/PRNewswire/ -- A concentrated lobbying effort by The American Legion and fellow VSOs (veterans service organizations) has culminated in U.S. Senate passage of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Improvements Act of 2010. The legislation expands and improves educational assistance for veterans who served in the armed forces after September 11, 2001.
"This is great news," said Jimmie L. Foster, National Commander of The American Legion. "This bill rectifies the inequities and shortcomings of the well-intentioned but incomplete Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and makes it whole."
Among other things, the new measure expands Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to include financial assistance to veterans pursuing training in vocational schools and through distance learning programs. Presently, assistance under that legislation is available only to those veterans attending degree-granting colleges and universities. The act also expands benefits to certain members of the National Guard and Reserve forces and provides students with an annual allowance for the purchase of textbooks while streamlining the application and benefits award processes.
Passage of the bill is the product of an intensive lobbying campaign by The American Legion that began immediately after implementation of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill last year. Bob Madden, assistant director of the Legion's economic division, testified before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee in July and strongly urged support of many of the provisions that were ultimately included in the new measure. Commander Foster emphasized the importance of the "fix-it" bill during his testimony before a joint session of Congress shortly after he took office in September. At the time he said, "The American Legion urges enhancement to the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill that would give veterans a more robust educational benefit." His championship continued the legacy of The American Legion in seeking educational benefits for veterans. The Legion drafted the original World War II-era G.I. Bill -- the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 -- and was integral in the writing of the Post-9/11 bill as well as its latest enhancements.
The Senate measure, sponsored by Senator Daniel Akaka, a World War II veteran and beneficiary of the 1944 G.I. Bill, now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. A vote in that chamber may come as early as Thursday of this week. The bill is supported by many House members, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee Bob Filner.
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Showing posts with label legislation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label legislation. Show all posts
14 December 2010
14 October 2010
111th Congress Achieves Banner Year on Veterans Legislation
/PRNewswire/ -- Congress may be receiving low approval ratings from the general voting population, but The American Legion says lawmakers have done quite well on veterans issues this year.
"The 111th Congress may be remembered for banner legislation such as health-care reform, financial regulation and the recovery act," said Jimmie Foster, national commander of the Legion. "But, in our view, the real successes were the passage of bills that affected nearly every veteran in America."
Chief among the pieces of veteran-related legislation was the "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009," which guarantees appropriations for VA health care one full year in advance.
Another significant milestone for the 111th Congress was the "Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010." The bill included substantially increased VA funding for fiscal 2010 – the agency's first budget to exceed $100 billion.
More recently enacted laws affecting veterans include the "Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010," which created a pilot program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers, and also addressed a number of issues important to women veterans and those residing in rural areas.
A bill signed in July provided $13.4 billion to compensate Vietnam veterans who have suffered ill effects from exposure to the toxic herbicide, Agent Orange.
Within the past month, bills have been passed that provide a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for veterans receiving VA benefits, and expand state veterans nursing-home care to include parents whose children have died on active duty.
The American Legion's legislative director, Tim Tetz, said that, although Congress is becoming increasingly partisan, "the bipartisan passage of so many veterans bills by the 111th Congress certainly demonstrates its commitment to honor the sacrifices of those who have served in uniform."
Still awaiting President Obama's signature is the "Veterans Benefits Act of 2010." This omnibus legislation will clarify and, in some cases, expand certain benefits – including those related to homeless veterans, burial benefits, and adaptive automobile allowances for disabled veterans.
Foster laid out The American Legion's legislative agenda for next year during testimony before a joint House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on Sept. 22. His list of priorities included a repeal of the disabled veterans tax, which penalizes military retirees by reducing their pension payments if they are receiving VA disability compensation.
The Legion also favors extending Post-9/11 GI Bill education funding to include vocational and distance-learning curricula, and providing benefits to more National Guard and reserve servicemembers.
Despite the work yet to be done, the Legion's national commander reiterated his praise for the 111th Congress. Reflecting upon his visit to Washington last month, Foster said, "I came to town to deliver my testimony on the needs of our nation's veterans. Before I left, Congress had passed half of our legislative agenda."
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"The 111th Congress may be remembered for banner legislation such as health-care reform, financial regulation and the recovery act," said Jimmie Foster, national commander of the Legion. "But, in our view, the real successes were the passage of bills that affected nearly every veteran in America."
Chief among the pieces of veteran-related legislation was the "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009," which guarantees appropriations for VA health care one full year in advance.
Another significant milestone for the 111th Congress was the "Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010." The bill included substantially increased VA funding for fiscal 2010 – the agency's first budget to exceed $100 billion.
More recently enacted laws affecting veterans include the "Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010," which created a pilot program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers, and also addressed a number of issues important to women veterans and those residing in rural areas.
A bill signed in July provided $13.4 billion to compensate Vietnam veterans who have suffered ill effects from exposure to the toxic herbicide, Agent Orange.
Within the past month, bills have been passed that provide a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for veterans receiving VA benefits, and expand state veterans nursing-home care to include parents whose children have died on active duty.
The American Legion's legislative director, Tim Tetz, said that, although Congress is becoming increasingly partisan, "the bipartisan passage of so many veterans bills by the 111th Congress certainly demonstrates its commitment to honor the sacrifices of those who have served in uniform."
Still awaiting President Obama's signature is the "Veterans Benefits Act of 2010." This omnibus legislation will clarify and, in some cases, expand certain benefits – including those related to homeless veterans, burial benefits, and adaptive automobile allowances for disabled veterans.
