Newsbytes May 16, 2025 

In this Issue:
Addressing Shipmate Concerns With Congress
Executive Order Bolsters Veteran Support 
VA Secretary Collins Attends HVAC Hearing
Thousands Disenrolled from Tricare West Region
Pope Leo XIV's Father Was WWII Navy Veteran

Addressing Shipmate Concerns With Congress
On May 15, 2025, the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Legislative Team met with the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (HVAC-DAMA) to address critical issues impacting veterans, as raised by FRA shipmates. The meeting focused on two pressing concerns: the need for automated prioritization of VA claims for aging and terminally ill veterans, exemplified by the case of a Shipmate, and the elimination of the $3 travel reimbursement deductible, seen by a Shipmate as an avenue to benefit all veterans using savings from VA reform as claimed by the VA Secretary. The FRA emphasized its commitment to taking every shipmate’s concerns seriously, always welcoming their opinions and concerns, and advocating tirelessly to ensure veterans and their families receive their earned benefits. HVAC-DAMA members responded enthusiastically, expressing gratitude for the FRA’s proactive approach and pledging to pursue these issues to improve veterans’ access to care and benefits. 

The discussion of a Shipmate’s case—a Vietnam veteran who passed away on April 26, 2025, without receiving benefits from his June 6, 2024, claim due to administrative delays—highlighted systemic flaws in VA claim processing. The FRA proposed automating the identification of claims from veterans over 75 and those with terminal illnesses, using systems like the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) and diagnostic codes. HVAC-DAMA members were impressed by the potential of these automated processes to benefit countless veterans, noting that many, including some subcommittee staff, were unaware of this pathway. The subcommittee committed to exploring these reforms, recognizing their ability to prevent tragedies like the Shipmate’s and ensure timely benefits for aging veterans and their surviving spouses. 

The second issue, raised by FRA shipmates, centered on the VA Beneficiary Travel program’s $3 one-way/$6 round-trip deductible, which creates financial barriers for veterans seeking medical care. A Shipmate proposed eliminating the deductible, viewing it as an avenue to benefit all veterans by redirecting savings from VA reform, as claimed by the VA Secretary, to fund full reimbursement. This approach, estimated to cover the $20–$30 million annual cost, resonated with HVAC-DAMA. The subcommittee acknowledged its alignment with the goal of directing VA resources to veterans and agreed to refer the proposal to the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee for further consideration. The FRA’s advocacy, driven by shipmates’ welcomed input, emphasized the deductible’s disproportionate impact on low-income and chronically ill veterans, reinforcing the need for equitable healthcare access. 

The meeting accentuates the FRA’s role as a dedicated advocate for its shipmates, ensuring their voices shape legislative priorities. HVAC-DAMA members appreciated the FRA’s detailed proposals and the real-world impact illustrated by shipmate concerns, such as those affecting veterans facing claim delays and travel costs. The subcommittee’s commitment to pursue these reforms, including potential oversight of VA technological upgrades and collaboration with other subcommittees, reflects the FRA’s influence in driving veteran-centered change. The FRA Legislative Team vowed to continue monitoring progress, engaging with VA leadership, and working with other Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) to ensure accountability, while always welcoming shipmates’ opinions and concerns to guide their advocacy. 

The FRA remains committed to actively championing these issues, ensuring veterans and their families receive timely benefits and barrier-free access to care. By valuing and acting on shipmates’ opinions and concerns, the FRA is advancing meaningful change, honoring the sacrifices of veterans and supporting the broader veteran community. 

Executive Order Bolsters Veteran Support 
On May 9, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order titled "Keeping Promises to Veterans and Establishing a National Center for Warrior Independence," a pivotal move to enhance support for America’s veterans, particularly those facing homelessness. This order mandates the creation of the National Center for Warrior Independence on the 388-acre West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs (VA) campus, aiming to house up to 6,000 homeless veterans by January 1, 2028. By redirecting funds previously used for housing undocumented immigrants, it prioritizes veterans’ access to housing, healthcare, and rehabilitation services. The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) welcomes this initiative for its potential to restore dignity and self-sufficiency to veterans. However, simultaneous concerns have emerged over the VA’s decision to terminate the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program, which has aided nearly 20,000 veterans in avoiding foreclosure, highlighting a gap in veteran housing stability. 

