VFW-Supported Mental Health Bill Becomes Law
The VFW supported version of S. 785, the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, was recently signed into law. This law supports the VA as it continues to make improvements to veterans’ mental health care by covering a strategic plan for veterans transitioning from active duty, pilot programs integrating alternative therapies, establishing a VA and Department of Defense (DOD) clinical provider treatment toolkit, improving care and services for women veterans and expanding the Mental Health medical workforce.
National Suicide Hotline Bill Becomes Law
he National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 (S. 2661) was recently signed into law. This legislation designates 9.8.8 as the telephone number for the National Suicide Prevention and mental health crisis hotline. The existing hotline, which can be reached by dialing 1 800-273-8255, is operated by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and through the Veterans Crisis Line, both hotlines offer confidential support from qualified responders 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many of the responders with the Veterans Crisis Line are veterans themselves.
Monument Honoring Women In The Military Unveiled
The Washington, D.C. area’s first monument to honor women in the military was recently unveiled at the Women in Military Service for American Memorial in Arlington, VA. The Pledge, sculpted by Susan Bahary, is a bronze statue of a kneeling service woman in full combat gear, locking eyes with her working military dog, meant to honor the promise of loyalty made between a soldier and their combat dog in faithful allegiance to our country. Following the unveiling, Sgt. Briany Gavit stated, “I’ve been a dog handler for four years now and to see a female statue for the first time, it feels great…She could be any one of us, in any rank of military, and it’s so Significant.”
Update To Tricare Select Enrollment Fee To Start Jan. 1
The DOD announced that Tricare Select Group A Retirees will be required to pay an enrollment fee beginning Jan. 1. Congress directed the Defense Health Agency in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to implement Tricare Select retiree enrollment fees, but delayed the implementation. Group A is comprised of retirees and their family members if the sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment occurred before Jan. 1, 2018. The enrollment fee is waved for medically retired individuals and their family members and for survivors of active-duty deaths. During Tricare Open Season, which will run from Nov. 9 to Dec. 14, beneficiaries must set up an allotment with their regional contractors for the enrollment fee to begin on Jan. 1, 2021. Beneficiaries who do not set up their allotment by the deadline will be unenrolled due to nonpayment. These individuals would have previously had 90 days from the termination date to request reinstatement. However, recently the Defense Health Agency has agreed to extend the reinstatement period to 180 days.
Calling All Middle and High School Students
It is not too late to participate in the annual VFW Voice Of Demoracy and Patriot’s Pen essay competitions. Open to eligible high school students, the Voice of Democracy program is one of the top patriotic audio essay competition in the nation, with more than $2.1 million in education scholarships and incentives up for grabs and a first place-place prize of $30.000. More than 64,400 students participate in the competition each year. This year’s theme challenges students to answer the question, “Is This The Country the Founders Envisioned?” Open to eligible sixth through eight grade students, more than 165,400 students competed in the Patriot’s Pen essay competition each year to win a slice of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. The top individual VFW Department (State) winners are vying for the first-place prize of $5,000. This year’s Patriots Pen theme asks, “What is Patriotism to Me?” Essay entries must be submitted through participating local VFW posts.
Now Hear This
This past Oct. 23 was the 100th birthday of our VFW Post 516, but due to the pandemic we have put out party celebration off until it is safe. We will keep you posted as to when our party will be held.
