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VFW Washington Weekly - June 18, 2007

Monday, June 18, 2007 at 12:28 PM

by post5953

VFW Washington Weekly
June 18, 2007

In This Issue:
1. Senate Appropriations Bill Update
2. VFW Testifies on Healthcare Bills
3. Senate Hears Servicemember Employment Concerns
4. Mullen to Succeed Pace as JCS Chairman
5. VFW Assists with Tricare Survey

1. Senate Appropriations Bill Update
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Military Construction and VA Funding approved their version of the fiscal year 2008 funding bill this week. The bill includes a record $43 billion for VA, which is $6.5 billion above last year's funding level.

Included in the bill:
**$29 billion for Medical Care, with money set aside for polytrauma care, mental health services, and specialized treatment for TBI and PTSD.
**$1.3 billion for the Veterans Benefits Administration to allow for the hiring of more than 500 new disability claims processors to tackle the backlog of compensation claims.
**$1 billion above the President's request for minor construction and nonrecurring maintenance of VA hospitals and facilities to avoid the same type of deterioration as at Walter Reed.
The bill is before the full Senate Appropriations Committee, and if cleared there, would move to the full Senate for a vote. If approved, the Senate bill would then need to be matched up with the version moving through the House to resolve differences before presenting it to the President for his signature. The House version has similar funding levels.

2. VFW Testifies on Healthcare Bills
VFW testified before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health on several bills designed to expand healthcare options for veterans. Included among the VFW-supported bills is HR 2005, which would require VA to create centers of excellence for veterans living in rural areas, would establish a grant program for groups that help transport veterans from rural areas to medical centers, and would increase the mileage reimbursement for travel to/from VA medical facilities that would be equal to the rate provided to federal employees.
Other bills include grants to organizations for a suicide prevention hotline targeted and staffed by veterans and armed forces personnel (HR 2219), and legislation (HR 1488) that would require VA to develop and implement a system to measure data about its healthcare facilities. For complete coverage of the hearing and our testimony, go to: http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/schedule110/june07/06-14-07/witness.shtml

3. Senate Hears Servicemember Employment Concerns
The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing focusing on employment concerns of current servicemembers. The hearing, the third in a series focusing on seamless transition, looked at the collaborative efforts between VA, DOD and the Department of Labor to serve the employment needs of returning veterans. The Committee referenced recommendations made in the Task Force Report to the President on the Returning Global War on Terror Heroes. For more, go to the Senate VA website at: http://veterans.senate.gov/

4. Mullen to Succeed Pace as JCS Chairman
Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced last Friday that he has recommended Adm. Mike Mullen, currently the Chief of Naval Operations, to replace Marine Gen. Peter Pace as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gates said he had originally intended to seek another two-year term for Pace, but concluded that would have resulted in a divisive Senate confirmation focusing on the Iraq War. Mullen, a 1968 Naval Academy graduate, was the Vice CNO from 2003 to 2004 before taking over the top Navy position two years ago. His last operational assignment was as the commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe. Pace, who also served as the vice chairman from 2001 to 2005, indicated he would retire when his two-year term expires on Sept. 30.

5. VFW Assists with Tricare Survey
The VFW has been asked by a fellow Military Coalition member to assist with a web-based survey to investigate whether or not TRICARE beneficiaries are having difficulties in finding doctors who will accept TRICARE, or in the case of TRICARE for Life beneficiaries, doctors who will accept Medicare. The goal is to use the data to work with DOD and Congress to improve beneficiary access at problem locations around the country. The survey is being conducted by the Military Officers Association of America, and they hope to receive survey input from tens of thousands of TRICARE beneficiaries, who are military retirees, servicemembers and eligible family members. To take the survey, go to: http://www.moaa.org/tricaresurvey.

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VFW Wants Movement on New G.I. Bill Proposal; National Commander Urges Members to Petition U.S. Senate

Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 12:46 PM

by post5953

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2007--The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is asking his entire membership to contact their U.S. senators and urge them to support S. 22, the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007.

The bill, which was introduced in January by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), would mirror the original World War II G.I. Bill by providing modern-day educational benefits such as full tuition, books, room and board, and a monthly stipend for living expenses. The bill would also eliminate the $1,200 enrollment fee for active-duty troops, extend the “use or lose” window from 10 to 15 years, and include Guardsmen and Reservists who are activated for a 24-month aggregate period.

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Action Alert: Contact your US Senators

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VA Moves to Strengthen Suicide Prevention

Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 12:42 PM

by post5953

Nicholson: Move Bolsters Strong Mental Health Program

WASHINGTON -- To strengthen one of the nation’s largest mental health programs and continue providing world-class health care to the nation’s veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced plans to hire suicide prevention counselors at each of its 153 medical centers.

“Many veterans have paid a high price for their service to our nation and have earned world-class mental health care,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. “Every suicide is a tragedy that sends ripples of pain throughout families and communities.  VA health care professionals are committed to provide timely, compassionate intervention, which might help prevent this needless suffering.”

The new suicide prevention counselors will join the 9,000 mental health professionals already employed by VA.  The Department spends nearly $3 billion a year for mental health services.  About 1 million VA patients have a mental health diagnosis.

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BPG gives another million to VFW National Home

Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 06:44 AM

by post5953

EATON RAPIDS — The VFW National Home for Children received a $1 million donation May 31 from the Buick-Pontiac-GMC (BPG) Division of General Motors. BPG General Manager Jim Bunnell presented the check at a dedication ceremony for a new duplex that was built with a portion of a $3.5 million donation that came from last year's BPG Memorial Day Dealership Campaign.

"It's just the right thing to do," said Bunnell. "For all the military men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice, what a better way to step up and say 'The American people think about you, they care for you and they want to say thank you'."

The million dollar donation is a part of BPG's "A Million Thanks" Memorial Day and National Military Appreciation Month campaign. The auto division teamed up with A Million Thanks, a letter-writing, military-support campaign to help raise awareness of the unseen sacrifices of military men and women.

(Click photo to enlarge)

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VFW Radio Program Expanding to Talk Radio Network

Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 06:37 AM

by post5953

KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 8, 2007--The VFW talk-radio program, The National Defense, has joined forces with Talk Radio Network Entertainment (TRN).

The National Defense radio show highlights important issues and hot topics of vital importance to our country that until now have only been discussed by talk show hosts who have little or no connection to the United States military. The hour-long weekly show, which is produced in Kansas City, Mo., is hosted by Vietnam War veteran Jerry Newberry, VFW communications director. Co-hosting the show is Kansas City radio personality Randy Miller.

According to Newberry, The National Defense's hard-hitting approach to important issues will fill a void in talk radio because of the show’s military focus and dedication to championing relevant issues and causes affecting the nation’s uniformed forces.

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Note: The National Defense can be heard anytime through your VFW WebCOM Departmental toolbar.  Get yours now.

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The American Veteran - June Edition

Monday, June 4, 2007 at 05:21 PM

by post5953

From The Pentagon Channel:

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