The Mid-Atlantic Regional Group

Blinded Veterans Association

Legislative Archive 2008

• Today the VA announced again a large expansion in new outpatient clinics across the system. 12/06/2008 69

• The following is a great web site for updated information on Social Security information 12/06/2008 68

• New ADA Law Review by DOJ 10/17/2008 67

• Well this news came right after the Social Security announcement so good news for most veterans today. 10/17/2008 66

• GETTING A RAISE.  10/17/2008 65

• Congress in the final two weeks did pass two major veterans bills and sent them over to President who signed them into law last week. 10/17/2008 64

• Filner Applauds Enactment of Veterans’ Spending Bill 10/15/2008 63

• The following bills were considered and approved by the House of Representatives 10/5/2008 62

• Akaka urges prompt consideration in the House 9/20/2008 61

• Support for new ADA Amendments Act of 2008. S. 3604 9/17/2008 60

• The following bills were considered and approved by the House of Representatives 9/15/2008 59

• VA Opening 10 Rural Outreach Clinics 9/15/2008 58

• The Blinded Veterans Association was contacted by National Institute of Health, (NIH) about this study

9/15/2008 57

• VA Raising Home Loan Ceilings in Many Areas 8/22/2008 56

• Help for Veterans with TBI and PTSD — Introducing America’s Heroes at Work 8/21/2008 55

• House Passes Comprehensive Legislative Package to Improve Veterans Care and Augment Needed Services 8/5/2008 54

• Yesterday the Senate passed the COLA for FY 2009 8/5/2008 53

• House Passes Bill Prohibiting VA From Charging Co-Pays To Some Veterans 8/1/2008 52

• House Veterans’ Affairs Committee led by Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), approved seven bills that would improve health care delivery 7/19/2008 51

• House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee led by Chairman Michael Michaud (D-ME), approved six bills 7/19/2008 50

• There was a flurry of hearings, and legislation that was moved just before the July 4th week recess

• FOVA Announcement on Support for VA Research Update

• VA Launches Expansion in Veterans Health Facilities

• House Floor Vote on ADA Restoration - What Went Down

• Akaka Hails Senate-Passage of New GI Bill, Urges President Bush To Sign On

• Legislation Brings Hope For People With Disabilities Left Out Of New Communications Technologies

• The Wounded Warrior Provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act of FY 2008

• The House subcommittee on Military Construction and VA Appropriations held a hearing and voted on the FY 2009 appropriations bill

• VA Names Rural Health Advisory Panel

• Akaka Clarifies Offset Provision in Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 - Senate Passes Veterans' Mental Health Care Improvements

• Akaka Reacts to Votes on Iraq Policy, Funding and GI Bill

• Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008'.

• House of Representatives Passes Veterans Legislation

• Court says U.S. paper currency discriminates against the blind

• Akaka Calls VA Employee's Suggestion to Misdiagnose Veterans Disturbing and Disappointing

• Akaka Uses Oversight Authority To Formally Request Suicide Data From Department of Veterans Affairs

• VA Names Members of Gulf War Veterans Advisory Committee

• ACB NEWS ALERT of interest to BVA

• Congress to Hear Testimony for Accessible Telecommunications and Video Programming

• Akaka Introduces Bill to Continue Oversight for Troops Returning from Combat into next Administration

• VA Calling All Recent Combat Vets - Nearly 570,000 to be Reached by New Call Center

• Akaka pushes VA, Defense Secretaries on Transition of servicemembers and accurate data to prevent Suicides

• Overcoming Obstacles is Key to Veterans’ Success Stories “The American Veteran” Highlights Helpful Programs

• Veteran's Housing Package Passes Senate

• House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee Reviews Historic Legislation to Reform the VA Benefits Claims Processing System

• VA Creates Office to Coordinate Hiring Vets

• Lighthouse Helpdesk Continues Operation, Awaits

• Economic Stimulus Package Will Benefit Some Veterans

• House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Oversight Hearing to Address Vision Needs of Veterans with TBI

• Social Security and the Blind

• AKAKA Introduces Veterans compensation equity Bill

• Stand UpDate A Public Affairs Update from Disabled American Veterans

• Paralyzed and Blinded Veterans Groups Oppose Proposed Cuts to VA Research

• Akaka Hears Expert Testimony on PTSD and Veterans’ Disability Compensation

• VA Disability Rating System in Need of Comprehensive and Immediate Repair 
• Akaka and Majority Members call for increased funds, oppose raising fees on veterans
• The Family and Medical Leave Act and National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008

• Akaka Holds Hearing on Veteran's Rehabilitation

• VA Increases Travel Reimbursement for Eligible Veterans

• America's oldest major veterans' organization has selected Texas Rep. Chet Edwards (D-17th) to receive its 2008 Congressional Award

• Text of a letter for the President to the speaker of the house of Representatives.

• Paired Organ legislation passed HR 797 but problems with Pension Tax bill.

• BVA Legislative Update for FY 2008.