The executive order tackles mismanagement at the West Los Angeles VA campus, where portions have been leased to private entities like a school and UCLA’s baseball team at nominal rates. With Los Angeles hosting about 3,000 homeless veterans—roughly 10% of the national total—the National Center will provide housing, substance abuse treatment, and workforce reintegration programs to foster the "warrior ethos." The FRA supports this focus on reclaiming the campus for veterans, noting its alignment with urgent needs. Conversely, the VA’s decision to end VASP on May 1, 2025, after only 10 months, has sparked alarm. VASP purchased defaulted VA loans, offering veterans low-interest rates to prevent eviction. Critics, including housing advocates and Democrats, warn that without a replacement, thousands of veterans—81,000 of whom were in default as of February 2025—face foreclosure, potentially undermining the executive order’s housing goals. 

The executive order also strengthens VA healthcare and accountability, directing reduced wait times through expanded hours and virtual care, with a report due in 60 days. It proposes a new VA medical center in New Hampshire and reinforces accountability measures from the 2017 VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. The FRA applauds these steps for improving service delivery. Meanwhile, the termination of VASP, which cost $5.4 billion to rescue 17,000 loans, has drawn Republican support from figures like Rep. Mike Bost and Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who argue it risked taxpayer funds by holding loans on VA books. In response, Van Orden introduced HR 1815, the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, to codify a partial claims program. This would allow the VA to cover up to 20% of a loan’s unpaid principal, securing an interest subordinate to the primary lender, offering veterans a sustainable way to manage missed payments without foreclosure. 

The FRA’s welcoming of the executive order is tempered by its commitment to monitor both its implementation and the fallout from VASP’s closure. The association recognizes the National Center’s ambitious scope but stresses the need for transparent progress and adherence to timelines, especially given ongoing legal battles over the West Los Angeles campus. Similarly, the FRA is concerned about VASP’s abrupt end, as some veterans now face uncertainty. The proposed partial claims program in HR 1815, supported by both parties, aims to bridge this gap, but its passage remains uncertain, leaving veterans vulnerable. The FRA vows to advocate for robust oversight to ensure both the executive order and any new legislation deliver on their promises. 

In conclusion, the executive order marks a significant commitment to veterans through housing and healthcare reforms, earning FRA support for its focus on self-sufficiency. However, the concurrent termination of VASP raises serious concerns about veterans’ housing stability, with 33,000 VA loans already in foreclosure processes. Rep. Van Orden’s HR 1815 offers a potential solution by reforming VA loan management, but its delay risks preventable foreclosures. The FRA’s dual focus on appreciating the executive order and scrutinizing VASP’s fallout stresses the need for cohesive veteran support. By prioritizing veterans and ensuring accountability, these efforts can honor their service—if implemented effectively. 

VA Secretary Collins Attends HVAC Hearing
The congressional hearing on May 15, 2025, examining the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) budget for fiscal year 2026 and Secretary Doug Collins’ leadership provides critical insights for veterans. The discussion addressed workforce strategies, healthcare access, suicide prevention, and policy shifts, highlighting both progress and challenges. Veterans should note the VA’s commitment to preserving frontline care, reducing appointment backlogs, and improving transition support, while staying vigilant about potential disruptions from staffing changes and new policies. Understanding these developments will help veterans navigate the VA’s evolving services effectively. 

The VA’s workforce strategy, targeting a 15% reduction (approximately 83,000 jobs) in administrative roles, was a central focus. Secretary Collins assured that 300,000 frontline positions, including doctors and nurses, are exempt from a hiring freeze, emphasizing no reductions in clinical staff. However, congressional concerns about staffing shortages persist, as 2,500 clinicians have applied for early retirement under the Deferred Resignation Program, reflecting low morale. Veterans should expect continued access to healthcare providers but monitor local VA facilities for potential service impacts due to these morale and staffing challenges. 

