MINERAL WELLS —
On April 21st congressional leaders passed a landmark veteran’s family caregiver bill by a vote of 419-0. The passage of the new benefit for more than a year, offers compensation for family members to serve as the primary caregiver through VA for severely wounded veterans and expands significant benefits for female veterans and rural/remote-located veterans.
A wounded veterans’ family is best equipped to care for their loved one. This expansion of benefits finally makes it a financially viable option for both veterans’ families and the VA.
The bill, which will now go back to the Senate for a final vote and on to President Obama for signing, is a compromise between the House and Senate which offers family caregiver benefits to post 9/11-era veterans and benefits all generations of veterans.
Though the family caregiver plan was the primary purpose of the bill, it also included key provisions to address women veterans’ and rural/remote veterans’ health care issues.
Two significant benefits for female veterans in the caregiver bill include a pilot program for VA to deliver child care for inpatient female veterans and a program that would offer seven days of post-delivery health care for newborn children of women receiving care through VA.
Post-delivery care is a significant milestone for providing complete, comprehensive care for female veterans. VA has met all the health needs of male veterans for generations, and this step helps all female veterans achieve parity in available VA care.
Two important improvements for rural veterans include expansion of VA contracting with community mental health centers in rural and remote areas and establishment of federal grants for veterans groups who offer transportation assistance to rural and remote veterans. I will follow up on this info.
A note from Service Officer Lee Downs, veterans who weren’t eligible for VA health care because of too much income might now be eligible under VA’s Priority Group 8. Contact Downs if you want to sign up.
Robin Greer, Veterans Employment Representative, Texas Veterans Commission, indicates jobs are available to be filled. Please contact her at (817) 573-4282, ext.3510, or robin.greer@tvc.state.tx.us for details.
Finally, check the Index for information regarding a “Return the Salute” for troops returning to Fort Hood, Texas, on May 4 at 9 a.m., departing from Village Bend Road.
Speak to you next week.
Jim Vines is commander of AMVETS Post 133 in Mineral Wells. Contact him at jim.helpingveterans@gmail.com.
Veterans Corner
Veteran's Corner
Legislation to help severely wounded vets nears approval
- Veterans Corner
-
-
Program offers to turn veterans into federal contracting specialists
A special internship to prepare newly returned veterans to become federal contracting specialists was launched recently at the Acquisitions Academy of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Fredrick, Md. The VA understands the integrity and skills veterans have learned working together to accomplish difficult objectives.
-
VA offering free credit monitoring in wake of mistaken data release
The Department of Veterans Affairs is offering free credit monitoring to more than 2,200 veterans whose personal information, including Social Security numbers, were posted on Ancestry.com following the mistaken release of data through the Freedom of Information Act.
-
VGLI-covered vets can increase coverage amounts
Veterans covered under the Veterans Group Life Insurance program now have the opportunity to increase their coverage to the current maximum coverage under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance ( SGLI) program. Currently, 70 percent of the veterans covered under VGLI are under age 60, have less than $400,000 of coverage, and will greatly benefit from this law change.
-
VA deploys more Mobile Vet Centers
The Department of Veterans Affairs deployed 20 additional Mobile Vet Centers on Jan. 4th to increase access to readjustment counseling services for veterans and their families in rural and under-served communities across the country.
-
VA now has complete Facebook presence
The Department of Veterans Affairs announces that all of its 152 medical centers are now actively represented on Facebook, the world’s largest networking site.
-
A look back at veterans news
As 2011 winds down, here is a reminder of the information presented to veterans and their families this past year. Health benefits, education (GI Bill), scams, training for unemployed vets, service dogs, medal awards, crisis assitance hotlines, and identifiable diseases by the VA were a few of the topics covered.
-
A timeless story ...
A story I presented last December that is still appropriate today …
-
VETERANS' CORNER: Remember vets this holiday season
As Christmas and the New Year approach, its time for reflection. We must always remember that as “One Nation Under God,” the United States of America is far, far removed from the the turmoil and danger that is experienced around the world on a daily basis and that we are so very blessed to live where we do, especially during the holiday season.
-
Lines of support open to spouses of returning vets
The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a telephone support program to help the spouses of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, after a pilot support program showed a significant reduction in stress for spouses.
-
VA in legal battle over veterans benefits
Last May the VA lost its three-year case fighting against Veterans for Common Sense. However, a recent appeal by the VA could unwind all that.
- More Veterans Corner Headlines
-
Program offers to turn veterans into federal contracting specialists
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