Foster laid out The American Legion's legislative agenda for next year during testimony before a joint House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on Sept. 22. His list of priorities included a repeal of the disabled veterans tax, which penalizes military retirees by reducing their pension payments if they are receiving VA disability compensation.
The Legion also favors extending Post-9/11 GI Bill education funding to include vocational and distance-learning curricula, and providing benefits to more National Guard and reserve servicemembers.
Despite the work yet to be done, the Legion's national commander reiterated his praise for the 111th Congress. Reflecting upon his visit to Washington last month, Foster said, "I came to town to deliver my testimony on the needs of our nation's veterans. Before I left, Congress had passed half of our legislative agenda."
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03 June 2010
American Legion Welcomes New Measure to Improve GI Bill Benefits
/PRNewswire/ -- The American Legion welcomed the introduction of a Senate bill last week that would substantially improve and expand education benefits for veterans.
Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, is sponsoring the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010, which he introduced in the Senate on May 27.
"This new legislation would realize some of the changes we've been suggesting to Congress for the past couple of years," said Clarence Hill, national commander of The American Legion. "We're especially happy to see that Senator Akaka's bill would extend benefits to those veterans attending vocational schools, on-the-job training and apprenticeships."
Hill said the original 1944 GI Bill - authored and championed by The American Legion - paid for the education of about 16 million veterans. "And half of them went to some type of vocational institution after World War II, so it's most appropriate to expand today's benefits beyond traditional colleges and universities."
Robert Madden, assistant director of The American Legion's economic division, said that if Akaka's bill (S. 3447) becomes law, "every veteran would be free to choose any type of education and employment path that he or she happens to desire.
"Veterans have served America with pride and dedication. With bipartisan support, Congress can show its gratitude to them and their families by creating a GI Bill that is much more equitable," Madden said.
If passed, Akaka's legislation would upgrade veterans education benefits with several new provisions, including:
-- Veterans attending vocational schools would receive the national
yearly average for tuition/fee payments, plus housing stipend based
upon regular rate of the military's BHA (basic housing allowance).
-- On-the-job training and apprenticeships will be paid for on a prorated
schedule: 75 percent of costs for the first six months, 55 percent for
the next six months, and 35 percent for each subsequent month up to 24
additional months; benefits also include housing stipend and $1,000
annual book stipend.
-- 60 percent of charges for flight training and 55 percent for
correspondence courses will be covered, based on the national average
of established cost at all institutions of higher learning.
-- Servicemembers who retired after Sept. 11, 2001 but before the
Post-9/11 GI Bill went into effect would be able to transfer current
veterans education benefits to their family members (this provision
would be paid for by DoD and other federal agencies).
-- Housing allowance: distance-learning students and those attending
schools overseas will receive 50 percent of the established rate
(which would become prorated, based on a veteran's actual course
load).
-- Instead of paying up to $2,000 for a one-time test for licensure or
certification, an unlimited number of tests will be allowed, with
charges being deducted from a veteran's monthly benefits.
During a hearing before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on April 21, Madden urged Congress to cover non-degree education programs with GI Bill benefits, saying that such a disparity "has caused much concern."
At that same hearing, Akaka promised to introduce legislation before Memorial Day to help improve veterans education benefits. He delivered on that promise last week.
-----
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Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, is sponsoring the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010, which he introduced in the Senate on May 27.
"This new legislation would realize some of the changes we've been suggesting to Congress for the past couple of years," said Clarence Hill, national commander of The American Legion. "We're especially happy to see that Senator Akaka's bill would extend benefits to those veterans attending vocational schools, on-the-job training and apprenticeships."
Hill said the original 1944 GI Bill - authored and championed by The American Legion - paid for the education of about 16 million veterans. "And half of them went to some type of vocational institution after World War II, so it's most appropriate to expand today's benefits beyond traditional colleges and universities."
Robert Madden, assistant director of The American Legion's economic division, said that if Akaka's bill (S. 3447) becomes law, "every veteran would be free to choose any type of education and employment path that he or she happens to desire.
"Veterans have served America with pride and dedication. With bipartisan support, Congress can show its gratitude to them and their families by creating a GI Bill that is much more equitable," Madden said.
If passed, Akaka's legislation would upgrade veterans education benefits with several new provisions, including:
-- Veterans attending vocational schools would receive the national
yearly average for tuition/fee payments, plus housing stipend based
upon regular rate of the military's BHA (basic housing allowance).
-- On-the-job training and apprenticeships will be paid for on a prorated
schedule: 75 percent of costs for the first six months, 55 percent for
the next six months, and 35 percent for each subsequent month up to 24
additional months; benefits also include housing stipend and $1,000
annual book stipend.
-- 60 percent of charges for flight training and 55 percent for
correspondence courses will be covered, based on the national average
of established cost at all institutions of higher learning.
-- Servicemembers who retired after Sept. 11, 2001 but before the
Post-9/11 GI Bill went into effect would be able to transfer current
veterans education benefits to their family members (this provision
would be paid for by DoD and other federal agencies).
-- Housing allowance: distance-learning students and those attending
schools overseas will receive 50 percent of the established rate
(which would become prorated, based on a veteran's actual course
load).
-- Instead of paying up to $2,000 for a one-time test for licensure or
certification, an unlimited number of tests will be allowed, with
charges being deducted from a veteran's monthly benefits.
During a hearing before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on April 21, Madden urged Congress to cover non-degree education programs with GI Bill benefits, saying that such a disparity "has caused much concern."
