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In this issue:
VA Secretary Testifies
Convention Keynote on TRICARE
TMC Awards

VA Secretary Wilkie Testifies
Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie testified before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) this week to give an update on “The State of the Department of Veterans Affairs.”  Secretary Wilkie stressed the importance of working with the Department of Defense (DoD) for the best interest of all veterans. Chairman Isakson, during his opening statement, said he views customer service and Blue Water Navy as the biggest issues for the VA. Ranking Member Tester encouraged the Secretary to be more engaging with VA stakeholder groups including Veteran Service Organizations. The Secretary’s priorities include customer service, the Mission Act implementation, Business Transformation (appeals modernization and the Forever GI Bill), and VA/DoD Collaboration on the transforming to an electronic health records system. 

The Secretary did not say anything about the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act (H.R.299) in his opening statement but did include it in his written statement. He wrote, “While VA continues to study the science of exposure, we do not believe the available scientific evidence currently supports a presumption of service connection in this case.” Nevertheless, Chairman Isakson again committed to the extreme importance of taking care of these veterans but regardless of the House unanimously passing H.R.299 (The Blue Water Veterans Act), the chairman now says this has to be done the “right way.”

Members are urged to use the FRA Action Center (link) to ask their Senators to support the bill.

Convention Keynote Speaker talks about TRICARE
The opening keynote speaker during the 91st FRA National Convention, Rear Admiral Mary Riggs, informed FRA and FRA Auxiliary delegates about the continuing improvements coming to TRICARE.

She told the delegates that TRICARE cares for 9.4 million individuals, has 54 hospitals and 377 clinics, making it the largest health care system in the world. The Defense Health Agency (DHA) also has its own medical school. The Rear Admiral discussed the upcoming TRICARE Open Season (November 12 to December 10, 2018) and reminded attendees that if they want stay in their current TRICARE plan (Select or Prime) they do not have to do anything. However, if you want to keep their current dental plan or obtain new dental coverage, you will have to sign up for it during the Open Season. The current TRICARE Dental Plan will expire and will be replaced by the Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) that administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).  She told delegates to remember this November is for ‘’Turkey and TRICARE—that makes it easy to remember.’’ More details about changes to the dental program can be found in the August 2018 FRAtoday cover story that was authored by DHA.

She also said DHA and the Department of Veterans Affairs will be using the same Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, which has been a long-sought FRA legislative goal. In addition, she noted DHA is working to expand telehealth medicine and mental healthcare. Additional information about the 91st FRA National Convention will be in next week’s NewsBytes.

The Military Coalition Awards
FRA staff ADVP Brian Condon and Debora Tshiovo attended The Military Coalitions’ (TMC), presentation of its highest leadership awards to Representative Tim Walz (D-Minn.) for his leadership in protecting the vital interests of service members, retirees, veterans, their families and survivors. His strident focus on ensuring the VA receives the resources it needs while also holding them accountable, his support of the GI Bill improvements, his support for filling gaps in care for female veterans and his commitment to combat the veteran suicide crisis are just a few reasons for his recognition.

The TMC also presented its 2018 Freedom Award to Mr. Jon Clark, Staff Director for the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) Economic Opportunity Subcommittee and to Mr. David Shearman, professional staff member with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee (SVAC) for their tireless work on the development and passage of the Forever GI Bill. FRA is one of the founding members of the TMC. The coalition represents the interests of more than 5.5 million members around the world, including Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve and retired members and veterans of the seven uniformed services as well as their families and survivors. 

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