NewsBytes April 1, 2022
In this issue:
FRA Speaks on Toxic Exposure at Hearing
FY2023 Budget Released
House Passes Coast Guard Bill
National Vietnam War Veterans Day
The FRA Weighs in on Veterans Toxic Exposure at SVAC Hearing
National Executive Director (NED) Christopher Slawinski testified before a Senate Veteran Affairs Committee (SVAC) hearing on veteran toxic exposure legislation. Slawinski told the SVAC that FRA supports all the toxic exposure bills. He noted that the association is a member of the Toxic Exposures in the American Military (TEAM) Coalition and wants to ensure that no veteran who suffered exposure to burn pits or other environmental toxins goes without access to VA health care benefits. Slawinski thanked the SVAC for their support of the Agent Orange Blue Water Navy Act that passed in 2019.
Slawinski reminded the committee that the FRA is supporting the “Veterans’ Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act” (S.2720, H.R.4880), which expands treatment and research of prostate cancer to help diagnose and treat veterans through the VA. This is the number one cancer diagnosed by the Veterans Health Administration. Recent studies have reported more than 500,000 veterans are living with prostate cancer and receiving treatment within the VHA. There are over 16,000 of those with metastatic disease and there are more than 15,000 new diagnoses annually. The need to standardize treatment across the VHA with the introduction of a comprehensive system-wide Prostate Cancer Clinical Pathway should be implemented.
Studies have shown that prostate cancer develops more frequently in men who were exposed to Agent Orange so the VHA has established it is a presumptive condition, thus qualifying exposed veterans for full disability benefits. New data supports a link between prostate cancer and exposure to jet fuel (JP-8), cadmium, and aircraft component cleaning solvents. Slawinski noted that he served on an aircraft carrier and was exposed to jet fuel fumes, and he currently has prostate cancer.
Slawinski’s testimony can be seen online. https://www.veterans.senate.gov/2022/3/honoring-our-promise-to-address-comprehensive-toxics-act-of-2021 His testimony begins 1 hour and 59 minutes into the meeting. Members are encouraged to weigh in on these proposals through the FRA Action Center.
Support Veterans Toxic Exposure Legislation
Prostate Cancer Threat to Veterans
Honoring Our PACT Act, H.R.3967
FY2023 Budget Released
President Joe Biden sent a $5.8 trillion FY2023 budget proposal to Congress that calls for $813 billion for defense that compares to $782 billion for defense in the current fiscal year (FY2022). Those figures include a proposal to increase federal pay for military and civilian employees by 4.6 percent. The document projects a fiscal 2023 deficit of nearly $1.2 trillion, or 4.5 percent of Gross Domestic Production (GDP). The budget request does not include any new TRICARE fee increases.
The Navy budget would be increased by five percent and the Marine Corps budget would increase 1.8 percent over the current FY2022 budget. The Navy would reduce end strength by 10,000 over the next five years and would add nine new ships while it decommissions 24 ships.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would receive $135 billion under the proposal, an increase of $30.7 billion, or a 23 percent increase. The VA has experienced substantial budgetary increases for many years. However, the fiscal 2023 request represents a major new influx of money for the VA. The budget provides large increases in outpatient care services ($29.6 billion, up 32 percent), mental health care programs ($8.5 billion, up 15 percent), prosthetics care ($4 billion, up 8 percent) and caregivers support stipends ($1.8 billion, up 35 percent).
The caregivers’ program has been a source of contention in recent months, as the FRA and other VSO groups have expressed concern that longtime participants will be ineligible for the program when updated eligibility guidelines take effect. VA officials announced they would pause all dismissals from the program amid concerns that the changes were affecting too many families.
House Passes Coast Guard Authorization Bill
The House approved (378-46) the “Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act” (H.R.6865), which was renamed in the late Alaskan Congressman’s honor. The two-year measure would extend current authorizations for military strength and average training levels — including 44,500 active-duty personnel — through fiscal 2023. The Coast Guard, within 180 days of the bill’s enactment, would work to promote the representation of women and minorities. The measure also would:
• Allow the end strength of the Selected Reserves to be varied by as much as 3 percent;
• Let the Coast Guard designate certain officers with critical skills to remain on active duty after their designated retirement date;
• Increase the number of commissioned officers on the active-duty promotion list, starting with 7,100 officers in fiscal 2022 and reaching 7,400 by fiscal 2025; and
• Direct the Coast Guard to establish a behavioral health policy equivalent to a Defense Department policy.
It also incorporates a House-passed bill (H.R.4996) to update federal maritime shipping law and address supply chain backlogs. The bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day
This week (March 29) was National Vietnam War Veterans Day in the United States. First observed in 2012, it honors the U.S. military members who served during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). Across the United States, commemorative events like wreath-laying ceremonies, speeches, and luncheons were held to mark the occasion, including a ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, that included Marine Corps Commandant David Berger and VA Secretary Denis McDonough. The FRA wants to especially thank the 3.4 million who served in theater, the 58,000 who paid the ultimate price, and the 1,584 who remain missing.
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