Legislative Update 053 Washington Weekly May 11, 2012

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY
May 11, 2012

In This Issue:
1. House Committee Clears NDAA
2. House VA Committee Discusses Mental Health Staffing
3. VA Funding Clears House
4. VFW Discusses Veterans Transition
5. VA Telehealth Co-pays Eliminated

1. House Committee Clears NDAA: The House Armed Services Committee cleared their version of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Because of your advocacy, the bill does not include controversial TRICARE healthcare premium fees proposed by the administration, but does make some minor changes to retail pharmacy. The cost of generic drugs will stay the same, both in retail ($5 / 30-day supply) and mail-order ($0) -- however, formulary drugs purchased in retail will rise from $12 to $17 in retail, and will rise from $9 to $13 through mail order. Non-formulary drugs that are purchased without a medical necessity will rise from $25 to $44 in retail, and from $25 to $43 in mail order. Beginning in FY 2014, all pharmacy benefits will be indexed to annual retire COLA. For example, if these provisions become law and retail, non-generic formulary drugs rise to $17, a 3% COLA increase for FY 2014 would raise the cost in that year to $17.51. Other VFW-supported provisions include:
* A 1.7% pay increase in pay and extension of bonuses and special pay for service members
* Increased oversight and new regulations and procedures for combating and prosecuting sexual assault in the military
* Cap on number of troops that can be separated from the force in a single year

For details on the entire bill, go to http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=c1a26a15-9dd3-4658-abf2-e50d0852ba12.

The House is likely to take up the bill next week. The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to take up their version before Memorial Day after which it will be sent to the Senate floor. From there, a House/Senate conference committee will need to meet to work out their differences and send an agreement back to both houses for final passage before it can go to the President. Rest assured that we will continue to keep you informed and call up our grassroots advocates through Action Alerts to make our voice heard as the congressional process continues.

To join with us to Protect Military Benefits, click here for our Call to Action: http://capwiz.com/vfw/callalert/index.tt?alertid=61313946

2. House VA Committee Discusses Mental Health Staffing: This week, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing to discuss the findings of a recent VA Office of Inspector General report outlining serious concerns with access to mental health care within VA. At the request of Committee Chairman, Jeff Miller (R-FL) VA Secretary, Eric Shinseki, and Dr. Robert Petzel, Under Secretary for Health, testified for VA. Much of the hearing revolved around the recent announcement that VA would hire 1,900 new mental health staff -- 1,600 clinicians and 300 support staff in hopes of meeting the shortfalls across the country. The committee members had many questions about the VA staffing model and whether 1,900 FTE's is enough to address the current need. VFW intends to keep a close watch on what improvements are made in the delivery of mental health care for our veterans. To read more about the hearing, visit our blog at http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/05/house-veterans-affairs-committee.html

3. VA Funding Clears House: This week, The House Appropriations' Military Construction and VA Subcommittee approved funding for VA and military constructions programs. The bill funds VA medical services at $41.4 billion which includes $6.2 billion for mental health care and $5.8 billion for homeless veterans programs and job training services. The bill also provides $73 million for suicide prevention, $220 million for TBI treatment and $250 million for rural health initiatives, The full committee is set to consider the bill before the Memorial Day recess. For more on the bill's highlights, click here: http://appropriations.house.gov/news/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=294142

4. VFW Discusses Veterans Transition: VFW joined the Volunteers of America (VOA) at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. for a panel discussion on transitional issues faced by today's veterans. The discussion centered on efforts to advance policy to better serve the nation's newest generation of combat veterans. Moderator, David Gregory (Meet the Press) pointed out that national media would need to play a critical role in ensuring that veterans' issues remain at the forefront of the public conscience once the wars end. The VFW has long echoed these concerns, pointing to historical examples of how Americans can quickly forget that the cost of caring for veterans is a true cost of war.
To learn more about the event visit our blog at http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/05/vfw-joins-volunteers-of-america-to.html

5. VA Telehealth Co-pays Eliminated: This week, VA announced that veterans receiving VA in-home care via telehealth will no longer have a co-payment for that service. According to VA this will affect approximately 1,300 telehealth users in FY 2013 where a co-payment would have been required. VA data has shown using technology at home enables patients with chronic health conditions to live more independently while actively engaging in managing their own health care. The revised regulation is effective May 7, 2012. For more information about telehealth within VA click here: www.telehealth.va.gov/

