Tag Archives: Veterans

House Passes Bipartisan Veterans Legislation Cosponsored by Shea-Porter

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 21, 2013 - 7:34 pm | , , , , ,
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Carol Shea-Porter_Official.2010-300x288

Carol Shea-Porter_Official.2010-300x288Bills to support job training for veterans, benefit wounded veterans, and recognize WWII heroes 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1344 and H.R. 324, bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter to recognize World War II heroes and make air travel easier for wounded and disabled veterans. Shea-Porter also voted in support of H.R. 1412, legislation to improve job opportunities for veterans.

“I’m proud to support these bipartisan bills,” Shea-Porter said. “They reflect our respect, appreciation, and commitment towards America’s veterans.”

H.R. 1412, the Improving Job Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2013, would improve and increase the availability of on-job training and apprenticeship programs carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

H.R. 1344 would direct the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop processes to help severely injured or disabled current and former members of the Armed Forces pass through airport security. H.R. 324 would grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions to our country.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congresswoman Shea-Porter has consistently advocated for America’s troops and veterans. In the 110th and 111th Congresses, Shea-Porter worked to provide New Hampshire veterans with increased in-state access to medical care and an expanded GI Bill of Rights. This year, she has cosponsored legislation that would guarantee veterans access to in-state college tuition rates, expand access to mental health services, and allow the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize same-sex marriages.

Kuster Unveils Legislative Package to Address VA Claims Backlog

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 3, 2013 - 1:27 pm | , ,
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Marine Veteran Saluting Flag

Proposals includes bill introduced by Kuster to improve automation of claims processing

Marine Veteran Saluting FlagAs part of her commitment to serving our nation’s veterans, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) and a group of lawmakers on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee are announcing a coordinated legislative package to help the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) in its efforts to address the growing claims backlog. The package of ten bills seeks to help the VA meet its goal of eliminating the backlog in full by 2015, and includes legislation introduced by Congresswoman Kuster that would encourage the VA to make greater use of automation in the processing of veterans claims, increasing efficiency within the Department and freeing up resources to provide more timely services for veterans.

“As a nation, we have no higher responsibility than to serve our courageous veterans as well as they have served us,” Kuster said. “Meeting that responsibility demands that both parties come together to help address the growing claims backlog so that we can more efficiently deliver veterans the benefits they have earned. That’s exactly with our legislative package will help do, and I’m proud to join so many of my colleagues in taking this important step forward.”

“As a new member of Congress, Rep. Kuster has repeatedly proven her commitment to supporting our nation’s veterans,” said Rep. Mike Michaud (ME-02), ranking member on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Her bill to improve the automation of claims processing will help advance our effort to eliminate the VA claims backlog, and I am grateful for her commitment to this critical issue.”

“I am thrilled that our Congresswoman is being so proactive on this issue that has plagued veterans for years,” added New Hampshire State Rep. Steve Shurtleff of Penacook, a Vietnam veteran. “Taking these steps in the right direction is essential to ensuring that our veterans have access to the medical care they need and deserve.”

The legislative package seeks to bolster VA’s current efforts to modernize and foster further innovation in order to get veterans’ claims and compensation settled faster. Some bills would have an immediate impact, some over the next two years, and others are designed to be long-term approaches to prevent future backlogs. Goals of the legislative package include:

  • Ensuring VA has the needed information to accurately process claims by requiring better interagency collaboration between VA and entities such as DoD;
  • Encouraging VA to look at better ways to process claims in an electronic system; and
  • Strengthening accountability by requiring VA to track information in a more efficient and effective way that is provided to the public.

The 10 bills introduced and soon to be introduced include:

 

Encouraging the automation of certain VA claims (Rep. Kuster) – requires VA to provide an annual report to list those medical conditions that are processed in an electronic automated fashion, the feasibility/consideration for adding additional medical conditions, and any barriers barring VA from adding those medical conditions that are not automated.

IMPACT: The reporting would require VA to consider how and if any of the medical conditions that they adjudicate could be automated or simplified. Any work that can be automated or simplified will allow VA to focus limited resources on the more challenging workload.

 

VA Claims, Operations and Records Efficiency Act (Rep. Kirkpatrick) – requires DoD to provide certified, complete, and electronic records to VA within 21 days.

IMPACT: Would substantially reduce the amount of time spent waiting for DoD to provide information in a timely manner.

 

Claims adjudication Centers of Excellence (Rep. Michaud) – requires VBA to establish a pilot for Conditions Adjudication Centers of Excellence that would focus on the 10 most complex and time consuming medical conditions.

