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Veterans
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WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, on Wednesday voted to pass the conference report for H.R. 3230, the Veterans’ Access to Care Through , Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014, a bipartisan agreement to improve accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs and expand access to care for veterans.
It passed by a recorded vote of 420 to 5.
The Senate is expected to pass the bill later this week, which will send it to the President’s desk where it will be signed into law.
“This legislation is long overdue. The VA’s excessive wait times and reports of fraudulent appointment practices for medical care are a national disgrace, and this bill is Congress’ most substantive action yet to immediately solve this problem. There is no excuse in forcing veterans to wait months for needed treatments,” Congressman Garamendi said. “We’re addressing the problem in the short term by expanding options for veterans seeking private care if necessary and in the long term by hiring more health care providers. In addition to the hiring of additional medical staff at our existing facilities, it’s also important for Northern California that two new facilities will be built in Chico and Redding, helping reduce the burden on strained VA facilities throughout the region.”
On July 25, Congressman Garamendi joined 116 Members of Congress in sending a letter to Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Reid urging them to get a deal done for veterans before the August Recess period.
Congressman Garamendi has consistently voted for efforts to reduce the VA claims backlog and increase care capacity for veterans, claims backlog and increase care capacity for veterans, expressed outrage when the original Senate version of this VA reform legislation was filibustered by a minority of Senators.
Garamendi’s office has helped secure more than $3.5 million in owed VA claims this year alone for constituents.
The bill provides $10 billion to fund newly established program to immediately address the VA wait-time crisis by allowing veterans who have waited at least 30 days for an appointment with the VA or who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility to seek care from a non-VA source (such as a private physician, community health center, Department of Defense health care facility or Indian Health Center).
The bill allocates $5 billion to the VA to address systemic problems within the VA health care system by hiring more primary and specialty care physicians and other medical staff and includes incentives to attract more doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to the VA.
A number of veterans’ service organizations (VSOs) have voiced support for this conference agreement including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Paralyzed Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
Key provisions of the Veterans’ Access to Care through, Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014
Expanding access to health care for veterans: The bulk of the funding in this agreement – $10 billion in emergency funding – is dedicated to expanding access to non-VA health care options for veterans who have been left waiting for more than 30 days for an appointment or live more than 40 miles from the nearest VA facility. Eligible veterans must be enrolled in the VA health care system by August 1, 2014 or have served in active-duty within the last five years.
Addressing the shortage of health professionals in the VA: The bill provides $5 billion to the VA to hire more primary and specialty care physicians and other medical staff. The agreement also includes incentives to attract more doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to the VA, and to increase medical education opportunities to attract doctors in the future.
Sexual assault: The bill expands VA authority to provide counseling, care, and other services to veterans and certain other non-veteran servicemembers who have experienced military sexual trauma during active or inactive duty training (including members of the National Guard and Reserves). The conference agreement also requires the VA and DOD to conduct an annual assessment focused on the transition and continuum of care from the DOD to the VA for those who have experiences military sexual trauma.
VA facilities: The conference report includes $1.5 billion for leases for 27 new VA clinics, bringing care closer to locations where veterans live and increasing access to specialty care services. Chico and Redding are home to two of these new community-based outpatient centers, helping to reduce burdens on facilities in or near the 3rd District.
Expanding access to education for veterans and their families: The bill lets veterans who are eligible for education benefits under the Post 9-11 New GI Bill qualify for in-state tuition. The bill also expands the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship to include spouses of members of the Armed Services who die in the line of duty while serving in active duty.
Community-based housing for veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI): The bill extends a VA program that was about to expire that allows veterans struggling with TBI to live in community-based, rehabilitative housing.
Accountability: The conference agreement gives the VA Secretary the authority to immediately fire or demote senior executives based on poor job performance or misconduct. The bill also includes an expedited appeals process for terminated employees to prevent political firings and protect whistleblowers from retaliation. Additionally it significantly limits the VA from providing future employee bonuses.
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WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Tuesday proposed a series of disciplinary actions against six employees at Department facilities in Cheyenne, Wyo., and Fort Collins, Colo.
These actions are a part of VA’s effort to rebuild the trust of America’s veterans.