Legislative Update 052 Washington Weekly May 4, 2012

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY
May 4, 2012

In This Issue:
1. Defense Bill Update
2. Camp Lejeune Exposure
3. Seeking Desert Shield/Storm Veterans
4. Promote Veteran Retraining Assistance Program
5. Nine Thousand Marines to Move
6. Bataan, Corregidor Survivors
7. WWII MIA Identified

1. Defense Bill Update: The House Armed Services Committee is set to hold a full-committee markup next week on the fiscal year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill being considered would set the base defense budget at about $554 billion, or about $4 billion above the president's request and $8 billion above the caps set by the Budget Control Act. It is expected that the bill will eliminate the controversial TRICARE fee hikes proposed by the administration, as well slow the pace of the planned 100,000 active duty troop reduction that will primarily impact the Army and Marine Corps. The bill would also allocate money for an environmental impact study of potential locations along the East Coast for weapons capable of shooting down ballistic missiles. VFW Resolution 405 calls a ballistic missile defense system a national security priority.

2. Camp Lejeune Exposure: The House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees joined forces to request that the Administration provide immediate VA healthcare to Camp Lejeune veterans and their families who were exposed to contaminated water over a 30-year period. After receiving correspondence from VA Secretary Eric Shinseki that it was "premature" to provide healthcare to these veterans, House Chairman Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) and Ranking Member Bob Filner (D-Calif.), and Senate Chairman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-N.C.) sent a letter to President Obama to plead their case. The VFW will continue to monitor developments. If you or someone you know was stationed at Camp Lejeune during the time of exposure (1957-1987), please contact the VFW at: vfwac@vfw.org. To learn more about the exposure of Camp Lejeune veterans at http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2012/04/military-veterans-affairs-should-care-for-camp-lejeune-vets-lawmakers-say-042312w/.

3. Seeking Desert Shield/Storm Veterans: The VA's War Related Injury and Study Center in East Orange, N.J., is asking all Desert Shield/Storm veterans to complete an anonymous online survey to help the VA better understand the problems and needs of first Gulf War veterans. The survey asks for demographic information, deployment experience, physical and mental health problems, and treatments or wellness practices that veterans may or may not be currently using. To complete the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WRIISC_PGW. To learn more about the VA's War Related Injury and Study Centers, go to http://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/.

4. Promote Veteran Retraining Assistance Program: Over the next couple of months, the VFW will continue to raise awareness of a new VA employment training assistance program called the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), authorized by last year's VOW to Hire Heroes Act. VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to veterans age 35 to 60. Eligible participants will receive up to 12 months of training assistance at the full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month). The Department of Labor will also offer employment assistance to every veteran who participates or applies to the VRAP program. Learn more about VRAP at http://benefits.va.gov/vow/education.htm. To learn more about each of the new programs authorized under VOW, click here: http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/04/va-introduces-vow-to-hire-heroes-act.html.

5. Nine Thousand Marines to Move: U.S. and Japanese officials agreed to move 9,000 U.S. Marines off Okinawa to other locations in the Pacific. About 5,000 Marines will head to Guam, with the rest to Hawaii, Australia and possibly California. About 10,000 Marines will remain on Okinawa when the relocation is complete. Read more at http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=116105.

6. Bataan, Corregidor Survivors: The VFW Washington Office joined five Bataan and Corregidor survivors last week to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the infamous Bataan Death March. The veterans included past national commanders of the now-disbanded American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, who traveled to Japan in 2010 and 2011 to receive an official apology from the Japanese government for their maltreatment, and to visit their former POW camps. The five veterans, who represent only about 200 remaining Bataan and Corregidor survivors, are:
* Dr. Lester Tenney, 92, from San Diego, formerly assigned to Company B, 192nd Tank Battalion, Illinois Army National Guard;
* Mr. Joseph Alexander, 85, San Antonio, 440th Ordnance Aviation Bombardment Squadron, Army Air Corps;
* Mr. Donald Versaw, 91, Lakewood, Calif., E Company, 2nd Battalion 4th Marines (China Marines);
* Mr. Ben Steele, 94, Billings, Mont., 7th Material Squadron, 19th Bomb Group, Army Air Corps;
* Mr. Roland Towery, 89, Austin, Texas, Battery C, 60th Army Coast Artillery.

