VFW First-Ever Virtual Legislative Conference
The VFW National Legislative Committee recently came together for the first-ever virtual legislative conference. VFW National officers joined committee members in Zoom meetings to discuss the VFW’s legislative priorities, they held virtual or phone meetings with their legislators, and took to social media to spotlight their hard work and dedication. The COVID-19 pandemic may be changing the way business is done, but it will not stop the VFW from being the voice of its members and fighting for veterans’ benefits on Capitol Hill.
Veterans Legislation Clears The House
The House recently passed several veterans bills. The House passed the Senate-passed and VFW-supported version of S. 785, the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, which would provide the VA with the authority it needs to expand suicide prevention efforts and provide the opportunity to expand telehealth capabilities to veterans in rural and highly rural areas. Additional House legislation also passed unanimously. H.R. 3228, The VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act would expand the VA Mission Act of 2018’s authority for health professions trainees to provide treatment via telemedicine. H.R. 6092, The Veterans Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act would establish a national clinical pathway for prostate cancer within VA. H.R. 5245, the SHIELD for Veterans Act would reform the VA’s debt-collection process. H.R. 7105, would provide VA with flexibility while caring for homeless veterans during a covered public health emergency. H.R. 8247, the Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020 would further improve support during the transition from service member to veteran, suicide prevention and mental well-being initiatives and care and service for women veterans. H.R. 3797, the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act, would ensure the same no-cost contraceptive care for women veterans as required by nonveteran health insurance plans. The VFW thanks Chairman Mark Takano and Ranking Members Phil Roe, M.D., for the swift passage of the Johns Scott Hannon Bill which now heads to the president’s desk.
Help PREVENTS Task Force REACHES 20K Pledges
Suicide is preventable and change starts when you pledge to reach out, share hope and help someone who is hurting, someone who may have lost someone to suicide or someone who may be at risk. So far this month, 10,000 people have taken the PREVENTS Pledge to REACH—hitting a huge milestone for Suicide Prevention Month. Please help PREVENTS reach a new goal of 20,000 signatures by the end of September. Sign the pledge and challenge at least five people you know to sign the individual PREVENTS Pledge to REACH. Together, we can reach all Americans to change the culture around mental health and suicide prevention.
Unprecedented Poll Worker Shortage
Healthy elections require poll workers, the majority of whom are over the age of 60. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, election officials are reporting an unprecedented shortage. Without sufficient numbers of poll workers, it is possible that polling locations could have long lines, lack of staff to assist voters and possible closures of polling locations. The VFW encourages any member, advocate, or supported veteran, who is healthy and willing, to consider becoming a poll worker for the general election in November. The Stanford-MIT Healthy Election Project has partnered with local organizations like Power the Polls, which helps to follow up with applicants, confirm their commitment and assist them in completing the process. If you sign up through this special VFW link, you will by contacted by power the polls, a partner organization or your local election administrators.
VA #FightFlu Initiative
Veterans can now receive a standard-dose or high-dose flu shot at their local VA health care facility, in-network community retail pharmacy or urgent care location.