Veterans can find encouragement in advancements in healthcare access and suicide prevention. Collins reported a 21% reduction in appointment backlogs (from 260,000 to 200,000) in under 100 days, though wait times have risen (e.g., primary care from 15.7 to 24.3 days). The Arizona Be Connected program, a public-private partnership addressing veteran suicide, is being considered for expansion, highlighting Collins’ focus on measurable outcomes. Veterans, particularly those with 3-7 years of service at higher suicide risk, should explore local prevention initiatives and advocate for seamless DoD-to-VA transitions to secure early mental health support. 

Policy changes and modernization efforts will shape veterans’ experiences. The VA has stopped new gender-affirming procedures, redirecting funds to prosthetics and community care, and canceled $6.1 million in DEI contracts, potentially affecting services for minority veterans. The Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) aims to reach 20 sites by 2031, promising improved data integration but facing staffing and budget constraints. Veterans should anticipate better online access to benefits like the GI Bill and prepare for possible delays in clinical trials, as 1,500 ongoing trials lack centralized oversight, impacting treatments for conditions like cancer. 

Veterans should proactively engage with the VA to optimize benefits amid these changes. The focus on DoD-VA collaboration for smoother transitions and user-friendly technology upgrades offers hope for streamlined services. However, transparency concerns, including Collins’ limited responsiveness to Congress and the controversial firing of the Inspector General, raise questions about accountability. FRA shipmates should feel free to contact the legislative team with concerns at their local VA to ensure their needs shape the VA’s reforms, securing the world-class care they deserve. 

Thousands Disenrolled from Tricare West Region
Roughly 30,000 Tricare beneficiaries in the West Region are being disenrolled from their health coverage due to a failure to set up new payment methods with TriWest Healthcare Alliance. The change stems from the January 1 transition of Tricare West Region management from Health Net Federal Services to TriWest. Because credit card and bank account information could not be transferred for security reasons, beneficiaries who had been paying enrollment fees via electronic methods needed to reestablish payments directly with TriWest. 

Despite multiple reminders and a payment deadline extended to April 30, many beneficiaries failed to complete the process. As a result, the Defense Manpower Data Center began issuing disenrollment notices starting May 1. Those who were disenrolled must now contact TriWest by phone—not through the online portal—to reinstate coverage, pay backdated enrollment fees to January 1, and reestablish recurring payments. TriWest can be reached at 1-888-874-9378. 

The disenrollment is retroactive to the last date of paid coverage, meaning individuals who used Tricare services without up-to-date payments may be liable for out-of-pocket costs since the start of the year. Reports have surfaced of users facing issues with TriWest’s online system and difficulties reaching customer service. TriWest has acknowledged the problems and stated they are increasing call center staffing to address the volume. 

This issue affects only those in the West Region who pay by card or bank transfer and failed to update payment methods with TriWest. Those who use Tricare for Life, the U.S. Family Health Plan, or overseas Tricare plans are not impacted. Additionally, beneficiaries who set up payments through the Defense Financing and Accounting Service were not required to take action, as their payments transferred automatically. 

Pope Leo XIV's Father Was WWII Navy Veteran
Louis Marius Prevost, father of Pope Leo XIV, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Born in Chicago on July 28, 1920, he was commissioned in 1943 and served as executive officer of a tank landing ship. He took part in the D-Day landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944, and later commanded an infantry landing craft during Operation Dragoon in southern France. 

These missions were critical in weakening German forces by opening a second front. The capture of the ports of Marseille and Toulon soon followed, becoming major supply hubs for the Allies. Prevost served overseas for 15 months, attaining the rank of lieutenant junior grade before the war ended in May 1945. 

After the war, he became head of Brookwood School District 167 in Glenwood, Illinois, and later principal of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Chicago. He also served as a catechist, teaching Christian doctrine. 

Prevost married librarian Mildred Agnes Martinez in 1949. They had three sons, including Robert Francis Prevost, who became Pope Leo XIV—the first American pope—on May 8, 2025. Louis died in 1997; Mildred in 1990.