At that same hearing, Akaka promised to introduce legislation before Memorial Day to help improve veterans education benefits. He delivered on that promise last week.
-----
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20 May 2010
Senate Committee Hears American Legion Testimony on Bills Affecting Veterans
/PRNewswire/ -- The American Legion testified in Congress yesterday on several pieces of pending legislation that would affect veterans if signed into law.
Appearing before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Ian de Planque conveyed The American Legion's support for several bills being considered by the committee. De Planque is deputy director of the Legion's veterans affairs and rehabilitation division:
S. 1939: Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009
The American Legion strongly supports the extension of presumption of exposure to Agent Orange for veterans who served on naval vessels located in the territorial waters of Vietnam (known as the "blue water" Navy veterans).
De Planque cited a 2008 study by the Institute of Medicine, which builds a solid case for making blue water veterans eligible for benefits arising from Agent Orange-related disabilities. He said the report "provides scientific justification for this current legislation, which admirably seeks to correct the grave injustice faced by 'blue water' Navy veterans. The American Legion strongly supports this legislation."
S. 1940: To study the effects on children whose parents were exposed to Agent Orange
This bill directs VA to complete a study - and report its findings to Congress - on how servicemembers' exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam has affected their children (including possible links to multiple sclerosis and asthma).
Such a study, de Planque said, "can help establish the associations necessary to allow the VA to provide entitlement to all benefits due to the child or children of any veteran exposed to a Vietnam-era herbicide agent."
S. 3035: Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Care Improvement Act of 2010
VA would establish a polytrauma rehabilitation center in the northwestern United States. The American Legion believes this center will help VA health-care outreach to many rural areas.
The American Legion is urging the committee to consider funding additional areas of TBI studies and emerging treatments in the private sector, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and the Mt. Sinai Hospital's Brain Injury Screening Questionnaire.
"The American Legion remains concerned that the private sector uses a 100-question screening test, while DoD and VA only use a four-part questionnaire," de Planque told the committee, chaired by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii.
S. 3234: Veterans Employment Assistance Act of 2010
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., introduced this legislation less than a week after The American Legion testified to a House subcommittee on the seriousness of unemployment in the veterans community.
Updating the Senate committee with current data, de Planque said that 14.7 percent of OIF/OEF veterans are jobless; the rate is 30.2 percent for veterans aged 18 to 24. "The total number of unemployed veterans of the two wars is about 250,000," he said. "This legislation would provide these veterans with the training and additional skills they need in order to acquire gainful employment in today's marketplace."
The bill has several provisions The American Legion has backed for some time: extend GI Bill benefits to vocational and apprenticeship programs, more training and counseling for small businesses, and creating pilot programs to help veterans market their military experience and training more effectively.
"No mission is more critical at this time in our history - given the nation's involvement in two wars and the uncertain economic situation - than enabling America's veterans to have a seamless transition from military service to the civilian workforce," de Planque said.
S. 3368: Allows certain individuals to sign VA claims on behalf of claimants
The VA's fiduciary program is addressed in this legislation, which would give legally designated representatives the authority to sign and file VA claims for veterans who are incapable or unable to do so themselves.
The American Legion supports this bill, but emphasizes the need for proper oversight to ensure that veterans' rights are protected.
"Dedicated oversight is necessary to ensure that the veterans affected, most of whom have little ability to protect themselves in such situations, are not subject to being taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals or institutions," de Planque told the committee.
In previous congressional testimony, The American Legion recommended that VA should allocate more staff solely to administer its fiduciary program.
S. 3348: Allows misfiled disability claims appeals to be treated as motions for reconsideration
Many veterans, unfamiliar with the procedure for filing disability claims appeals, mistakenly file their appeals with VA instead of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC).
If veterans disagree with the decisions made on their disability claims by the Board of Veterans Appeals, they have 120 days after notification to appeal that decision to CAVC. This legislation would offer protection to veterans who file their cases in error.
"This legislation can serve as a safety net for veterans already confused by a complex system, such as the system for adjudication of veterans benefits," de Planque said.
The American Legion also wants to extend the appeals filing period from 120 days to one year.
-----
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Appearing before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Ian de Planque conveyed The American Legion's support for several bills being considered by the committee. De Planque is deputy director of the Legion's veterans affairs and rehabilitation division:
S. 1939: Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009
The American Legion strongly supports the extension of presumption of exposure to Agent Orange for veterans who served on naval vessels located in the territorial waters of Vietnam (known as the "blue water" Navy veterans).
De Planque cited a 2008 study by the Institute of Medicine, which builds a solid case for making blue water veterans eligible for benefits arising from Agent Orange-related disabilities. He said the report "provides scientific justification for this current legislation, which admirably seeks to correct the grave injustice faced by 'blue water' Navy veterans. The American Legion strongly supports this legislation."
S. 1940: To study the effects on children whose parents were exposed to Agent Orange
This bill directs VA to complete a study - and report its findings to Congress - on how servicemembers' exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam has affected their children (including possible links to multiple sclerosis and asthma).
Such a study, de Planque said, "can help establish the associations necessary to allow the VA to provide entitlement to all benefits due to the child or children of any veteran exposed to a Vietnam-era herbicide agent."
S. 3035: Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Care Improvement Act of 2010
VA would establish a polytrauma rehabilitation center in the northwestern United States. The American Legion believes this center will help VA health-care outreach to many rural areas.
