NewsBytes July 22, 2022      
     
In this issue:
FRA Meets with The Speaker
New 988 Crisis Line
HVAC Hearing on VA EHRM


FRA Meets with The Speaker
DLP John Davis participated in a VSO/MSO roundtable with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Rep. Mark Takano (Calif.), Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Other legislators that attended the off-the-record meeting include Reps Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), Raul Ruiz (Calif.), Chris Pappas (N.H.), Matt Cartwright (Pa.), Mike Levin (Calif.), Julia Brownley (Calif.) Ed Case (Hawaii) Frank Mrvan (Ind.) and Collin Allred (Texas). 

The meeting focused on the pending veteran’s toxic exposure bill (H.R.3373). The bill would allow for the first time all veterans who were at risk of toxic exposure, including 3.5 million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, to obtain immediate and lifelong access to health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — one of the largest expansions of health care eligibility in the VA’s history. The bill would provide presumptive care for numerous conditions for veterans who are sickened by exposure to burn pits and other toxins. This bill would also establish a new science-based and veteran-focused process for the establishment of new presumptive conditions and would provide benefits to thousands of toxic exposure veterans who have been long-ignored or forgotten, including Agent Orange veterans suffering from hypertension. 

DLP Davis told the Speaker about the need for concurrent receipt reform. FRA supports comprehensive concurrent receipt legislation (H.R.333) and the Major Richard Star Act (H.R.1282, S.344). The FRA argues that retired pay is for years of arduous military service paid by the Department of Defense while disability pay is for lifelong injury paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To reduce retirement pay because of a disability is an injustice.  

At the meeting concern was expressed about eligibility standards for the VA Caregiver Act, and that the VA needs more funding for mental health. There was some discussion about cost overruns with implementing the MISSION Act. There was some discussion about veteran suicide and the new 988 Crisis Line (see story below). The Speaker announced that the Veterans Women Taskforce will be extended another six months.  

Following the meeting Davis provided the Speaker’s staff with point papers on concurrent receipt and the Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act (H.R.2214) and information on the military postal system ending privileges for overseas military retirees.

Members can weigh in on the veterans toxic exposure, and the concurrent receipt issue. Members can also ask their legislators to support the Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act (H.R.2214). 


New 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
The nationwide 988 Suicide and Crisis Line is now operational. This means that, theoretically, a person can be connected with local suicide prevention resources anywhere in the country by dialing only three digits, rather than the current 10-digit, toll-free hotlines in use. It has been referred to as the 911 emergency system for mental health help. The 988 crisis line is not aimed specifically at veterans, but advocates are hopeful that the resource will provide an easier venue for veterans and military members facing mental health emergencies. Veterans and active-duty military will be instructed to dial 1 once connected to the crisis line. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) is part of the switch. 

The VA says they have been planning for the switch, and for the expected increase in the volume of calls. The VA projects a five to 13 percent increase in calls once the switch occurs. The number of calls is expected to continue to grow, with a potential 40 to 60 percent increase in the second year, and 150 percent increase throughout the first three years. Some of this increase consists of existing trends. However, said Miller, more people are likely to call simply because it is easier to remember a three-digit phone number in a time of crisis than a ten-digit phone number. The VA has been preparing for the switch, with a 56 percent increase in hiring and improvements in the technology to support those workers. 

Callers to the VCL not only receive immediate assistance and advice, they can also elect to have a local suicide prevention coordinator from the VA reach out to them in the days after the call. The VA has also hired peer support counselors to call crisis line callers back.  These counselors can engage with callers as peers to identify challenges and needs, and to help them engage with available resources. The 988 switch applies only to phone calls. Those wishing to engage with the VCL through text messages should still text 838255 to reach a counselor. 


HVAC Hearing on VA EHRM
The House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee recently held separate oversight hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) report revealing serious issues with the deployment of VA’s new Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program. The FRA has been monitoring the implementation of the EHR and wants to ensure adequate funding for Department of Defense (DoD) and the VA health care resource sharing in delivering seamless, cost-effective, quality services to personnel wounded in combat and other veterans and their families.

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