“Employees who have been found to have manipulated data, withheld accurate information from their supervisors, and affected the timeliness of care veterans receive do not reflect VA’s values, and their actions will not be tolerated,” said Acting Secretary Sloan D. Gibson. “VA must earn back the trust of veterans. Part of earning back that trust is holding people accountable when there is documented evidence of willful misconduct and management negligence. We depend on the dedicated service of VA employees and leaders who live by our core values. Those who have not delivered results honestly have and will be held accountable.”
Based on a review by the Inspector General and other Department investigations, VA on Tuesday proposed disciplinary actions against six employees at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center and Fort Collins Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.
As a result of these findings, VA proposed disciplinary actions against the director of the Rocky Mountain Network (VISN 19), and the director and chief of staff of the Cheyenne VA Medical Center.
Certain supervisors in these facilities were found to have personally manipulated data, instructed their subordinates to manipulate data and withheld accurate information from their superiors.
VA also proposed two of the supervisors be removed from federal service.
Additional proposed penalties for other supervisors include two proposed suspensions, a demotion and admonishments.
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The U.S. Postal Service on Saturday dedicated the Korean War Medal of Honor Forever stamps, paying tribute to 145 American veterans who received the nation’s highest military honor for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty during the Korean War.
The dedication took place at the Arlington National Cemetery’s Amphitheater where one of the living Korean War recipients, Thomas Jerome Hudner Jr. of Concord, MA, and family members of other recipients depicted on the stamp sheet participated in the ceremony.
“Today we are here, in this peaceful setting, to remember a war and those who fought it so valiantly,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in dedicating the stamps. “It’s very fitting that we are gathered at the place where 25 Korean War Medal of Honor recipients are laid to rest. With these stamps we salute them and all Medal of Honor recipients, who so bravely fought for our nation.
“As a participant in the Korean War, I’m pleased with the Postal Service’s recognition of the sacrifices made in a vicious war fought under brutal conditions,” said Hudner. “By defeating the North Korean and Chinese forces, our veterans of that war ensured that South Korea would remain free and served as a warning to other nations that we will not stand idly by while a friendly nation is being attacked.”
Also joining Donahoe in the dedication were the President of the Korean War Veterans Association Larry Kinard; Republic of Korea Vice Minister for the Ministry of Patriot and Veterans Affairs, Choi Wan Keun; and Representative of National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Kim Jung Hoon.
The idea for the Medal of Honor was conceived during the Civil War, when the nation had no formal system for rewarding acts of heroism. Iowa Sen. James W. Grimes introduced a bill to “promote the efficiency of the Navy” by distributing “medals of honor.”
President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill into law Dec. 21, 1861. Lincoln signed a similar measure for the U.S. Army July 12, 1862, and the country had two Medals of Honor: one for sailors, and one for soldiers.
By the time the Civil War ended, 1,525 medals had been awarded, including one to Army surgeon Mary Walker, the only woman ever to receive the Medal of Honor.
Because it was the country’s only military medal, the Medal of Honor was awarded more freely at first.
After World War I broke out, the Army and Navy created a series of new decorations to recognize different degrees of accomplishment, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross and the Citation Star, later replaced by the Silver Star.
As a result, only 124 Medals of Honor were awarded for service in World War I.
Only 145 of the 6.8 million members who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Korean War received the Medal of Honor. Nearly three out of four (107) of the 145 recipients received the honor posthumously.
The first side of this four-page design highlights historical photographs of the Korean War Medal of Honor recipients who were alive at the time the stamp sheet was designed.
One stamp features a photograph of the Navy version of the Medal; the other features a photograph of the Army version of the Medal of Honor.
The third page lists the names of all 145 recipients of the Medal of Honor from the Korean War.
The remaining 18 stamps are found on the back page. Art director Antonio Alcala of Alexandria, VA, designed the stamps and the new format, working with photographs of the medals by Richard Frasier of Vienna, VA.
Customers may purchase the Medal of Honor: Korean War Prestige Folio Forever stamps at www.usps.com/stamps , at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), at Post Offices nationwide or at www.ebay.com/stamps . The stamps are available as a set of 20 stamps.
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SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Harrison D. Jones graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Jones is the son of Raymond M. Jones of Sebastopol, Calif. and Karen J. Ahlborn of Healdsburg, Calif.; brother of Casey A. Jones of Cazadero, Calif.; grandson of Frank and Evelyn West of Lakeport, Calif.; and nephew of Mike G. Stinson of Chico, Calif.
He is a 2008 graduate of Healdsburg High School.
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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) hosted a meeting with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Undersecretary for Benefits Allison Hickey and Julianna Boor, the new Director of the VA’s Oakland Regional Office.
