DAV: Debt Limit Rhetoric Worries Disabled Veterans

WASHINGTON--As Republican and Democratic congressional leaders continue negotiations with President Obama on an agreement to increase the debt ceiling, the rhetoric has become increasingly heated and worrisome to disabled veterans and others who receive federal benefit payments. For many, disability compensation and pension payments are the major source of income.

"It is time to put aside partisan bickering and political brinksmanship when it comes to the nation's sacred obligation to disabled veterans and their families," said Disabled American Veterans National Commander Wallace E. Tyson. "The men and women who have preserved and protected our precious freedoms at great personal cost simply must be guaranteed they will continue to receive their disability compensation and other benefits without interruption."

"It is outrageous that disabled veterans have become political pawns in the fight over how to increase the government's borrowing authority," Tyson said. "Whatever the outcome of the battle over the nation's debt ceiling, compensation and pension payments to disabled veterans and their families and survivors deserve the highest priority in federal spending. Their service and sacrifice is a debt the government absolutely must pay."

Kucinich Amendment Increases Gulf War Illness Budget by 25 Percent

(91outcomes.com)  Through the leadership efforts of Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), today's House floor votes increased the CDMRP Gulf War Illness treatment-focused research budget by 25 percent, as we were seeking. We hope that the final vote will preserve the acclaimed Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program ("CDMRP"), which primarily Tea Party members of the House want to eliminate, claiming it's duplicative of NIH funding.  While it is true that some of the CMDRP subjects are the same as those researched by NIH, such as some of the cancer programs, the funded research is primarily high-risk, high-gain and would not otherwise be funded. This is particularly true for programs like GWI, which VA also researches.    However, VA only funds VA employees, meaning the treatment-focused CDMRP studies would never be funded by VA.   Additionally, most if not all of VA's GWI research is "investigator-initiated" and to date has lacked strategic focus. The proof is in the outcomes, with the first and only successful GWI treatment so far having been funded through the CDMRP and not VA. CDMRP has had just $31 million in appropriations for GWI; VA and DoD combined have spent over $400 million without finding a single treatment to help GWI patients. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) -- VA's gold standard -- 250,000 of the 696,842 veterans of the 1991 Gulf War, or more than one in three, suffer from chronic multi-symptom illness not explained by any physical or psychiatric disorder. [Personal note: The battle for CDMRP funding continues next in the Senate, where I'll be next week hoping to help in the broader efforts to fully restore or increase all CDMRP funding and increase GWI funding to at least $25 million, the level recommended by the IOM.] --Anthony Hardie, Madison, Wis. ======== Kucinich Continues Long-Term Fight for Gulf War Illnesses Research Funding

Kucinich Amendment Increases CDMRP Gulf War Illness Treatment Research Budget by 25% Washington D.C. (July 6, 2011) – Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today continued his his long-term commitment to funding research into the cause and cure of Gulf War Illness by offering an amendment to the Defense Appropriations Act, H.R. 2219, which will increase the amount of money available to the Gulf War Illnesses Research Program by 25% over last year’s level to $10 million. Congressman Kucinich took to the floor today to urge support for the amendment. See the video here. The amendment passed today by a vote of 253 to 167 and will be included in the underlying bill. “Today, along with the support my colleague, Representative Michaud, I am offering this amendment to help an estimated 250,000 ailing veterans of the first Gulf War-- over one-third of those who served. It will bring the modest budget for the Gulf War Illnesses Research Program within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) in line with that of its peer programs, to $10 million. “Too many veterans of the first Gulf War suffer from persistent symptoms such as chronic headache, widespread pain, cognitive difficulties, unexplained fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory symptoms, and other abnormalities that are not explained by traditional medical or psychiatric diagnoses.  Research shows that as these brave soldiers age, they are at double the risk for ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease as their non-deployed peers. There may also be connections to Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Sadly, there are no known treatments for the lifelong pain these veterans endure. “In a new landmark report, the Institute of Medicine has recognized that, and called for a major national research effort to identify treatments.  The scientific community has responded with a dramatic increase in the quality and quantity of proposals that are submitted to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, otherwise known as CDMRP.  “In the FY 12 Defense Appropriations bill, CDMRP programs with direct relevance to current forces received a 25% increase.  The research conducted by the Gulf War Veterans Illnesses Research Program is vital not only for ill Gulf War veterans, but also for other military forces.  “As summarized by the IOM committee chair on the topic, Dr. Stephen Hauser, Gulf War illnesses research is ‘vital to the health and effectiveness of current and future military forces, in addition to Gulf War veterans.’   “Most encouraging, CDMRP-funded researchers have completed the first successful pilot study of a medication to treat one of the major symptoms of Gulf War illness.  Just last month, a report was released on the first successful medication program study in the history of Gulf War illness research.  The study showed that the low-cost supplement, Coenzyme Q10, produced significant improvement in one of the most serious symptoms of Gulf War illness, fatigue with exertion, as well as improvements in nearly every other symptom.  It is not a cure, and the study needs be replicated in a larger group, but the result is extremely encouraging. The next step is for clinical trials, which will only be funded by the CDMRP. “The amendment’s offset comes from the Pentagon Channel, which is costly. It is over $29 million in the past 3 fiscal years. It is redundant; there are 8 other armed forces network television services providing news, entertainment, lifestyle, documentary and religious programming to service members and their families across the globe and it does not provide a vital service.  This research is critical to our troops in the field now as well as those that will be fighting in the future. “According to the VA’s Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses, the known causes of GWI are from exposures incurred in Iraq, like certain pesticides, or are from exposures incurred before deployment, like pyridostigmine bromide, a drug taken as an antidote to the nerve gas, Sarin.  There is also some evidence for a link between GWI and exposure to low-level exposure to nerve agents, close proximity to oil well fires, receipt of multiple vaccines, and combinations of Gulf War exposures.  “Current forces in Iraq and Afghanistan can still incur each of these exposures. That is why the Chair of the IOM Committee report on Gulf War Illnesses said that ‘This IOM report makes findings and recommendations vital to the health and effectiveness of current and future U.S. military forces, in addition to Gulf War veterans.’ “This is a time for us to say thank you to those who served; to say that we understand the suffering that Gulf War veterans have had with this illness and that we are dedicated to finding higher levels of research to make sure that we can relieve their suffering.

