Category Archives: News

Situation Update – Miami VA Healthcare System

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS

Situation Update – Miami VA Healthcare System
09/06/2017 04:47 PM EDT

The Health Resource Center Disaster Hotline: 1 800 507 4571

Miami VA Healthcare System Status: The Key West VA Outpatient Clinic and Key Largo VA Clinic are closed through Monday, Sept. 11. The Homestead VA Clinic will be closing Thursday, Sept. 7 at 3 p.m. At noon on Friday, Sept. 8, the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center and all satellite clinics will close for scheduled and walk-in appointments through Monday. This includes the Homestead, Flagler St., Pembroke Pines, William “Bill” Kling and Deerfield Beach locations.

REMDINER: The Miami VA Healthcare System is not a hurricane shelter. This includes the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center and all its satellite clinics. FACILITY STATUS:

  • Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center – Open; All scheduled surgical and outpatient procedures on Friday, Sept. 8 are being cancelled and rescheduled.
  • Key West – Closed through Monday, Sept. 11
  • Sunrise – Open; Normal Operations
  • Deerfield Beach –Open; Normal Operations
  • Hollywood – Open; Normal Operations
  • Homestead – Open; Normal Operations
  • Key Largo – Closed through Monday, Sept. 11
  • Pembroke Pines – Open; Normal Operations
  • Healthcare for Homeless Veterans – Open; Normal Operations

VET CENTERS:

  • Fort Lauderdale – Open; Normal Operations
  • Key Largo – Open; Normal Operations
  • Miami – Open; Normal Operations

PATIENT STATUS: Patients with scheduled appointments at the Key West VA Outpatient Clinic and Key Largo VA Clinic are being contacted to reschedule. Further, all surgical and outpatient procedures such as colonoscopies are being cancelled on Friday, Sept. 8. Patients are being contacted to have their procedures rescheduled. Scheduled patient appointments at the medical center and outpatient clinics, except for those just listed, will continue as scheduled. We will continue to monitor the status of the storm and update closures as needed. In the event of an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room.

EMERGENCY PRESCRIPTION REFILLS FOR VETERANS: The Outpatient Pharmacy at the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The William “Bill” Kling VA Clinic (Broward) outpatient pharmacy is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. VA has activated the Pharmacy Disaster Relief Plan for Miami, Orlando, San Juan, Tampa and West Palm Beach.  Eligible Veterans with a VA ID Card needing emergency supply of medications will be able to go to any retail pharmacy open to the public with a written prescription or active VA prescription bottle (not older than 6 months and with refills available) to receive at least a 10 day supply.  Note:  This does not include controlled substances.  Patients must present a valid VA ID Card.

If a Veteran is displaced, and has lost their medication and no longer has a written prescription or bottle, they can contact the Health Resources Center Disaster Hotline at 1 800 507 4571 to speak with a representative. The representative will qualify the request by asking a few questions and provide the Veteran with their prescription number.

The Miami VAHS Pharmacy phone number is 305-575-3376.

SHELTER INFORMATION: The Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center in downtown Miami IS NOT a shelter. For evacuation and shelter information, please visit the websites below.

Sign up for automatic email updates by filling in your email address in the ‘Emergency Email Updates’ section located at the top right corner of this page.

You may also check the Miami VA Healthcare System social media accounts on Facebook* and Twitter* for the latest information about operating status.

Employees should visit the Work Status for Employees page for more information.

Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed.

Visit ready.gov* to learn about disaster preparedness kits, family emergency plans, and more. Florida State Hurricane information can be found at www.floridadisaster.org*.

*External Link Disclaimer: By clicking on these links, you will leave the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked website.

Post 117 Filling Trailer Bound For Texas

American Legion Post 117 – Palm Bay, FL
 Post 117 is loading a trailer bound for Texas on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 . They have been communicating with Department of Texas Adjutant, Bill West, to arrange for a drop off at a Texas Post where need is great.

They are accepting donations of water, items for children and cash for fuel and additional supplies. They are hoping to fill one or two trailers. Please help spread the word.

Please drop off items at:
American Legion Post 117
117 Veterans Dr SE # 189
Palm Bay, FL 32909

Visit Post 117 Website

If your post is organizing a relief effort, we want to know. Please send full details to webmaster@floridalegion.org.