7. WWII MIA Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel announced the identification of remains belonging to Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Charles R. Moritz, 21, of Effingham, Ill. On June 7, 1944, Moritz, of the 555th Fighter Squadron, was piloting a P-51C Mustang when it collided with another U.S. aircraft while on a training flight over Lincolnshire, England. A witness reported the crash, but officials were not able to recover his remains at the time. Read more at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/2012/release_moritz.pdf

Legislative Update 051 Washington Weekly Apr 27, 2012

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY
April 27, 2012

In This Issue:
1. VFW Salutes New GI Bill Protections
2. House Advances VETS Bill and Other Legislation
3. VA Failing Veterans on Mental Health Access
4. VA Exempt from Budget Cuts
5. FY 2013 NDAA Update
6. Clark Veterans Cemetery Update
7. Three MIAs Return Home

1. VFW Salutes New GI Bill Protections: The VFW saluted the President for signing an executive order today to better protect the military and veterans' communities from the predatory recruiting and financial loan practices of some colleges who fail to deliver on their educational promises. The VFW has been a leading voice on improving student-veteran consumer education and played an integral role in drafting some of the provisions in the executive order. To learn more, click here: http://www.vfw.org/News-and-Events/Articles/2012-Articles/VFW-SALUTES-NEW-GI-BILL-PROTECTIONS/. Early next week we will bring you a comprehensive breakdown of the executive order and how it will help prepare student-veterans to best utilize their earned benefits. Check back on Monday with www.vfwonthehill.org for updates.

2. House Advances VETS Bill and Other Legislation: Earlier today, the House VA Committee voted to move the Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service, or VETS, under the jurisdiction of VA. The bill, H.R. 4072, would transfer all veterans' job training, counseling and rehabilitation as well as homeless reintegration programs under VA. Other provisions amended into the bill include authorizing a pilot program in five states that allows veterans and their spouses' access to key components of the TAP program and adjusting the cost of living increase -- beginning in FY 2014 - for veterans to the same percentage as social security thus eliminating the need for annual legislation. Other VFW-supported legislation that cleared the committee included:
H.R. 4114 would provide a cost-of-living adjustment for veterans' benefits in FY 2013.
H.R. 3670, legislation that closes a long overdue loophole in rehiring compliance within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
H.R. 4482 which improves VA's home loan guaranty programs regarding adjustable rate mortgages and hybrid adjustable rate mortgages.
H.R. 4201, The Servicemember Family Protection Act, which would protect deployed servicemembers in child custody suits
The VFW was one of the leading voices on Capitol Hill advocating to move VETS under VA. To learn more about VFW's support to this bill and to read our testimony on it, click here: http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/03/watch-live-testimony-on-veterans-jobs.html.

3. VA Failing Veterans on Mental Health Care: This week, the VA Inspector General released a critical report that details flaws in the way VA calculates wait times for mental health appointments. This report contradicts VA's claims that 95% of new patients wanting mental health services received full evaluations for care within the required 14 day period. The IG reported that just 49% were seen in that time frame, and that the average wait time was 50 days. The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee who had requested the report earlier this year, held a hearing on Wednesday to discuss the huge disparity between what VA reported as wait times for veterans and what actually was found at facilities across the country. Senate VA Chairman Parry Murray (D-0WA) called the report deeply disturbing and demanded VA take action to revamp its scheduling system and get serious about hiring mental health professionals. To read our blog posting on this issue click here: http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/04/watch-live-senate-hosts-hearing-on-vets.html

4. VA Exempt from Budget Cuts: After months of inquiries from the VFW, VSO's and Congress, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) finally released a letter stating that VA health care programs would be exempt from mandatory budget cuts should sequestration occur at the end of this year. VFW Commander-in-Chief Richard L. DeNoyer praised the outcome, "Today's decision means the healthcare plans and programs the VA currently provides to millions of disabled veterans will continue unabated, as will claims processing and veterans' burial benefits." He said. Mandatory budget cuts were put in place after Congress failed to reach an agreement on spending cuts and deficit reduction. To read our press release and the official OMB letter click here: http://www.vfw.org/News-and-Events/Articles/2012-Articles/VA-EXEMPT-FROM-SEQUESTRATION/. To read about the justification behind the VA exemption, click here: http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/04/why-va-programs-will-be-exempt-from.html.