IMPACT: The pilot would utilize the highest performing offices to adjudicate the most difficult medical conditions, such as PTSD and TBI, encouraging the VA to specialize claims processing by condition, reduce the time it takes to adjudicate these conditions, and decrease the error rates on difficult claims.

 

Pay veterans as medical conditions are adjudicated (Rep. Titus) – requires VA to pay for medical conditions as they are adjudicated in an electronic system.

IMPACT: Currently, veterans receive payment when all medical conditions within a claim are fully adjudicated. This legislation will require VA to pay veterans as individual medical conditions are adjudicated, which will pay veterans at a faster rate.

 

Expedite claims processing by educating veterans on the quickest route to receive their decision (Rep. O’Rourke) – provides veterans with information regarding VA’s timeliness for adjudicating claims in different formats such as paper application or online utilizing the Fully Developed Claims program.

IMPACT: Would encourage and educate veterans to utilize methods that may increase the timeliness of their claims.

 

H.R. 1521 (Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney) – extends VA’s authority to contract for medical disability examinations by five years.

IMPACT: VA’s ability to have contractors provide medical exams increases the availability and timeliness of those exams. VA needs the support of the contract exams to reach the goal of processing all claims within 125 days by 2015. Without this reauthorization, VA medical examinations would overwhelm the VA health-care system.

 

H.R. 1623 (Rep. Negrete-McLeod) – requires VA to provide numerous data points in an online setting that would better detail the backlog, the timeliness and accuracy of VA regional offices, and timeliness and accuracy of adjudicating specific medical conditions.

IMPACT: The reporting would provide both the VA, the public, and policy-makers with better clarity on the backlog and the specific claims that are proving to be a challenge. This additional level of detail was not available in the legacy paper system. VA indicates that this level of clarity should be available in VBMS. This would insure that VBA builds in the capability of understanding the workload at this level of granularity and ultimately may lead to gains in efficiency by better understanding the backlog and ways to address it.

 

Require VA to maximize the use of private medical evidence (Rep. Walz) – amends title 38, United States Code, section 5103A(d)(1) to provide that, when a claimant submits private medical evidence, including a private medical opinion, that is competent, credible, probative, and otherwise adequate for rating purposes, the Secretary shall not request a VA medical examination.

IMPACT: Would conserve resources and enable quicker, more accurate rating decisions for veterans.

 

Require annual reports on VA regional offices that fail to meet backlog reduction goals (Rep. Meng) – requires annual reports on VA regional offices that are not meeting their administrative goal of no claim taking longer than 125 days with 98% accuracy. Details would be required explaining why the office did not meet the goal, what they need to meet it, and how failure to meet the goal was considered in regards to the VARO Director’s performance appraisal.

IMPACT: The reporting requirement would serve as a motivator for leadership to meet their administrative goal. It would also provide additional information in regards to the backlog at the individual VARO level and the information could assist policy-makers in considering additional solutions to reduce the backlog and provide better services to veterans.

 

Require Detailed Reporting on VA Information Requests to Federal Agencies (Rep. Ruiz) – requires VA to track all information requests to other federal entities.

IMPACT: Would require VA to provide quarterly updates to Congress in regards to the timeliness of other agencies in fulfilling their information requests. Veteran’s claims are often untimely because VA is waiting for other agencies to provide information. By having more definitive data, VA and Congress can work to reduce these bottlenecks.

Kuster is a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

A Special Veterans Day Message From Iron Workers General President Walter Wise

  By New Hampshire Labor News | November 11, 2012 - 6:00 am |
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Throughout the history of the United States and Canada, we have asked our sons and daughters to defend our liberties and keep the flame of freedom burning bright for the rest of the world.

The commitment and sacrifice of these proud Veterans has not gone unnoticed.

Throughout our 116-year history, the ranks of the Iron Workers has swelled with proud Veterans. Their service has not only protected nations—it has helped to build them.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Ironworkers opened our hearts and arms to those returned from Vietnam, saying, “Welcome home, Brother!” And we have reaped untold benefits from their service as Union Ironworkers during the past forty years.

To offer the same opportunities to those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Iron Workers—together with the other 14 building trades—secured federal funding for Helmets to Hardhats, a program that helps Veterans transition from their military duties to career opportunities with fair wages and benefits. But after “no earmarks” erased funding and the Department of Defense would not sacrifice one cruise missile to fund Helmets to Hardhats, it was the building trades, our contractors and our customers who stepped forward to ensure that veterans have access to training and secure jobs after they have served their country so patriotically.