Flu Shots for VA Patients

Walgreens will again be offering flu shots to the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) patients. As a summary:

  • National Partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and Walgreens to vaccinate VA patients
  • Fifth year of delivering flu shots to VA patients
  • VA patient can walk into most Walgreens pharmacies and present the voucher or present with their VA ID card and additional photo ID and receive a flu shot at no cost.
  • Quadrivalent only. (noted on voucher)
  • Available at Walgreens 8200+ locations
  • VA patient’s clinical record is electronically updated by Walgreens – no paperwork to take to the VA
  • Information can also be found on the VA website: https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/immunization.asp

How it works:

  • Patient may print and bring completed Voucher (see 2017 voucher below) to Walgreens, along with his/her VA identification card and additional photo ID.
  • Patient provides his/her Social Security Number
  • Walgreens administers flu shot and system updates patient’s VA clinical record

Below is a flyer that you can post or send out to remind VA patients that flu shots are available to them at Walgreens. Walgreens knows convenience is important, and has over 8200+ stores where they can get their flu shots.

Walgreens would also be happy to potentially do “onsite flu clinics” at a large meeting event you may be having and do free blood pressure checks too. If you have any local meetings where it make sense to have Walgreens attend, please contact Jeannine Scheffler at Jeannine.scheffler@walgreens.com.

Note: Walgreens is also now in the Tricare network and can provide flu shots under the Tricare benefit.

 

Download Voucher Download Flyer

Veterans Groups Looking to Establish Veterans Lottery Game in Florida

America’s Vets Have a New Enemy: Scammers!

Bruce Carlson, AARP Washington ~ The bad guys deliberately call retired soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen, pretending to be old friends, offering “sure thing” investments, finding ways to steal their money. The data says it all: One in three victims of investment fraud in America are military veterans, a recent AARP study found. And the situation is only getting worse: There’s been a 65% increase in fraud complaints from vets over the past five years, notes the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel.

Now it’s time for each of us to stand up on behalf of veterans. AARP’s Fraud Watch Network is launching a campaign to protect veterans from scams. The goal: engage thousands of people like you to watch for suspicious solicitations that target military veterans. Your reports will be used to build tools and methods to protect veterans from the latest scams.

WE NEED YOU! To participate, simply look for suspicious emails, phone calls or traditional mail that target veterans and REPORT IT! Below are some examples of veterans scams that we have heard about:

  • The Update Your Military File scam: A caller claims to be from the Department of Veterans Affairs and asks to “update” your information, but really is hoping to get personal information to be used to steal your credit.
  • The Cash for Benefits scam: Scammers target veterans in need of money by offering cash in exchange for their future disability or pension payments. These buyouts are typically a fraction of the value of the benefit.
  • Charity scams: A caller claims to be raising money for disabled veterans or veterans with cancer or a similar sounding name. But often, the so-called charity is not registered with the government and/or uses most of the money to raise more funds and pay their salaries.
  • VA Loan Modification scam: The scammers contact military families offering to help refinance their VA loans and then ask for upfront fees. They never provide the promised loan.

You don’t need to have absolute proof that an offer is fraud to report it. If you see something suspicious, send us an email describing the potential scam to protectveterans@aarp.org. You can also take a picture of the potential scam mailing or email with your smart phone and email it to the same address: protectveterans@aarp.org. Or simply call 1 855-800-9023 and leave a detailed message. Your reports will be held in confidence by AARP and will be used for consumer education purposes only. Your name will not be made public.

Thank you for helping us protect the veterans who have protected us so admirably.

Water for Texas

The American Legion Post 117 is sending a trailer full of water to Texas to aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Trailer leaves when its full or by Wednesday, September 6, 2017.

They are requesting bottled water to be dropped off at:

American Legion Post 117
189 Veterans Drive
Palm Bay, FL 2909

For additional details, please contact the post directly, 321-729-8089.

Download Flyer

Veteran Job Opportunities

Audio Visual Nation provides labor for corporate conventions (audio, video, lighting, scenic and staging). We are reaching out to our hero’s that served in our armed forces. We will be conducting interviews on September 1, 2017. We would like the people that are attending these interviews to send us an e-mail at mark@audiovisualnation.com with your name and phone number so we can call and set a time for your interview. Please bring a resume if you have one. No experience necessary. The pay scale is $15 an hour and up depending on experience.