WDVA Legislative Update - July 7, 2011

WDVA VETERANS LEGISLATION – MONTHLY UPDATE

July 5, 2011

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) provides the Veterans Legislation Monthly Update to notify veterans advocates on relevant legislative developments relating to Wisconsin veterans.

STATE BUDGET UPDATE:

• Budget Passed and Signed – On June 16, the Legislature completed action on the 2011-2013 State Budget, and on June 26, the Governor signed the budget with partial vetoes.

• Summary of Major Budget Provisions relating to Veterans Programs:

• $5 Million GPR Provided to Trust Fund – The budget allocates $5 million in general purpose revenue to the Veterans Trust Fund.  Recent budget projections from WDVA and LFB indicated that the Veterans Trust Fund would experience a $3.7 million shortfall before the end of the 2011-13 biennium without legislative authorization.  This is the first infusion of GPR dollars into the Trust Fund since 1988.  The budget also requires that WDVA provide recommendations to the Legislature on adopting a viable long-term funding source for the Veterans Trust Fund by June 30, 2012.

• Restoration of Wisconsin GI Bill – The budget fully restores access to the Wisconsin GI Bill for Post-9/11 veterans.  Furthermore, the budget enhances access to the Wisconsin GI Bill by ensuring that schools remits the full amount of tuition and fees charged for any degree credit course, including online and distance learning courses.  For more info, see item #12 in the Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s (LFB) UW System Comparative Budget Summary and item #10 in the Wisconsin Technical Colleges Comparative Budget Summary. 

• Wisconsin GI Bill at UW-Madison – The budget does not create a separate University of Wisconsin-Madison authority.  Accordingly, the provision that would have enabled the UW-Madison Board of Trustees to eliminate the Wisconsin GI Bill under an adopted resolution is null and void. 

• Increased Budget for Veterans Property Tax Credit – The budget increases the expenditure authority for the Veterans Property Tax Credit Program by $23.8 million over the biennium to support an anticipated increase in usage.  Accordingly, the budget expands the total program budget to $39 million over the biennium.  For more info, see item #5 in LFB’s General Fund Taxes Comparative Budget Summary. 

• Exemption from the Nursing Home Bed Assessment (Bed Tax) – The budget continues the exemption from payment of the bed assessment for the Wisconsin Veterans Homes.  For more info, see item #2 under “Veterans Homes” in LFB’s Veterans Affairs Comparative Budget Summary. 

• Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls – The budget approves the operating budget for the forthcoming Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls.  Also, the budget restores the requirement to conduct a cost-benefit analysis for the purpose of identifying the most appropriate business model for the future operation of the Chippewa Falls Veterans Home.  Under the final version of the budget, WDVA will conduct a cost-benefit analysis prior to contracting with a private entity for the operation and staffing of Chippewa Falls and submit the analysis to the Department of Administration.  WDVA may only contract for services which can be performed more economically or efficiently by such contract.  For more info, see item D-34 in the LFB’s Summary of Partial Vetoes in the 2011-2013 State Budget.

• Funding Restored for Military Funeral Honors Stipends – The Legislature and Governor recently passed Assembly Bill 148 (“the bill to pay the bills”), which provides $68,900 GPR to ensure the availability of military funeral honor stipends for veterans service organizations for the remainder of the current fiscal year.  Because the stipends were funded in AB 148, the repetitive language in the state budget bill was not needed and therefore removed.

STATE VETERANS LEGISLATION:

• Legislature Recesses for Summer – Now that the budget has passed, the Wisconsin Legislature has adjourned the regular session.  They aren’t scheduled to convene until early fall.  While legislative committees can still hold public hearings and executive sessions, the Legislature is not scheduled to hold any regular floor sessions until September.

• Appointment of WDVA Secretary; WDVA Board Composition and Powers (AB 96 / SB 97) – On June 8, both the Assembly and Senate passed AB 96 / SB 97, which gives the Governor to appoint the WDVA Secretary and alters the composition and powers of the WDVA Board.  The bill is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature.

Under this bill, the Governor would appoint the WDVA Secretary.  Before appointing the Secretary, the Governor must consult with the presiding officers of at least six Wisconsin veterans organizations.  Also, the proposal transfers the direction and supervision of the Department from the Board to the Secretary.  Relating to the composition of the Board, this proposal expands the Board to nine members, one from each of Wisconsin’s eight congressional districts and one serving at large.  Finally, the proposal stipulates that all Board members must have served on active duty, but need not have served in any particular war or conflict.

• Preferential Hiring for Disabled Veterans (not introduced) – The WDVA Office of the Secretary is putting forward a proposal to create new pathways to state employment for disabled veterans.  Under current law, state agencies are allowed to expedite appointments of 30% disabled veterans through the non-competitive hiring process if the applicant meets the qualifying criteria set by the agency.  But the non-competitive hiring process is limited to entry-level and non-professional positions.  Accordingly, the Office of the Secretary is working to bring forward legislation that expands the non-competitive hiring process for disabled veterans to all state positions.  See the following link for more info:  Issue Brief: Preferential Hiring for Disabled Veterans.  The Office of the Secretary submitted the proposal to the Governor’s office and is currently awaiting their feedback.

• Track State Veterans Legislation – You can visit WDVA’s State Veterans Legislation – Key Bills webpage to track developments and gather additional information on state veterans legislation.  Also, you can sign up for the Wisconsin Legislative Notification Service toreceive automatic email alerts relating to legislative action on specific bills, committees, legislators and subject areas.

• Contact Your State Legislators – Contact your State Legislators

FEDERAL VETERANS LEGISLATION

• Senate Committee Action on “Hiring Heroes Act of 2011” (S. 951) – The Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Patty Murray, recently introduced the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 (S. 951).  The bill would implement a variety of practices to increase employment opportunities for veterans, including:

1.      Requiring preseparation job counseling to members whose discharge or release is anticipated;

2.      Instructing the VA Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to follow-up on the employment status of certain veterans;

3.      The provision of additional VA rehabilitation programs for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities; and

4.      The provision of VA grants to nonprofit organizations under a collaborative veterans' training, mentoring, and placement program for eligible veterans seeking employment.

On June 8, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held hearings on the bill, and on June 29, the bill was ordered to be reported out of committee without amendments.  For more details, see the Congressional Research Service’s summary of S. 951. 

• Track Federal Veterans Legislation – You can visit WDVA’s Federal Veterans Legislation – Key Bills webpage to track developments and gather more information on federal legislation specific to Wisconsin veterans. 

