April 28 2017
In this
issue:
Government
Shutdown Avoided for One Week
FRA Staff and VA
Secretary Discuss Agent Orange Blue Water Navy Issue
Post 911 GI Bill Fee
Proposed
Improvements to the
TRICARE Dental Program
VA Accountability Office
Created
VE Day Anniversary
Government
Shutdown Avoided for One Week
As Newsbytes gets distributed, it appears Congress will avert a government
shutdown by passing another (third) Continuing Resolution (CR) that extends
government funding at FY 2016 levels for one week. The current CR expires at
midnight Friday, April 28. Reports indicate budget negotiators are close to
agreeing on the final FY 2017 budget but a complete agreement is yet to come.
Some, but not all, of the $30 billion defense supplemental requested by the
Trump administration will be in the final bill. Members can weigh in on this
issue through the FRA Action
Center by asking that Defense is adequately funded in the FY 2017
budget.
FRA Staff
and VA Secretary Discuss Agent Orange Blue Water Navy Issue
FRA Assistant Director of Veteran Programs Brian Condon, along with
representatives from other veteran organizations, met with Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Dr. David Shulkin to discuss the effects the toxin Agent
Orange had on Vietnam veterans who served on ships in the Da Nang and Nha Trang
Harbors. The discussion ranged from the shallow harbors and how sediment at the
bottom was stirred up by ship propellers to how traces of the toxin can still
be found there two decades later. The toxin found its way on board ships in the
harbors through rainwater wash off, currents, tides and the numerous other
ways.
Representatives
stressed that authorizing Blue Water Vietnam Veterans be put on the presumptive
list for conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure. It would not be
granting any new benefits, but rather returning benefits previously granted to
Vietnam Veterans. The VA Secretary can authorize this by regulation. At the
conclusion of the discussion, Secretary Shulkin was provided a packet of
letters written by Blue Water Veterans. There were more than 30 one-page,
written letters that spoke about financial struggles and personal frustrations
with the long and agonizing wait. The authors urged the secretary to authorize
the VA to provide care for those who served. Shulkin listened inquisitively and
asked pertinent questions. He acknowledged there was much he had to learn about
the Agent Orange Blue Water Navy issue, but he considered it important and he
wanted to learn more. FRA will continue to also work on a legislative remedy
and members are urged to use the FRA
Action Center.
Post 911
GI Bill Fee Proposed
This past week, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs (HVAC) Chairman Rep. Phil
Roe (Tenn.) proposed a $100 monthly fee for as long as two years for recruits
to be eligible for the Post 911GI Bill education benefits. The fee would raise
$3 billion in additional revenue throughout a 10-year period. The HVAC
subcommittee hearing on veteran's education benefits scheduled for this week
was cancelled. HVAC Ranking Member Rep. Tim Walz (Minn.) stated, "With
U.S. military operations expanding around the world, asking our troops to pay
for their own benefits while we are still engaged in conflict sends the wrong
signal and is the wrong thing to do." FRA believes veterans have earned
this benefit with their military service. No legislation has been introduced...yet.
The Association will continue to monitor the legislative process and report on
developments as they occur.
Improvements
to the TRICARE Dental Program
Beginning on May 1, 2017, United Concordia Companies, Inc. will manage the
TRICARE Dental Program (TDP). Beneficiaries don't need to take any actions to
continue their coverage.
The TDP is a
voluntary dental benefit for eligible active duty family members, National
Guard and Reserve members.
Several
improvements to the TDP include:
•
The annual maximum TDP will increase from $1,300 to $1,500
• The TDP will consider sealants a free and preventive
treatment, and no longer include a 20 percent cost share
• The auto-enrollment age for family members will be lowered
from age four to one
• For most beneficiaries, the monthly premium rate will
decrease
• The active duty dental program and TRICARE Retiree Dental
program will not change.
The TDP will
continue to provide access to a network of civilian dentists around the world.
However, some dentists currently in the TDP network may choose to leave, while
new ones will join. Those currently enrolled may need to find a new dental
provider. To find participating dentists click here. You may nominate
dentists to participate by clicking on "Nominate Your Dentist" and
completing a simple form located on the page linked above. For more information
regarding the TDP, please visit the TRICARE
or United Concordia websites.
VA
Accountability Office Created
President Trump signed an Executive Order creating the Office of Accountability
and Whistleblower Protection in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The
Office will advise VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin about how to discipline
poorly-performing VA employees. In a released statement VA Secretary Shulkin
said the office will work to ensure, "that we identify systemic barriers
that prevent us from making the right decisions and also make sure that we're
honoring the commitments that we have to our whistleblowers who come forth and
identify issues so that there's not retaliation." Shulkin added,
"Congress also needs to change the law to allow the VA to more
expeditiously discipline and fire problem employees."
The House has
already passed the legislation "VA Accountability First Act" (H.R.
1259), sponsored by Rep. Phil Roe (Tenn.) and supported by FRA. This bill would
increase the authority of the VA Secretary to discipline and fire workers while
still protecting the legal rights of those employees. It is unclear whether the
measure can gain enough Democratic support to pass the Senate.
VE Day
Anniversary
This Monday marks the 72nd anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe) when the
world celebrated the surrender of Nazi Germany during World War II. Celebrations
took place throughout the country. President Harry Truman dedicated the victory
and celebrations to President Franklin Roosevelt, who had died just a month
before victory in Europe was achieved.
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