The American Legion is urging the committee to consider funding additional areas of TBI studies and emerging treatments in the private sector, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and the Mt. Sinai Hospital's Brain Injury Screening Questionnaire.
"The American Legion remains concerned that the private sector uses a 100-question screening test, while DoD and VA only use a four-part questionnaire," de Planque told the committee, chaired by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii.
S. 3234: Veterans Employment Assistance Act of 2010
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., introduced this legislation less than a week after The American Legion testified to a House subcommittee on the seriousness of unemployment in the veterans community.
Updating the Senate committee with current data, de Planque said that 14.7 percent of OIF/OEF veterans are jobless; the rate is 30.2 percent for veterans aged 18 to 24. "The total number of unemployed veterans of the two wars is about 250,000," he said. "This legislation would provide these veterans with the training and additional skills they need in order to acquire gainful employment in today's marketplace."
The bill has several provisions The American Legion has backed for some time: extend GI Bill benefits to vocational and apprenticeship programs, more training and counseling for small businesses, and creating pilot programs to help veterans market their military experience and training more effectively.
"No mission is more critical at this time in our history - given the nation's involvement in two wars and the uncertain economic situation - than enabling America's veterans to have a seamless transition from military service to the civilian workforce," de Planque said.
S. 3368: Allows certain individuals to sign VA claims on behalf of claimants
The VA's fiduciary program is addressed in this legislation, which would give legally designated representatives the authority to sign and file VA claims for veterans who are incapable or unable to do so themselves.
The American Legion supports this bill, but emphasizes the need for proper oversight to ensure that veterans' rights are protected.
"Dedicated oversight is necessary to ensure that the veterans affected, most of whom have little ability to protect themselves in such situations, are not subject to being taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals or institutions," de Planque told the committee.
In previous congressional testimony, The American Legion recommended that VA should allocate more staff solely to administer its fiduciary program.
S. 3348: Allows misfiled disability claims appeals to be treated as motions for reconsideration
Many veterans, unfamiliar with the procedure for filing disability claims appeals, mistakenly file their appeals with VA instead of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC).
If veterans disagree with the decisions made on their disability claims by the Board of Veterans Appeals, they have 120 days after notification to appeal that decision to CAVC. This legislation would offer protection to veterans who file their cases in error.
"This legislation can serve as a safety net for veterans already confused by a complex system, such as the system for adjudication of veterans benefits," de Planque said.
The American Legion also wants to extend the appeals filing period from 120 days to one year.
-----
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23 April 2010
Sweeping Veterans and Caregivers Legislation Passes Congress: Supported by VetsFirst
/PRNewswire/ -- VetsFirst, a national organization that serves veterans with disabilities, their families and survivors, applauds the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for passing the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (S. 1963). The legislation's sweeping provisions include improvements in VA health care services for veterans, programs for women veterans, construction of new VA medical facilities and, for the first time, critical supports for family and other personal caregivers of veterans with disabilities.
"VetsFirst has strongly advocated for the passage of legislation that recognizes the sacrifice of family members who dedicate their lives to caring for those who have selflessly defended our freedom. We urge the President to quickly sign this bill into law," said VetsFirst's President and CEO Paul J. Tobin.
Under the legislation, family caregivers for eligible veterans of all eras can receive VA training, support services, counseling, mental health services and respite care. For family and non-family caregivers who live with veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the legislation also provides a monthly stipend and access to their own VA health care.
"VetsFirst believes that providing these services to caregivers will ensure that veterans receive quality care and support in their homes and communities. Veterans have the right to receive such care in the least restrictive environment possible," Tobin stated.
"Many wounded warriors don't want to spend their lives in a hospital or nursing home. They would prefer to recover in the company and care of their loved ones. The new VA caregiver services and supports will ease the burden for family members, many of whom have forsaken their own jobs and health care coverage, to care for their veteran," Tobin added.
Although funding VA services for caregivers will require an upfront investment, the long-term gains that result from caring for veterans at home will improve their outlook, speed their recovery and allow them to more easily reintegrate into their community.
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"VetsFirst has strongly advocated for the passage of legislation that recognizes the sacrifice of family members who dedicate their lives to caring for those who have selflessly defended our freedom. We urge the President to quickly sign this bill into law," said VetsFirst's President and CEO Paul J. Tobin.
Under the legislation, family caregivers for eligible veterans of all eras can receive VA training, support services, counseling, mental health services and respite care. For family and non-family caregivers who live with veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the legislation also provides a monthly stipend and access to their own VA health care.
"VetsFirst believes that providing these services to caregivers will ensure that veterans receive quality care and support in their homes and communities. Veterans have the right to receive such care in the least restrictive environment possible," Tobin stated.
"Many wounded warriors don't want to spend their lives in a hospital or nursing home. They would prefer to recover in the company and care of their loved ones. The new VA caregiver services and supports will ease the burden for family members, many of whom have forsaken their own jobs and health care coverage, to care for their veteran," Tobin added.
Although funding VA services for caregivers will require an upfront investment, the long-term gains that result from caring for veterans at home will improve their outlook, speed their recovery and allow them to more easily reintegrate into their community.
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10 November 2009
Wounded Warrior Project Urges the Senate to Support Crucial Family Caregiver Legislation
/PRNewswire/ -- As Veterans Day approaches, Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors, is urging Congress to pass crucial legislation that will assist the family caregivers of the most severely injured veterans.
