Ed Palmer
12-15-07, 08:48 AM
THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES
== Military Health Care TF [07] ---------------- (Report Finished)
== Traumatic Amputees --------------- (Nam Vet Rehab Research)
== DFAS 1099-R for 2007 -------------------- (Availability Dates)
== Veteran Charities [03] -------------- (Congressional Hearings)
== Veteran Charities [04] ----------------------- (AIP Report Card)
== DoD/USPS Military Mail Policy ------- (Generic Addressees)
== Alabama Veterans Homes ----------------- (4th Home Planned)
== Utah Veterans Homes -------------------- (2nd Home Proposed)
== VA Fraud [04] ------------------- (Monessen PA/Ellington CT)
== Tricare Data Breach [02] --------------------- (Another Breach)
== Filipino Vet Inequities [07] ------------------- (S.1315 Impasse)
== NDAA 2008 [11] ------------- (Conference Committee Results)
== Pennsylvania Vet Bonus] ----------- (Application Availability)
== Chapter 61 Disability Pay [01] -------------- (CRSC Eligibility)
== Medicare Reimbursement Rates [07] ------- (Impact by State)
== VA Claim Tips ------------------------------- (What to Research)
== Salvation Army ---------------------------------- (Scam Warning)
== VA Secretary [05] ------------------ (Peake Hearing summary)
== VA Caregiver Program -------------- (Pilot Programs Funded)
== SBA Vet Issues [06] ----------------- (Vet Program Expansion)
== Medicare Part D [16] -------------------- (Less 2008 Coverage)
== VA Psychologists ----------------------------- (Unlicensed Staff)
== Vet Bonus Paybacks -------------------------------- (Overstated)
== Iowa Vet Bonus ---------------------------- (Extended Timeline)
== GI Bill [16] ------------------------- (Faster Education Benefits)
== CRDP/CRSC Open Season ----------------- (1 thru 31 JAN 08)
== Elderly Emergency Room Use ------------ (Drug Side Effects)
== VA Compensation Rates (Disability) -------- (2008 Mo Pmts)
== Draft Exposure ------------------------------ (Impact on Elderly)
== Deep Vein Thrombosis --------------- (Kills 200,000 Annually)
== TRICARE Coverage [01] ------------- (Guaranteed Coverage)
== USERRA [04] --------------------------- (25% Vets Dissatisfied)
== Pre-need Funerals ---------------------------------------- (Pitfalls)
== Ca & Federal Disabled Benefits (20% SC) --------------- (List)
== Ca & Federal Disabled Benefits (30% SC) --------------- (List)
== Estate Tax [02 (U.S) -------------------------- (Exemptions vary)
== Veteran Legislation Status 13 DEC 07 ----- (Where We Stand)
MILITARY HEALTH CARE TF UPDATE 07: At a public meeting of the Defense Health Board, the Task Force on the Future of Military Health Care gave a briefing which included a general description of what their recommendations to the Secretary of Defense and Congress are going to be. While they were not a surprise; they are a real disappointment and worry for the future. Following are a few items they covered that could impact retiree financially:
. Along with many structural changes the Task Force made clear that they are going to suggest increases in enrollment fees and deductibles for retirees under 65 enrolled in TRICARE Prime.
. A new "modest" yearly enrollment fee for TFL.
. Changes in the incentives for everyone using the TRICARE Pharmacy program (that translates into making co-pays to direct patients to choose the mail order pharmacy plan or the MTFs).
. Automatic increases in enrollment fees, cost shares and deductibles every 5 years
No specific numbers etc. will be announced until they present the report to the SecDef on 19 DEC. Remember these are just recommendations-nothing is final. But it is clear that there will be much more work to do on this again next year. [Source: TREA Washington Update 14 Dec 07 ++]
TRAUMATIC AMPUTEES: Recently, much national media attention has focused on the traumatic amputees of the Iraq and Afghan conflicts. However, there is little known about the long term outcomes of traumatic amputations arising from war. The largest remaining group with a lifetime of experience is the Vietnam War amputees. It is estimated there were 6,000 or more Vietnam veterans that came home with missing limbs. The Department of Defense has funded a partnership between Indiana University and Ohio State University to create the Indiana-Ohio Center for Traumatic Amputation Rehabilitation Research. They are trying to locate Vietnam veteran amputees in hopes of gaining a better understanding of the needs of these veterans. Their objective is to study the health, psychosocial, and rehabilitation needs of veterans with amputations to help determine the needs of Vietnam veterans and aid in the rehabilitation and adjustment of traumatic amputees from present and future conflicts. The Center is currently establishing a database of Vietnam veterans who had amputations. The researchers are asking for those veterans to register by filling out an online questionnaire or obtaining a hard-copy version through the mail. Participant confidentiality will be strongly protected. The study currently has 125 Vietnam vets enrolled but there are many more out there and are encouraged to call or visit the website for more details. For more info refer to robbinsc@iupui.edu or www.vietnamwaramputee.org or call (866) 283-2599. To obtain a hard-copy questionnaire, call the number or write: Mr. Chris Robbins, Project Coordinator, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Indiana University, 1140 West Michigan St., Coleman Hall CF 124, Indianapolis, IN 46202. [Source: Office of the Secy of VA VSO Liaison 13 Dec 07 ++]
DFAS 1099-R FOR 2007:
. Retirees and annuitants receiving compensation from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service can expect to receive their 2007 tax and account statements beginning in DEC 07.
. DFAS customers with myPay access will be able to retrieve their tax statements electronically up to two weeks sooner than those relying on regular mail delivery.
. Retirees can view their annual statement now on myPay, and their 1099R should be posted 18 DEC 07. These documents will be mailed via U.S. Postal Service beginning 16 DEC until the end of the year.
. Annuitants can view their account statement and 1099R via myPay beginning 18 DEC 07. These documents will be mailed via U.S. Postal Service beginning 19 DEC until the end of the year.
According to Lee Krushinski, acting DFAS operations director, tax statements available through myPay are approved for use by the IRS and have several added benefits - mainly availability -- for myPay users. Mr. Krushinski also pointed out the use of "restricted access PINs" allows users to have other family members, tax preparers or other trusted individuals view and print their tax statements without the ability to change any pay account information. This can be of particular interest to anyone who uses commercial tax preparation services. The restricted access personal identification number can be established after logging into a customer's myPay account. Using myPay to access tax and account statements eliminates the preparation and mailing costs incurred with the traditional distribution methods. Combined with the earlier availability of statements online, this makes myPay a better option for many DFAS customers and the Department of Defense, said DFAS officials. Customers who have forgotten their PIN, or wish to open a myPay account, can do so on the myPay Web site at https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx. [Source: Air Force Retiree News Service 12 Dec 07 ++]
VETERAN CHARITIES UPDATE 03: Americans gave millions of dollars in the past year to veterans charities designed to help troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, but several of the groups spent relatively little money on the wounded, according to a leading watchdog organization and federal tax filings. Eight veterans charities, including some of the nation's largest, gave less than a third of the money raised to the causes they champion, far below the recommended standard, the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) says in a report. One group passed along 1 cent for every dollar raised, the report says. Another paid its founder and his wife a combined $540,000 in compensation and benefits last year, a Washington Post analysis of tax filings showed. There are no laws regulating the amount of money charities spend on overhead, fundraising or giving. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform was scheduled to hold its first hearing on veteran's charities 13 DEC. "People want to help the veterans," said Rep. Chris VanHolland (D-MD), a member of the oversight committee. "They don't want to enrich organizations that are cynically exploiting veterans for their own personal gain. "We need to make sure that the generous contributions of Americans to veterans will help veterans and not line the pockets of fundraisers and these organizations."
The AIP's report suggests that 20 of the 29 military charities studied were managing their resources poorly, paying high overhead costs and direct-mail fundraising fees and, in some cases, providing their leaders with six-figure salaries. The 12 charities rated as failing by the institute -- including the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, the AMVETS National Service Foundation and the Freedom Alliance -- collected at least $266 million in the past fiscal year. The charities' practices have sparked outrage among some members of Congress. Richard H. Esau Jr., executive director of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, said the cost of fundraising limits how much his group can spend on charitable causes. Three emergency relief groups that are holding massive asset reserves are the official armed forces charities for the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines, which provide financial, educational and other assistance to current and past members of the armed services and their families. These three charities have combined fund balances of $638 million yet spent only $59 million, according to their most recently available financial reports. Army Emergency Relief (AER) tops AIP's list of large asset reserve charities in relation to expenses with 17.6 years of available asset reserves and a fund balance of $307 million as of 2005. Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) has 10.1 years of available asset reserves and as of 2005 holds fund balances of $172 million. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NCRS) has fund balances of $158 million as of 2005. Its years of available assets is lower at 4.8, barely low enough to keep them from earning an automatic F grade for charities having over 5 years worth of available reserves.
Daniel Borochoff, president and founder of the AIP, said many veterans charities are woefully inefficient, spending large sums on costly direct-mail advertising. "They over solicit. They love to send out a lot of trinkets and stickers and greeting cards and flags and things that waste a lot of money that they get little return on," said Borochoff, who plans to testify before Congress. The AIF gave F's to 12 of the 29 military charities reviewed and D's to eight. Five were awarded A-pluses, including the Fisher House Foundation in Rockville, which the institute says directs more than 90% of its income to charitable causes. One group received an A, and one received an A-minus. One egregious example, Borochoff said, is Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV), which was founded in 1971 by Roger Chapin, a veteran of the Army Finance Corps and a San Diego real estate developer. The charity, which provides therapeutic arts and crafts kits to hospitalized veterans, reported income of $71.3 million last year and spent about one-third of that money on charitable work, the philanthropy institute said. In its tax filings, Help HHV reported paying more than $4 million to direct-mail fundraising consultants. The group also has run television advertisements featuring actor Sam Waterston, game show host Pat Sajak and other celebrities.
Chapin, 75, the charity's president, received $426,434 in salary and benefits in the past fiscal year, according to a filing with the IRS. His wife, Elizabeth, 73, received $113,623 in salary and benefits as newsletter editor, the Post's review of the tax filing showed.
Bennett Weiner, chief operating officer of the Better Business Bureau, said the agency has 20 standards for reviewing charities, including that a charity's fundraising and overhead costs not exceed 35% of total contributions. Weiner, who is scheduled to testify before the House committee said he could not comment specifically on veterans charities until after his testimony. Advocates for veterans said they worry that scrutiny could damage military charities in general. Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), one of Congress's leading critics of charities, said some of the groups are abusing their tax-exempt status. Rep. John Serbanes (D-MD), a member of the oversight committee, wants veterans' charities to be held accountable. "I hope there is an explanation, but it seems that most of the funds they raise never reach the veteran community," Sarbanes said through a spokeswoman. "Some of the practices being described are simply outrageous."
