Editor Note:  I have ceased using the email addee raoemo@mozcom.com because spam messages at this addee have reached 150 daily.

My email addee raoemo@sbcglobal.net will be the primary addee I will be monitoring after 15 SEP.

I am activating raoemo1@mozcom.net as a backup in the event communications via the primary addee should become
disrupted.

Editor's Note 2: I have returned to the United States and can be reached at (951) 238-1246 until further notice. 
My address is 3559 Landrew Rd., Perris CA 92571 Cell Phone: 760-532-1723

VA Hospitals Update 03: Amid growing controversy over procedures that exposed 10,000 veterans to the AIDS and hepatitis viruses, the Department of Veterans Affairs is now bracing against news that one of its facilities in Pennsylvania gave botched radiation treatments to nearly 100 cancer patients. Veterans groups and lawmakers say VA hospitals have permitted these violations because federal regulations allow doctors to work with little outside scrutiny. They say the VA health system, with its under-funded hospitals and overworked doctors, is showing signs of an "institutional breakdown," in the words of one congressman. An official with the American Legion who visits and inspects VA health centers said complacency, poor funding and little oversight led to the violations that failed the cancer patients in Philadelphia and possibly infected 53 veterans with hepatitis and HIV from unsterilized equipment at three VA health centers in Florida, Tennessee and Georgia. "Lack of inspections, lack of transparency" were likely to blame, said Joe Wilson, deputy director of the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission for the American Legion, who testified before Congress this month on transparency problems in a budgeting arm of the VA.

    Wilson said the American Legion is investigating the case of the VA Medical Center in Philadelphia, where doctors gave 92 veterans incorrect radiation doses for treatment of prostate cancer during a six-year span when no peer review or proper oversight measures were in place, the New York Times reported. Those doctors, whose continuous errors were finally detected last year, were immediately fired from their work at the VA center, but not before putting the lives of the 92 veterans at risk. That news came on the heels of months of investigations into medical lapses that permitted endoscopic procedures like colonoscopies to be performed improperly for years. Wilson told FOXNews.com that poor funding has aggravated problems, and that money is often misspent on repairs for old facilities and equipment to help manage a construction backlog that has put the VA years behind. He said the aging facilities are incapable of handling or properly operating new technology and equipment. "The average age of VA facilities is about 49 years," he said. "That's too old. In the private sector the average age of facilities is about 12 years."

    The VA Medical Center in Philadelphia is 57 years old. Doctors there were performing a procedure called brachytherapy, in which radioactive seeds the size of rice grains are implanted into organs to kill cancer cells. But doctors there were sometimes implanting the seeds into the wrong organs, and in many cases gave significantly less radiation than was prescribed...including during an entire year when their monitoring equipment was broken and they were essentially flying blind, the New York Times reported. And when one physician, Dr. Gary Kao, was found to have botched a brachytherapy in 2003, he simply changed his surgery plan to make the error appear to be intentional, the Times reported. Despite the violations that cost Kao his job, some veterans' groups said the general care provided by VA is among the best in the world, and they applauded the department for taking steps to address its problems. "Our feeling is that the quality of the care is excellent," said Jay Agg, a national spokesman for AMVETS, the American Veterans organization. "However, the fact that it occurred in the first place really points to a lack of oversight, and corrective measures need to be taken."

    Both AMVETS and the American Legion welcomed advanced funding that was granted to VA this in late JUN, reversing a trend of late funding that has kept the department on tenterhooks for nearly 20 years. But investigations conducted by the VA last month show that systemic problems remain. Under half of VA centers given surprise inspections had proper training and guidelines in place for common endoscopic procedures. VA Secretary Gen. Eric Shinseki and senior leadership "are conducting a top to bottom review of the Department," a VA representative told FOXNews.com. "They are implementing aggressive actions to make sure the right policies and procedures are in place to protect our veterans and provide them with the quality health care they have earned." The representative said that all brachytherapy treatments have been ended at the Philadelphia hospital, and the VA has hired a national director of radiation oncology and developed standard procedures for calculating the accuracy of seed placement. But veterans advocates say that won't be enough, and they say they haven't seen any evidence of changes that could fix what they call a broken healthcare system. "How many patients can you see in a day and still give proper care?" asked Jim Strickland, a veteran' advocate and former health care technician who contributes to VAWatchdog.org. "There aren't enough physicians to handle the crisis that the VA faces."

    Richard Dodd, a litigator who has represented veterans in lawsuits against the government, said that poor funding has lowered the quality of care and interest from some physicians. "They're generally under-funded...and I think the interest of the doctors suffers to some degree," he told FOXNews.com. "Generally speaking, the physicians that work at the VA work there because they have no interest in private health care, and in some situations are unable to find jobs in private industry." Strickland said care and oversight would not improve until funding is increased and the leadership makes sweeping changes. In the meantime, he said, "we are doing such a disservice to our veterans."

    Lawmakers, who are bristling at that "disservice," led congressional inquiries into the endoscopy debacle during hearings last week. "There is no question that shoddy standards...systemic across the VA...put veterans at risk and dealt a blow to their trust in the VA," said Rep. Harry Mitchell, the Arizona Democrat who chairs the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), is now gearing up for action over the Philadelphia facility. He wrote to Shinseki 23 JUN asking "what allowed such chronic failures to occur" and demanding to know what steps the VA has taken "to ensure that such problems do not occur at other VA hospitals." Specter called for a field hearing of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on 29 JUN, calling the alleged abuses at VA hospitals "very serious" and promising that they would get a "full and prompt review." A lawyer for Gary Kao said the doctor would appear at the Philadelphia hearing and answer any questions from Specter "fully and completely." [Source: FoxNews.com Joseph Abrams article 24 Jun 09 ++]

Health Care Reform Update 01: A discussion draft of a possible health care reform bill was distributed by the House Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor in late June. The plan would create a Health Insurance Exchange (HIE) to provide health care options to individuals without coverage and small employers. Anyone would be eligible to obtain coverage under the HIE unless they are enrolled in another qualified health benefits plan or have other acceptable coverage (which would include Tricare, Tricare For Life, Medicare, and VA care enrollment). The draft envisions imposing a tax on individuals who don’t obtain qualifying coverage.

Some other changes to Medicare that may affect military beneficiaries are:

* Changes to the payment structure of skilled nursing facilities and freezing 2010 payments at the 2009 level.
* Upgrading physician reimbursements to preclude the 21% payment cut scheduled for January 2010 unless the law is changed .
* Extra payments to providers in "efficient areas".
* Extension of Medicare therapy cap exceptions through 31 DEC 11.
* Exclusion of proceeds from the sale of a primary residence from income used to compute Medicare part B premiums.
* Allowing a 12-month period for TRICARE beneficiaries to enroll in Part B without a Part B premium penalty (retroactive to cover those who have incurred penalties since JAN 05)

[Source: MOAA Leg Up 26 Jun 09 ++]

ECS 2009 Update 12: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has requested the Department of the Treasury to make $250 payments to eligible Veterans as part of President Obama’s recovery plan. The first payments were sent 22 JUN. All payments will be distributed by 30 JUN. As part of the recovery plan, VA is making one-time payments of $250 to eligible Veterans and survivors to offset the effects of the current economy. VA estimates $500 million in payments will be made to approximately 1.9 million Veterans and eligible beneficiaries as part of this measure. To be eligible for the payment, VA beneficiaries must have received VA’s compensation, pension, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), or spina bifida benefits at any time between NOV 08 and JAN 09. Also, beneficiaries must reside within the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

No application is necessary. VA used its existing payment records to determine eligibility for the $250 payment. Beneficiaries will receive their payments the same way they receive their monthly VA benefits...either by direct deposit or in the mail. This payment is not countable in determining eligibility for VA pension or Parents’ DIC. The law allows one $250 payment per person. The payment is tax-free. VA beneficiaries who also receive benefits from the Social Security Administration or Railroad Retirement Board will be paid through those agencies, and will therefore not receive the payment from VA. VA will spend more than $1.4 billion as part of President Obama’s economic recovery plan to improve services to America’s Veterans. VA’s Internet site http://www.va.gov/recovery provides current information about VA’s work to deliver its portion of recovery act funds to benefit Veterans.

[Source: VA News release 25 Jun 09 ++]

Prostate Cancer Update 10: The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has notified Bayer Healthcare that it will sue the company if it continues to claim that the selenium in its One A Day vitamins may reduce men's risk of prostate cancer. The CSPI also registered a complaint with Federal trade commission (FTC). Copies of these letters can be viewed at http://cspinet.org/new/pdf/cspilettertobayer.pdf & http://cspinet.org/new/pdf/cspibayerftcletter.pdf Advertisements and labels for "One A Day Men's 50+ Advantage" and "One A Day Men's Health Formula" claim that emerging research suggests that selenium may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. But nine prostate cancer researchers say there is scant evidence to support such a claim and have joined CSPI in urging the FTC to put an immediate stop to the deceptive claims. Last year the 7-year Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) involving 35,000 U.S. and Canadian men was halted when researchers determined that selenium was not protecting the men from prostate cancer and may have been causing diabetes in some of them. CSPI says the disputed One A Day claims violate a consent decree that Bayer signed with the FTC in 2007. That year, the company paid a $3.2 million fine related to weight-loss claims made on behalf of "One A Day multivitamin WeightSmart" and agreed not to make unsubstantiated claims in the future.

[Source: Consumer Health Digest #09-26 dtd 25 Jun 09 ++]

Chapter 61 Disability Pay Update 04: A stripped-down and temporary boost in pay for some disabled military retirees approved 23 JUN by House lawmakers is drawing swift criticism. The bill, (H.R.2990) authorizes people who receive military disability retirement short of 20 years of service to draw their full military retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation over a five-year period, with no offsets in retired pay. That would be a major improvement for the 121,000 veterans who receive military disability retired pay from the Defense Department and disability pay from the Veterans Affairs Department. This is exactly what President Barack Obama proposed as part of the 2010 defense budget. But the bill includes something Obama didn’t request that is drawing harsh words from some lawmakers: A provision that would terminate the new benefit after just nine months of payments, after only about 44,000 of the disabled retirees receive any money. Only those with disabilities rated at 90% or higher would be allowed to receive their full military and veterans benefits and on 1 OCT 10 those extra payments would end.

Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, ranking Republican on the House Armed Services military personnel panel, said the bill is a “ghost of a proposal” that “could have done so much more.” He called it a “small pittance for a small number of retirees.”Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO), the House Armed Services Committee chairman and chief sponsor of bill, admits it is just a “temporary fix” to a big complaint about the government’s long practice of reducing military retired pay by any amount received in veterans disability pay, and he pledged that Congress would try to do more. “Our veterans have never given up on America and you can be assured we will not quit on them,” Skelton said. The reason for the nine-month authorization (from 1 JAN 10 through 30 SEO 10) is that Democratic leaders could find only enough money to pay for a new federal entitlement program for that length of time, given budget rules. The money would come from repealing a deepwater oil and gas development program.

Rep. John Spratt Jr., (D-SC), the House Budget Committee chairman, said the bill spends about $228 million in 2010 for an initiative that has a $5.2 billion price tag over five years if fully implemented. “To continue doing this, and that is our intent, we will have to come back every year with additional money, and the cost gets bigger each year because the number of retirees with lower-rated disabilities is greater than those covered in the first year,” Spratt said. “This is a step forward, but a step we have not completed.” Another sore point is that the bill is called the Disabled Military Retiree Relief Act of 2009, a name that helped guarantee passage. But the $228 million designated for higher payments for disabled retirees is less than one-fourth of the bill’s overall total of $968 million. The rest involves mostly changes in retired pay and sick pay rules for federal civilian workers. One of the chief advocates for concurrent receipt of military and veterans benefits said something is better than nothing, and the House bill at least tries to do something.“ For the first year, it’s the same as the Obama plan would have been, but it will be embarrassing if they don’t come up with the money” to continue the initiative, said Steve Strobridge of the Military Officers Association of America.

[Source: NavyTimes rick Maze article 24 Jun 09 ++]

VA Women Vet Programs Update 04: On 23 JUN 09 Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs (HVAC) Bob Filner (D-CA) announced that the House of Representatives passed H.R.1211, a bill to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, introduced by Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), addresses the needs of the 1.8 million women who have served in the military. This bill would especially focus on the health care needs of those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The bill requires the VA to provide medical care for newborn children of women veterans, establish a pilot program for child care services, and enhance programs available to veterans suffering from military sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, the VA would be required to conduct a comprehensive study on barriers encountered by women veterans when attempting to access the VA health care system.

Chairman Filner offered the following statement: "Today, women serve in the Guard and Reserve at a rate of over 17% which is three percent higher than that of the active duty military. We also know that women are serving in combat conditions right alongside their male counterparts, which raises a whole new set of issues for these veterans. Women veterans coming into the VA system are younger, have distinct health needs, and access VA health care at a higher rate. Legislation passed today is a huge first step in working to empower our Nation's brave and honored women veterans by providing better treatment and more accessible services at the VA." The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act addresses the needs of the nearly 98,000 female veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Among the OEF/OIF women veterans, 42.6% are enrolled and 28.5% are users of VHA. Women make up 11% of veterans from OEF/OIF. The bill will next be considered in the U.S. Senate.

[Source: HVAC Bob Filner Press Reelase 23 Jun 09 ++]

VA Health Care Funding Update 21: Congressional efforts to provide advanced funding for veterans’ health programs made significant progress 23 JUN. The House Appropriations Committee approved by voice vote the first advance budget for the Veterans Affairs Department. The 2010 spending bill for the VA and military construction includes fiscal 2011 health care funding. Veterans’ organizations have pushed for advance appropriations to keep VA hospitals running smoothly in case Congress does not pass the annual VA appropriation bill by the end of the fiscal year 30 SEP. In 19 of the past 22 years, Congress has failed to pass the VA funding bill by the start of the fiscal year. The House also voted 409-1 to approve H.R.1016, which would change budgeting rules to allow VA medical funding to be approved a year in advance.

The Military Construction-VA appropriations bill contains $133.7 billion in spending, $77.9 billion of which is discretionary. The discretionary spending is $239 million more than the president’s request and about 7% more than what the department received for the current fiscal year. The bill includes $108.9 billion for the VA, the same as the president’s request and $14.9 billion more than 2009. It includes $48.2 billion for advance appropriations for fiscal 2011 for three medical departments: services; support and compliance; and facilities. The Military Construction-VA bill also contains:

* $45.1 billion for the Veterans Health Administration, the same as the president’s request and $4.4 billion more than 2009. The VHA estimates it will treat more than 6.1 million patients in 2010.
* $3.3 billion for information technology, the same as the president’s request and $559 million more than 2009.These funds will support new programs, including transitioning to paperless benefits processing and improving the electronic health records system.
* $2.1 billion for general operating expenses, $135 million less than the president’s request and $287 million above 2009. The increase will allow the VA to hire about 1,200 more claims processors to tackle the backlog of benefits claims, which is approaching one million.

[Source: FederalTimes.com Rebecca Neal 24 Jun 09 ++]

VA COLA 2010 Update 01: The Senate unanimously approved legislation to protect the value of compensation for Veterans and their survivors from potential inflation. In the event that the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an increase in inflation based on the Consumer Price Index, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living- Adjustment Act of 2009 (S.407), as amended, would increase veteran and survivor compensation by that rate. The bill has been sent to the President for signature. “Compensation for disabled Veterans and their survivors is an ongoing cost of war, and it should not be allowed to decrease in value because of inflation. Should the cost-of-living rise as it has in previous years, my bill would ensure that Veterans’ compensation increases accordingly,” said Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), author of the bill. Assuming inflation, S.407 would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of 1 DEC 09, the rates of:

* Veterans’ disability compensation;
* Dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children; and
* Additional related benefits.

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the above-mentioned benefits would match the annual increase provided to Social Security recipients, which is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI). The COLA is designed to offset inflation and other factors that alter the cost-of-living over time. This year’s rate has not been determined, and some are predicting that the CPI will decrease rather than increase. In the event of a decrease in the CPI, veteran and survivor compensation will remain at last year’s rate. For more information on the Consumer Price Index, refer to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ website http://www.bls.gov/cpi The CPI rose 0.4% in May. However, that still leaves cumulative inflation at -3.1% since OCT 08.

[Source: SVAC Press Release 24 Jun 09 ++]

Widow's Penalty: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will defer action in widow penalty cases, meaning that the widows of citizen spouses who die before the couple reaches their second anniversary and before Citizenship and Immigration Services completes the adjudication of the petition that the citizen filed on the spouse’s behalf, will not be immediately subject to deportation. DHS announcement emphasized that this decision to defer action is temporary and that legislation is required to impose a permanent fix to the problem. Sen. Nelson’s S.815, the Fairness to Surviving Spouses Act of 2009, would put an end to the widow’s penalty once and for all. [Source: Sen. Nelson DC Update 16 Jun 09++]

Survivor Files: In the torrent of estate-planning advice out there, one simple but crucial bit of wisdom often gets overlooked: Keep your stuff in order. Surviving family members can get overwhelmed when loved ones leave behind disorganized financial statements and cluttered homes. Heirs and executors must become de facto investigators, sorting through the junk to figure out where the assets are-and what should be done with them. Prevention is, of course, the best solution, such as asking blunt questions about where wills and other important papers are located. Many people, however, avoid the subject or die unexpectedly, leaving survivors with the burden of chaos. "No one is sitting around while they're alive preparing their items form someone to go through after they die," says Lori Perlman, an estate-planning attorney in, New York. With that in mind, here's advice about untangling some common messes.

1. A Missing Will: Estate planning is useless if crucial documents are missing after a person's death-and perhaps most crucial of all is the will. Safe-deposit boxes are among the most common repositories, says Lawrence C. Wohl, an estate-planning attorney in Princeton, N.J. Many banks allow survivors to search a decedent's deposit box for a will-but in the presence of a bank employee, to prevent the removal of valuables that should be distributed through the estate. Banks will typically drill open the box if the key is missing, for about $150. If a search fails, survivors and executors must often track down advisers who helped the decedent during life. Once you give up, you should ask the local surrogate or register of wills (i.e. a public official-to appoint an administrator to oversee the distribution of assets). It will often be one of the surviving children. The estate is then divided up according to state law and can take considerable time before assets are accessible to heirs.

2. A Tangled Money Trail: The will is only part of the critical paperwork. If heirs can't find all of a decedent's financial records, they might not be able to trace all of his or her assets. So, they might not get everything they're entitled to, and the unclaimed assets will eventually revert, or "escheat," to the state. People who die suddenly usually leave behind the most disorganized paperwork, says Daniel Kurtzman, a lawyer in Haddonfield, N.J. "That's when the executor comes in with bags full of papers in total disarray," he says. There's just one way to start. "You reach in, grab some handfuls of papers and start making notes of what assets you find," says Mr. Kurtzman.

a. Recent tax returns, which usually include names of financial institutions that paid interest or dividends, may help. Mr. Lapides says institutions and transfer agents can provide additional details, such as account balances and shares of stock. However, he adds, it's sometimes impossible to identify every asset.

b. Family members should check online services, offered by states at no charge that list unclaimed assets. You should keep checking the services for at least several years after a relative's death, since it can take that long for the assets to escheat to the state. But beware of private companies offering to track down missing assets. They usually just search the state databases, then contact family members and offer to retrieve the money for a fee. Family members can retrieve the money themselves, usually for free, by filing a claim, often with the state treasurer.

c. Another crucial part of the money trail: automated payments. Survivors may not be able to stop online transactions, such as sending life-insurance premiums, if they don't know passwords and user IDs, says Helen Modly, a fee only financial planner in Middleburg, Va. The executor is typically granted access to password information after being officially appointed through the probate process, which may not occur for weeks after a death. Be prepared to present a death certificate and other documents the institution requires.

3. Digging Out the House: Wills typically don't provide instructions for distributing personal items. A tangible personal-property memorandum (an addendum to the will that designates who receives certain personal items) can prevent family disputes. But many people never draft the document. And that often makes disposing of possessions time-consuming and emotional. Mundane objects, such as a dilapidated recliner, can evoke memories and provoke fights. "These things really tear families apart," says Mr. Lapides. Estate liquidators can sell and remove anything that family members don't want, typically for 30% of the gross. Give any remaining items to charities, and arrange a bulk trash pick-up with your city or town for old, worthless furniture, says Mr. Lapides.

4. Paying Off Debts: The sour economy is likely to leave people cash-strapped in death as well as in life. Wohl says declining real estate values likely mean a growing number of people leave estates with insufficient assets to pay off debts. If that happens, the executor can try to negotiate lower amounts with creditors. If they can't agree, the executor can ask a court to declare the estate insolvent. Certain types of creditors will then have priority, says Mr. Wohl. For example, state laws may require a secured debt, such as a mortgage, to be paid in full, ahead of a credit card. Ideally, the executor will know about all existing debts and pay them out of the estate. But if a debt, such as a tax bill, surfaces after the estate is settled and heirs received their money, they won't have to cover the difference out of their own pockets. They're generally responsible for up to the amount they inherited. That's still a problem, however, if the heirs have spent the money. Be sure the executor settles debts in advance, to avoid future hassles. Otherwise, creditors could pursue the estate-as well as the executor and beneficiaries. And, in some cases, creditors have a long time to take action. Beneficiaries, by then, have often spent their distributions and can't pay the debt, says Ms.Perlman.

5. Accounting for Missing Returns: Many people who are chronically ill or dying don't bother to file tax returns. But the estate is still on the hook to the Internal Revenue Service, and the longer it takes the estate to file, the bigger the penalties. Piecing together unpaid taxes can be a challenge. Usually, the most recently filed return as well as bank statements, can offer clues about the financial institutions that hold assets, retirement account distributions and direct deposits. To get a copy of a previous return, executors can file Form 56 with the IRS, which notifies the agency about the executor's fiduciary status. From there, the executor would use Form 4506 to request a copy of a return. Still, the IRS may show mercy to families dealing with loved ones' unpaid taxes. Patience, whether dealing with taxes, or any other aspect of estate administration, is the key to preventing future hassles, says Ms. Modly. "What really causes messes is when people are in too much of a hurry.
[Source: Ark-La-Tex MOAA Chapter newsletter Jun 09 ++]

Home Insurance: Even if the value of your home has dropped, you don't necessarily need to lower the amount of your homeowners insurance. Your homeowners coverage reimburses you for the cost of replacing your house and its contents in the event of a disaster, not for the purchase price. If the economy has you looking for ways to save money, review your insurance coverage and consider raising your policy deductible. The Insurance Information Institute recommends a deductible of at least $500; bumping that up to $ 1,000 can lower the cost of many home policies by as much as 25%. You need enough insurance to cover the following:

1. The structure of your home. You need enough insurance to cover the cost of rebuilding your home at current construction costs. Don't include the cost of the land. And don't base your rebuilding costs on the price you paid for your home. The cost of rebuilding could be more or less than the price you paid or could sell it for today. Some banks require you to buy homeowners insurance to cover the amount of your mortgage. If the limit of your insurance policy is based on your mortgage, make sure it's enough to cover the cost of rebuilding. (If your mortgage is paid off, don't cancel your homeowners policy. Homeowners insurance protects your investment in your home.) For a quick estimate of the amount of insurance you need, multiply the total square footage of your home by local building costs per square foot. To find out construction costs in your community, call your local real estate agent, builders association or insurance agent.

2. Your personal possessions. Most homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for your personal possessions for approximately 50 to 70% of the amount of insurance you have on the structure or "dwelling" of your home. The limits of the policy typically appear on the Declarations Page under Section I, Coverages, A. Dwelling. To determine if this is enough coverage, you need to conduct a home inventory. This is a detailed list of everything you own and information related to the cost to replace these items if they were stolen or destroyed by a disaster such as a fire (for more information see How do I take a home inventory and why). If you think you need more coverage, contact your agent or insurance company representative and ask for higher limits for your personal possessions.
3. Additional living expenses after a disaster. This is a important feature of a standard homeowners insurance policy. This pays the additional costs of temporarily living away from your home if you can't live in it due to a fire, severe storm or other insured disaster. It covers hotel bills, restaurant meals and other living expenses incurred while your home is being rebuilt. Coverage for additional living expenses differs from company to company. Many policies provide coverage for about 20% of the insurance on your house. Some companies will even sell you a policy that provides you with an unlimited amount of loss of use coverage, for a limited amount of time. If you rent out part of your house, this coverage also reimburses you for the rent that you would have collected from your tenant if your home had not been destroyed.

4. Liability to others. This part of your policy covers you against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or family members cause to other people. It also pays for damage caused by pets. It pays for both the cost of defending you in court and for any damages a court rules you must pay. Generally, most homeowners insurance policies provide a minimum of $100,000 worth of liability insurance, but higher amounts are available. Increasingly, it is recommended that homeowners consider purchasing at least $300,000 to $500,000 worth of coverage of liability protection.

[Source: http://www.iii.org/individuals/homei/hbs/howmuch Jun 09 ++]

Medicare Fraud Update 14: Federal indictments unsealed in Detroit on 24 JUN charge 53 clinic owners, doctors and others with defrauding Medicare of more than $50 million. FBI agents in Detroit arrested dozens of people locally this morning, while other arrests were made in the Miami, Fla., area, where law enforcement officials say many of the schemes at the heart of today's indictments began. As many as 38 of the defendants were expected to be arraigned in connection with the case in U.S. District Court in Detroit, one federal official said. In Washington, Department of Justice officials said 40 had been arrested, some as they attempted to flee the country. Others are believed to have left the Detroit area to evade arrest, he said. Federal officials used the Detroit case to highlight the work of a Medicare Fraud Strike Force -- a joint effort of the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services. In Washington, Attorney General Eric Holder and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the task force had used sophisticated analysis of Medicare data to find "hot spots," patterns of suspicious billing. That analysis led to formation of task forces in Detroit, Miami, Houston and Los Angeles. "We try to follow what the intelligence tells us, what the data tells us, and that tells us to start in these four cities," Holder said. But Holder said earlier efforts in Miami may have pushed fraud schemes to Detroit. "After we arrested and charged criminals in Miami, their cohorts simply moved their schemes to Detroit," he said.

   One of the defendants, Bernice A. Brown, protested her innocence as agents led her in handcuffs from Detroit FBI headquarters on Michigan Avenue. "I am totally innocent," Brown shouted as agents loaded her into a van along with two other defendants for the short drive to the federal courthouse. Brown, who owns Wayne County Therapeutic Inc., a physical and occupational therapy clinic in Livonia, is charged with conspiracy and health care fraud. Along with co-defendants, she submitted $21.2 million in false claims for which Medicare reimbursed her company about $6.5 million, one of the indictments alleges. The indictment alleges Brown and other defendants paid kickbacks for use of Medicare beneficiary numbers that were used to submit false claims for therapy and other medical services, and paid other bribes to contractors who claimed to provide services that were never performed. Federal court records filed in 2007 show federal agents seized more than $250,000 in cash and a 2006 Ford van from Brown in connection with a Medicare fraud investigation involving alleged billings for fictitious patients. Additional unsealed indictments named:

* Suresh Chand of Oakland County, owner of TriStar Rehab Services in Centerline; S.U.B. Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Center Inc. in Dearborn; Continental Rehab Services Inc. in Warren; and Pacific Management Services Inc., also in Warren.

* Denisse Martinez and Jose Rafael Martinez, described as residents of both Michigan and Florida and operators and owners of RDM Center on Canton Township; and Dr. Alan Silber, a medical doctor employed by the clinic that specialized in infusion and injection therapy. Patients at RDM were paid kickbacks of about $50 per visit for signing forms used to submit false claims, the indictment alleges. False claims totaled close to $1 million, the indictment alleges.

* Dulce Briceno, owner and operator of Xpress Center Inc. in Livonia. Briceno and co-defendants are accused of submitting $2.3 million worth of false claims to Medicare.

* Caridad and Clara Guilarte, Wayne County and Florida residents who operated Dearborn Medical Rehabilitation Center in Dearborn. They and their alleged co-conspirators are accused of submitting fraudulent Medicare claims totaling $9.1 million.

* Daisy Martinez, incorporator of Sacred Hope Center Inc. in Southfield, is named along with 10 alleged co-conspirators. They are accused of submitting false claims totaling about $4.2 million.

[Source: The Detroit News Paul Egan article 24 Jun 09 ++]

Medicare Fraud Update 15: A former Moss Point Mississippi school board member was sentenced last week to 10 years in federal prison for submitting $49 million in false Medicare claims as owner of several companies that used unqualified workers, according to acting U.S. Attorney Stan Harris. Pamela Hull, of Moss Point, was found guilty by a jury in January of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, three counts of Health Care Fraud and twelve counts of making false statements relating to health care. Hull later pleaded guilty to making a false statement relating to health care in two other related cases. U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. sentenced Hull on 15 JUN. Hull, who last served as a school board member in 2003, was owner and operator of Rehabilicare Inc., Mississippi Care Partners Inc. and Select Care Inc., all of which were advertised as physical medicine companies. The three companies were in operation for about three years. Workers with the three companies were untrained and unqualified and were paid $10 to $18 per patient, the investigation revealed, yet Hull billed Medicare as much as $1,300 per patient visit. Hull's companies submitted more than $49 million in false bills to Medicare and received more than $5 million in stolen government funds, prosecutors said.

   Hull's arrest in NOV 07 followed a two-year investigation into billing practices associated specifically with Rehabilicare Inc. Rehabilicare had multiple offices in Mississippi, including two in Moss Point, according to FBI records in 2007. Hull was also ordered to pay more than $15 million in restitution, serve 3 years on supervised release after she is released from prison and forfeit more than $4 million in stolen funds. Jacqualine Crawley, of Messer, N.C., stood trial with Hull in January and was convicted of the same charges. Crawley was an owner of Rehabilicare and was the office manager of Mississippi Care Partners. Evidence showed that Crawley hired and sent out the unqualified and untrained employees. Crawley was ordered to pay more than $32 million in restitution and to serve three years on supervised release after her prison sentence is completed. Crawley also was ordered to forfeit $183,541 in stolen funds.

[Source: The Mississippi Press Amber Craig article 26 Jun 09 ++]

Medicare Fraud Update 16: Eight more Miami-Dade County residents have been indicted in connection with an alleged $22 million Medicare fraud scheme involving home health services. The eight who were charged in an indictment unsealed on Friday are identified as: Gladys Zambrana, Javier Zambrana, Enrique Perez, Alejandro Hernandez Quiros aka Alex Hernandez, Vanessa Estrada, Vicenta Tellechea, Modesto Hidalgo and Carlos Castaneda. According to the indictment, Gladys Zambrana, Perez and Hernandez Quiros operated ABC Home Health Care, listing Javier Zambrana as the owner. Gladys Zambrana and Castaneda operated Florida Home Health Care Providers, listing Tellechea as the owner. It’s alleged that the eight recruited patients who were paid kickbacks and bribes in exchange for their Medicare beneficiary numbers to be used to file claims for home health care services that were not provided and were not medically necessary. The indictment alleges that between JAN 06 and DEC 08, ABC billed more than $17 million to the Medicare program for services that were medically unnecessary and were not provided. Medicare paid more than $11 million on those claims. The indictment also alleges that between OCT 07 and MAR 09, Florida Home Health billed more than $5 million to the Medicare program for services that were medically unnecessary and not actually provided. Medicare paid more than $4 million on those claims.

   “Today’s coordinated criminal and civil action delivers an effective one-two punch to health care fraudsters: They were not only caught and criminally charged, but they are also being stripped of their illegal proceeds,” Acting U.S. Attorney Jeffrey H. Sloman said in a news release. On 23 JUN, eight other Miamians were indicted on charges they bilked the Medicare system out of nearly $100 million in a multistate scam involving HIV infusion clinics. And on 24 JUN, the U.S. Justice Department announced it had indicted 53 people from Miami, Detroit and Denver on charges they filed more than $50 million in false Medicare claims. Since the Medicare Fraud Strike Force began operations in March 2007, 115 cases - including 257 defendants - have been indicted. Collectively, they are alleged to have fraudulently billed the Medicare program for more than $600 million.

[Source: MiamiSouth Florida Business Journal 26 Jun 09 ++]

VA Clothing Allowance Update 1: In accordance with PL 110-111 Veterans, who because of a service-connected disability, wear or use a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance (including a wheelchair) which tends to wear out or tear clothing, and veterans, who because of a service-connected skin condition use a medication that causes irreparable damage to outer garments, are eligible for payment of an annual clothing allowance. Qualifying appliances/medications include:

1.  An artificial limb, rigid extremity brace, rigid spinal or cervical brace, wheelchair, crutches or other appliance prescribed for the claimant's service-connected disability. Soft and flexible devices, such as an elastic stocking are not included.

2.  Any medication, prescribed by a physician for a service-connected skin condition, that causes permanent stains or otherwise damages the veteran's clothing.

   The allowance as of 1 DEC 08 for 2009 was $716 per year. The clothing allowance increase, while effective the date of the law, is not payable until the following August 1st. (Example: PL 97-306 effective October 1, 1982, increased the clothing allowance to $327.00. This rate was payable August 1, 1983.) It is recommended that you mark your calendar and apply for your 2009 allowance by 1 JUN 09 to allow ample time for VA to process it and avoid missing the 1 AUG cutoff date. To qualify for annual payment, eligibility must be established as of 1 AUG of the year for which payment is claimed. If you have previously submitted a claim for disability compensation, send your application on VA FORM 21-8678 May 03 to the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (121), at your local VA Medical Center. If you have not made application for disability compensation, send the form to the VA regional office nearest your home. The form can be downloaded from http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-8678-fill.pdf you can ask VA to send you one, or you can pick one up at your VA clinic. If your support device wasn't issued by VA, you will need to get your VA doctor to do a certification for you that the support is necessary for you.