The Family Caregiver Legislation that WWP has been strongly advocating for has been merged into a larger Veterans Health Care Bill. This larger bill is now referred to as Senate Bill 1963 (S.1963), the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009.
"We must swiftly move past the notion that the Department of Veterans Affairs assists veterans but not their families," said Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director Steven Nardizzi. "Family caregivers of the most severely injured veterans continue to suffer emotionally and financially while caring for their loved ones. We're stretching these families to the breaking point and, without immediate assistance from VA, many of our brave, young warriors will be doomed to a lifetime in a nursing home. Every day that passes without a comprehensive family caregiver program for veterans is a day too long."
Over 34,000 members of our nation's armed forces have been wounded. Many of the physical wounds have healed but for some the journey does not end there. Typically, with catastrophic injuries, a parent or spouse is forced to leave the workforce to care for their loved one. In some instances, the veteran requires help with such basic needs as washing and showering, feeding, dressing, administering medications, and getting to physician and therapy appointments. Some who have suffered traumatic brain injury, often complicated by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, need near-constant supervision to ensure their safety. Further, these family caregivers need their own support like health coverage and mental health counseling to sustain their important efforts.
Wounded Warrior Project urges every concerned American to call and email their Senators asking that they support S. 1963. For more information and to take action, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org/S1963.
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The Family Caregiver Legislation that WWP has been strongly advocating for has been merged into a larger Veterans Health Care Bill. This larger bill is now referred to as Senate Bill 1963 (S.1963), the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009.
"We must swiftly move past the notion that the Department of Veterans Affairs assists veterans but not their families," said Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director Steven Nardizzi. "Family caregivers of the most severely injured veterans continue to suffer emotionally and financially while caring for their loved ones. We're stretching these families to the breaking point and, without immediate assistance from VA, many of our brave, young warriors will be doomed to a lifetime in a nursing home. Every day that passes without a comprehensive family caregiver program for veterans is a day too long."
Over 34,000 members of our nation's armed forces have been wounded. Many of the physical wounds have healed but for some the journey does not end there. Typically, with catastrophic injuries, a parent or spouse is forced to leave the workforce to care for their loved one. In some instances, the veteran requires help with such basic needs as washing and showering, feeding, dressing, administering medications, and getting to physician and therapy appointments. Some who have suffered traumatic brain injury, often complicated by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, need near-constant supervision to ensure their safety. Further, these family caregivers need their own support like health coverage and mental health counseling to sustain their important efforts.
Wounded Warrior Project urges every concerned American to call and email their Senators asking that they support S. 1963. For more information and to take action, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org/S1963.
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28 October 2009
President Signs Legislation Committing U.S. to Iraq Withdrawal
/PRNewswire/ -- President Barack Obama today signed legislation that that formally recognizes the U.S. obligation to withdraw from Iraq and requires the Pentagon to provide quarterly reports on the progress of that withdrawal.
This is the first time since the invasion of Iraq in 2003 that Congress has passed legislation that affirms that the United States is committed to leaving Iraq by a specific date, two national Quaker organizations, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) said today.
"We congratulate Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin and House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton for including this important milestone in the 2010 military authorization bill," said Aura Kanegis, Director of Public Policy for the American Friends Service Committee. "The U.S.-Iraq bilateral agreement is so central to public discourse in Iraq, but too often forgotten in the U.S." The United States and Iraq signed a bilateral agreement in November 2008 that commits the United States to withdraw all military forces from Iraq by December 31, 2011.
The legislation signed by President Obama today requires the Pentagon to report to Congress every three months on progress to withdraw all U.S. troops, withdraw or transfer to Iraqi authorities all military equipment, close down or transfer to Iraqi authorities military bases, and release or transfer to Iraqi authorities all Iraqi detainees before the December 31, 2011 deadline.
"The first congressional effort to signal support for complete withdrawal was the ban on establishing permanent bases in Iraq," said Jim Fine, the Legislative Secretary on Foreign Policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. "Now the Pentagon will issue month by month reports on the progress made to close down bases or transfer them to the Iraqi government, which adds new teeth to this historic provision."
With this law, Congress has established unprecedented oversight of the progress made towards complete withdrawal from Iraq.
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This is the first time since the invasion of Iraq in 2003 that Congress has passed legislation that affirms that the United States is committed to leaving Iraq by a specific date, two national Quaker organizations, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) said today.
"We congratulate Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin and House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton for including this important milestone in the 2010 military authorization bill," said Aura Kanegis, Director of Public Policy for the American Friends Service Committee. "The U.S.-Iraq bilateral agreement is so central to public discourse in Iraq, but too often forgotten in the U.S." The United States and Iraq signed a bilateral agreement in November 2008 that commits the United States to withdraw all military forces from Iraq by December 31, 2011.
The legislation signed by President Obama today requires the Pentagon to report to Congress every three months on progress to withdraw all U.S. troops, withdraw or transfer to Iraqi authorities all military equipment, close down or transfer to Iraqi authorities military bases, and release or transfer to Iraqi authorities all Iraqi detainees before the December 31, 2011 deadline.
"The first congressional effort to signal support for complete withdrawal was the ban on establishing permanent bases in Iraq," said Jim Fine, the Legislative Secretary on Foreign Policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. "Now the Pentagon will issue month by month reports on the progress made to close down bases or transfer them to the Iraqi government, which adds new teeth to this historic provision."
With this law, Congress has established unprecedented oversight of the progress made towards complete withdrawal from Iraq.
