VFW Testifies Before House Subcommittee
Last Tuesday, VFW National Legislative Service Director Patrick Murray testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. The hearing was held to discusses legislative priorities for the 117th Congress including service for homeless veterans, employment and education benefits, and information technology upgrades. Murray stated, “The VFW would like to thank this subcommittee for their engagement and productivity during the 118th Congress. These past two years, the House of Representatives has passed 74 veterans bills, of which 28 have become law and many originating in this subcommittee.” The VFW thanks Chairman Mike Lavine (D-CA) and Ranking member Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) for their continued partnership with the VFW on issues related to economic opportunity.
House Holds Hearing On Toxic Exposures
Last Wednesday, The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on toxic exposures and the VA’s presumptive service connection determination process. VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Kristina Keenan submitted a statement for the record in which she explained the difficulties veterans face when filing VA disability claims for conditions related to toxic exposures due to the lack of documentation providing direct service connection. Keenan expressed the need for a comprehensive framework for the VA to study, assess and grant presumptive service connection for past, present and future veterans affected by toxic exposures. This framework is described in detail in the VFW-supported S. 4393, Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM) Act of 2020.
President Signs Mental Health Care and Service Bill
President Trump signed into law the VFW-supported H.R. 8247, The Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care and Treatment (COMPACT) Act. This legislation will enhance a wide variety of much-needed service related to improving transition, suicide prevention and care and services for women veterans.
HVAC Women Veterans Task Force Held A Roundtable
Last Wednesday, members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Women Veterans Task Force, the VA, female veterans and VSOs discussed the 2020 Report of the Department Of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. The report recommends financial relief for female student veterans between school sessions, measurable standards for women health coordinators, incentives for women’s health providers to ensure a continuum of care, establishing a breast imagining services national strategic plan, assessing the End Harassment Campaign and other critical issues specific to women veterans. Chairwoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) concluded the roundtable by quoting Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the only female Medal of Honor recipient, “Let the generations know that women in uniform also guaranteed their freedom.”
TRICARE Open Season Ended
TRICARE Open Season ended on Dec. 14. Any changes will go into effect on Jan. 1. This year it is important to note that TRICARE Select Group A retirees will be required to pay an enrollment fee beginning on Jan. 1. Beneficiaries must set up an allotment with their regional contractors for the enrollment fee to begin on Jan. 1. Individuals who do not set up their allotment by the deadline will be unenrolled due to nonpayment.
CHAMPVA To Cover Autism Treatment
The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) will now support the treatment of children with autism. Applied Behavior Analysis is an evidence-based treatment for autism spectrum disorder that will now be available.
