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
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‘Telehealth’ no longer requires VA co-pay
The Department of Veterans Affairs will no longer charge veterans a co-payment when they receive care in their homes from VA health professionals using video conferencing. Eliminating the co-payment for this service will remove an necessary financial burden for veterans.
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A day for remembering
This Memorial Day, May 28, one of our most revered holidays, we all pause to reflect upon the principles that have made our nation great. We remember the true cost of freedom and to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect it.
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New program promotes vet-owned businesses
A recent press release from the Texas Veterans Commission announced the creation of the “Texas Veteran Entrepreneur and Business Department Program.”
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VETERANS CORNER: White House moves to protect vets from some for-profit schools tactics
Military and veteran students have increasingly become the target of deceptive recruiting practices by for-profit schools since the post-9/11 GI Bill became law April 27.
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VA adds hundreds to mental health staff
The overwhelming cases of traumatic brain injury has caused the Department of Veterans Affairs to re-evaluate its mental health operations.
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VA deploys efforts to speed up benefits delivery
Concerns of late about the backlog of veterans claims processing was eased this week with the Veteran Administration’s announcement of the national deployment of claims transformation initiatives to 12 regional offices in the remaining months of fiscal year 2012 to improve benefits delivery to veterans, families and their survivors.
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Some veteran retirees could feel financial hit
TRICARE Prime fee increases, limited access to military treatment facilities, and fewer civilian care providers are likely to be an issue in this year and beyond.
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VA releases new report on Gulf War addressing veterans' care, services
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VETERANS' CORNER: Release of 68 forms designed to speed up claims processing
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced March 22 the release of 68 new forms that will help speed the processing of veterans disability compensation and pension claims.
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Project REACH could extend help to many homeless veterans
On March 19, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new contest to help the people who help the homeless. It challenges the developer community to create easy, mobile access to resources the homeless need, when they need it and where they can get it.
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