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15 October 2009
VA Funding Reform Bill Clears Congress
/PRNewswire/ -- The American Federation of Government Employees, today, lauded the efforts of Congress in passing historic legislation to reform the way it funds health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. For more than 20 years, AFGE has advocated for substantial reform in the VA funding process. AFGE applauds these members of Congress for their commitment to the VA, its patients, and its employees.
Earlier this year, AFGE stood with veterans' service organizations and House and Senate VA Committee members in staunch support as Rep. Filner and Sen. Akaka introduced the legislation. "We applaud the members of Congress for their commitment to veterans' care," said J. David Cox, AFGE national secretary treasurer and retired VA nurse. "It is the right thing to do for VA employees and for our nation's veterans."
The advanced appropriations bill, which was supported by the president when he was a Senator, will end the unpredictability and inadequacy of the VA's discretionary funding process, by allowing Congress to provide health care dollars to the VA in advance. The president is expected to sign the legislation.
AFGE and its National VA Council have been longtime advocates for mandatory funding of the VA, an approach widely supported by the veterans' community. AFGE with the nine veterans' groups comprising the Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform endorsed advanced appropriations as an alternative funding approach that is achievable in the short term. As detailed in the bill, advanced appropriations would authorize Congress to approve funding for VA health care a year in advance of the next fiscal year. The Partnership has also advocated that the Government Accountability Office study and provide a report to Congress annually for the next three years on the VA's budget forecasting model and estimates.
"The current VA funding process is broken. The delays in funding drive up costs, threaten patient care, and weaken the VA as a whole," said Cox.
The VA has received its appropriation from Congress on time only three times in the last 23 years. This reliance on discretionary budget dollars has taken a heavy toll on both the timeliness and the adequacy of VA health care. Medical center directors forced to rely on discretionary funding must delay hiring nurses and other clinicians, repairs to their facilities, and new medical equipment purchases. The delays that result adversely impact medical care and increase costs by forcing understaffed hospitals to turn to private agency nurses for fee-basis care and delaying diagnostic testing for patients.
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Earlier this year, AFGE stood with veterans' service organizations and House and Senate VA Committee members in staunch support as Rep. Filner and Sen. Akaka introduced the legislation. "We applaud the members of Congress for their commitment to veterans' care," said J. David Cox, AFGE national secretary treasurer and retired VA nurse. "It is the right thing to do for VA employees and for our nation's veterans."
The advanced appropriations bill, which was supported by the president when he was a Senator, will end the unpredictability and inadequacy of the VA's discretionary funding process, by allowing Congress to provide health care dollars to the VA in advance. The president is expected to sign the legislation.
AFGE and its National VA Council have been longtime advocates for mandatory funding of the VA, an approach widely supported by the veterans' community. AFGE with the nine veterans' groups comprising the Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform endorsed advanced appropriations as an alternative funding approach that is achievable in the short term. As detailed in the bill, advanced appropriations would authorize Congress to approve funding for VA health care a year in advance of the next fiscal year. The Partnership has also advocated that the Government Accountability Office study and provide a report to Congress annually for the next three years on the VA's budget forecasting model and estimates.
"The current VA funding process is broken. The delays in funding drive up costs, threaten patient care, and weaken the VA as a whole," said Cox.
The VA has received its appropriation from Congress on time only three times in the last 23 years. This reliance on discretionary budget dollars has taken a heavy toll on both the timeliness and the adequacy of VA health care. Medical center directors forced to rely on discretionary funding must delay hiring nurses and other clinicians, repairs to their facilities, and new medical equipment purchases. The delays that result adversely impact medical care and increase costs by forcing understaffed hospitals to turn to private agency nurses for fee-basis care and delaying diagnostic testing for patients.
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03 April 2009
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Applauds Senators Akaka and Burr for Family Caregiver Support Legislation and Pledges to Support the Bill
/PRNewswire/ -- Today, Wounded Warrior Project applauds Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) for their introduction of new legislation, the Family Caregiver Program Act of 2009, to assist the family caregivers of the most severely wounded veterans. WWP also pledges their strongest support for this vitally needed legislation. Senator Akaka is the Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and Senator Burr is the ranking member.
"This bill aims to provide the support family caregivers are in critical need of," stated Wounded Warrior Project's Executive Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs, Brian Feser. "We commend Senators Akaka and Burr for standing up for these veterans and their families and creating legislation to ease their economic burdens."
Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP offers services and programs like benefits and career counseling, advocacy initiatives and combat stress seminars to aid in the transition from hospital bed to an independent, productive life.
Securing comprehensive and continuing support for family caregivers nationwide is Wounded Warrior Project's highest legislative priority. Many family caregivers are struggling to care for their veterans, many times to the detriment of their own health, the depletion of their finances, the loss of jobs and health care, and the endangerment of the family unit due to the emotional and economic toll.
The bill would provide not only a training and certification program for caregivers, but also group and individual counseling, respite, health care coverage and a monthly caregiver allowance.
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"This bill aims to provide the support family caregivers are in critical need of," stated Wounded Warrior Project's Executive Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs, Brian Feser. "We commend Senators Akaka and Burr for standing up for these veterans and their families and creating legislation to ease their economic burdens."
Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP offers services and programs like benefits and career counseling, advocacy initiatives and combat stress seminars to aid in the transition from hospital bed to an independent, productive life.
Securing comprehensive and continuing support for family caregivers nationwide is Wounded Warrior Project's highest legislative priority. Many family caregivers are struggling to care for their veterans, many times to the detriment of their own health, the depletion of their finances, the loss of jobs and health care, and the endangerment of the family unit due to the emotional and economic toll.
