JULY 10, 2010

Obama: New PTSD rules 'long overdue step'

By the CNN Wire Staff
July 10, 2010 11:26 a.m. EDT

Washington (CNN) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs is making it easier for veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder to get benefits, a development President Barack Obama calls a "long overdue step."
In his weekly address Saturday, Obama said Veterans Affairs will launch new rules for easing PTSD documentation requirements starting next week.
Current department rules require veterans to document events like firefights or bomb explosions that could have caused the disorder. Such documentation was often time-consuming and difficult, and sometimes was impossible.
Under the new rules a veteran need show only that he or she served in a war and performed a job during which events could have happened that could cause the disorder.
"... for years, many veterans with PTSD who have tried to seek benefits -- veterans of today's wars and earlier wars -- have often found themselves stymied. They've been required to produce evidence proving that a specific event caused their PTSD. And that practice has kept the vast majority of those with PTSD who served in non-combat roles, but who still waged war, from getting the care they need," Obama said.
"Well, I don't think our troops on the battlefield should have to take notes to keep for a claims application. And I've met enough veterans to know that you don't have to engage in a firefight to endure the trauma of war. So we're changing the way things are done."
Under the new rules, no benefits will be passed along until a Veterans Affairs psychiatrist or psychologist confirms that a veteran actually suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Department officials say that should reduce the risk of fraudulent claims.
One congressional analysis reportedly put the cost of the new changes at $5 billion.
A senior department official said the cost is "relatively small" because under the older, much longer process, most vets eventually were granted benefits. The new process, while likely granting benefits to more veterans, will be quicker and easier and therefore less costly per case, officials said.
Obama says the new process "will help veterans not just of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, but generations of their brave predecessors who proudly served and sacrificed in all our wars.
"It's a step that proves America will always be here for our veterans, just as they've been there for us. We won't let them down. We take care of our own."

CNN's Larry Shaughnessy contributed to this report.

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JUNE 2010

Disabled American Veterans Legislative Bulletin

Caregiver Legislation Signed Into Law

President Obama signed Public Law 111-163, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act on May 5, 2010.  The public signing ceremony was attended by representatives of veterans service, military and family organizations.  Among those present was Deputy National Legislative Director Ilem, who represented DAV.

Several years ago, we began to see an increasing number of severely injured veterans returning home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As advances in medicine allowed more of the severely injured to be medically rescued on the battlefield, VA had to confront the issue of how to provide a lifetime of care for these young heroes returning home with polytrauma, severe traumatic brain injury, multiple amputations and a host of post-deployment health issues that VA had not confronted before.

After acute hospitalization, most family members want to care for their loved ones in the home, even if they are severely injured.  Caregivers shouldering this burden are often unable to maintain full-time employment, limiting their income and ability to obtain health insurance. Caregivers who do remain employed often give up opportunities for career advancement to care for their injured family members, while their employers sustain millions of dollars in losses related to employee absence and decreased productivity.

Because of these challenges, the DAV worked with other veterans and military and family service organizations to bring about the introduction and passage of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.  This precedent-setting legislation established a number of critical new programs to address DAV's highest priority legislative goals over the past several years identified through our Stand Up for Veterans campaign. 

To help meet the hardships associated with lengthy recovery and rehabilitation periods, this legislation authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to create an array of supportive services for family caregivers of disabled veterans from all eras of military service, including providing education on how to be a better caregiver in the home, counseling and mental health services, and providing more flexible periods of respite care so that these veterans can avoid long-term institutionalization.  The law also provides a monthly financial stipend, CHAMPVA health care and additional benefits to financially burdened family members providing care at home to the most severely wounded and disabled Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. 