[Source: http://www.va.gov Jun 09 ++]

SBP DIC Offset Update 18: President Barack Obama signed a bill 22 JUN that extends a temporary survivors benefit through 2017 and also provides annual increases in the payment. The special survivor indemnity allowance was created two years ago as a small but symbolic payment to survivors whose military benefits are reduced dollar for dollar by the amount they receive in veterans survivor benefits. The allowance, which began as a $50 monthly payment, increased to $60 on Oct. 1. The original law had the benefit expiring in 2014, but a provision of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, signed by Obama on Monday, extends the allowance for another five years, with continued regular increases. Under the law, the payment will be $150 in 2014, $200 in 2015, $275 in 2016 and $310 in 2017. Even with the increases, the allowance doesn’t come close to making up for the offset in pay received by survivors who are eligible for both military survivor’s benefits and veterans’ dependency and indemnity compensation. Most survivors lose $1,500 a month because of the government’s long-standing practice of not paying two survivor benefits for one death. Elimination of the offset has been a top priority for military and survivor groups for years, and has gained wide support in Congress. The stumbling block has remained the cost, estimated to be more than $5.2 billion over five years to fully eliminate the offset for survivors for all service-connected deaths, which could include deaths on active duty or post-service deaths due to service-connected causes. [Source: NavyTimes Rick Maze article 22 Jun 09 ++]

Gulf War Syndrome Update 9: After a former CIA employee told a team created to investigate Gulf War illness that 1.5 million documents exist detailing poisonous gas exposures during Operation Desert Storm, Congress is asking the CIA to review the secret classifications of those documents. Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), said in a prepared statement, “Desert Storm veterans have been waiting for years for our government to make public any information in its possession about the kinds of toxic agents they may have been exposed to during and immediately after the 1991 war. This is a long-overdue stop toward meeting that goal.” The intelligence authorization bill H.R.2701 now includes language that would require the CIA to review the classification of those documents, with the intent of declassifying them.

   Studies have shown that veterans exposed to sarin...which the military accidentally doused troops with when the 82nd Airborne Division destroyed an Iraqi chemical weapons dump in Khamisiyah in 1991...are more likely to suffer from symptoms of Gulf War illness. Research has shown the risk is heightened if service members also took anti-nerve-agent pills and were exposed to a lot of pesticides, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses. Exposure data also might help scientists determine connections between how much exposure a person received and what kinds of symptoms he has now.

   One in four Gulf War veterans suffer symptoms, including chronic fatigue, loss of muscle control, headaches, dizziness, memory problems and joint pain. Recent research shows some veterans many have experienced physical changes to their brains that fall in line with toxic-agent exposure. For five years after the end of the war, the Pentagon and CIA said no chemical weapons had been within range of troops during the conflict. In 1998, a CIA Inspector General report said as many as 1.5 million documents may help determine the extent of toxic exposures, but the agency did not review those records. The amendment to H.R.2701 asks that those documents be reviewed within one year.

[Source: NavyTimes Kelly Kennedy article 23 Jun 09 ++]

GI Bill Update 51: The Pentagon announced 19 JUN that service members can register to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to family members beginning 29 JUN. The full Pentagon policy memorandum is online at
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/DTM%2009-003%20Post%209-11%20GI%20Bill.pdf According to Bob Clark, the Defense Department's assistant accession policy director and the top official working on the new benefits plan, on that date a special Pentagon Web site will go live allowing service members to securely apply to allow their immediate family members to share in their education benefits beginning 1 AUG. Service members who plan to use at least part of their benefit in the near future should first register through the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill Web site http://www.gibill.va.gov Clark said. Those who do not plan to use their benefits anytime soon or not at all do not have to register with VA to apply for the family member benefit. They can simply register through the Pentagon site that will become active 29 JUN.

   Service members have up to 15 years from the time they leave the service to apply through VA for a Certificate of Eligibility, Clark said. He emphasized that service members must be on active duty or in the Selected Reserve on 1 AUG to be eligible for family transfer rights. “Those who have retired, even if their last day on active duty was July 31st or any time before that, or have separated or are in the IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) are not eligible for the transferability,” he said. Service members will apply beginning 29 JUN through the Transferability of Educational Benefits (TEB) website https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB/ Service members will be able to securely access this site with their Common Access Card, a Defense Department Self Service User ID or a Defense Finance and Accounting Service PIN number, the Pentagon said. Clark asked that service members whose family members do not plan to take classes this fall to delay their registration by a couple of weeks (until at least 15 JUL) to allow those who do plan to do so to get through the registration process. The effective date will be1 AUG for all applicants, regardless of their application date, he said, and the services will have their hands full as they must each verify the information and, in many cases, process re-enlistments and service extensions.

   “We want the services to be able to prioritize their applications,” Clark said. Once that is done, the services will pass the application to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Clark said. “At that point … the family member will be treated by VA just as if they were a service member or veteran,” he said. Clark denied that a request for delayed applications is related to a fear of crashing computer servers; the Web site is being administered by the Defense Manpower Data Center, whose servers have “substantial” capability, he said. No changes have been made to the final rules previously announced; their implementation was delayed over a procedural matter that has been resolved, Clark said. The final rules, according to the Pentagon, allow transferability of a portion or all of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for any member of the armed forces (active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or enlisted) on or after 1 AUG 09, who is eligible for the benefit, and:

* Has at least six years of service in the armed forces on the date of election and agrees to serve four additional years in the armed forces from the date of election.

* Has at least 10 years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of election, is precluded by either standard policy or statute from committing to four additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute, or is or becomes retirement-eligible during the period from 1 AUG 09, through 1 AUG 13.

Regarding additional service requirements:

* For those eligible for retirement on 1 AUG 09 or have an approved retirement date after 1 AUG 09 and before 1 AUG 10, no additional service is required.

* One year for those eligible for retirement after 1 AUG 09 and before 1 AUG 10.
* Two years after approval of transfer for those eligible for retirement on or after 1 AUG 10 and before 1 AUG 11.
* Three years after approval of transfer for those eligible for retirement on or after 1 AUG 11 and before 1 AUG 12.

   An individual approved to transfer an entitlement to educational assistance under this section may transfer the individual’s entitlement to the individual’s spouse, one or more of the individual’s children, or any combination of spouse and child. Regarding transfer rules:

* A family member must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible for benefits at the time of transfer to receive transferred education benefits.

* A child’s subsequent marriage will not affect his or her eligibility to receive the education benefit. However, after an individual has designated a child as a transferee under this section, the individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.

* A subsequent divorce also will not affect the transferee’s eligibility to receive education benefits, but again, after an individual has designated a spouse as a transferee under this section, the eligible individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.

* An eligible service member may transfer up to the total months of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, or the entire 36 months if the member has used none.

* Spouses may start to use the benefit immediately, either while the member remains in the armed forces or for up to 15 years from the service member’s separation from active duty.

* Spouses are not eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s monthly book or living stipends while the member is serving on active duty.

* Children may start to use the benefit only after the individual making the transfer has completed at least 10 years of service, either while the eligible individual remains in the military or after separation from active duty.

* Children may not use the benefit until they have attained a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate), or reached 18 years of age. They are entitled to the monthly book and living stipends even if the eligible individual is on active duty.

* Children may not use the benefit after reaching 26 years of age.

[Source: NavyTimes William H. McMichael article 23 Jun 09 ++]

Chapter 61 Legislation Update 2: One week after House Democrats said they did not have the money to pay for long-promised increases in pay for disabled retirees, they unveiled a major military and federal civilian pay package that does even more. The source of money for the new bill, H.R.2990, is an obscure fund to pay for research into locating deepwater oil and natural gas resources. “Congress has been working to find a way to permanently eliminate the disabled veterans’ tax for many years, but fixing this entitlement program is an immensely difficult task,” said Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and chief sponsor of the bill. Skelton said the legislation does not go as far as he had hoped, but it “moves us closer to fulfilling the President’s pledge to give disabled veterans full access to the benefits they deserve.”

   It was not immediately clear how much money lawmakers got by tapping into the oil and gas development fund. The money source was not available last week when the House Armed Services Committee was approving its version of the 2010 defense authorization bill, but it is available if lawmakers are writing a separate bill. Congressional sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said they expect the new legislation will be merged with the defense policy bill into a single measure at some point. The bill is called Disabled Military Retiree Relief Act, a name derived from one of its key elements aimed at people who received military disability retirement with less than 20 years of service. These “Chapter 61” retirees (i.e. a reference to the section of the U.S. Code covering the military disability retirement plan) would be allowed to receive their full military retired pay plus veterans’ disability compensation, a major change from current law in which retirement pay is reduced dollar-for-dollar by any amount received in disability compensation.

   President Barack Obama had pledged during the presidential campaign this year to allow all Chapter 61 retirees to be able to concurrently receive both payments, but the bill would not do that right away. The offset would be phased out over several years, beginning with full payments of retired and disability pay on 1 JAN 10 for those whose disabilities are rated at 100%, including those whose 100% disability is based upon a determination that their medical conditions make them unemployable. Full concurrent receipt for all Chapter 61 retirees would take effect 1 JAN 14.The bill contains other provisions as well. For the military, it includes a one-year extension of many military bonuses and special and incentive pays that are about to expire, and provisions on re-computing retirement pay for some reservists. For federal workers, it includes a credit for unused sick leave, a new process for computing retired pay based upon part-time service and a provision involving the credit given to people who transferred from working for the District of Columbia government to working for the federal government. Skelton described this as “important changes” to the federal retirement system.

[Source: AirForceTimes Rick Maze article 23 JUN 09 ++]

Alzheimer's Update 06: The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 4.5 million Americans now have Alzheimer’s, and this number is expected to reach 16 million by 2050. One in 10 people over 65 have the disease and the rate is closer to 50% for people over 85. The Alzheimer’s Association and the National Institute on Aging estimate that the cost of current Alzheimer’s care is more than $100 billion annually. More than a third of U.S. adults have a family member or friend who has Alzheimer’s. Three out of five people surveyed were concerned that they may someday have to be a caretaker for someone with Alzheimer’s. Advancing age is the number one risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Have you noticed any of these warning signs? If so, list any concerns you have and take this with you to the doctor:

1. Memory changes that disrupt daily life. One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own. What's typical? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before. What's typical? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure. People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game. What’s typical? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

4. Confusion with time or place. People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. What's typical? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not recognize their own reflection. What's typical? Vision changes related to cataracts.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing. People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock"). What's typical? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time. What's typical? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.

8. Decreased or poor judgment. People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean. What's typical? Making a bad decision once in a while.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities. A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced. What's typical? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

10. Changes in mood and personality. The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone. What's typical? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

   If you have questions about any of these warning signs, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends consulting a physician. Early diagnosis provides the best opportunities for treatment, support and future planning. For more information, refer to http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_know_the_10_signs.asp or call (877) 474-8259.

[Source: About.com: Senior Living 2 Jun 09 ++]

Weight Reduction Update 1: Why do so many diets start successfully, only to crash and burn? Why is it that no matter how hard dieters try, keeping the weight off seems impossible? Dr. Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center (a multidisciplinary obesity research and treatment center) says the key is your body's chemistry, not willpower. His solution: teaching your body to stop craving food and feel full sooner. "Weight loss isn't about priorities, willpower or wanting it badly enough. Rather, it's about your body, your brain and your hormones," says Dr. Aronne. "And if you don't first re-sensitize your weight-regulation mechanisms, typical approaches to weight loss, such as portion control and calorie counting, just won't work." According to Dr. Aronne, our bodies are programmed to resist weight loss that goes beyond roughly 7% of total body weight. That means that if you weigh 200 pounds, you may be able to lose fewer than 14 pounds before the going gets tough. The reason, he explains, is that the body's metabolism and weight-regulating hormones...like insulin and leptin... drop faster than your body loses fat, making your brain think your weight is near normal even though you're still overweight. This leaves dieters hungry, even after they've eaten all the calories they need.

    To overcome this obstacle, he teaches 'fill power' rather than using willpower to force patients to stop eating. Among his specific tips are:

* Eat a Protein Breakfast. People who eat breakfast are more successful at losing weight because it helps control appetite and cravings throughout the day. High-protein, low-starch foods like a vegetable frittata are best. Avoid juices that pass through the body too quickly. Eat grapefruit or melon instead.

* Exercise in the morning. Putting off your gym visit until later in the day increases the chances that something will come up to derail your plans. And don't think of making up for it with a longer weekend session. How often you exercise is more important than the length of each exercise session.

* Eat your salad and vegetables first. Dig into the leafy greens before you start the main course. This will curb your appetite by making you feel full. Other foods to keep you feeling sated include soups and spicy foods.

* Watch less television. By turning off the boob tube you will automatically be more active.

* Look for hidden causes of weight gain. Sleep disorders and medications can cause weight gain. Appropriate management can help with weight loss.

    Dr. Aronne says his plan is easy to follow, and can help many people to lose between 10% and 20% of their weight, and most can lose 7% or more. However, he cautions that the weight loss won't be immediate, and may take several months. The payoff, he writes: "You will know what it feels like to fill up on a normal amount of food. You will eventually be able to stop obsessing about food. You'll be able to stop forcing yourself to eat less because you'll eat less automatically."
For more information Dr. Aronne can be reached at (212) 583-1000.

[Source: Weill Cornell News Lezlie]

Homes For Our Troops: A veteran who lost three limbs in Iraq will not get the keys to a new home, after a nonprofit group said the family concealed that they already own two homes. Sgt. David Battle and his wife, Lakeisa, were to move into a home outside Baltimore on 18 JUN that was built by hundreds of volunteers. But officials with Homes for Our Troops (HFOT) said the Battles withheld information about two homes they own in Georgia until the organization confronted them with the evidence. “We’re shocked,” said John Gonsalves, the founder of the Taunton, Mass.-based organization, which has helped build 40 houses for injured veterans in 30 states. “It’s disappointing anyone would take advantage of a community’s big heart this way.” Battle’s wife said they didn’t know they needed to disclose ownership of the two Georgia homes they bought after arrangements for the Maryland home were complete. The couple bought homes in Fayetteville, Ga., after receiving a $100,000 compensatory payment from the Army. The Patriot Guard Riders, a Georgia-based nonprofit, contributed the labor to make one of the Georgia homes wheelchair-accessible.

    Gonsalves said a Google news alert brought that project to his attention, and when asked about it, Lakeisa Battle told him the home was owned by a cousin and that the upgrades were done to let David Battle visit. The answer satisfied him...until a Georgia television reporter called to tell him the Battles were to be feted at a ceremony in Fayetteville. While covering that event, the reporter learned of the Pasadena project, called Gonsalves and faxed him a copy of the deed to one of the homes. Representatives of the nonprofit said they interviewed the Battles extensively to determine their financial need. In their contract with Homes for Our Troops, the Battles agreed not to intentionally omit information that could be used to determine eligibility. David Battle lost his right arm and both legs when he stepped on a roadside land mine in Iraq. He spent months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he had been undergoing intensive physical therapy. Gonsalves said his next step would be to find another disabled veteran to move in. The waiting list for housing is long and some have no homes at all, he said.

    Homes for Our Troops is a non-profit, non-partisan, 501 (c)(3) organization founded in 2004. This organization is committed to helping those who have selflessly given to their country and have returned home with serious disabilities and injuries. They assist severely injured Servicemen and Women and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials and professional labor and then coordinating the process of building a new home or adapting an existing home for handicapped accessibility. The finished home is then given to the veteran. The American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP), one of the country’s premier charity watchdog organizations, has included Homes for Our Troops in their “Top-Rated Veterans & Military Charities” listing. Only 5 of the 32 Veterans charities rated by AIP are included in the Top-Rated Category. Because of their stringent review process, the AIP is described as "the pit bull of watchdogs" by the New York Times. Newsweek said "It's the toughest of the bunch. Because it disregards certain, potentially suspect, expenses and donations, the AIP fails some nonprofits that the other raters approve." For more info on HFOT refer to http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer

[Source: ArmyTimes AP article 20 Jan 09 ++]

VA OEF/OIF Health Study: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has initiated a large, long-term study to look carefully at a broad array of health issues that may affect Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans and their counterparts who served during the same time period. VA's "National Health Study for a New Generation of U.S. Veterans" will begin with 30,000 Veterans deployed to OEF/OIF and 30,000 comparison Veterans who were not deployed. "This study will help us fulfill President Obama's pledge to 'stand with our Veterans as they face new challenges' by enabling us to understand the health problems of our newest generation of combat Veterans," Dr. Gerald M. Cross, VA's acting under secretary for health, said. "The study's findings will help us plan more effectively to provide the best care possible for these deserving Veterans."

    The study will include Veterans who served in each branch of service, representing active duty, Reserve, and National Guard members. Women will be over-sampled to make sure they are represented and will comprise 20% of the study, or 12,000 women. A combination of mail surveys, online surveys, telephone interviews, and in-person physical evaluations will be used to collect data from the Veterans. The study will compare the deployed and non-deployed Veterans in terms of chronic medical conditions, traumatic brain injury (TBI), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological conditions, general health perceptions, reproductive health, pregnancy outcomes, functional status, use of health care, behavioral risk factors (smoking, drinking, seatbelt use, speeding, motorcycle helmet use, and sexual behavior), and VA disability compensation. VA has contracted with an independent Veteran-owned research firm, HMS Technologies Inc., to collect the data. [Source: VA News Release 22 Jun 09 ++]

Veteran Charities Update 9: Since Sept. 11, 2001, charities have sprung up everywhere purporting to help veterans and military families. Many have evolved into reliable groups, joining others with a proven track record of helping military families with financial emergencies or other needs. If you know a charity’s track record and want to donate, by all means...donate. But if a charity is unfamiliar to you, it’s wise to do some checking first. The Federal Trade Commission and law enforcement officials in 49 states recently launched “Operation False Charity,” a crackdown on allegedly fraudulent telemarketers who claimed to help police, firefighters and veterans. “All of us share a deep trust and respect for our law enforcement officers, firefighters and military service members,” Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said in the joint announcement. “The attorneys general across the country will not stand idly by while greedy telemarketers take advantage of that trust and respect.” In the past year, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, an arm of the Better Business Bureau, has received 130,000 inquiries about charities purporting to support police, firefighters, veterans and service members, said Bennett Weiner, the alliance’s chief operating officer.

    The bulk of inquiries have been about veterans charities, Weiner said. “Usually it’s the reverse...police and firefighter charities generate more inquiries.” Here’s one example of why you should check out a charity before donating. In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in the Central District of California, the FTC claims that three nonprofit groups were formed mostly to line the pockets of the defendants and the fundraising companies they hired. The complaint states telemarketers are paid about 80% to 90% of the funds they raise. All three...American Veterans Relief Foundation Inc. (AVRF); Coalition of Police and Sheriffs Inc.; and Disabled Firefighters Fund...use the same address. AVRF did not return calls seeking comment. A number of groups use names that sound familiar or feature words such as “veterans” or “military families.” But that alone does not mean the group is legitimate or that your donation would go to a veteran or military family. In addition to using the word “veterans” in its name, AVRF told donors it was raising money to support families through a program called “Operation Home Front,” the FTC says. In fact, the FTC said, the group spent virtually no money helping military families and is not connected to the genuine nonprofit Operation Homefront Inc., a national organization with 30 chapters that does support families of troops and is praised by watchdog groups.

    If you, as a service member, family member or veteran, suspect wrongdoing by a charity, you should contact your state attorney general’s office, Weiner said. “Public complaints are probably one of the most important triggers for an investigation,” he said. If you believe you haven’t been treated fairly by a charity, you can file a online complaint with the BBB Wise Giving Alliance at http://www.bbb.org/us/charity or write BBB Wise Giving Alliance, 4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22203. Be as specific as possible. The alliance forwards complaints to the charity for response, and they generally are responsive, he said. “But if there is a pattern, we can alert other people through our reports,” he said. If you believe you’ve been wronged, Weiner said, “there are people to help address complaints, at no charge.” For additional info refer to http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/charityfraud.shtm

[Source: NavyTimes Consumer Watch Karen Jowers article 29 Jun 09 ++]

Overindulgence: Bottom line with so much food available, it’s too easy to overeat. We get fat when we ingest more calories than we expend. The excess is stored as body fat, our safety deposit box of energy that was originally designed to rescue us in emergencies. But today, with food so readily available, we regularly ingest too many calories, and our safety deposit boxes are huge and overflowing. Overeating occurs for a number of reasons. We might overeat as an emotional payoff or because we’ve lost control and feel helpless or out of habit. Automatic eating (eating when you’re not hungry) is a huge problem in our society. Perhaps it’s because your daily schedule dictates that you eat at certain times. Or, you snack unconsciously while watching TV. Either way, you are training your body to eat just because food is available. Perhaps the most common problem is not making prudent daily adjustments. We eat the same way all the time, more or less, even though the amount of energy we expend each day can vary tremendously. Compare three hours of intense yardwork with a long stint of watching the NCAA basketball tournament. The yardwork could expend hundreds of calories and hearty eating wouldn’t hurt you, because what you ingest would be balanced by what you expend. But on the sedentary TV-watching day, eating the same way would lead to storing lots of excess calories as fat.

    To offset the negative impacts of overindulgence consider a balanced approach. Special occasions and dining out are prime times for extra calories that can leave you feeling bloated, lethargic and even sleepy. To set yourself on the right course after overdoing it, eat less the next day. Options are:

* A partial fast...eating fruit and maybe some cereal. It’s an effective weight management tool.
* Overeat by 1,000 calories one day and undereat by the same amount the next and you’re even. You can supplement the calorie-cutting with exercise.
* Complete fasting, but some might find it too punishing or unnatural...the flip side of the lethargy of overindulging. Not eating at all can make you edgy and preoccupied with being hungry.
* A built-in weekly fast...one day of fasting set aside each week as a buffer. A day of complete fasting will lower your daily average for the week quite a bit. A partial fast also would lower the daily average, but to a lesser degree.

[Source: NavyTimes Bryant Stamford article 29 Jun 09 ++]

USFSPA & Divorce Update 8: The Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act is one of the more controversial laws affecting pay and entitlements of military retirees. Before the 1980s, wives of officers were discouraged from working so that they could focus on supporting their spouses’ careers. In response to an adverse Supreme Court decision to a former spouse, the USFSPA was enacted y congress in 1982. It allows states to divide military disposable retired pay as marital property. It also allows some former spouses to be awarded a share of disposable retired pay by direct payment from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service through a court order. USFSPA does not require or mandate such division; it simply allows state courts to do so. Unlike many military and Veterans Affairs Department entitlements that stop at remarriage, the USFSPA has no limit on remarriage and allows the state court order for divorce to control this topic. Anyone with more than 10 years in the military who is facing a divorce should consult with an attorney who knows USFSPA, because certain types of payments are exempt from the act. Military disability retirement pay and disability compensation benefits paid by VA generally are not applicable to USFSPA. It does not matter whether are not a former spouse remarries and/or will be better off finacially than the veteran to be awarded a portion of military pension under the USFSPA law. [Source: NavyTimes Mathew B. Tully article 29 Jun 09 ++]

Tricare User Fee Update 39: A key lawmaker who has helped derail past Pentagon plans for big increases in Tricare fees for military retirees warns that the day is coming when enrollment costs, deductibles and co-payments will have to go up. Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA), who chairs the House Armed Services Committee’s military personnel panel, said that after three consecutive years in which lawmakers inserted specific language in the annual defense authorization bill prohibiting Tricare fee increases, the House version of the 2010 bill does not have any such provision...because the Pentagon did not ask for such increases in its budget request. The Obama administration and Defense Secretary Robert Gates agreed to a one-year moratorium on their quest for substantial fee hikes in order to work with Congress on finding other ways to hold down health care costs. As the armed services committee met 16 JUN to consider H.R.2647, the 2010 defense policy bill, Davis said she and other lawmakers share the Pentagon’s concerns that rising health care costs are squeezing money for other defense programs, but they don’t want to make rash changes. “Any changes to the health care benefit require careful and deliberate consideration,” she said. Davis also said discussion about options will not be limited to the Pentagon and Congress. She pledged to include military associations that represent troops and families in seeking a “fair and equitable solution” to controlling health care costs. The Senate Armed Services Committee will start writing its version of the defense bill in late June. That committee also has not supported fee hikes pushed by the Pentagon to make up for the fact that Tricare fees have not changed since the plan started in 1994. Senators tend to favor limiting Tricare fee hikes to the size of the modest cost-of-living adjustment made each Dec. 1st in military retired pay.

[Source: NavyTimes article 29 Jun 09 ++]

IRS FBAR Tax Amnesty: U.S. citizens and resident aliens with foreign financial holdings are obliged to file TD F 90-22.1, the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts. This Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) is due no later than 30 JUN 09 at the US Department of Treasury in Detroit. It can be downloaded at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f90221.pdf On 27 MAR 09, the Internal Revenue Service announced a six month amnesty for U.S. taxpayers to emerge from the obscurity of noncompliance by voluntarily reporting their worldwide income, gains, bank accounts, trusts and other entities. Americans are required to file annual tax returns reporting global income. Only approximately one-third do so. And of those who do only 20% file a TD F 90-22. Voluntary disclosure simply means reporting previously undisclosed income by filing an amended or delinquent tax return. IRS considers voluntary disclosure relevant where otherwise a noncompliant taxpayer could be referred to the US Department of Justice for possible criminal prosecution or at the least an examination of prior year tax returns. In addition to tax treaties with other nations for sharing tax information, IRS is relentlessly increasing its efforts to identify taxpayers who may have income earned and assets preserved in foreign financial accounts. IRS considers overseas compliance so important that it is even rewarding informants. It is expected that the Service will be granted increased powers later this year for enforcing international tax compliance.

    To comply with US tax rules, taxpayers must substantiate all items of income; file or amend tax returns for up to the previous six years; pay all taxes, interest and penalties; file the FBAR report; and cooperate with IRS in the event their tax return is selected for audit. The US Treasury Department has in place the following Noncompliance civil penalties for failure to submit or falsifying a FBAR:

* Negligence: Up to $500
* Non-Willful Violation: Up to $10,000 for each violation.
* Pattern of Negligent Activity: In addition to $10,000 penalty, $50,000.
* Willful-Failure to File FBAR or Retain Records of Account: Up to the greater of $100,000 or 50% of the financial account amount at the time of violation.
* Knowingly Filing False FBAR: Up to the greater of $100,000 or 50% of the amount in the financial account at the time of violation.

    The representative of American Citizens Abroad (ACA) in his comments on the IRS amnesty offer argues that IRS can impose significant penalties for both unpaid income taxes up to six years and for failure to file FBARs (hence financial suicide). Further, he believes that passport control may soon be linked to IRS targeting Americans from abroad. And he informs that the Treasury Department ‘WILL’ reward anyone who informs on an American with an unreported foreign account. He concluded his arguments by stating, "No other country has ever concocted such a lethal set of financial weapons targeted at its own citizens." For more info on ACA refer to http://www.aca.ch/joomla/index.php

[Source: The Tax Baron Report Jun 09 ++]

VA Category 8 Care Update 12: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which now has nearly 8 million Veterans enrolled in its health care system, is poised to welcome nearly 266,000 more Veterans into its medical centers and clinics across the country by expanding access to health care enrollment for certain Veterans who had been excluded due to their income. Dr. Gerald Cross, VA's Acting Under Secretary for Health, said, "This incremental approach to expanding enrollment ensures that access to VA health care for a greater number of beneficiaries does not sacrifice timely access or quality medical care for those Veterans already enrolled in VA's health care system. Over the next four years, we hope to provide enrollment to more than 500,000 Veterans." Under a new regulation effective 15 JUN, VA will enroll Veterans whose income exceeds current means-tested thresholds by up to 10%. These Veterans were excluded from VA health care enrollment when income limits were imposed in 2003 on Veterans with no service-connected disabilities or other special eligibility for care. There is no income limit for Veterans with compensable service-connected disabilities or for Veterans being seen for their service-connected disabilities.

    Veterans who have applied for VA health care but were rejected due to income at any point in 2009 will have their applications reconsidered under the new income threshold formula. Those who applied before 2009, but were rejected due to income, must reapply. VA will contact these Veterans through a direct-mail campaign, Veterans service organizations, and a national and regional marketing campaign. Information about enrollment and an income and assets calculator are available at http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility The calculator provides a format in which Veterans enter their household income, number of dependents, and zip codes to see if they may qualify for VA health care enrollment. In addition to applying online, Veterans may also contact VA's Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222 VETS (1-877-222-8387). Each VA medical center across the country has an enrollment coordinator available to provide Veterans with enrollment and eligibility information.

[Source: VA News Release 19 Jun 09 ++]

VA Vet Contaminant Exposure Update 5: VA’s Office of the Inspector General released a report 16 JUN detailing a pattern of failure to adhere to cleaning and sterilization procedures involving endoscopic equipment, despite an earlier campaign to rectify the problem. The report, entitled "Healthcare Inspection – Use and Reprocessing of Flexible Fiber-optic Endoscopes at VA Medical Facilities" was aired during a House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation hearing. It documented the results of recent, unannounced inspections at 42 Veterans Health Administration facilities nationwide. Fewer than half of Veterans Affairs centers given a surprise inspection last month had proper training and guidelines in place for common endoscopic procedures such as colonoscopies...even after the agency learned that mistakes may have exposed thousands of veterans to HIV and other diseases. The random inspections were conducted May 13-14 at 42 VA medical centers around the country. They found that just 43% of the centers have standard operating procedures in place and have properly trained their staffs for using endoscopic equipment.

    American Legion National Commander David K. Rehbein expressed outrage over continuing instances of VA medical personnel exposing their patients to infectious diseases. He said, "The report is very disturbing. It demonstrates a pattern of failure among medical personnel within veterans health facilities to acquire simple knowledge and follow uncomplicated procedures, thus possibly exposing vulnerable veterans to serious health risks." House Subcommittee members have directed the IG to re-inspect VA health facilities in 90 days. Regarding this Rehbein said." These three months should not be construed as a period of time to work on these deficiencies. Veterans are being treated at these facilities every single hour of every single day. No matter what the reasons for this laxness in patient safety may be – inadequate training, poor supervision or lack of accountability – the problems must be rectified immediately. Traditionally, the VA’s health-care system has been lauded as the best in the world, and I believe it still is. It is imperative that this issue not be allowed to compromise that standard."

    The IG report is the result of a nationwide review requested by U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN), after he learned in March that more than 3,000 veterans at the VA medical center in Miami had been potentially exposed to HIV as well as Hepatitis B and C during endoscopic procedures. Even before the Miami revelation, inspections had revealed faulty reprocessing of endoscopic equipment at VA medical centers in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Augusta, Ga. Among the Florida, Tennessee and Georgia facilities, approximately 10,000 patients were exposed to the inadequately prepared medical implements, according to reports. Last February, VA instituted an education program to launch "stronger procedures and better accountability at VA health-care facilities." "Apparently, the so-called stronger procedures and better accountability were not strong and better enough," Rehbein said.

[Source: The American Legion Online Update 18 Jun 09 ++]

VA Vision Care Update 2: The Veterans Health Administration is the first national healthcare system to completely and seamlessly integrate rehabilitation services for patients with visual impairments into its health benefits. They estimate there are approximately 157,000 veterans in the United States who are legally blind, and more than one million veterans who have low vision that impairs their ability to perform necessary daily activities. Those figures are expected to increase in the years ahead as more veterans from the Korean and Vietnam eras develop age-related vision loss. VA has expanded its Blind Rehabilitation Service to provide a continuum of care that extends from the veteran’s home to the local VA care site to regionally-based inpatient and outpatient training programs. It has added 55 vision and blind rehabilitation outpatient clinics to complement its existing 10 comprehensive inpatient blind rehabilitation centers. They also employ 75 Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists who serve veterans in their homes and communities, and more than 160 medical center-based Visual Impairment Services Teams headed by case management coordinators. This expansion enhances their capacity to serve veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan with wounds and trauma that result in blindness and visual impairment. [Source: VA Press Release 17 Jun 09 ++]

VA Claims Backlog Update 27: The Veterans Affairs Department appears poised to hit a milestone it would rather avoid: 1 million claims to process. The milestone approaches as the agency scrambles to hire and train new claims processors, which can take two years. VA officials are working with the Pentagon under orders from President Barack Obama to create by 2012 a system that will allow the two agencies to electronically exchange records, a process now done manually on paper. Meanwhile, veterans, some of whom were severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, continue to endure financial hardship while their claims are processed. They wait more than four months on average for a claim to be processed, and appealing a claim takes a year and a half on average. Adding to the backlog are factors ranging from the complexity of processing mental health-related claims of Iraq veterans, to a change that made it easier for Vietnam veterans exposed to the Agent Orange herbicide to qualify for disability payments. The VA says it's receiving about 13% more claims today than it did a year ago. The VA's Web site shows the department has more than 722,000 claims and more than 172,000 appeals it currently is processing, for a total of about 900,000. That is up from about 800,000 total claims in January, according to the site.