5. FY 2013 NDAA Update: This week, The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel approved its portion of the FY 2013 NDAA, and the Senate Armed Services Committee held another hearing to discuss matters related to personnel. The House subcommittee voted against increasing fees in the Tricare system and cleared a 1.7 percent across-the-board pay raise for service members. The House proposal also included a VFW-supported provision that would require DOD to provide Congress with frequent briefings on allegations of sexual assault and harassment in the military. The VFW will continue to monitor both Committees' as they move the bill through the process.

6. Clark Veterans Cemetery Update: The VFW is supporting legislation introduced by Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) to direct the American Battle Monuments Commission to assume responsibility of the veterans cemetery at the former Clark Air Base in the Philippines. The U.S. abandoned the cemetery and air base in 1991 when Mt. Pinatubo erupted. Beginning in 1994, local VFW Post 2485 took on the mission to keep the Clark cemetery up to standards using their own resources. Ayotte's bill, S. 2320, would ensure the responsibility is formally transferred to ABMC. Approximately 8,600 American veterans dating back to the Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection, along with dependents, and U.S. Government-authorized civilians and Philippine Scouts are interred there. The companion bill in the House is H.R. 4168, introduced by Rep. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.). Learn more at http://www.cvcra.org/.

7. Three MIAs Return Home: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced the identification of remains belonging to three soldiers previously missing in action from the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Returned home are:
* Army Sgt. 1st Class Edris A. Viers, 32, of Swan, Iowa. In August 1950, Viers and Battery A, 555th Field Artillery Battalion, would be listed as missing in action fighting against North Koreans in a battle known as the "Bloody Gulch," near Pongam-ni, South Korea.
* Army Pfc. Nelson E. Young, 19, of Suffolk, Mass. In late November 1950, Young and elements of the 31st Regimental Combat Team, known as "Task Force Faith," were attacked advancing along the eastern banks of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. It was learned after the war that Young had been captured by the Chinese, but died several months later as the result of malnutrition.
* Army Capt. Charles R. Barnes, 27, of Philadelphia. On March 16, 1969, Barnes and four other service members departed Qui Nhon Airfield in a U-21A Ute aircraft. As they approached Da Nang, they encountered low clouds and poor visibility. Communications with the aircraft were lost. Immediate search efforts found nothing of the aircraft or crew.
Read more about their individual stories at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/.

Legislative Update 050 Washington Weekly Apr 20, 2012

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY
April 20, 2012

In This Issue
1. Soldier to Receive Posthumous MoH
2. VFW Testifies on Disability Claims Process
3. VFW Testifies on VeteranIs' Health Bills
4. House Subcommittee Clears Vets' Bills
5. VOW Act Website Launched
6. Two Korean War MIAs Identified

1. Soldier to Receive Posthumous MoH: Army Spc. 4 Leslie H. Sabo Jr., a rifleman with the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War, will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony next month. Sabo is credited with saving the lives of several of his comrades in Company B, 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry, when his platoon was ambushed near the Se San River in eastern Cambodia on May 10, 1970. Sabo shielded a comrade from an enemy grenade and silenced a machine-gun bunker before he was killed. Sabo's unit nominated him for the Medal of Honor, but the paperwork was lost until a fellow veteran and writer for the Screaming Eagle Association magazine came across a thick file on Sabo while on a research trip to the National Archives military repository in College Park, Md. Read more at http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=67965.

2. VFW Testifies on Disability Claims Process: This week, the VFW testified as part of a panel of experts on the role of veterans' representatives throughout the VA disability claims process. Speaking before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, our remarks centered on the importance of having a claim representative help veterans obtain benefits from VA. Currently, VFW has 1,300 accredited individuals providing assistance to veterans and survivors.
We also spoke about our VA accredited training program and the critical need for a thorough understanding of the complexities of the disability claims process and rating system.
Other panelists included DAV, the American Legion, VA and a local law firm that does litigation on behalf of veterans. To learn more about the hearing and to view the archived webcast, click here: http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/04/watch-live-vfw-to-testify-on-va-claims.html.

3. VFW Testifies on Veterans' Health Bills: On Monday, VFW testified before the House Subcommittee on Health on an array of veterans health care related bills. The Committee appeared most interested in H.R. 3279, legislation which clarifies a serious illness as being eligible for caregiver benefits and H.R. 1460, which would direct VA to automatically enroll service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan into the VA health care system. The VFW also testified on H.R. 3016, which requires VA and DOD to operate a joint Federal Recovery Coordination Program, H.R. 3337, which establishes a burn pit registry for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who may have been exposed to toxins overseas and others. For our complete testimony and listing of all the bills, or to view the recorded webcast visit: http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/04/icymi-vfw-testifies-on-veterans-health.html.