This comprehensive legislation also expands and improves health care access and services for the nation's 1.8 million women veterans.  We want to recognize DAV's grassroots efforts that helped ensure that women veterans, who have played an increasingly essential role in all of our military service branches including the National Guard, Air National Guard, and Reserve forces, receive quality, timely and gender-appropriate health care services.  While it is our responsibility to ensure that all veterans receive the benefits they deserve, we believe it is important to recognize the extraordinary contributions and unique challenges women veterans face in today's military and when they return home.  This important legislation will for the first time allow VA to cover the costs for up to seven days of post-natal care for newborn infants of women veterans receiving maternity services at VA's expense and-to eliminate barriers for veterans accessing intensive health and mental health services-it authorizes VA to establish a child care pilot program. 

The bill also includes provisions that:

• Expand the VA's authority to provide recruitment and retention incentives so that VA can recruit high-quality health care providers.
• Increase the oversight of care purchased in the community by mandating financial incentives for providers who maintain high-quality standards.
• Expand the VA's telemedicine program, and its ability to collaborate with the Indian Health Service and community organizations to provide medical services, including mental health care, in rural communities.
• Remove barriers to emergency care and care for the catastrophically disabled by:
• Eliminating copayments for veterans who are catastrophically disabled.
• Enhancing the VA's ability to reimburse veterans for emergency care received at non-VA facilities in certain circumstances.

 

The House of Representatives approved the bill by a vote of 419 to 0 on April 21, 2010.  On April 22, 2010, the Senate gave final approval to S. 1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act.  The legislation, some sections of which were first proposed over two years ago, has been strongly backed by DAV and other veterans organizations.   

The legislation forges a new paradigm of long-term care for severely wounded service personnel and veterans-one that acknowledges and fully supports the vital role of the family caregiver in any successful rehabilitation plan and marks another significant legislative victory for sick and disabled veterans and their families, and for DAV.

Status of Fiscal Year 2011 VA Budget

            As of June 2010, the budget and appropriations process is basically stalled in Congress.  No action whatsoever has been taken by Congress on the budget and there has been no movement by the Appropriations Committee.  See the April 2010 bulletin for full budget details.

            DAV will continue to follow these developments to ensure that the needs of sick and disabled veterans are fully met across all VA's appropriations accounts, and we will submit future reports to reflect the progress of the FY 2011 funding of the VA.

 

 

DAV Legislative Staff Active at Hearings

            On May 6, 2010, Assistant National Legislative Director John L. Wilson testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs on the Veterans Benefits Administration's work credit and work management systems.

            On May 19, 2010, Mr. Wilson submitted testimony for the record at the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing concerning 19 pending measures. 

            On May 20, 2010, Deputy National Legislative Director Joy J. Ilem testified before a joint hearing of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittees on Health and Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs concerning collaboration between the VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) to address health care services and disability compensation issues related to military sexual trauma.

            On June 15, 2010, I testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs on the state of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).  My testimony focused on the VBA's largest and most significant program:  veterans disability compensation. 

Claims Process Reform

For disabled veterans, receiving a timely and proper disability rating is the gateway to all of the VBA benefits to which they are entitled.  As such, the problems that have plagued and continue to plague VBA in efficiently administering this program have correctly received the most attention from Congress and VSOs in recent years. The June 15 hearing was the sixth Subcommittee hearing this year examining VBA's claims processing system.

A core mission of VBA is the provision of benefits to relieve the economic effects of injury, disease, or disability upon veterans and their families.  For those benefits to effectively fulfill their intended purpose, VBA must promptly deliver them to veterans.  The ability of disabled veterans to provide for themselves and their families often depends on these benefits.  While awaiting action by VBA, they and their families often suffer hardships and protracted delays can lead to deprivation, bankruptcies, and homelessness.  Disability benefits are critical, and providing for disabled veterans should always be a top priority of the government.

The VA Secretary has vowed to reduce the backlog of claims pending.  While that goal is admirable, DAV testified that to truly reform and transform the system, VBA must remain focused on the underlying problems causing the backlog: specifically, a lack of quality, accuracy and consistency in how VBA develops and adjudicates claims for benefits. 