Thompson and his Northern California colleagues discussed the claims backlog at the Oakland Regional Office, and the recent controversies at other VA offices around the country.
Since 2012, Thompson has hosted four separate oversight meetings with Hickey on Capitol Hill, and toured the Oakland Regional Office with her.
“The claims backlog at the Oakland VA office, and the mess we’ve recently witnessed at several other VA offices across our country is unacceptable,” said Thompson. “I believe that Undersecretary Hickey and Director Boor are committed to solving this problem. As a veteran myself, I will not stop working with the VA and my colleagues in Congress until we make sure that all of our nation’s veterans are getting the care and benefits they’ve earned in a timely manner. These oversight meetings are a good way for us to keep a finger on the pulse of the VA’s improvements.”
Currently, new claims by veterans can take almost 300 days to process, delaying access to care and benefits.
California veterans in the 5th Congressional District are serviced by the Oakland Regional Office which, until last year, had one of the longest claims backlog in the country.
In January, Thompson passed legislation that holds the VA accountable for ending the backlog of claims at the Veterans Benefits Administration.
The legislation requires a monthly report from each regional office and the national VA office detailing the current backlog of claims.
Additional reporting is required from offices with backlogs averaging more than 200 days.
Congressman Mike Thompson represents California’s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
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The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) is honored to announce Liz Perez-Halperin as keynote speaker at the 2014 Summit on Women Veterans on Aug. 24.
Perez-Halperin, a U.S. Navy veteran deployed during the Iraq War, worked as an Aviation Logistics Specialist.
A successful entrepreneur, she is the founder and chief executive officer of GC Green Inc., a general contracting and consulting firm focused on getting veterans into the green energy industry.
In 2013, the White House named her a Champion of Change for her widely respected work on clean energy and environmental issues.
In addition to running her own company, Ms. Perez-Halperin has been very active in a number of other organizations, and served on the American Council of Young Political Leaders as a delegate to Japan.
Her address will focus on women successfully transitioning from the military to successful careers, business ownership opportunities and community service. These topics are of great importance to the hundreds of women expected to attend the seventh annual Summit on Women Veterans.
The summit, titled “Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers,” at the Sacramento Sheraton Grand Hotel Aug. 24 and 25, will feature several important workshops for California women Veterans, including educational benefits, financial literacy and starting a business.
Attendees will also hear from employers from several companies and industries who will share tips and answer questions about getting hired.
This year for the first time, a “Dress Code” closet will also be available so women veterans can select gently used and new business attire.
CalVet will present Woman Veteran Leader of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Outstanding Volunteer, and California Corporate Leadership awards at the Summit.
The 2014 Summit on Women Veterans is open to the public, and will be held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1230 J Street, Sacramento, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. both days.
Check-in begins at 9 a.m. on Aug. 24.
To preregister, go to www.calvet.ca.gov/womenvets or call 916-503-8334 for more information.
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SACRAMENTO – Among tall trees and nestled on a pillar stands El Soldado or as it has more recently been called, the Mexican American Veterans Memorial.
This monument to the gallant and patriotic military service of Latino/Hispanic veterans is well on its way to receiving a much needed facelift thanks to the commitment from individuals and organizations alike.
The Wells Fargo Foundation is the latest such organization to demonstrate its commitment, not just to veterans and their families, but also to the monuments that showcase their patriotic service.
“On behalf of all veterans, but especially Latino/Hispanic veterans, we are proud to accept this $50,000 donation from the Wells Fargo Foundation,” said Peter J. Gravett, CalVet secretary. “This donation allows us to take a giant step forward in our quest to beautify and enhance El Soldado.”
California is home to approximately 1.8 million veterans of which nearly 272,000 are Hispanic/Latino. El Soldado/the Mexican American Veterans Memorial serves as a testament to the service and contributions of these Hispanic/Latino veterans.
This memorial is the only monument nationally recognizing the military contributions of Latino veterans from all branches of the military to be located on state capitol grounds.
The Mexican American Beautification and Enhancement Committee and the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) are diligently working to raise $800,000 to complete the renovations needed by El Soldado.
The Memorial Committee and CalVet have established a plan that would fund and construct the enhancements in three stages at the following levels, respectively: $300,000, $500,000 and $800,000.
According to their input, each stage would look like a completed memorial, but each new stage would add significant enhancements to the design or landscaping of the prior stage.