Rick Cohen, an expert on nonprofit groups and former executive director of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, called the spending decisions of some charities grotesque. "I think in light of the Iraq war and the Afghanistan war, these veterans are the people who we should really be protecting and not using as excuses or avenues for ripping off charity philanthropy," Cohen said. [Source: Washington Post Philip Rucker article 13 Dec 07 ++]
VETERAN CHARITIES UPDATE 04: The American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP), a leading charity watchdog, issued a report card this month for 29 veterans and military charities. Letter grades were based largely on the charities' fundraising costs and the percentage of money raised that was spent on charitable activities. Following is an alphabetical summary of charities and grade assigned:
Air Force Aid Society (A+)
American Ex-Prisoners of War Service Foundation (F)
American Veterans Coalition (F)
American Veterans Relief Foundation (F)
AMVETS National Service Foundation (F)
Armed Services YMCA of the USA (A-)
Army Emergency Relief (A+)
Blinded Veterans Association (D)
Disabled American Veterans (D)
Disabled Veterans Association (F)
Fisher House Foundation (A+)
Freedom Alliance (F)
Help Hospitalized Veterans/Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (F)
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (A+)
Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation (F)
National Military Family Association (A)
National Veterans Services Fund (F)
National Vietnam Veterans Committee (D)
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (A+)
NCOA National Defense Foundation (F)
Paralyzed Veterans of America (F)
Soldiers' Angels (D)
United Spinal Association's Wounded Warrior Project (D)
USO (United Service Organization) (C+)
Veterans of Foreign Wars and foundation (C-)
Veterans of the Vietnam War & the Veterans Coalition (D)
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (D)
VietNow National Headquarters (F)
World War II Veterans Committee (D)
[Source: FDVA News Clips 13 Dec 07 ++]
DOD/USPS MILITARY MAIL POLICY: Hundreds of thousands of holiday cards and letters thanking wounded American troops for their sacrifice and wishing them well never reach their destination. They are returned to sender or thrown away unopened. Since the 911 attacks and the anthrax scare, the Pentagon and the Postal Service have refused to deliver mail addressed simply to "Any Wounded Soldier" for fear terrorists or opponents of the war might send toxic substances or demoralizing messages. Mail must be addressed to a specific member of the armed forces - a rule that pains some well-meaning Americans this Christmas season. Last season, despite the rule, officials say as many as 450,000 pieces of mail not addressed to anyone in particular managed to reach Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. But they were returned or, if they had no return address, were thrown out altogether, because the hospital lacked the manpower to open and screen all the mail, spokesman Terry Goodman said. "A lot of this is because of security concerns because it's unsolicited mail that someone is going to have to go through. Also, being a democratic society, there could be inappropriate mail from someone who, say, doesn't support the war, and then you've got a wounded soldier getting It.", said Goodman. Lt. Col. Kevin Arata, a spokesman with the Army Human Resources Command, said no one tracks the amount of unnamed-soldier mail being returned, so it is impossible to judge the size of the problem. The busiest part of the holiday season has yet to arrive, but officials said they are receiving far less mail this year addressed simply to "A Recovering American Soldier" or "Any Wounded Soldier."
USO spokesman John Hanson said that like the military, the nonprofit service organization does not deliver unopened mail to unspecified recipients. He said the USO worries about security as well as hateful messages from war critics. "We just want to make sure it's not, 'Die, baby killer,'" he said. "There are people out there who act irrationally, and we don't want anyone to get a message that would be discouraging." The USO is one of the organizations the military is encouraging people to support with donations as an alternative to sending cards to unspecified soldiers. The military is also referring people to the American Red Cross and a Defense Department Web site where supporters have posted thousands of messages to troops. Some groups are offering to forward mail to the troops. Aides to Sen. Jeff Sessions, (R-AL)., are offering to accept letters, screen them through the U.S. Capitol mail operation, and get them to members of the armed forces. "We've had about a dozen complaints from constituents about returned mail that they sent to troops," said Steven Boyd, a Sessions spokesman. [Source: AP Jay Reeves article 11 Dec 07 ++]
ALABAMA VETERANS HOMES: The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs is pressing forward on plans to build a fourth home in the state despite being pestered by problems at one home. The veterans' home committee of the state Board of Veterans Affairs met 11 DEC to discuss possible locations for the new home. A department survey found that Jefferson County or Shelby County was the best choice since the highest concentration of veterans lives in those areas. But the department also is considering locations in Pell City and Tuscaloosa. Commissioner Clyde Marsh said he wants to put the project on the fast track, and the committee decided to meet again in early January to choose a site and make a recommendation to the full board at its Jan. 11 meeting. Marsh said quick action is needed to get the budget request in for the upcoming legislative session. The department estimated the total cost of the home at $40 million; the federal government will cover about $26 million and the state will be responsible for $14 million, he said. The new home will ease overcrowding at the state's other three homes in Alexander City, Bay Minette and Huntsville. Currently, there are only 450 beds available for the almost 800 veterans statewide eligible for long-term care.
Once a site is chosen, construction is expected to begin in 2009 and be completed by the end of 2011, department officials said. The department still is looking for ways to fund construction of the new home.
The department has money in its Veterans Assistance Fund, but it's already being tapped to supplement the operational budget. Marsh said he's hoping for dollars out of the general fund, but noted that those funds also are limited. A third possible option is a bond, Marsh said. The committee also discussed the probationary one-year contract with its health-care provider, Human Management Resources (HMR) of South Carolina. The contract was announced 10 DEC as a result of an unfavorable report from the state health department. The problems were at the William F. Green home in Bay Minette. Primarily, the report found that staffers failed to follow procedures. Initially, the report stated that the home was responsible for the deaths of two residents. But that finding later was retracted by the health department and the home was cleared of culpability in those deaths. The other two state veteran's homes, Bill Nichols in Alexander City and Floyd E. "Tut" Fann in Huntsville, were cited only for minor deficiencies by the health department. Although the company was cited for failure to follow procedure, officials said the majority of veterans are happy with their care and Marsh said he was confident HMR will correct the problems quickly. Committee chairman Ken Rollins said he too is confident in the care at the Bay Minette home.
Alabama State Veteran Home applications can be downloaded at http://www.va.state.al.us/forms/Adva-33.pdf. The site will also explain the eligibility and compliance requirements for admission. Homes are located at:
. William F. Green State Veterans Home, P. O. Box 1461, 300 Faulkner Drive Bay Minette, AL 36507-1461 Tel: (251) 937-8049/2472 FAX.
. Bill Nichols State Veterans Home, 1784 Elkahatchee Road Alexander City, AL 35010 Tel: (256) 329-3311/3350F.
. Floyd E. "Tut" Fann State Veterans Home, 2701 Meridian Street Huntsville, AL 35811 Tel: (256) 851-2807/2967F.
[Source: Montgomery Adviser Jenn Rowell article 13 Dec 07 ++]
UTAH VETERANS HOMES: Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is urging lawmakers not wait for the federal government to pony up before breaking ground on a veterans nursing home in Ogden UT. Huntsman's proposed budget, released in DEC 07 includes $20 million in construction costs for the facility, which would be the state's second nursing home for veterans and their spouses. In making the recommendation, officials from the governor's office said they are banking on a promise from federal Veterans Administration officials that Utah will be reimbursed several years down the road. Veteran's advocates began pushing in 2001 for the state Legislature to finance the project, which is high on the VA's priority list but not high enough to get funded by Congress. Rep. Brad Dee said those past efforts were unsuccessful chiefly because legislators were cautious about spending money on a project that one branch of the U.S. government said it wanted but another branch had yet to fund. That has frustrated supporters of the project, who note that construction costs will continue to rise while the state waits for a federal check. But Huntsman's budget chief now says he is absolutely assured that the federal VA will do its part. And though it may take three or four years to get the check from Congress, he's confident it is coming.
Utah has just one nursing home dedicated to veterans and their families. The 80-bed facility in Salt Lake City has been at capacity since it opened, nearly 10 years ago. The Ogden facility would offer more than 100 additional beds to the scores of veterans on the capital city facility's waiting list. Going ahead and building the new facility "won't speed up or delay" reimbursement, Nixon said. "It just depends on how much Congress puts toward veterans nursing homes and how far down the list that goes for this year and the next year." But Nixon noted that even if the state has to wait awhile to be refunded for the construction costs, it will start receiving a federal per diem for each resident of the home as soon as the doors open. And that, he said, makes good economic sense for the state. "We'll have the ability to create some jobs immediately," he said. Dee, who is sponsoring the legislation that would fill the governor's request, said he was among those lawmakers who were concerned in the past about whether the feds "were serious about reimbursements." Now, he said, "I've had those concerns alleviated. I'm comfortable with what is going on." State Department of Veterans Affairs director Terry Schow said no one has stepped forward from the upper chamber to carry the legislation, but he's hoping that the governor's backing and a good showing for Dee's bill in the state House of Representatives will mean the legislation will have substantial momentum by the time it reaches the senators.
Utah State's first Veterans Nursing Home, located near the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center, was dedicated on 22 April 1998 and became operational in May 1998. Quality nursing and health care services are provided for Utah veterans with U.S. military service during peacetime or wartime. While wartime service is not a requirement for admission to the nursing home, wartime veterans with one day or more of wartime service, as recognized by state and federal laws, have top priority. A veteran's spouse or surviving spouse may also qualify for admittance to the Home, providing the marriage to the veteran occurred at least one year before the application. For questions and applications contact the Utah Department of Veteran's Affairs at either (801) 326-2372 or 1(800) 894-9497. You can also contact the Veteran's Nursing Home directly at 700 Foothill Drive, SLC, UT, 84113-1104 Tel: (801) 584-1900/1960F. [Source: The Salt Lake Tribune Matthew D. LaPlante article 12 Dec 07 ++]
VA FRAUD UPDATE 04: Gregory East age 60, of 642 Braddock Ave. Monessen PA man pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently accepting $28,000 in pension payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs. U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said that East was found guilty of one count of fraud for knowingly accepting the pension checks after his right to collect ceased due to his earning of income. East will be sentenced 29 FEB 08 and could face one year in prison, a fine of $100,000, or both. He remains free on bond until his sentencing. In another case Kevin J. O'Connor, U.S. attorney for the district of Connecticut, said that an Ellington woman pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith in Hartford CT to one count of stealing government money. According to documents filed with the court and statements made in court, Kathleen M. Thibodeau, age 62, as a representative payee for both the Veterans Administration and the Social Security Administration, was entrusted by those agencies with money for the use of her mentally disabled brother. In pleading guilty, Thibodeau admitted that, between DEC 03 and AUG 05, she converted $20,843 for her personal use. Thibodeau is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on 21 FEB 08, and she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000. This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Administration.