Our Veterans did not serve just one day a year.  They laid their lives on the line, and we should never miss an opportunity to thank them for their service—and for our freedom. The Iron Workers remain steadfast in supporting our men and women in uniform, as well as in our commitment to provide career opportunities to build our great nations.

Thank you, Veterans, for all that you do.

Walter W. Wise

General President

Iron Workers Union

Veterans Become The Center Of NH-01 Battle

  By New Hampshire Labor News | September 25, 2012 - 8:00 am |
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Carol Shea-Porter_Official.2010-300x288

This week the battle over NH Congressional District 1 got a little more heated.  Carol Shea-Porter released her first campaign ad and it goes right after Congressman Guinta’s votes against veterans.

Congressman Frank Guinta has repeatedly voted against veterans in FY2012 and FY2013, and now he is upset that his record is being compared to Carol Shea-Porter’s record for veterans in Congress. But here are some of Congressman Guinta’s votes against veterans.

Guinta Voted to Cut $11 Billion from Veterans Programs.
Congressman Frank Guinta voted on March 29, 2012 for the Paul Ryan Budget Plan, which the Office of Management and Budget, in their March 20, 2012 analysis, said “cut discretionary veterans’ programs, which overwhelmingly fund medical care, by $11 billion if that cut were applied across the board.” (Roll Call Vote #151 is for passage of H Con Res 112, also known as the Ryan Budget.)

Congressman Guinta joined the House Republicans in voting to cut $476 million to the President’s request in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) in their July 28, 2011 report titled “Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies: FY 2012 Appropriations” (page 10) says, “The FY2012 budget submitted by the Administration called for funding the VA at a level of $128.27 billion for FY2012. This is an increase of $7.63 billion, or 6.3%, compared to the FY2011-enacted appropriation…HR. 2055, as passed by the House, provides total funding for the VA of $127.80 billion for FY2012.”

Congressman Guinta voted against millions in additional funding for suicide prevention and PTSD on June 14, 2011.
As reported by the Library of Congress (Thomas.gov—under HR 2055, All Congressional Actions With Amendments), “The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same [HR 2055] back to the House with an amendment to increase funds for veterans medical services for post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide prevention by $20 million and offsets it with a $25 million reduction in the Department of Veteran Affairs’ information technology programs.”

Congressman Guinta voted against increasing housing assistance for veterans by $75 Million.
HR 1 in 2011 completely left out funding for Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH). As FactCheck.org reported on April 8, 2011, “The GOP bill would continue funding for the existing 29,950 vouchers. But it would not provide $75 million for an additional 10,000 in new vouchers, as Congress has done now for three straight years.” Time Magazine on April 8, 2011, had an article by Rajiv Srinivasan (who was a Stryker platoon leader in Afghanistan) titled “The Budget Ax: Why Homeless Veterans But Not NASCAR?” Srinivasan wrote, “Unfortunately, in the recent round of intense budget cuts in Congress, this small funding for the homeless-shelter project was slashed, along with a total of $75 million in homeless-veteran benefits.”

While in office Carol Shea-Porter continually supported Veterans
Carol thanked our troops and veterans for their service with expanded access to in-state medical care, with increased funding for veterans health care and benefits—the largest increase in the history of the VA—and with the new GI Bill of Rights. She started the fight for expanded care for our New Hampshire vets by introducing the Veterans Health Equity Act in 2008. Thanks to her persistence and hard work, veterans now have access to acute in-patient care in-state through a contract with Concord Hospital. She protected benefits by stopping health insurance rate hikes for our troops and veterans through her amendment to prevent increases in TRICARE fees. Carol also introduced two pieces of legislation, which became law, to make sure that our veterans and National Guard and Reserve families are treated fairly when overpayments or bonus issues arise.

Carol has secured funding for everything from the Yellow Ribbon program for deployed members of the New Hampshire National Guard, to construction at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and National Guard installations.

While many claim that Democrats are ‘fiscally irresponsible’, Carol held reckless defense contractors accountable for gross negligence that harmed troops, and her legislation prohibiting troop exposure to toxins from burn pits in war zones became law.

Today Carol Shea-Porter released a statement highlighting her deep commitment to Veterans
  The statement give bio’s of each of the people who appeared in her most recent TV ad.  One of the people highlighted was Lew Henry.