4. House Subcommittee Clears Vets' Bills: The House VA Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs cleared several VFW- supported bills out of committee. They now move to the full committee for a vote. They included:
H.R. 4142, which would automatically adjust the cost-of-living increase for veterans to the same percentage as social security COLA, thereby eliminating the need for legislation every year.
H.R. 2051, which provides burials for unclaimed veteran remains identified by the Missing in America project. For a listing of all of the bills, visit the House VA Committee website at:
http://veterans.house.gov/markup/markup-of-hr-4114-ans-to-hr-4142-ans-to-hr-2377

5. VOW Act Website Launched: On April 17, VA launched the VOW to Hire Heroes Act website. VFW played a critical role in getting this critical employment legislation passed into law. The site provides comprehensive information on all aspects of the VOW Act to include details about the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), tax credits for employers, vocational rehabilitation services, the transition assistance program, and Department of Labor resources for veterans. Qualified veterans will be able to apply for the VRAP program which offers 12 months of retraining assistance directly from the site starting on May 15, 2012. VFW highlighted the new website on our blog, which you can read about here: http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/04/va-introduces-vow-to-hire-heroes-act.html. For more information on the new programs and benefits, click here:
http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/

6. Two Korean War MIAs Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced the identifications of remains belonging to two soldiers who had been missing in action since the Korean War. Returned home are:
* Army Pfc. Richard E. Clapp, 19, of Seattle, Wash. On Sept. 2, 1950, Clapp and C Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, came under fire near Yulchon, South Korea. Clapp was killed in action, but the Army was unable to identify his remains at the time, and he was buried as "Unknown" in a military cemetery on the Korean Peninsula, then reinterred in "The "Punchbowl" National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
* Army Cpl. James N. Larkin, 34, of Kirkwood, Mo. On Feb. 11, 1951, Larkin and his unit, known as "Support Force 21" from the 2nd Infantry Division, were attacked by Chinese forces near Changbong-ni, South Korea. Following the battle, Larkin was listed as missing in action. It was later learned he had died in April 1951 from battle wounds and malnutrition while held captive in the Chinese operated POW camp known as "Bean Camp" located in North Korea.
Read more at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/.

Legislative Update 049 Washington Weekly Apr 13, 2012

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY
April 13, 2012


In This Issue
1. Two Crosses Awarded
2. Sunday Registration Deadline for Montford Point Marines
3. Congress Returns to Busy Schedule
4. Nevada VFW Town Hall Field Report
5. Roth TSP Phase-In
6. Three Korean War MIAs Identified

1. Two Crosses Awarded: The Air Force and Army on Thursday awarded their highest service medals for bravery to two Operation Enduring Freedom veterans.
* Army Sgt. Felipe Pereira became the first 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagle" to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross since Vietnam. During a Nov. 1, 2010, dismounted patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan, an improvised explosive device detonated, killing two soldiers in Pereira's squad. With an enemy ambush underway, and despite sustaining shrapnel wounds and a collapsed lung himself, Pereira drove a vehicle into enemy fire to help evacuate wounded soldiers, and then went back again to help others. Pereira is credited with saving the lives of two of his fellow soldiers, while risking his own on multiple occasions. Only after all of the wounded had been evacuated and were receiving medical care did he accept treatment himself. Read more at http://www.army.mil/article/77726/Screaming_Eagle_Soldier_receives_Distinguished_Service_Cross/.
* Air Force Capt. Barry F. Crawford Jr. was awarded the Air Force Cross for his actions as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller to brave enemy fire while controlling over 33 aircraft and more than 40 airstrikes during a May 4, 2010, ambush in Laghman Province, Afghanistan, that allowed his special operations team to get out of the kill zone and ultimately saved the lives of his American special forces and Afghan commando teammates. The team of approximately 100 personnel had to run a gauntlet of enemy fire no matter where they were in the valley. Acting without hesitation, Crawford bounded across open terrain to guide in a medevac helicopter and engaged enemy positions with his assault rifle while calling in AH-64 Apache attacks to defeat the ambush. Read more at http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123297774.

