VFW Washington Weekly
March 5, 2010
In This Issue:
1. VFW Members to Storm the Hill
2. Senate Discusses Suicide Prevention
3. House VA Committee Hearings
1. VFW Members to Storm Hill: VFW leaders will be in town next week to let lawmakers know their top legislative priorities. Attending the annual Legislative Conference, members plan to storm the hill and urge action on disability claims backlog, employment and job creation, critical funding for TBI, PTSD and mental health issues as well as enhanced quality of life for our troops. The week concludes with VFW Commander-in-Chief Thomas J. Tradewell testifying before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees. Other Conference highlights include the Voice of Democracy Parade of Winners and featured appearances by Army Chief of Staff General George W. Casey, Jr., Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki.
VFW Commander-in-Chief, Thomas J. Tradewell's testimony on Capitol Hill will air in the afternoon of Tuesday, March 9 on the VFW website at:
www.vfw.org
2. Senate Discusses Suicide Prevention: This week, the Senate Veterans Affairs' Committee held a hearing to discuss mental health services provided to active duty members and veterans. Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) asked VA and DOD to place particular emphasis on suicide prevention. Quoting alarming rates of suicide among veterans and those on active duty, Akaka said the Army alone reported 27 suicides in January. Dr. Gerald M. Cross, Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Health testified that VA has identified gaps in mental health care and intends to increase staffing at all levels this year. Other committee members suggested VA and DOD need to work more closely together to ensure resources are provided and used on the battlefield and at home. To view the recorded hearing or for more information visit the Senate VA website at:
http://veterans.senate.gov/
3. House VA Committee Hearings:
The Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on VFW-supported legislation which would allow increased flexibility in payments to State Veterans Homes (SVH). HR 4241, introduced by Subcommittee Chairman Michael Michaud (D-ME) would correct funding inequities for long-term care provided to veterans rated 70% or higher. The passage of PL 109-461 provided a higher per diem rate but VA's regulations indicated all medication and some outpatient care for service-connected injuries should be provided by SVH's. In addition they are barred from billing Medicare and Medicaid for any additional costs that exceed the per diem rates. HR 4241 would allow VA to enter into a state-by-state per diem arrangement with SVH's thus correcting the funding shortfall and helping the most disabled veterans.
The Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity cleared several critical VFW-supported bills that would enhance programs for veterans and servicemembers. VFW testified on most of the bills at earlier hearings and is happy to see them move forward. The bills include:
HR 950 would allow the use of veterans' educational assistance program funds for an approved distance learning program,
HR 1169 would increase the maximum amount available for disabled veterans to purchase adaptive housing, vehicles and equipment for their disabilities. These benefits have not kept pace or been adjusted to reflect the rising costs of inflation in years,
HR 3948 would authorize the use of Post-9/11 GI Bill funds for paying for test preparatory courses. The bill would apply to courses for tests used for college admissions, such as the LSAT or the SAT,
HR 3976, The Helping Heroes Keep Their Homes Act of 2009, would extend mortgage protections for service members through Dec. 31, 2015.