Thank you for your service!
Mark Chrissoverges
Audio Visual Nation

Download Flyer

View Other Veteran Opportunities

SAL Squadron 152 Presents Check

Sons of the American Legion Squadron 152 presented Honor Flight of West Central Florida a Check for $7,019.25.

Pictured from Left to right, Patrick Maguire, Elaine Maguire, Peter Frey, Bev Frey, Michael (Cowboy) Vaughn

Pictured from Left to right, Patrick Maguire, Elaine Maguire, Peter Frey, Bev Frey, Michael (Cowboy) Vaughn.

On July 22, 2017 SAL Commander Michael Vaughn presented a check to Beverly and Peter Frey for $7019.25 for Honor Flight of West Central Florida. The funds were proceeds of a golf tournament, put together by Patrick and Elaine Maguire and crew.

Patrick and Elaine are huge supporters of veterans and specifically Honor Flight. This was the 4th annual golf tournament sponsored by Patrick and Elaine.

Their goal this year was to beat the nearly $5,000 in proceeds last year. Thanks to Patrick and Elaine for a job well done again!

Trump Signs Appeals Modernization Act at American Legion Convention

August 23, 2017, By Henry Howard ~ Legion.org

President Trump signed legislation Wednesday at The American Legion’s National Convention that will go a long way toward fixing the beleaguered VA appeals process.

“To fulfill our patriotic duties, we must take care of our great veterans,” Trump told about 9,000 American Legion members at the second day of the general session in Reno, Nev. “One year ago at this gathering, I promised you that I would make it my priority to fix the broken VA system and deliver to our veterans the care they so richly deserve.”

The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 creates three appeals “lanes.” Veterans would choose the one that best suits his or her needs. The three lanes will be:

• Local Higher Level Review Lane in which an adjudicator reviews the same evidence considered by the original claims processor.

• New Evidence Lane in which the veteran could submit new evidence for review and have a hearing.

• Board Lane in which jurisdiction for the appeal would transfer immediately to the Board of Veterans Appeals.

“I want to thank The American Legion for getting this done,” the president said. “It’s something they’ve been trying to get done for 40 years. And we’ve passed VA accountability legislation. The Legion has a lot of power and they use it well.”

The law’s impact will be felt for a long time. “No longer will veterans be waiting to get their appeals heard,” Trump said. “And they will get decisions much more quickly in a faction of the time.” To understand how can this affect you or your business, check with an expert in legal matters like Bob Bratt.

As of last spring, more than 470,000 appeals of claims decisions were pending. The average wait time for these appeals to be fully adjudicated is five years. If nothing changes, by 2027 veterans will wait an average of 10 years to get a decision.

The bipartisan bill, H.R. 2288, was crafted with much input from The American Legion. It is expected to shorten the average wait time for final appeal decisions from five years to 125 days.

American Legion National Commander Charles E. Schmidt welcomed the news.

“Today’s signing is a major victory for America’s veterans,” Schmidt said. “I can think of no better place for the president to sign this bill than at the national convention of America’s largest and most influential veterans service organization. The legislation is a simple, fair and appropriate way to ensure that our nation’s veterans — and their families — receive their earned benefits in a timely and efficient manner.”

During his speech to The American Legion, Trump also addressed other key issues:

• Patriotism: “The American Legion embodies the spirit of patriotism. That is the true source of our strength and the hope for our future. You cherish our values and you defend our great American flag.”

•American flag: “It is time to heal the wounds that have divided us, and to seek a new unity based on the common values that unite us. We are one people, with one home, and one flag,”

• Infrastructure: “We don’t have to be content with a dilapidated road system with crumbling buildings or rusted out factories. We can build gleaming new highways and state-of-the-art manufacturing and modern works of wonder. And we can do it all with American workers and American iron, aluminum and steel.”

• Young people: “Every veteran here today is part of a long, unbroken chain of American heroes. We salute your service. The American Legion not only teaches history, you help keep history alive. You teach young Americans to have pride in our history so that they will have confidence in our future, history and culture. For generations now, The American Legion has taught young people the principles of America. You’ve emphasized the need to preserve the nation’s cultural, moral and patriotic values. You encourage the observation of patriotic holidays. You stress the need to enforce our laws, including our immigration laws drafted by our fabogados de inmigracion florida.”