2. Sunday Registration Deadline for Montford Point Marines: Sunday, April 15, is the final day for Montford Point Marines to register to attend the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony that will soon take place in Washington, D.C. Invitations to the ceremony are limited to properly documented living Montford Point Marines; one lineal descendent of a Montford Point Marine killed in action during World War II; or one lineal descendent of a Montford Point Marine who was alive when President Obama signed the bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal into law last November. For more information or to register, contact Joe Geeter at geeterj@yahoo.com or (610) 495-3619, or go to http://www.dvidshub.net/news/86351/montford-point-marine-congressional-gold-medal-registration-deadline-announced.

3. Congress Returns to Busy Schedule: Congress returns next week to a busy schedule of hearings and budget negotiations. VFW will be testifying at two House VA Committee hearings. On Monday, VFW will be testifying on an array of healthcare related bills before the Health Subcommittee, and on Wednesday, to discuss the VA disability claims process in front of the full committee. The hearing, entitled "From the Inside Out: A look at Claims Representatives' Role in the Disability Claims Process," intends to look at the entire process from the VSO representatives perspective. Be sure to check our blog at www.vfwonthehill.org for more information on both hearings. To view the live webcast of either hearing, visit the House VA Committee website at http://veterans.house.gov/.

4. Nevada VFW Town Hall Field Report: Members and advocates from the VFW Department of Nevada joined a Congressional veterans' town hall meeting with Rep. Mark Amodei (R) in Elko, Nevada, on April 3. Learn more about the town hall at http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/04/field-report-nevada-vfw-joins-veterans.html. Members of Congress are still in recess over the weekend, which makes for a perfect opportunity for all VFW advocates to meet and discuss our priority goals with them. To submit an advocacy Field Report of your own for publication on the VFW Capitol Hill blog, simply fill out our online form at http://www.vfw.org/Forms/Capitol-Hill-Blog-Submissions/, or send your stories, photos or videos directly to vfwac@vfw.org.

5. Roth TSP Phase-In: The Defense Finance and Accounting Service will begin processing Roth Thrift Savings Plan elections for Defense Department civilian employees and military customers using a phased approach beginning in June and continuing through October 2012. The retirement investment choice will give civilian employees and military service members the option to contribute after-tax wages into TSP for the first time. Implementation will begin with the Marine Corps in June, DOD civilians in July, and Army, Navy and Air Force members in October. Read more at http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=67933.

6. Three Korean War MIAs Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office recently announced the identification of remains belonging to three soldiers who had been missing in action since the Korean War. Recovered are:
* Army Cpl. Patrick R. Glennon, 18, of Rochester, N.Y. On Nov. 1, 1950, Glennon and G Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, were holding a defensive position along the Nammyon River near Unsan, North Korea, when they were attacked by Chinese forces. Glennon was listed as missing in action following the heavy fighting.
* Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard L. Harris, 23, of Spokane, Wash. In late November 1950, Harris and elements of the 2nd Infantry Division, were in a defensive line north of Kujang, North Korea, when they were attacked by Chinese forces in what became known as the Battle of the Chongchon. It would be learned that Harris had been captured, but died of malnutrition in a North Korean POW camp on Jan. 22, 1951.
* Army Pfc. Frank P. Jennings, 20, of Parsons, Tenn. In late April 1951, Jennings and E Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, were battling Chinese Communist Forces near Jeon-Gog, South Korea. Jennings was reported as missing in action; his status was later changed to killed in action.
Read their individual stories at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/.

Legislative Update 048 Washington Weekly Mar 30, 2012

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY
March 30, 2012
In This Issue
1. House VA Committee Hearings
2. VFW Testifies on Pending Legislation
3. Senate Committee Discusses Military Personnel and TRICARE
4. Senate Kicks Off "I Hire Veterans" Campaign
5. Congress on Spring Recess
6. Korean War MIA Identified

1. House VA Committee Hearings: The House Veterans' Affairs Committee had a busy week of hearings. On Wednesday the committee heard testimony regarding the status of four major construction projects and various medical facility leases across the country. Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL) and several other members from Florida districts spent most of the hearing questioning witnesses about serious problems at the Orlando VA Medical center site. According to representatives from the construction company under contract, ongoing problems with the design, procurement of medical equipment, and numerous change orders has delayed the project and increased costs. The medical facility is now expected to open in the fall of 2013 instead of summer 2012. Other projects discussed included Las Vegas, Denver and New Orleans with estimated costs to complete at around $3 billion dollars.