For these reasons, DAV has been working with a growing coalition of veterans and military organizations to build consensus on how best to reform the claims processing system, not just reduce the backlog.  One of our first goals is redefining success from "Reducing the Backlog" to "Getting It Done Right the First Time."  We are confident that a system focused on quality, accuracy and consistency first, if properly built upon a modern IT infrastructure with optimized business processes, will lead to faster processing times and a lasting reduction and elimination of the backlog as a result.

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March 3, 2010

Women Vets Plate PASSED the State Rep side of the General Assembly in Springfield

In Springfield, on HB-4667 Women Vets Plate PASSED the State Rep side of the General Assembly in Springfield Yea 102 – Nea 7 a great Bi-Partisan victory for women.

Now the new (companion/sister) Bill SB-2803 on the State Senate, Ms. Lightford had agreed to be the torchbearer and carry this through.

State Rep John D’Amico has already filed the paperwork after the Senate brings this to the Third Reading and Final vote.

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November 21, 2009

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Support Illinois’ Injured Servicemembers New Law Allows Active-Duty Troops to Receive Casualty-Based Grants

CHICAGO – November 21, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to allow Illinois’ activeduty servicemembers who are injured due to hostile action to receive $5,000 from the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund. “It is our duty to honor all servicemembers, especially those who are injured while serving our country and fighting for democracy,” said Governor Quinn. “This bill helps ensure that every injured hero can focus on recovery by easing some of their financial burdens during a critical time.” Senate Bill 2148 allows active duty servicemembers, who are Illinois residents, to apply for casualty-based grants from the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund, a donation-supported fund created in 2003. To qualify for grants, the active duty member must have been deployed in support of operations as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks and sustained an injury as a result of hostile action. Each grant recipient is awarded a minimum of $5,000 and may only receive one casualty-based grant for each engagement or incident in which injuries were sustained. The Illinois Department of Military Affairs will oversee the program and make grant determinations. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville) and Sen. Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville) and is effective immediately. The Illinois Department of Military Affairs has had a program for casualty-based grants for National Guard and Reserve servicemembers prior to this legislation. Senate Bill 2148 increases the grant amount from $2,000 to a minimum of $5,000 and includes active duty servicemembers. The Illinois Military Family Relief Fund legislation was drafted by then-Lt. Governor Quinn, passed unanimously by the General Assembly and signed into law in 2003. It established a check-off box on the Illinois income tax return that allowed residents to make tax-deductible donations directly to the fund. More than 35 states have passed legislation modeled after the Illinois fund. Thanks to many generous donations by Illinois residents, businesses and organizations, the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund has distributed more than $10.4 million to more than 19,000 military members and families to date. Donations to the fund can be made by visiting OperationHomefront.org. Checks can be made payable to the Illinois Military Family Relief and mailed to: The Illinois Department of Military Affairs, ATTN: IMFRF, 1301 N. MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, Illinois 62702-2399.

http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=1&RecNum=8046

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Obama Signs VA Healthcare Reform Law

Week of November 02, 2009

President Barack Obama recently signed new legislation that creates predictable funding for veterans' health care. The Veterans Healthcare Reform and Transparency Act calls for appropriations a year in advance after more than two decades of regular budget delays. "No longer will VA and the veterans in its care have to suffer from the "check's in the mail' syndrome," said Clarence E. Hill, national commander of The American Legion. "Advance appropriations will go a long way toward minimizing compromises in the delivery of the high quality VA health care our veterans expect and deserve." The text of the new law is available online here.

