Newsbytes January 23, 2026

In this issue:
Frontline Fraud Roundtable
USS Gerald R. Ford Living Conditions  
Fee Transparency At The VA
CHCBP Coverage Option 
1095-B Access Update 
Expanding FRA Outreach 

Frontline Fraud Roundtable
On January 21, 2026, the House Veterans Affairs Committee minority staff convened a roundtable to examine the growing threat of fraud targeting veterans, active duty service members, and their families. Ranking Member Mark Takano opened the discussion by highlighting how access to earned benefits, combined with trust in institutions, can make the military community particularly vulnerable to bad actors. The roundtable followed earlier discussions on toxic exposures, healthcare practices, and data privacy, continuing a broader effort to strengthen oversight and consumer protections. 

The Fleet Reserve Association was represented at the hearing by NED Donna Jansky, RPEC Valerie Toulotte and DLP Theo Lawson. FRA appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from lawmakers, advocates, and subject matter experts who outlined common fraud schemes, including impostors posing as VA officials, pension poaching, romance scams, and unaccredited claims consultants charging excessive fees for basic assistance. Participants also discussed how emerging technologies and online platforms have expanded scammers’ reach into the military community. 

Witnesses emphasized that enforcement challenges and gaps in coordination among federal agencies continue to complicate efforts to deter fraud. While prosecutions remain important, speakers stressed that prevention, education, and timely reporting are equally critical. Several participants pointed to the value of stronger accountability for repeat offenders and clearer safeguards to stop veterans and military families from being targeted before financial harm occurs. 

The roundtable also reinforced the importance of practical fraud prevention steps. Veterans, service members, and their families were urged to verify unsolicited offers through official VA channels at va.gov, seek free claims assistance from accredited organizations such as FRA and other recognized VSOs, and use tools like the GI Bill Comparison Tool when evaluating education programs. Participants encouraged building trusted networks for second opinions on investments or personal relationships, enabling multi factor authentication on financial accounts, and approaching unsolicited job or cryptocurrency offers with skepticism. 

In cases of suspected fraud, timely reporting was underscored as essential. Individuals should contact the VA Office of Inspector General hotline at 1 800 488 8244, submit a report to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov, file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov, and notify state attorneys general when appropriate. FRA welcomed the focus on education and reporting, and reiterated its support for legislative efforts such as the GUARD Act to strengthen accountability and protect veterans’ earned benefits. 

Watch The Hearing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phdffxCGWI4 

USS Gerald R. Ford Living Conditions 
Recent reporting has raised concerns about persistent failures in the toilet and sewage system aboard USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier. According to internal Navy documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, the ship’s Vacuum Collection, Holding and Transfer system has experienced frequent breakdowns throughout its deployment, creating ongoing challenges for the crew of roughly 4,600 sailors. 

The Ford has been deployed for several months and is currently operating in the Caribbean as part of broader naval operations. Emails cited in the reporting describe near daily maintenance calls, repeated system outages across multiple zones of the ship, and a growing strain on hull maintenance technicians tasked with keeping the system operational. The Government Accountability Office previously identified the system as undersized and poorly designed, noting that similar issues have persisted since the ship’s first deployment in 2023. 

Documents indicate that the carrier has required outside assistance more than 40 times since 2023 and has undergone multiple acid flushes to address calcium buildup in narrow pipes, a costly process that can only be done in port. While Navy officials have stated that the outages have had no operational impact and that average disruptions last between 30 minutes and two hours, sailors and families have voiced concerns about sanitation and quality of life during extended periods at sea. 

The Fleet Reserve Association is closely following these reports. If confirmed, FRA is concerned about the health, comfort, and overall living conditions of the sailors serving aboard USS Gerald R. Ford. Habitability issues, even when they do not directly affect operations, can have a real impact on morale, readiness, and retention, particularly for young sailors on their first long deployments. 

The Navy has acknowledged the long standing nature of the problem and has indicated that upgrades to the system are planned for future maintenance availabilities, citing improvements made on other carriers. However, experts and officials have cautioned that a comprehensive, long term fix is unlikely in the near term. 

FRA will continue to monitor the situation as additional information becomes available and will work with Congress and the Department of the Navy to help ensure that any corrective actions are realistic, adequately funded, and implemented on a timeline that provides lasting relief. Sailors deserve safe and reliable living conditions that match the critical missions they are asked to perform, and FRA remains committed to advocating for solutions that address both immediate concerns and long term fleet readiness. 

Fee Transparency At The VA
Beginning this month, the Department of Veterans Affairs will publicly report how much money it pays to VA accredited attorneys and claims agents who assist veterans with disability claims. The information will be shared through VA websites and social media channels and will show total payments over the past twelve months, monthly averages, and recent monthly figures. VA has also indicated it plans to further break down the data by calendar year, state, and congressional district. 