On Wednesday, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity (EO) also held a hearing to reevaluate the transition process for service members. The focus of the hearing was on the implementation of the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), a joint VA/DOD examination and records integration and the Federal Recovery Coordinator (FRC) program. The joint evaluation system was put in place in 2007 to better assist recovering service members and their families transition from active-duty to VA. Former commission members, DOD and VA officials and several VSO representatives testified on the programs. The VSO experts agreed that more transparency and consistency is need to eliminate confusion for service members and to clarify the process between the two departments.

Later on Wednesday, the EO Subcommittee also cleared several VFW-supported bills. The bills included, H.R. 3670, legislation that VFW was instrumental in getting introduced which closes a long overdue loophole in rehiring compliance within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and H.R. 4051, the TAP Modernization Act of 2012, which will authorize a pilot program to offer off-base TAP to communities where veterans have been hit hard by the economy. To read about VFW's testimony in support of the bills, click here: http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/03/watch-live-testimony-on-veterans-jobs.html
For more information on any of the hearings or to view the recorded webcasts, visit the House VA Committee website at: http://veterans.house.gov/

2. VFW Testifies on Pending Legislation: On Thursday, the VFW testified on a series of bills before the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. One bill, the American Heroes COLA Act would permanently tie the annual cost-of-living increase for veterans and their survivors receiving disability compensation from VA to social security. Currently Congress must pass legislation annually authorizing the increase to enable veterans to receive the same percentages provided to social security recipients. Other VFW-supported bills included H.R. 4168, legislation that gives the authority to properly care and maintain Clark Cemetery in the Philippines back to the U.S. government, and H.R. 2051 which directs VA to work with the Missing in America Project and other organizations in locating remains of veterans eligible for burial in a national cemetery. To learn more about the hearing and to watch a live webcast, click here: http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/03/watch-live-vfw-to-testify-on-pending.html.
To read VFW's testimony click here: http://www.vfw.org/VFW-in-DC/Congressional-Testimony/DAMA-Bill-Hearing/

3. Senate Committee Discusses Military Personnel and TRICARE: On Wednesday, the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel held a hearing to discuss issues the DoD budget as part of their work to craft this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Jo Ann Rooney, the acting undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, outlined four areas the DoD is working to reduce the "unsustainable" cost growth in the Military Health System. They include a focus on prevention and overall health, garnering internal efficiencies, reform of the contracts with providers in the TRICARE networks, and increasing costs to beneficiaries. The VFW believes that the proposals from DoD amount to an unacceptable shift in costs that would only increase over time due to several factors, including proposed indexing of future cost increases to civilian medical inflation. We ask you to reach out to your members in the House and Senate to remind them of the many options that exist to reduce overall cost, and stress that those who serve in the military are not a revenue stream for DoD.
To read our alert on the Defense Budget and Tricare, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=61005316

4. Senate Kicks Off "I Hire Veterans" Campaign: VFW attended the Senate Veterans' Job Caucus kick-off of the "I Hire Veterans" campaign. The initiative encourages members of the Senate and public to display a simple logo (download here: http://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=ab02847c-4d6b-4003-9996-39ffcdf23456 ) in their offices and businesses to show their commitment to hiring veterans. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) along with 29 others has joined the caucus to promote putting service members back to work. The caucus, which launched in February, brings leaders together in an effort to fight the high unemployment among veterans. Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis expressed her support for the initiative and reminded business leaders that veterans bring unique skills, leadership and experience to the table.

5. Congress on Spring Recess: Members of Congress will be in their home states/districts next week. Now is a great time to set up an appointment to discuss the VFW Legislative Priority Goals and urge them to support a budget that takes care of veterans and our active duty military, guard and reserve members and their families. VFW has been in the forefront of the Tricare and Military Retirement issue and asks you to join with us in defeating any proposals that may be harmful to veterans and our military. For talking points on our "Join the Fight" campaign and a complete listing of all our Legislative Priority Goals use the attached links. Remember, you have influence with your elected officials, use it. We cannot win the fight without your help and advocacy!
http://www.vfw.org/News-and-Events/Articles/2012-Articles/JOIN-THE-FIGHT!/
http://www.vfw.org/uploadedFiles/VFW.org/VFW_in_DC/2012%20Priority%20Goals%20Brochure.PDF