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March 4, 2009

Veteran Health Bills Under Review

Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs

Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, March 3, 2009, the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee, led by Chairman Michael Michaud (D-ME), held a hearing to review legislation to improve and expand the health care delivery and services for veterans provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“Today’s legislative hearing is an opportunity for Members of Congress, veterans, the VA and other interested parties to provide their views on and discuss recently-introduced legislation within the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction,” said Chairman Michaud. “The legislation before the Subcommittee today covers a wide range of important issues including mental health, women veterans, and reimbursement for emergency care treatment in non-VA facilities.”
The Health Subcommittee hearing reviewed the following three bills, along with draft legislation related to emergency care services for veterans:
H.R. 784, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress quarterly reports on vacancies in mental health professional positions in Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities; (Tsongas D-MA-5). This bill directs the Secretary to report quarterly to Congress describing any vacancy in a mental health professional position at any VA medical facility, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and licensed professional mental health counselors.
Congresswoman Tsongas testified, “H.R. 784 simply requires the VA to report vacancies in mental health professional positions at VA facilities on a quarterly basis. With the significant influx of OEF and OIF [Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom] veterans facing mental health wounds, as well as the already existing veterans populations from earlier generations receiving care at the VA, it is incumbent upon us to make sure that we have the necessary staffing to provide care.”
H.R. 785, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide outreach and training to certain college and university mental health centers re lating to the mental health of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes; (Tsongas D-MA-5). This bill directs the Secretary to carry out a four-year pilot program to provide covered outreach and training services on the mental health of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom veterans to covered mental health centers, which include counseling centers, student health or wellness centers, or student services centers at colleges or universities with large enrollments of such veterans. The outreach and training services for covered mental health centers include training for clinicians on treatment for common mental illnesses and training on assisting veterans in accessing VA mental health care and services, among other programs.
Congresswoman Tsongas explained the purpose of H.R. 785 is to “provide college counselors and other staff who come in close contact with student-veterans at their schools with the tools to recognize symptoms of combat related mental health wounds; the ability to appropriately assist a student-veteran in need; and an understanding of how to effectively refer that student-veteran to the VA for care. I believe my legislation will actually augment the VA's continuum of care and bring in veterans who may be hesitant or apprehensive about seeking care from the VA.”
H.R. 1211, Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act; (Herseth-Sandlin D-SD). This bill directs the VA to conduct a study on the barriers faced by women veterans in accessing care in the VA health care system and to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the women’s health care programs at each VA medical center. The assessment will include reporting the demographics of women veterans population, the frequency with which health care services are available and provided for women veterans, and the impact of waiting lists, geographic distance, and other factors in obstructing the receipt of services. The bill would provide VA medical care for newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity care for a period of 14 days beginning on the day the child is born.

Editors Note: This bill was proposed last year - find more information on the Women Veterans Care Act on the Military.com Legislative Center.

Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin testified, “More women are answering the call to serve, and more women veterans need access to services that they are en titled to when they return. With increasing numbers of women now serving in uniform, the challenge of providing adequate health care services for women veterans is overwhelming. With more women seeking access to care, and for a more diverse range of medical conditions, in the future, these needs will likely be even significantly greater. Clearly, we must do everything we can from a public policy standpoint to meet this new challenge of women veterans.”
Draft Discussion, To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility, and for other purposes; (Filner D-CA-51). This bill would expand veteran eligibility to require the VA to pay for emergency treatment for a non-service connected condition if a third party is not responsible for paying for the full cost of care. The bill clarifies that the VA only pay the difference between the amounts paid by the third party and the VA allowable amount, and is not responsible for copayments the veteran owes to the third party.
Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, offered the following statement: “Under current law, the VA does not pay for emergency treatment for non-service connected conditions in non-VA facilities if a veteran has third party insurance that pays either full or a portion of the emergency care. This includes veterans who carry an au to insurance policy providing minimal health care coverage. I plan to introduce legislation to clarify the reimbursement responsibilities of the VA, so veterans can focus on their recovery, instead of being overburdened with financial concerns.”
The bills must be approved by the Health Subcommittee and the Full House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs before being considered by the House of Representatives.
Witness List:
Panel 1

Honorable Niki Tsongas, Massachusetts, Member, U.S. House of Representatives

Honorable Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, South Dakota, Member, U.S. House of Representatives
Panel 2

Joy J. Ilem, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans

Joseph L. Wilson, Deputy Director, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, The American Legion

Eric Hilleman, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service. Veterans of Foreign Wars
Todd Bowers, Director of Government Affairs, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Panel 3

Gerald M. Cross, M ..D., FAPP, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Accompanied by Walter A. Hall, Assistant General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Visit the Legislative Center on Military.com for more information on issues and legislation.