• Newly signed Harry Colmery GI Bill: “Under this legislation, veterans can use their GI Bill at any point in their lifetimes.”

• Recent violence: “We will never tolerate crime in our cities, bloodshed in our communities, or acts of hatred or terrorism against our citizens. We will always support our great law enforcement personnel.”

• Defense spending: “We are committed to expanding and improving our missile defense systems to shoot down missiles in flight. We are getting better and better at it. We will develop better surveillance and long-strike capabilities to prevent our enemies from launching them in the first place.”

Trump also noted positive gains in the war on terrorism, while noting that more work needs to be done to prevent Islamic State and other organizations from using the Internet as a recruiting tool. “We will pursue an honorable outcome in Afghanistan,” Trump said. “Our troops have already made a tremendous sacrifice. We will give the men and women in uniform the tools they need and the trust they have earned to fight and to win.”

2018 VA Health Care Awards

We Need Your Help!

The National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission is requesting your assistance in seeking nominations for the 2018 VA Health Care Provider of the Year and VA Physician of the Year Awards. 

 Below are several documents explaining the awards and nomination criteria. 

Nominations should be submitted to the Department Programs Director no later than September 4, 2017.

$20,000 USAA Giveaway for a Legion Post

In an effort to show support for The American Legion at a local level, USAA will be giving out $20,000 for a Legion Post the week of Veteran’s Day 2017.  Both existing USAA members and non-USAA members can enter the sweepstakes at www.usaa.com/talgiveaway from July 22nd – October 31st.   To enter the drawing, non-USAA members need to complete USAA eligibility by going to www.usaa.com/talgiveaway.  If you are already a USAA member, go to www.usaa.com/talgiveaway and login with your USAA username/password.  The drawing will be held in early November and the winner will be able to select a local post to give $20,000 towards post improvements.

 

Community Grant to Lutheran Social Services

In continuing effort to support Veterans, their families and the communities in which they live, The American Legion Department of Florida is proud to announce a Community Grant to Lutheran Social Services on behalf of American Legion Jacksonville Post 197 for $5,000.00.

This grant was awarded at the Annual State Convention of the Florida American Legion in June. The Grant is in support of the “Backpack Program.” This program provides food to low-income children when free school meals are not available. Hunger is detrimental to a child’s physical and emotional health, and puts them at a disadvantage in the classroom, making it a community need.

Post 197 is located in zip code 32209, an area of town were the lowest family income rates can be found. More than 80% of the students attending the four elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 2 High Schools within 2 miles of the Post are on free or reduced lunch. Many of these students come home after school to a single parent or no parents.

The Presentation will be Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 10am at Lutheran Social Services, 4515 Philips Highway, in Jacksonville.

Contact:  Michael Clark, Post Commander (904) 378-8224
Anna Matthews, Post Activities Director (904) 228-5672
Heather Vaughan, Director of Human Services, (904) 739-7016

The American Legion Legacy Run 2017

This year’s six-day ride will begin in The Kansas Soldier’s Home at Ford Dodge, Kansas, and will follow much of historic Route 50 through Kansas, Colorado, Utah and Nevada, to arrive at the 99th annual American Legion Convention in Reno. Which will be held from August 18-24, 2017.

Should you wish to follow the riders on this year’s Legacy Run

Legion Coin bill passes Senate!

FROM: Dewey Moss, National Legislative Council Chairman
DATE: August 7, 2017

I write today with more exciting news out of Congress. Last Thursday, August 3, the Senate passed S. 1182, The American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act before it went on recess!

Now our full attention turns to passage in the House when Congress returns to Washington in September. Until then, we still need additional cosponsors on the House bill. Below is a list of all remaining House members not signed onto the bill by state.  Please make every effort to contact these lawmakers while they are home for the next month!

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to contact either myself or Jeff, our Grassroots Coordinator located in our Washington DC office. We’d be glad to assist you. I can be reached at dmoss2@windstream.net or 706.463.1674. Jeff at jsteele@legion.org or 202.263.2987.

Thank you all again for your service, support, and understanding. It is most appreciated. And needed.

