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May 3, 2019

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Inside this issue

 

·         • House MILCON/VA Bill Moving Forward

·         • VA to Observe Women's Health Week

·         • SBP/DIC Legislation hits Milestone but Needs Your Help to Pass

·         • HVAC Launches Women Veterans Task Force

·         • Message to Members

 

 

House MILCON/VA Bill Moving Forward

 

 


The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MILCON/VA) approved its version of the fiscal year 2020 bill this week, which is now headed to the full committee for its consideration.  As written, the law provides a total of $10.5 billion for military construction projects and $217.5 billion in both discretionary and mandatory funding for VA.  That would be an increase of $207 million for Military Construction and $20.3 billion for VA when compared to current year levels. 

The draft bill provides funding for military construction projects like family housing; VA's medical care, construction, and disability compensation programs; Arlington National Cemetery; and the American Battle Monuments Commission.  It's still early in the process, and we are monitoring its progress closely.  A summary of the draft bill is here.

 

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VA to Observe Women's Health Week

 

 


VA medical centers nationwide will be hosting events at women's health clinics in observance of Women's Health Week, May 12-18.  Women are among the fastest growing Veteran demographics, accounting for more than 30 percent of the increase in Veterans who served between 2014 and 2018.  The number of women using VA health services has tripled since 2000, growing from about 160,000 to nearly 500,000 today. 

VA offers a wide range of primary care and specialty services for women Veterans, such as health screenings, preconception counseling, maternity care, menopausal support and more.  Facility observances will include open houses, baby showers, and outreach events spotlighting VA's wide range of programs and services for women Veterans. Those seeking to learn more and volunteer their help should contact their facility's women Veteran program manager.

 

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SBP/DIC Legislation hits Milestone but Needs Your Help to Pass

 

 


S. 622, the Military Widow's Tax Elimination Act  gained the support of three additional senators this week.  It now has the backing of more than 60 senators which is enough to end debate on the bill on the bill and move it forward to a vote.  It's also a milestone for this legislation because it has never received that much support in this chamber.  

S. 622 must clear the Senate Armed Services Committee first before the full council could vote on it, so it needs a big nudge. If you haven't sent our letter urging your senators to support this bill and repeal this unfair offset, now is the time to do so.

 

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HVAC Launches Women Veterans Task Force

 

 


This House Committee on Veterans' Affairs (HVAC) has launched a new bipartisan Women Veterans Task Force to increase the visibility of the two million women veterans living in the United States and to promote inclusively and equitable access to resources, benefits, and healthcare for women veterans.

The Task Force will be chaired by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), who also serves as the Chairwoman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee.  "Women have served our nation in uniform since its earliest days, yet for far too long, the contributions and distinct challenges facing the growing population of female veterans have been forgotten or ignored," said Congresswoman Brownley. "My vision is for this Task Force to have a national presence and create a national dialogue where we can identify all of the inequities faced by women veterans and determine how we can tackle them through legislation and other means." 

Today, women comprise roughly 17% of serving military personnel, 10% of the veteran population, and 30% of service academy students.  Women are the fastest-growing subpopulation of both service members and veterans. 

The Task Force aims to increase their visibility, improve equity between male and female veterans, and ensure that women veterans have access to the resources, benefits, and healthcare they have earned and deserve.  We plan to work closely with the Task Force and provide updates on their efforts in future Washington Reports.  
 

 

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Message to Members

 

 


Veterans who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, and those who know a Veteran in crisis, can call the Veterans Crisis Line for confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.  Call 800-273-8255 and press 1, send a text message to 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
 

 

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RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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