Paying attorneys and agents from a veteran’s past due benefits is not new. What is new is making this information visible to the public. Under current law, VA accredited attorneys and claims agents may only charge fees after an initial VA decision on a claim, and those fees are capped at no more than twenty percent of backpay. VA pays those fees directly before the remaining retroactive benefits are released to the veteran. If the full fee cannot be covered after other withholdings, VA makes up the difference. 

The newly released figures are significant. Over the last twelve months, VA paid approximately 394.7 million dollars to attorneys and agents, with a monthly average of about 32 million dollars. Payments totaled 29.4 million dollars in November 2025 and rose to 35.3 million dollars in December 2025. VA officials say the goal is to clearly show where this money goes, why it is paid, and how much is involved, so veterans can make informed decisions about representation. 

The Fleet Reserve Association is proud of this move by VA and has long called for greater transparency around attorney and agent fees in the claims process. FRA believes that clear, accessible information empowers veterans to better understand their options and avoid unexpected outcomes when seeking assistance with benefits. 

FRA also hopes the administration will go even further by highlighting fee patterns among law firms and agents over time. This type of transparency can help veterans compare representation choices and better understand the financial impact of their decisions. Just as importantly, it may encourage more veterans to consider working with accredited Veterans Service Organizations, including FRA, which provide claims assistance at no cost to the veteran. 

Veterans deserve full visibility into how their earned benefits are handled. By shining a light on attorney and agent fee payments, VA has taken a meaningful step toward accountability and informed choice. FRA will continue to support efforts that protect veterans, promote transparency, and ensure that benefits are delivered in a way that best serves those who have worn the uniform. 

CHCBP Coverage Option 
The Continued Health Care Benefit Program offers a temporary health coverage option for beneficiaries whose TRICARE eligibility has ended. CHCBP is a voluntary, premium based plan available worldwide and is designed to help bridge gaps in coverage during periods of transition. 

Eligible individuals may purchase CHCBP coverage for 18 to 36 months following the loss of TRICARE eligibility. Enrollment must occur within 60 days of losing TRICARE coverage. Missing this window permanently ends eligibility for the program, making timely action critical for those who rely on continuous health care access. 

Participants pay quarterly premiums, with costs based on the sponsor’s status at the time of enrollment and the type of care received. Former spouses pay retiree level costs regardless of the sponsor’s duty status at the time coverage is purchased. CHCBP allows beneficiaries to see any TRICARE authorized provider, though using network providers can help reduce out of pocket expenses. Care at military hospitals or clinics is not available under this program. 

Most primary and specialty care does not require a referral, with the exception of Applied Behavioral Analysis. Preauthorization is required for certain procedures and treatments. Pharmacy benefits are included through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, though military pharmacies are not available. Dental coverage is not included, and vision benefits vary based on eligibility category and type of care needed. 

CHCBP remains an important option for transitioning service members, retirees, and eligible family members who need continued access to health care after TRICARE eligibility ends. 

1095-B Access Update 
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced changes to how Veterans and eligible family members receive IRS Form 1095-B, the document that confirms health coverage during the tax year. While the form is no longer required for federal tax filing due to changes in the Affordable Care Act, it may still be needed for state taxes or personal records. 

This update does not affect VA health care eligibility, enrollment, or benefits. It only changes how the form is distributed. 

Beginning January 31, 2026, Veterans enrolled in qualifying VA health care programs can access IRS Form 1095-B electronically through their VA.gov account. VA officials note that downloading the form online will be the fastest and easiest way to obtain a copy. 

Veterans who prefer a paper copy may request one after January 31, 2026, by calling 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. 

Family members enrolled in VA related health programs must continue to request the form by phone. CHAMPVA beneficiaries can call 800-733-8387, with TTY access through 711, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Those covered under the Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program or the Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Benefits Program can request a copy by calling 833-930-0816, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Eastern Time. 

VA also announced plans to expand online access. Family members will be able to retrieve IRS Form 1095-B electronically through a VA.gov account beginning in January 2027. 

Veterans and families are encouraged to keep this form with their personal records and verify whether it is required for state tax purposes. 

Expanding FRA Outreach 
The Fleet Reserve Association is expanding its digital presence to better connect with shipmates and share timely updates across more platforms. In response to the growing number of people who rely on social media for news and information, FRA has launched an official TikTok account. This new channel will help the Association reach a broader audience and engage shipmates where they are already consuming content.

TikTok Account: https://www.tiktok.com/@frahq2?_r=1&_t=ZP-93IryoyT7SZ

In addition, FRA now maintains a Flickr account where members and supporters can view photos from national conventions, regional meetings, and other Association events. This provides an easy way to stay connected and see FRA activities from across the country. 

Shipmates are encouraged to follow FRA on these platforms to stay informed, engaged, and connected with the Association’s ongoing work and community. 

Flickr Account: https://www.flickr.com/photos/201811724@N02/