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February 18, 2009

New Bill to abate property taxes for disabled vets

You may be aware that a new bill has been introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives that will abate property taxes for disabled veterans based on their percentage of disability.  This bill, introduce by Rep. Ron Stephens on 1/21/09, is HB0273 (see link below).  It now has 48 co-sponsors and will move to the IL House Revenue & Finance where it will be acted upon next week on 2/11/09.

 

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=273&GAID=10&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=40402&SessionID=76&GA=96

 

Other states, most recently Texas, have gotten such legislation passed with the help of a coalition of veterans groups.  Any help or advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated by me and by all disabled veterans in Illinois.

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November 23, 2008

Message sent to Obama-Biden Transition Team‏

This was sent on behalf of CVO to the Obama-Biden Transition Team through their website, change.gov.

The Coalition of Veterans Organizations is a group of grass roots veterans’ organizations and associate members which brings awareness to the general public on seven key points—listed below—on behalf of veterans. The program of the Obama-Biden Transition Team, as outlined on their website, includes aspects of these seven points. We believe that the new administration’s position could and should be strengthened by the inclusion of all of the seven listed points.

a)      Full Mandatory Funding of VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) healthcare for veterans. Federally funded healthcare for all veterans without further pay. President-elect Obama in May signed a resolution for Full Mandatory Funding of VA healthcare. We believe he ought to stick by that commitment. While the website calls for “Fully funding VA medical care,” Full Mandatory Funding means VA healthcare would become an entitlement and the annual funding would be determined by the actual number of veterans using the VA, the actual cost of treating them and annual adjustments for changes in those numbers.

b)      Eligibility for VA healthcare and benefits for all honorably discharged veterans—male and female—without co-payments and categories of service delivery. Today, not all veterans are eligible to receive healthcare and many who do must pay for it. On your website, the Obama-Biden Transition Team has called for allowing all veterans back into the VA. This can only be fully realized by eliminating co-pays for medications and visits.

c)      Ending veteran homelessness and the realignment of the VA Per Diem grants system. There is no greater disgrace than the fact that thousands of veterans in this country are homeless. On your website, the Obama-Biden Team calls for combating homelessness with a “zero tolerance” policy. We need to end veterans homelessness now by getting every homeless veteran off the streets and providing services—health, legal, housing, family support and all the others—now!

d)      Reform of funding and full accounting for all VA mental health services for veterans. Again, your website calls for “improving mental health and TBI care.” The VA has returned millions of dollars allocated for mental health. Any system that could do that despite front-page stories detailing the horrors of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan has neither realized what these veterans face nor the many needs they have. We ask that you totally revamp this system!

e)      The inclusion of appropriations in the annual VA budget to fund benefits for World War II Filipino veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. It is time to fund their benefits now! This was passed by the current Congress, but allowed to die. These veterans have been denied benefits for over 60 years and like the previous legislation, are being allowed to die.

f)        Ending the backlog of veterans’ benefits through Presumptive Benefits. On your website the administration-elect says to “fix the benefits bureaucracy.” We call on the federal government to immediately fund benefits for all veterans applying for VA disability. If they have the medical diagnosis and the military records to show they should get the benefits, then the benefits should be granted as soon as they apply. Then the government can figure out whether to award or disallow the benefits. That policy would end the government backlog very quickly and would make sure needy veterans get benefits in a prompt and caring manner.

g)      Full equality of women’s benefits and healthcare. Your website makes no specific mention of women veterans. We recognize the special needs of women veterans and the unacceptable gap between services and benefits for women and those for men. That gap must be closed immediately and all services and benefits for women made fully available immediately.

 

The Obama-Biden Campaign and Transition Team have promised change from the old ways of doing business. Much about the VA and its healthcare system is world class. But there are important aspects of funding, accessibility, bureaucracy, the fight against homelessness and the special needs of women and other veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan—particularly regarding mental health care—that need more fundamental attention. We hope that the new administration will honor its pledge of change by addressing these pressing needs now. Veterans are dying for solutions!