• Contact Your Federal Legislators – Contact your Federal Lawmakers

For additional updates and information on the veterans budget and veterans legislation, visit www.WisVets.com/Legislation.  Otherwise please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions.

Thanks for your commitment to better serve our veterans,

Max Dulberger
Executive Assistant
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
608-267-0784
Max.Dulberger@dva.state.wi.us

DAV Legislative Bulletin–June 2011

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN

June 2011

Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2012 Budget

As I reported in the April Legislative Bulletin, the Administration’s budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2012 included only modest funding increases for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits programs. For both mandatory funding (compensation, pension, insurance and education benefits) and discretionary funding (primarily health care) the Administration recommended about $132 billion. The House Budget Committee subsequently recommended $128 billion in its budget resolution, about $4 billion less than requested.

The Administration’s FY 2012 budget proposal also included a request for $52.5 billion in advance appropriations for VA health care accounts for FY 2013. The Administration has assumed $3.3 billion in first- and third-party collections from veterans and their private insurers.

On June 14, 2011, after consideration of a series of floor amendments most of which were rejected, the full House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to approve the funding levels as recommended by the Appropriations Committee.

Current status:

Fiscal year 2012 Administration budget request $130.2 billion. House-passed funding level $129.7 billion. In comparison to:

· Fiscal year 2011 enacted level – +$7.9 billion

· Fiscal year 2012 budget request – -$475.7 million

· Fiscal year 2013 advance [medical] budget request $52.5 billion

· Fiscal year 2013 House-passed advance appropriation $52.5 billion

In summary, the Appropriations Committee recommended and now the full House has passed a total of $129.7 billion in new budget authority for all VA programs (mandatory and discretionary) in fiscal year 2012, an increase of $7.9 billion, or 6.4 percent above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level but $475.7 million below the Administration’s budget request. In addition, the House agreed to advance appropriations of $52.5 billion, to be provided for fiscal year 2013 in VA Medical Care accounts, matching the President’s request for the advance appropriations year.

The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration. The Senate has yet to act on the FY 2012 VA budget request, either at the Budget Committee or Appropriations Committee level. While VA’s appropriation has been slightly cut (in information technology, general administration and medical and prosthetic research), we are grateful to the House for strongly supporting all VA programs at this time of fiscal and monetary uncertainty. We will keep you updated on VA’s budget as events warrant.

Government Accountability Office Report on Advance Appropriations

On June 14, 2011, GAO released its report on the VA budget, which was required by Public Law 111-81, the advance appropriations law authored by Congressman Filner. The GAO report confirms several of our concerns about gimmicks in the budget, including:

• • $1.1 billion carryover from this year (FY 2011);
• • $2.5 billion in “operational improvements;” and
• • The so-called “contingency fund.”

The GAO report also uncovered another $2.5 billion that the Office of Management and Budget cut from the VA for FY 2012 and FY 2013 for needed equipment and maintenance.

DAV will request that both House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs and Appropriations Committees will hold hearings to ensure that we have an honest and transparent VA budget.

Pending Legislation

H.R. 2052, the Fort McClellan Health Registry Act, introduced by Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY), directs the VA to establish and maintain a registry of veterans who served at Fort McClellan, Alabama, due to potential exposure to a toxic substance or environmental hazard.

S. 411, the Helping Our Homeless Veterans Act of 2011, introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) would authorize VA to enter into agreements with States and nonprofit organizations to collaborate in case management services for veterans’ supported housing programs.

S.696, introduced by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), would require VA to treat Vet Centers as VA health care facilities for purposes of payments of beneficiary travel reimbursements to veterans visiting Vet Centers.

S.894, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011, introduced by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), would authorize a COLA increase, effective December 1, 2011, in the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of disabled veterans.

S.914, introduced by Senator Mark Begich (D-AK), would authorize waiver of the collection of copayments for VA telehealth and telemedicine visits.

S.951, the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011, introduced by Senator Murray, an omnibus act on veterans employment would:

• • Expand the authority of the VA Secretary to make payments to employers that provide on-the-job training to veterans.
• • Entitle certain service-connected veterans who have exhausted their rights to unemployment benefits to participation in an additional VA rehabilitation program and would require the VA Secretary to follow-up on the employment status of veterans who participate in VA rehabilitation.
• • Require participation by eligible service members in the Transitional Assistance Program (TAP), and provision of pre-separation counseling to members who anticipate discharge, including assessment of equivalencies between military skills and civilian employment requirements.
• • Instruct the Secretary of Labor to follow-up on employment status of members who complete their TAP participation.
• • Authorize up to three specialized grants for veterans’ employment.
• • Liberalize appointments of veterans to the federal civil service if otherwise qualified, without regard to civil service examination, and would require federal agencies to provide employment assistance to separating members.
• • Direct the Secretary of Labor to carry out an outreach program to provide employment assistance to certain veterans receiving unemployment compensation.
• • Authorize a pilot program to assess the feasibility of providing work experience to certain members of the Armed Forces who are on terminal leave.
• • Require a VA demonstration project on credentialing and licensing of veterans.
• • Extend several existing authorities and require a series of reports.

S.957, the Veterans’ Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitative Services’ Improvements Act of 2011, introduced by Senator John Boozman (R-AR), would improve rehabilitative services for veterans with traumatic brain injury.

S.1017, the Disabled Veteran Caregiver Housing Assistance Act of 2011, introduced by Senator Bernard Sanders (I-VT), would increase assistance for disabled veterans who are temporarily residing in housing owned by a family member.

S.1060, the Honoring All Veterans Act of 2011, introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), would improve education, employment, independent living services, and health care for veterans, improve assistance for homeless veterans, and improve the administration of the VA.

S. 1104, the Veteran Transition Assistance Program Audit Act of 2011, introduced by Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA), would require regular audits of, and improvements to, the TAP Program.

S. 1127, introduced by Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), would establish centers of excellence for rural health research, education, and clinical activities and provide statutory recognition to VA’s existing Rural Health Resource Centers.

Hearings

On May 3, 2011, DAV testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, concerning seven benefits-related bills.

On May 13, 2011, DAV testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health regarding the Federal Recovery Coordinator Program.

On June 8, 2011, DAV testified before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on 34 bills under consideration, most of which are summarized above.