Under VA regulations as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 5502 payment of benefits to a duly recognized fiduciary (i.e. representative payee) may be made on behalf of a person who is mentally incompetent or who is a minor. Also, payment may be made directly to the beneficiary or to a relative or other person for the use of the beneficiary, regardless of legal disability, when it is determined to be in the best interest of the beneficiary by the Veterans Service Center Manager. Unless otherwise contraindicated by evidence of record, immediate payment of benefits may be made to the spouse of an incompetent veteran having no guardian for the use of the veteran and his or her dependents prior to referral to the Veterans Service Center Manager. [Source: Tribune Review & The Hartford Courant articles Dec 07 ++]
TRICARE DATA BREACH UPDATE 02: A limited amount of Tricare beneficiary data has been placed at risk through unauthorized access to claims information. Proactive measures are being taken to ensure that affected Tricare beneficiaries are informed. Analysis thus far has not produced indications of the beneficiary data being misused. Patient data was found to be accessible in a manner that did not meet stringent security specifications for the Department of Defense or Tricare's information technology services provider Electronic Data Systems (EDS). The data included personal information such as the full or partial Social Security number of the primary beneficiary, and for a dependent, name, birth date and limited health information. The data was held on a Web application server that allowed external entities an unauthorized level of access without going through the required authentication process if the Web address was known. That situation has since been remedied. EDS has sent out approximately 4,700 notification letters informing affected beneficiaries of the risk. The envelopes contain a cover letter from Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, deputy director, Tricare Management Activity. They also contain an informational letter about the incident from EDS, including identity protection information. EDS has established a specific "help line" to handle questions and concerns. The beneficiary notification letters contain the number (800) 556-3195 that can be used in the U.S. and from overseas. Those located outside the United States must dial the country's AT&T USADirect access number first to prevent being charged a long distance fee. EDS is offering beneficiaries put at risk a free, one-year subscription to a credit monitoring and protection service. Through this service, beneficiaries will have access to specialists with a leading identity theft and mitigation firm. These specialists will be able to respond to concerns about any actual identity theft as well as provide more detailed information on credit, fraud and identity theft matters. Additionally, those affected will receive up to $20,000 identity theft protection coverage with no deductible as it relates to this matter. Additional information about the incident can be found at the Tricare Web site press room at www.tricare.mil. Information on steps Tricare beneficiaries can take to protect themselves from identity theft is available at www.tricare.mil/tmaprivacy/itpr.cfm. Veterans are once again reminded that financial protection up to one million dollars against identity theft is available at nominal fees if they are concerned about their government and/or commercial companies keeping their personal data secure. Companies offering this service can be found online. Information on the one I use is available at http://www.lifelock.com. [Source: TMA News Release 07-94 dtd 7 Dec 07 ++]
FILIPINO VET INEQUITIES UPDATE 07: S.1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act, would authorize additional wounded warrior benefits including a new term life insurance program for disabled veterans. The sticking point is that the bill also would increase disability benefits for World War II Filipino veterans, including non-citizens living outside the US, in part by barring recent court-directed expansion of VA compensation to certain additional categories of disabled US veterans. Senate Veteran Affairs Committee (SVAC) Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) says Congress never intended the expansion directed by the court. His legislation S.13415 would block the court-directed expansion and use those savings to pay for other upgrades in the bill for US veterans, as well as the Filipino benefits expansion. Sen. Craig has blocked action on the bill because he opposes funding expanded benefits for Filipino veterans by barring the court-directed expanded benefits. Under Senate rules, any Senator may place a "hold" on a bill to prevent a floor vote.
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), the SVAC's new Ranking Member said this week, "Having talked to at least those that I know have holds on [the bills], nobody has a position where they would entertain lifting the holds by the end of the year." That leaves wounded warriors caught in the middle. S.1315 contains $633 million in benefit upgrades for Afghanistan and Iraq conflict veterans. But the bill also would provide $332 million for Filipino veterans. Some of its other provisions would:
. Create a new term life insurance program for disabled veterans ($326 million).
. Allow retroactive coverage (to 7 OCT 01) of traumatic injury insurance (TSGLI) payments to severely disabled veterans ($47 million).
. Upgrade veteran's mortgage life insurance ($51 million).
. Increase job training benefits ($31 million).
. Improve adaptive housing and automobile equipment benefits for severely wounded warriors ($22 million).
. Increase Supplemental Disabled Veterans Insurance ($26 million).
. Authorize COLAs for surviving spouse dependent benefits ($9 million).
[Source: MOAA Leg Up 8 Dec 07 ++]
NDAA 2008 UPDATE 11: On 6 DEC, House and Senate leaders agreed to drop the last contentious item from the FY2008 Defense Authorization Act - a Senate-proposed provision that would have stiffened penalties for discrimination against homosexuals. The agreement cleared the way for passage and presidential signature of the Act, which includes a substantial number of improvements for virtually all segments of the military community. . The compromise defense bill was passed by the full House with a vote of 370 to 49 on 12 DEC. As of this writing the Senate has not acted but is expected to pass before Congress adjourns. Adjournment is programmed for 15 DEC but there is talk of extending that by one week. A detailed summary of the conference report to H.R. 1585 is available at http://armedservices.house.gov. Following are some of the military community's high interest items which are included in the bill:
. Authorize full, immediate concurrent receipt for disabled retirees with at least 20 years of service deemed "unemployable" by the VA, with payment retroactive 1 JAN 5. Payments will begin 1 OCT 08.
. Extend eligibility for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) to all military disability (chapter 61) retirees with less than 20 years of service who suffer from combat- or operations-caused conditions.
. Prohibit increases in TRICARE fees, including pharmacy copays, for FY2008.Military Pay Raise:
. Authorize a 3.5% raise in January 2008 for active duty, Guard and Reserve personnel and increase hardship duty pay to a maximum of $1,500 a month.
. Authorize a special "indemnity allowance" payment of $50 per month to survivors of members entitled to retired pay (or of Guard/Reserve retirees who died before age 60) whose SBP annuities are reduced by tax free VA survivor benefits (DIC), effective 1 OCT 08. That amount will increase by $10 each year for 5 years. Directs the Defense Accounting and Finance Center to implement simplified and more sympathetic recoupment processes to assist affected survivors. The indemnity allowance might be perceived as a first step toward easing the ban on concurrent receipt for military widows.
. Reduce the Guard/Reserve retirement age by 3 months for each cumulative 90 days spent on active duty since 7 OCT 01.
. Increase the maximum Guard/Reserve annual drill points creditable for retirement (from 90 to 130), effective for 2007.
. Authorize Selected Reserve members 10 years after separation to use their 1607 GI Bill benefits earned from active duty service. Also allow Reservists who rejoin to reclaim their previously earned 1607 benefits and use them for 10 years after any subsequent separation. Selected Reserve members who spend at least 3 years on active duty can earn up to 80% of the active duty GI Bill benefit.
. Require comprehensive plan for care, management and transition of wounded servicemembers by 1 JUL 08. Requires recovery, medical and non-medical care case managers for recuperating servicemembers and establishes maximum caseloads for each.
. Authorize medical care, training, and job placement service for family members of recovering servicemembers and authorizes respite care for primary caregivers of servicemembers with a serious injury or illness.
. Authorize leave (from civilian employers) for family members of injured personnel.
. Implement a fully interoperable electronic DoD/VA health record and a joint interagency office to serve as a single authority for the development and administration of the system. Requires the development of a process to send electronic records necessary to support eligibility for VA benefits, including the DD Form 214, from DOD to VA.
. Require procedures to ensure parents with minor dependents have adequate plans for family care upon deployment. Authorizes request for deployment deferment in certain circumstances.
. Establish a Council of servicemembers, spouses, and representatives of military family organizations to make recommendations for DoD policy on military family readiness and to evaluate programs and services that prepare and support military families.
. Authorize active-duty-level TRICARE coverage for members separated or retired from the armed forces for a serious injury or illness when care is not reasonably available in the VA. Note" Provision expires 31 DEC 12.
. Require by 1 JUL 08 a standardized process for medical and physical disability evaluations that takes into account timely decisions, uniformity between services, and provides servicemembers with advice and counsel.
. Require DoD to include all conditions that render a member unfit for duty in determining disability ratings for military disability retirement purposes. Requires three pilot programs: use of the disability rating assigned by the VA, use of joint DoD/VA rating system, and use of a single DoD website for accessing DoD disability evaluation information.
. Require review of all disability separation cases between 11 SEP 01 and 21 DEC 09 in which a rating of 20% or below was assigned. Review is to be conducted upon request of member or next of kin or under the board's own initiative.
. Eliminate offset of disability severance pay by VA disability compensation. Increases minimum disability severance pay to 12 months of basic pay and maximum to 38 months of basic pay. Applies to separation pay for injuries incurred in combat.
. Authorize 5 years (versus 2) of automatic VA health care eligibility for members who serve in a combat theater.
. Establish the Chief of the National Guard Bureau as a 4-star position.
. Restore Tricare eligibility for Selected Reserve members and families whose coverage previously earned by active service since 7 OCT 01had expired.
. Bar courts from vacating child custody agreements because of the deployment of a military member.
. Authorize reimbursement of up to $300 in drill-related travel expenses for certain members, effective upon the date the president signs the legislation into law.
. Authorize retroactive payment of inflation-adjusted promotion pay amounts for Navy and Marine Corps POWs of World War II (equalizes with past treatment of POWs of other services).
. Authorize veterans the option of saluting the US Flag (vs. putting the hand over the heart).
. To hold down drug costs for the Department of Defense, drug manufacturers will have to provide the same federal discounts on prescriptions filled through the Tricare retail network that they do for military base and VA hospital pharmacies.
. Prohibit additional shifting of military medical personnel positions to civilian positions or contract positions.
