In this issue:
Support NDAA Provisions
New VA Urgent Care Benefit Under VA MISSION Act
More STEM Benefits for GI Bill Students


Support NDAA Provisions
As reported in last week’s NewsBytes, the House and Senate have passed their versions of the FY2020 Defense Authorization Act (H.R.2500-S.1790). There are no TRICARE fee increases in either bill, and both proposals provide an annual active duty pay increase of 3.1 percent, which at least keeps pace with civilian pay increases.   

Now that both chambers of Congress have passed their version of the FY2020 Defense Authorization, a conference committee will be appointed to resolve the differences between the two bills. The House bill has FRA supported provisions that are not in the Senate bill. Members are urged to ask their Senators to support House provisions in the final bill that include:
• Repealing the SBP/DIC offset known as the Widows Tax;
• Delaying proposed drastic cuts to military medical staff and requiring a study on the potential impact; and
• Allowing military service members to sue the DoD for instances of medical malpractice unrelated to combat.

The conference committee bill will be submitted to the House and Senate for approval. If approved by both chambers the bill will go to the President to be signed into law or be vetoed. FRA members are urged to use the Action Center online, to ask their Senators to accept the above referenced provisions in the final bill. 



New VA Urgent Care Benefit Under VA MISSION Act
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced the publication of two final regulations as part of its new Veterans Community Care Program under the FRA-supported VA MISSION Act. 

The MISSION Act, which was signed into law June 6, 2018, strengthens the VA’s ability to deliver trusted, easy to access, high quality care at VA facilities or community service providers, as well as virtually through telehealth. The law makes several improvements to VA care that took effect on June 6, 2019. 

“President Trump promised to give Veterans greater choice. We are honoring that promise by making sure Veterans have access to timely, high-quality care, whether from our VA facilities or our community providers,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie.

A key component of the MISSION Act is a new urgent care benefit that provides eligible veterans with greater choice and access to timely, high-quality care. With urgent care, veterans have a new option for care for the treatment of minor injuries and illnesses, such as colds, sore throats and minor skin infections. The benefit is offered in addition to the opportunity to receive care from a VA provider, as the VA also offers same-day services.

The VA also published the final regulation for the Veterans Community Care Program governing how eligible veterans receive necessary hospital care, medical services, and extended care services from non-VA entities or providers in the community. This new program replaces the Veterans Choice Program, which expired June 6, 2019. 

The VA is implementing improvements to its community care program as required by the VA MISSION Act. Veterans can find detailed information on urgent care eligibility, community care eligibility and information on the VA MISSION Act implementation.

More STEM Benefits for GI Bill Students
Effective Aug. 1, 2019, Post-9/11 GI Bill students enrolled in STEM programs could have an additional nine months of GI Bill benefits available to them. The STEM Scholarship provision is part of the Forever GI Bill Act of 2017, which made improvements to the Post-9/11 GI Bill (2008). Among those improvements, is a provision to give extra benefits to students training in the high-demand fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Obtaining a degree in these areas may require more training than other fields.

This scholarship aims to provide additional incentive to students who choose the careers our society needs most. It is not automatic and must be applied for. For more information go onlin.

Follow FRA on Twitter (https://twitter.com/FRAHQ); Follow FRA on Instagram (www.instagram.com/fra_hq) and "like" FRA on Facebook (use the shortcut of www.fra.org/fb)