On June 13, 2011, DAV testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health regarding a recently released GAO report 11-530—Actions Needed to Prevent Sexual Assaults and Other Safety Incidents.

Sexual Assaults in VA Facilities

The DAV finds very disturbing a GAO report that cites 284 cases of alleged, attempted or confirmed sex assaults on patients and employees at VA medical centers between January 2007 and last July. “It is fundamental that our VA hospitals offer a safe environment as well as topflight medical care,” said DAV National Commander Wallace E. Tyson. “This is very disturbing news, and we urge the VA to put into place the report’s recommendations at all medical centers, clinics and other facilities.”

The GAO report examined sexual assaults at VA medical centers and found that many times the victims’ reports are mishandled or inappropriately acted upon based on decisions by local physicians and administrators.

The DAV strongly recommends the creation of a task force to ensure the VA adopts a culture of safety and promptly develops a uniform policy for the reporting of all sexual assaults.

“Mandatory reporting is absolutely necessary. There must be a strict requirement set immediately that all allegations of sexual assaults be reported to an independent body of oversight,” Commander Tyson said in a press release. “These reports can no longer be allowed to be dealt with solely at the local level.”

“This is not a gender-specific issue – this is an issue for every veteran, family member and caregiver. Every person who enters a VA facility must know the government is doing everything possible to keep them safe. VA needs to be a place of care, not of fear.”

Conclusion

To ensure the successful enactment of the legislation that we support, our DAV and Auxiliary members must become active members of DAV’s grassroots – DAV Commander’s Action Network (CAN) — and all of us must do our part to let our elected officials know about our support for legislation that builds better lives for our nation’s service-disabled veterans, their families and their survivors. Please make a pledge to redouble your efforts to communicate our concerns to your elected officials. This is a key to our success.

See you at the DAV National Convention in New Orleans August 6-9, 2011.

JOSEPH A. VIOLANTE

National Legislative Director

CDMRP Has Many Supporters, Including DAV

June 8, 2011

Chairman Bill Young --  Ranking Member Norm Dicks
Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations
H-140, the Capitol --  1016 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515 -- Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Young and Ranking Dicks:

As you prepare for the full committee markup of the fiscal year 2012 Defense Appropriations Act, we write to thank you for including $223 million for cancer research in the bill. We are hopeful that this life-saving cancer research funding as well as the funding for other medical research will remain in the bill after the full committee markup.

Should there be efforts during the full committee markup to strip funding for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) from the bill, the undersigned organizations respectfully request that you oppose such attempts and demonstrate your continued support for the funding.

Funding for the CDMRP is an opportunity to advance the best research to eradicate diseases and support the warfighter for the benefit of the American public. These research programs target diseases that impact directly the welfare of the American military, their families and the public. For example, CDMRP supports medical research on several forms of cancer (breast, blood, colorectal, melanoma, pediatric, brain, lung, ovarian, and prostate) and other diseases (like neurofibromatosis and bone marrow failure) that have lead to breakthroughs on nerve regeneration and traumatic brain injury. The CDMRP also funds research on Gulf War Illness, psychological health, spinal cord injury, and hearing and vision loss (which comprise a significant portion of current battlefield injuries). Other activities target diseases and conditions such as Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Scleroderma, ALS, and Autism.

The programs also represent a unique partnership among the public, Congress, and the military. The Department of Defense’s CDMRP supports high-quality medical research, concentrating its resources on research mechanisms which complement rather than duplicate the research approaches of the major funders of medical research in the United States. Although the diseases included in this program are diverse, the research on these disease types is often synergistic. For example, investigators increasingly look at the molecular profiles of cancer, often finding connections across cancers affecting different body sites. Advances or progress related to one cancer fuels the research on the other cancers in this program, and treatments initially approved for one cancer are routinely found to be effective in others.

The undersigned respectfully request your continued support for fiscal year 2012 funding of all programs within CDMRP.

Sincerely,

The ALS Association
American Academy of Dermatology Association
American Association for Cancer Research
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American College of Gastroenterology
American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
American Gastroenterological Association
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
The American Legion
Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation
Arkansas Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
Association of American Cancer Institutes
Autism Speaks
Cancer Support Community
Caring Together, Inc.
Celma Mastry Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research Inc.
Charlene Miers Foundation for Cancer Research
Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy
Children's Tumor Foundation
Chris4Life
Colon Cancer Alliance
Colon Cancer STARS
Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance
CureSearch for Children's Cancer
Disabled American Veterans
Fight Colorectal Cancer
Friends of Cancer Research
FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance, Inc.
Get Your Rear In Gear
GRACE'S
HERA Women's Cancer Foundation
Hope for Heather
ICAN - International Cancer Advocacy Network
Intercultural Cancer Council Caucus
International Myeloma Foundation
Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation
Kidney Cancer Association
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Linda Young Ovarian Cancer Support Program, Benedictine Hospital
LIVESTRONG
Lung Cancer Alliance
Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
Lymphoma Research Foundation
Malecare Cancer Support
Melanoma Research Foundation
Men's Health Network
Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance, Inc.
MIOCA (Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance)
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions (NASPCC)
National Brain Tumor Society
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
National Lung Cancer Partnership
National Marrow Donor Program
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Patient Advocate Foundation
Neurofibromatosis, Inc. Arizona
Neurofibromatosis, Inc. California
Neurofibromatosis Midwest
Neurofibromatosis, Inc., Network
Neurofibromatosis, Inc., Northeast
NF Inc. Minnesota
NF, Inc. Michigan
Nine Girls Ask
OASIS of Southern California
Olympus America Inc.
Oncology Nursing Society
Ovacome Ovarian Cancer Support and Advocacy of Tampa Bay
Ovar’Coming Together
Ovarian and Breast Cancer Alliance of Washington State
Ovarian Awareness of Kentucky
Ovarian Cancer Advocacy Alliance
Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Arizona
Ovarian Cancer Alliance of California
Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida
Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati
Ovarian Cancer Alliance of North Florida, Inc.
Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio
Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Oregon and Southwest Washington
Ovarian Cancer Coalition of Greater California
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
Ovarian Cancer Orange County Alliance
Prevent Cancer Foundation
Preventing Colorectal Cancer.Org
Prostate Cancer Foundation
Prostate Cancer International
Prostate Conditions Education Council
R.O.A.R.!
Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Inc.
Sarcoma Foundation of America
SHARE: Self-Help for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer
Society for Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA)
Society of Gynecologic Oncology
The Teal Tea Foundation
Teal Tulips (formerly R.O.C.C.S.)
Texas Neurofibromatosis Foundation
Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance
United Ostomy Associations of America
Us TOO International
Us TOO - Richmond , Va Group
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
Virginia Prostate Cancer Coalition
Washington State Neurofibromatosis Families
Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance
Women Against Prostate Cancer
Women’s Cancer Awareness Group
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
You'll Never Walk Alone
ZERO — The Project to End Prostate Cancer

CDMRP Survives House Approp’s Committee – but Many Health Research Programs Would be Cut by 20 Percent

 

The full House Appropriations Committee met today to markup the FY12 Defense Appropriations bill.  