6. Korean War MIA Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced the identification of remains belonging to Army Sgt. William E. Brashear, 24, of Owensboro, Ky. In November 1950, Brashear of Company B, 70th Tank Battalion, along with almost 600 other 8th Cavalry Regiment soldiers, were killed in action during a battle south of Unsan, North Korea. Their bodies were not recoverable at the time and were later buried by enemy forces. Read more at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/

Legislative Update 047 Washington Weekly Mar 23, 2012

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY
March 23, 2012
 
In This Issue
1. Army Chief Questioned on PTSD Diagnoses During Budget Hearing
2. VA Funding Update
3. VFW Action Sparks Legislation to Help Student-Veterans
4. Stop Loss Pay Extended
5. North Korean MIA Operations Suspended
6. Field Report: VFW Helps Colorado Veterans' Forum Develop Solutions

1. Army Chief Questioned on PTSD Diagnoses During Budget Hearing: During a routine Defense Appropriations hearing this week, Senate VA Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) questioned Army Secretary John McHugh on the handling of PTSD cases by the forensic psychiatry unit at Madigan Army Medical Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Murray's home state. Murray asked why more than 40 percent of the service members who walked in the door with a PTSD diagnosis at Madigan had their diagnosis either changed or overturned entirely. The forensic psychiatry unit at Madigan is currently under investigation for failure to properly diagnose and treat the invisible wounds of war. Information dated back to 2007 has shown that hundreds of cases are under investigation for changing mental health diagnoses based on the cost of providing care and benefits to service members. The Army is currently reevaluating nearly 300 service members and veterans who have had their PTSD diagnoses changed by that unit since 2007. To read Stars & Stripes coverage of the hearing, click here: http://www.stripes.com/news/senator-diverts-hearing-to-get-answers-on-ptsd-care-1.172285.

2. VA Funding Update: The House Appropriations' Subcommittee on Military Construction and VA discussed the FY 2013 VA budget. The legislation is still in draft form but committee members discussed funding for medical care, compensation and pension and weighed in on education, vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance for veterans. Committee members also raised concerns about the disability claims backlog and the amount of time it takes to process a claim and high unemployment rates among young veterans. Secretary Shinseki provided testimony for VA.
To view the recorded webcast of the hearing click here: http://appropriations.house.gov/Subcommittees/Subcommittee/?IssueID=35986

3. VFW Action Sparks Legislation to Help Student-Veterans: This week Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the "GI Education Equity Act of 2012," a bipartisan bill to help ensure student-veterans have access to quality educational counseling before tapping into their G.I. Bill benefits, and a clear method of recourse should student-veterans feel they have become victims of fraud, waste or abuse. The bill reflects the two main tenets of a letter VFW sent to House, Senate and Obama Administration leadership, calling for improved consumer education and recourse mechanisms for student-veterans, and signed by a diverse coalition of veterans' education stakeholders. To learn more about the bill click here: http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/03/vfw-action-sparks-legislation-to-better.html.

4. Stop Loss Pay Extended: Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP) has been extended to Oct. 21, 2012. The Office of Enlisted Personnel Management believes many qualified individuals have not applied for the pay and hopes that the extension will allow those eligible more time to apply under the program guidelines. RSLSP was established to compensate for the hardships military members encountered when their service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss authority between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009. Eligible members or their beneficiaries may submit a claim to their respective military service in order to receive the benefit of $500 for each full or partial month served in a Stop Loss status. To apply for the pay, or for more information on RSLSP, including submission requirements and service-specific links, go to http://www.defense.gov/stoploss

5. North Korean MIA Operations Suspended: The U.S. has suspended efforts to find remains of U.S. service members lost during the Korean War due to North Korean threats to launch a ballistic missile. The announcement came less than two months after it was announced MIA recovery operations would resume after a seven-year absence. An estimated 5,300 of almost 8,000 American MIAs from the Korean War are missing in North Korea. Read more at http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=67639.

6. Field Report: VFW Helps Colorado Veterans' Forum Develop Solutions: Last year Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) put together a state veterans' forum, comprised of veterans' advocates and leaders across the state in an effort to better serve Colorado's veterans. In January, a forum subcommittee, chaired by VFW Post 1 Commander Izzy Abbass came together to address a series of veterans' issues under the title "Better Serving Those Who Have Served." To learn more about the subcommittee and its priorities for serving Colorado's veterans, click here: http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/03/field-report-vfw-helps-colorado.html.