[Source: MOAA Leg Up 8 Dec 07 ++]
PENNSYLVANIA VET BONUS: Enabling legislation for Pennsylvania's Persian Gulf Conflict Benefit Program became law on 24 APR 07, however, applications for payment haven't yet become available for the anticipated 30,000 eligible veterans. Anissa Fetchen, veteran service officer with the Lackawanna County Department of Veterans Affairs, said 7 DEC that the department has not yet received the bonus applications from the state. And, she added, the applications now are not expected to arrive until some time in the first quarter of 2008, according to information from the state Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. The DMVA had expected the applications to be available late this year, and previously stated it would begin to accept them in the fourth quarter. It announced the first payments were expected to be made this month or early next year. The tardy production shouldn't affect veterans (unless they need the money now) because they have until 31 AUG 15 to submit applications. Eligible veterans are those who have served on active duty in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the period from 2 AUG 90 to 8 31 91, and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal. They must have been legal residents of Pennsylvania and have served under honorable conditions. Vets will receive $75 per month for each month (or major fraction) of active service, up to a maximum of $525. The sum of $5,000 will be paid on behalf of veterans who died in active service or as a result of service-connected wounds, and $5,000 to prisoners of war in the conflict. The benefit program will cost the state an estimated $20 million. The Pennsylvania Merchant Marine World War II Veterans Bonus Act 22 of JUN06 expired on 30 JUN 07. For more information, refer to the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Web site at www.dmva.state.pa.us. [Source: The Times Tribune Bill Wagner article 9 Dec 07 ++]
CHAPTER 61 DISABILITY PAY UPDATE 01: Tens of thousands of veterans forced from service short of 20 years because of combat-related injuries will be eligible for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) effective 1 JAN 08, under a compromise 2008 defense authorization bill worked out by House and Senate conferees. The compensation payments would be set using the same formula as military retirement, usually 2.5% of base pay multiplied by years of service. The payments would be paid on top of disability compensation, thus ending for these combat-injured the long time ban on "concurrent receipt." The size of the eligible population among so-called "Chapter 61" retirees was not immediately available, but the projected cost of the combat-related program is $678 million over the next 10 years. Conferees rejected a more modest House plan that would have restricted compensation eligibility to the most seriously disabled who served at least 15 years. [Source: The News Tribune Tom Philpott article 8 Dec 07 ++]
MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT RATES UPDATE 07: Georgia physicians will lose $410 million for the care of elderly and disabled patients over the next two years due to the 10% cut in Medicare payments for 2008 and an additional 5% cut in 2009. The state's physicians will lose $6.4 billion for the care of elderly and disabled patients by 2016 due to nine years of cuts for this important medical care. For Georgia:
. 83,686 employees, 969,070 Medicare patients and 428,854 TRICARE patients in Georgia will be affected by these cuts.
. Compared to the rest of the country, Georgia, at 207 practicing physicians per 100,000 population, has a below-average physician-to- population ratio, even before the cuts take effect.
. 39% of Georgia's practicing physicians are over 50, an age at which surveys have shown many physicians consider reducing their patient care activities.
. In 2008, the "Rest of Georgia" locality faces cuts of an additional 1.1% on top of the 10% cuts across the country. The 2003 Medicare law provided a temporary increase in geographic payment adjustments for certain states. This increase also will expire on January 1, 2008 under current law.
To find out how the cuts in authorized payments to physicians for Medicare services impact on your state refer to http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/14332.html. Scroll down and select your state. The law provides for Medicare physician payment rates to be updated each year as follows:
. Each year's payment update calculation starts with the Medicare Economic Index or MEI, which is a conservative government index of practice cost inflation.
. The update is then adjusted up or down from MEI based on a national spending target called the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR).
. The SGR was created by Congress in 1997 as a target rate of growth in Medicare spending for physician services.
. The key factors in setting the SGR are Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, Medicare enrollment, price changes and changes in Medicare benefits or other changes in law.
. If spending exceeds the SGR targets, then annual physician payment updates are less than annual increases in practice cost inflation, even if they produce steep reductions from current payment rates.
The present Medicare physician payment update formula is producing disastrous effects. In addition to generating the pending steep pay cuts, the formula:
. Has kept average 2007 Medicare physician payment rates about the same as they were in 2001.
. Prevents physicians from making needed investments in staff and health information technology to support quality measurement.
. Punishes physicians for participating in initiatives that encourage greater use of preventive care in order to reduce hospitalizations.
. Has led to a severe shortfall in Medicare's budget for physician services that have driven Congress to enact short-term interventions with funding methods that have increased both the duration of cuts, as well as the cost of a long-term solution.
. Hurts access to care for America's military families because payment rates in the Department of Defense's TRICARE program are tied to Medicare rates
In November the CBO released a study titled The Long-Term Outlook for Health Care Spending. The study presents the CBO's federal spending projections on Medicare and Medicaid and health care spending generally over the next 75 years. The CBO reports that the goal of the study is to examine the implications of continuing current federal law, and finds that federal spending for health care would eventually reach unsustainable levels. In fact, in the absence of federal law changes, the CBO projections suggest that total spending on health care would rise from 16% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2007 to 25% in 2025, 37% in 2050 and 49%. It also projects that federal spending on Medicare (net beneficiaries' premiums) and Medicaid would rise from 4% of GDP in 2007 to 7% in 2025, 12% in 2050 and 19% in 2082. [Source: MRGRG Don Rehwaldt msg 10 Dec 07 ++]
VA CLAIM TIPS: Three things that will help a veteran with a claim are to know the process; to know how to find info about your illness or injury; and to determine how the VA has handled cases like yours in the past.
1.) A web site where you can see the C&P Exam the VA uses, and print it out, and can show it to your private doctor. www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm. These 57 Disability Examination Worksheets are in use both by the doctors of VHA (Veterans Health Administration) who do the disability examinations and by the rating specialists, hearing officers, and Decision Review Officers of VBA (Veterans Benefits Administration) who do the disability evaluations.
2.) A web site you can search, review and print out various pages of regulations, etc about the VA system and claims is www.warms.vba.va.gov/TOCindex.htm, which includes:
== Compensation and Pension - 21
== 38 Code of Federal Regulations - REGS
== Book A - General
== Book B - Adjudication
== Book C - Schedule for Rating Disabilities
3.) A web site where you can search Veteran Board of Appeals to see how the VA has handled your illness or injury, what they were looking for, and what paragraphs in VA regs apply is http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/bva.html. Decisions are current through 31 AUG 07.
[Source: USDR Daniel Cedusky Dec 07 ++]
SALVATION ARMY: A warning has been issued by the Salvation Army in St. Johns County FL of a scam in the name of The Salvation Army as a result of being contacted by concerned citizens. Salvation Army Capt. Bethany Delaney advised two individuals have been pulling a scam by "going door-to-door in neighborhoods posing as Salvation Army bell ringers, soliciting donations wearing red aprons while carrying bells. "We would like the community to know that The Salvation Army does not solicit door-to-door, nor have we ever done so," Delaney said. "Our bell-ringers and kettles are located at local stores, and these are legitimate and secure ways of donating to The Salvation Army." Delaney notes that the kettles are an important fundraising effort that supports The Salvation Army's seasonal and year-round services in America. "If you are approached at your home for donations to The Salvation Army, please contact the local law enforcement immediately." Delaney said. [Source: St. Augustine Record staff article 8 Dec 07 ++]
VA SECRETARY UPDATE 05: A Congressional hearing was held 6 Dec on the nomination of retired Army Lt. Gen. James B. Peake to be secretary of veteran's affairs. The confirmation hearing lasted 2 1/2 hours and was reported by a number of news media who took the following slants on the hearing results.
- The Washington Post /AP (12/6, A12) reported, "Pledging to do the right thing, the nominee said that he would be an independent advocate for thousands of injured veterans and would fight for the needed funding for their care." Peake also vowed to work on fixing gaps in care and reducing delays in disability pay, although he hedged on offering specific solutions, deferring to the detailed briefings he would receive later, if confirmed.
- A longer version of the AP article appearing in the Washington Times (12/6) reported, "No major veterans organization is opposing Mr. Peake, and the full Senate is expected to confirm his nomination as early as this month. Still, members from both parties on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee questioned Mr. Peake closely about his independence and how he would set himself apart from former VA Secretary Jim Nicholson, who almost immediately after taking office in 2005 was forced to admit to a $1.3 billion agency shortfall that put veterans' health care at risk."
- The Los Angeles Times (12/6, Macias) reported, "Peake...assured senators during his confirmation hearing Wednesday that he would fight to improve care for military personnel injured in Iraq and Afghanistan." He also "promised to look into senators' complaints about the lack of staffing and facilities for veterans in rural areas, reduce delays in healthcare claims, put mental health issues at the forefront and be truthful about the department's budget needs."
- The San Antonio News-Express (12/6, Martin) said, "Peake sailed through the hearing after senators quizzed him about his ties to private sector firms and his views on how to improve care at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Peake faces minimal opposition to his nomination, although the group Veterans for Common Sense has called Peake the wrong man at the wrong time. And the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which represents 62,000 members in 50 states, questioned how Peake would address the backlog of VA claims and improve services."
- In contrasting coverage, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (12/6, Vines) said skepticism ran high at the hearing, particularly when Peake said he knew little about the 22,000 veterans who have been discharged for pre-existing personality disorders. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), a committee member and leading administration critic on the issue, said she found Peake's answers disappointing. Leaders of several veterans organizations at the hearing also said they were surprised by what they said appeared to be a lack of preparation by Peake, a physician who recently served as Army surgeon general. Matthew Cary, president of Veterans & Military Families for Progress, said, "He's been in the system for a long time, he's an M.D., and he should be more knowledgeable about these issues." The Post-Dispatch adds, though, that problems at the VA and a leadership vacuum led most senators to say they would support the nomination, which is expected to go to the full Senate later this month.
- CQ (12/5, Yoest) reports Peake appears poised for confirmation by the end of the month, with several Senate Democrats offering support for him at a hearing Wednesday. According to Veterans Affairs Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) a committee vote on Peake's confirmation will occur after senators submit last-minute questions. Akaka said he expects committee and full Senate votes on confirmation to occur before Congress adjourns for the year. Akaka said he plans to support Peake, and Murray, a frequent critic of the department, said she too is likely to support Peake's nomination. Another Democrat, Montana's Jon Tester, offered his support as well. Republicans, meanwhile, had nearly unequivocal praise for Peake.
- CBS News.com (12/5, Malbran) noted in a blog entry that Peake faced questions about veteran suicides and a CBS News investigation during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. CBS added, "The committee will now need to vote on Peake's confirmation which could happen before the end of the year. Then, the nomination will go to the Senate floor. A Senate Veterans Affairs staffer told CBS News the nomination appears to be a shoo-in'"
- The Navy Times (12/6, Maze) adds that Peake's comments during the hearing appeared to seal the deal on his nomination, with plans for a Senate vote before Congress adjourns for the holidays.