Despite many rumors that the acclaimed Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) would be eliminated, there were no CDMRP-related amendments during today’s markup. 

DAV members may recall the exceptional presentation on the program by senior CDMRP staff member Dr. J.B. Phillips at last year’s DAV Fall Conference.

It is certainly possible that all the Hill advocacy by dozens of health organizations over the last several weeks – including DAV’s legislative staff -- made the difference in preventing that.

However, under the House plan, there would be many changes to the previously successful CDMRP programs.  The final FY12 Defense Appropriations Bill as recommended by the Full Committee included the following:

1.      Several existing CDMRP programs would not be funded at all: most notably the sort of catch-all Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program; Neurofibromatosis; Pain Management; Global Deployment of the Force medical research; Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine; and SBIR to the core funded RDT&E.

2.      Two programs with the most direct military relevance would see 25% increased funding: Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health (increased from $100m to $125m); Orthopedic (from $24m to $30m).

3.      Three new programs were created: Hemorrhage Control; Restorative Transplantation; and, a Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program -- totaling $75m.

4.      The other 17 programs funded in FY11 would be continued but cut by 20%. Despite the most direct military relevance, these included Spinal Cord Injury, Vision, Gulf War Illness, and Alcohol and Substance Abuse Disorders.

FY11 appropriations first, followed by the FY 12 Full Appropriations Committee Bill Recommended Amounts:

1.      ALS $8,000 -- $6,400
2.      Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine $4,800 -- -0-
3.      Autism Research $6,400 -- $5,100
4.      Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research Program $4,000 -- $3,200
5.      Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy $4,000 -- $3,200
6.      Global HIV/AIDS Prevention $10,000 -- $8,000
7.      Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health $100,000 -- $125,000
8.      Global Deployment of the Force medical research funding -Department of Defense requested transfer to maintain full funding for the program $125,000 -- -0-
9.      Gulf War Illness Peer-Reviewed Research Program $8,000 -- $6,400
10.     Multiple Sclerosis $4,800 -- $3,200
11.     Peer-Reviewed Alzheimer Research $15,000 -- $12,000
12.     Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program $150,000 -- $120,000
13.     Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program $16,000 -- $12,800
14.     Peer-Reviewed Lung Cancer Research Program $12,800 -- $10,200
15.     Peer-Reviewed Orthopedic Research Program $24,000 -- $30,000
16.     Peer-Reviewed Ovarian Cancer Research Program $20,000 -- $16,000
17.     Peer Reviewed Vision research in conjunction with the DoD Vision Center of Excellence $4,000 -- $3,200
18.     Peer-Reviewed Prostate Cancer Research Program $80,000 -- $64,000
19.     Peer-Reviewed Spinal Cord Research Program $12,000 -- $9,600
20.     Research in Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders $5,200 -- $4,500
21.     SBIR to the core funded RDT&E $1,200 -- -0-
22.     Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) $6,400 -- $5,100
23.     Pain Management Task Force Research $4,000 -- -0-
24.     Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program $50,000 -- -0-
25.     Neurofibromatosis Research $16,000 -- -0-

New for FY12:

1.      Hemorrhage Control -- $10,000
2.      Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program -- $50,000
3.      Restorative Transplantation Research Program -- $15,000

**UPDATE from Katie Weyforth Vanlandingham of Van Scoyoc Associates:  Neurofibromatosis was funded (located in a different part of the bill than the other programs) and like most of the other CDMRP programs took at 20% cut from FY11. The Peer-reviewed medical research program is usually only funded in the Senate bill (and then ends up in the conference report) because they do not individually fund most of the CDMRP programs in their bill.
--

Anthony Hardie
Madison, Wis.

New bill would boost job-finding help for vets

 

With an unemployment rate of as high as 27 percent for Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans ages 20 to 24, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairwoman and a member of the Senate Democratic Party leadership Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. has concerns that government isn’t doing enough for unemployed and underemployed veterans.

At an April hearing on veterans’ employment, Murray said the government is letting veterans down.

To help, she has introduced the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011.  DAV and other veterans service organizations have endorsed the bill.

Read more about the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 here:

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/05/military-veterans-hiring-051111w-051111/

Here in Wisconsin, DAV remains highly active in promoting job opportunities for disabled and other veterans including in state government.  To date, the Board of Veterans Affairs has taken no policy action on DAV’s list of recommendations to improve that agency’s employment and hiring of disabled and other veterans, currently seen as abysmal.

--Anthony Hardie

VA Publishes New Family Caregiver Regulations

May 4, 2011 ShareThis

Caregivers like Rosie Babin, seen here with her son Alan Babin, a seriously disabled veteran of the Iraq War, may be eligible for a stipend, mental health services and access to health care.

The VA has published the interim final rule for implementing the Family Caregiver Program that was authorized by Congress last year and will begin taking applications from eligible veterans effective May 9.

The new rule was published May 3 and has a 60-day comment period. It provides additional support for eligible post-9/11 veterans who elect to receive their care in a home setting from a primary caregiver. The VA’s Office of Care Management and Social Work will begin taking applications next week from eligible veterans and servicemembers so they may designate their family caregivers. VA expects the first benefits to be delivered in July.

Veterans eligible for this program include those who sustained a serious physical injury, including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma or other mental disorder incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, on or after Sept. 11, 2001. They must be in need of personal care services because of an inability to perform one or more activities of daily living or need supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological impairment or injury.

The additional services for primary family caregivers of eligible post-9/11 veterans and servicemembers include a stipend, mental health services and access to health care insurance, if they are not already entitled to care or services under a health care plan. Comprehensive caregiver training and medical support are key components of the program.