    Since early 2007, the VA has hired 4,200 claims processors and with that has seen improvements in the number of claims it's processing. It's also working to modernize its system. Last year, Congress passed legislation that sought to update the disability rating process. A hearing 12 JUN by a House Veterans Affairs subcommittee will look into whether the law's changes are being implemented and whether the VA will be able to handle a million claims. Veterans advocates acknowledge there have been improvements in the claims process, but say it still is too cumbersome. They say some injured veterans from the recent wars are paying bills with credit cards, pending their first disability payments, at a time when it is challenging enough to recover from or adapt to their injuries. "They keep talking about a seamless transition, but I can tell you I haven't seen it being very seamless," said John Roberts of Houston, who is national service director for the nonprofit Wounded Warrior Project. Ryan Gallucci, spokesman for the veterans group AMVETS, said his organization supports a law change that would make it less burdensome for a veteran to prove that an injury was from his time in war service. He said that may help with the claims process. Rep. John Hall (D-NY), who was chairing the hearing, said he's confident the claims process eventually will be improved. "Veterans who are currently waiting, it can't come soon enough to them," Hall said.

[Source: Google News AP Kimberly Hefling article 17 Jun 09 ++]

HASC Update 4: The House Armed Services Committee blocked Republican efforts to provide big boosts in retiree and survivor benefits because there was no way of covering the costs over the next 10 years. Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO) the committee chairman, said there might be a partial solution that covers some expanded benefits by the time the full House takes up the 2010 defense authorization bill in a few weeks, but “it is not for sure.” Blocked were some long-time top initiatives for military and veterans groups, including a more generous military retirement benefit for National Guard and reserve benefits and elimination of the so-called “widow’s tax” for survivors and “disability tax” for veterans retired from the military on disability with less than 20 years of service Skelton said the widow’s tax and disability tax initiatives could cost $36 billion over the next decade. No specific estimate was provided for the reserve retired pay proposal. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), who proposed the amendments, tried to tap into a reserve fund created by the 2010 federal budget plan so specifically cover the two benefits. Skelton and Rep. John Spratt (D-SC), the House Budget Committee chairman, said the reserve fund has no money. The reserve fund was supposed to be fueled by cuts in federal entitlements, most likely from getting other congressional committees to cut benefits.

    “In our committee, we do not play games,” Skelton said. “We do not accept legislation that we cannot pay for ourselves, and we don’t try and gain political points by raising the hopes of the men and women who sacrificed so much for our country.” Skelton accused Wilson and other supporters of the amendment of playing politics with benefits. “The authors of this amendment know these rules and choose to ignore them, hoping no one would notice their lack of sincerity at truly solving the problem.” Supporters of the benefits increases said they weren’t playing games but trying to deliver on old promises that year-after-year get rejected for exactly the same reason, strict budgeting rules make it impossible to fund.“We have to find the money to do this. We find billions for other things. We have to find it,” said Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md. Skelton said he agreed. “If you have a way to pay for it, tell us.”Skelton’s staff said because of budgeting rules, the only way the committee could cover the cost of Wilson’s amendment would be to ravage other military entitlements, like retired pay, health care benefits for older retirees and Montgomery GI Bill benefits for reservists. Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, ranking Republican on the armed services committee, said he thinks Republicans could find the money if they were in charge, saying billions spend on economic stimulus and economic bailouts included some projects he considered less important than retiree benefits.“We have not been sleeping on this issue,” Skelton said. “It has been very, very difficult for us.” Rep. Joe Wilson's rejected amendment to the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would have:

(1.) Made improvements to concurrent receipt (CRDP) by providing a 5 year phase in for CRDP payments to include service members who were medically retired with less than 20 years of service (Chapter 61 retirees);

(2.) Eliminated the SBP/DIC offset; and

(3.) Eliminated the requirement for retired Reservists with 20 or more years of service, to reach age 60 in order to be eligible for TRICARE Standard.

    Veterans are urged to send a message to their Representative urging his/her sponsorship and support of a similar amendment at the next step of the 2010 NDAA as it progresses through the House. By utilizing the preformatted message at http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13572066&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id] or editing it to your personal preference you can let you representatives know how you feel on this issue.

[Source: NavyTimes Rick Maze article 17 Jun 09 & USDR Action Alert ++]

Vet Toxic Exposure Legislation Update 1: The "Military Personnel War Zone Toxic Exposure Prevention Act" H.R.2419 introduced by Rep. Timothy Bishop (D-NY-01) would require the Secretary of Defense to establish and administer a system to identify members of the Armed Forces who were potentially exposed to a hazardous disposal site, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as any negative health effects that may be related to such exposure. The bill prohibits the disposal of waste by the Armed Forces in a manner that would produce dangerous levels of toxins. For the past century, in nearly every war that America has asked her sons and daughters to fight, there have been dangers on the battlefield that went beyond injuries resulting from direct combat, that have left their disabling mark on hundreds of thousands of veterans. Whether from the mustard gas fields of World War I, to frostbite and radiological diseases in World War II and Korea, or to the relentless spraying of dioxin containing herbicides in Vietnam; the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan appear to be shaping up no differently. However, in each previous conflict, the Government took decades before recognizing such dangers. In short, HR 2419 would require the Secretary to:

(1) Administer the system using existing medical surveillance systems;
(2) Notify a member and the commanding officer of a potential exposure;
(3) For each member notified, collect information for purposes of the system;
(4) For each member notified, annually provide a complete physical examination and related consultation and counseling; and
(5) Determine, and report to Congress on, whether existing surveillance systems are sufficient to identify all potential negative health effects resulting from such exposure.

    If passed, this legislation would ensure the government lives up to its responsibility of finding those exposed, investigating current and future illness in those exposed, and preventing further illness by putting an end to these careless and irresponsible procedures. This bill should be included in the 2010 National Defenses Authorization Act. Veterans have a chance to stop the government's cycle of disregard. You can participate in passage of this bill by going to USDR's action link
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13556591&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id] and urging your representative’s support and co-sponsorship of H.R.2419. By entering your contact data on the site you can forward him/her a preformatted email on the issue or print a letter for mailing to his/her office.

[Source: USDR Action Alert 15 Jun ++]

Cellphone Discounts: Military veterans and active-duty personnel are eligible for significant discounts on cellphone plans - if they know to ask. There are over 23 million veterans in the U.S. of which many are unaware of the potential savings on their monthly cellphone bills. Monthly military discounts range from 15% on Verizon Wireless plans to 10% off...and no activation fee...on T-Mobile agreements. Alltel, Sprint and AT&T offer similar discounts. While not everyone knows about the discounts, those who do say that getting the companies to register them for the cheaper plans is no easy task. Phoenix Arizona resident Janis Johnson said she called her cellphone company to register her husband, an Air Force veteran. At first, a customer service representative said no veteran discount existed. "Then she said we should get the 15 percent discount, but we were supposed to go to the Web site," she said. Johnson eventually gave up when she could find no place online to register.

    Kenneth James Madetzke, 60, of Phoenix, had better luck. The Vietnam War veteran was able to sign up for AT&T's discounted plan and saves about $8 a month. "It makes me feel good to have the money savings and be recognized as a veteran," Madetzke said. "The disappointment was that there was no advertisement. I had to pull it out of them." While waiting for doctor's appointments at the VA hospital, Madetzke often tells fellow veterans about the discount. Most, he said, know nothing about the deals. Bill Messer, president of Vietnam Veterans of America's Arizona State Council, said he used Verizon and hadn't heard of the discount. Verizon spokeswoman Jenny Weaver said the firm makes an effort to inform veterans of the savings, with in-store posters and military-magazine ads. "There aren't any posters up in the Phoenix metro area right now, because of some of the other promotions we have going on," Weaver said. Most services require a military identification card, veteran identification card or military discharge papers as proof of veteran status. Some companies require online registration to get the discount. Many companies, including Verizon, also offer discounted plans for customers 65 and older.

[Source: The Arizona Republic Parker Leavitt article 13 Jun 09 ++]

Social Security Job Openings: The Social Security Administration has recently received funding to hire a significant number of employees throughout the country. This hiring initiative offers a unique opportunity for individuals with disabilities who may want to get a job with SSA. These jobs will be at various skill levels including a number of entry-level positions. SSA is recruiting employees to work in field offices and teleservice centers where they will assist the public by phone and in person with a wide variety of program related activities such as filing claims, applying for a new or replacement Social Security cards and other types of inquiries. SSA also is recruiting employees to work in claims processing centers and to work in hearings offices in legal and paralegal positions. The jobs are located all across the United States; for example, some are in the local SSA field offices or SSA hearings offices, some in the 37 teleservice centers nationwide, some in SSA’s program service centers and some at SSA headquarters in the Baltimore area.

    SSA will use a variety of avenues to recruit and hire people with disabilities. In particular, the Agency is reaching out to Ticket to Work ticket holders who are trying to return to work, veterans with disabilities through programs such as the Wounded Warrior transitional program, and students with disabilities. The Ticket to Work (TTW) is a voluntary employment program designed for people who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work. It offers them expanded opportunities to obtain services and support to work and achieve their employment goals. The program was created by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999...legislation intended to remove many barriers, such as losing health care coverage, which influence people’s decisions about trying to work. The goal of the program is to increase self-sufficiency for beneficiaries with disabilities and increase their opportunities and choices through employment, vocational rehabilitation, and other support services. The basic eligibility requirements to participate in the TTW program are current beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) age 18 through 64;

    If you are a veteran with a disability and are interested in applying for employment under special hiring programs, contact Social Security's regional personnel office in your area. To find a list of Social Security personnel offices, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/careers and click on the "Opportunities for Veterans" link. Disabled veterans may qualify for a non-competitive appointment under the Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment authority. If a veteran has a disability rating of 30% or more, he or she may also be eligible for appointment under the 30 Percent Disabled Veterans appointment authority. If a disabled veteran competes for an appointment through the regular application process just as most non-disabled applicants must do, they may receive preference in the hiring process by submitting the service records and disability documentation outlined in the vacancy announcement. Refer to the Veterans hiring Authority fact sheet http://www.cessi.net/ttw/SSAHires/veterans.html for additional info.

    Many individuals with disabilities will qualify for consideration under a special placement authority called "Schedule A." If you are interested in being considered non-competitively under the Schedule A hiring authority, send your resume, proof of disability, and certification of job readiness along with a statement of your geographic area of job interest to the Selective Placement Coordinator (SPC) in your area. To find out more about Schedule A including a list of Social Security's SPCs refer to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/careers/ and click on the "Opportunities with Disabilities" link and then click on the "Selective Placement Program" link. Different SSA positions have varying qualifications. Refer to the SSA Positions and Qualifications fact sheet http://www.cessi.net/ttw/SSAHires/docs/SSA_Job_Descriptions_and_Qualifications.doc for additional information. Jobs that are filled competitively are advertised through USAJOBS at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov Each job advertisement contains instructions on how to apply.

[Source: DisabilityInfo.gov Update 15 Jun -09 ++]

Hydration: Our bodies need water more than food, sleep or even exercise to stay active. Water is the major part of our saliva, stool, and urine and cushions and lubricates brain and joint tissue, and helps regulate body temperature. It transports nutrients and carries waste away from body cells, and it helps regulate body temperature by distributing heat and cooling the body through perspiration (blood is 83 % water, muscles are 76% water and even 22% of bones is water!). Breathing, urinating, defecating, perspiring and sneezing all cause water loss, water that needs to be replaced on a daily basis. For older adults, especially, the need to be aware of water intake is important. As we grow older, we often drink less than our bodies need. Under average circumstances the body loses and needs to replace approximately two to three quarts of water daily, and experts recommend that when we are sick this be increased to one gallon, Particularly when we have fever, our need for fluids increases. All the secretions our bodies produces (from the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs) become thicker when we are sick, and increasing our fluid intake is the easiest and safest way to thin those secretions and get them out of the system. Also, our kidneys and liver need extra water to process medicines. So when you are out enjoying the warm weather this summer, it is important to remember to stay hydrated! Some tips to make sure you are getting your prescribed daily intake are:

* Don't exclusively rely on thirst. As we age, our bodies lose the ability to detect thirst. Also, certain medications can cause dehydration.

* Eat more fruits and vegetables. Most fruits have 80 to 90% water content. They are a great alternative, and supplement, to drinking plain water. For a listing fruits and their water content along with fiber, fat, protein, sugar, and vitamins refer to http://www.thefruitpages.com/contents.shtml

* Use the color of your urine as a guide. If the color is light yellow or clear, you’re drinking enough fluids. If it is dark yellow, you need to drink more.

* Have a beverage that you enjoy with every meal and snack. A glass of water or a cup of juice can really help. Even caffeinated drinks-while they should not be your primary source of hydration-can contribute to you daily water needs.

* Have a glass of water or juice on arising in the morning, since you've had no fluids for many hours.

* Drink constantly throughout the day rather than several 'big gulps' at once...this meets your body's needs better and may prevent the problem of frequent urination.

* If you have problems with constipation, it could be because you don't drink enough water...our bodies need water to balance the fiber intake that comes from fruits, vegetables, and grains.

* Fluids are more easily absorbed from the body when they are somewhat cooler, about 40-60 degrees. Keep a 1 or 2 quart bottle of water in your refrigerator and make sure you need drink and refill it daily.

* When you pass a drinking fountain, stop for a refreshing drink.

* Carry a water bottle with you and drink regularly between meals.

[Source: Medicare Rights Center Health tip a5 Jun 09 ++]

Camp Lejeune Toxic Exposure Update 6: According to a government report released 13 JUN contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune can't definitively be linked to health problems among people who lived at the Marine base over three decades. Former residents of the base in eastern North Carolina don't have diseases different from the general population and the industrial solvents that tainted well water there between the 1950s and 1985 were at concentrations that don't cause obvious harm to human health, according to the report ordered by Congress and released by the National Research Council. But the 341-page report, which reviews past studies of the base's water and health issues there, said there are severe challenges in trying to connect the contaminants to any birth defects, cancer and many other ailments suffered by people who lived and worked on base. It "cannot be determined reliably whether diseases and disorders experienced by former residents and workers at Camp Lejuene are associated with their exposure to contaminants in the water supply," the report states. David Savitz, chairman of the committee that wrote the report, said in a statement, "Even with scientific advances, the complex nature of the Camp Lejeune contamination and the limited data on the concentrations in water supplies allow for only crude estimates of exposure."

    The study says the Marines and Navy shouldn't wait for more scientific studies before deciding how to deal with health problems reported by former base residents. And it calls into question the value of further studies. "It would be extremely difficult to conduct direct epidemiologic studies of sufficient quality and scope to make a substantial contribution to resolving the health concerns of former Camp Lejeune residents. Conduct of research that is deficient in those respects not only would waste resources but has the potential to do harm by generating misleading results that erroneously implicate or exonerate the exposures of concern," it states. A Marine Corps spokesman, 1st Lt. Brian Block, said the service would study the report before making a statement. "After a thorough review of the report, we will determine what the next appropriate steps are," he said. Jerry Ensminger, a longtime critic of the military's handling of the issue, said he wanted to question the study panel, which he said didn't have all the information it needed about contaminants. "This is a whitewash of the facts," said Ensminger, a retired Marine whose daughter was conceived on Camp Lejeune and died of childhood leukemia in 1985 at age 9.

    Water was contaminated by dry cleaning solvents and other sources at the base's major family housing areas...Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point, the report said. Health officials believe as many as 1 million people may have been exposed to the toxins tricholorethylene (TCE) or perchloroethylene (PCE) before the wells were closed 22 years ago. But the sizeable number of people in those housing areas did not suffer more than "common diseases or disorders," said the study by the working arm of the National Academy of Sciences. "The lowest doses at which adverse health effects have been seen in animal or clinical studies are many times higher than the worst-case (highest) assumed exposures at Camp Lejeune. However, that does not rule out the possibility that other, more subtle health effects that have not been well studied could occur, although it somewhat diminishes their likelihood," it states. North Carolina's senators have said they will seek details about the contamination from the military. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC) said last month she and Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC )were asking the Navy for details about gaps in information. Federal health officials withdrew a 1997 assessment of health effects from the contamination at Camp Lejeune because of omissions and scientific inaccuracy. The assessment said the chemicals posed little or no cancer risk to adults who were exposed to the past water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

[Source: AP article 14 Jun 09 ++]

Army Retiree Council Update 2: In its report to the Chief of Staff, Army (CSA) Retiree Council, the Council warned that recruiting and retention would be impacted if health care policy was determined by budgetary constraints alone, without considering the sacrifices asked of the current force. The Council Co-Chairmen will meet with the CSA in OCT 09 to update him on the progress being made on the Council's following 2009 recommendations and to offer their further support:

General:

* Sustain the military health care system with full resourcing and emphasis on direct care.
* If TRICARE fees must be increased, limit any increase in those fees to the annual rate of growth in retired pay, with special consideration to not overburdening retired NCOs E-7 and below.
* Raise the TRICARE provider reimbursement levels to create the physician network needed to make care accessible for all beneficiaries.
* Support legislation to authorize pre-tax payment of TRICARE enrollment fees and premiums for TRICARE supplemental, long-term care, and TRICARE Retiree Dental insurance.
* Eliminate copayments for generic and chronic care drugs to encourage use of the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy.
* Continue to support DoD and VA collaboration to improve the compatibility of the two health care systems, preserving and improving benefits and ensuring seamless transition, especially for Wounded Warriors.

Retirement Services Program:

* Raise the level of funding for Pre-Transition and Post-Transition Services for all installations/garrisons worldwide.
* Establish RSO positions in accordance with the Installation Management Command (IMCOM)’s Approved Organization and fill those positions at the targeted salary rate by the end of fiscal year 2009.
* Establish RSOs at major Reserve and National Guard commands to ensure that all retiring and retired Guard and Reserve Soldiers, their Families and survivors are informed on retirement-related benefits and entitlements.

Retirees overseas:

* Support a test program in which retired members of all services who are supported by APOs in Germany would be allowed to send and receive parcels weighing up to five pounds, for the purpose of quantifying impact.
* Urge the Director of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service to establish a toll-free line for countries such as Germany and Korea with sufficient beneficiary population.

Surviving spouses:

* Eliminate the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation offset to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity.
* Authorize space-available air travel for surviving spouses.
* Issue eligible surviving spouses an indefinite ID card at age 65.

Retired pay:

* Recognize the extraordinary service of Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers by including mobilization periods in support of contingency operations beginning on or after Sept. 11, 2001, when determining eligibility date for retired pay (instead of the current effective date of Jan. 28, 2008) and by providing medical benefits concurrently with retired pay.
* Provide full concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation for all eligible military retirees.
* Support the amendment of Title 10, U.S. Code, to forgive any overpayment of retired pay for any period after the date of death of the retiree through the last day of the month in which death occurs.

[Source: Army Echoes May-Aug 09 ++]

RSO Locations by State: Army Retirement Services Officers are available to answer questions and assist retirees, dependents, and survivors from all service branches as needed. To contact the RSO for your state refer to the following:

* Alabama:
Redstone Arsenal (256) 876-2022 cynthia.anderson1@redstone.army.mil
Fort Rucker (334) 255-9124 ruck.retirees@conus.army.mil

* Alaska
Fort Richardson 1-800-478-7384 (AK only) (907) 384-3500 rso@richardson.army.mil
Fort Wainwright (907) 353-2102 fwarso@wainwright.army.mil

* Arizona - Fort Huachuca (520) 533-5733 HuacRSO@conus.army.mil
* Arkansas - Fort Sill, OK
* California - Fort McCoy, WI
* Colorado - Fort Carson (719) 526-2840 retirement-services @carson.army.mil
* Connecticut - West Point, NY
* Delaware - Fort Meade, MD
* D.C. - Fort Myer, VA

* Florida
Central & West MacDill AFB (813) 828-0163 army.rso@macdill.af.mil
Rest of FL - See: Fort Stewart, GA below.

* Georgia
Fort Benning (706) 545-1805 benn.g1hrd.rso@benning.army.mil
Fort Gordon (706) 791-2654 angela.gaston@us.army.mil
Fort McPherson (404) 464-3219 rso.mcpherson-a@conus.army.mil
Fort Stewart (912) 767-5013 rso@stewart.army.mil

* Hawaii - Schofield Barracks (808) 655-1514 rso@schofield.army.mil
* Idaho - Fort Carson, CO, or Fort Lewis, WA
* Illinois - Fort Leornard Wood, MO; Fort McCoy, WI; Fort Knox, KY
* Indiana - Fort Knox, KY
* Iowa - Fort McCoy, WI

* Kansas
Fort Leavenworth (913) 684-2425 Leav-RSO@conus.army.mil
Fort Riley (785) 239-3320 rso@riley.army.mil

* Kentucky
Fort Campbell (270) 798-5280 camp.retire@conus.army.mil
Fort Knox (502) 624-1765 knox.rso@conus.army.mil

* Louisiana - Fort Polk (337) 531-0363 polk_rso@conus.army.mil
* Maine - Fort Drum, NY

* Maryland
Aberdeen Pr. Grd. (410) 306-2320 imnearpghr@apg.army.mil
Fort Meade (301) 677-9603 mderso@conus.army.mil

* Massachusetts - West Point, NY

* Michigan
Fort McCoy, WI
Lower MI Selfridge ANGB (586) 307-5580 (or Fort McCoy)

* Minnesota - Fort McCoy, WI
* Mississippi - Fort Rucker, AL
* Missouri - Fort Leonard Wood (573) 596-0947 leon.agretsvcs@conus.army.mil
* Montana - Fort Lewis, WA
* Nebraska - Fort Riley, KS
* Nevada - Fort McCoy, WI
* New Hampshire - Fort Drum, NY

* New Jersey
Fort Dix (609) 562-2666 rso@dix.army.mil
Fort Monmouth (732) 532-4673 jacqueline.moura@us.army.mil

* New Mexico - Fort Bliss, TX

* New York
Fort Drum (315) 772-6434 drum.rso@conus.army.mil
Fort Hamilton (718) 630-4552 keith.harry@us.army.mil
Watervliet Wed & Thurs only (518) 266-5810 wvarso@gmail.com
West Point (845) 938-4217 rso@usma.army.mil

* No. Carolina - Fort Bragg (910) 396-5304 braggrso@conus.army.mil
* No. Dakota - Fort Riley, KS
* Ohio - Fort Knox, KY
* Oklahoma - Fort Sill (580) 442-2645 rso.sill@conus.army.mil
* Oregon - Fort Lewis, WA

* Pennsylvania
Carlisle Barracks (717) 245-4501 carl_rso@conus.army.mil
Tobyhanna Army Depot Tues/Wed/Thurs only (570) 895-7409 danielle.dematteo@us.army.mil

* Rhode Island - West Point, NY

* So. Carolina - Fort Jackson (803) 751-6715 FJrso@conus.army.mil
* So. Dakota - Fort Riley, KS
* Tennessee - Fort Campbell, KY

* Texas
Fort Bliss (915) 568-5204 BlissRSO@conus.army.mil
Fort Hood (254) 287-5210 hood.dhr.iag.retsvcs@conus.army.mil
Fort Sam Houston (210) 221-9004 rso@samhouston.army.mil

* Utah - Fort Carson, CO
* Vermont - Fort Drum, NY

* Virginia
Fort Belvoir (703) 805-2675 rso@belvoir.army.mil
Fort Eustis (757) 878-3648 eustis.rso@conus.army.mil
Fort Lee (804) 734-6555 leeeimarso@conus.army.mil
Fort Monroe (757) 788-2093 monr.fmretsvcoff@conus.army.mil
Fort Myer (703) 696-5948 fmmc-rso@conus.army.mil

* Washington - Fort Lewis (253) 966-5884 Lewis700PMCretirements@conus.army.mil
* West Virginia - Fort Knox, KY
* Wisconsin - Fort McCoy 1-800-452-0923 bill.g.walters@us.army.mil
* Wyoming - Fort Carson, CO
* Puerto Rico - Fort Buchanan (787) 707-3842 santiago.santiago@conus.army.mil
* Guard & Reserve - Human Resources Command, St. Louis, MO 1-800-318-5298 ext 4 or (314) 592-0123 or sheila.dorsey@us.army.mil or stephen.welch@us.army.mil

[Source: Army Echoes May-Aug 09 ++]

Flag Laws & Regulations: The laws relating to the flag of the United States of America are found in detail in the United States Code. Title 4, Chapter 1 pertains to the flag and seal, seat of Government and the States; Title 18, Chapter 33 pertains to crimes and criminal procedures; Title 36, Chapter 10 pertains to patriotic customs and observances. These laws were supplemented by Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations. For additional info on flag issues refer to http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/misc/ourflag/titlepage.htm Title 36 Chapter 10 contains the following:

§171. National anthem; Star-Spangled Banner, conduct during playing: During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there. see Note (1)

§172. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery: The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. see Note (2)

§173. Display and Use of flag by civilians; codification of rules and customs; definition: The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States of America is established for the use of such civilians or civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the Government of the United States. The flag of the United States for the purpose of this chapter shall be defined according to Title 4, United States Code, chapter 1, section 1 and section 2 and Executive Order 10834 issued pursuant thereto.

§174. Time and occasions for display:

(a) It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

(b)    The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

(c)    The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed.

(d)    The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on New Year's Day, January 1; Inauguration Day, January 20; Lincoln's Birthday, February 12; Washington's Birthday, third Monday in February; Easter Sunday (variable), Mother's Day, second Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May: Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, September 17; Columbus Day, second Monday in October; Navy Day, October 27; Veterans Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, December 25; and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the birthdays of States (date of admission); and on State holidays.

(e)   The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.
(f)    The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days.
(g)    The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse.

    Note (1): The 2009 NDAA clarified actions to be taken during the playing of the National Anthem. It authorizes individuals in uniform to give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.

    Note (2): On 29 JAN 08, President Bush signed a law amending federal code to allow a veteran to salute the U.S. flag while not in uniform in certain, but not all, situations. The amended federal code addresses actions for a viewer of the U.S. flag during its hoisting, lowering or passing. In these instances, the law allows a veteran in civilian attire to salute the flag. All other persons present should face the flag, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes. However, another section of federal code that specifically relates to actions of those reciting the Pledge of Allegiance was not amended. In this case, a veteran in civilian attire is not specifically authorized to render a hand salute during the Pledge. In any case, a veteran in civilian clothes is authorized to place their right hand over their heart as has been tradition.

    Note (3): The Pledge of Allegiance received official recognition by Congress in an Act approved on 22 JUN 42. However, the pledge was first published in 1892 in the Youth's Companion magazine in Boston, Massachusetts to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America, and was first used in public schools to celebrate Columbus Day on October 12, 1892. In its original version, the pledge read "my flag" instead of "the flag of the United States." the change in the wording was adopted by the National Flag Conference in 1923. The rationale for the change was that it prevented ambiguity among foreign-born children and adults who might have the flag of their native land in mind when reciting the pledge. The phrase "under God" was added to the pledge by a Congressional act approved on 14 JUN 54. At that time, President Eisenhower said: "in this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in peace and war."

[Source: United States Code Title 36 Chap 10 Jun 09 ++]

Tax Burden for Connecticut Retirees: Many people planning to retire use the presence or absence of a state income tax as a litmus test for a retirement destination. This is a serious miscalculation since higher sales and property taxes can more than offset the lack of a state income tax. The lack of a state income tax doesn’t necessarily ensure a low total tax burden. Following are the taxes you can expect to pay if you retire in Colorado:

State Sales Tax: 6% (food, prescription & non-prescription drugs exempt).

Fuel & Cigarette Tax:

* Gasoline Tax: 47.2 cents/gallon
* Diesel Fuel Tax: 43.4 cents/gallon
* Cigarette Tax: $2.00/pack of 20.

Personal Income Taxes:

* Tax Rate Range: Low - 3.0%; High - 5.0%

* Income Brackets: Lowest - First $10,000; Highest - Over $10,000; For joint returns, the taxes are twice the tax imposed on half
the income; To estimate your tax refer to http://www.dir.ct.gov/drs/Taxcalsched/TCS2008.htm

* Personal Exemptions:
(2008) Single... $13,000; Married...$26,000; Dependents...$0. An additional tax credit is allowed ranging from 75% to 0% based on state adjusted gross income. Exemption amounts are phased out for higher income taxpayers until they are eliminated for household earning over $52,000. Refer to http://www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?A=1510&Q=430322 for details.

* Standard Deduction: None

* Medical/Dental Deduction: None

* Federal Income Tax Deduction: None

* Retirement Income Taxes: Social Security is exempt for individual taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income of less than $50,000 and for married filing jointly taxpayers, with federal AGI below $60,000. All out-of-state government and federal civil service pensions are fully taxed. Tax information for seniors can be found at
http://www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?A=1510&Q=430974&drsPNavCtr=%7C&pp=12&n=!

* Retired Military Pay: Follows federal rules.
|
* Military Disability Retired Pay: Retirees who entered the military before 24 SEP 74, and members receiving disability retirements based on combat injuries or who could receive disability payments from the VA are covered by laws giving disability broad exemption from federal income tax. Most military retired pay based on service-related disabilities also is free from federal income tax, but there is no guarantee of total protection.

* VA Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: VA benefits are not taxable because they generally are for disabilities and are not subject to federal or state taxes.

* Military SBP/SSBP/RCSBP/RSFPP: Generally subject to state taxes for those states with income tax. Check with state department of revenue office.

Property Taxes

* Taxes and real and personal property are assessed and collected by individual towns or other taxing districts. All assessments are at 70% of fair market value. An annual property tax credit or rent rebate is available to residents, age 65 or older, or to a surviving spouse of a previously approved applicant who is age 50 or older. Regardless of age, totally disabled persons are also eligible. Income parameters apply.

* Municipalities may provide additional tax relief for seniors. Call 800-286-2214 or 860-297-5962 for details.

Inheritance and Estate Taxes:

* Connecticut imposes an estate tax which taxes the transfer of estates valued at $2 million or more at a progressive rate starting with 5 percent of the first $100,000 over the threshold and rising to 16 percent for the amount above $10 million.

For further information, refer to the Connecticut Department of Revenue site http://www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?A=1510&Q=430322 [Source: http://www.retirementliving.com Jun 09 ++]

Military History Anniversaries:
* Jun 17 1775 – Revolutionary War: Battle of Bunker Hill (actually it was Breed's Hill)
* Jun 17 1942 – WWII: 1st American expeditionary force lands in Africa (Gold Coast)
* Jun 18 1812 – War of 1812: The U.S. Congress declares war on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
* Jun 19 1944 – WWII: First day of the Battle of the Philippine Sea. 300 Japanese aircrafts shot down
* Jun 21 1945 – WWII: US defeat Japanese forces on Okinawa.
* Jun 23 1945 – Last organized Japanese defiance broken (Tarakan)
* Jun 24 1952 – Korean War: US airplanes bomb energy centers at Yalu Korea
* Jun 25 1876 – Custer & 7th Cavalry wiped out by Sioux & Cheyenne at Little Big Horn
* Jun 25 1948 – Cold war: The Berlin Airlift begins.
* Jun 25 1950 – Korean War: Conflict begins with the invasion of South Korea by North Korea.
* Jun 25 1996 – The Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia kills 19 U.S. servicemen.
* Jun 26 1918 – WWI: Western Front Battle for Belleau Wood - Allied Forces under John J. Pershing and James Harbord defeat Imperial German Forces under Wilhelm German Crown Prince.
* Jun 26 1924 – After 8 years of occupation US troops leave Dominican Republic
* Jun 26 1993 – The U.S. launches a missile attack targeting Baghdad intelligence headquarters in retaliation for a thwarted assassination attempt against former President George H.W. Bush in April in Kuwait.
* Jun 27 1944 – WWII: Cherbourg, France liberated by Allies
* Jun 27 1950 – Korean War: North Koreans troop reach Seoul, UN asks members to aid South Korea, Truman orders Air Force & Navy into Korean conflict
* Jun 28 1919 – WWI: Treaty of Versailles ending war signed in France
* Jun 28 1965 – Vietnam: 1st U.S. ground combat forces authorized by Pres Johnson
* Jun 29 1943 – WWII: Germany begins withdrawing U-boats from North Atlantic in anticipation of the Allied invasion of Europe
* Jun 29 1949 – US troops withdraw from Korea after WW II
* Jun 29 1966 – Vietnam: U.S. planes bomb Hanoi & Haiphong for 1st time
* Jun 30 1815 – US naval hero Stephen Decatur ends attacks by Algerian pirates
* Jun 30 1943 – WWII: Gen MacArthur begins Operation Cartwheel (island-hopping)

[Source: Various Jun 09 ++]

Have You Heard?: A man fell asleep on the beach. He woke up several hours later and suffered a severe sunburn to his legs and was taken to the closest hospital, which happened to be a U.S. Naval Hospital.

    His skin had turned a bright red and was very painful and had started to blister. Anything that touched his legs caused agony. The lead on the medical staff at the naval hospital, that night, was a Chief Corpsman, in the emergency room. The Chief checked him out and then prescribed continued intravenous feedings of water, electrolytes, a mild sedative, and Viagra.

    Rather astounded, the 3rd class corpsman, who was with the Chief inquired, "What good will Viagra do him in that condition?" The Chief replied, "It'll keep the sheet off his legs."