[Source: VA Secy Vet Group Liaison Officer News 6 Dec 07 ++]
(cont)
== Military Health Care TF [07] ---------------- (Report Finished)
== Traumatic Amputees --------------- (Nam Vet Rehab Research)
== DFAS 1099-R for 2007 -------------------- (Availability Dates)
== Veteran Charities [03] -------------- (Congressional Hearings)
== Veteran Charities [04] ----------------------- (AIP Report Card)
== DoD/USPS Military Mail Policy ------- (Generic Addressees)
== Alabama Veterans Homes ----------------- (4th Home Planned)
== Utah Veterans Homes -------------------- (2nd Home Proposed)
== VA Fraud [04] ------------------- (Monessen PA/Ellington CT)
== Tricare Data Breach [02] --------------------- (Another Breach)
== Filipino Vet Inequities [07] ------------------- (S.1315 Impasse)
== NDAA 2008 [11] ------------- (Conference Committee Results)
== Pennsylvania Vet Bonus] ----------- (Application Availability)
== Chapter 61 Disability Pay [01] -------------- (CRSC Eligibility)
== Medicare Reimbursement Rates [07] ------- (Impact by State)
== VA Claim Tips ------------------------------- (What to Research)
== Salvation Army ---------------------------------- (Scam Warning)
== VA Secretary [05] ------------------ (Peake Hearing summary)
== VA Caregiver Program -------------- (Pilot Programs Funded)
== SBA Vet Issues [06] ----------------- (Vet Program Expansion)
== Medicare Part D [16] -------------------- (Less 2008 Coverage)
== VA Psychologists ----------------------------- (Unlicensed Staff)
== Vet Bonus Paybacks -------------------------------- (Overstated)
== Iowa Vet Bonus ---------------------------- (Extended Timeline)
== GI Bill [16] ------------------------- (Faster Education Benefits)
== CRDP/CRSC Open Season ----------------- (1 thru 31 JAN 08)
== Elderly Emergency Room Use ------------ (Drug Side Effects)
== VA Compensation Rates (Disability) -------- (2008 Mo Pmts)
== Draft Exposure ------------------------------ (Impact on Elderly)
== Deep Vein Thrombosis --------------- (Kills 200,000 Annually)
== TRICARE Coverage [01] ------------- (Guaranteed Coverage)
== USERRA [04] --------------------------- (25% Vets Dissatisfied)
== Pre-need Funerals ---------------------------------------- (Pitfalls)
== Ca & Federal Disabled Benefits (20% SC) --------------- (List)
== Ca & Federal Disabled Benefits (30% SC) --------------- (List)
== Estate Tax [02 (U.S) -------------------------- (Exemptions vary)
== Veteran Legislation Status 13 DEC 07 ----- (Where We Stand)
MILITARY HEALTH CARE TF UPDATE 07: At a public meeting of the Defense Health Board, the Task Force on the Future of Military Health Care gave a briefing which included a general description of what their recommendations to the Secretary of Defense and Congress are going to be. While they were not a surprise; they are a real disappointment and worry for the future. Following are a few items they covered that could impact retiree financially:
. Along with many structural changes the Task Force made clear that they are going to suggest increases in enrollment fees and deductibles for retirees under 65 enrolled in TRICARE Prime.
. A new "modest" yearly enrollment fee for TFL.
. Changes in the incentives for everyone using the TRICARE Pharmacy program (that translates into making co-pays to direct patients to choose the mail order pharmacy plan or the MTFs).
. Automatic increases in enrollment fees, cost shares and deductibles every 5 years
No specific numbers etc. will be announced until they present the report to the SecDef on 19 DEC. Remember these are just recommendations-nothing is final. But it is clear that there will be much more work to do on this again next year. [Source: TREA Washington Update 14 Dec 07 ++]
TRAUMATIC AMPUTEES: Recently, much national media attention has focused on the traumatic amputees of the Iraq and Afghan conflicts. However, there is little known about the long term outcomes of traumatic amputations arising from war. The largest remaining group with a lifetime of experience is the Vietnam War amputees. It is estimated there were 6,000 or more Vietnam veterans that came home with missing limbs. The Department of Defense has funded a partnership between Indiana University and Ohio State University to create the Indiana-Ohio Center for Traumatic Amputation Rehabilitation Research. They are trying to locate Vietnam veteran amputees in hopes of gaining a better understanding of the needs of these veterans. Their objective is to study the health, psychosocial, and rehabilitation needs of veterans with amputations to help determine the needs of Vietnam veterans and aid in the rehabilitation and adjustment of traumatic amputees from present and future conflicts. The Center is currently establishing a database of Vietnam veterans who had amputations. The researchers are asking for those veterans to register by filling out an online questionnaire or obtaining a hard-copy version through the mail. Participant confidentiality will be strongly protected. The study currently has 125 Vietnam vets enrolled but there are many more out there and are encouraged to call or visit the website for more details. For more info refer to robbinsc@iupui.edu or www.vietnamwaramputee.org or call (866) 283-2599. To obtain a hard-copy questionnaire, call the number or write: Mr. Chris Robbins, Project Coordinator, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Indiana University, 1140 West Michigan St., Coleman Hall CF 124, Indianapolis, IN 46202. [Source: Office of the Secy of VA VSO Liaison 13 Dec 07 ++]
DFAS 1099-R FOR 2007:
. Retirees and annuitants receiving compensation from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service can expect to receive their 2007 tax and account statements beginning in DEC 07.
. DFAS customers with myPay access will be able to retrieve their tax statements electronically up to two weeks sooner than those relying on regular mail delivery.
. Retirees can view their annual statement now on myPay, and their 1099R should be posted 18 DEC 07. These documents will be mailed via U.S. Postal Service beginning 16 DEC until the end of the year.
. Annuitants can view their account statement and 1099R via myPay beginning 18 DEC 07. These documents will be mailed via U.S. Postal Service beginning 19 DEC until the end of the year.
According to Lee Krushinski, acting DFAS operations director, tax statements available through myPay are approved for use by the IRS and have several added benefits - mainly availability -- for myPay users. Mr. Krushinski also pointed out the use of "restricted access PINs" allows users to have other family members, tax preparers or other trusted individuals view and print their tax statements without the ability to change any pay account information. This can be of particular interest to anyone who uses commercial tax preparation services. The restricted access personal identification number can be established after logging into a customer's myPay account. Using myPay to access tax and account statements eliminates the preparation and mailing costs incurred with the traditional distribution methods. Combined with the earlier availability of statements online, this makes myPay a better option for many DFAS customers and the Department of Defense, said DFAS officials. Customers who have forgotten their PIN, or wish to open a myPay account, can do so on the myPay Web site at https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx. [Source: Air Force Retiree News Service 12 Dec 07 ++]
VETERAN CHARITIES UPDATE 03: Americans gave millions of dollars in the past year to veterans charities designed to help troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, but several of the groups spent relatively little money on the wounded, according to a leading watchdog organization and federal tax filings. Eight veterans charities, including some of the nation's largest, gave less than a third of the money raised to the causes they champion, far below the recommended standard, the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) says in a report. One group passed along 1 cent for every dollar raised, the report says. Another paid its founder and his wife a combined $540,000 in compensation and benefits last year, a Washington Post analysis of tax filings showed. There are no laws regulating the amount of money charities spend on overhead, fundraising or giving. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform was scheduled to hold its first hearing on veteran's charities 13 DEC. "People want to help the veterans," said Rep. Chris VanHolland (D-MD), a member of the oversight committee. "They don't want to enrich organizations that are cynically exploiting veterans for their own personal gain. "We need to make sure that the generous contributions of Americans to veterans will help veterans and not line the pockets of fundraisers and these organizations."
The AIP's report suggests that 20 of the 29 military charities studied were managing their resources poorly, paying high overhead costs and direct-mail fundraising fees and, in some cases, providing their leaders with six-figure salaries. The 12 charities rated as failing by the institute -- including the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, the AMVETS National Service Foundation and the Freedom Alliance -- collected at least $266 million in the past fiscal year. The charities' practices have sparked outrage among some members of Congress. Richard H. Esau Jr., executive director of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, said the cost of fundraising limits how much his group can spend on charitable causes. Three emergency relief groups that are holding massive asset reserves are the official armed forces charities for the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines, which provide financial, educational and other assistance to current and past members of the armed services and their families. These three charities have combined fund balances of $638 million yet spent only $59 million, according to their most recently available financial reports. Army Emergency Relief (AER) tops AIP's list of large asset reserve charities in relation to expenses with 17.6 years of available asset reserves and a fund balance of $307 million as of 2005. Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) has 10.1 years of available asset reserves and as of 2005 holds fund balances of $172 million. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NCRS) has fund balances of $158 million as of 2005. Its years of available assets is lower at 4.8, barely low enough to keep them from earning an automatic F grade for charities having over 5 years worth of available reserves.
Daniel Borochoff, president and founder of the AIP, said many veterans charities are woefully inefficient, spending large sums on costly direct-mail advertising. "They over solicit. They love to send out a lot of trinkets and stickers and greeting cards and flags and things that waste a lot of money that they get little return on," said Borochoff, who plans to testify before Congress. The AIF gave F's to 12 of the 29 military charities reviewed and D's to eight. Five were awarded A-pluses, including the Fisher House Foundation in Rockville, which the institute says directs more than 90% of its income to charitable causes. One group received an A, and one received an A-minus. One egregious example, Borochoff said, is Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV), which was founded in 1971 by Roger Chapin, a veteran of the Army Finance Corps and a San Diego real estate developer. The charity, which provides therapeutic arts and crafts kits to hospitalized veterans, reported income of $71.3 million last year and spent about one-third of that money on charitable work, the philanthropy institute said. In its tax filings, Help HHV reported paying more than $4 million to direct-mail fundraising consultants. The group also has run television advertisements featuring actor Sam Waterston, game show host Pat Sajak and other celebrities.
Chapin, 75, the charity's president, received $426,434 in salary and benefits in the past fiscal year, according to a filing with the IRS. His wife, Elizabeth, 73, received $113,623 in salary and benefits as newsletter editor, the Post's review of the tax filing showed.
Bennett Weiner, chief operating officer of the Better Business Bureau, said the agency has 20 standards for reviewing charities, including that a charity's fundraising and overhead costs not exceed 35% of total contributions. Weiner, who is scheduled to testify before the House committee said he could not comment specifically on veterans charities until after his testimony. Advocates for veterans said they worry that scrutiny could damage military charities in general. Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), one of Congress's leading critics of charities, said some of the groups are abusing their tax-exempt status. Rep. John Serbanes (D-MD), a member of the oversight committee, wants veterans' charities to be held accountable. "I hope there is an explanation, but it seems that most of the funds they raise never reach the veteran community," Sarbanes said through a spokeswoman. "Some of the practices being described are simply outrageous."