Effective May 9, veterans may download a copy of the Family Caregiver program application at www.caregiver.va.gov. Caregiver support coordinators are available at every VA medical center and via phone at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) to assist veterans and family caregivers with the application process.
Caregivers for veterans of all eras are eligible for respite care, education and training, meeting the veteran’s care needs and the importance of self-care when in a caregiving role. The full range of VA services already provided to caregivers will continue, and local caregiver support coordinators at each VA medical center are available to assist in identifying benefits and services they may be eligible to receive.

SOURCE: DAV National:  http://www.dav.org/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=395

DAV Legislative Bulletin–April 2011

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
807 Maine Ave., SW ■ Washington, D.C. 20024-2410 ■ Phone (202) 554-3501 ■ Fax (202) 554-3581

LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN
April 2011

Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2012 Budget

The Administration’s budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2012 includes some modest funding increases for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits programs. For both mandatory funding (compensation, pension, death and education benefits) and discretionary funding the Administration has recommended about $132 billion dollars. The House Budget Committee has recommended $128 billion for the VA for FY 2012, about $4 billion below the Administration’s request.

The Administration’s FY 2012 budget proposal includes a request for $52.541 billion in advance appropriations for VA health care accounts in FY 2013. The Administration also assumes $3.3 billion in collections. This is an increase of $1.9 billion over the Administration’s FY 2012 request for VA health care funding. The House Budget Committee proposal requests $52.500 billion for advance appropriations, $41 billion less than the Administration. Of concern to DAV is the fact that we believe the Administration’s request should be considered a floor, which can be raised if warranted, while the House proposal treat it as a ceiling, the maximum VA should receive in FY 2013.

Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2011 Budget

The battle over the FY 2011 budget has now ended. On April 14, 2011, Congress passed a long-term appropriations bill to fund the government until the next fiscal year begins on October 1.

While many programs have been cut, VA has been mostly untouched. Total discretionary funding requested by the Administration was $60.321 billion dollars. Under the bill, VA would receive $60.075. Most of the cuts are in information technology, construction programs and general administration.

Pending Legislation

H.R. 803, the Equity for Injured Veterans Act of 2011, was introduced on February 18, 2011, by Representative Bob Filner (D-CA). This bill would extend the period of eligibility for training and rehabilitation through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans with service-connected disabilities until the end of the 15-year period after the veteran’s discharge from active duty.

H.R. 810, the Fair Access to Veterans Benefits Act of 2011, was introduced by Representative Filner on February 18, 2011. This bill would extend the 120-day limit for the filing of an appeal to the Court of Veterans Appeals after a final decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals upon a showing of good cause for such time as justice may require. It would also consider as good cause the inability of a person to file within the 120-day period due to a service-connected disability.

H.R. 813, introduced by Representative Filner on February 18, 2011, would amend title 38, United States Code, to reduce the period of time for which a veteran must be totally disabled before the veteran’s survivors are eligible for the benefits provided by the Secretary for survivors of certain veterans rated totally disabled at the time of death.

H.R. 1092, the Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act, was introduced by Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) on March 15, 2011. This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) and the nation have a committed health benefits obligation to retired military personnel that exceeds the obligation of corporate employers to civilian employees; and (2) DOD has many additional options to constrain the growth of health care spending in ways that do not disadvantage beneficiaries, and should pursue such options rather than seeking large fee increases for beneficiaries.

It would also prohibit an increase in a premium, deductible, copayment, or other charge prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for medical and dental health care coverage for military personnel; and after September 30, 2011, in the dollar amount of a cost-sharing requirement under the DOD pharmacy benefits program. It would also prohibit charges for DOD inpatient care from exceeding $535 per day; and, beginning on October 1, 2011, an increase in premiums under TRICARE for certain members of the Selected Reserve and Retired Reserve.

H.R. 1133, the Helping Our Homeless Veterans Act of 2011, was introduced by Representative Filner on March 16, 2011. This bill would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements with state or local government agencies, tribal organizations, and nonprofit organizations to collaborate in the provision of case management services to expand and improve the provision of supported housing services and related outreach to veterans, including veterans in rural areas or underserved veterans who live in metropolitan areas or on Indian lands. It outlines support services to be provided, including the maintenance of referral networks for homeless veterans. It would also include within case management services personal health and development assistance and housing assistance for veterans.

H.R. 1178, the Disabled Veterans Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act, was introduced by Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE). It would permit a veteran with any compensable service-connected disability (and the veteran's dependents) to use commissary and exchange stores on the same basis as a member of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.

S. 423, introduced by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), on March 1, 2011, would amend title 38, United States Code, to provide authority for retroactive effective date for awards of disability compensation in connection with claim applications that are fully developed at submittal.

S. 490, introduced by Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), on March 3, 2011, would amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the maximum age for children eligible for medical care under the CHAMPVA program. It would make such provision inapplicable before January 1, 2014, to a child who is eligible to enroll in an employer-sponsored health care plan.

S. 536, introduced by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA), on March 9, 2011, would amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that utilization of survivors' and dependents’ educational assistance shall not be subject to the 48-month limitation on the aggregate amount of assistance utilizable under multiple veterans and related educational assistance programs.

S. 658, the Support for Survivors Act, was introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).  This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to identify the most appropriate and effective means for the preservation by the Department of Defense (DOD) of documentary evidence of incidents of sexual assault or harassment in which a member of the Armed Forces is the victim (covered incidents), which shall be a single means to be used by all the military departments.

It requires the means identified to be in electronic form and to include the full protection of the victim's privacy and lifetime access to such evidence. This bill would also direct the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to establish a joint task force to determine whether to establish a documentary evidence form, report, or document in lieu of forms, reports, and documents currently generated by DOD.

Hearings

The national legislative staff has testified at numerous hearings over the last couple of months:

On March 2, 2011, before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on behalf of The Independent Budget concerning the fiscal year (FY) 2012 budget in the area of veterans’ benefits.

On March 3, 2011, before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity concerning the FY 2012 budget in the area of the Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Service.

On March 11, 2011, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health concerning the implementation plan for the caregiver assistance program.

On March 17, 2011, before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs regarding the FY 2012 budget in the area of veterans’ benefits.

On March 31, 2011, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity concerning the FY 2012 budget in the area of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service.

Conclusion

To ensure the successful enactment of veterans’ legislation, our DAV and Auxiliary members must be active members of DAV’s grassroots – DAV Commander’s Action Network (CAN) — and we all must do our part to let our elected officials know about our support for legislation that helps to build better lives for our nation’s service-disabled veterans, their families and survivors. Thank you for your continued support.