Veteran Legislation Status 29 Jun 09: The next scheduled Congressional recess is 28 JUN – 6 JUL for Independence Day. Refer to the Bulletin’s Veteran Legislation attachment for or a listing of Congressional bills of interest to the veteran community that have been introduced in the 111th Congress. Support of these bills through cosponsorship by other legislators is critical if they are ever going to move through the legislative process for a floor vote to become law. A good indication on that likelihood is the number of cosponsors who have signed onto the bill. Any number of members may cosponsor a bill in the House or Senate. At http://thomas.loc.gov you can review a copy of each bill’s content, determine its current status, the committee it has been assigned to, and if your legislator is a sponsor or cosponsor of it. To determine what bills, amendments your representative has sponsored, cosponsored, or dropped sponsorship on refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d111/sponlst.html The key to increasing cosponsorship on veteran related bills and subsequent passage into law is letting our representatives know of veteran’s feelings on issues. You can reach their Washington office via the Capital Operator direct at (866) 272-6622, (800) 828-0498, or (866) 340-9281 to express your views. Otherwise, you can locate on http://thomas.loc.gov your representative and his/her phone number, mailing address, or email/website to communicate with a message or letter of your own making. Refer to http://www.thecapitol.net/FAQ/cong_schedule.html for dates that you can access your representatives on their home turf. [Source: RAO Bulletin Attachment 28 May 09 ++]

United States House website: http://www.house.gov/
To contact Members of the U.S House, go to : https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Veteran House Legislation: Of the 3112 House and 1379 Senate pieces of legislation introduced in the 111th Congress to date, the following are of interest to the non-active duty veteran community. Bill titles in green are new additions to this summary. A good indication on the likelihood a bill of being forwarded to the House or Senate for passage and subsequently being signed into law by the President is the number of cosponsors who have signed onto the bill. An alternate way for it to become law is if it is added as an addendum to another bill such as the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and survives the conference committee assigned to iron out the difference between the House and Senate bills. At http://thomas.loc.gov you can review a copy of each bill’s text, determine its current status, the committee it has been assigned to, who your representative is and his/her phone number, mailing address, or email/website to communicate with a message or letter of your own making, and if your legislator is a sponsor or cosponsor of it. To separately determine what bills, amendments your representative has sponsored, cosponsored, or dropped sponsorship on refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d111/sponlst.html To review a numerical list of all bills introduced refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/111search.html The key to increasing cosponsorship is letting legislators know of their constituent’s views on issues. Those bills that include a website in red are being pushed by various veterans groups for passage and by clicking on that website you can forward a preformatted message to your legislator requesting he/she support the bill.

H.R.23 : Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II.
Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (168)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/13/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://capwiz.com/naus/issues/alert/?alertid=12497121

H.R.32 : Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Companion Bill S.315
Sponsor: Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.33 : Disability Benefit Fairness Act of 2009 to amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the 5-month waiting period for entitlement to disability benefits and to eliminate reconsideration as an intervening step between initial benefit entitlement decisions and subsequent hearings on the record on such decisions.
Sponsor: Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.82 : Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009 to expand retroactive eligibility of the Army Combat Action Badge to include members of the Army who participated in combat during which they personally engaged, or were personally engaged by, the enemy at any time on or after December 7, 1941.
Sponsor: Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny [FL-5] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (15)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.84 : Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish standards of access to care for veterans seeking health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny [FL-5] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.108 : Disabled Veterans Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act to amend title 10, United States Code, to extend military commissary and exchange store privileges to veterans with a compensable service-connected disability and to their dependents.
Sponsor: Rep Fortenberry, Jeff [NE-1] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.114 : Veterans Entrepreneurial Transition Business Benefit Act to allow veterans to elect to use, with the approval of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, certain financial educational assistance to establish and operate certain business, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Fortenberry, Jeff [NE-1] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.147 : Designate a Portion of Tax Payment for Homeless Vets. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their income tax payment to provide assistance to homeless veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (60)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 3/4/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12922516&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.161 : Social Security Beneficiary Tax Reduction Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the 1993 increase in taxes on Social Security benefits.
Sponsor: Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.162 : Senior Citizens' Tax Elimination Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the inclusion in gross income of Social Security benefits.
Sponsor: Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.174 : Colorado Vet Cemetery. To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in the southern Colorado region.
Sponsor: Rep Salazar, John T. [CO-3] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (7)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.177 : Depleted Uranium Screening and Testing Act to provide for identification of members of the Armed Forces exposed during military service to depleted uranium, to provide for health testing of such members, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.190 : Veterans Health Equity Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that veterans in each of the 48 contiguous States are able to receive services in at least one full-service hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in the State or receive comparable services provided by contract in the State. Companion Bill S.239.
Sponsor: Rep Shea-Porter, Carol [NH-1] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.198 : Health Care Tax Deduction Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for amounts paid for health insurance and prescription drug costs of individuals.
Sponsor: Rep Stearns, Cliff [FL-6] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.208 : National Guardsmen and Reservists Parity for Patriots Act to amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure that members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who have served on active duty or performed active service since September 11, 2001, in support of a contingency operation or in other emergency situations receive credit for such service in determining eligibility for early receipt of non-regular service retired pay, and for other purposes. Companion Bill S.644.
Sponsor: Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (58)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://capwiz.com/vfw/dbq/officials

H.R.210 : Vet Cemetery South Carolina Land Acquisition Study. To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the acquisition of a parcel of land adjacent to Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, South Carolina.
Sponsor: Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.217 : Vet Cemetery South Carolina Land Acquisition Purchase. To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to acquire a parcel of land adjacent to Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, South Carolina.
Sponsor: Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.228 : Visual Impairment VA Scholarship Program to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a scholarship program for students seeking a degree or certificate in the areas of visual impairment and orientation and mobility.
Sponsor: Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] (introduced 1/7/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/4/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

H.R.236 : Social Security Protection Act to amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to protect Social Security beneficiaries against any reduction in benefits.
Sponsor: Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny [FL-5] (introduced 1/7/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Rules; House Budget
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.237 : Military Retiree Health Care Relief Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a refundable credit to military retirees for premiums paid for coverage under Medicare Part B.
Sponsor: Rep Emerson, Jo Ann [MO-8] (introduced 1/7/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12921516&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.247 : Protect Our Veterans Memorials Act of 2009 to amend section 1369 of title 18, United States Code, to extend Federal jurisdiction over destruction of veterans' memorials on State or local government property.
Sponsor: Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] (introduced 1/7/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 2/9/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

H.R.270 : TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2009 to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for continuity of TRICARE Standard coverage for certain members of the Retired Reserve. Companion Bill S.731.
Sponsor: Rep Latta, Robert E. [OH-5] (introduced 1/7/2009) Cosponsors (61)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12923561&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
or http://www.ngaus.org/content.asp?bid=1805&False&False

H.R.293 : Homeless Women Veteran and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Grant Program Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Labor to carry out a grant program to provide reintegration services through programs and facilities that emphasize services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children.
Sponsor: Rep Buyer, Steve [IN-4] (introduced 1/8/2009) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.294 : Veteran Owned Small Business Promotion Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the reauthorization of the Department of Veterans Affairs small business loan program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Buyer, Steve [IN-4] (introduced 1/8/2009) Cosponsors (15)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

H.R.295 : More Jobs for Veterans Act of 2009 to authorize appropriations for the veterans' workforce investment programs.
Sponsor: Rep Buyer, Steve [IN-4] (introduced 1/8/2009) Cosponsors (11)
Committees: House Education and Labor
Latest Major Action: 1/8/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

H.R.296 : Armed Forces Disability Retirement Enhancement Act of 2009 to amend title 10, United States Code, to revise the process by which a member of the Armed Forces is retired for disability and becomes eligible for retirement pay, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Buyer, Steve [IN-4] (introduced 1/8/2009) Cosponsors (7)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.297 : Veteran Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Subsistence Allowance Improvement Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount of subsistence allowance payable by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans participating in vocational rehabilitation programs, and for other purposes. Companion Bill S.514
Sponsor: Rep Buyer, Steve [IN-4] (introduced 1/8/2009) Cosponsors (7)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/4/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.303 : Retired Pay Restoration Act to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit additional retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or Combat-Related Special Compensation and to eliminate the phase-in period under current law with respect to such concurrent receipt.
Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced 1/8/2009) Cosponsors (79)
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.309 : American Heroes' Homeownership Assistance Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow certain current and former service members to receive a refundable credit for the purchase of a principal residence.
Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced 1/8/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/8/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.333 : Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rated less than 50 percent to receive concurrent payment of both retired pay and veterans' disability compensation, to eliminate the phase-in period for concurrent receipt, to extend eligibility for concurrent receipt to chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Marshall, Jim [GA-8] (introduced 1/8/2009) Cosponsors (88)
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/6/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12406456&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
and http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12888756

H.R.341 : Suspend Limitations Period for Tax Refund on VA Retroactive Payments. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to suspend the running of periods of limitation for credit or refund of overpayment of Federal income tax by veterans while their service-connected compensation determinations are pending with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] (introduced 1/8/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/8/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.347 : Congressional Gold Medal Award. To grant the congressional gold medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.
Sponsor: Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] (introduced 1/8/2009) Cosponsors (297) – Related bill S.1055
Committees: House Financial Services; House Administration
Latest Major Action: 5/18/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

H.R.379 : State and Local Sales Tax Deduction Expansion Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that all taxpayers have the ability to deduct State and local general sales taxes. Companion Bill S.35.
Sponsor: Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7] (introduced 1/9/2009) Cosponsors (26)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/9/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.394 : Medal of Honor Pension. To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the amount of the Medal of Honor special pension provided under that title by up to $1,000.
Sponsor: Rep Brown, Henry E., Jr. [SC-1] (introduced 1/9/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/9/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

H.R.403 : Homes for Heroes Act of 2009 to provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Green, Al [TX-9] (introduced 1/9/2009) Cosponsors (41)
Committees: House Financial Services; House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/9/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.423 : Samuel B. Moody Bataan Death March Compensation Act to provide compensation for certain World War II veterans who survived the Bataan Death March and were held as prisoners of war by the Japanese.
Sponsor: Rep Mica, John L. [FL-7] (introduced 1/9/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/6/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.433 : Ready Employers Willing to Assist Reservists' Deployment (REWARD) Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow employers a credit against income tax equal to 50 percent of the compensation paid to employees while they are performing active duty service as members of the Ready Reserve or the National Guard and of the compensation paid to temporary replacement employees.
Sponsor: Rep Poe, Ted [TX-2] (introduced 1/9/2009) Cosponsors (32)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/9/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.442 : Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of 2009 to provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain firearms in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Rehberg, Denny [MT] (introduced 1/9/2009) Cosponsors (100)
Committees: House Judiciary; House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 2/9/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

H.R.449 : Health Care for America's Heroes Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the availability of health care provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs by adjusting the income level for certain priority veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Sestak, Joe [PA-7] (introduced 1/9/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/9/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.456 : Disabled Veteran Small Business Eligibility Expansion Act of 2009 to amend the Small Business Act to make service-disabled veterans eligible under the 8(a) business development program.
Sponsor: Rep Wittman, Robert J. [VA-1] (introduced 1/9/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Small Business
Latest Major Action: 1/9/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

H.R.466 : Wounded Veteran Job Security Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit discrimination and acts of reprisal against persons who receive treatment for illnesses, injuries, and disabilities incurred in or aggravated by service in the uniformed services.
Sponsor: Rep Doggett, Lloyd [TX-25] (introduced 1/13/2009) Cosponsors (8)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/9/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.482 : Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act to authorize the rededication of the District of Columbia War Memorial as a National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial to honor the sacrifices made by American veterans of World War I.
Sponsor: Rep Poe, Ted [TX-2] (introduced 1/13/2009) Cosponsors (28)
Committees: House Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 2/4/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

H.R.484 : Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act to require the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a plan to provide chiropractic health care services and benefits for certain new beneficiaries as part of the TRICARE program.
Sponsor: Rep Rogers, Mike D. [AL-3] (introduced 1/13/2009) Cosponsors (32)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/6/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.531 : Social Security Number Fraudulent Use Notification Act of 2009 to amend title II of the Social Security Act to require that the Commissioner of Social Security notify individuals of improper use of their Social Security account numbers.
Sponsor: Rep Myrick, Sue Wilkins [NC-9] (introduced 1/14/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/14/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.568 : Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the quality of care provided to veterans in Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, to encourage highly qualified doctors to serve in hard-to-fill positions in such medical facilities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Costello, Jerry F. [IL-12] (introduced 1/15/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Oversight and Government Reform
Latest Major Action: 1/15/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.593 : CRSC for DoD Disability Severances Pay. To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the authorized concurrent receipt of disability severance pay from the Department of Defense and compensation for the same disability under any law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover all veterans who have a combat-related disability, as defined under section 1413a of such title.
Sponsor: Rep Smith, Adam [WA-9] (introduced 1/15/2009) Cosponsors (40)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/6/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12918951&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.598 : American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 to provide for a portion of the economic recovery package relating to revenue measures, unemployment, and health.
Sponsor: Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] (introduced 1/16/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: House Ways and Means; House Energy and Commerce; House Science and Technology; House Education and Labor; House Financial Services
House Reports: 111-8 Part 1, 111-8 Part 2
Latest Major Action: 1/28/2009 Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Ways and Means, H. Rept. 111-8, Part II.
Note: For further action, see H.R.1, which became Public Law 111-5 on 2/17/2009.

H.R.612 : Disabled Veterans Insurance Act of 2009 to amend section 1922A of title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of supplemental insurance available for totally disabled veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] (introduced 1/21/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.613 : Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for forgiveness of certain overpayments of retired pay paid to deceased retired members of the Armed Forces following their death.
Sponsor: Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] (introduced 1/21/2009) Cosponsors (53)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/6/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12489731&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.620 : Jobs for Veterans Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow an increased work opportunity credit with respect to recent veterans.
Sponsor: Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] (introduced 1/21/2009) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.627 : Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009 to amend the Truth in Lending Act to establish fair and transparent practices relating to the extension of credit under an open end consumer credit plan, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] (introduced 1/22/2009) Cosponsors (128) Related Bill S.235 Companion Bill S.414
Committees: House Financial Services
House Reports: 111-88
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 111-24

H.R.656 : Unemployed Early Retirement Plan Withdrawal without Penalty. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow certain individuals who have attained age 50 and who are unemployed to receive distributions from qualified retirement plans without incurring a 10 percent additional tax.
Sponsor: Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] (introduced 1/22/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/22/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.667 : Heroes at Home Act of 2009 to improve the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury in members and former members of the Armed Forces, to review and expand telehealth and telemental health programs of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Salazar, John T. [CO-3] (introduced 1/23/2009) Cosponsors (38)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/6/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.668 : Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act of 2009 to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide flexibility in the manner in which beds are counted for purposes of determining whether a hospital may be designated as a critical access hospital under the Medicare Program and to exempt from the critical access hospital inpatient bed limitation the number of beds provided for certain veterans. Companion Bill S.307
Sponsor: Rep Walden, Greg [OR-2] (introduced 1/23/2009) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 1/23/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.671 : In Memory Medal for Forgotten Veterans Act to direct the Secretary of Defense to issue a medal to certain veterans who died after their service in the Vietnam War as a direct result of that service.
Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 1/26/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/6/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.731 : Jenny's Law to amend title 38, United States Code, to exclude individuals who have been convicted of committing certain sex offenses from receiving certain burial-related benefits and funeral honors which are otherwise available to certain veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and related individuals, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Shadegg, John B. [AZ-3] (introduced 1/27/2009) Cosponsors (21)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/27/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.746 : Safeguarding America's Seniors and Veterans Act of 2009 to provide for economic recovery payments to recipients of Social Security, railroad retirement, and veterans disability benefits.
Sponsor: Rep Adler, John H. [NJ-3] (introduced 1/28/2009) Cosponsors (11)
Committees: House Ways and Means; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/28/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.761 : Vet Parent Burial in National Cemeteries. To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the eligibility of parents of certain deceased veterans for interment in national cemeteries.
Sponsor: Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] (introduced 1/28/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/28/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.775 : Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act to repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan to offset the receipt of veterans dependency and indemnity compensation. Companion Bill S.535
Sponsor: Rep Ortiz, Solomon P. [TX-27] (introduced 1/28/2009) Cosponsors (250)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/17/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/alert/?alertid=12848666&type=CO
or http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12541746

H.R.784 : VA Reports to Congress. To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress quarterly reports on vacancies in mental health professional positions in Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities.
Sponsor: Rep Tsongas, Niki [MA-5] (introduced 1/28/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/3/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.785 : VA Outreach Training. To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide outreach and training to certain college and university mental health centers relating to the mental health of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes. Companion Bill S.543
Sponsor: Rep Tsongas, Niki [MA-5] (introduced 1/28/2009) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/3/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.806 : TRICARE Mail-Order Pharmacy Pilot Program Act to establish a mail-order pharmacy pilot program for TRICARE beneficiaries.
Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced 2/3/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/24/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.809 : Widow Remarriage Age Decrease for DIC. To amend title 38, United States Code, to reduce from age 57 to age 55 the age after which the remarriage of the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran shall not result in termination of dependency and indemnity compensation otherwise payable to that surviving spouse.
Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced 2/3/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/3/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=12993371

H.R.811 : Retired Pay Restoration Act to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit certain retired members of the uniformed services who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or Combat-Related Special Compensation. Companion Bill S.546
Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced 2/3/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/24/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.816 : Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act to amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit certain increases in fees for military health care.
Sponsor: Rep Edwards, Chet [TX-17] (introduced 2/3/2009) Cosponsors (156)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/24/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12591151&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
or http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=12603596 or http://capwiz.com/naus/issues/alert/?alertid=12607551 or http://capwiz.com/trea/issues/alert/?alertid=12710751

H.R.819 : POW DIC Eligibility Date. To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to the survivors of former prisoners of war who died on or before September 30, 1999, under the same eligibility conditions as apply to payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to the survivors of former prisoners of war who die after that date.
Sponsor: Rep Holden, Tim [PA-17] (introduced 2/3/2009) Cosponsors (15)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/3/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.870 : Medicare Medically Necessary Dental Care Act of 2009 to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage under part B for medically necessary dental procedures.
Sponsor: Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] (introduced 2/4/2009) Cosponsors (17)
Committees: House Energy and Commerce; House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 2/4/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.879 : Affordable Health Care Expansion Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a refundable credit against income tax for the purchase of private health insurance.
Sponsor: Rep Granger, Kay [TX-12] (introduced 2/4/2009) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 2/4/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.883 : Social Security 1993 Tax Increase Repeal. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the 1993 increase in income taxes on Social Security benefits.
Sponsor: Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] (introduced 2/4/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 2/4/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.917 : Combat-Related Injury Death Dependent Health Benefits. To increase the health benefits of dependents of members of the Armed Forces who die because of a combat-related injury.
Sponsor: Rep Guthrie, Brett [KY-2] (introduced 2/9/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.919 : Veterans' Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice [TX-30] (introduced 2/9/2009) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/9/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.929 : VA Vet Training Program. To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program of training to provide eligible veterans with skills relevant to the job market, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Welch, Peter [VT] (introduced 2/9/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/4/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.931 : Veterans Employment Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the work opportunity credit with respect to certain unemployed veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Nye, Glenn C., III [VA-2] (introduced 2/10/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 2/10/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.942 : Veterans Self-Employment Act of 2009 to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot project on the use of educational assistance under programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs to defray training costs associated with the purchase of certain franchise enterprises.
Sponsor: Rep Alexander, Rodney [LA-5] (introduced 2/10/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/3/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.

H.R.944 : Prisoner of War Benefits Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide improved benefits for veterans who are former prisoners of war.
Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced 2/10/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/10/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.950 : Vet Distance Learning Assistance. To amend chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, to increase educational assistance for certain veterans pursuing a program of education offered through distance learning.
Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 2/10/2009) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/4/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.952 : Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the meaning of "combat with the enemy" for purposes of service-connection of disabilities.
Sponsor: Rep Hall, John J. [NY-19] (introduced 2/10/2009) Cosponsors (94)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

H.R.953 : Veterans Travel Tax Relief Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a deduction for travel expenses to medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs in connection with examinations or treatments relating to service-connected disabilities.
Sponsor: Rep Heller, Dean [NV-2] (introduced 2/10/2009) Cosponsors (17)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 2/10/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.954 : Social Security Benefits Fairness Act of 2009 to amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide that a monthly insurance benefit thereunder shall be paid for the month in which the recipient dies, subject to a reduction of 50 percent if the recipient dies during the first 15 days of such month, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Holden, Tim [PA-17] (introduced 2/10/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 2/10/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.972 : Retired Reserve Age for Health Benefits. To amend title 10, United States Code, to eliminate the requirement that certain former members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces be at least 60 years of age in order to be eligible to receive health care benefits.
Sponsor: Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] (introduced 2/10/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=12992881

H.R.1004 : Veterans Health Care Full Funding Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide an enhanced funding process to ensure an adequate level of funding for veterans health care programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to establish standards of access to care for veterans seeking health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4] (introduced 2/11/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/11/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.1016 : Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide advance appropriations authority for certain medical care accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 2/12/2009) Cosponsors (121)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12704096

H.R.1017 : Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act to amend the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 and title 38, United States Code, to require the provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans at all Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and to expand access to such care and services.
Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 2/12/2009) Cosponsors (20) – Related bill S.1204
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/12/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.1036 : Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the position of Director of Physical Therapy Service within the Veterans Health Administration and to establish a fellowship program for physical therapists in the areas of geriatrics, amputee rehabilitation, polytrauma care, and rehabilitation research.
Sponsor: Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] (introduced 2/12/2009) Cosponsors (7)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/12/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.1037 : Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2009 to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability of expanding the scope of certain qualifying work-study activities under title 38, United States Code.
Sponsor: Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] (introduced 2/12/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/22/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.1038 : Shingles Prevention Act to amend part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for the shingles vaccine under the Medicare Program.
Sponsor: Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] (introduced 2/12/2009) Cosponsors (11)
Committees: House Energy and Commerce; House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 2/12/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.1042 : Enemy POW Hospitalization Policy. To prohibit the provision of medical treatment to enemy combatants detained by the United States at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the same facility as a member of the Armed Forces or Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility.
Sponsor: Rep Miller, Jeff [FL-1] (introduced 2/12/2009) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/12/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.1075 : Restoring Essential Care for Our Veterans for Effective Recovery (RECOVER) Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand access to hospital care for veterans in major disaster areas, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Scalise, Steve [LA-1] (introduced 2/13/2009) Cosponsors (14)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/13/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.1088 : Mandatory Veteran Specialist Training Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a one-year period for the training of new disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives by National Veterans' Employment and Training Services Institute.
Sponsor: Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] (introduced 2/13/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/20/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.1089 : Veterans Employment Rights to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the enforcement through the Office of Special Counsel of the employment and unemployment rights of veterans and members of the Armed Forces employed by Federal executive agencies, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] (introduced 2/13/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/20/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.1098 : Veterans' Worker Retraining Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of educational assistance payable by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to certain individuals pursuing internships or on-job training.
Sponsor: Rep Perriello, Thomas S.P. [VA-5] (introduced 2/13/2009) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

H.R.1114 : National Cemetery Availability. To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a process for determining whether a geographic area is sufficiently served by the national cemeteries located in that geographic area.
Sponsor: Rep Rehberg, Denny [MT] (introduced 2/23/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/23/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.1163 : Establish Nebraska National Cemetery. To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery in the Sarpy County region to serve veterans in eastern Nebraska, western Iowa, and northwest Missouri.
Sponsor: Rep Terry, Lee [NE-2] (introduced 2/24/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 2/24/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.1168 : Veterans Retraining Act of 2009 to amend chapter 42 of title 38, United States Code, to provide certain veterans with employment training assistance.
Sponsor: Rep Boozman, John [AR-3] (introduced 2/25/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/22/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.1169 : VA Adapted Housing/Automobile Assistance. To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disabled veterans for specially adapted housing and automobiles and adapted equipment.
Sponsor: Rep Boozman, John [AR-3] (introduced 2/25/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/25/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.1170 : Adapted Housing Technology Grants. To amend chapter 21 of title 38, United States Code, to establish a grant program to encourage the development of new assistive technologies for specially adapted housing.
Sponsor: Rep Boozman, John [AR-3] (introduced 2/25/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/20/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.1171 : Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program for fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
Sponsor: Rep Boozman, John [AR-3] (introduced 2/25/2009) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/31/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.1172 : VA Website Scholarship Info Addition. To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include on the Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs a list of organizations that provide scholarships to veterans and their survivors.
Sponsor: Rep Boozman, John [AR-3] (introduced 2/25/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

H.R.1182 : Military Spouses Residency Relief Act to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to guarantee the equity of spouses of military personnel with regard to matters of residency, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Carter, John R. [TX-31] (introduced 2/25/2009) Cosponsors (112)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/25/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

H.R.1197 : Medal of Honor Health Care Equity Act of 2009 to assign a higher priority status for hospital care and medical services provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs to certain veterans who are recipients of the medal of honor.
Sponsor: Rep Mitchell, Harry E. [AZ-5] (introduced 2/25/2009) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/25/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.1203 : Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and to allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums. Companion Bill S.491
Sponsor: Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] (introduced 2/25/2009) Cosponsors (169)
Committees: House Ways and Means; House Oversight and Government Reform; House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/31/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12787701&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.1211 : Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Companion Bill S.597
Sponsor: Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] (introduced 2/26/2009) Cosponsors (50)
Last Major Action: 6/10/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12833716&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.1232 : Far South Texas Veterans Medical Center Act of 2009 to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to construct a full service hospital in Far South Texas.
Sponsor: Rep Ortiz, Solomon P. [TX-27] (introduced 2/26/2009) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/26/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.1263 : Federal Retirement Reform Act of 2009 to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the automatic enrollment of new participants in the Thrift Savings Plan, and to clarify the method for computing certain annuities based on part-time service; to allow certain employees of the District of Columbia to have certain periods of service credited for purposes relating to retirement eligibility; and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Lynch, Stephen F. [MA-9] (introduced 3/3/2009) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: House Oversight and Government Reform; House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 3/3/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.1289 : Social Security Fairness for the Terminally Ill Act of 2009 to amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the five-month waiting period in the disability insurance program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Wilson, Charles A. [OH-6] (introduced 3/3/2009) Cosponsors (11)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 3/3/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.1293 : Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount payable by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans for improvements and structural alterations furnished as part of home health services.
Sponsor: Rep Buyer, Steve [IN-4] (introduced 3/4/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

H.R.1305 : Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act to provide for the issuance of a forever stamp to honor the sacrifices of the brave men and women of the armed forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart. Companion Bill S.572
Sponsor: Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] (introduced 3/4/2009) Cosponsors (74)
Committees: House Oversight and Government Reform
Latest Major Action: 3/4/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

H.R.1317 : Mortgage Payment Tax Credit. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit to individuals who pay their mortgages on time.
Sponsor: Rep Shuster, Bill [PA-9] (introduced 3/4/2009) Cosponsors (14)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 3/4/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.1335 : VA Catastrophically Disabled Copay. To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain copayments from veterans who are catastrophically disabled.
Sponsor: Rep Halvorson, Deborah L. [IL-11] (introduced 3/5/2009) Cosponsors (38)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.1336 : Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the basic educational assistance program administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] (introduced 3/5/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1377 : VA Emergency Treatment Reimbursement to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility, and for other purposes. Companion Bill S.404.
Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 3/6/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/31/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13048301&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.1388 : Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act to reauthorize and reform the national service laws. Passed 321-105 and placed on the Senate calendar.
Sponsor: Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] (introduced 3/9/2009) Cosponsors (37) Related Bills: H.RES.250, H.RES.296, S.277
Committees: House Education and Labor,
House Reports: 111-37
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 111-13

H.R.1401 : VET Corps Act of 2009 to create a service corps of veterans called Veterans Engaged for Tomorrow (VET) Corps focused on promoting and improving the service opportunities for veterans and retired members of the military by engaging such veterans and retired members in projects designed to meet identifiable public needs with a specific emphasis on projects to support veterans, including disabled and older veterans and retired members of the military.
Sponsor: Rep Sarbanes, John P. [MD-3] (introduced 3/9/2009) Cosponsors (14)
Committees: House Education and Labor
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

H.R.1416 : Southern New Jersey Veterans Comprehensive Health Care Act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand the capability of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide for the medical-care needs of veterans in southern New Jersey.
Sponsor: Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. [NJ-2] (introduced 3/10/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/13/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.1428 : VA Parkinson's Disease Compensation. To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide wartime disability compensation for certain veterans with Parkinson's disease.
Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 3/11/2009) Cosponsors (31)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/13/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12986021&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.1474 : Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, and for other purposes. Companion Bill S.263.
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Artur [AL-7] (introduced 3/12/2009) Cosponsors (25)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Armed Services; House Oversight and Government Reform
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1478 : Carmelo Rodriguez Military Medical Accountability Act of 2009 to amend chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, to allow members of the Armed Forces to sue the United States for damages for certain injuries caused by improper medical care, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] (introduced 3/12/2009) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 5/19/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).

H.R.1496 : Child Health Care Affordability Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a credit against income tax for medical expenses for dependents.
Sponsor: Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] (introduced 3/12/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 3/12/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.1513 : Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009 to increase, effective as of December 1, 2009, the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Kirkpatrick, Ann [AZ-1] (introduced 3/16/2009) Cosponsors (10) Related bill S.407
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/31/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13048376&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.1519 : Social Security Benefits Tax Relief Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the 1993 income tax increase on Social Security benefits.
Sponsor: Rep Johnson, Sam [TX-3] (introduced 3/16/2009) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.1522 : United States Cadet Nurse Corps Equity Act to provide that service of the members of the organization known as the United States Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II constituted active military service for purposes of laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] (introduced 3/16/2009) Cosponsors (15)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/22/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.1532 : CMOH Statute of Limitations Elimination. To amend title 10, United States Code, to eliminate the statute of limitations on the award of the congressional medal of honor.
Sponsor: Rep Sestak, Joe [PA-7] (introduced 3/16/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1544 : Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for unlimited eligibility for health care for mental illnesses for veterans of combat service during certain periods of hostilities and war.
Sponsor: Rep Driehaus, Steve [OH-1] (introduced 3/17/2009) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.1546 : Caring for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Committee on Care of Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury.
Sponsor: Rep McNerney, Jerry [CA-11] (introduced 3/17/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/20/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.1592 : Pay Increase Guarantee. To amend title 37, United States Code, to guarantee a pay increase for members of the uniformed services for fiscal years 2011 through 2014 of one-half of one percentage point higher than the Employment Cost Index.
Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced 3/18/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=13002241

H.R.1600 : TRICARE Autism Care. To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the treatment of autism under TRICARE.
Sponsor: Rep Sestak, Joe [PA-7] (introduced 3/18/2009) Cosponsors (14)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1647 : Veterans' Employment Transition Support Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow employers a credit against income tax for hiring veterans.
Sponsor: Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] (introduced 3/19/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 3/19/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.1657 : Notification of Exposure to Harmful Material/Contaminants. To direct the Secretary of Defense to notify members of the Armed Forces and State military departments of exposure to potentially harmful materials and contaminants.
Sponsor: Rep Schrader, Kurt [OR-5] (introduced 3/19/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1658 : Veterans Healthcare Commitment Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the recovery by the United States of charges from a third party for hospital care or medical services furnished to a veteran for a service-connected disability.
Sponsor: Rep Tiahrt, Todd [KS-4] (introduced 3/19/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/19/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.1681 : Veterans Transitional Assistance Act of 2009 to improve the coordination between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to better provide care to members and the Armed Forces and veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Boswell, Leonard L. [IA-3] (introduced 3/24/2009) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1695 : Reserve Retired Pay Age Reduction. To amend title 10, United States Code, to reduce the minimum age for receipt of military retired pay for non-regular service from 60 to 55.
Sponsor: Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. [NJ-2] (introduced 3/24/2009) Cosponsors (23)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1701 : PTSD/TBI Guaranteed Review For Heroes Act to amend title 10, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a special review board for certain former members of the Armed Forces with post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] (introduced 3/25/2009) Cosponsors (10)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1708 : Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009 to amend title II of the Social Security Act to phase out the 24-month waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for Medicare benefits, to eliminate the waiting period for individuals with life-threatening conditions, and for other purposes. Companion Bill S.700.
Sponsor: Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] (introduced 3/25/2009) Cosponsors (79)
Committees: House Ways and Means; House Energy and Commerce; House Transportation and Infrastructure
Latest Major Action: 3/26/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

H.R.1712 : Savings for Seniors Act of 2009 to amend title II of the Social Security Act to establish a Social Security Surplus Protection Account in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund to hold the Social Security surplus, to provide for suspension of investment of amounts held in the Account until enactment of legislation providing for investment of the Trust Fund in investment vehicles other than obligations of the United States, and to establish a Social Security Investment Commission to make recommendations for alternative forms of investment of the Social Security surplus in the Trust Fund.
Sponsor: Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7] (introduced 3/25/2009) Cosponsors (19)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.1716 : Property Tax Relief Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the deduction for real property taxes on the principal residences to all individuals whether or not they itemize other deductions.
Sponsor: Rep Hill, Baron P. [IN-9] (introduced 3/25/2009) Cosponsors (8)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.1767 : Fair Housing Tax Credit Extension Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make the first-time homebuyer credit retroactive to the beginning of 2008 and to permanently extend the credit.
Sponsor: Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] (introduced 3/26/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 3/26/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.1804 : Federal Retirement Reform Act of 2009 to amend title 5, United States Code, to make certain modifications in the Thrift Savings Plan, the Civil Service Retirement System, and the Federal Employees' Retirement System, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] (introduced 3/31/2009) Cosponsors (4) Related Bill H.R.108
Committees: House Oversight and Government Reform; House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/1/2009 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13048556&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.1809 : TRICARE Prime Geographic Expansion. To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the geographical coverage of TRICARE Prime to include Puerto Rico and Guam.
Sponsor: Rep Pierluisi, Pedro R. [PR] (introduced 3/31/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1818 : Disabled Veterans Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act to amend title 10, United States Code, to extend military commissary and exchange store privileges to veterans with a compensable service-connected disability and to their dependents.
Sponsor: Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] (introduced 3/31/2009) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1849 : World War I Memorial and Centennial Act of 2009 to designate the Liberty Memorial at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as the National World War I Memorial, to establish the World War I centennial commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Cleaver, Emanuel [MO-5] (introduced 4/1/2009) Cosponsors (11) Related Bill S.760
Committees: House Oversight and Government Reform; House Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 4/6/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.