The bill would provide not only a training and certification program for caregivers, but also group and individual counseling, respite, health care coverage and a monthly caregiver allowance.
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09 March 2009
Disabled Veterans Leader Presses Issues with Key Lawmakers
/PRNewswire/ -- The National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans begins a series of meetings with key lawmakers seeking their support for budget reform legislation to ensure sufficient, timely and predictable funding for veterans' health care. He also is urging them to reject a contentious proposal that would shift the cost of treating veterans for service-connected conditions from the government's side of the ledger to insurance companies.
"For too long the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system has had to struggle with budgets that were too little, too late," said DAV National Commander Raymond E. Dempsey. "It's time to reform the funding system to enable the Department of Veterans Affairs to work better and smarter in caring for the nation's sick and disabled veterans."
Dempsey has scheduled meetings with Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka and Ranking Republican Richard Burr, House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner and Sen. Tim Johnson and Rep. Chet Edwards, who chair their respective Appropriations subcommittees that fund veterans programs.
A top priority for the DAV and other groups is passage of the recently introduced Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act. The measure would authorize Congress to approve VA medical care appropriations one year in advance of the start of each fiscal year. The legislation also would add needed transparency to the process by having the Government Accountability Office review and report on the VA budget request.
"This legislation is all about making government more efficient, transparent and accountable. These are three key elements that President Obama, Congress and veterans all agree are needed in these challenging times. And if enacted in conjunction with the fiscal year 2010 budget, advance appropriations for 2011 would not add one dime to the 2010 deficit," Commander Dempsey said.
While urging support for the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, Dempsey is raising concerns shared by the entire veterans community that a proposal to shift the cost of treating veterans for service-connected conditions to their insurance companies will worsen the health care affordability crisis.
Dempsey said this "cost shifting scheme amounts to a betrayal of a sacred trust as it abandons our government's moral and legal responsibility to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms."
"As a native of Illinois, the Land of Lincoln, I can't help but note the irony of such a proposal. Lincoln's famous quote, 'To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan,' has been adopted as the VA's official motto. But if the current president -- who also calls Illinois home -- expands third-party collections to service-connected conditions, that motto will be rendered meaningless and should be removed from the VA building," Dempsey said.
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"For too long the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system has had to struggle with budgets that were too little, too late," said DAV National Commander Raymond E. Dempsey. "It's time to reform the funding system to enable the Department of Veterans Affairs to work better and smarter in caring for the nation's sick and disabled veterans."
Dempsey has scheduled meetings with Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka and Ranking Republican Richard Burr, House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner and Sen. Tim Johnson and Rep. Chet Edwards, who chair their respective Appropriations subcommittees that fund veterans programs.
A top priority for the DAV and other groups is passage of the recently introduced Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act. The measure would authorize Congress to approve VA medical care appropriations one year in advance of the start of each fiscal year. The legislation also would add needed transparency to the process by having the Government Accountability Office review and report on the VA budget request.
"This legislation is all about making government more efficient, transparent and accountable. These are three key elements that President Obama, Congress and veterans all agree are needed in these challenging times. And if enacted in conjunction with the fiscal year 2010 budget, advance appropriations for 2011 would not add one dime to the 2010 deficit," Commander Dempsey said.
While urging support for the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, Dempsey is raising concerns shared by the entire veterans community that a proposal to shift the cost of treating veterans for service-connected conditions to their insurance companies will worsen the health care affordability crisis.
Dempsey said this "cost shifting scheme amounts to a betrayal of a sacred trust as it abandons our government's moral and legal responsibility to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms."
"As a native of Illinois, the Land of Lincoln, I can't help but note the irony of such a proposal. Lincoln's famous quote, 'To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan,' has been adopted as the VA's official motto. But if the current president -- who also calls Illinois home -- expands third-party collections to service-connected conditions, that motto will be rendered meaningless and should be removed from the VA building," Dempsey said.
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19 November 2008
Understanding The New Veterans Educational Assistance Act
(NAPSI)-For individuals who served on active military duty on or after September 11, 2001, a new piece of legislation can help further education goals-or perhaps create new ones.
The Post−9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, also known as the Post−9/11 GI Bill, provides veterans with financial benefits for any approved program offered by a school that is authorized to grant an associate (or higher) degree.
These questions may help shed light on the subject for people who have recently served or are currently serving in the military, as well as their families:
Q. Am I eligible?
A. You may be eligible if you served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after September 10, 2001.
You may also be eligible if you were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001.
Q. When can I receive benefits under the Bill?
A. Post−9/11 GI Bill benefits are payable for training that begins on or after August 1, 2009. No payments can be made under this program for training pursued before that date.
Q. How much will I receive?
A. Based on your length of active-duty service, you may be entitled to a percentage of the following:
4 Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive instate undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education;
4 Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents. The amount of the housing allowance is based on the ZIP code of the school and is not payable to individuals training at half-time or less or attending distance learning;
4 Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year (paid to you); and
4 A one-time payment of $500 paid to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas.
Q. How many months of assistance can I receive?
A. Generally, you may receive up to 36 months of benefits under the Post−9/11 GI Bill.
Q. How long am I eligible?
A. You will be eligible for benefits for 15 years from your last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days.
Q. Can I transfer my entitlement to my dependents?
A. If you are a member of the Armed Forces on August 1, 2009, the Department of Defense (DoD) may offer you the opportunity to transfer benefits to your spouse or dependent children. DoD and the military services will issue policy on entitlement to transferability benefit in the coming months.