Last name First Name 115 St/Dis Party
Byrne Bradley AL01 R
Roby Martha AL02 R
Rogers Mike AL03 R
Brooks Mo AL05 R
Crawford Eric AR01 R
Westerman Bruce AR04 R
O’Halleran Tom AZ01 D
McSally Martha AZ02 R
Grijalva Raúl AZ03 D
Gosar Paul AZ04 R
Lee Barbara CA13 D
Swalwell Eric CA15 D
Valadao David CA21 R
McCarthy Kevin CA23 R
Cárdenas Tony CA29 D
Aguilar Pete CA31 D
Gomez Jimmy CA34 D
Bass Karen CA37 D
Calvert Ken CA42 R
DeGette Diana CO01 D
Buck Ken CO04 R
Blunt Rochester Lisa DE00 D
Gaetz Matt FL01 R
Yoho Ted FL03 R
Demings Val FL10 D
Castor Kathy FL14 D
Ross Dennis FL15 R
Rooney Thomas FL17 R
Rooney Francis FL19 R
Hastings Alcee FL20 D
Frankel Lois FL21 D
Wilson Frederica FL24 D
Diaz-Balart Mario FL25 R
Carter Earl GA01 R
Ferguson A. GA03 R
Johnson Henry GA04 D
Lewis John GA05 D
Handel Karen GA06 R
Scott Austin GA08 R
Collins Doug GA09 R
Hice Jody GA10 R
Loudermilk Barry GA11 R
Graves Tom GA14 R
Hanabusa Colleen HI01 D
Labrador Raúl ID01 R
Rush Bobby IL01 D
Kelly Robin IL02 D
Gutiérrez Luis IL04 D
Quigley Mike IL05 D
Roskam Peter IL06 R
Davis Danny IL07 D
Krishnamoorthi Raja IL08 D
Schakowsky Janice IL09 D
Schneider Bradley IL10 D
Hultgren Randy IL14 R
Kinzinger Adam IL16 R
Bustos Cheri IL17 D
LaHood Darin IL18 R
Rokita Todd IN04 R
Bucshon Larry IN08 R
Hollingsworth Trey IN09 R
Marshall Roger KS01 R
Yoder Kevin KS03 R
Yarmuth John KY03 D
Massie Thomas KY04 R
Rogers Harold KY05 R
Scalise Steve LA01 R
Johnson Mike LA04 R
Graves Garret LA06 R
Neal Richard MA01 D
Tsongas Niki MA03 D
Clark Katherine MA05 D
Keating William MA09 D
Harris Andy MD01 R
Ruppersberger C. MD02 D
Brown Anthony MD04 D
Hoyer Steny MD05 D
Cummings Elijah MD07 D
Huizenga Bill MI02 R
Amash Justin MI03 R
Walberg Tim MI07 R
Levin Sander MI09 D
Mitchell Paul MI10 R
Trott David MI11 R
Conyers John MI13 D
Lawrence Brenda MI14 D
Clay Wm. MO01 D
Wagner Ann MO02 R
Graves Sam MO06 R
Long Billy MO07 R
Kelly Trent MS01 R
Thompson Bennie MS02 D
Harper Gregg MS03 R
Price David NC04 D
Foxx Virginia NC05 R
Walker Mark NC06 R
Rouzer David NC07 R
Hudson Richard NC08 R
McHenry Patrick NC10 R
Meadows Mark NC11 R
Adams Alma NC12 D
Budd Ted NC13 R
Norcross Donald NJ01 D
Smith Christopher NJ04 R
Sires Albio NJ08 D
Pascrell Bill NJ09 D
Payne Donald NJ10 D
Watson Coleman Bonnie NJ12 D
Kihuen Ruben NV04 D
Jeffries Hakeem NY08 D
Clarke Yvette NY09 D
Nadler Jerrold NY10 D
Maloney Carolyn NY12 D
Espaillat Adriano NY13 D
Engel Eliot NY16 D
Lowey Nita NY17 D
Maloney Sean NY18 D
Tonko Paul NY20 D
Chabot Steve OH01 R
Jordan Jim OH04 R
Johnson Bill OH06 R
Fudge Marcia OH11 D
Mullin Markwayne OK02 R
Lucas Frank OK03 R
Schrader Kurt OR05 D
Brady Robert PA01 D
Costello Ryan PA06 R
Rothfus Keith PA12 R
Doyle Michael PA14 D
Smucker Lloyd PA16 R
Cartwright Matt PA17 D
Langevin James RI02 D
Sanford Mark SC01 R
Duncan Jeff SC03 R
Gowdy Trey SC04 R
Clyburn James SC06 D
Rice Tom SC07 R
DesJarlais Scott TN04 R
Black Diane TN06 R
Blackburn Marsha TN07 R
Kustoff David TN08 R
Gohmert Louie TX01 R
Poe Ted TX02 R
Ratcliffe John TX04 R
Hensarling Jeb TX05 R
Barton Joe TX06 R
Culberson John TX07 R
Thornberry Mac TX13 R
Smith Lamar TX21 R
Vela Filemon TX34 D
Doggett Lloyd TX35 D
Stewart Chris UT02 R
Chaffetz Jason UT03 R
Goodlatte Bob VA06 R
Beyer Don VA08 D
Griffith H. VA09 R
Plaskett Stacey VI00 D
Ryan Paul WI01 R
Pocan Mark WI02 D
Moore Gwen WI04 D
Sensenbrenner F. WI05 R
Grothman Glenn WI06 R