H.R.1851 : DOL Transitional Services. To amend title 10, United States Code, to require that certain members of the Armed Forces receive employment assistance, job training assistance, and other transitional services provided by the Secretary of Labor before separating from active duty service.
Sponsor: Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] (introduced 4/1/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1872 : Secure Electronic Military Separation Act to require the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to develop and implement a secure electronic method of forwarding the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) to the appropriate office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the State or other locality in which a member of the Armed Forces will first reside after the discharge or release of the member from active duty.
Sponsor: Rep Space, Zachary T. [OH-18] (introduced 4/2/2009) Cosponsors (14)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1879 : National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for employment and reemployment rights for certain individuals ordered to full-time National Guard duty.
Sponsor: Rep Coffman, Mike [CO-6] (introduced 4/2/2009) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/22/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via http://www.ngaus.org/content.asp?bid=1805

H.R.1902 : Providing Real Outreach for Veterans Act of 2009 to provide veterans with individualized notice about available benefits, to streamline application processes for the benefits, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny [FL-5] (introduced 4/2/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1919 : Federal Withholding Tax Repeal Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the withholding of income and social security taxes.
Sponsor: Rep Foxx, Virginia [NC-5] (introduced 4/2/2009) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 4/2/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.1963 : Military Separation Transitional Services. To amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure that members of the Armed Forces who are being separated from active duty receive comprehensive employment assistance, job training assistance, and other transitional services, to require that such members receive a psychological evaluation in addition to the physical examination they receive as part of their separation from active duty, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] (introduced 4/2/2009) Cosponsors (7)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.1982 : Veterans Entitlement to Service (VETS) Act of 2009 to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to acknowledge the receipt of medical, disability, and pension claims and other communications submitted by veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. [MI-13] (introduced 4/21/2009) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/22/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.1994 : Citizen Soldier Equality Act of 2009 to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide equity between active and reserve component members of the Armed Forces in the computation of disability retired pay for members wounded in action.
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Geoff [KY-4] (introduced 4/21/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

H.R.2014 : WASP Gold Medal Award. To award a congressional gold medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots ("WASP").
Sponsor: Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL-18] (introduced 4/21/2009) Cosponsors (334) - Companion Bill S.614
Committees: House Financial Services; House Administration
Latest Major Action: 4/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.2017 : MOAA Federal Charter. To amend title 36, United States Code, to grant a Federal charter to the Military Officers Association of America, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] (introduced 4/21/2009) Cosponsors (51) - Companion Bill S.832
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 5/26/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

H.R.2059 : SBP Disabled Child Trust. To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the payment of monthly annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan to a supplemental or special needs trust established for the sole benefit of a disabled dependent child of a participant in the Survivor Benefit Plan.
Sponsor: Rep Foster, Bill [IL-14] (introduced 4/23/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/15/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.2127 : Veterans Travel Equity Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to eliminate the income eligibility and service-connected disability rating requirements for the veterans beneficiary travel program administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Rep Souder, Mark E. [IN-3] (introduced 4/27/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/1/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.2138 : Services, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans Act to provide grants to establish veteran's treatment courts.
Sponsor: Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] (introduced 4/28/2009) Cosponsors (7) - Related Bill S.902
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 5/26/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy.

H.R.2180 : Disabled Vet Housing Loan Fee Waiver. To amend title 38, United States Code, to waive housing loan fees for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities called to active service.
Sponsor: Rep Teague, Harry [NM-2] (introduced 4/29/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

H.R.2243 : Surviving Spouses Benefit Improvement Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Rep Buyer, Steve [IN-4] (introduced 5/5/2009) Cosponsors (50)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13303636&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.2244 : Single Parent Protection Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow an individual who is entitled to receive child support a refundable credit equal to the amount of unpaid child support and to increase the tax liability of the individual required to pay such support by the amount of the unpaid child support.
Sponsor: Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] (introduced 5/5/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 5/5/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.2254 : The Agent Orange Equity Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam.
Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 5/5/2009) Cosponsors (29)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
To support this bill and/or contact your legislators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13301656&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

H.R.2257 : Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice [TX-30] (introduced 5/5/2009) Cosponsors (None) - Related Bill S.315
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/5/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.2263 : Disability Equity Act to amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the waiting periods for people with disabilities for entitlement to disability benefits and Medicare, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Sutton, Betty [OH-13] (introduced 5/5/2009) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 5/5/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.2270 : Benefits for Qualified World War II Veterans Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the establishment of a compensation fund to make payments to qualified World War II veterans on the basis of certain qualifying service.
Sponsor: Rep Buyer, Steve [IN-4] (introduced 5/6/2009) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/3/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

H.R.2302 : Military Retired Pay Fairness Act of 2009 to amend title 10, United States Code, to limit recoupments of separation pay, special separation benefits, and voluntary separation incentive from members of the Armed Forces subsequently receiving retired or retainer pay.
Sponsor: Rep Shea-Porter, Carol [NH-1] (introduced 5/7/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.2342 : Wounded Warrior Project Family Caregiver Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a family caregiver program to furnish support services to family members certified as family caregivers who provide personal care services for certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] (introduced 5/11/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/15/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.2365 : Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers Act of 2009 to require the establishment of a Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits under titles II and XVIII of the Social Security Act.
Sponsor: Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] (introduced 5/12/2009) Cosponsors (33)
Committees: House Ways and Means; House Energy and Commerce; House Education and Labor
Latest Major Action: 5/12/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.2379 : Veterans' Group Life Insurance Improvement Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide certain veterans an opportunity to increase the amount of Veterans' Group Life Insurance.
Sponsor: Rep Buyer, Steve [IN-4] (introduced 5/13/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/13/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.2389 : Veterans' Group Life Insurance Improvement Act of 2009 to require the Secretary of Defense to establish registries of members and former members of the Armed Forces exposed in the line of duty to occupational and environmental health chemical hazards, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide health care to veterans exposed to such hazards, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Hill, Baron P. [IN-9] (introduced 5/13/2009) Cosponsors (10)
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/15/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.2405 : Richard Helm Veterans' Access to Local Health Care Options and Resources Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide veterans enrolled in the health system of the Department of Veterans Affairs the option of receiving covered health services through facilities other than those of the Department.
Sponsor: Rep Latham, Tom [IA-4] (introduced 5/14/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/15/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.2412 : Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act to exempt children of certain Filipino World War II veterans from the numerical limitations on immigrant visas.
Sponsor: Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] (introduced 5/14/2009) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 5/14/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

H.R.2419 : Military Personnel War Zone Toxic Exposure Prevention Act to require the Secretary of Defense to establish a medical surveillance system to identify members of the Armed Forces exposed to chemical hazards resulting from the disposal of waste in Iraq and Afghanistan, to prohibit the disposal of waste by the Armed Forces in a manner that would produce dangerous levels of toxins, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] (introduced 5/14/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

H.R.2429 : Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers Act of 2009 to require the establishment of a Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security benefits under title II of the Social Security Act.
Sponsor: Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. [TX-20] (introduced 5/14/2009) Cosponsors (10)
Committees: House Ways and Means; House Education and Labor
Latest Major Action: 5/14/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.2474 : Veterans Educational Equity Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that in the case of an individual entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance program who is enrolled at an institution of higher education in a State in which the public institutions charge only fees in lieu of tuition, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall allow the individual to use all or any portion of the amounts payable for the established charges for the program of education to pay any amount of the individual's tuition or fees for that program of education.
Sponsor: Rep McKeon, Howard P. "Buck" [CA-25] (introduced 5/19/2009) Cosponsors (44)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/19/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.2486 : Vet Organization Funeral Detail Support. To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for support of funeral ceremonies for veterans provided by details that consist solely of members of veterans organizations and other organizations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Gohmert, Louie [TX-1] (introduced 5/19/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.2504 : Homeless Vet VA Appropriation Increase. To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the annual amount authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Teague, Harry [NM-2] (introduced 5/19/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/19/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.2505 : Reaching Rural Veterans through Telehealth Act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to utilize tele-health platforms to assist in the treatment of veterans living in rural areas who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury.
Sponsor: Rep Teague, Harry [NM-2] (introduced 5/19/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/19/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.2506 : Veterans Hearing and Assessment Act to direct the Secretary of Defense to ensure the members of the Armed Forces receive mandatory hearing screenings before and after deployments and to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to mandate that tinnitus be listed as a mandatory condition for treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs Auditory Centers of Excellence and that research on the preventing, treating, and curing of tinnitus be conducted.
Sponsor: Rep Teague, Harry [NM-2] (introduced 5/19/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs; House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.2546 : Right to Display Service Flag. To ensure that the right of an individual to display the Service flag on residential property not be abridged.
Sponsor: Rep Boccieri, John A. [OH-16] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Financial Services
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

H.R.2553 : Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act to authorize the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in the testing of nuclear weapons or under other circumstances.
Sponsor: Rep Tiahrt, Todd [KS-4] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (8) - Related bill S.1128
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.2559 : Help Our Homeless Veterans Act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a national media campaign directed at homeless veterans and veterans at risk for becoming homeless.
Sponsor: Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.2573 : Atomic Veterans Relief Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the eligibility criteria for presumption of service-connection of certain diseases and disabilities for veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during military service, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.2583 : Women Veterans Access to Care Act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve health care for women veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Boswell, Leonard L. [IA-3] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.2585 : Protecting the Retirement of Our Troops by Ensuring Compensation is Timely Act to delay any presumption of death in connection with the kidnapping in Iraq or Afghanistan of a retired member of the Armed Forces to ensure the continued payment of the member's retired pay.
Sponsor: Rep Broun, Paul C. [GA-10] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

H.R.2586 : Honor Guard 13-fold Flag Recitation Option. To prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from authorizing honor guards to participate in funerals of veterans interred in national cemeteries unless the honor guards may offer veterans' families the option of having the honor guard perform a 13-fold flag recitation, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Broun, Paul C. [GA-10] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (45)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.2594 : Dependent State Plot VA Allowance. To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide a plot allowance for spouses and children of certain veterans who are buried in State cemeteries.
Sponsor: Rep Garrett, Scott [NJ-5] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (44)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.2598 : Bataan/Corregidor/Luzon Gold Medal. To grant a congressional gold medal to American military personnel who fought in defense of Bataan/Corregidor/Luzon between December 7, 1941 and May 6, 1942.
Sponsor: Rep Heinrich, Martin [NM-1] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (21)
Committees: House Financial Services; House Administration
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.2621 : Travel Expense Reimbursement Time Requirement. To amend title 10, United States Code, to use a time requirement for determining eligibility for the reimbursement of certain travel expenses.
Sponsor: Rep McCarthy, Kevin [CA-22] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.2638 : Veterans Stamp to Honor American Veterans Act to provide for the issuance of a veterans health care stamp.
Sponsor: Rep Shuler, Heath [NC-11] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Oversight and Government Reform; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.2642 : Veterans Missing in America Act of 2009 to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assist in the identification of unclaimed and abandoned human remains to determine if any such remains are eligible for burial in a national cemetery, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Tiberi, Patrick J. [OH-12] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.2647 : National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2010 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2010, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Skelton, Ike [MO-4] (by request) (introduced 6/2/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/25/2009 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 389 - 22, 1 Present (Roll no. 460).

House Reports: 111-166, 111-166 Part 2

H.R.2672 : Help Veterans Own Franchises Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow credits for the establishment of franchises with veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Schock, Aaron [IL-18] (introduced 6/3/2009) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 6/3/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.2673 : Surviving Spouse Pension Upgrade. To amend title 38, United States Code, to match the pension amount paid to surviving spouses of veterans who served during a period of war to the pension amount paid to such veterans.
Sponsor: Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] (introduced 6/3/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/5/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

H.R.2683 : To establish the American Veterans Congressional Internship Program.
Sponsor: Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] (introduced 6/3/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: House Administration
Latest Major Action: 6/3/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
 
H.R.2689 : D-Day Memorial. To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, as a unit of the National Park System.
Sponsor: Rep Perriello, Thomas S.P. [VA-5] (introduced 6/3/2009) Cosponsors (7) – Related bill S.1207
Committees: House Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.

H.R.2696 : Servicemembers’ Rights Protection Act to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for the enforcement of rights afforded under that Act.
Sponsor: Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] (introduced 6/4/2009) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/5/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

H.R.2698 : Veterans’ and Survivors’ Behavioral Health Awareness Act to improve and enhance the mental health care benefits available to veterans, to enhance counseling and other benefits available to survivors of veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Giffords, Gabrielle [AZ-8] (introduced 6/4/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/5/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.2699 : Armed Forces Behavioral Health Awareness Act to improve the mental health care benefits available to members of the Armed Forces, to enhance counseling available to family members of members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Giffords, Gabrielle [AZ-8] (introduced 6/4/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/24/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.2713 : Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the service disabled veterans' insurance program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Rep Donnelly, Joe [IN-2] (introduced 6/4/2009) Cosponsors (10)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/24/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
  
 H.R.2734 : Health Care for Family Caregivers Act of 2009 to amend section 1781 of title 38, United States Code, to provide medical care to family members of disabled veterans who serve as caregivers to such veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Perriello, Thomas S.P. [VA-5] (introduced 6/4/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/18/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.2735 : Homeless Vet Service Program Improvements. To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to the comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Rodriguez, Ciro D. [TX-23] (introduced 6/4/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/5/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.2738 : Family Caregiver Travel Expense Compensation. To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide travel expenses for family caregivers accompanying veterans to medical treatment facilities.
Sponsor: Rep Teague, Harry [NM-2] (introduced 6/4/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/18/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.2756 : Veterans Home Loan Refinance Opportunity Act of 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow eligible veterans to use qualified veterans mortgage bonds to refinance home loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] (introduced 6/8/2009) Cosponsors (10)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
 
H.R.2771 : Military Overpayment Fairness Act of 2009 to amend titles 10 and 37, United States Code, to provide a more equitable process by which the military departments may recover overpayments of military pay and allowances erroneously paid to a member of the Armed Forces when the overpayment is due to no fault of the member, to expand Department discretion regarding remission or cancellation of indebtedness, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Shea-Porter, Carol [NH-1] (introduced 6/9/2009) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/24/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.2774 : Families of Veterans Financial Security Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent the extension of the duration of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage for totally disabled veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Halvorson, Deborah L. [IL-11] (introduced 6/9/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/24/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
 
H.R.2788 : Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act to designate a Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial at the March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California.
Sponsor: Rep Calvert, Ken [CA-44] (introduced 6/10/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 6/12/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.

H.R.2830 : Providing Access to Healthcare (PATH) for Veterans Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to give priority to unemployed veterans in furnishing hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to certain veterans assigned to priority level 8.
Sponsor: Rep Courtney, Joe [CT-2] (introduced 6/11/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/12/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 H.R.2836 : National Guard and Reservist Suicide Prevention and Community Response Act to amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to improve and expand suicide prevention and community healing and response training under the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.
Sponsor: Rep Hodes, Paul W. [NH-2] (introduced 6/11/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 6/24/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

H.R.2879 : Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve health care for veterans who live in rural areas, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Kirkpatrick, Ann [AZ-1] (introduced 6/15/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 6/19/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. 

H.R.2898 : Wounded Warrior Caregiver Assistance Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide support services for family caregivers of disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Halvorson, Deborah L. [IL-11] (introduced 6/16/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/19/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.2926 : VA Special Care for Vietnam-era & Persian Gulf War Vets Exposed to Herbicides. To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide, without expiration, hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for certain Vietnam-era veterans exposed to herbicide and veterans of the Persian Gulf War.
Sponsor: Rep Nye, Glenn C., III [VA-2] (introduced 6/17/2009) Cosponsors (5)
Latest Major Action: 6/19/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

H.R.2928: Post-9/11 GI Bill Apprenticeship/OJT Program. To amend title 38, United State Code, to provide for an apprenticeship and on-job training program under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program.
Sponsor: Rep Perriello, Thomas S.P. [VA-5] (introduced 6/17/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/19/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

H.R.2968 : SGLI/VGLI Accelerated Death Benefit. To amend title 38, United States Code, to eliminate the required reduction in the amount of the accelerated death benefit payable to certain terminally-ill persons insured under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance or Veterans' Group Life Insurance.
Sponsor: Rep Kirkpatrick, Ann [AZ-1] (introduced 6/19/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 6/24/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

H.R.2970 : Federal Law Enforcement Officer Vet Age Limit. To amend title 5, United States Code, to increase the maximum age limit for an original appointment to a position as a Federal law enforcement officer in the case of any individual who has been discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Bishop, Rob [UT-1] (introduced 6/19/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 6/19/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

H.R.2974 : Disabled Vet Health Savings Account Eligibility. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals eligible for veterans health benefits to contribute to health savings accounts.
Sponsor: Rep Campbell, John [CA-48] (introduced 6/19/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 6/19/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.2980 : Survivor Benefit Time Limit for 100% Disabled Vets. To 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 of Veterans Affairs for survivors of certain veterans rated totally disabled at time of death.
Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 6/19/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/26/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Veteran Senate Legislation Status 13 Jun 09: Of the 1257 Senate pieces of legislation introduced in the 111th Congress to date, the following are of interest to the non-active duty veteran community. Bill titles in green are new additions to this summary. A good indication on the likelihood a bill of being forwarded to the House or Senate for passage and subsequently being signed into law by the President is the number of cosponsors who have signed onto the bill. An alternate way for it to become law is if it is added as an addendum to another bill such as the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and survives the conference committee assigned to iron out the difference between the House and Senate bills. At http://thomas.loc.gov you can review a copy of each bill’s text, determine its current status, the committee it has been assigned to, who your representative is and his/her phone number, mailing address, or email/website to communicate with a message or letter of your own making, and if your legislator is a sponsor or cosponsor of it. To separately determine what bills, amendments your representative has sponsored, cosponsored, or dropped sponsorship on refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d111/sponlst.html To review a numerical list of all bills introduced refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/111search.html The key to increasing cosponsorship is letting legislators know of their constituent’s views on issues. Those bills that include a website in red are being pushed by various veterans groups for passage and by clicking on that website you can forward a preformatted message to your legislator requesting he/she support the bill.

United States Senate website: http://www.senate.gov/
To contact Members of the U.S Senate, go to: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

S.35 : IRS Sales Tax Permanent Deduction. A bill to provide a permanent deduction for State and local general sales taxes. Companion Bill H.R.369.
Sponsor: Sen Hutchison, Kay Bailey [TX] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.66 : Disabled Vet Space A. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit former members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rated as total to travel on military aircraft in the same manner and to the same extent as retired members of the Armed Forces are entitled to travel on such aircraft.
Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S.67 : Disabled POW Commissary/Exchange Use. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize certain disabled former prisoners of war to use Department of Defense commissary and exchange stores.
Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S.68 : Filipino Service Certification. A bill to require the Secretary of the Army to determine the validity of the claims of certain Filipinos that they performed military service on behalf of the United States during World War II.
Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.94 : Long-Term Care Family Accessibility Act. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a nonrefundable tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums.
Sponsor: Sen Vitter, David [LA] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Major Action: 1/13/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.239 : Veterans Health Equity Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that veterans in each of the 48 contiguous States are able to receive services in at least one full-service hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in the State or receive comparable services provided by contract in the State. Companion Bill H.R.190.
Sponsor: Sen Shaheen, Jeanne [NH] (introduced 1/14/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/14/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.246 : Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the quality of care provided to veterans in Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, to encourage highly qualified doctors to serve in hard-to-fill positions in such medical facilities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] (introduced 1/14/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/14/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.252 : Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals, to improve the provision of health care veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/15/2009) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

S.263 : Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, and for other purposes. Companion Bill H.R.1474.
Sponsor: Sen Casey, Robert P., Jr. [PA] (introduced 1/15/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.274 : Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act of 2009. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an incentive to hire unemployed veterans.
Sponsor: Sen Baucus, Max [MT] (introduced 1/16/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 1/16/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.296 : Fair Tax Act of 2009. A bill to promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the States.
Sponsor: Sen Chambliss, Saxby [GA] (introduced 1/22/2009) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 1/22/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.307 : Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act of 2009. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide flexibility in the manner in which beds are counted for purposes of determining whether a hospital may be designated as a critical access hospital under the Medicare program and to exempt from the critical access hospital inpatient bed limitation the number of beds provided for certain veterans. Companion Bill H.R.668
Sponsor: Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] (introduced 1/22/2009) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 1/22/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.315 : Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Companion Bill H.R.32
Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 1/26/2009) Cosponsors (1) Related Bill H.R.2257
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.347 : Vet Hand Loss Traumatic Injury Protection. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to allow the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to distinguish between the severity of a qualifying loss of a dominant hand and a qualifying loss of a non-dominant hand for purposes of traumatic injury protection under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Ensign, John [NV] (introduced 1/29/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.402 : Keeping Our Promise to America's Military Veterans Act. A bill to improve the lives of our Nation's veterans and their families and provide them with the opportunity to achieve the American dream.
Sponsor: Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] (introduced 2/10/2009) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/10/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.404 : Veterans' Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility, and for other purposes. Companion Bill H.R.1377.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 2/10/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/10/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13048301&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

S.407 : Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009. A bill to increase, effective as of December 1, 2009, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 2/10/2009) Cosponsors (17) Related bill H.R.1513
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/25/2009 Presented to President.

S.423 : Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize advance appropriations for certain medical care accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs by providing two-fiscal year budget authority, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 2/12/2009) Cosponsors (49)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12703276

S.491 : Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and to allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums. Companion Bill H.R.1203.
Sponsor: Sen Webb, Jim [VA] (introduced 2/26/2009) Cosponsors (36)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 2/26/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.498 : Vet Dental Insurance. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize dental insurance for veterans and survivors and dependents of veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 2/26/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/26/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.514 : Veterans Rehabilitation and Training Improvements Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance vocational rehabilitation benefits for veterans, and for other purposes. Companion Bill H.R.297.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 3/3/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.535 : SBP DIC Offset Elimination. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan by veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation, and for other purposes. Companion Bill H.775.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, Bill [FL] (introduced 3/5/2009) Cosponsors (47)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/5/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senator send a message via
http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/alert/?alertid=12848666&type=CO

S.543 : Veteran and Servicemember Family Caregiver Support Act of 2009. A bill to require a pilot program on training, certification, and support for family caregivers of seriously disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces to provide caregiver services to such veterans and members, and for other purposes. Companion Bill H.R.785.
Sponsor: Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] (introduced 3/6/2009) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.546 : Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit certain retired members of the uniformed services who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service of Combat-Related Special Compensation. Companion Bill H.R.811.
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 3/9/2009) Cosponsors (38)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/9/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12904686&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

S.572 : Purple Heart Forever Stamp. A bill to provide for the issuance of a "forever stamp" to honor the sacrifices of the brave men and women of the armed forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart. Companion Bill H.R.1305.
Sponsor: Sen Webb, Jim [VA] (introduced 3/11/2009) Cosponsors (11)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2009 Referred to Senate subcommittee. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security.

S.597 : Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Companion Bill H.R.1211
Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 3/16/2009) Cosponsors (19)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.606 : Veterans Corps Program. A bill to amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish a Veterans Corps program.
Sponsor: Sen Warner, Mark R. [VA] (introduced 3/17/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.614 : WASP Gold Medal Award. A bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots ("WASP").
Sponsor: Sen Hutchison, Kay Bailey [TX] (introduced 3/17/2009) Cosponsors (75) - Companion Bill H.R.2014
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

S.642 : Health Care for Members of the Armed Forces Exposed to Chemical Hazards Act of 2009. A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to establish registries of members and former members of the Armed Forces exposed in the line of duty to occupational and environmental health chemical hazards, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide health care to veterans exposed to such hazards, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Bayh, Evan [IN] (introduced 3/19/2009) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/19/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S.644 : National Guard and Reserve Retired Pay Equity Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to include service after September 11, 2001, as service qualifying for the determination of a reduced eligibility age for receipt of non-regular service retired pay. Companion Bill H.R.208. Related Bill S.831
Sponsor: Sen Chambliss, Saxby [GA] (introduced 3/19/2009) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/19/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/ncoausa/issues/alert/?alertid=12995086&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id] or
http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=12960556

S.658 : Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve health care for veterans who live in rural areas, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Tester, Jon [MT] (introduced 3/19/2009) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/19/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.663 : Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, E. Benjamin [NE] (introduced 3/19/2009) Cosponsors (30)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.669 : Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for certain purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 3/23/2009) Cosponsors (15)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

S.691 : Colorado National Cemetery for Veterans. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in southern Colorado region, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Bennet, Michael F. [CO] (introduced 3/25/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.699 : South Texas Veterans' Hospital. A bill to provide for the construction by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of a full service hospital in Far South Texas.
Sponsor: Sen Cornyn, John [TX] (introduced 3/25/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.700 : Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009. A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to phase out the 24-month waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for Medicare benefits, to eliminate the waiting period for individuals with life-threatening conditions, and for other purposes. Companion Bill H.R.1708.
Sponsor: Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] (introduced 3/25/2009) Cosponsors (16)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.728 : Veterans' Insurance and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance veterans' insurance benefits, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 3/26/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

S.731 : TRICARE Coverage For "Gray Area" Reservists. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for continuity of TRICARE Standard coverage for certain members of the Retired Reserve. Companion Bill H.R.270
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, E. Benjamin [NE] (introduced 3/26/2009) Cosponsors (20)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/26/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via http://www.ngaus.org/content.asp?bid=1805&False&False

S.734 : Rural Veterans Health Care Access and Quality Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain physicians in Health Professional Shortage Areas and to improve the provision of health care to veterans in rural areas, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 3/30/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/30/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.746 : Nebraska National Cemetery. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery in the Sarpy County region to serve veterans in eastern Nebraska, western Iowa, and northwest Missouri.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, E. Benjamin [NE] (introduced 3/31/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.760 : National World War I Memorial. A bill to designate the Liberty Memorial at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as the "National World War I Memorial".
Sponsor: Sen McCaskill, Claire [MO] (introduced 4/1/2009) Cosponsors (1) - Related Bill H.R.1849
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 4/1/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S.768 : Bataan Gold Medal Initiative. A bill to grant the Congressional Gold Medal to the soldiers from the United States who were prisoners of war at Bataan during World War II.
Sponsor: Sen Udall, Tom [NM] (introduced 4/1/2009) Cosponsors (7)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/1/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

S.772 : Honor Act of 2009. A bill to enhance benefits for survivors of certain former members of the Armed Forces with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury, to enhance availability and access to mental health counseling for members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Bond, Christopher S. [MO] (introduced 4/1/2009) Cosponsors (10)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/1/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.793 : Department of Veterans Affairs Vision Scholars Act of 2009. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a scholarship program for students seeking a degree or certificate in the areas of visual impairment and orientation and mobility.
Sponsor: Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] (introduced 4/2/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/2/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.801 : Family Caregiver Program Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to waive charges for humanitarian care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to family members accompanying veterans severely injured after September 11, 2001, as they receive medical care from the Department and to provide assistance to family caregivers, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 4/2/2009) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13104956&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

S.820 : Veterans Mobility Enhancement Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the automobile assistance allowance for veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 4/2/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.821 : VA Copay Collection Prohibition. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain copayments from veterans who are catastrophically disabled, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 4/2/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/2/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read the second time and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.831 : National Guard and Reserve Retired Pay Equity Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to include service after September 11, 2001, as service qualifying for the determination of a reduced eligibility age for receipt of non-regular service retired pay.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 4/20/2009) Cosponsors (16) - Related Bill S.644
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/20/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via http://www.ngaus.org/content.asp?bid=1805

S.832 : MOAA Federal Charter. A bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to grant a Federal charter to the Military Officers Association of America, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, Bill [FL] (introduced 4/20/2009) Cosponsors (31) - Companion Bill H.R.2017
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 4/20/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S.842 : VA Home Loan Payoff to Mortgagers. A bill to repeal the sunset of certain enhancements of protections of servicemembers relating to mortgages and mortgage foreclosures, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay mortgage holders unpaid balances on housing loans guaranteed by Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 4/21/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/21/2009 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.847 : SBP Education Assistance Limitation Exclusion. A bill to 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.
Sponsor: Sen Webb, Jim [VA] (introduced 4/21/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

S.883 : Medal of Honor Coin. A bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in recognition and celebration of the establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861, America's highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States, to honor the American military men and women who have been recipients of the Medal of Honor, and to promote awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents and how ordinary Americans, through courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism, can challenge fate and change the course of history.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 4/23/2009) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

S.902 : Veteran's Treatment Courts. A bill to provide grants to establish veteran's treatment courts.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 4/27/2009) Cosponsors (2) Related Bill H.R.2127
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S. 944 : The Wounded Warrior Transition Assistance Act. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretaries of the military departments to give wounded members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces the option of remaining on active duty during the transition process in order to continue to receive military pay and allowances, to authorize members to reside at their permanent places of residence during the process, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 4/30/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/30/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13266571&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

S.977 : Prisoner of War Benefits Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide improved benefits for veterans who are former prisoners of war, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 5/5/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/5/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.998 : Arthur Woolweaver, Jr., Social Security Act Improvements for the Terminally Ill Act. A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the five-month waiting period in the disability insurance program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] (introduced 5/7/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 5/7/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.1008 : Military Retired Pay Fairness Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to limit requirements of separation pay, special separation benefits, and voluntary separation incentive from members of the Armed Forces subsequently receiving retired or retainer pay.
Sponsor: Sen Shaheen, Jeanne [NH] (introduced 5/7/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/7/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S.1015 : Enhanced Disability Compensation for Certain Disabled Veterans. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance disability compensation for certain disabled veterans with difficulties using prostheses and disabled veterans in need of regular aid and attendance for residuals of traumatic brain injury, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 5/11/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/11/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1016 : Vet Disability Compensation Award upon Separation. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the commencement of the period of payment of original awards of compensation for veterans who are retired or separated from the Uniformed services for disability.
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 5/11/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/11/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1042 : Illegal Garnishment Prevention Act. A bill to prohibit the use of funds to promote the direct deposit of Veterans and Social Security benefits until adequate safeguards are established to prevent the attachment and garnishment of such benefits.
Sponsor: Sen Kohl, Herb [WI] (introduced 5/14/2009) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 5/14/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.1055 : Gold Medal Award for 100th Inf Bn & 442nd RCT. A bill to grant the congressional gold medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.
Sponsor: Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] (introduced 5/14/2009) Cosponsors (3) – Related bill H.R.347
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/14/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

S.1106 : Selected Reserve Continuum of Care Act. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to require the provision of medical and dental readiness services to certain members of the Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve based on medical need, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Lincoln, Blanche L. [AR] (introduced 5/20/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/20/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S.1109 : PRO-VETS Act of 2009. A bill to provide veterans with individualized notice about available benefits, to streamline application processes or the benefits, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] (introduced 5/20/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/20/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1118 : DIC Compensation Rate Increase to 55%. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Lincoln, Blanche L. [AR] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1128 : Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act. A bill to authorize the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in the testing of nuclear weapons or under other circumstances.
Sponsor: Sen Roberts, Pat [KS] (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (1) – Related bill H.R.2553
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S.1160 : Homes for Heroes Act of 2009. A bill to provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans.
Sponsor: Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] (introduced 6/1/2009) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/1/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

S.1166 : Voluntary Support for Reservists and National Guard Members Act of 2009. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate part or all of any income tax refund to support reservists and National Guard members.
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 6/3/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 6/3/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S.1168 : Nationally Significant Battlefields Protection. A bill to authorize the acquisition and protection of nationally significant battlefields and associated sites of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 under the American Battlefield Protection Program.
Sponsor: Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] (introduced 6/3/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 6/3/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S.1169 : Uniformed Services with Autism (USA) Heroes Act . A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the treatment of autism under TRICARE.
Sponsor: Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] (introduced 6/3/2009) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/3/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

S.1204 : Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act of 2009. A bill to amend the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 to require the provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans at all Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 6/8/2009) Cosponsors (1) Related bill H.R.1017
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

S.1207 : D-Day Memorial. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, as a unit of the National Park System.
Sponsor: Sen Warner, Mark R. [VA] (introduced 6/8/2009) Cosponsors (1) – Related bill H.R.2689
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S.1237 : Homeless Vet Grant Program expansion. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the grant program for homeless veterans with special needs to include male homeless veterans with minor dependents and to establish a grant program for reintegration of homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 6/11/2009) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/11/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

(Note: Unable to update last major action & cosponsors due to format error on Thomas website)
[Source: http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/111search.html 18 Jun 09 ++]

Back to Top of Page

Editor Note:  I have ceased using the email addee raoemo@mozcom.com because spam messages at this addee have reached 150 daily.