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November 12, 2008

Filipino veterans of World War II upset by U.S. rejection of military benefits
By Mary Owen | Tribune reporter
Original article on Tribune site

Benefits for Filipino veterans were taken away in 1946, when the Philippines was declared independent. De Guzman said soldiers in 67 countries have been ordered to serve under the U.S., and Filipinos are the only ones to be stripped of their benefits.

Nonetheless, many Filipino veterans cherish their medals and American flag pins.

"This is an injustice that should be corrected," said Steve Robertson, legislative director for the American Legion.

The American Legion has supported benefits for Filipino veterans for decades, Robertson said. However, the group voiced opposition to the proposal that was rejected in September because it called for taking benefits away from some U.S. veterans to give to Filipino veterans. Robertson said that would have set a dangerous precedent.

"We did not fight to be compensated," Yague said. "But if other people are being compensated, why not us? It is the duty of the government to help their soldiers."

Some veterans, such as Yague, receive partial disability benefits for injuries suffered during service. He received an eye injury from flying shrapnel.

But many veterans have been denied because they receive benefits for their service in the Philippine Army later in their career. Other Filipino veterans who served under the U.S. Army during the post-war reconstruction, but not during the conflict, have also been denied.

Though some veterans have lobbied to get benefits for themselves, many do not have proof of their service or their names do not appear on military lists.

"I'm disappointed," said veteran Emilio Garcera, 81, who was denied benefits four times. "For so many years, we have not been given a centavo. The sad part is that we are not recognized."

Garcera, who immigrated to Chicago in 1982, started his military career traveling through the jungles of his native Bicol region to deliver messages among military posts. After the war, he was shipped to Japan to assist the U.S. occupation and reconstruction efforts.

"In Okinawa, we were treated well," he said. "The ones I feel bad for are those in the [Bataan] Death March and at Corregidor. They should really receive the benefits."

Tribune photographer Cheryl A. Guerrero contributed to this report.
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Free Tuition for Illinois Veterans

Week of August 18, 2008

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VA Opens More Community-Based Vet Centers

Yesterday, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs announced the opening of an additional 39 Community-Based Vet Centers by fall of 2009 to assist combat veterans with readjustment counseling, including screening and counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Three of the new centers will be in Illinois.  Currently, 232 community outreach centers exist, offering counseling on employment, family issues and education to combat veterans and their family members, as well as bereavement counseling for families of service members killed on active duty and counseling for veterans who were sexually harassed on active duty. Vet Center services are available at no cost to veterans who experienced combat during any war era.

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House Passes Measure to Assist Low-Income Veterans with Housing

The House passed a bill (H.R. 3299) that would require the government to provide 20,000 rental housing vouchers each year to homeless veterans. H.R. 3299 would authorize $200 million in fiscal year (FY) 2008 for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, and require HUD to maintain a constant funding level to meet rising home costs. In addition, the bill would authorize grants to nonprofit organizations that sponsor housing projects for veterans earning less than 50 percent of the median income in an area or assist veterans in obtaining housing or applying for HUD programs. The Administration has threatened to veto H.R. 3299 saying it would replicate successful programs already in effect.

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Senate Appropriations Committee Approves FY 2009 Funding for Veterans Affairs

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2009 spending bill for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, including $48 billion in discretionary spending for Veterans Affairs (VA). Under the bill, $41 billion would go to fund veterans health care services, including $250 million to initiate a new health outreach program for veterans in rural areas. The measure also provides $5 million for outreach and transitional assistance to women veterans as well as $24.7 billion for military construction, family housing and BRAC. In addition, the bill includes $1.3 billion for Guard and Reserve facilities.

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July 23, 2008

Veteran Affairs

The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the Veterans Affairs response to members of the National Guard and Reserves returning from war: Wednesday, July 23 at 9:30 a.m., 418 Russell Building.

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