. This is in accordance with Resolution No. 199.
H.R. 4072, the Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act of 2012, would transfer all veteran employment functions from the Department of Labor to the VA.
S. 1631 would authorize the establishment in the VA of a center for technical assistance to private health care providers who furnish care to veterans in rural areas. The DAV supports this legislation in relation to DAV Resolution No. 203.
Hearings
All DAV testimony can be read in full on our DAV website, at:
http://www.dav.org/voters/Testimony.aspx.
On January 24, 2012, DAV testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs regarding the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
On February 15, 2012, DAV testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee concerning the FY 2013 budget.
On February 16, 2012, DAV testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs on the FY 2013 budget for compensation, pension and memorial affairs, and other benefits programs.
On February 28, DAV testified before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees, presenting the DAV’s legislative agenda for the year.
On February 29, DAV testified before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on the FY
2013 budget.
Virtual Town Hall with Senator Patty Murray
On February 9, 2012, DAV hosted a national, virtual Town Hall meeting featuring Chairman Patty Murray of the Senate Committee on Veteran’s Affairs. More than 3,000 Facebook users viewed or sent in questions to Sen. Murray during that live session. Questions covered a wide range of
issues, from women’s health, to mental health, access, delays in compensation awards and other highly relevant concerns of our members. So that your voices can continue to be heard, we plan to
hold a succession of these Town Halls featuring important Members of Congress as well as VA officials. We encourage all our members to participate. Information about these events will be posted on our website, www.dav.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheDAV and Twitter
www.twitter.com/DAVHQ.
New Web Content Weekly
Beginning in October 2011, the DAV legislative staff began adding content weekly on subjects of interest to members. Some will require action from our DAV Commander’s Action Network (CAN) and others will be used to keep you informed of progress on various issues before Congress and the Administration. Please check http://capwiz.com/dav/home/ regularly to stay informed on legislative issues and actions.
Conclusion
To ensure the successful enactment of the legislation that we support, our DAV and Auxiliary members must become active members of DAV’s grassroots—DAV CAN—and all of us must do our part to let our elected officials know about our support for legislation that builds better lives for our nation’s service-disabled veterans, their families and their survivors. Please make a pledge to redouble your efforts to communicate our concerns to your elected officials. Your efforts and actions are a key to our success.
Thank you for again for your continuing support for DAV’s programs of service.
JAV:lmb
JOSEPH A. VIOLANTE National Legislative Director |
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Senate Must Pass Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act Immediately |
Take Action! |
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Please Urge Your Senators to Take Action Before the End of the Year |
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As the 1st Session of the 112th Congress winds down, there is still time for the Senate to pass important legislation, H.R. 2074, the Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention and Health Care Enhancement Act. We need you to take action now by emailing your Senators and urging them to bring this bill up for a vote before the end of the year.
H.R. 2074 would require VA to establish a comprehensive policy on the reporting, tracking and prevention of sexual assault and other safety incidents at VA medical facilities to protect veterans, employees and visitors at VA facilities.
This legislation also contains a vitally important provisions to aid seriously disabled veterans seeking long term care at State Veterans Homes, strengthen VA's rehabilitation plans for veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), ensure access to VA facilities for veterans who rely on service dogs, and examine the effectiveness of dog training therapy as a component of VA's mental health treatment, particularly for PTSD.
Please use the prepared email to contact your Senators immediately and request that they bring H.R. 2074 to the Senate floor and vote to pass it before the end of year.
Thanks for continuing to stand up for veterans. | |
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Constructing the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial |
Take Action! |
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Please Contact Your Elected Officials Today |
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In October 2000, Congress authorized the construction of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial (Public Law 106-348) in Washington, D.C. to honor the millions of veterans who became disabled while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. The law also authorized the Disabled Veterans LIFE Memorial Foundation to raise private funds to construct the Memorial. As of today, the Foundation has raised sufficient funds to construct the Memorial and has received all of the design approvals required to begin construction. However, the District of Columbia must first make changes and improvements to streets around the site, some related to concerns about the security of nearby Congressional office buildings.
In 2007, Congress appropriated $980,000 for this street infrastructure work (Public Law 110-161) and in March 2009, Congress appropriated an additional $2.85 million (Public Law 111-6). In total, Congress has provided the District with approximately $4 million out of the estimated $10 million that will be required for this street work, leaving a federal funding shortfall of about $6 million. However, until that funding is provided to the District, the Foundation is prevented from beginning construction of the Memorial.
Despite widespread, bipartisan support in Congress for the Memorial, two years have passed since the last federal funding was provided. And even though the funding already provided is enough to complete the first phase of the street work, due to endless bureaucratic red tape, the District of Columbia has yet to begin this work. Every day the street work is delayed is another day that the Memorial is delayed. Further delays are also likely to increase the cost of constructing the Memorial beyond what the Foundation has raised, which could push back or even threaten the actual construction of the Memorial. As such, it is imperative that Congress complete the federal funding required for the street infrastructure work as soon as possible, get the District to start and finish the necessary street work, and allow the Foundation to begin building this long overdue Memorial to America's disabled veterans.
Please urge your elected officials to get personally involved in helping to eliminate this small federal funding gap needed to allow the construction of the American Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial to begin. | |
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