JOSEPH A. VIOLANTE
National Legislative Director

DAV OPPOSES REMOVAL OF 1.3 MILLION VETERANS FROM VA HEALTH CARE

 

(Washington, DC – DAV) -- After 2-meetings with the professional staff of the House Budget Committee, it is the understanding of the DAV National Organization that a review, studying the effects of Public Law 104-262, the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, will soon be considered by the House Budget Committee.

As a way to curb the federal deficit, the Committee is considering the eviction of 1.3 million veterans with non-service-connected disabilities from VA Health Care.

Any finding that recommends a system for veterans based on the merits of a veteran’s claim or disability will be bad for veterans’ health care, bad for government spending and bad for the deficit.

• Veterans using VA Health Care for non-service-connected injuries or illnesses are subject to both first and third party collections. They and their personal medical insurance companies are billed and ultimately pay any expenses that are incurred by VA Health Care for their medical treatment. Eliminating these veterans from VA Health Care will result in zero savings.

• Eliminating veterans using VA Health Care for non-service-connected injuries or illnesses with no personal medical insurance will not result in any savings. Medical treatment for these veterans, if done outside VA Health Care, will be paid by Medicare/Medicaid (or written off as bad debt by private facilities and providers), at a much higher cost to taxpayers. (On the average, VA Health Care has the lowest cost per patient of any health care provider.) The higher medical treatment payments for these veterans, using health care provider other than VA Health Care, given the higher cost, will increase government spending and increase the deficit.

• Additionally, funds for medical treatment will be diverted to create an agency or department whose main purpose will be to evaluate the worthiness of veterans to use VA Health Care. Its sole purpose will be to deny veterans access to VA Health Care, a dubious goal.

VA Health Care is #1 in quality of care, patient satisfaction, lowest in medical errors, and lowest in cost per patient, besting any health care provider in the private sector. These outstanding achievements are predicated on a properly funded “Full Continuum.” Any tinkering with this Continuum will have a devastating impact on VA Health Care, veterans, government spending and the deficit.

To keep cost low, a high patient volume is essential for VA to bargain for pharmaceuticals and medical services. Any volume reduction will reduce this bargaining power.

Also, lower volume will decrease medical staff, which in turn will have an adverse effect on patient care and medical quality. Reductions in VA funding will have the same negative impact to patient care and medical quality, eventually resulting in an increase in government spending and the deficit.

For VA appropriations to be spent effectively and efficiently, a properly funded “Full Continuum” is essential and necessary.

The relationship between veterans and the government is based on a historical covenant. Today, this relationship is a sacred obligation that begins at enlistment and lasts throughout the course of a veteran’s life.

To classify veterans as worthy and unworthy of VA Health Care, who through no fault of their own, were not exposed to combat, denigrates the service and sacrifice of many.

When the public recognizes an individual as a veteran, they invariably say, “Thank you for your service.” Never does anyone ask, “Did you serve in combat or not?” Neither should Congress.

It is the goal of Disabled American Veterans to work with Congress and the Administration to ensure that VA appropriations are spent effectively, efficiently and wisely. Maintaining the “Full Continuum” will do just that.

-----

Disabled American Veterans is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian and nonprofit veteran service organization, founded in 1920 and congressionally chartered in 1932. It is the nation’s largest veteran service organization of wartime service-disabled veterans.

DAV Stand Up For Veterans Update–April 11, 2011

Stand Up For Veterans Update
April 11, 2011

 

Two New Studies Show VA Health Care For Seniors Better Than Medicare

More evidence that veterans receive high quality care through the VA health care system comes from the journal Medical Care, which recently published the results of two studies performed by Brown University researchers.  According to the studies, VA “…has made substantial improvements in quality, in some cases providing substantially better care than is available in private insurance plans.”

Advance Appropriations Protects VA Health Care System in Event of Shutdown

Thanks to approval of advance appropriations for VA medical care funding in the last Congress, veterans will “…see no change in their health benefits – including those involving hospital visits and other doctors’ appointments – in the event that Congress fails to pass a budget,” reports the Christian Science Monitor.  While some VA operations may be limited or suspended during a government shutdown, the VA health care system has already been fully funded for the year

DAV Stand Up For Veterans Update -- April 8, 2011

DAV Stand Up For Veterans Update
April 8, 2011

VA Health Care Lauded for Efficiency and Innovation

In an op-ed run by Politico this week, former Senator Bob Dole advised the “Obama administration and congressional leaders searching for ways to make the government more affordable and efficient… to study the health care delivery system of the Department of Veterans Affairs."  Based upon his personal experiences in the VA health care system, and as a policy maker who studied these issues for decades, Dole writes that VA’s, “…sophisticated information technology and supply-management systems allow VA to drive innovation throughout its health care system.”

Budget Option Dropping Veterans Health Care Under Fire from Disabled Veterans

In a new column out today, awarding-winning military journalist Tom Philpott reports on a proposal under consideration by the House Budget Committee that would cut off VA health care access for 1.3 million veterans currently in the system.  Disabled American Veterans' National Legislative Director Joe Violante told Philpott that, “…tossing 1.3 million veterans from VA care would leave the system without the ‘critical mass’ of patients needed to provide ‘a full continuum of care.’"

WDVA Monthly Legislative Update–April 2011

The update below is provided by Max Dulberger, WDVA’s young and talented (albeit non-veteran) Executive Assistant. DAV and other veterans service organizations have been calling for top WDVA positions to be filled exclusively with veterans, preferably service-disabled veterans.

A letter to the federal VA from former Sec. Ken Black cited in the update below is in direct opposition to the position of DAV and many other veterans organizations, which call for the full restoration of the Wisconsin G.I. Bill and rescinding the current law requirement that causes Wisconsin veterans using the federal Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33) to simultaneously experience a direct credit-for-credit deduction in their Wisconsin G.I. Bill benefits.

In addition to the Governor’s budget proposal, a bill introduced by Democratic legislators would also provide the requested tfull restoration to the Wisconsin G.I. Bill.

Mr. Black resigned as WDVA’s Secretary effective April 1, 2011, following immense pressure from DAV and many other veterans service organizations.

--A.H.

