The American Legion Washington DC Office *HOT ISSUES*

May 16, 2013 - ISSUES– VA Medical Leases The VA&R and Legislative division are working together on a Legislative Grassroots message regarding Senate Bill 412.  The bill was to reauthorize medical leases for the 26 clinics that are expiring this year.   In the bill’s current form, it does not address the Congressional Budget Office change to their scoring methodology that required VA to submit their funding requests for leases as capital rather than operational.   The original cost to renew these leases were $18 million and under the change to scoring, VA would be required to pay for the 20 year ...

The American Legion News, May 16, 2013

American Legion task force to revisit VA Medical Center Judge Grants Motion To Include The American Legion And Local Post In N.C. Veterans Memorial Case A 'Surge' At The VA House Panel Boosts Veterans Spending DoD Health Care Money Could Run Out In August Honoring service: Legion will recognize World War II, Korea vets Defense Dept. Sex Scandals May Alter Military Law Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette (IN) May 15, 2013 2:29 p.m. American Legion task force to revisit VA Medical Center By Brian Francisco | Washington editor The American Legion will take a second look at Fort Wayne’s VA Medical Center and its temporary suspension of inpatient services. The Legion’s System Worth ...

VA Mandates Overtime to Increase Production of Compensation Claims Decisions

WASHINGTON (May 15, 2013) – As part of its ongoing effort to accelerate the elimination of the disability compensation claims backlog, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing today that it is mandating overtime for claims processors in its 56 regional benefits offices. This surge, which will be implemented through the end of fiscal year 2013, will be used to help eliminate the backlog with continued emphasis on high-priority claims for homeless Veterans and those claiming financial hardship, the terminally ill, former Prisoners of War, Medal of Honor recipients, and Veterans filing Fully Developed Claims. “VA is dedicated to providing ...

Legion calls for ‘zero tolerance’ of military sexual assault

WASHINGTON (May 9, 2013) -- The American Legion’s governing body today approved a resolution urging the U.S. Armed Forces to enforce a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual assault committed by and against members of the U.S. military. The resolution comes during a week in which the Air Force’s chief of sexual assault prevention was arrested and charged with sexual battery – and the Pentagon reported that sexual assaults in the military are occurring at a rate of more than 70 per day. "Even before these two incidents, The American Legion already had taken an active role in raising awareness about the issue ...

The American Legion Washington DC Office “HOT ISSUES”

Thursday April 25, 2013 ISSUES - VA Special Initiative to Process Rating Claims Pending Over Two Years VA FACT SHEET  - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is implementing an initiative to expedite compensation claims decisions for Veterans who have waited one year or longer. Effective April 19, the VA will begin to make provisional decisions on the oldest claims in inventory, which will allow Veterans to begin collecting compensation benefits more quickly, if eligible. This initiative provides a one -year safety net to submit further evidence should it become available and - protects the Veteran’s right to appeal the decision. For the oldest ...

Legion leader says, “for once and for all, say no to TRICARE fee increases!”

WASHINGTON (April 11, 2013) -- The leader of The American Legion has reiterated his organization’s strong opposition to any increases in the premiums paid by military retirees for their TRICARE for Life medical insurance coverage. TRICARE for Life is the Department of Defense-administered medical insurance plan for retired career service members over the age of 65. The DoD’s just released budget plan for fiscal year 2014 includes marginal raises in TRICARE for Life co-pays and an overall fee increase to 2 percent of gross retired pay within five years. “That is egregious enough,” said James E. Koutz, national commander of the ...

The American Legion Washington DC Office *HOT ISSUES*

May 16, 2013 – ISSUES– VA Medical Leases The VA&R and Legislative division are working together on a Legislative Grassroots message regarding Senate Bill 412.  The bill was to reauthorize medical leases for the 26 clinics that are expiring this year.   In the bill’s current form, it does not address the Congressional Budget Office change to their scoring methodology that required... [Read more]

The American Legion News, May 16, 2013

American Legion task force to revisit VA Medical Center Judge Grants Motion To Include The American Legion And Local Post In N.C. Veterans Memorial Case A ‘Surge’ At The VA House Panel Boosts Veterans Spending DoD Health Care Money Could Run Out In August Honoring service: Legion will recognize World War II, Korea vets Defense Dept. Sex Scandals May Alter Military Law Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette... [Read more]

VA Mandates Overtime to Increase Production of Compensation Claims Decisions

WASHINGTON (May 15, 2013) – As part of its ongoing effort to accelerate the elimination of the disability compensation claims backlog, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing today that it is mandating overtime for claims processors in its 56 regional benefits offices. This surge, which will be implemented through the end of fiscal year 2013, will be used to help eliminate the backlog... [Read more]

Legion calls for ‘zero tolerance’ of military sexual assault

WASHINGTON (May 9, 2013) — The American Legion’s governing body today approved a resolution urging the U.S. Armed Forces to enforce a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual assault committed by and against members of the U.S. military. The resolution comes during a week in which the Air Force’s chief of sexual assault prevention was arrested and charged with sexual battery – and the Pentagon... [Read more]