Tax deductible donations to El Soldado, the Mexican American Veterans Memorial can be sent to: California Mexican American Veterans' Memorial, C/O California Department of Veterans Affairs, 1227 O St., Sacramento, CA 95814.
Shortly after the World War II armistice, a group of Mexican-American women, also known as the “Madres,” banded together to create a memorial that would honor their husbands and sons who had died during their military service during the war.
Beginning in 1948, the Madres launched a fundraising drive to finance the memorial. Their efforts included selling homemade tamales and conducting raffle sales at their local church parishes and other venues.
Dedicated in May 1951, the memorial consisted of a statue of a solitary infantryman. Known as “El Soldado,” the statue stood on the grounds of the Mexican American Center in Sacramento.
Weathered and worn over time, El Soldado remained at this site for decades until the location was rezoned by local government.
The statue was donated to the State of California with the expectation that it would become an official and permanent state memorial.
In 1975, El Soldado was moved to its present location across the street from the Main (West) entrance to the State Capitol.
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SACRAMENTO – Veteran students enrolled in schools owned by Corinthian Colleges Inc. (CCI) should continue to receive their GI Bill housing allowance for another term, thanks to an agreement reached between CCI and the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE), a unit of the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet).
The agreement precludes CCI from charging tuition and fees for GI Bill-eligible students for upcoming enrollment periods at Everest, Heald, and Wyotech colleges in California.
It also allows students additional time to consider other schools while CCI addresses CSAAVE’s concerns.
The combination of the concession by CCI and the modified action by CSAAVE agreed to today, ensures that the approximately 1,200 GI Bill students at California CCI schools face no impact while continuing their training, while also preserving their tax-supported veterans benefit.
“CalVet is working to mitigate the negative impact on our veterans, while still holding CCI accountable,” said Keith Boylan, CalVet deputy secretary for Veterans Services. “The modified suspension gives our Veterans attending CCI schools additional time to make informed decisions regarding their educational path.”
The suspension of enrolling any new GI Bill students remains in effect, and CCI still needs to demonstrate their ability to comply with the requirements of the suspension.
If CCI does not meet the terms of the suspension letters by Aug. 23, 2014, then CSAAVE will have no choice but to withdraw approval of CCI schools.
In California, CSAAVE continues working for veterans and closely monitoring CCI, as their financial difficulties escalated, to assess their situation and ensure that no veteran loses GI Bill benefits due to a sudden closure of any CCI campus.
The original CCI suspension was critical as veteran’s education benefits are finite and generally limited to 36 full-time months.
Prior to the suspension, CCI schools could bill as far as one year ahead, meaning any immediate closure could result in veterans using GI Bill benefits losing as much as one-third of all their education funds.
For more information about schools affected by this suspension and options available to students, go to https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/FAQ-GI-Bill-Schools-Closures.aspx .
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SACRAMENTO – CalVet and the California State Fair will honor patriots during Military Appreciation Day on Thursday, July 17, at CalExpo in Sacramento.
Veterans, active duty military, guard and reserve members will be admitted to the fair for free on that day with appropriate ID. (Those with a Distinguished Veteran Pass will be admitted for free during the entire run of the State Fair, now through July 27.)
Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit CalVet information tables to learn about the state and federal veteran benefits they have earned through military service.
Those benefits can increase family income, pay for college or other types of training, provide health care, home loan financing, residential care for older and disabled veterans and much more.
More than 20 other government agencies and veteran service organizations will be at the Fair to offer information as well.
CalVet and the California Department of Human Resources will teach veterans how to transition from military service to state service during a “How to Get a State Job” workshop on the Golden 1 Stage at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Additional information and personal assistance will be available at the CalVet information table.
CalVet will also host an MRE (meals ready to eat) Cooking Challenge featuring chefs from The Foundation, Blackbird Kitchen, Hook and Ladder, Rubicon Brewing, Papa Dale’s Mobile Diner and New Moon River Inn Café.
Using randomly-selected military field rations and other simple ingredients provided, chefs will have just 30 minutes to create a culinary masterpiece.
Members of the California National Guard will judge the dishes created. Winners will receive State Fair ribbons and bragging rights.
The CalVet MRE Cooking Challenge will take place at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the California Kitchen (Building B). The CalVet information tables will be located near the Main Gate entrance all day.
For more information about the California State Fair, go to http://www.castatefair.org/ .