Rick Cohen, an expert on nonprofit groups and former executive director of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, called the spending decisions of some charities grotesque. "I think in light of the Iraq war and the Afghanistan war, these veterans are the people who we should really be protecting and not using as excuses or avenues for ripping off charity philanthropy," Cohen said. [Source: Washington Post Philip Rucker article 13 Dec 07 ++]
VETERAN CHARITIES UPDATE 04: The American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP), a leading charity watchdog, issued a report card this month for 29 veterans and military charities. Letter grades were based largely on the charities' fundraising costs and the percentage of money raised that was spent on charitable activities. Following is an alphabetical summary of charities and grade assigned:
Air Force Aid Society (A+)
American Ex-Prisoners of War Service Foundation (F)
American Veterans Coalition (F)
American Veterans Relief Foundation (F)
AMVETS National Service Foundation (F)
Armed Services YMCA of the USA (A-)
Army Emergency Relief (A+)
Blinded Veterans Association (D)
Disabled American Veterans (D)
Disabled Veterans Association (F)
Fisher House Foundation (A+)
Freedom Alliance (F)
Help Hospitalized Veterans/Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (F)
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (A+)
Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation (F)
National Military Family Association (A)
National Veterans Services Fund (F)
National Vietnam Veterans Committee (D)
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (A+)
NCOA National Defense Foundation (F)
Paralyzed Veterans of America (F)
Soldiers' Angels (D)
United Spinal Association's Wounded Warrior Project (D)
USO (United Service Organization) (C+)
Veterans of Foreign Wars and foundation (C-)
Veterans of the Vietnam War & the Veterans Coalition (D)
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (D)
VietNow National Headquarters (F)
World War II Veterans Committee (D)
[Source: FDVA News Clips 13 Dec 07 ++]
DOD/USPS MILITARY MAIL POLICY: Hundreds of thousands of holiday cards and letters thanking wounded American troops for their sacrifice and wishing them well never reach their destination. They are returned to sender or thrown away unopened. Since the 911 attacks and the anthrax scare, the Pentagon and the Postal Service have refused to deliver mail addressed simply to "Any Wounded Soldier" for fear terrorists or opponents of the war might send toxic substances or demoralizing messages. Mail must be addressed to a specific member of the armed forces - a rule that pains some well-meaning Americans this Christmas season. Last season, despite the rule, officials say as many as 450,000 pieces of mail not addressed to anyone in particular managed to reach Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. But they were returned or, if they had no return address, were thrown out altogether, because the hospital lacked the manpower to open and screen all the mail, spokesman Terry Goodman said. "A lot of this is because of security concerns because it's unsolicited mail that someone is going to have to go through. Also, being a democratic society, there could be inappropriate mail from someone who, say, doesn't support the war, and then you've got a wounded soldier getting It.", said Goodman. Lt. Col. Kevin Arata, a spokesman with the Army Human Resources Command, said no one tracks the amount of unnamed-soldier mail being returned, so it is impossible to judge the size of the problem. The busiest part of the holiday season has yet to arrive, but officials said they are receiving far less mail this year addressed simply to "A Recovering American Soldier" or "Any Wounded Soldier."
USO spokesman John Hanson said that like the military, the nonprofit service organization does not deliver unopened mail to unspecified recipients. He said the USO worries about security as well as hateful messages from war critics. "We just want to make sure it's not, 'Die, baby killer,'" he said. "There are people out there who act irrationally, and we don't want anyone to get a message that would be discouraging." The USO is one of the organizations the military is encouraging people to support with donations as an alternative to sending cards to unspecified soldiers. The military is also referring people to the American Red Cross and a Defense Department Web site where supporters have posted thousands of messages to troops. Some groups are offering to forward mail to the troops. Aides to Sen. Jeff Sessions, (R-AL)., are offering to accept letters, screen them through the U.S. Capitol mail operation, and get them to members of the armed forces. "We've had about a dozen complaints from constituents about returned mail that they sent to troops," said Steven Boyd, a Sessions spokesman. [Source: AP Jay Reeves article 11 Dec 07 ++]
ALABAMA VETERANS HOMES: The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs is pressing forward on plans to build a fourth home in the state despite being pestered by problems at one home. The veterans' home committee of the state Board of Veterans Affairs met 11 DEC to discuss possible locations for the new home. A department survey found that Jefferson County or Shelby County was the best choice since the highest concentration of veterans lives in those areas. But the department also is considering locations in Pell City and Tuscaloosa. Commissioner Clyde Marsh said he wants to put the project on the fast track, and the committee decided to meet again in early January to choose a site and make a recommendation to the full board at its Jan. 11 meeting. Marsh said quick action is needed to get the budget request in for the upcoming legislative session. The department estimated the total cost of the home at $40 million; the federal government will cover about $26 million and the state will be responsible for $14 million, he said. The new home will ease overcrowding at the state's other three homes in Alexander City, Bay Minette and Huntsville. Currently, there are only 450 beds available for the almost 800 veterans statewide eligible for long-term care.
Once a site is chosen, construction is expected to begin in 2009 and be completed by the end of 2011, department officials said. The department still is looking for ways to fund construction of the new home.
The department has money in its Veterans Assistance Fund, but it's already being tapped to supplement the operational budget. Marsh said he's hoping for dollars out of the general fund, but noted that those funds also are limited. A third possible option is a bond, Marsh said. The committee also discussed the probationary one-year contract with its health-care provider, Human Management Resources (HMR) of South Carolina. The contract was announced 10 DEC as a result of an unfavorable report from the state health department. The problems were at the William F. Green home in Bay Minette. Primarily, the report found that staffers failed to follow procedures. Initially, the report stated that the home was responsible for the deaths of two residents. But that finding later was retracted by the health department and the home was cleared of culpability in those deaths. The other two state veteran's homes, Bill Nichols in Alexander City and Floyd E. "Tut" Fann in Huntsville, were cited only for minor deficiencies by the health department. Although the company was cited for failure to follow procedure, officials said the majority of veterans are happy with their care and Marsh said he was confident HMR will correct the problems quickly. Committee chairman Ken Rollins said he too is confident in the care at the Bay Minette home.
Alabama State Veteran Home applications can be downloaded at http://www.va.state.al.us/forms/Adva-33.pdf. The site will also explain the eligibility and compliance requirements for admission. Homes are located at:
. William F. Green State Veterans Home, P. O. Box 1461, 300 Faulkner Drive Bay Minette, AL 36507-1461 Tel: (251) 937-8049/2472 FAX.
. Bill Nichols State Veterans Home, 1784 Elkahatchee Road Alexander City, AL 35010 Tel: (256) 329-3311/3350F.
. Floyd E. "Tut" Fann State Veterans Home, 2701 Meridian Street Huntsville, AL 35811 Tel: (256) 851-2807/2967F.
[Source: Montgomery Adviser Jenn Rowell article 13 Dec 07 ++]
UTAH VETERANS HOMES: Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is urging lawmakers not wait for the federal government to pony up before breaking ground on a veterans nursing home in Ogden UT. Huntsman's proposed budget, released in DEC 07 includes $20 million in construction costs for the facility, which would be the state's second nursing home for veterans and their spouses. In making the recommendation, officials from the governor's office said they are banking on a promise from federal Veterans Administration officials that Utah will be reimbursed several years down the road. Veteran's advocates began pushing in 2001 for the state Legislature to finance the project, which is high on the VA's priority list but not high enough to get funded by Congress. Rep. Brad Dee said those past efforts were unsuccessful chiefly because legislators were cautious about spending money on a project that one branch of the U.S. government said it wanted but another branch had yet to fund. That has frustrated supporters of the project, who note that construction costs will continue to rise while the state waits for a federal check. But Huntsman's budget chief now says he is absolutely assured that the federal VA will do its part. And though it may take three or four years to get the check from Congress, he's confident it is coming.
Utah has just one nursing home dedicated to veterans and their families. The 80-bed facility in Salt Lake City has been at capacity since it opened, nearly 10 years ago. The Ogden facility would offer more than 100 additional beds to the scores of veterans on the capital city facility's waiting list. Going ahead and building the new facility "won't speed up or delay" reimbursement, Nixon said. "It just depends on how much Congress puts toward veterans nursing homes and how far down the list that goes for this year and the next year." But Nixon noted that even if the state has to wait awhile to be refunded for the construction costs, it will start receiving a federal per diem for each resident of the home as soon as the doors open. And that, he said, makes good economic sense for the state. "We'll have the ability to create some jobs immediately," he said. Dee, who is sponsoring the legislation that would fill the governor's request, said he was among those lawmakers who were concerned in the past about whether the feds "were serious about reimbursements." Now, he said, "I've had those concerns alleviated. I'm comfortable with what is going on." State Department of Veterans Affairs director Terry Schow said no one has stepped forward from the upper chamber to carry the legislation, but he's hoping that the governor's backing and a good showing for Dee's bill in the state House of Representatives will mean the legislation will have substantial momentum by the time it reaches the senators.
Utah State's first Veterans Nursing Home, located near the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center, was dedicated on 22 April 1998 and became operational in May 1998. Quality nursing and health care services are provided for Utah veterans with U.S. military service during peacetime or wartime. While wartime service is not a requirement for admission to the nursing home, wartime veterans with one day or more of wartime service, as recognized by state and federal laws, have top priority. A veteran's spouse or surviving spouse may also qualify for admittance to the Home, providing the marriage to the veteran occurred at least one year before the application. For questions and applications contact the Utah Department of Veteran's Affairs at either (801) 326-2372 or 1(800) 894-9497. You can also contact the Veteran's Nursing Home directly at 700 Foothill Drive, SLC, UT, 84113-1104 Tel: (801) 584-1900/1960F. [Source: The Salt Lake Tribune Matthew D. LaPlante article 12 Dec 07 ++]
VA FRAUD UPDATE 04: Gregory East age 60, of 642 Braddock Ave. Monessen PA man pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently accepting $28,000 in pension payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs. U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said that East was found guilty of one count of fraud for knowingly accepting the pension checks after his right to collect ceased due to his earning of income. East will be sentenced 29 FEB 08 and could face one year in prison, a fine of $100,000, or both. He remains free on bond until his sentencing. In another case Kevin J. O'Connor, U.S. attorney for the district of Connecticut, said that an Ellington woman pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith in Hartford CT to one count of stealing government money. According to documents filed with the court and statements made in court, Kathleen M. Thibodeau, age 62, as a representative payee for both the Veterans Administration and the Social Security Administration, was entrusted by those agencies with money for the use of her mentally disabled brother. In pleading guilty, Thibodeau admitted that, between DEC 03 and AUG 05, she converted $20,843 for her personal use. Thibodeau is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on 21 FEB 08, and she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000. This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Administration.
