NewsBytes March 12, 2021
In this issue:
COVID Relief Package Becomes Law
Bill to Expand COVID-19 Vaccine Access for Veterans and Families
SVAC Hearing on Toxic Exposure
President Signs COVID Relief Package into Law
Congress passed and President Biden signed it into law the “American Rescue Act” (H.R.1319-COVID relief package). The bill provides additional resources for the VA to continue vaccinating veterans and VA staff, as well as potential improvements to bolster the nation’s vaccine supply chain. A breakdown of VA provisions is available in last week’s NewsBytes.
The relief package includes an FRA-supported provision that closes the so-called 90/10 loophole. Currently, for-profit schools must collect at least 10% of their revenue from non-federal sources. The 90/10 rule does not count the GI Bill as federal revenue, despite it coming from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The relief package provides $1.9 trillion in spending in numerous government programs that includes:
• Providing economic impact payments of $1,400 for individuals/$2800 for those making up to $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples;
• Delivering a $300 weekly supplemental unemployment compensation payment until September for unemployed individuals;
• Exempting student loan forgiveness payments from taxation;
• Providing a 100% subsidy of COBRA health insurance premiums for laid-off workers can keep healthcare coverage through the end of September; and
• Expanding child tax credits and SNAP (Food stamps program).
An attempt to add a phased in $15 an hour increase in the minimum wage failed in the Senate.
Bipartisan Bill Expanding COVID-19 Vaccine Access for Veterans and Families
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) Chairman Jon Tester (Mont.), Sen. John Boozman (Ark.), SVAC Ranking Member Jerry Moran (Kan.), and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) introduced bipartisan legislation that would expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to veterans and their families under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The “Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize all Veterans and Every Spouse (SAVE LIVES) Act” (S.682) would allow the VA to provide no-cost COVID vaccination services to all veterans, veteran spouses, caregivers, and Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) recipients to the extent that such vaccines are available. The legislation also urges the Department of Health and Human Services to adjust the VA’s vaccine allocation based on this increased eligibility pool, as much as the supply chain allows.
Similar legislation (H.R.1276) sponsored by House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano (Calif.) has passed the House. This bill would provide vaccines to veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system, and veteran caregivers.
Members can weigh in on this issue by using the FRA Action Center.
SVAC Hearing on Toxic Exposure
The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing to discuss the experiences of veterans living with exposure to Agent Orange or Burn Pits, and the lifelong health consequences of the exposure. The hearing also examined the scientific evidence related to these exposures and their health outcomes. Chairman Jon Tester (Mont.) said we have not learned our lesson from Vietnam. There is too much arguing over the science and too much red tape. Ranking Member Jerry Moran (Kan.) noted those who are sick from exposure have been met with barriers to care from the VA. Witnesses include a Vietnam War veteran testifying about Agent Orange exposure, an Iraq War Veteran testifying about burn pit exposure, veterans’ advocates and medical experts.
The FRA is a member of the Toxic Exposures in the American Military (TEAM) Coalition and wants to ensure that no veteran who had exposure to burn pits or other environmental toxins goes without access to VA health care benefits. The FRA supports oversight hearings on the negative effects of these hazards, and what steps the VA is taking to get veterans who are affected by burn pit exposure to get the care they need. The burn pit registry was created to allow eligible veterans and service members to document their exposures and report health concerns through an online questionnaire.
Members can register with the burn pit registry by going online.
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