Lew Said: “Carol Shea-Porter is my hero. She always stands up for regular folks. I will be proudly voting for Carol in November. As a veteran I have watched Carol protect soldiers, veterans, and their families from the politicians, usually non-veterans, who sent them to war and then ignored them after their service. Carol ended the noxious practice of military burn pits, saving a generation of soldiers from breathing poisonous air, and she got quicker medical help to those already exposed. She ended the collection of debts against families of soldiers killed in action. She was instrumental in supporting and upgrading the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. She voted to increase funding for veteran’s health care, to stabilize VA funding, to provide soldiers and veterans with help for PTSD, to get an in-state hospital for acute care along with continuing the fight for in-state full medical care for veterans. Her support of the New GI Bill gives veterans a shot at a quality college education. Carol’s boundless accomplishments make her the veteran’s best friend in Congress.”

In closing Carol stated:

“The support from so many veterans like Josh, Wayne, Lew, Nathan, and Jim, is truly humbling and inspiring.  Their courage and sacrifice are why I am passionate about public service.  Our nation is truly indebted to our troops and our veterans, and in Congress, I will continue to be an advocate for them and their families.”

 

Happy Veterans Day

  By Matt Murray | November 11, 2011 - 4:16 pm | ,
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I would like to take a few moments to talk about Veterans.  Let me start by saying THANK YOU to all of the Veterans who are currently serving and those how have served in the past.  You service and dedication to our country is unmatched, and in my opinion under emphasized.  Veterans put their lives on the line to protect the USA and everything we hold dear.  For that we cannot say Thank You enough.

 Just yesterday the US Senate passed the “Vow to Hire Heros Act of 2011″.  This bill would give a tax credit to businesses who hire out of work Veterans.

(Source NPR) Some 240,000 veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are out of work. The Senate bill would provide tax breaks of up to $9,600 to private employers who hire them.
The tax credits are the first sliver of President Obama’s $447 billion jobs package to actually win bipartisan approval in the Senate. Obama says service members who fought for their country shouldn’t have to fight for jobs when they come home.

Since this is a Labor Blog, lets explore the relationship between Veterans and Unions.  The Labor Unions  in this country have always been a strong supporter of Veterans and encourage the hiring of Veterans.  Veterans are well know for their dedication and work ethic.  Two things that Labor Unions are also know for.  In a statement about Labor Day the Department of Veterans Affairs released this statement:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce of more than 300,000 – including more than 90,000 who are Veterans – knows one of its objectives as it observes Labor Day is to help young Veterans find jobs.
Union members are about two-thirds of VA’s workforce and Shinseki praises five national unions and their leadership for ongoing support of Veterans and VA’s Veteran employees. VA is one of very few federal agencies to have maintained a National Partnership Council (NPC) with its unions since 1994.

As you can see the VA knows how important the relationship between Unions and Veterans is.  There are many other programs that Labor Unions help create to help young Veterans returning from service get jobs.  One of these programs is the Trade Unions “Helmets to Hardhats” program.

(The Helmets to Hardhats program is)a partnership between the Building Trades, the signatory Construction Industry Employer Associations and the U.S. Military — military veterans are transitioning back to civilian life with quality career training and employment opportunities within the building and construction industry. Helmets to Hardhats is designed to ease the difficult passage into civilian life for military families, providing the best career opportunities, pay, and benefits to those who have earned the nation’s support through their years of service.
The program is proving to be a great fit, for both returning servicemen and women and the unionized construction trades. Veterans receive the best training in the trade of their choice and an opportunity for a well-paying union career while the construction industry receives quality, hard-working apprentices, ready for the challenges of the building trades. 

The building trades are not the only Labor Union who has been there to help our Veterans.  The United States Postal Service at one time was the largest employer in the U.S.  In 2007 the USPS employed over 680,000 people and of that 25% were Veterans. (Note 8% of total workforce were disabled Veterans).  While I applaud the Senate for passing the “Hire Hero’s Act”, what about the Veterans who currently work for the Postal Service? They are in jeopardy of loosing their jobs unless Congress takes action.

The Postal Service announced in August that it wants to reduce the workforce by 220,000, and is seeking authority to lay off as many as 120,000 workers.
If 120,000 postal workers were laid off, approximately 26,000 veterans would be affected. (source)

We need out members of Congress to take action to save the jobs of these hard working Veterans in the Postal Service.  Below is an ad from the American Postal Workers Union and National Postal Mailhandlers Union asking for your help to stop these drastic cuts to the Postal Service.  You can also find out more at Save Americas Postal Service ( http://saveamericaspostalservice.org/index.html).

Once again Thank You to all Veterans on this Veterans Day (and every day)!