Under VA regulations as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 5502 payment of benefits to a duly recognized fiduciary (i.e. representative payee) may be made on behalf of a person who is mentally incompetent or who is a minor. Also, payment may be made directly to the beneficiary or to a relative or other person for the use of the beneficiary, regardless of legal disability, when it is determined to be in the best interest of the beneficiary by the Veterans Service Center Manager. Unless otherwise contraindicated by evidence of record, immediate payment of benefits may be made to the spouse of an incompetent veteran having no guardian for the use of the veteran and his or her dependents prior to referral to the Veterans Service Center Manager. [Source: Tribune Review & The Hartford Courant articles Dec 07 ++]
TRICARE DATA BREACH UPDATE 02: A limited amount of Tricare beneficiary data has been placed at risk through unauthorized access to claims information. Proactive measures are being taken to ensure that affected Tricare beneficiaries are informed. Analysis thus far has not produced indications of the beneficiary data being misused. Patient data was found to be accessible in a manner that did not meet stringent security specifications for the Department of Defense or Tricare's information technology services provider Electronic Data Systems (EDS). The data included personal information such as the full or partial Social Security number of the primary beneficiary, and for a dependent, name, birth date and limited health information. The data was held on a Web application server that allowed external entities an unauthorized level of access without going through the required authentication process if the Web address was known. That situation has since been remedied. EDS has sent out approximately 4,700 notification letters informing affected beneficiaries of the risk. The envelopes contain a cover letter from Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, deputy director, Tricare Management Activity. They also contain an informational letter about the incident from EDS, including identity protection information. EDS has established a specific "help line" to handle questions and concerns. The beneficiary notification letters contain the number (800) 556-3195 that can be used in the U.S. and from overseas. Those located outside the United States must dial the country's AT&T USADirect access number first to prevent being charged a long distance fee. EDS is offering beneficiaries put at risk a free, one-year subscription to a credit monitoring and protection service. Through this service, beneficiaries will have access to specialists with a leading identity theft and mitigation firm. These specialists will be able to respond to concerns about any actual identity theft as well as provide more detailed information on credit, fraud and identity theft matters. Additionally, those affected will receive up to $20,000 identity theft protection coverage with no deductible as it relates to this matter. Additional information about the incident can be found at the Tricare Web site press room at www.tricare.mil. Information on steps Tricare beneficiaries can take to protect themselves from identity theft is available at www.tricare.mil/tmaprivacy/itpr.cfm. Veterans are once again reminded that financial protection up to one million dollars against identity theft is available at nominal fees if they are concerned about their government and/or commercial companies keeping their personal data secure. Companies offering this service can be found online. Information on the one I use is available at http://www.lifelock.com. [Source: TMA News Release 07-94 dtd 7 Dec 07 ++]
FILIPINO VET INEQUITIES UPDATE 07: S.1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act, would authorize additional wounded warrior benefits including a new term life insurance program for disabled veterans. The sticking point is that the bill also would increase disability benefits for World War II Filipino veterans, including non-citizens living outside the US, in part by barring recent court-directed expansion of VA compensation to certain additional categories of disabled US veterans. Senate Veteran Affairs Committee (SVAC) Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) says Congress never intended the expansion directed by the court. His legislation S.13415 would block the court-directed expansion and use those savings to pay for other upgrades in the bill for US veterans, as well as the Filipino benefits expansion. Sen. Craig has blocked action on the bill because he opposes funding expanded benefits for Filipino veterans by barring the court-directed expanded benefits. Under Senate rules, any Senator may place a "hold" on a bill to prevent a floor vote.
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), the SVAC's new Ranking Member said this week, "Having talked to at least those that I know have holds on [the bills], nobody has a position where they would entertain lifting the holds by the end of the year." That leaves wounded warriors caught in the middle. S.1315 contains $633 million in benefit upgrades for Afghanistan and Iraq conflict veterans. But the bill also would provide $332 million for Filipino veterans. Some of its other provisions would:
. Create a new term life insurance program for disabled veterans ($326 million).
. Allow retroactive coverage (to 7 OCT 01) of traumatic injury insurance (TSGLI) payments to severely disabled veterans ($47 million).
. Upgrade veteran's mortgage life insurance ($51 million).
. Increase job training benefits ($31 million).
. Improve adaptive housing and automobile equipment benefits for severely wounded warriors ($22 million).
. Increase Supplemental Disabled Veterans Insurance ($26 million).
. Authorize COLAs for surviving spouse dependent benefits ($9 million).
[Source: MOAA Leg Up 8 Dec 07 ++]
NDAA 2008 UPDATE 11: On 6 DEC, House and Senate leaders agreed to drop the last contentious item from the FY2008 Defense Authorization Act - a Senate-proposed provision that would have stiffened penalties for discrimination against homosexuals. The agreement cleared the way for passage and presidential signature of the Act, which includes a substantial number of improvements for virtually all segments of the military community. . The compromise defense bill was passed by the full House with a vote of 370 to 49 on 12 DEC. As of this writing the Senate has not acted but is expected to pass before Congress adjourns. Adjournment is programmed for 15 DEC but there is talk of extending that by one week. A detailed summary of the conference report to H.R. 1585 is available at http://armedservices.house.gov. Following are some of the military community's high interest items which are included in the bill:
. Authorize full, immediate concurrent receipt for disabled retirees with at least 20 years of service deemed "unemployable" by the VA, with payment retroactive 1 JAN 5. Payments will begin 1 OCT 08.
. Extend eligibility for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) to all military disability (chapter 61) retirees with less than 20 years of service who suffer from combat- or operations-caused conditions.
. Prohibit increases in TRICARE fees, including pharmacy copays, for FY2008.Military Pay Raise:
. Authorize a 3.5% raise in January 2008 for active duty, Guard and Reserve personnel and increase hardship duty pay to a maximum of $1,500 a month.
. Authorize a special "indemnity allowance" payment of $50 per month to survivors of members entitled to retired pay (or of Guard/Reserve retirees who died before age 60) whose SBP annuities are reduced by tax free VA survivor benefits (DIC), effective 1 OCT 08. That amount will increase by $10 each year for 5 years. Directs the Defense Accounting and Finance Center to implement simplified and more sympathetic recoupment processes to assist affected survivors. The indemnity allowance might be perceived as a first step toward easing the ban on concurrent receipt for military widows.
. Reduce the Guard/Reserve retirement age by 3 months for each cumulative 90 days spent on active duty since 7 OCT 01.
. Increase the maximum Guard/Reserve annual drill points creditable for retirement (from 90 to 130), effective for 2007.
. Authorize Selected Reserve members 10 years after separation to use their 1607 GI Bill benefits earned from active duty service. Also allow Reservists who rejoin to reclaim their previously earned 1607 benefits and use them for 10 years after any subsequent separation. Selected Reserve members who spend at least 3 years on active duty can earn up to 80% of the active duty GI Bill benefit.
. Require comprehensive plan for care, management and transition of wounded servicemembers by 1 JUL 08. Requires recovery, medical and non-medical care case managers for recuperating servicemembers and establishes maximum caseloads for each.
. Authorize medical care, training, and job placement service for family members of recovering servicemembers and authorizes respite care for primary caregivers of servicemembers with a serious injury or illness.
. Authorize leave (from civilian employers) for family members of injured personnel.
. Implement a fully interoperable electronic DoD/VA health record and a joint interagency office to serve as a single authority for the development and administration of the system. Requires the development of a process to send electronic records necessary to support eligibility for VA benefits, including the DD Form 214, from DOD to VA.
. Require procedures to ensure parents with minor dependents have adequate plans for family care upon deployment. Authorizes request for deployment deferment in certain circumstances.
. Establish a Council of servicemembers, spouses, and representatives of military family organizations to make recommendations for DoD policy on military family readiness and to evaluate programs and services that prepare and support military families.
. Authorize active-duty-level TRICARE coverage for members separated or retired from the armed forces for a serious injury or illness when care is not reasonably available in the VA. Note" Provision expires 31 DEC 12.
. Require by 1 JUL 08 a standardized process for medical and physical disability evaluations that takes into account timely decisions, uniformity between services, and provides servicemembers with advice and counsel.
. Require DoD to include all conditions that render a member unfit for duty in determining disability ratings for military disability retirement purposes. Requires three pilot programs: use of the disability rating assigned by the VA, use of joint DoD/VA rating system, and use of a single DoD website for accessing DoD disability evaluation information.
. Require review of all disability separation cases between 11 SEP 01 and 21 DEC 09 in which a rating of 20% or below was assigned. Review is to be conducted upon request of member or next of kin or under the board's own initiative.
. Eliminate offset of disability severance pay by VA disability compensation. Increases minimum disability severance pay to 12 months of basic pay and maximum to 38 months of basic pay. Applies to separation pay for injuries incurred in combat.
. Authorize 5 years (versus 2) of automatic VA health care eligibility for members who serve in a combat theater.
. Establish the Chief of the National Guard Bureau as a 4-star position.
. Restore Tricare eligibility for Selected Reserve members and families whose coverage previously earned by active service since 7 OCT 01had expired.
. Bar courts from vacating child custody agreements because of the deployment of a military member.
. Authorize reimbursement of up to $300 in drill-related travel expenses for certain members, effective upon the date the president signs the legislation into law.
. Authorize retroactive payment of inflation-adjusted promotion pay amounts for Navy and Marine Corps POWs of World War II (equalizes with past treatment of POWs of other services).
. Authorize veterans the option of saluting the US Flag (vs. putting the hand over the heart).
. To hold down drug costs for the Department of Defense, drug manufacturers will have to provide the same federal discounts on prescriptions filled through the Tricare retail network that they do for military base and VA hospital pharmacies.
. Prohibit additional shifting of military medical personnel positions to civilian positions or contract positions.