For up-to-date information on this and other education benefits, visit www.gibill.va.gov.
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The Post−9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, also known as the Post−9/11 GI Bill, provides veterans with financial benefits for any approved program offered by a school that is authorized to grant an associate (or higher) degree.
These questions may help shed light on the subject for people who have recently served or are currently serving in the military, as well as their families:
Q. Am I eligible?
A. You may be eligible if you served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after September 10, 2001.
You may also be eligible if you were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and you served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001.
Q. When can I receive benefits under the Bill?
A. Post−9/11 GI Bill benefits are payable for training that begins on or after August 1, 2009. No payments can be made under this program for training pursued before that date.
Q. How much will I receive?
A. Based on your length of active-duty service, you may be entitled to a percentage of the following:
4 Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive instate undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education;
4 Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents. The amount of the housing allowance is based on the ZIP code of the school and is not payable to individuals training at half-time or less or attending distance learning;
4 Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year (paid to you); and
4 A one-time payment of $500 paid to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas.
Q. How many months of assistance can I receive?
A. Generally, you may receive up to 36 months of benefits under the Post−9/11 GI Bill.
Q. How long am I eligible?
A. You will be eligible for benefits for 15 years from your last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days.
Q. Can I transfer my entitlement to my dependents?
A. If you are a member of the Armed Forces on August 1, 2009, the Department of Defense (DoD) may offer you the opportunity to transfer benefits to your spouse or dependent children. DoD and the military services will issue policy on entitlement to transferability benefit in the coming months.
For up-to-date information on this and other education benefits, visit www.gibill.va.gov.
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09 June 2008
President Urges Congress to Pass Military Funding Bill
President Bush urged Congress on Saturday to immediately pass legislation that's urgently needed to fund military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and other important Defense Department programs.
"If Congress does not act, critical accounts at the Defense Department will soon run dry," Bush said during his weekly radio address to the nation. "At the beginning of next month, civilian employees may face temporary layoffs."
Also, if the legislation isn't soon approved, Bush said, the department will have to terminate "a vital program that is getting potential insurgents off the streets and into jobs."
If the required funding doesn't arrive by the end of July, "the department will no longer be able to pay our troops -- including those serving in Afghanistan and Iraq," Bush said.
In the absence of funding from Congress, the Pentagon will soon "run out of money it needs to support critical day-to-day operations that help to keep our nation safe," the president said.
Bush specified three requirements the funding bill must meet. The bill, he said, must provide troops the resources they need to defeat terrorists and extremists, that it should not tie the hands of U.S. commanders, and it must not exceed the reasonable funding levels that he requested.
The men and women in the U.S. armed forces and their families deserve the support of Congress, Bush said.
"Around the world, our troops are taking on dangerous missions with skill and determination," the president said. "In Afghanistan, they are delivering blows to the Taliban and al-Qaida."
U.S. forces serving in Iraq have "helped bring violence down to its lowest point since late March of 2004," Bush said. "Civilian deaths are down. Sectarian killings are down."
Improved security in Iraq has produced positive effects for Iraq's economy and across its political realm, Bush said.
"As security has improved, the economy has improved as well, and political reconciliation is taking place at the grassroots and national levels," Bush observed.
Concurrently, Iraq's security forces "are becoming more capable, and as they do, our troops are beginning to come home under a policy of return on success," Bush said.
Bush cited the courage and honor displayed by America's servicemembers as they perform difficult and dangerous duty in the war against terrorism.
"They've earned the respect of all Americans," Bush said of members of the armed forces. "And, they deserve the full support of Congress."
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
"If Congress does not act, critical accounts at the Defense Department will soon run dry," Bush said during his weekly radio address to the nation. "At the beginning of next month, civilian employees may face temporary layoffs."
Also, if the legislation isn't soon approved, Bush said, the department will have to terminate "a vital program that is getting potential insurgents off the streets and into jobs."
If the required funding doesn't arrive by the end of July, "the department will no longer be able to pay our troops -- including those serving in Afghanistan and Iraq," Bush said.
In the absence of funding from Congress, the Pentagon will soon "run out of money it needs to support critical day-to-day operations that help to keep our nation safe," the president said.
Bush specified three requirements the funding bill must meet. The bill, he said, must provide troops the resources they need to defeat terrorists and extremists, that it should not tie the hands of U.S. commanders, and it must not exceed the reasonable funding levels that he requested.
The men and women in the U.S. armed forces and their families deserve the support of Congress, Bush said.
"Around the world, our troops are taking on dangerous missions with skill and determination," the president said. "In Afghanistan, they are delivering blows to the Taliban and al-Qaida."
U.S. forces serving in Iraq have "helped bring violence down to its lowest point since late March of 2004," Bush said. "Civilian deaths are down. Sectarian killings are down."
Improved security in Iraq has produced positive effects for Iraq's economy and across its political realm, Bush said.
"As security has improved, the economy has improved as well, and political reconciliation is taking place at the grassroots and national levels," Bush observed.
Concurrently, Iraq's security forces "are becoming more capable, and as they do, our troops are beginning to come home under a policy of return on success," Bush said.
Bush cited the courage and honor displayed by America's servicemembers as they perform difficult and dangerous duty in the war against terrorism.
"They've earned the respect of all Americans," Bush said of members of the armed forces. "And, they deserve the full support of Congress."
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
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