My email addee raoemo@sbcglobal.net will be the primary addee I will be monitoring after 15 SEP.

I am activating raoemo1@mozcom.net as a backup in the event communications via the primary addee should become
disrupted.

Editor's Note 2: I have returned to the United States and can be reached at (951) 238-1246 until further notice. 
My address is 3559 Landrew Rd., Perris CA 92571 Cell Phone: 760-532-1723

NDAA 2010: On 11 JUN several subcommittees of the House Armed Forces Committee met to markup their respective portions of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) H.R. 2647. One of them, the Military Personnel Subcommittee, headed by Chairwoman Susan Davis (D-CA), had a brief 10-minute meeting. Chairwoman Davis and Ranking Member Joe Wilson (R-SC), announced that their subcommittee had approved a 3.4% pay raise for active duty troops; authorized an increase of 30,000 in active duty end strength for the Army; expanded chiropractic care to all active duty service members; extended Tricare Reserve Select to “Grey Area” retirees who have not reached age 60; requiring a medical exam prior to the involuntary separation of service members with PTSD or Traumatic Brain Injury. A notable exclusion that Chairwoman Davis addressed was that they were unable to include a disability compensation provision for Chapter 61 retirees that President Obama had requested in his budget submission. She stated the subcommittee was unable to find the mandatory offsets to pay for the $5.1 billion proposal, but that the Democratic leadership is working with the committee and a resolution to the issue is expected. Earlier veterans organizations were briefed by the minority staff of the House Armed Service Committee on an amendment they intend to offer when consideration by the full Committee begins on the 16 JUN. The entire Republican membership of the Committee signed a letter asking the Chairman of the Budget Committee, Rep. John Spratt (D-SC), to permit use of the reserve fund set aside by section 324 of the budget resolution. These funds could, in a deficit neutral way, allow the completion of the process of full concurrent receipt for all disabled military retirees, eliminate the SBP/DIC offset, and improve healthcare for reserve component members. [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 12 Jun 09 ++]

Retiree Telephone News Line: A 7/24 telephone news line has been set up for those retirees and surviving spouses who do not have computer access. By calling (800) 558-1404, retirees and spouses can stay informed using this new easy-to-use menu-driven service. Callers can select from several different topics that are compiled from various electronic news sources. Topics include pay and annuity matters, medical and health care, and other benefits and entitlements. This news line joins the e-Afterburner, Air Force Retiree News Service, and Air Force Retiree Web site at http://www.retirees.af.mil in providing the latest news and information to the service’s retiree community. [Source: AFRN Press Release No. 06-03-09 ++]

Reserve Retirement Age Update 17: The minority staff of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) reported to members of The Military Coalition (TMC) on 10 JUN distressing news regarding Representative Joe Wilson's (R-SC) bill, H.R.208, that would make retroactive to 9/11 the breakthrough changes in retirement pay eligibility in the FY2008 National Defense authorization Act (NDAA) that reduced the eligibility age three months for each aggregate of 90 days of deployed service after 28 JAN 08, the date of passage of the 2008 NDAA. Word is that H.R.208 will not pass at the 16 JUN HASC markup of the 2010 NDAA (H.R.2647) because Representative Wilson could not find offsets in direct spending to offset the projected costs of $2.1 billion over 10 years required by the House "Pay Go" rules. Rep. Wilson will likely be ruled out-of-order when he proposes an amendment to the NDAA to include the provisions of H.R.208. All this could change if House leadership authorized a waiver of the "Pay Go" rules for this bill, but unfortunately this is not a priority item in Congress. Those concerned should contact their representatives to express their views on this inequity which does not recognize the deployed service of the National Guard and Reserve in OIF/OEF prior to 28 JAN 08. [Source: NGAUS Leg Up 12 Jun 09 ++]

Mobilized Reserve 9 JUN 09: The Department of Defense announced the current number of reservists on active duty as of 9 Jun 09. The net collective result is 775 more reservists mobilized than last reported in the Bulletin for 1 JUN 09. At any given time, services may activate some units and individuals while deactivating others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease. The total number currently on active duty from the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 110,024; Navy Reserve, 6,792; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 15,066; Marine Corps Reserve, 9,115; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 759. This brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been activated to 141,756, including both units and individual augmentees. A cumulative roster of all National Guard and Reserve personnel who are currently activated can be found at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/d20090609ngr.pdf [Source: DoD News Release No. 411-09 10 Jun 09 ++]

Retiree Annual COLAs Update 02: Despite the shaky economy, federal retirees saw a boost at the beginning of 2009 in their annual cost-of-living adjustments. Rapid increases in the Consumer Price Index in 2008 pushed the annual COLA increase up to 5.8%, well above the 2.3% increase of 2008. The results for 2010 won't be as strong because of the recession, but feds shouldn't panic. The projections look grim. In April, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) announced that an overall decline in the cost of living meant that it was not projecting an increase in the COLA for Social Security recipients for 2010 or 2011, and that the economy was unlikely to recover enough to produce a COLA boost in 2012 either. Social Security and federal retiree COLAs are calculated the same way. CBO forecasted that the economy would bounce back sufficiently to yield a 0.8% increase by 2013.But a small, or nonexistent, COLA might actually be a good thing for federal/military retirees in this economy since Congress has targeted cost-of-living adjustments as a way to save money during past financial difficulties. For example:

(1.) Congress passed the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act in 1985, which required the president to cut spending across government by a uniform percentage if the federal deficit rose above a certain level.

(2.) In 1986, when that legislation went into effect President Reagan canceled the 3.1% COLA scheduled for federal civilian and military retirees that year. Subsequently, Congress passed legislation to exempt cost-of-living increases from those mandatory cuts, but that didn't end efforts to target COLAs as part of the budget process.

(3.) In an effort to reduce the budget, President Clinton convinced Congress to delay the start date of cost-of-living adjustment payouts to federal and military retirees, so COLAs took effect in April instead of January from 1994 to 1996.

    COLAs could have been a tempting target this year. President Obama said in his budget that he was proposing a 2% pay increase for current federal employees as a belt-tightening measure, and the cost of extending benefits for federal employees became a factor in the debate over the House's passage of the 2009 Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act in early JUN. The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association in 2008 said it would monitor Congress closely for any efforts to target retiree benefits as a way to close gaps in the budget. But there may not be an automatic increase for Congress to target at all in the fiscal 2010 budget process. Feds can take some consolation in one fact: their annual cost-of-living adjustments are not allowed to be negative. So even if the Consumer Price Index falls, the government cannot reduce COLA payments to federal and military retirees. So even in a bad economy, it's possible to come out a little bit ahead. [Source: GovExec.com Alyssa Rosenberg article 11 Jun 09 ++]

Retiree Appreciation Days Update 04: Retiree Appreciation Days and Military Retiree Seminars are a great source of the latest information for retirees and Family members in your area. RADs vary from installation to installation, but, in general, they provide an opportunity to renew acquaintances, listen to guest speakers, renew ID Cards, get medical checkups, and various other services. Some RADs include special events such as dinners or golf tournaments. Since the day's schedule of activities differ from location to location, it is best to check with the event's point of contact for specific details. The Army maintains a current listing of activities for 2009 at http://www.armyg1.army.mil/rso/rads.asp The current listing includes:

* USAG Vicenza 09-06-12 Jun 12 0444-71-7451
* Ft Ord, CA 09-06-13 Jun 13 (831) 242-6691 .
* Ft McPherson, GA 09-06-20 Jun 20 (404) 464-3219
* Ft Buchanan, PR 09-07-31 Jul 31 (787) 707-3842
* Ft Lewis Surviving Family Members Appreciation Day 09-08-07 Aug 7 (253) 966-5884
* Tobyhanna Army Depot, PA 09-08-08 Aug 8 (570) 895-7019
* Orlando, FL 09-08-15 Aug 15 (912) 767-5013
* Des Moines, IA 09-08-20 Aug 20 (515) 283-7013
* Northern New England 09-08-22 Aug 22 (207) 685-3152
* Twin Cities/Rosemount, MN 09-08-28 Aug 28 (763) 566-2219*
* Camp Ripley, MN 09-08-29 Aug 29 (763) 441-2630*
* Ft Huachuca 09-08-29 Aug 29 (520) 533-5733
* Ft Leonard Wood, MO 09-09-11 Sep 11 - Sep 12 (573) 596-0947
* Ft McCoy, WI 09-09-11 Sep 11 (608) 388-3716
* Carlisle Barracks, PA 09-09-12 Sep 12 (717) 245-4501
* Ft Dix, NJ 09-09-12 Sep 12 (609) 562-2666
* Lemoore NAS, CA 09-09-12 Sep 12 (800) 452-0923*
* Ft Sill, OK 09-09-17 Sep 17 - Sep 19 (580) 442-2645
* Duluth, MN 09-09-18 Sep 18 (218) 722-0071
* Ft Bragg, NC 09-09-18 Sep 18 - Sep 19 (910) 396-5304
* Camp Pendleton, CA 09-09-19 Sep 19 (760) 725-9791
* Ft Belvoir RAD/Widow(er) Appreciation Day 09-09-19 Sep 19 (703) 805-3682
* Ft Drum, NY 09-09-19 Sep 19 (315) 772-6434
* Lemoore NAS, CA 09-09-19 Sep 19 (559) 998-4042
* Ft Bliss, TX 09-09-26 Sep 26 (915) 568-5204
* Ft Hamilton, NY 09-09-26 Sep 26 (718) 630-4552
* Ft Lee, VA 09-09-26 Sep 26 (804) 734-6555
* Nellis AFB, NV 09-09-26 Sep 26 (702) 652-9978
* Selfridge, MI 09-09-26 Sep 26 (586) 239-5580
* Redstone Arsenal 09-10-02 Oct 2 - Oct 3 (256) 876-2022
* Ft Meade, MD 09-10-09 Oct 9 (301) 677-9603
* Ft Myer, VA 09-10-09 Oct 9 (703) 696-5948
* Ft Monroe, VA 09-10-15 Oct 15 (757) 532-4673
* Aberdeen Prv Grd, MD 09-10-17 Oct 17 (410) 306-2320
* Ft Carson, CO 09-10-17 Oct 17 (719) 526-2840
* Ft Monmouth, NJ 09-10-17 Oct 17 (732) 266-5810
* Schofield Barracks, HI 09-10-17 Oct 17 (808) 655-1514
* USAG Heidelberg 09-10-17 Oct 17 06221-57-8399
* USAG Brussels 09-10-20 Oct 20 0032-65-44-6238
* Schinnen, Holland(Cancelled) 09-10-21 Oct 21 0031-46-443-7320
* Ft Hood, TX 09-10-23 Oct 23 - Oct 24 (254) 287-5210
* Ft Campbell, KY 09-10-24 Oct 24 (270) 798-5280
* Ft Gordon, GA 09-10-24 Oct 24 (706) 791-2654
* Ft Polk, LA 09-10-24 Oct 24 (337) 531-0363
* Great Lakes NAS, IL 09-10-24 Oct 24 (847) 688-2201, ext. 359
* Houston, TX 09-10-24 Oct 24 (210) 221-9004
* USAG Grafenwoehr 09-10-24 Oct 24 09641-83-8539
* Ft Knox, KY 09-10-30 Oct 30 - Oct 31 (502) 624-1765
* Ft Rucker 09-10-30 Oct 30 (334) 255-9124
* Ft Leavenworth, KS 09-10-31 Oct 31 (913) 684-2425
* Rock Island, IL 09-10-31 Oct 31 (563) 322-4823*
* Ft Benning, GA 09-11-06 Nov 6 (706) 545-1805
* Ft Richardson, AK 09-11-07 Nov 7 (907) 384-3500
* San Diego, CA 09-11-07 Nov 7 (619) 556-8987
* Ft Detrick, MD 09-11-12 Nov 12 (301) 619-3381

[Source: http://www.armyg1.army.mil/rso/rads.asp Jun 09 ++]

Prescription Filling Options Update 01: A study of prices for drugs commonly taken by diabetes patients showed that mail-order retailers and big-box discounters can save consumers thousands of dollars a year compared to the local pharmacy. Overall, Medco by Mail and Wal-Mart were the least expensive, while neighborhood and chain pharmacies generally charged the most, according to Dr. Clifton Jackness and Dr. Ronald Tamler, both of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. "Being an informed consumer is clearly beneficial," they told colleagues at the American Diabetes Association meeting. The total monthly out-of-pocket price for all 10 drugs most commonly prescribed to diabetes patients for any indication ranged from a low of $428.35 with Medco to a high of $641.90 with Rite Aid. However, there is often a tradeoff for lower prices, said Dr. Paul Robertson, ADA's president of medicine and science. "Pharmacies, especially local ones, offer more than drugs," he said. "They offer service and the opportunity to talk to a pharmacist." Giving that up in exchange for a lower bill might be worthwhile for some patients who are on a stable regimen and familiar with their medications, whereas for others it might not, Robertson noted.

    The stakes in shopping around are collectively enormous. According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 23.6 million diabetics in the United States, or 8% of the population. And their number is growing as the nation ages and unhealthy lifestyles lead to an increase in diabetes diagnoses. To calculate the impact of shopping around, the researchers tabulated the most common prescriptions filled by diabetes patients under age 65 -- a population expected to have at least some out-of-pocket cost associated with their medications -- from a database compiled by 91 health insurance plans across the United States. After excluding non-chronic medications such as antibiotics, the top medications in order of number of prescriptions were: Metformin; Atorvastatin (Lipitor); Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril); Rosiglitazone (Avandia) excluded from the analysis because of declining use since the time covered by the database; Furosemide (Lasix, Furocot); Simvastatin (Zocor); Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide); Insulin glargine (Lantus); Amlodipine (Norvasc); and Atenolol (Tenormin). Interestingly, the list contained several drugs that were not strictly diabetes-related, including statins that fight cholesterol and medications to lower blood pressure. Jackness noted that diabetes patients take an average of 8.9 medications, and believes the typical patient would be on the majority of drugs on the list, he said.

    The cost of a 30-day supply of each...assuming no prescription drug coverage by public or private insurance...was determined from price data collected by the New York and New Jersey State Attorneys General. These offices maintain publicly accessible Web sites on current prescription drug prices at the pharmacies in their respective states. The researchers confirmed the prices by direct contact with the pharmacies. For some drugs, the price differences between pharmacies were dramatic. Consider Metformin, one of the most popular diabetes drugs in the United States and the 10th most popular generic drug prescribed overall in 2008, with 40 million prescriptions written, according to Drug Topics magazine. According to the new study, a 30-day supply of Metformin sold for $4.00 in the generic drug discount program at Wal-Mart and Target and for $5.00 at Kmart. But the local neighborhood pharmacies averaged $38.95 and pharmacy chain Rite Aid charged $39.99. While stores such as Wal-Mart have heavily marketed their low-cost generic programs, they tended to offer more competitive prices for non-generic drugs as well, the researchers found. And, although the superstores and mail-order pharmacies did not consistently offer lower prices for every medication, none of the local chains or independently-owned pharmacies had the lowest price for any drug on the list.

    When prices for the 10 drugs most commonly prescribed to diabetes patients were added (excluding rosiglitazone), the monthly totals were: $428.35 for Medco by Mail (excluding shipping and handling); $432.53 for Wal-Mart; $483.94 for Kmart; $505.95 for Target; $584.44 for CVS; $633.11 for Duane Reade; $638.31 for Walgreen's; $639.20 for local pharmacies; and $641.90 for Rite Aid. Unfortunately, this kind of price information is not readily available in most states, said Dr. Patricia Coon of the Billings Clinic in Billings, Mont. Nevertheless, savvy patients and physicians can find this information locally by doing their homework, said Coon, who was not involved in the study. "They do a lot of shopping from pharmacy to pharmacy to get the lowest price," Coon said. "It's not unusual for patients to be asking to be switched to generics or the generic that's offered by a Wal-Mart or large brand." Jackness agreed, noting that even if it is not posted in a central location, price information is available with a phone call. "People shouldn't assume a drug is the same price everywhere," he said.

    In his own New York City practice, Jackness said he often recommends low-priced local outlets to patients at financial risk. "If we see patients without insurance we tell them to go down to Penn Station and go to Kmart," he said. But realizing the savings from purchasing all medications at a superstore or mail-order company may not be possible for all patients, the researchers noted. "The patient must have the physical ability and means of transportation to travel to these stores or order online," they said. They cautioned that the study did not take into consideration insurance coverage, which might limit how much its findings can be generalized. But regardless of patients' insurance status, the findings should serve as a wakeup call for physicians to take an active role in ensuring patients are able to obtain their prescribed medications, Jackness and Tamler concluded. If adherence is an issue, physicians should ask patients about the impact of medication costs and suggest cost-lowering strategies, Robertson said.

[Source: ABC News Health Crystal Phend article 10 Jun 09 ++]

Medical Identity Theft: Unless the Federal Trade Commission adjusts its “Red Flags Rule,” patients will have to show proof of identity when visiting the doctor’s office beginning 1 AUG. The rule will also affect dentists and other professionals who extend credit to clients. The idea behind the rule is to cut down on identity theft, including medical identity theft. According to World Privacy Forum, a nonprofit public interest research group, the FTC received about 19,500 reports of medical ID theft from January 1992 to April 2006...its most recent data. About one in every four of these reports occurred in 2006 alone. “Medical identity theft is the fastest-growing form of ID theft,” said James Quiggle, spokesman for the nonprofit watchdog group Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. “The biggest problem is with organized gangs stealing lists with sensitive patient data from clinics and other medical facilities.” Quiggle said employees with access to patient databases are selling patient information on the black market. The buyer uses the information to get prescriptions or file for insurance, Quiggle said.

    To cut down on this and other forms of identity theft, Congress passed the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act in 2003. The measure directed regulatory agencies, including the FTC, to draft rules for creditors. Last fall, the FTC implemented the “Red Flags Rule,” which requires creditors...including doctors and other professionals who extend credit...to get a valid ID from clients. The rule was scheduled to go into effect 1 NOV 08. Members of the American Medical Association felt broadsided by the rule, so they lobbied and succeeded in getting the deadline pushed to 1 MAY 09. The American Dental Association also protested. “The FTC gave organized medicine no warning about the Red Flags Rule, and consequently there was no participation by doctors when the rule was being considered and crafted,” said Long Do, director of litigation for the California Medical Association. Just before the 1 MAY deadline, the FTC agreed to again delay the deadline to 1 AUG. FTC chairman Jon Leibowitz in a news release said, "Given the ongoing debate about whether Congress wrote this provision too broadly, delaying enforcement of the Red Flags Rule will allow industries and associations to share guidance with their members,” said .

    Los Robles Regional Medical Center chief of staff Dr. Hannah Grossman said she hadn’t heard of the new rule. But when it was described to her, Grossman had concerns. “One of the concerns would be the individual who did not have government ID,” Grossman said. “We would never want to turn away a patient because of lack of photo ID.” Homeless, elderly and undocumented immigrants all might fall into this category, Do noted. “The question is, are doctors supposed to start policing immigration laws when their primary responsibility is to take care of patients?” he said. And at a time when the healthcare organizations are straining under budgetary problems, the rules add one more layer of red tape that might require hiring someone to handle the paperwork, said Dr. Ardis Hoven, with the board of trustees of the American Medical Association. Linda Foley, founder of San Diego-based Identity Theft Resource Center, said any administrative costs incurred by asking patients to show a photo ID are reasonable. “In the long run, you’re going to have to absorb less loss due to fraud. You will save money,” she said.

    Medical professionals are not the only ones affected. Attorney Joanna Smith, of the offices of Meyers Nave in Sacramento, specializes in identity theft issues. Although attorneys are not always paid in full, they were not the ones targeted by the rules, she said. But because of the broad way the rule was written, attorneys could be affected. Smith said that when she contacted FTC lawyers for clarification, they seemed surprised at how many services their definition encompassed and seemed receptive to change. “They really do have an interest in making it flexible,” Smith said.

[Source: Ventura County Star Kim Lamb Gregory article 8 Jun 09 ++]

Atomic Vets Update 04: Fifteen successive United Kingdom governments...Conservative and, to the party's lasting shame, Labour too - have variously lied to, misled, ignored and betrayed the veterans of Britain's nuclear tests. Around 1,000 servicemen who blame their ill-health on their involvement in Britain's 1950s nuclear tests want to sue the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Now the remaining veterans plus widows, sons, daughters and grandchildren left cursed by one of the most abject chapters of post-war history can sense justice in the offing. The smiles, tears of relief and the outpouring of sheer elation witnessed on the steps of the High Court said it all. Finally, and despite the MoD spending £10million on lawyers' bills in an attempt to convince him otherwise, a judge has accepted what politicians and civil servants have for years denied. Namely, that these men...human guinea pigs, maimed for life by the radiation they were exposed to - DO have a case to argue, DO have a right to be heard. The ruling is a green light given by the High Court to proceed with their claims.

    Some 22,000 young soldiers were made to stand underneath as experimental atomic bombs were exploded over their heads in Australia and the South Pacific between 1952 and 1967. Only 3,000 are still alive. Many of those are terminally ill and, for too long, the suspicion has lingered that MoD officials have been hoping the issue will die away with the last of the casualties. Wisely, judge Mr Justice Foskett counsels the MoD to seek a negotiated settlement now with the veterans, rather than have their case grind on any longer. Since the case went to court in JAN 09, seven more veterans have died. Compensation will not bring back them nor anyone else. It will though make a massive difference to families left to cope with the consequences of genetic abnormalities, cancer and hereditary disability.

    In 1990, the U.S. Congress passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, offering veterans who took part in the above-ground and undersea atomic tests conducted between 1945 and 1963 a payment of $75,000 each. Payments of $100,000 were offered to miners employed in above-ground or underground uranium mines scattered across the western U.S. Those working downwind of the Nevada test site were offered payments of $50,000. Vets who had not previously submitted claims can still do so. Below are the most recent bills introduced in Congress related to Atomic Vets. Both have been assigned to the House Veterans' Affairs Committee:

* H.R.2553: Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act introduced 21 MAY by Rep. Todd Tiahrt [KS-4] to authorize the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in the testing of nuclear weapons or under other circumstances. Cosponsors - 7
* H.R.2573: Atomic Veterans Relief Act introduced 21 MAY by Rep Neil Abercrombie [HI-1] to amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the eligibility criteria for presumption of service-connection of certain diseases and disabilities for veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during military service, and for other purposes. Cosponsors - none

[Source: UK The Daily Mirror article 7 Jun -09 ++]

VA Blue Water Claims Update 06: A bill in Congress provides a seemingly straightforward answer to a question that has vexed tens of thousands of Americans who served in the U.S. military. Who is a Vietnam veteran? The answer is vitally important to Navy personnel who served in Vietnam's territorial waters. For now, the Department of Veterans Affairs' definition of a Vietnam veteran does not include these men and women. Legislation introduced in the House would change that, clearing the way for Navy veterans to get disability payments and free health care for ailments linked to the herbicide Agent Orange, from type II diabetes to a variety of cancers. At stake: $3 billion in benefits. The VA says the pool of veterans who would become eligible for benefits under the bill is 800,000, a number critics accuse the VA of exaggerating to inflate costs that may scare Congress. Before 2002, sailors with the Vietnam Service Medal...given to those who served in the theater of war on land or sea...automatically got benefits, whether they were ground troops or in the Navy. But the VA, which did not return repeated calls for comment, changed its policy in 2002, saying common sense dictated that Agent Orange was used on land alone and therefore couldn't harm Navy personnel.

    Bart Stitchman, co-director of the National Veterans Legal Services Program, said the VA simply changed its definition of who was eligible without notice. The VA is required to advertise any rule change impacting benefits in the Federal Register, allowing a period of public comment before making a change. The VA, Stitchman said, violated federal law by ignoring that requirement. In a 2005 article in the Journal of Law and Policy, Dr. Mark Brown, director of Environmental Agents Service at the VA, made a surprising admission: Science did not back up the VA's policy on the Navy. Calling Navy veterans "non-Vietnam veterans," reflecting the VA's policy that sailors don't qualify, he wrote, "There is no obvious scientific or public health basis for excluding these non-Vietnam War veterans" from the presumption that their illnesses are caused by Agent Orange. To address that "apparent inequity," Brown wrote, the VA paid benefits to those Navy veterans who could prove they were exposed to Agent Orange, which ground troops need not do. But proving exposure 40 years after the fact is often an impossible hurdle, Navy veterans say.

    In 2004, a Navy veteran appealed the VA's denial of his Agent Orange claim in a veterans court set up to handle appeals of VA cases. The case became a precedent-setter. In 2006, that court ruled in favor of the veteran, saying the VA's exclusion of Navy veterans was too restrictive. But last year, the VA won the case on appeal to a higher court, which decided its rules on Agent Orange were reasonable. The VA then changed its rules one more time, closing another avenue for Navy veterans seeking benefits. After long holding that Navy veterans who served on inland waterways, like harbors and rivers, could get benefits, the VA decided a harbor did not qualify. The VA has argued it was not the intent of Congress to include the Navy when it adopted a law in 1991 providing compensation for Agent Orange. Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, has introduced the Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009 (H.R.2254) to include Navy veterans. He has more than 40 co-sponsors. "These guys have suffered long enough," Filner said. "It's going to cost money. But that's the cost of going to war. We're spending trillions bailing out everybody else. Let's bail out Vietnam veterans." The chances for passage are uncertain. Filner said lawmakers may be reluctant to add costs to the federal budget in an economic crisis. A similar bill introduced last year failed.

    In the interim on 30 MAY the Texas House and Senate passed the Restore Agent Orange Presumptive Diseases to "Blue Water" Navy Veterans [SCR 38] memorializing Congress to restore the presumption of a service connection for Agent Orange exposure to veterans who served on the inland waterways, territorial waters, and in the airspace of the Republic of Vietnam. This is not a law as such. The Texas Legislature is telling the U.S. Congress that Texas wants the US Congress to force the VA to recognize Agent Orange as a medically causal chemical for Navy personnel who were in the theater of Viet Nam.

[Source: St. Petersburg Times William R. Levesque article 9 Jun 09 ++]

VA Fraud Update 20: A 58-year-old woman who collected 18 months’ worth of veterans’ benefits sent to her dead aunt must pay back the government and serve a short prison sentence, according to her sentence imposed 8 JUN in federal court. U.S. District Judge John Woodcock sentenced Lorraine Rich, who now lives in Bradenton, Fla., but who lived in Waterville when the crime occurred, to four months in prison and three years of supervised release. She also was ordered to repay $27,675, the amount of veteran spouse benefits she collected illegally. Her aunt Cora Thompson was given surviving spouse benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs after her husband, Vernon Thompson, a veteran, died, according to court documents. In 1999, Rich became Thompson’s fiduciary federal payee and agreed to notify the VA when her aunt died, which occurred on 27 APR 04. “Ms. Rich did not notify the VA of the death, and the VA continued to make the monthly beneficiary payments,” the court documents state, adding later that Rich withdrew the funds and spent them. The VA stopped making payments SEP 06. Thompson also failed to report the funds to the Waterville Housing Authority, which supplied her with subsidized housing. Rich pleaded guilty n SEP 08 to theft of government property and making a false statement back. She faced a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the theft and an additional five years and another $250,000 fine for lying on her application for housing assistance.
[Source: Bangor Daily News Nok-Noi Ricke article 9 Jun 09 ++]

VA Homeless Vets Update 10: On 3 JUN 09 House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Bob Filner conducted a hearing to address America's commitment to end veterans' homelessness. The hearing focused on four specific programs operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Grant and Per Diem, outreach to veterans, Special Needs Grants, and prevention efforts. According to recent VA reports, approximately one-third of the adult homeless population served in the Armed Services. Population estimates also suggest that about 131,000 veterans are homeless on any given night and perhaps twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year. Male and female veterans continue to be over-represented in the general homeless population. Specifically, male veterans were 1.4 times as likely to be homeless as male nonveterans while female veterans were between two and four times as likely to be homeless as their nonveteran female counterparts. Studies have shown an indirect connection between combat exposure and homelessness.

    "Most of the VA's existing programs are targeted to veterans who are currently homeless, by providing employment opportunities and housing assistance to help prevent repeat episodes of homelessness," said Chairman Filner. "There is an urgent and immediate need to address homeless prevention, target high risk veterans with early intervention programs, and provide on-going evaluation and support. We need to strengthen our efforts nationally to prevent our heroes from becoming homeless in the first place." VA's largest program involving local communities is the Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program. GPD was authorized in 1992 to provide grants and per diem payments to help public and nonprofit organizations establish and operate supportive transitional housing and service centers. Eligible grantees are those who operate programs with supportive housing (up to 24 months) or service centers which offer such services as case management, education, crisis intervention, counseling, and services targeted towards specialized populations including homeless women veterans. Today, VA partners with more than 500 community organizations and has authorized 15,000 beds through the GPD program. Witnesses discussed the need to increase the annual authorization for the GPD program in order to increase the number of beds available for veterans as well as to enhance the supportive services offered. Service providers also reported that the current mechanism used to determine the per diem amount is outdated and inequitable. The current per diem rate is $34.40 per veteran per day. This number is significantly insufficient and does not take into account regional cost issues. Also, per diem payments are made months after the services are provided, which creates a financial strain for the non-profit and community organizations providing services.

    In the area of prevention, VA works with other Federal agencies to prevent repeat episodes of homelessness. For example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides Section 8 vouchers for homeless veterans with severe psychiatric or substance abuse disorders to rent apartments in the private rental market while the VA medical centers provide case management and clinical services. Since 1992, the HUD VA Supported Housing (HUD VASH) program has received funding for about 1,753 Section 8 vouchers. The Department of Labor also operates the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) to help veterans gain meaningful employment and to help develop a service delivery system to address the problems facing homeless veterans. In 2006, HVRP grantees served a total of 13,346 homeless veterans, of whom 8,713, or 65%, were placed in employment. Finally, the 2009 Appropriations Act provided $10 million for HUD to conduct a demonstration program on preventing homelessness in coordination with the VA and DOL. The demonstration project will provide housing and services to prevent homelessness or reduce the length of time veterans are homeless. Up to three of the pilot sites will have a high number of service members separating from military service and up to four of the sites will be located in rural areas with veterans who served in the National Guard.

    To improve VA's effectiveness are partnering with the University of Pennsylvania and the University of South Florida to create the first Center that will give the research capacity to improve programs and become more effective in the future. The new Center will allow VA to use much of the data systems within VA and across the country to improve VA and community service providers' effectiveness in reaching out, treating and improving long term discharge outcomes of the Veterans we serve." Filner concluded: "There remains an unknown number of veterans who are considered near homeless or at risk for homelessness because of poverty and lack of support from family and friends. An increasing number of veterans of Operations in Afghanistan and Iraq are falling into this category and we must be vigilant in providing support to this population. I am heartened by President Obama's zero tolerance policy for homelessness among veterans. We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude...and it will take a bold national commitment to make sure that the words 'homeless' and 'veterans' never appear in the same sentence again."

[Source: HVAC Chairman Filner press release 6 Jun 09 ++]

Military Stolen Valor Update 12: Richard Glen Strandlof, a 32 year old fake military hero who misled veterans, politicians and others awaits arraignment in the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center on a misdemeanor traffic charge. Meanwhile the FBI is investigating possible fraud for which no charges have yet been filed. Strandlof spared no detail in his alleged résumé under the name of Rick Duncan: Annapolis graduate. U.S. Marine captain. Survivor of the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon, wounded, three-tour veteran of the Iraq war. An American hero who, in his next act, would stand up for his band of military brothers on whatever stage was set before him - from the Capitol steps in Denver to the campaign stump. All had bought into the story of Rick Duncan, the wounded soldier rallying opposition to the Iraq war and support for struggling vets. But an elaborate web of deceit has left Strandlof with another indelible mark: fake military hero who misled veterans, politicians and others.

    Strandlof's story winds between malicious deception and actual good works. And it muddies the issue of whether his offense was simply that he fooled the people he purported to champion or broke the law. He backed mostly Democratic candidates sympathetic to his anti-war views in the run-up to the 2008 election. Beyond politics, he worked on behalf of homeless veterans in Colorado Springs, an effort that earned him widespread respect. But revelation of his charade last month ignited the military blogosphere - some of the more charitable critics have suggested his deployment to a combat zone - and inspired speculation on just how he could pull it off. The deception was elaborate, cunningly conceived and boldly executed - from his command of military vernacular down to details like the bumper sticker on his car. "Got DD214?" it said, playing off the popular "Got milk?" ad campaign in what amounted to an inside military joke. The bumper sticker referred to the official form that details a soldier's release from active duty. "I admit that not everything I said was as factual as I wish it had been," Strandlof told 9News on 6 JUN in the only interview he has granted since his charade began to unravel.