[Source: MOAA Leg Up 8 Dec 07 ++]
PENNSYLVANIA VET BONUS: Enabling legislation for Pennsylvania's Persian Gulf Conflict Benefit Program became law on 24 APR 07, however, applications for payment haven't yet become available for the anticipated 30,000 eligible veterans. Anissa Fetchen, veteran service officer with the Lackawanna County Department of Veterans Affairs, said 7 DEC that the department has not yet received the bonus applications from the state. And, she added, the applications now are not expected to arrive until some time in the first quarter of 2008, according to information from the state Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. The DMVA had expected the applications to be available late this year, and previously stated it would begin to accept them in the fourth quarter. It announced the first payments were expected to be made this month or early next year. The tardy production shouldn't affect veterans (unless they need the money now) because they have until 31 AUG 15 to submit applications. Eligible veterans are those who have served on active duty in the Persian Gulf theater of operations during the period from 2 AUG 90 to 8 31 91, and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal. They must have been legal residents of Pennsylvania and have served under honorable conditions. Vets will receive $75 per month for each month (or major fraction) of active service, up to a maximum of $525. The sum of $5,000 will be paid on behalf of veterans who died in active service or as a result of service-connected wounds, and $5,000 to prisoners of war in the conflict. The benefit program will cost the state an estimated $20 million. The Pennsylvania Merchant Marine World War II Veterans Bonus Act 22 of JUN06 expired on 30 JUN 07. For more information, refer to the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Web site at www.dmva.state.pa.us. [Source: The Times Tribune Bill Wagner article 9 Dec 07 ++]
CHAPTER 61 DISABILITY PAY UPDATE 01: Tens of thousands of veterans forced from service short of 20 years because of combat-related injuries will be eligible for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) effective 1 JAN 08, under a compromise 2008 defense authorization bill worked out by House and Senate conferees. The compensation payments would be set using the same formula as military retirement, usually 2.5% of base pay multiplied by years of service. The payments would be paid on top of disability compensation, thus ending for these combat-injured the long time ban on "concurrent receipt." The size of the eligible population among so-called "Chapter 61" retirees was not immediately available, but the projected cost of the combat-related program is $678 million over the next 10 years. Conferees rejected a more modest House plan that would have restricted compensation eligibility to the most seriously disabled who served at least 15 years. [Source: The News Tribune Tom Philpott article 8 Dec 07 ++]
MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT RATES UPDATE 07: Georgia physicians will lose $410 million for the care of elderly and disabled patients over the next two years due to the 10% cut in Medicare payments for 2008 and an additional 5% cut in 2009. The state's physicians will lose $6.4 billion for the care of elderly and disabled patients by 2016 due to nine years of cuts for this important medical care. For Georgia:
. 83,686 employees, 969,070 Medicare patients and 428,854 TRICARE patients in Georgia will be affected by these cuts.
. Compared to the rest of the country, Georgia, at 207 practicing physicians per 100,000 population, has a below-average physician-to- population ratio, even before the cuts take effect.
. 39% of Georgia's practicing physicians are over 50, an age at which surveys have shown many physicians consider reducing their patient care activities.
. In 2008, the "Rest of Georgia" locality faces cuts of an additional 1.1% on top of the 10% cuts across the country. The 2003 Medicare law provided a temporary increase in geographic payment adjustments for certain states. This increase also will expire on January 1, 2008 under current law.
To find out how the cuts in authorized payments to physicians for Medicare services impact on your state refer to http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/14332.html. Scroll down and select your state. The law provides for Medicare physician payment rates to be updated each year as follows:
. Each year's payment update calculation starts with the Medicare Economic Index or MEI, which is a conservative government index of practice cost inflation.
. The update is then adjusted up or down from MEI based on a national spending target called the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR).
. The SGR was created by Congress in 1997 as a target rate of growth in Medicare spending for physician services.
. The key factors in setting the SGR are Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, Medicare enrollment, price changes and changes in Medicare benefits or other changes in law.
. If spending exceeds the SGR targets, then annual physician payment updates are less than annual increases in practice cost inflation, even if they produce steep reductions from current payment rates.
The present Medicare physician payment update formula is producing disastrous effects. In addition to generating the pending steep pay cuts, the formula:
. Has kept average 2007 Medicare physician payment rates about the same as they were in 2001.
. Prevents physicians from making needed investments in staff and health information technology to support quality measurement.
. Punishes physicians for participating in initiatives that encourage greater use of preventive care in order to reduce hospitalizations.
. Has led to a severe shortfall in Medicare's budget for physician services that have driven Congress to enact short-term interventions with funding methods that have increased both the duration of cuts, as well as the cost of a long-term solution.
. Hurts access to care for America's military families because payment rates in the Department of Defense's TRICARE program are tied to Medicare rates
In November the CBO released a study titled The Long-Term Outlook for Health Care Spending. The study presents the CBO's federal spending projections on Medicare and Medicaid and health care spending generally over the next 75 years. The CBO reports that the goal of the study is to examine the implications of continuing current federal law, and finds that federal spending for health care would eventually reach unsustainable levels. In fact, in the absence of federal law changes, the CBO projections suggest that total spending on health care would rise from 16% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2007 to 25% in 2025, 37% in 2050 and 49%. It also projects that federal spending on Medicare (net beneficiaries' premiums) and Medicaid would rise from 4% of GDP in 2007 to 7% in 2025, 12% in 2050 and 19% in 2082. [Source: MRGRG Don Rehwaldt msg 10 Dec 07 ++]
VA CLAIM TIPS: Three things that will help a veteran with a claim are to know the process; to know how to find info about your illness or injury; and to determine how the VA has handled cases like yours in the past.
1.) A web site where you can see the C&P Exam the VA uses, and print it out, and can show it to your private doctor. www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm. These 57 Disability Examination Worksheets are in use both by the doctors of VHA (Veterans Health Administration) who do the disability examinations and by the rating specialists, hearing officers, and Decision Review Officers of VBA (Veterans Benefits Administration) who do the disability evaluations.
2.) A web site you can search, review and print out various pages of regulations, etc about the VA system and claims is www.warms.vba.va.gov/TOCindex.htm, which includes:
== Compensation and Pension - 21
== 38 Code of Federal Regulations - REGS
== Book A - General
== Book B - Adjudication
== Book C - Schedule for Rating Disabilities
3.) A web site where you can search Veteran Board of Appeals to see how the VA has handled your illness or injury, what they were looking for, and what paragraphs in VA regs apply is http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/bva.html. Decisions are current through 31 AUG 07.
[Source: USDR Daniel Cedusky Dec 07 ++]
SALVATION ARMY: A warning has been issued by the Salvation Army in St. Johns County FL of a scam in the name of The Salvation Army as a result of being contacted by concerned citizens. Salvation Army Capt. Bethany Delaney advised two individuals have been pulling a scam by "going door-to-door in neighborhoods posing as Salvation Army bell ringers, soliciting donations wearing red aprons while carrying bells. "We would like the community to know that The Salvation Army does not solicit door-to-door, nor have we ever done so," Delaney said. "Our bell-ringers and kettles are located at local stores, and these are legitimate and secure ways of donating to The Salvation Army." Delaney notes that the kettles are an important fundraising effort that supports The Salvation Army's seasonal and year-round services in America. "If you are approached at your home for donations to The Salvation Army, please contact the local law enforcement immediately." Delaney said. [Source: St. Augustine Record staff article 8 Dec 07 ++]
VA SECRETARY UPDATE 05: A Congressional hearing was held 6 Dec on the nomination of retired Army Lt. Gen. James B. Peake to be secretary of veteran's affairs. The confirmation hearing lasted 2 1/2 hours and was reported by a number of news media who took the following slants on the hearing results.
- The Washington Post /AP (12/6, A12) reported, "Pledging to do the right thing, the nominee said that he would be an independent advocate for thousands of injured veterans and would fight for the needed funding for their care." Peake also vowed to work on fixing gaps in care and reducing delays in disability pay, although he hedged on offering specific solutions, deferring to the detailed briefings he would receive later, if confirmed.
- A longer version of the AP article appearing in the Washington Times (12/6) reported, "No major veterans organization is opposing Mr. Peake, and the full Senate is expected to confirm his nomination as early as this month. Still, members from both parties on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee questioned Mr. Peake closely about his independence and how he would set himself apart from former VA Secretary Jim Nicholson, who almost immediately after taking office in 2005 was forced to admit to a $1.3 billion agency shortfall that put veterans' health care at risk."
- The Los Angeles Times (12/6, Macias) reported, "Peake...assured senators during his confirmation hearing Wednesday that he would fight to improve care for military personnel injured in Iraq and Afghanistan." He also "promised to look into senators' complaints about the lack of staffing and facilities for veterans in rural areas, reduce delays in healthcare claims, put mental health issues at the forefront and be truthful about the department's budget needs."
- The San Antonio News-Express (12/6, Martin) said, "Peake sailed through the hearing after senators quizzed him about his ties to private sector firms and his views on how to improve care at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Peake faces minimal opposition to his nomination, although the group Veterans for Common Sense has called Peake the wrong man at the wrong time. And the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which represents 62,000 members in 50 states, questioned how Peake would address the backlog of VA claims and improve services."
- In contrasting coverage, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (12/6, Vines) said skepticism ran high at the hearing, particularly when Peake said he knew little about the 22,000 veterans who have been discharged for pre-existing personality disorders. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), a committee member and leading administration critic on the issue, said she found Peake's answers disappointing. Leaders of several veterans organizations at the hearing also said they were surprised by what they said appeared to be a lack of preparation by Peake, a physician who recently served as Army surgeon general. Matthew Cary, president of Veterans & Military Families for Progress, said, "He's been in the system for a long time, he's an M.D., and he should be more knowledgeable about these issues." The Post-Dispatch adds, though, that problems at the VA and a leadership vacuum led most senators to say they would support the nomination, which is expected to go to the full Senate later this month.
- CQ (12/5, Yoest) reports Peake appears poised for confirmation by the end of the month, with several Senate Democrats offering support for him at a hearing Wednesday. According to Veterans Affairs Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) a committee vote on Peake's confirmation will occur after senators submit last-minute questions. Akaka said he expects committee and full Senate votes on confirmation to occur before Congress adjourns for the year. Akaka said he plans to support Peake, and Murray, a frequent critic of the department, said she too is likely to support Peake's nomination. Another Democrat, Montana's Jon Tester, offered his support as well. Republicans, meanwhile, had nearly unequivocal praise for Peake.
- CBS News.com (12/5, Malbran) noted in a blog entry that Peake faced questions about veteran suicides and a CBS News investigation during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. CBS added, "The committee will now need to vote on Peake's confirmation which could happen before the end of the year. Then, the nomination will go to the Senate floor. A Senate Veterans Affairs staffer told CBS News the nomination appears to be a shoo-in'"
- The Navy Times (12/6, Maze) adds that Peake's comments during the hearing appeared to seal the deal on his nomination, with plans for a Senate vote before Congress adjourns for the holidays.
[Source: VA Secy Vet Group Liaison Officer News 6 Dec 07 ++]
(cont)