Commander’s Podcast August 2018

Thank you for taking time to view this Podcast from Commander, Steve Shuga.

2017 Spirit of ’45 Day Proclamation

Governor Rick Scott has signed the 2017 Spirit of ’45 Day Proclamation, commemorating the 72nd anniversary of the end of World War II.

Monday, August 14 is Spirit of ’45 Day.

There are currently more than 65,000 World War II veterans living in Florida.

Click here to view proclamation.

10 Passenger Golf Cart Donated

A 10 passenger golf cart was recently donated to the new Fisher House, underway at Lake Nona in Orlando, FL. The 10 passenger golf cart was not utilized by the Gainesville VA Hospital and Alan Cohen, our VA&R Chairman reached out to Ted Costello, VAVS Representative for the Orlando VA Medical Center, to see if the new VA Hospital at Lake Nona, would have use for it. 

If you are a golfer a simulator can be for you, at Rain or Shine Golf, we are here to help make your dream of owning your own golf simulator a reality like this. This all-encompassing golf simulator comparison guide will recommend the top golf simulators on the market for just about every budget and need. So whether you are a PGA professional or the Average Joe, we will help you find the perfect golf simulator package so you can Tee It Up Anytime, Rain or Shine.

Adelina Sowell, Chief of Voluntary Services, felt the golf cart was too large for their use but suggested the new Fisher House, currently under construction, could utilize it to transport families to and from the hospital to visit loved ones under hospital care. The golf cart was overhauled for safety and Costello made delivery arrangements with PDC Larry White.

A presentation was made at the Veterans Memorial between the Domiciliary and CLC Nursing Home the morning of July 27, 2017. Afterwards, attendees visited CLC Nursing Home, for good company and provided residents with small gifts. Afterwards, attendees and representatives headed over to the VA Facility for lunch before departing.

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2017-2018 National Membership Polos

Your 2017-2018 National Membership Polos will be going on sell soon. If you are interested, an order form can be found under Forms on our Resources page or you can click here.

Legion Commemorative Coin Bills Update

LEGISLATIVE DIVISION UPDATE

Action Alert: Please tell Congress to pass the Legion Coin bill

Click here: http://www.capwiz.com/legion/issues/alert/?alertid=78053626

Legion Commemorative Coin Bills Update

The Legislative Division again focused much of the week gathering support and co-sponsors for The American Legion Centennial Coin Act, which was introduced on May 18.

The bills, introduced in both the House and Senate, would require the U.S. Mint to produce a centennial coin in celebration of The American Legion turning 100 and proudly representing and supporting millions of veterans.

The House bill – H.R. 2519, sponsored by Representative Tim Walz (MN) — was introduced with 102 co-sponsors and currently has 232 co-sponsors. The Senate version – S. 1182, sponsored by Senator Todd Young (IN) – was introduced with 28 co-sponsors and currently has 68.

Again, there is still much work to be done on these bills, but the Legislative Division is working tirelessly to get it to the President’s desk as soon as possible!

Landmark Post 9/11 GI Bill Approved by House VA Committee

On Monday, July 24 the House of Representatives passed by a 405-0 recorded vote H.R. 3218, the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017. The bill is named after American Legion Past National Commander Harry Colmery, who is credited with writing the original draft of what became the G. I. Bill of Rights in 1944.

