The Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
Legislative News
There was a flurry of hearings, and legislation that was moved just before the July 4th week recess, and thought you should know about some of these bills.
Health Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Provide Mental Health Treatment for Family Members of Veterans
“I believe that our nation must be equipped and prepared to provide the finest and most timely medical attention for our troops and veterans,” said Chairman Michaud. “The legislation before the Subcommittee today looks to make necessary improvements to the health care that is currently offered by the VA.”
Draft legislation reviewed at the Health Subcommittee hearing focused on four different issues to improve delivery of health care to veterans and members of their families.
1. To expand VA’s authority to provide mental health treatment for family members
The bill would repeal the specification that in order for family members of non-service connected veterans to be eligible for counseling services, the counseling must be essential to permit the discharge of the veteran from the hospital.
2. To prohibit the collection of copayments from catastrophically disabled veterans
The bill would prohibit the collection of copaymetns from veterans who are catastrophically disabled (Category Group 4) for hospital or nursing care.
3. To authorize non-profit research and education corporations in the VA
The bill would clarify the purpose and powers of corporations and improve accountability and oversight of corporations.
4. To establish seven “Consolidated Patient Accounting Centers” to facilitate third party collections in the VA
The bill would mandate the VA to centralize third party billing functions at consolidated centers, instead of individual VA Medical Centers.
Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, offered the following statement: “I would like to thank Chairman Michaud for his steadfast commitment to improving care for our nation’s veterans. I believe that the tireless work of the members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health has provided this Congress with strong legislation to improve health care for veterans and I commit to working with my colleagues to pass comprehensive and bi-partisan legislation.”
Subcommittee Approves Legislation to Help Veterans Readjust After Military Deployments
Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin offered the following statement: “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the full Committee and this Congress so that we can better meet the needs of servicemembers and veterans as they seek to readjust to life after military service.”
The following bills were reported favorably to the full Committee:
1. H.R. 4255, as amended –United States Olympic Committee Paralympic Program Act of 2007
The bill would authorize the VA to make a grant to the United States Olympic Committee to provide and develop activities for service members and veterans with physical disabilities. (Rep. Filner)
2. H.R. 2910, as amended – The Veterans Education Tuition Support Act of 2007
The bill would amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to protect the student servicemember by capping interest at six percent during deployments, require institutes of higher learning to refund tuition and fees for unearned credit, and in addition, guarantee our servicemembers a place when they return to school. This bill would also provide a servicemember 13 months to begin paying their student loans after an activation should they decide not to return to school immediately. (Rep. Susan Davis)
3. H.R. 2721, as amended
The bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop, and the Secretary of Defense to distribute to members of the Armed Forces upon their discharge or release from active duty, information in a compact disk read-only memory format that lists and explains the health, education, and other benefits for which veterans are eligible under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (Rep. Cardoza)
4. H.R. 6070, as amended – Military Spouses Residency Relief Act
The bill would amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to allow a military spouse to claim the same state as the service member in regards to state and property taxes, and voter registration. (Rep. Carter)
5. H.R. 3298 – 21st Century Servicemembers Protection Act
The bill would amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to cover service contracts to allow our men and women in uniform with deployment orders to more easily terminate or suspend their service contracts without fee or penalty. (Rep. Patrick Murphy)
6. H.R. 6272 – SMOCTA Reauthorization Act of 2008
The bill would assist veterans in obtaining meaningful employment after their military service by reimbursing employers to offset their cost of training recently separated servicemembers that could lead to permanent employment. (Rep. Welch)
7. H.R. 6221 – Veteran Owned Small Business Protection and Clarification Act of 2008
The bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include in each contract the Secretary enters for the acquisition of goods and services a provision that requires the contractee to comply with the contracting goals and preferences for small business concerns owned or controlled by veterans. (Rep. Boozman)
8. H.R. 6225 – Injunctive Relief for Veterans Act of 2008
The bill would ensure that equitable relief is available to all Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) victims when appropriate. (Rep. Herseth Sandlin)
9. H.R. 6224 –
This bill would direct the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot project to expand on existing work-study activities for veterans. Currently, veterans that qualify for work-study would be limited to working on VA related work. H.R. 6224 would allow those veterans the option of working in academic departments and student services. This change would put them at par with students that qualify for a work-study position under programs not administered by the VA. (Rep. Herseth Sandlin)
Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, offered the following statement: “I would like to thank Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin for her dedication to easing the burden of our veterans and their families as they return from their military deployments. I believe that the tireless work of the members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity has provided this Congress with strong legislation to support our troops, our veterans and their families and I commit to working with my colleagues to pass comprehensive and bi-partisan legislation.”
New G.I. Bill for Nation’s Veterans Becomes Law
“Today, our country has answered the call of moral obligation and enacted a new law to expand the G.I. Bill to restore education benefits for veterans to World War II levels. This new G.I. Bill will provide the full cost of tuition at four-year colleges to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and also recognizes the sacrifice of our 1.8 million Reserve and National Guard troops by better aligning their educational benefits with their length of service.
“This needed change will help make our veterans part of the economic recovery, much like the veterans of World War II.
“Sixty four years have passed since the enactment of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, the landmark legislation commonly known as the G.I. Bill of Rights. Last Congress marked the 20th anniversary of the Montgomery G.I. Bill, an equally important measure that updated the original G.I. Bill. Now, in 2008, this country has come together to fully invest in the future of our heroes and support those who have borne the heaviest burdens of war.
“My greatest concern is that this benefit does not include a vital part of the original G.I. Bill, the home loan guarantee program. I will continue to work to address the housing concerns that affect the veterans of this great nation.
“I thank my Senate colleagues, particularly Senator Webb and Chairman Akaka, for their good work on this legislation. I thank Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer for their leadership and steadfast support of our nation’s veterans.
“I am committed to working with
the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to implement this new law and
fully restore G.I. Bill education benefits for
Not to be leaving the Senate Chairman out of all this news, here is something from Senator Akaka last week.
AKAKA CHEERS ENACTMENT OF 21ST CENTURY GI BILL
Promises to assist with transition to new education benefit
“I am pleased that with the President’s signature affixed to the Emergency War Supplemental, we will finally provide a new GI Bill to the veterans and troops who have served since September 11, 2001. I especially want to congratulate Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) on this occasion, who introduced the 21st Century GI Bill as S. 22 in the first days of the Democratic Congress.
“This new GI Bill will not only shape the nature of today’s military, it will also shape the future of the military – and our nation – for many years to come. Today’s new veterans will find that we fully appreciate the contributions they have made in service to the Nation. We understand the sacrifices they make, the hardships they endure, and the toll that is taken on their lives and the lives of their families. With this new GI Bill, we say to our newest generation of citizen soldiers, we appreciate you. We recognize that the ability of our Armed Forces to attract and retain quality personnel in the future – and consequently our national security – depends on how we meet the needs of those serving today.
“As Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am committed to assisting with the transition to this new educational benefit. In its oversight capacity, the Committee will work with the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to resolve potential problems before the new benefits begin.”
Tom Zampieri
Director Government Relations, Blinded Veterans Association
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