August 8, 2014
In This Issue:
1. President Signs VA Access Bill
2. Post 9/11 GI Bill Anniversary
3. VFW Discusses Access to VA Services in New Mexico
4. VA to Host Town Hall Events
5. Three MIAs Identified
1. President Signs VA Access Bill: Yesterday, the VFW was on hand when President Obama signed into law the VA Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014. The VFW-supported legislation provides nearly $17 billion emergency funding for VA which will:
* Expand veterans' access to healthcare.
* Allow VA to hire more doctors, nurses and other health care support staff.
* Authorize the expansion or creation of 27 VA outpatient clinics and research facilities.
* Enhance care for victims of Military Sexual Trauma and TBI.
* Provide in-state tuition rates for all Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients.
The VFW has been on the forefront, demanding Congress fix VA access and scheduling issues and take care of veterans. At the recent VFW National Convention, members filed a resolution telling Congress to either pass the bill before recess, or pay the consequences back home. The message was quickly reinforced by our members and advocates who sent nearly 32,000 messages, reaching every Congressional office on Capitol Hill, insisting legislators take action. We will continue to monitor the implementation of the new law and advocate for strong oversight from VA leaders and Congress, so that every veteran receives the timely, quality care they have earned.
To read our Press Release: http://www.vfw.org/News-and-Events/Articles/2014-Articles/PRESIDENT-SIGNS-CRITICAL-VETERANS-LEGISLATION-INTO-LAW/
For the President's remarks, visit the White House website at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/08/07/remarks-president-signing-veterans-access-choice-and-accountability-act
For a summary of the bill's provisions, click here: http://www.sanders.senate.gov/download/the-veterans-access-choice-and-accountability-act-of-2014-summary?inline=file
2. Post 9/11 GI Bill Anniversary: Earlier this year we celebrated the 70th Anniversary of the original GI Bill. This week, we commemorate the 5th Anniversary of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. According to VA and DOD, more than $42 billion in benefits have helped over 1.2 million veterans, service members and their families pursue their education goals. The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides a generous benefit to student veterans, covering the full cost of in-state tuition at all public colleges and universities or up to $19,198 at private schools. It also provides a housing stipend, and up to $1,000 per year for books and supplies. The VFW was instrumental in getting the Post 9/11 GI Bill passed, strongly believing that education is critical to ensuring that service members are able to successfully transition from military to civilian life.
For more on the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits or how to apply if eligible, click here: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
3. VFW Discusses Access to VA Services in New Mexico: On Wednesday, the House VA Committee held a field hearing in Roswell, New Mexico entitled, "Challenges in Rural America: VA Access and Mental Health Care." The VFW Department of New Mexico Commander submitted testimony which delved into the many issues facing rural veterans and particularly in their state. Topics included the shortage or VA physicians in rural areas, transportation challenges for those who live in remote areas, and the need for continued expansion of telehealth services. Additionally, the VFW raised concerns that the Albuquerque VAMC is underutilizing its authority to provide veterans with outside care when necessary, and asked the committee to focus its oversight authority on that facility to make sure New Mexico veterans are getting the care they need in a timely manner. To read our full testimony, click here: http://www.vfw.org/VFW-in-DC/Congressional-Testimony/CHALLENGES-IN-RURAL-AMERICA--VA-ACCESS-AND-MENTAL-HEALTH-CARE/
4. VA to Host Town Hall Events: Newly confirmed VA Secretary Robert McDonald has directed all VHA and VBA facilities to hold Town Hall meetings by the end of September. The VFW is asking all leaders, members and advocates to plan to attend these meetings and speak up about your health care and benefit experiences. We will provide further information on locations and dates as soon as they are confirmed by VA. Check back here for more information regarding the upcoming meetings.
5. Three MIAs Identified: The Defense POW/MIA Office announced the remains of three servicemen who had been missing in Action from WWII and Korea. Identified are:
* Army Air Forces 1st Lts. William D. Bernier and Bryant E. Poulsen, 321st Bombardment Squadron, 90th Bombardment Group, 5th Army Air Forces, were lost April 10, 1944, in Papua New Guinea. They were accounted for last month and will be buried with full military honors at a date and time to be determined.
* Army Cpl. Alva C. Groves, 18, of Four States, W.Va., was scheduled for burial yesterday in Prunytown, W. Va. In November 1950, Groves was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, when his unit was attacked by Chinese forces northeast of the village of Kujang, North Korea. Groves was reported missing in action later that month. After the armistice, Chinese forces reported that Groves was captured during the battle but later died from tubercular peritonitis in a prisoner of war camp. Read more at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/
To sign up new veterans' advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.
As always, we want to share your advocacy stories on the VFW Capitol Hill blog. To share your stories either fill out our online form by clicking here, http://www.vfw.org/Forms/Capitol-Hill-Blog-Submissions/, or simply email photos and stories directly to vfwac@vfw.org.