    Strandlo said he constructed his military persona based on real and fictional accounts gleaned from reading materials and movies. He also claimed schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have affected his recollection of events over the last few years. "When I talked with people about my passion about vets' issues," he said, "I believed that was the truth." Army Spc. Garett Reppenhagen met the man he knew as Duncan at a veterans' gathering two years ago in Colorado Springs. He remembers him as, "spastic, a lot of energy, all over the place, an excitable person." That night, Duncan related how he'd been wounded by an improvised explosive device during his second tour in Iraq. He told others how the explosion had caused a severe brain injury - a circumstance that seemed to explain his twitchy mannerisms and sometimes erratic behavior. It never occurred to Reppenhagen, an infantry sniper who actually did a tour in Iraq, to dig deeper. Vets don't press other vets for combat details like that. "You sort of feel like a jerk by even doubting someone," he said. Duncan's intentions seemed straightforward. He sent care packages to troops in Iraq. He stood up for homeless veterans in the Springs. He advanced his anti-war politics by connecting with like-minded candidates. He even launched his own organization, the Colorado Veterans Alliance, which he said represented 32,000 veterans on a massive mailing list - though the only visible members seemed to be a cadre of local vets. He certainly talked the talk. Duncan mingled easily in the military milieu. And in some ways, he walked the walk. "It seems like his heart was in the right place," said Reppenhagen, 33. "He was a really hard worker. He did a lot of good by raising a lot of awareness. But then you find out that he's a fraud."

    Army Spc. Mark Wilkerson cut Strandlof a lot of slack for his supposed disabilities. He first heard him speak, eloquently but with a pronounced stutter, at a barbecue held by some people with Iraq Veterans Against the War. "He said he was 100% disabled, that's why he's a little off, that's why he was a little unusual," said Wilkerson. "I was naive, we all were, but he was just so convincing in the way he would speak about his experiences." Wilkerson said Strandlof would disappear for weeks at a time, saying he was getting treatments at the VA hospital in Denver. When Wilkerson invited Strandlof to join Iraq Veterans Against the War, he balked...possibly because he knew the group checks DD214 forms to authenticate service. He declined to join officially, saying he preferred to work with the group "under the radar" so he could maintain relationships with conservative elected officials. During a protest in OCT 07, a Marine colonel stopped Strandlof and challenged his authenticity...a common occurrence during veterans' anti-war protests in a military stronghold like Colorado Springs. But Strandlof answered the Marine's questions to his satisfaction.

    When the truth finally emerged, it happened quickly. Near the end of April, Strandlof - in the persona of Rick Duncan - called a Fort Carson legislative liaison to say he was working for Sen. Mark Udall and wanted to set up a meeting at the Army post. The liaison then called Udall's Colorado Springs office seeking verification. Udall's staffers said Duncan didn't work for them. On 1 MAY, they met with Warvi of the Colorado Veterans Alliance to express their concern. Warvi had become exasperated with Duncan's inability to provide the details necessary to move the organization toward legal nonprofit designation. He'd never doubted his claims about military service...but the call from Udall's office prompted him to take a closer look at Rick Duncan's record. "That was the tip-off that said, ‘Hey, we need to start digging, " Warvi said. "It just started to fall apart pretty quickly. " Warvi phoned the public affairs officer at Annapolis and learned that the last naval officer by the name of Rick Duncan graduated in 1948...almost 30 years before Strandlof was born. He checked with the Colorado Secretary of State's Office and learned that the CVA name already had been registered to a man no one had heard of: Rick Strandlof. Later inquiries turned up mounting evidence that Strandlof and Duncan were, in fact, the same person. "Finally, we found court documents in Reno," Warvi said that put Strandlof in Nevada instead of Iraq. "And that basically destroyed Rick's entire timeline." And yet, in his interview with 9News, Strandlof stayed true to the Rick Duncan persona, voicing regret not so much for any perceived fabrications, but for his shortcomings in advancing veterans' issues. "I believe that people who defended a nation's ideals," he said, "should have ideal treatment from a nation."

[Source: Colorado Spring's The Gazatte Kevin Simpson article 8 Jun 09 ++]

Tricare User Fee Update 38: After three years of rejection, the Pentagon this year gave up, at least temporarily, trying to get Congress to approve increases in Tricare fees that have not changed since the program began some 13 years ago. That doesn’t mean it won’t try again in a future budget request. But streamlining the system with newfound “efficiencies” can, in the meantime, help slow the swift growth of defense health care costs, new Pentagon Comptroller Robert Hale said. Health care costs for active, reserve and retired service members and their families are spiraling out of control, Pentagon officials say. According to a January study by the Defense Business Board, annual defense health care spending could grow to $66 billion by fiscal 2015...up from $19 billion nine years ago. The Pentagon is seeking $47.4 billion to fund health care in fiscal 2010, nearly 9% of its $533.7 billion budget request. “Military health care is eating our budgetary lunch,” Hale said. “We’ve got to find a way to work with Congress to provide high quality health care and slow down the rate of growth.” “The $47 billion. is obviously a significant price tag,” said Cmdr. Darryn James, a Pentagon spokesman. “The Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) will examine health care costs in an attempt to find the necessary efficiencies to slow down the rate of growth.”

    Officials have said to expect the latest QDR...a review of force management issues as well as programs and other priorities...by late summer. Meanwhile, possible health care savings being discussed include continued phase-in of an electronic health records system and promotion of incentives to encourage healthier behaviors among beneficiaries. One move already announced is the 1 MAY launch of an Outpatient Prospective Payment System, which Tricare says will let hospitals know in advance how claims will be processed, reducing overall administrative costs by about $458 million a year when fully operational. The Military Officers Association of America, which strongly opposed fee hikes for years, more recently has said it would not object to fee increases that are proportional to cost-of-living increases in retired pay. But MOAA has long argued that a more efficient health care system would cut costs. The association also continues to promote ideas such as expanded use of mail-order pharmacy services and having Tricare cover co-pays on private insurance plans, which could encourage “working age” retirees to use their employer’s health plans instead of Tricare.

[Source: NavyTimes William H. McMichael article 15 Jun 09 ++]

VA Women Vet Programs Update 03: Momentum is gathering to expand health care services for female veterans, with one of the few remaining disputes (i.e. over the number of days of neonatal care for those receiving maternity care at Veterans Affairs Department facilities) now resolved. Two similar bills, one passed by the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on 21 MAY and the other by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s health panel 4 JUN, try to make VA more accessible and relevant to women, the fastest-growing segment of the veteran population. Lawmakers agree on the key details, including:

* More access to mental health counseling.
* A three-region pilot program in which women who are primary caregivers could use VA employee child care centers while receiving outpatient treatment.
* Internal and external reviews of VA programs to determine whether women face any barriers to care.

    The Senate committee included women’s initiatives in a larger veterans health bill, S.252, while the House is working on a freestanding women’s health bill. The original House bill, H.R.1211, included the promise of up to 14 days of neonatal health care from VA, either directly or by contract, for female veterans receiving VA maternity care. The number of days was scaled back to seven under an amendment sponsored by Rep. Steve Buyer of Indiana, ranking Republican on the full House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, based on input from VA showing that 95% of women are released from the hospital within seven days after birth and that most private health insurance plans cover only 48 hours of post-maternity hospitalization. The Senate bill also provides seven days of care. Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine, chairman of the House health panel, said he believes studies of health care for female veterans called for in the legislation are among the most important provisions because they will look at whether the stigma of seeking mental health services, clinic operating hours, the distance of care and low gender sensitivity are factors discouraging women from getting the treatment they have earned. Michaud said their needs should not “fall by the wayside as we explore ways to improve health care for our veterans.”

[Source: NavyTimes Rick Maze article 15 Jun 09 ++]

Stop-loss Pay: Congressional negotiators working on an $85 billion supplemental war funding bill have agreed to retroactive stop-loss payments for 185,000 people. They also added new education benefits for the children of service members who have died on active duty. The education benefits would provide a free college education for the children of anyone who died on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, or dies on active duty in the future. Children would receive the basic benefits offered under the Post9/11 GI Bill that begins 1 AUG: fully covered tuition and fees up to the maximum in-state rate for undergraduates in each state, plus a monthly living stipend and book allowance. This expansion of the new GI Bill is expected to cost $164 million over 10 years. Benefits would apply to all surviving children, regardless of the deceased military parent’s length of service, and would have to be used before the child reaches age 33. Placing the survivor education and stop-loss benefits in the supplemental bill, whose main purpose is to fund combat operations through the rest of this fiscal year, is a way to get around budget rules that might otherwise derail the initiatives.

    The provisions also might help attract more votes to get the overall supplemental bill passed. There are concerns, especially in the House, that some nonmilitary spending...like $5 billion for the International Monetary Fund...could lead most Republicans and some Democrats to vote against the broader measure. Still, Rep. C.W. Young (R-FL), the House Appropriations Committee’s ranking Republican, said he expects a compromise will be reached so the bill can pass before the July 4 congressional recess, the target date by which the Defense Department says it must have the extra war funding. Retroactive stop-loss payments of up to $500 for every month of involuntary extension are aimed at people whose separation or retirement dates were extended between 9/11, and 30 SEP 08, by stop-loss orders. But the potential payment procedure is unclear, particularly for the many affected people who have long since separated from the military. The services have records of which service members were affected by stop-loss orders, but whether they have current addresses is uncertain. Defense and service officials will have to determine how to make payments using $734 million set aside in the bill for that purpose.

[Source: NavyTimes Rick Maze article 15 Jun 09 ++]

Reserve Benefits Update 02: Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of Army Reserve says, "Reserve and National Guard members today deserve a better return on investment for their frequent deployments and long family separations, and that should include improved health benefits and two ways to retire earlier than age 60." It’s unusual for a senior officer to get so far out in front of Defense Department policymakers, as Stultz has here. He’s not worried, however. “Nobody’s ever going to call you on the carpet if you’re really trying to take care of soldiers,” Stultz said. In an interview in his Pentagon office 5 JUN, he shared his thoughts on modernizing reserve compensation so it more suitably rewards members and families who are sacrificing so much during wartime operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He contrasted current missions for an operational reserve with those assigned to the Cold War-era strategic reserve. “It was one weekend a month, two weeks in the summertime and we’re going to give you some retirement pay when you get to age 60. That’s a pretty good return on investment for me as a soldier,” Stultz said. But today “we want you to leave your job, leave your family and risk your life once every five years,” or even more frequently until the Army is sized properly for current missions. So we have to rethink that (incentive) because I’m not sure if giving retirement at age 60 is an adequate return on investment. Reservists and their families are right to ask if what they’re giving today isn’t out of balance with what they’re getting back”. Stultz supports two concepts for improving reserve retirement.

* The first Congress already has adopted, lowering the age 60 start of reserve annuities by three months for every 90 consecutive days in a given fiscal year that a reservist is mobilized. But, for lack of funds, Congress applied this change only to deployment time after 28 JAN 08. Left out are thousands deployments by Reserve and Guard members since 9/11. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S. C.) has reintroduced a bill, H.R.208, to extend this change to mobilizations since 9/11. “I applaud [those] who want to make it retroactive,” said Stultz. Connecting earlier retirement to time deployed “makes a lot of sense,” he added, because it rewards those making greater sacrifices than reservists who enjoy a more stable lifestyle and less risky assignments.

* The second, which he has talked about with lawmakers about, is to reward soldiers who to serve beyond 20 years, again by lowering the age at which annuities begin. “For every year you stay beyond 20 you can retire six months early. That’s kind of the idea we’ve postulated,” Stultz said.

    Stultz would like to see both provisions to lower reserve retirement age enacted and put to work simultaneously. “You’ve got to cap it though,” he said. No member should be able to draw an annuity before age 55. “Then it becomes unaffordable,” he said. For those who say the changes are too expensive, he counters with figures of his own. “Let’s say I have a sergeant first class and when he retires from the Army Reserve he gets $3000 a month in retirement. That’s $36,000 a year. If he is able to get five more years of retirement, that’s $180,000, a significant amount of money.” But then consider, Stultz said, “how much have I invested in that sergeant first class and [the] cost to replace him.” Given all the training and experience, he said, “we probably invested 10 times that much…So $180,000 is probably a pretty good return on investment if I’m able to get 10 more years of service out of that individual.” Stultz acknowledged that many reservists who already have served 20 years, retired and await the start of retired pay and benefits at 60 will be disappointed if left out of these changes. “That’s just going to have to be a fact of life,” he said. “There are a lot of things that happen in life where they pass a law and say, ‘from this point forward you can be eligible.’ There are a lot of people out there who say, ‘Geez, what about me?’ I don’t think you can make it that retroactive.” First, no budget dollars were set aside to fund earlier retirement for reservists now gone from service, Stultz said. “But also, conditions have changed. And at some point you just have to draw the line…There are a lot of things my kids have available to them that I didn’t have growing up.”

    On health care, drilling reservists need a dental benefit just to satisfy medical readiness requirements, Stultz said. With a strategic reserve, there was time to mobilize units and address dental problems at mobilization stations. With an operational reserve, members have to be ready to deploy. They can’t leave major dental work until they report for duty. Active duty soldiers can visit base dental clinics anytime and get care at government expense. “It’s another thing to say [to reservists] go get your teeth fixed and it’s going to cost you a couple thousand dollars.” He wants some sort of subsidized reserve dental insurance plan. Families, meanwhile, need more stable health care. With every deployment, too many have to shift from employer plans to Tricare and back again, switching doctors in an already stressful period. Stultz want the military begin to subsidize a portion of employer health costs for reserve families if companies agree to continue family coverage through deployment. He illustrated with display board and grease pen how this actually might save money by reducing Tricare transition benefits that overlap now with employer coverage and no longer would be needed for many families.

[Source: Stars & Stripes Tom Philpott article 6 Jun 09 ++]

Tricare Vision Benefits Update 01: Vision care is a Tricare-covered benefit. Below covers how the benefit varies by beneficiary category and service required. For more information refer to the Tricare vision benefit page at http://tricare.mil/mybenefit/ProfileFilter.do?puri=%2Fhome%2FVision

* Active Duty: Active duty service members and family members (ADFM) enrolled in Tricare Prime are allowed a comprehensive eye exam every year with no co-pay. Tricare Standard and Extra ADFM beneficiaries older than 6 years have coverage for one routine eye exam yearly. After the deductible is met, cost-shares will apply for those using Tricare Standard and Extra plans.

* Retirees: Tricare Prime retirees and family members are eligible for one comprehensive eye exam every two years with a network optometrist or ophthalmologist. They may have a $12 co-pay if seen outside the base clinic. Retired beneficiaries with Tricare Standard only have vision benefits when diagnosed with a medical condition such as glaucoma, cataracts or diabetes. Normal deductible and cost shares apply.

* Children: All Tricare-eligible children, regardless of plan, are covered for eye and vision screenings at birth and for a routine exam at 6 months old by their primary or pediatric provider. All family members between the ages of 3 and 6 years are authorized to receive two comprehensive eye exams...including screening for developmental disorders...annually. After age 6, they can receive one exam per year by an ophthalmologist or optometrist depending on their Tricare plan.

* Comprehensive Exams: Eye doctors use a wide variety of tests and procedures to examine your eyes during a comprehensive exam. These tests range from simple ones, like reading an eye chart, to more complex tests. Beneficiaries should receive comprehensive exams through an optometrist or ophthalmologist and do not usually need a referral. Tricare Prime beneficiaries will need a referral for routine eye exams received outside the provider network. Active duty service members must get a referral through their primary care manager (PCM). In addition to preventive exams, Tricare covers most medically necessary eye exams. Diabetic beneficiaries are covered for an eye exam each year with no co-payment, regardless of their sponsor’s military status, although they may pay cost shares. Tricare Prime beneficiaries need referrals for medically necessary visits if they are outside of a military treatment facility (MTF). Beneficiaries can find a list of Tricare network vision care providers in TriWest’s online Provider Directory at http://www.triwest.com Searches can be conducted by location and specialty (for eye care, choose ophthalmology or optometry). Beneficiaries who receive care at an MTF should check to see if that clinic offers special programs for vision care.

* Glasses and Contacts: For active duty service members, eyeglasses are available at military treatment facilities at no charge. All other Tricare beneficiaries have coverage for contact lens or eyeglasses only if they are diagnosed with: Infantile glaucoma, Keratoconus, Dry eyes, Irregularities in the eye’s shape, or loss of human lens function from eye surgery or congenital absence. Replacement lenses, or adjustments, cleaning and repairs of eyeglasses are not covered. Contact screenings and fittings are also not a Tricare-covered benefit unless you have one of the medical conditions listed above.

[Source: Seattle Military Issues Examiner Kristina Jones article 6 Jun 09 ++]

GI Bill Update 48: Colorado will begin offering in-state tuition at 30 public colleges and universities for active-duty members and their families and all honorably discharged veterans under the GI Opportunity Act (H.B.1039), a state law signed 2 JUN by Gov. Bill Ritter. The tuition bill, meant to make Colorado more attractive to current and former service members, aims to reverse a phenomenon in which out-of-state veterans apply and are accepted to state schools, only to end up going somewhere else. Last year, for example, 16 out-of-state veterans were accepted for admission to the University of Colorado at Boulder, but only one ended up attending, said retired Marine Corps Col. Greg Akers, director of the school’s office of veterans’ affairs. Many states are ramping up efforts to attract service members, their families and veterans because of the looming 1 AUG launch of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provides benefits to fully cover the cost of in-state undergraduate tuition at a four-year public college or university. By promising in-state tuition rates to service members, to their families who might get the new GI Bill benefits under a transfer option, and to veterans who don’t live in the state, Colorado is promising free education to a potentially large population.

    The difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates is about $8,000 a year for Colorado state colleges and universities. Resident tuition is based upon full-time enrollment (15 credit hours each semester) for academic year 2008-2009, not including summer. Comparison costs of Colorado higher education institutions can be viewed at http://www.collegeincolorado.com/home.aspx Among other things the site provides a table listing all Colorado institutions along with their campus resident tuition charge, additional mandatory fees, room and board, and Institution type. A section of the website provides virtual tours of each Colorado institution along with contact data. In addition, you can look at campuses by using websites in other states across the country that are similar to those listed for Colorado by selecting the state/site from a provided list. [Source: NavyTimes Rick Maze article 4 Jun 09 ++]

GI Bill Update 49: With the Veterans Affairs Department projecting 460,000 people will try to use the new Post9/11 GI Bill this year, key lawmakers are pledging to wait a year before making any changes to the program that might delay the Aug. 1 launch date. Putting off changes could hurt two kinds of students: private school and graduate students in states where GI Bill benefits will fall short of tuition costs, and students using benefits solely for distance learning, who will not get the program’s monthly living stipend. More than 60,000 service members and veterans had applied in the first six weeks to be certified to receive benefits...a first step that lets them know what level of benefits they might receive based on their years of service. Pre-certification is not required, so it’s only a rough guide to the early popularity of the benefits program, which covers full tuition plus a stipend and book allowance for full-time undergraduate students who qualify for in-state rates.

    In California, the policy of providing free tuition at state schools for in-state students means that GI Bill payments for nonresidents attending public schools and students attending private or graduate schools will be very low...as little as $1,000 at Stanford University, where tuition is $35,000 a year. But in this case, the fact that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Bob Filner, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman, are both California Democrats does not trump a VA warning that any changes in eligibility or benefits could interfere with the 1 AUG launch date. Congressional aides said many lawmakers want to tweak details of the Post-9/11 GI Bill but do not want to risk being blamed if benefits aren’t paid on time. The maximum payment under the new program is capped at the maximum rate charged by each state for in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. While California has no in-state tuition, students pay $6,586.51 in fees. So the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay no tuition for those who are not in-state undergraduates at public schools, but will cover up to $6,586.51 in fees. Some California lawmakers introduced a bill that would make $6,586.51 the tuition cap for the state, rather than the maximum fee reimbursement, but Filner told VA officials that he will not push the measure through his committee this year. Filner also said he supports the living stipend for distance-learning students but is also putting that issue on hold until next year.

    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced 5 JUN that it has entered into more than 700 agreements with institutions of higher learning across the nation to participate in the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s “Yellow Ribbon Program.” Many schools signed agreements for participation in not only undergraduate programs, but graduate and doctoral programs as well. Some schools entered into one agreement that covered all their campuses throughout the United States. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill that allows degree-granting institutions to voluntarily enter into a formal agreement with VA to fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the highest public, in-state undergraduate rates. The institution can contribute up to 50 percent of those expenses and VA will match this additional funding for eligible students. This may enable qualified students to potentially attend school tuition-free. For information on specific schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, refer to http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/YRP/YRP_List.htm

[Source: NavyTimes Rick Maze article 15 Jun 09 ++]

GI Bill Update 50: A Veterans Affairs Department internal Inspector General [IG] report released on 29 MAY found numerous contracting irregularities resulting from an agreement VA signed with the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center to develop information technology systems, including a high-profile network to process veterans' educational benefits claims, which has a deadline for completion in AUG 09. VA signed an interagency agreement with SPAWAR in NOV 07 for the center to provide VA with system development, software programming and project management support. The department has issued 22 so-called amendments against the agreement, representing 30 IT projects, for a total cost of $66 million, according to the IG report. Another $73 million worth of IT work is in the pipeline. But the IG found that:

* VA had not conducted an analysis as required by the Federal Acquisition Regulation as to whether awarding IT contracts to SPAWAR "is in the best interest of the government." The IG also concluded that SPAWAR, not VA, developed requirements for IT projects that "were often broad and general in nature and lacked specific deliverables."

* VA did not know specifics about the agreement, including the fact that SPAWAR was conducting work outside the scope of the agreement and that the center had contracted out 87 percent of the work to outside contractors. These companies subcontracted out the work to other SPAWAR subcontractors, which increased costs because VA "must pay an additional layer of management fees and overhead," the IG said.

* VA "could not tell the IG who was performing the work under the [agreement], how many people were providing services, or where they were located.

* The VA's Office of Enterprise Development was unaware VA was paying SPAWAR a 10%management fee, and the center was "unable to provide justification or authority to charge" the fee, the IG concluded. By comparison, the General Services Administration charges a 3% management fee on IT contracts, and the Defense Information Systems Agency charges a 1.25% management fee.

    The report concluded that VA had "relinquished its oversight of financial performance and work performed under the [agreement] to SPAWAR." The IG reported one of the key VA projects SPAWAR is working on is the development of a claims processing system to support the new GI bill, formally known as the 2008 Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act. But the formal statements of work for the GI bill system consisted of "essentially boilerplate" requirements, which SPAWAR developed and did not address the work the center was supposed to do. Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN), the ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee who requested the IG investigation, said in a statement released on 29 MAY that problems identified in the report could "seriously jeopardize timely delivery of the Post 9/11 GI bill program. I want assurance that VA is prepared to handle the thousands of claims it will receive for education benefits. VA must take immediate action to get the contracting mess with SPAWAR straightened out." Buyer said he asked the IG to "provide me with an in-depth briefing, but it is clear from this disturbing report that VA desperately needs strong and specific reform in their acquisition operations."

    Stephen Warren, principal deputy assistant secretary in the VA's Office of Information and Technology, said that it was unfair to compare the management fees charged by GSA with the higher fees the VA pays SPAWAR. "We did not bring them [SPAWAR] on as a contract management agent," he said. "We are paying them for expertise and consider them a partner." Warren said he found it "problematic" that SPAWAR was subcontracting out VA work, particularly "if we are paying extra fees." The IG recommended VA's Office of Information and Technology craft more clearly defined statements of work for SPAWAR under the agreement and that its Office of Enterprise Development establish a method of determining reasonable cost estimates and improving oversight of contracts to third parties. Warren said the Office of Information Technology considers IG reports as guidance to "help us do our job better" and will work on implementing its recommendations. [Source: Nextgov Bob Brewin article 6 Jun 09 ++]

Vietnam Veterans & Agent Orange: From 1961 to 1971, U.S. military forces sprayed more than 20 million gallons of Agent Orange and other herbicides on forests and crops in southern and central Vietnam. The campaign had both human and environmental consequences. The immediate effect was to defoliate and destroy vegetation over wide areas. The delayed impact came from dioxin, a highly toxic chemical in Agent Orange that is critically harmful to humans. More than 35 years later, dioxin continues to pose significant health and safety concerns. It remains at dangerously high levels in and around former U.S. air bases where planes carrying the toxic spray were based, in some instances contaminating local food chains. A disturbingly high number of birth defects, cancers, and other diseases have struck Vietnamese veterans, civilians, their offspring and those now living in affected regions of Vietnam. Many American veterans of the campaign and their families have experienced health crises too. For decades, the after-effects of dioxin remained an unresolved matter between the United States and Vietnam. The United States sought to avoid what appeared to be an open-ended liability; the Vietnamese were concerned that pushing too hard to address the matter might jeopardize their export-led growth strategy and entry into the World Trade Organization.

    Today, promising initiatives and efforts from diverse constituencies have fostered a new environment of cooperation between the United States and Vietnam. Government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and nonprofit donors are responding to the challenging legacy of Agent Orange. The Ford Foundation has taken a leadership role in the philanthropic community, working to address the impact of dioxin on post-war Vietnam by seeking to increase awareness and resources around a humanitarian agenda. They have published a paper titled "U.S. VIETNAM VETERANS AND AGENT ORANGE: Understanding the Impact 40 Years Later" which is of interest to all Vietnam veterans and their children. The paper was commissioned by the Ford Foundation Special Initiative on Agent Orange/Dioxin and written by the National Organization on Disability (NOD). The production of this paper was inspired in part by NOD's participation in the U.S. Vietnam Dialogue Group on Agent Orange/Dioxin, a bilateral citizens' group of five Vietnamese and five Americans convened by the Ford Foundation. One goal of the Dialogue Group is to make the U.S. public aware of the continuing environmental and health consequences of dioxin contamination in Vietnam resulting from use of Agent Orange by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. A second goal is to mobilize resources and build effective public-private partnerships to respond to those consequences without further delay. This paper adds to those efforts by examining where we are in our own country relative to the affects of Agent Orange on our soldiers and their families.

    Although these issues date back more than 40 years, they remain critically important for at least two reasons. First, it is still not too late to correct lapses in the nation's treatment of veterans who were exposed to dioxin during the Vietnam War. Many of them began reporting high rates of illness and disability soon after their wartime service, and yet waited many years (and in some cases are still waiting) for a fair resolution to their concerns. Those concerns now extend to health effects among their children and grandchildren. Many of the effects are still poorly understood and officially unrecognized. Second, these issues continue to resonate is that the use of chemicals on the world's battlefields has only increased in the years since the Vietnam War ended. One lesson of the Agent Orange experience has been that the consequences of using such chemicals are rarely easy to predict, and that the burdens they impose may well be borne for generations, long after the original causes of conflict have been resolved. It is timely for our nation to address war legacies, past and present, and make good on our promise to care for our own.

    Those interested can review the paper which I have included as a Bulletin attachment. If unable to open the attachment let me know and I will forward a copy to you. It content is too lengthy to summarize in one article as it encompasses the following:

* Historical Summary of the Issue.
* The Early Years: A Trickle of Information and Tentative Responses.
* A Decade of Lost Time, then the Start of an Organized Response.
* Science and Eligibility: Piecemeal Expansion.
* The Fate of the 'Ranch Hand' Data.
* The Situation Today: Who is Eligible?
* The Available Benefits and Services.
* What’s Needed: Five Recommendations for Greater Clarity and Justice.

    Understanding the Impact 40 Years Later U.S. Vietnam Veterans and Agent Orange:

    National Organization on Disability, With funding from the Ford Foundation, Special Initiative on Agent Orange/Dioxin  
June 1, 2009

* Foreword...

    The following paper was commissioned by the Ford Foundation Special Initiative on Agent Orange/Dioxin and written by the National Organization on Disability (NOD). The paper benefits extensively from independent research conducted for NOD in 2008 by Mary Carstensen, U.S. Army, Colonel (retired) and from additional research and analysis in 2008 and 2009 by Mary E. Dolan-Hogrefe, Vice President and Senior Advisor, NOD.

    The production of this paper was inspired in part by NOD’s participation in the U.S.-Vietnam Dialogue Group on Agent Orange/Dioxin, a bilateral citizens’ group of five Vietnamese and five Americans convened by the Ford Foundation. Further information is available at http://www.fordfound.org/programs/signature/agentorange/issue One goal of the Dialogue Group is to make the U.S. public aware of the continuing environmental and health consequences of dioxin contamination in Vietnam resulting from use of Agent Orange by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. A second goal is to mobilize resources and build effective public-private partnerships to respond to those consequences without further delay. This paper adds to those efforts by examining where we are in our own country relative to the affects of Agent Orange on our soldiers and their families.

    Although these issues date back more than 40 years, they remain critically important for at least two reasons. First, it is still not too late to correct lapses in the nation’s treatment of veterans who were exposed to dioxin during the Vietnam War. Many of them began reporting high rates of illness and disability soon after their wartime service, and yet waited many years (and in some cases are still waiting) for a fair resolution to their concerns. Those concerns now extend to health effects among their children and grandchildren. Many of the effects are still poorly understood and officially unrecognized.

    The second reason these issues continue to resonate is that the use of chemicals on the world’s battlefields has only increased in the years since the Vietnam War ended. One lesson of the Agent Orange experience has been that the consequences of using such chemicals are rarely easy to predict, and that the burdens they impose may well be borne for generations, long after the original causes of conflict have been resolved.
It is timely for our nation to address war legacies, past and present, and make good on our promise to care for our own.

    Between 1962 and 1971, the United States sprayed approximately 20 million gallons of dioxin-contaminated herbicides over some 6 million acres of Vietnamese terrain. Among these was a compound known as Agent Orange, named for the orange stripe on its label (other varieties were marked with different colors but were less widely used). These chemicals wiped out forests and crops that were used by opposition forces for cover and food. In the course of this, hundreds of thousands of U.S. service personnel and millions of Vietnamese were exposed to the chemicals in the air, water, and soil and through food raised on contaminated farms.

    Agent Orange consisted mainly of two weed killers in common commercial use at the time. One of these contained small amounts of a contaminant technically named 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, or TCDD, known to be toxic in humans. TCDD accumulates in human fatty tissue, where it is neither readily metabolized nor excreted, so its effects can linger and build over time. In April 1970, the federal government found evidence that TCDD had caused birth defects in laboratory mice (it was later linked to other conditions as well). Yet Agent Orange continued to be used in Vietnam for another eight months.

    By the time the war ended in May 1975, more than 2.5 million American military personnel had served in Vietnam’s combat zones. The precise number of Americans, Vietnamese, and people of other nationalities who were directly exposed to Agent Orange...like much else about the herbicide and its effects...is not documented anywhere. Yet the wholesale use of the chemical across the entire theater, together with its long-term persistence at several former US military bases in Vietnam, makes it highly likely that a significant percentage of the 2-3 million combat veterans came into some contact with Agent Orange during their service.

    The many uncertainties surrounding wartime use of Agent Orange...over the exact number of people exposed, the level of exposure likely to be harmful, and the specific conditions that could result...hampered both medical care and policymaking for years. Nearly two decades after the war’s end, the Agent Orange Act of 1991 sought to cut through the medical and scientific quandaries by establishing two official presumptions: that veterans who served in Vietnam from 1962 to the end of the war were exposed to Agent Orange, and that those diagnosed with certain illnesses associated with TCDD would have developed those illnesses at least partly as a result of their service in Vietnam. Yet 15 years after the law was passed, fewer than half a million Vietnam veterans had undergone the standard Agent Orange examination offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to identify possible effects of their exposure.

    Veterans who ask for and receive the official exam are entered into an Agent Orange Registry that started in 1978. It contained 490,000 names as of 2007, along with useful demographic and medical information. But there is no database listing the other, unexamined veterans who, by law, were presumptively exposed to poison. The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains a nominal outreach effort to alert such veterans and to help them navigate the process of examination, diagnosis, applications, and care that could help them. But veterans and their advocacy organizations report that the service is not widely used or effective, so the universe of unserved veterans remains something of a mystery. There is not even a source of data on the number of Vietnam veterans who are already receiving compensation or medical care for conditions related to Agent Orange, unless they happen to have undergone the official exam.

    There is, in short, a presumed entitlement to care, services, and monetary assistance for America’s Agent Orange victims, but no overarching system for fulfilling that entitlement except the private knowledge, initiative, and perseverance of each individual veteran. More than 50 voluntary organizations...nearly all of them formed by veterans themselves...manage to reach and help many former service members. But these Veterans Service Organizations have many competing priorities and limited resources, and are responding to the consequences of more recent wars.

    Meanwhile, the official list of diseases that are recognized as herbicide-related has grown only sporadically, in response to an underfunded and uneven process of epidemiological research and bureaucratic deliberation. More than a decade after the war’s end, only one illness...the disfiguring skin disease chloracne...was officially recognized as connected to wartime Agent Orange exposure. Others have since been added, little by little, often after prolonged scientific and governmental debate. Many illnesses that Vietnam veterans suspect are associated with contaminated herbicides, such as brain or testicular cancer, still are not considered service-related and thus are not eligible for benefits.