The measure was introduced on July 13, by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (TN) and Ranking Member Tim Walz (MN). H.R. 3218 would close current gaps in the existing GI Bill and guarantee veterans have access to their GI Bill benefits beyond the current 15-year time limit and would be the biggest expansion of college aid for veterans in a decade. In addition, the bill would expand benefits for reservists, Purple Heart recipients and surviving dependents. It would also retroactively restore benefits to veterans affected by recent school closures and provide additional funds to GI Bill users pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.

On Thursday, July 20 a Senate companion bill – S. 1598 – was introduced by Sen. Johnny Isakson (GA), chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC). The measure currently has 41 cosponsors, including nearly the entire SVAC membership. S. 1598 was approved by the full SVAC on July 26.

Speaking on the new “Forever GI Bill” legislation, National Commander Schmidt said the bill “would launch a new era for all who have honorably served in uniform.” You can read more about it here: http://capwiz.com/legion/issues/alert/?alertid=78198626

House Acts on Veterans Legislation

On July 24, several pieces of legislation related to veterans received action on the House floor.

  1. 114, legislation for funding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Choice program for providing community care, failed on a procedural vote of 219 to 186. The proposition was strongly opposed by many veterans service organizations on the grounds that it paid for the extension by reducing funding for other VA programs.

Several other measures passed by voice vote; including:

o   H.R. 1058, the VA Provider Equity Act, which addresses the pay rates and career movement of podiatrists;

o   H.R. 1690, the Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act, requiring reporting of all bonuses paid to Department executives;

o   H.R. 1848, the Veterans Affairs Medical Scribe Pilot Act of 2017, implementing a pilot project to use scribes to assist physicians in a few VA medical centers;

o   H.R. 2006, the VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act, to improve the procurement practices of VA;

o   H.R. 2749, the Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2017, which would to improve the oversight of contracts awarded by the VA Secretary to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans; and

o   H.R. 2781, the Ensuring Veteran Enterprise Participation in Strategic Sourcing Act, which would direct the VA Secretary to certify the sufficient participation of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans and small business concerns owned by veterans with service-connected disabilities in contracts under the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative

These measures now go to the Senate for further action.

Appropriations

On Thursday, July 27, the House continued working on the Make America Secure Appropriations Act for 2018 (H.R. 3219). This minibus includes four appropriations bills: Defense, Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, Energy & Water, and Legislative Branch. The House approved the package by a vote of 235 to 192.

A number of health and personnel-related amendments were added to the bill. They include:

DEFENSE

No amendments will be allowed to take money out of the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) part of the bill to fund something in the base budget. The following amendments were adopted as part of an en block package. They include:

  • DoD may fund a health impact study on perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), such as PFOA or PFOS, which were used by the military and contaminated drinking water sources on and near military bases.
  • $10 million for SECDEF to enter into intergovernmental agreements to provide health screenings in communities near formerly used defense sites that have been exposed to PFOS and PFOA. Money comes from O&M, Defense-wide.
  • Funding increased for DoD medical technology account.
  • $1 million increase for Gulf War Illness funding under the Defense Health Program.
  • $10 million increase for prostate cancer research under the Defense Health Program.
  • Funding increased for a program to award competitive grants to nonprofit organizations to assist such organizations in the planning, designing, establishing or operating of programs to provide service dogs to covered members and veterans.
  • $2 million increase for DoD’s lung cancer research program. Money comes from O&M, Defense-wide.
  • $5 million increase for the Fisher House Foundation. Money comes from O&M, Defense-wide.
  • $10 million increase for breast cancer research under the Defense Health Program. Money comes from Procurement, Defense-wide.
  • No funds may be used to close a BSL4 laboratory.
  • $10 million increase in the Sexual Assault Special Victims’ Counsel Program.
  • $5 million increase in Defense health care for PTS. Money comes from a $6.25 million reduction in O&M, Defense-wide.
  • $10 million increase in the Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program. money comes from O&M, Defense-wide.