--------------------

VETERANS LEGISLATION MONTHLY UPDATE

April 2011

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is launching the Veterans Legislation Monthly Update to notify veterans advocates on relevant legislative developments relating to Wisconsin veterans.

State Budget Update:

• Budget Introduction – On March 1, 2011, Governor Scott Walker introduced his 2011-2013 Biennial State Budget to the State Legislature.

• Veterans Budget – See the Governor’s Veterans Budget for detailed information from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

• Joint Finance Public Hearings – The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has scheduled four public hearings on the Budget. This is an opportunity for veterans advocates to show support for veterans issues. The dates, times and location of the hearings are:

• Thursday, April 7 (10 am – 6 pm). UW-Stevens Point (Quandt Fieldhouse) 2050 Fourth Street, Stevens Point.
• Friday, April 8 (10 am – 5 pm). UW-Superior (Wessman Arena) 2701 Catlin Avenue, Superior.
• Monday, April 11 (10 am – 6 pm). State Fair Park, Expo Center Hall A, West Allis.
• Wednesday, April 13. (10 am – 6 pm). Arcadia High School Auditorium, Arcadia.

• Written Testimony on Budget – Written testimony can be emailed to the Joint Finance Committee at budgetcomments@legis.wisconsin.gov or sent by US mail to Joe Malkasian, Room 305 East, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53703.

State Veterans Legislation:

• WDVA Secretary Appointed by Governor; WDVA Board Composition and Powers (LRB 1026-3) – Representative Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca) recently distributed LRB 1026-3 for co-sponsorship by other legislators. Under this proposal, the Governor would appoint the WDVA Secretary, not the WDVA Board. Before appointing the Secretary, the Governor must consult with the presiding officers of at least six Wisconsin veterans organizations. Also, this proposal expands the Board to nine members, one from each of Wisconsin’s eight congressional districts and one serving at large. In addition, the proposal stipulates that all Board members must have served on active duty, but need not have served in any particular war or conflict. Finally, the proposal grants the WDVA Secretary the authority to promulgate administrative rules after consulting the Board – approval would no longer be required. Legislators have until April 14 to co-sponsor the proposal before introduction.

• Restoration of the Wisconsin GI Bill (Senate Bill 53) – Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) recently introduced Senate Bill 53 to fully restore access to the Wisconsin GI Bill after a veteran exhausts their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. This bill would create the same result for student veterans as the provision included in the Governor’s budget proposal (see item #13 in the UW System Budget and item #8 in the Tech College Budget). SB 53 differs in that it modifies state appropriations to provide that universities and colleges are fully reimbursed for the cost of tuition and fee remissions. SB 53 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Veterans & Military Affairs.

• County Blanket Bonds (Assembly Bill 60) – Representative Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay) recently introduced Assembly Bill 60 to expand county blanket bonds to veteran service officers and veterans service commissions. The legislation passed out of the Assembly Committee on Urban & Local Affairs on April 5, and now it’s awaiting a referral to the full Assembly by the Rules Committee.

• Contact Your State Legislators – Contact your State Legislators

Federal Veterans Legislation:

• Implementation of Post-9/11 GI Bill Improvements Act (S. 3447) – A section of the Post-9/11 GI Bill Improvements Act of 2010 (S. 3447) creates a direct conflict between the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Wisconsin GI Bill as to which program is the payer of last resort. As confirmed by staff attorneys at the Wisconsin Legislative Council, “Wisconsin may lose the ability to require veterans to use Post-9/11 benefits before accessing Wisconsin GI Bill benefits. Further, veterans may have benefits paid under the Wisconsin GI Bill offset by corresponding reductions in federal benefits.” See Leg Council Memo and WDVA Letter to USDVA.

USDVA is in the process of establishing administrative rules to specify how these provisions will be implemented. If an adverse interpretation is codified in the administrative rules, Wisconsin veterans will lose access to a significant federal benefit simply because they hold entitlement to a state benefit. In addition, this interpretation would substantially increase the financial burden on Wisconsin universities.

WDVA partnered with the CVSO Association, the UW System, and Wisconsin Technical Colleges to send a joint letter to USDVA Secretary Shinseki. Since then, WDVA has been in direct contact with the USDVA Division of Intergovernmental Affairs, reiterating our belief that it was not the intention of Congress to penalize states like Wisconsin that have made a special commitment to help educate our veterans. The USDVA Division of Intergovernmental Affairs reports that the USDVA General Counsel is currently reviewing the issue.

• Allow Veterans to Refinance Mortgages (H.R. 834) – Representative Susan Davis (D-California) recently introduced H.R. 834 to expand access to state veterans home loan programs and allow veterans to use the program for refinancing purposes. Wisconsin is one of five states authorized to issue federally tax-exempt Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bonds (QVMBs), but under current law, the QVMB program can only be used for the purchase of a primary residence, not to refinance. For more info, see WDVA’s Paper on Federal Legislation to Help Vets with Homeownership.

In March, WDVA leadership met with six members of Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation, including Senator Ron Johnson, Representative Paul Ryan, Representative Ron Kind, Representative James Sensenbrenner, Representative Sean Duffy, and Representative Reid Ribble, to focus their attention and advocate for their support on this legislation. WDVA also sent supporting materials to the additional members of Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation.

H.R. 834 is currently awaiting action in the House Committee on Ways and Means. Accordingly, Representative Ron Kind sits on this committee, and WDVA is working with his office to identify steps to advance the proposal through the committee process.

• Expand Eligibility to Veterans Home Loans by Removing the 25-Year Limit (In Drafting)– Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) is in the process of reintroducing legislation (H.R. 2319 from the 111^th Congress) to allow all veterans to receive state home loans regardless of when they separated from service. Under current law, veterans have 25 years after separating from military service to access a state home loan under the QVMB program. This provision excludes most veterans above the age of 45, including over 140,000 Vietnam War era veterans that reside in Wisconsin. Not only would this legislation ensure that all Wisconsin veterans have equal access to this important benefit, this legislation would revitalize the state’s veterans mortgage program and help ensure that the program can operate in future years. Once introduced, this legislation is expected to be referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

• Contact Your Federal Legislators – Contact your Federal Lawmakers

For additional updates and information on veterans legislation, visit www.WisVets.com/Legislation. Otherwise please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Thanks for your commitment to better serve our veterans,

Max Dulberger

Executive Assistant

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs

608-267-0784

Max.Dulberger@dva.state.wi.us