NewsBytes February 8, 2019
In this issue:
State of the Union Address
Agent Orange Bill Introduced
FRA Discusses Issues with HASC and SASC
Concurrent Receipt Bills Introduced
Make Sure Your TRICARE Info is Current
State of the Union Address
President Trump presented the annual State of the Union address to Congress this week. In the delayed address due to the government shutdown, he pledged to build the border wall and outlaw late term abortions. He boasted of a strong economy and the recently signed into law criminal justice reform measure that passed Congress with an overwhelming bipartisan majority. He urged Congress to focus on legislation and not investigations of his administration. Trump recognized three World War II veterans who fought in the D-Day invasion of occupied France; Pfc. Joseph Reilly, Staff Sgt. Irving Locker and Sgt. Herman Zeitchik, sat in the gallery directly behind First Lady Melania Trump. “On D-Day, June 6, 1944, 15,000 young American men jumped from the skies, and 60,000 more stormed in from the sea to save our civilization from tyranny,” Trump said, noting the coming 75th anniversary of that pivotal event. “Here with us tonight are three of those incredible heroes.”
A CBS News survey indicated that 76 percent of viewers approved of the speech. In related news the Pentagon announced it would send its FY2020 budget request to Congress on March 11, 2019.
Agent Orange Reform Bill Introduced
The Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Rep. Mark Takano (Calif.) has introduced the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act (H.R.299). He has indicated that he will not have a committee vote on the bill until it has at least 218 co-sponsors. Last year’s House bill had 335 co-sponsors and passed the House with a unanimous vote of 382 to 0.
The bill clarifies that service members serving off the coast of the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam conflict have a presumption for filing disability claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for ailments associated with exposure to the Agent Orange herbicide. The bill also extends the presumption of herbicide exposure for veterans who served on or near the Korean DMZ between September 1, 1967 and August 31, 1971. The legislation provides health care, vocational training, rehabilitation and monetary allowance to a child who was born with spina bifida if at least one of the child’s parents served in Thailand between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975 and the VA determines that at least one of the parents had been exposed to an herbicide agent during that period. The bill also now includes changes and improvements to the VA’s home loan program.
FRA believes Congress should recognize these veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange herbicide and authorize presumptive status for VA disability claims associated with this exposure. Now is the time to contact your U.S. Representative to urge them to co-sponsor this legislation.
FRA Staff Discusses 2019 Issues with HASC and SASC Staff
FRA’s Director of Legislative Programs John Davis participated in two separate meetings with House Armed Service (HASC) and Senate Armed Services (SASC) Personnel Subcommittee staff to discuss issues impacting FRA members. The SASC meeting focused on the reported cuts to Defense Health Agency staff and its potential impact on quality and access to health care. Staff was also asked about potential TRICARE fee increases in the soon-to-be-released Administration’s FY2020 budget request. Staff claim they have not yet seen the budget request. The HASC meeting concentrated on concurrent receipt reform, SBP/DIC offset repeal, and the commissary benefit. In both meetings, Capitol Hill staff were provided a copy of FRA’s 2019 Legislative Agenda.
Concurrent Receipt Bills Introduced
Senator Jon Tester (Mont.) has introduced comprehensive concurrent receipt legislation, the Retired Pay Restoration Act (S.208). This legislation would authorize the immediate payment of concurrent receipt of full military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation for all disabled retirees.
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (Fla.) also introduced the Retired Pay Restoration Act (H.R.303), which would expand the eligibility of retirees with less than 50 percent disability rating to receive service-connected disability from the VA and full retirement pay for retirees eligible for Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP). Currently, only CRDP disability disabled retirees with a rating of 50 percent or more are eligible for concurrent receipt.
Rep. Sanford Bishop (Ga.) has also introduced comprehensive concurrent receipt reform (H.R.333) that includes disabled retirees with CRDP less than 50 percent and CRDP (Chapter 61) medically retired (less than 20 years of service). Rep. Sanford's bill is similar to the Senate bill and would have the same impact.
Please use the Action Center to ask your legislators to support these proposals.
Make Sure Your TRICARE Information is Current
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) has issued notice to beneficiaries that due to the many recent changes to TRICARE those beneficiaries may have outdated TRICARE reference publications. Visit TRICARE Publications to get started updating information.
TRICARE publishes handbooks, newsletters, brochures, fact sheets, and more. You can view, print, or download a variety of these TRICARE resources. To find what you’re looking for, select a category from the dropdown menu (for example, TRICARE Plans, Life Events, Newsletters) and then select the search button. Or, find a resource by “Publication Title” or “Date Posted.” Select either to begin your search. You’ll find products covering a wide range of topics, like retiring from active duty, Medicare, and maternity care. TRICARE resources are continually updated and added. For additional information go online.
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