NewsBytes May 28, 2021
In this issue:
Toxic Exposure Bill Moves Forward with Hypertension for AO Claims
Tightened Eligibility & Delayed Roll-Out of VA Caregivers Program
FRA Participates in Memorial Day Events
Veterans Toxic Exposure Bill Moves Forward with Hypertension for AO Claims
The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) approved the “Comprehensive and Overdue Support for Troops (COST) of War Act.” This legislation, sponsored by SVAC Chairman Jon Tester, 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 11 conditions for veterans who were sickened by exposure to burn pits and other toxins. It 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. Although the bill passed unanimously, several SVAC members expressed concern about the cost.
FRA NED Christopher Slawinski participated in a virtual press conference expressing support for the measure. The still unnumbered bill now goes to the full Senate for further consideration. Members can go to the FRA Action Center to weigh in on this issue.
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Concerns Over Tightened Eligibility & Delayed Roll-Out of VA Caregivers Program
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (Mont.) and Senator Patty Murray (Wash.) are expressing concerns over the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) tightened eligibility and delayed roll-out of its Caregivers Program.
Congress expanded the Caregivers Program to veterans of all eras under the FRA supported VA MISSION Act of 2018. Since the law’s implementation the VA has reported more than 70,000 applications for the Caregivers Program, 27,000 of which were denied. Data shows that the highest percentage of denials were due to the activity of daily living (ADL) requirement and the 70 percent service-connection requirement. In a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, the Senators pushed the VA to reconsider both the ADL and the 70 percent rule — requirements currently inhibiting caregivers’ ability to receive the benefits they deserve. The Senators also laid out questions regarding denials and appeals for the Caregiver Program, and resources needed by the VA to appropriately implement Phase 2 of the program’s expansion that provides critical benefits and services to deserving veterans and their caregivers.
A copy of the letter is available online .
FRA NED Participates in Memorial Day Events
National Executive Director Chris Slawinski will speak at an event at the Navy Memorial in observance of Memorial Day, and later will attend a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Ceremony where President Joe Biden and the First Lady will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans (VA) and Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) are lifting Coronavirus restrictions for those fully immunized in time for Memorial Day observances. The VA announced that VA cemeteries will allow mass flag placements across the U.S. to commemorate Memorial Day. Volunteers wishing to place flags should contact their local national cemetery. In accordance with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), fully vaccinated people can resume many normal pre-COVID-19 activities, the VA and the ANC announced that most vaccinated visitors to their cemeteries — as well as those attending funeral and memorial services — no longer will be required to wear masks or maintain an extended physical distance from others.
However, those who are not fully vaccinated or in states with more restrictive regulations still must practice the safety procedures recommended by local authorities or the CDC, including wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing.
The VA Secretary Denis McDonough will preside over the wreath laying at Quantico National Cemetery in Virginia on Friday, May 28. In addition, all 155 VA national cemeteries will be open Memorial Day weekend from dawn to dusk. Cemeteries with full staffs will also hold brief wreath-laying ceremonies followed by a moment of silence and taps over Memorial Day weekend, but these will not be open to the public.
Shipmates and all Americans are reminded, on Memorial Day and every day that “freedom is not free.” In observance of Memorial Day, the FRA National Headquarters will be closed on Monday, May 31.
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