One amendment was offered – and failed on a voice vote – which would have provided $25 million of the Defense Health Program RDT&E to be used to award grants to medical researchers and universities to support research into early detection of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION/VETERANS AFFAIRS

Amendments added to the MilCon/VA portion of the minibus as part of an en bloc package included:

  • Increase the VA’s Equine Assisted Therapy Grant Program by $5 million. The money comes from the VA General Administration account.
  • Moves money out of and then back into medical services accounts in the VA to emphasize the Department’s responsibility to provide services to veterans and to maintain health care clinics in rural communities.
  • Vet Centers are to partner with organizations that provide outdoor experiences for veterans as part of a continuum of care to support veterans in developing a community support as part of their treatment for combat-related injuries.
  • Prioritize funding to hire more doctors, nurses and medical staff at VA medical centers.
  • $5 million in PTS research funds are to go to studying the issues of veterans with both PTS and an opioid dependency.
  • The VA is to create an opioid abuse healthcare kit for community healthcare providers.
  • Increases funding for the VA caregiver program by $2 million. The money comes from a $2.5 million reduction in the VA’s Information Technology Systems accounts.

Two additional amendments were adopted separately by voice votes. These amendments state: a) No funds may be used to propose, plan, or execute a new round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC); and b) the VA may not spend money on a study that causes significant pain or distress to dogs. Training programs or studies of service dogs are exempted from the ban.

VA Choice program funding

The VA’s premier program for providing veterans with access to community care known as Choice will run out of money in August. Legislation, S. 114 that would have provided a $2 billion boost to the program, largely by continuing reductions in other VA programs that were initially used to fund the program but which are scheduled to expire, failed to achieve a 2/3 majority in the House on Monday.

Wednesday night, the VA issued a press release praising new legislation to extend the funding. However, lawmakers told reporters that no such deal had been reached, and there was no movement on any legislation on Thursday.

Update on Flag Amendment Bill

The end of the 114th Congress signaled that House Joint Resolution (H.J. Res.) 9 and Senate Joint Resolution (S.J. Res.) 21 – proposed constitutional amendment to protect the American flag from physical desecration – expired. Though garnering some support in their respective chambers, neither measure emerged from the House or Senate Judiciary committees for an up-or-down vote in either chamber

As a result, The American Legion is continuing its efforts to protect the American flag in the 115th Congress. As he did in the previous Congress, Rep. Steve Womack (AR) re-introduced a flag protection constitutional amendment, House Joint Resolution (H.J. Res.) 61, with 23 co-sponsors. He is currently contacting other Members of the House seeking additional co-sponsors.

On Flag Day, Sen. Steve Daines (MT) introduced a Senate companion measure, Senate Joint Resolution (S.J. Res.) 46, in that chamber. The amendment is co-sponsored by Sens. John Cornyn (TX), Johnny Isakson (GA), Mike Crapo (ID), Lindsey Graham (SC), Dean Heller (NV), Chuck Grassley (IA) and Orrin Hatch (UT). You can read his press release here: https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/on-flag-day-daines-introduces-constitutional-amendment-to-prohibit-flag-burning

The American Legion issued the following congratulatory response here: https://www.legion.org/commander/237811/american-legion-national-commander-salutes-senate-bill-flag-day

Matthew Shuman, Director
The American Legion Legislative Division
(202) 861-2700
For Week Ending 07-28-2017

Post 155 Smoking Room Dedication

July 19, 2017 Crystal River Florida – Blanton-Thompson American Legion Post 155 located in Crystal River announces the dedication of their new smoking area. The post received their permanent charter on February 28th, 1951 and was a smoking post located at Hunters Springs Part (Legion Beach) before moving to its present location at 6585 W Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River.

Up until 2012 when the dining room became a non smoking area. In June of 2016 the membership voted to construct a suitable smoking area and upon completion the entire post would become non-smoking.

Construction began in April 2017 after a lengthy engineering and permitting process. Construction was completed in June at which time the lounge area was closed and remodeled. The smoking room and lounge was reopened July 7th and has been functioning very well. There are medical experts that recommend to follow this link here to get their medical requirements met.

The room will be dedicated to Darlis Greene and Rodney Appleby. The two were best friends and were always doing something for the post or our community. Both members have passed in the last few years and this dedication will keep their memories and spirit alive for both present and future members of the post.

The dedication will take place on Saturday July 22nd, 2017 beginning at 12:00pm noon. The ceremony and post will be open to the public from 12:00 to 4:00pm with free food and tours of the building. We will have our veteran’s service officers on hand to assist any veterans, active duty, and or family members with questions about available benefits and claims.