    To be sure, epidemiological research is slow by nature, and some delay in identifying the effects of Agent Orange exposure would have been unavoidable. Certain symptoms may take years to develop, and patterns and connections sometimes become apparent only over long periods. Any process of recognizing conditions and assessing their degree of connection to dioxin (rather than, say, to individual circumstances like heredity or tobacco use) would have taken time. But research on Agent Orange was riddled with challenges from the start...scientific, political and financial. The result was to transform a necessarily painstaking process into one with even greater...and partly avoidable...delays. For veterans and their families, struggling with unexplained illnesses, disabilities, and death, every needless delay poses a severe cost that cannot be repaid later.

    The harm resulting from dioxin use now extends well beyond the generation that fought in Vietnam. In 2007, the VA reported that 1,200 children of exposed veterans had some degree of disability resulting from Spina Bifida, a birth defect closely associated with TCDD. Some 200 of these disabilities were severe. Many of these children became eligible for compensation thanks to a 1996 act of Congress. But other birth defects, learning disabilities, and childhood illnesses are not recognized, even though recent evidence shows several of them to be more common among the offspring of exposed Vietnam veterans. Little research has been done to establish which of these conditions may be related to Agent Orange, which means that no basis yet exists for determining how and whether the affected families may ever become eligible for support. Despite evidence of cross-generational effects of Agent Orange dating back nearly four decades, there remains no routine means of examining the children or grandchildren of Vietnam veterans, nor any system of compensation or support for the vast majority of children and their families.

    At a minimum, men and women who risked their lives for the U.S. war effort in Vietnam...and who in the process were exposed not only to enemy hostility but to poison from their own side...are entitled to a simple, consistent way of learning about and receiving the compensation and support to which the law already entitles them. But more broadly, the process by which eligible illnesses are recognized and addressed under this law should not be mired in technical disputes and plodding deliberation nearly 35 years after the war’s end. Research and data-gathering need to accelerate to a pace that begins to make up for decades of procedural delay and that fills in the gaps in basic information on exposure, medical consequences, and benefits delivered.

    Most far-reaching of all, veterans’ children and (it now seems) grandchildren who are born with the effects of inherited contamination should have a clear, reliable source of medical and social services. The sluggish pace of research on Agent Orange contamination has meant that, for decades, parents have been unaware of the risks that they and their children would face, and thus have raised families without essential information, much less services, that might have reduced suffering and improved opportunity for unknown thousands of children.

    This paper concludes with a more specific list of recommendations and gaps to be filled. But first it is useful to survey, briefly, how matters got to their present state, and how veterans currently fare in the complex process of learning about, diagnosing, treating, and living with the lingering effects of Agent Orange.

* The Early Years: A Trickle of Information and Tentative Responses

    By the mid-1970s, returning Vietnam veterans were experiencing higher-than-average rates of certain disabling and life-threatening illnesses, including diabetes and various cancers, that were later shown to be associated with TCDD and Agent Orange. Increasingly unwell, and often unable to work, many sought information from established veterans’ organizations or the Veterans Administration, usually to little avail. One early source of information, an Agent Orange Hotline organized with Ford Foundation support in the late 1970s, brought forth a flood of inquiries. It received 50,000 calls in its first year, most from veterans with unexplained illnesses or concerns about their health who had no source of information on what was happening to them or what to do about it.

    Even once they were armed with preliminary information, concerned veterans still had few opportunities for comparing notes, organizing, and collectively making their concerns known. The formation of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) in 1978 provided an important network of support and advocacy, and it remains one of the Veterans’ Service Organizations chartered by Congress to prepare, present, and prosecute claims for services and benefits. At the time, herbicide-related illnesses were beginning to appear in large numbers, however, these organizations were new and still gathering resources to take up the cause.

    Four other developments, beginning around the same time that VVA was founded, helped form a critical basis of fact and law to buttress veterans’ fears that exposure to Agent Orange was damaging their health and that of their children. One was a class-action product liability lawsuit that was filed in 1978 against five manufacturers (two others were added later) involved in the production of tainted herbicides or their components. The suit was settled six years later for $180 million, though the companies expressly denied liability or wrongdoing and maintained that “this action is without merit.”

    A portion of that sum was paid out as cash benefits to veterans who could demonstrate “total disability” at any time between 1971 and 1994...a group that ended up comprising about 50,000 people, a small minority of the plaintiff class. Nor were the payments to this group large: Initial checks, mailed in 1989, ranged between $340 and $3,400 , the equivalent of $560 to $5,600 in 2007 dollars. Over time, the average benefit was estimated to be $5,700 in 1989 dollars, roughly $9,500 today. Those who developed illnesses and became disabled after 1994...a common outcome, given the durability of TCDD in the body and the slow onset of many related illnesses...were not covered and received nothing.

    More than a quarter of the total settlement was paid not to veterans, but to health and human service organizations, including veterans’ groups, that offered outreach, respite care and other support services, case management, and treatment for veterans and their families. The service grants, called the Agent Orange Class Assistance Program, helped to demonstrate the effectiveness of local outreach, case management, and community-based service delivery to veterans’ whole families as a way of reaching and serving those suffering from the lingering effects of exposure...a lesson the Veterans Administration later incorporated into other programs.
    Also in the late ’70s, two studies began that would eventually provide a body of evidence on the effects of dioxin contamination. One, by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, focused on workers in private industry, not on military personnel. But the number of people in the study, more than 5,000, made it by far the largest examination of dioxin exposure yet undertaken. A report from this study, released in the 1990s, found evidence of a link between dioxin and diabetes.

    A second and better-known study, an epidemiological analysis commissioned by the U.S. Air Force, focused on some of the most intensively exposed veterans: 1,200 members of Operation Ranch Hand, the team that conducted much of the actual spraying of herbicides in Vietnam. Early results of the Ranch Hand study, published in 1984, contained findings that the Air Force described as “reassuring” to the exposed veterans, showing little difference between their health and that of other service members.

    A decade later, however, an investigative report in the San Diego Union-Tribune revealed far more disturbing data from the Ranch Hand research that the Air Force had chosen not to publish. Among other things, the scientists conducting the analysis had actually found, in the newspaper’s words, “that the Ranch Hand veterans were, by a ratio of 5 to 1, ‘less well’ than the comparison group.” Study participants, according to the article, had also reported “significantly more birth defects among their children than did the other veterans

    To clarify the facts, the Yale School of Nursing later examined birth defects among the children of Ranch Hand veterans. In 2003 the Yale researchers reported “evidence of a connection between Vietnam veterans’ exposure to the defoliant Agent Orange in Southeast Asia and the occurrence of birth defects and developmental disabilities in their children.” It concluded that “the children of Vietnam veterans constitute a likely vulnerable population as a consequence of their fathers’ potential Vietnam service dioxin exposure.”

    In later years, Air Force reports from the Ranch Hand study would eventually furnish further evidence of health consequences for veterans themselves. A Ranch Hand report in 2000, for example, produced what researchers characterized as “the strongest evidence to date that herbicide exposure [was] associated with diabetes and some of its known complications.” The Air Force research that began in the 1970s continued for nearly three decades, ending in 2006. Its resulting trove of survey and medical data and biospecimens from study participants remains in the custody of the National Academy of Sciences. It may therefore be available for further research...a resource that will figure in the recommendations later in this paper.

    A fourth significant development of the late 1970s was the Veterans Administration’s creation of the Agent Orange Registry and the assignment of a “Registry Physician” at every VA medical center to administer a standard, extensive examination to veterans concerned about their exposure to Agent Orange. The registry is a computer database containing the results of these exams, along with other information on the veterans. But more fundamentally, the creation of the Registry system was the government’s first major effort to offer dedicated medical attention to veterans specifically focused on their exposure to tainted herbicides. It set the precedent for offering treatment for herbicide-related illnesses to veterans...though not to their families and, most critically, not to children and grandchildren who may also be affected. Patients who undergo the Registry exams get regular updates on Agent Orange from the Department of Veterans Affairs. These provided a useful, if limited, network of communication in what was otherwise a near-total information void in much of the 1970s and ’80s.

    All the same, in these early years, the effects and extent of exposure to Agent Orange were still widely disputed. There was no presumptive eligibility for treatment. Veterans who came forward for Registry exams were generally those who had become convinced, mostly on their own, that they had reason for concern. And it was then their responsibility to convince the government. There was no routine outreach to other veterans, most of whom would have had no way of knowing, beyond voluntary organizations and the informal veterans’ grapevine, that their illnesses, or those of their children, might be related to herbicides in Vietnam.

    Although the Registry is meant as a clinical resource, not a research tool, it contains a wealth of data on nearly half a million Vietnam veterans presumably exposed to Agent Orange, and could provide a useful basis for future study. Properly expanded, with extensive outreach to more veterans and inclusion of spouses, children, and grandchildren, it could become the kind of central information source for policy and services that has been lacking for more than three decades. But even in its rudimentary form, like the liability litigation and the early epidemiological research, the Registry established a platform for inquiry, policy, and action. Unfortunately, little was built on that platform, and much remains to be built to this day.

* A Decade of Lost Time, then the Start of an Organized Response

     At the end of the 1970s, the White House and the Veterans Administration each established interdisciplinary groups to investigate and develop policy on exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Carter and Reagan Administrations had interagency teams charged with identifying areas that need study, reporting the results of research, and formulating recommendations. The Veterans Administration established an Advisory Committee on Health-Related Effects of Herbicides, which met three times a year throughout the 1980s. The VA also began publishing an annual survey of scientific and clinical literature on herbicides, which it updated regularly until 1994. Midway through the decade, Congress mandated the creation of yet another VA Advisory Committee, this one focused on disability compensation for Agent Orange exposure, among other environmental hazards.

    Yet despite all this seemingly high-level attention, the ’80s saw little practical progress in officially recognizing the effects of herbicide exposure, responding to the escalating reports of illnesses among veterans and their children, or formulating any deliberate plans or policies for doing so. One exception was in 1981, when Congress made it explicit that veterans exposed to Agent Orange would be presumed eligible for VA health care services, unless their condition was shown to be the result of something other than herbicides. This made it possible for veterans to seek treatment for conditions they regarded as related to wartime exposure, though the standard for whether any particular condition would qualify for treatment remained somewhat ambiguous. In any event, the law dealt only with eligibility for medical care; it did not address the question of whether disabilities resulting from herbicide exposure should entitle exposed veterans, or their survivors, to disability compensation.

    In 1984, another law, the Veterans’ Dioxin and Radiation Exposure Compensation Standards Act, likewise seemed, at first, to be a step forward in dealing with the mounting reports of harm from Vietnam-era pesticides. The express purpose of the act was “to ensure that disability compensation is provided to veterans for all disabilities arising after (service in Vietnam) that are connected, based on sound scientific and medical evidence, to such service.” Among other things, the new law mandated that the Veterans Administration establish an advisory committee to review scientific literature and recommend new rules to govern claims for dioxin-related illnesses and disabilities. Unfortunately, after more than a year of study and consultation, the VA issued new regulations in 1986 reasserting that only one disease, chloracne, met the law’s standard of “sound scientific and medical evidence.”

    Meanwhile official studies were purporting to conclude that all was well with herbicide exposure, and that veterans had nothing to fear from their service in Vietnam. Yet according to the San Diego Union-Tribune’s review of this period, more alarming information was already beginning to emerge from the Ranch Hand study...for example, data showing above-average rates of birth defects among the children of Ranch Hand veterans. But this information did not become public for nearly another decade.

    The main progress on Agent Orange in the 1980s took place largely outside of government. The most immediately significant was the settlement of the product liability lawsuit in 1984, with the consequent funding of compensation and services, five years later, for a limited number of veterans. Toward the end of the decade, two other sources of information lent further strength to the concerns about inherited effects of herbicide exposure among children of Vietnam veterans. The first was a literature survey by the Agent Orange Scientific Task Force, jointly sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Legion, and the National Veterans’ Legal Services Project. Its 1990 report found evidence of a link between Agent Orange exposure and several birth defects, including Spina Bifida, oral clefts, cardiovascular defects, hip dislocations, and malformations of the urinary tract. In the same year, the National Birth Defect Registry, maintained by the nonprofit Association for Birth Defect Children, began collecting data on the children of Vietnam veterans. Two years later, the Association reported to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs that “a pattern of functional problems in Vietnam veterans’ children is emerging” in the registry data, including high levels of learning, attention, and behavioral disorders. The data also suggested a high incidence of skin and allergic disorders, asthma, immune deficiencies, and tooth problems. Though information in the registry is self-reported, the results provide a useful basis for further research.

    Perhaps the most consequential event of the 1980s occurred at the very end of the decade, when a federal district court in California ruled that the VA had for years been using “too restrictive a standard to determine whether a disease is sufficiently linked to Agent Orange to qualify as service-connected.” In the first of several rulings in the case of Nehmer v. U.S. Veterans’ Administration, the court ordered the VA to rescind its 1986 regulation limiting Agent Orange disability claims solely to cases of chloracne and voided all decisions on disability claims that had been made under that regulation. Together with a subsequent Stipulation and Order, the ruling required the VA to use a more flexible standard in determining which conditions were connected to herbicide exposure in military service, and then, when new conditions were recognized, to award retroactive benefits dating back to the time the veteran originally filed a claim.

    Veterans’ dissatisfaction with the government’s slow, halting evaluation of herbicide-related conditions...a dissatisfaction that the court ratified in Nehmer, and that members of Congress increasingly shared...finally led to significant legislative action in 1991. In the Agent Orange Act, Congress began by declaring that veterans “who, during active military, naval, or air service, served in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era” would now be presumed to have been exposed to dioxin-contaminated herbicides. Any disease recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as associated with herbicide exposure would thus be presumed to be service-related, so that veterans with resulting disabilities would automatically be eligible for compensation. In the Act, Congress specified two forms of cancer...non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and some soft-tissue sarcomas...that would, along with chloracne, now be presumed to be the result of wartime exposure to dioxin.

    Though the act expanded eligibility for compensation, the number of veterans and families who benefited from it was not large... approximately 2,300 veterans and 1,400 survivors. But the Agent Orange Act also took an important scientific step by directing that the National Academy of Sciences take over the responsibility for reviewing research on the health effects of herbicide and dioxin exposure and synthesizing it, every two years, into findings and recommendations. These biennial reports have since become the basis for most future decisions on whether a given disease would be formally recognized as herbicide-related. The Academy’s independence, and its experience in conducting, managing, and reviewing high-quality research, brought a level of credibility, consistency, and authority to the research on Agent Orange that had been lacking for decades. But it also brought a degree of academic caution and a hesitancy in the face of methodological obstacles that have continued to frustrate veterans...many of whom had already been waiting a decade for a response to their conditions, and whose children and grandchildren would still be waiting many years longer.

* Science and Eligibility: Piecemeal Expansion

    Twice in the 1990s, the Clinton Administration enlarged the list of conditions recognized as herbicide-related, so that by 1996 the number had tripled. Just as significant, following a 1996 report of the Institute of Medicine (the arm of the National Academy of Sciences designated to carry out Agent Orange research), Congress authorized a monthly monetary allowance, along with health care and vocational training, for male Vietnam veterans’ children who were born with Spina Bifida. It was the first time federal policy had recognized a cross-generational effect of herbicide contamination and made the affected children eligible for benefits.

    Other childhood illnesses and disabilities, however, were not included, and it is likely that many affected children remain ineligible. In 2000, Congress extended benefits to children with certain other birth defects and childhood disabilities, provided that they are the offspring of women who served in Vietnam. The effects of dioxin on the children of male veterans, other than Spina Bifida, remains a heavily debated question with no consensus in view.

    Even as the list of compensable conditions was gradually expanding throughout the ’90s, the probability that Vietnam veterans would actually receive benefits for the illnesses they and their children were experiencing remained low. The San Diego Union-Tribune, in its 1998 exposé on Agent Orange, attempted to quantify the odds: Of more than 92,000 herbicide-related claims from veterans and their survivors as of that year, the Department of Veterans Affairs had approved fewer than 6,000, or about 6 percent. Yet even those numbers understate the imbalance between the universe of veterans with health concerns and those receiving benefits. Given that, according to Vietnam Veterans of America, close to 80 percent of veterans receive their health care outside the VA system...from doctors who may have limited knowledge of Agent Orange, its possible effects, or the availability of benefits...it is likely that the number of applicants was considerably smaller than it would have been if all veterans were aware of the risks and the possibility of receiving help. Nor had scientists and federal officials yet reached conclusions on many other illnesses that Vietnam veterans and their families were experiencing and that were widely suspected of being connected to dioxin.

    One prime suspect, as the 1990s were drawing to a close, was Type 2 diabetes. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, in its study of civilian manufacturing employees, had found a connection between dioxin exposure and diabetes, but the Institute of Medicine had not found sufficient evidence of such a connection in the case of veterans. However, the Institute left open the possibility of reevaluating that conclusion, and in 1999, the Department of Veterans Affairs asked it to convene a special committee to study the question. A year later, a new Air Force report based on analysis of the Ranch Hand data presented what it called the “strongest evidence to date” of a link between herbicides and diabetes. That report was likewise sent to the Institute for review. Finally, in late 2000, the verdict was reached: The Institute of Medicine concluded that there was “limited/suggestive evidence” of a link between herbicide or dioxin exposure and diabetes...though it cautioned that other factors like heredity, physical inactivity, and obesity tended to outweigh the odds of increased risk from herbicide exposure. In the end, the Clinton Administration took its cue from the earlier studies and added Type 2 diabetes to the list of eligible conditions.

    And so it has gone, year by year: an outpouring of concern from veterans and their families, followed by years of conflicting studies and methodological disputes, ending...sometimes...with a referee’s decision by the VA. By this route, chronic lymphocytic leukemia was added to the presumptive-eligibility list in 2003; primary amyloidosis followed three years later. Meanwhile, Congress and successive administrations have periodically called for additional studies, and surveys of studies, often with results that fail to resolve the underlying controversies.

    For veterans, their children, and their grandchildren, of course, the unresolved questions are neither abstract nor remote. A comment on a veterans’ advocacy blog, from a Vietnam veteran identified only as Freddy, tells a typical story of alarm and frustration over children who share their father’s illnesses, but are barred from VA treatment or other benefits:

    I have two children whom I’ve told repeatedly to be screened for AO [Agent Orange] because they have rashes that break out in areas that change randomly, it seems. I have the same. The difference is that the VAMC [VA Medical Center] recognizes mine but will not screen them. I know of or have heard of many, many children of Vietnam vets who suffer from a whole host of health issues who are in need of recognition, admission, and treatment.

    In another veterans’ blog, Racheal Zimmerman, the daughter of a Marine who served in Vietnam in the 1960s, describes the confusion and fear that her generation has experienced, both in its own right and as parents of a third generation starting its life under the Agent Orange cloud:

    I am getting the same problems as the actual veterans [exposed to] Agent Orange have. From very early on in life, I would get these horrible sores under my arms that later spread to my face. I think it is chloracne. I have scars from it. I also have had gastrointestinal problems and numbness in my hands and feet. I now have two children, they are 6 and 8, and now they are getting rashes on their skin. My father has renal clear cell carcinoma, which is not listed as one of the cancers on the Agent Orange list. … Today I made a call to the Department of Defense and the local VA, and both places told me they have never heard of any of the children of the veterans having any problems. It’s hard to get a diagnosis when doctors don’t realize anything much about Agent Orange.

    The current pattern of episodic research and reactive policy has left several unanswered questions...a series of gaps in knowledge and service into which Freddy and Racheal Zimmerman and many thousands of other veterans and their relatives continue to fall. For some issues, considerably more data will be required to reach a solid conclusion. For other matters, however, valuable data already exists and needs only to be put to systematic, deliberate use.

* The Fate of the "Ranch Hand" Data...

    For more than 25 years, the Air Force collected data and specimens from service members who had been among the most severely exposed to Agent Orange. The uses of that information, as we have seen, were not always consistent or persuasive. Yet the data and specimens themselves, which include information on 8,100 live births to Ranch Hand parents, are tremendously valuable: they constitute the only body of epidemiological information, gathered consistently over time, on a group known to be at high risk.

    In the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003, Congress asked the Institute of Medicine whether the collected information...serial survey data, health examination records, and serial biospecimens...ought to be preserved. The IOM responded in 2006 that these assets should be maintained and made available for future research by a wider range of scientists. A year later, at Congress’ instruction, the Air Force sent the Institute’s Medical Follow-Up Agency electronic copies of the survey and health-exam data and moved the specimens into a newly renovated biospecimen bank at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The agency’s current mandate is to facilitate research on the material through federal fiscal year 2012.

    Unfortunately, it has yet to receive dedicated money with which to manage a research program. A section of the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act directed the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide the money for maintenance and new research. As this is written, the Institute is pursuing that funding.

    The value of continued use of this information is illustrated by a study published in March 2008, based on earlier years of work on the Ranch Hand data. By sorting the data according to how long each veteran had been exposed to spraying, and the total length of time each had served in Vietnam, among other things, the researchers discovered that findings in earlier studies had understated the risk veterans faced from prolonged exposure. Opening the data to further independent inquiry would almost certainly help in filling in information and addressing still-unexamined questions. But first, the funding for storing the data and managing researchers’ access would have to be assured.

    Even more valuable would be the collection of additional, more recent information from the study participants and their families. But that would add a considerable layer of complexity and cost. Now that the study has been discontinued, all the original participants would have to be re-contacted and agree to renewed participation. All the privacy and ethical issues surrounding human-subject research would have to be confronted anew, with no clear source of money to pay for the process. Yet even without addressing those challenges, for now it would be valuable simply to know that research will continue on the information already collected, and that researchers of many kinds will have access to it beyond 2012.

The Situation Today: Who is Eligible?

    As of the end of 2008, disabilities connected with the following conditions were recognized as service-related for most Vietnam veterans, based on their presumed wartime exposure to dioxin-contaminated herbicides:

* Chloracne (must occur within one year of exposure to herbicides).
* Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
* Soft tissue sarcoma...other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, omesothelioma.
* Hodgkin’s disease.
* Porphyria cutanea tarda...must occur within one year of exposure.
* Multiple myeloma.
* Respiratory cancers, including cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus.
* Prostate cancer.
* Acute and subacute transient peripheral neuropathy...must appear within one year of exposure and resolve within two years of onset.
* Type 2 diabetes.
* Chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
* Primary (AL) amyloidosis.

    For children of Vietnam veterans , Spina Bifida (but not Spina Bifida Occulta) is recognized as linked to their parents’ exposure to herbicides. For the children of female veterans only, a wide variety of birth defects and childhood disabilities is recognized as service-related, including these:

* Achondroplasia.
* Cleft lip and cleft palate.
* Congenital heart disease.
* Congenital talipes equinovarus...clubfoot.
* Esophageal and intestinal atresia.
* Hallerman-Streiff syndrome.
* Hip dysplasia.
* Hirschprung’s disease...congenital megacolon.
* Hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis.
* Hypospadias.
* Imperforate anus.
* Neural tube defects.
* Poland syndrome.
* Pyloric stenosis.
* Sundactyly...fused digits.
* Tracheoesophageal fistula.
* Undescended testicle.
* Williams syndrome.

    Although Vietnam veterans are presumed eligible for benefits if they are disabled by these illnesses, that does not mean that enrolling for benefits is easy or automatic. Veterans must apply specifically for disability compensation; participation in a health registry, for example, does not substitute for filing a claim. The claim process can be complex and time consuming, particularly if the claim is initially denied and appeals become necessary.

    It is difficult to know just how big a population is included in today’s sphere of eligibility. No publicly accessible database tracks the number of Vietnam veterans receiving disability compensation or medical care for conditions presumed to be caused by Agent Orange. While information on medical conditions, disability compensation, average income, and education levels is available for Vietnam-era veterans generally, the data do not identify those whose claims are connected to Agent Orange.

    Once a service member is discharged, he or she becomes a private citizen. From that point, military records are closed, unless veterans contact the VA on their own. Even when they do, the Veterans Benefit Administration and the Veterans Health Administration (both divisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs) maintain separate information systems, which are not linked. The resulting fragmentation is more than just an obstacle to research. In this system, veterans may be diagnosed with and receive care for a debilitating injury by one of the Department’s branches, but due to the lack of a common database to monitor care and benefits, they may not receive the full array of benefits, or even have contact with the potential sources of those benefits.

    Identifying the children of Vietnam veterans is an even greater challenge. The main systems and organizations that serve children ...school systems, health care, state and local governments...do not typically ask if a child’s parent is a veteran. Some might well consider the question intrusive. Meanwhile, the VA system would also not collect this information, given that it is responsible for veterans’ health and benefits, not those of their families. Any attempt to find and assess the grandchildren of veterans clearly becomes even more difficult in the absence of any regular source of information.

The Available Benefits and Services...

    The level of disability benefits for veterans with Agent Orange–related conditions depends on the severity of the disability. These are the amounts for which veterans were eligible in 2008:

Monthly VA Disability
Compensation Rates 2008
Percent Disabled
No Family    Veteran & Spouse
  10% $123                —
  20% $243                —
  30% $376             $421
  40% $541             $601
  50% $770             $845
  60% $974             $1,064
  70% $1,228          $1,333
  80% $1,427          $1,547
 90%  $1,604          $1,739
100% $2,673          $2,823

    The number of Vietnam veterans receiving disability compensation specifically because of Agent Orange is not published, nor is the level of their disabilities and the benefits they receive. The Institute for Defense Analyses estimated in 2006 that Vietnam veterans generally received an average annual compensation of $11,670, tax free. Compensation for children is offered in three levels, based on the severity of the condition rather than on a percentage of disability. Benefits range from $270 a month at the lowest level to a maximum of $1,586 monthly.

    Veterans who are not rated as 100 percent disabled, yet are unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities, can qualify for compensation at the 100 percent rate under a program called Individual Unemployability. To qualify, the veteran must have either...

* One service-connected disability rated at 60 percent or higher, or
* Two or more such disabilities, at least one of which is rated at 40 percent or higher, and all of which add up to a combined rating of 70 percent or higher.

    Of all the veteran cohorts receiving compensation, those who served during the Vietnam era are the most frequent recipients of Individual Unemployability benefits...more than 12 percent of Vietnam-era veterans receive these payments, compared with an average of 8.4 percent. The average level of benefits in this program is $29,035 a year in 2008.

    Veterans who served on the ground in Vietnam are also eligible for cost-free hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for any disease on the approved list, depending on the veteran’s income and the amount of money available in the VA budget. In the Veterans’ Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, Congress mandated that priority hospital and medical care be offered to certain categories of veterans, specifically including those who had been exposed to herbicides in Vietnam. It established seven levels of priority for various groups of veterans, and assigned those exposed to Agent Orange to the second-lowest priority level, unless their particular condition happened to qualify them for a higher tier. Even so, having a place in the priority hierarchy assures Vietnam veterans of a secure route to health care, provided they enroll with the Veterans Health Administration. Even enrolled veterans whose illness have not been recognized as herbicide-related nonetheless have priority access to medical care and hospital services, though nursing home care is available to them only if they qualify as low-income and VA resources are available. Children with Spina Bifida, and children with certain other disabilities whose mothers are veterans, likewise have explicit access to care. Other children, however...including many children of male veterans who have disabilities that are suspected of being related to their fathers’ wartime service...are not eligible for VA medical care at all.

    Veterans with service-connected disabilities such as the diseases on the Agent Orange list may also be eligible for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program. The available services include job-search assistance, vocational evaluation and training, and supportive rehabilitation services. The program provides up to 48 months of free tuition plus textbooks and a monthly stipend of $541 for a single veteran and $791 for those with two family members. The stipend is in addition to disability compensation. For those whose disabilities are severe, the Department also offers help in living as independently as possible. Eligibility for these services is generally available for 12 years from the time the Department determines that they have at least a ten percent rating for a service-connected disability.

    Some children may be eligible for education benefits...a fixed monthly payment for up to 45 months...if their veteran parent meets certain criteria. For example, a child could receive these benefits if his or her parent is determined to be 100 percent disabled due to a service-incurred disability that is rated permanent, or if the child’s parent dies while such a rating was in effect. If the parent’s cause of death was a service-related disability, or if the parent was a service member who died in the line of duty, those circumstances would also make the child eligible for education benefits.

    Like all veterans, those with disabilities related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam can apply for benefits. They have access to VA-guaranteed mortgages that are generally available to veterans, as well as a special one-time grant to help severely disabled veterans pay for adaptations to their homes to accommodate their disability. A service-connected disability also may qualify a veteran for one-time financial assistance in buying a car equipped to accommodate the disability. Life insurance, up to a maximum benefit of $10,000, is also available to those with a service-connected disability, though the premium calculation is complicated relative to the size of the benefit. Some of these benefits are means-tested, meaning that they are available only to veterans whose income is low enough to qualify.

What’s Needed: Five Recommendations for Greater Clarity and Justice.

    Although the list of possible benefits available to a veteran exposed to Agent Orange may seem long, many are of modest scale at best. Yet the problem is not solely, or even primarily, the adequacy of the benefits. The greater problem lies in the many obstacles that keep people from receiving support that they need and for which their service to the nation has qualified them...or ought to qualify them. This is not a problem limited solely to those exposed to herbicides in Vietnam. Veterans who served in other wars, including those returning from the Persian Gulf with Gulf War Syndrome and other illnesses, have encountered the same problems and share many of the needs raised in this paper.

    A coherent, deliberate policy toward veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other battlefield toxins would be a matter not simply of good government, but of justice. It would recognize, in more than the current piecemeal way, a national responsibility to those who have risked their health and livelihoods, and the health of their children, and in some cases shortened their lives, by unknowingly being exposed to harmful chemicals from their own side. At a minimum, it would remove from these veterans’ shoulders the sole responsibility for finding out what risks they face, what remedies they can pursue, and what help may be available to them and their families along the way.

    The following five recommendations would constitute at least a significant step toward achieving that goal. Each would require significant cooperation, both strategic and financial, from government, academia, and civil society...a level of cooperation that, though not easy, fairly reflects the common stake that all Americans bear in bringing the long, frustrating history of Agent Orange to a more equitable conclusion.

1. Outreach to All Affected Veterans and their Families: There should be a well-organized, national campaign to bring information on Agent Orange to every veteran exposed to contaminated herbicides, as well as to their spouses, children, and grandchildren. The information should cover the likelihood of exposure during service in Vietnam, the health conditions known...or suspected...to be related to that exposure, the risk of exposure for veterans’ offspring, the range of benefits available from the Department of Veterans Affairs and other public agencies, and the process of applying and determining eligibility for these benefits. Particular effort will be needed for reaching those who are least well served today, including very low-income veterans and those with serious illnesses and disabilities. To that end, the outreach must be widespread and repetitive, and will need to be conducted partly by unconventional means, using channels of communication well outside the normal public health and military networks. The information provided to veterans and their families should also include a complete list of disability-related services, including medical, educational, employment, and income benefits, that may be available to the veterans’ children.

2. Outreach to Health Practitioners and Disability-Related Service Agencies: Merely ensuring that veterans are better informed about herbicides and dioxin won’t be helpful if the civilian agencies and doctors seeing the majority of Vietnam veterans and their families are uninformed, under-informed, or misinformed about the health consequences of exposure. According to Vietnam Veterans of America, roughly 80 percent of U.S. Veterans don’t use VA medical centers. Their primary care providers are medical practitioners who may have little, if any, information about the health consequences or the trans-generational implications of exposure to Agent Orange. Support should be given to campaigns to get information on herbicide exposure, VA benefits, and eligibility to health care practitioners outside the Veterans Affairs system who serve the majority of Vietnam veterans and family members. The Vietnam Veterans of America has recently established a Veterans Health Council that is undertaking some of this kind of outreach. Similarly, agencies that provide services to people with disabilities should receive similar information, including information on the intergenerational consequences of Agent Orange exposure. Such agencies should include schools, vocational rehab programs, and organizations that serve people with mental illness and developmental disabilities, among others. To be effective, this outreach should be frequent, updated regularly, and incorporate new information as research and policy evolve. It also needs to be conducted by people and organizations who are the most knowledgeable about the health consequences of Agent Orange exposure and are familiar with the range of practitioners and agencies that need to be contacted.

3. Medical Care for Affected Children and Grandchildren: Evidence increasingly suggests that wartime exposure to Agent Orange is affecting a second and perhaps even a third generation. The vast majority of Vietnam veterans are now in their 60s or older; most therefore have grown children and are now reporting disabilities and health conditions among their grandchildren. Consequently, the Department of Veterans Affairs should extend its outreach and medical services to children and grandchildren of exposed veterans, when their illnesses or disabilities are shown to be related to parental exposure to herbicides.

4. A Fresh Approach to Research: Many of the gaps in service to veterans are the results of missing or inconclusive research...a scarcity of data, funding, or will to pursue evidence that could settle many questions once and for all. A coordinated, adequately funded regimen of Agent Orange research might incorporate three key elements, among many other things:

a. A scientific consensus on unanswered questions and means of addressing them. The National Academy of Sciences, or some other trusted, independent body, should map the full range of pressing questions on Agent Orange that have not been answered, identify the obstacles to answering them, and propose solutions for overcoming the obstacles. These should include often-cited conditions that are not currently on the list of recognized illnesses, as well as the effects of parental...including paternal...dioxin exposure on children and grandchildren.

b. Broad, well-supported use of existing data for further research...particularly information from the Ranch Hand study and the industrial worker data collected by the National Institute for