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Legislative/Chapter News>
AFSA Newsletter October 3, 2008
October 10, 2008
VA Budget Signed into Law. On Tuesday, September 30, President Bush signed H.R. 2638, the “Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009.” This continuing resolution legislation included funding for the Departments of Homeland Security and Veterans’ Affairs. The new law increases VA discretionary funding to $50.2 billion for 2009, $4.5 billion more than in 2008. This includes $3.8 billion for mental health care, $584 million for substance abuse programs, $510 million for prosthetic and medical research, $250 million for rural healthcare, additional funding for homeless grants, a raise of the mileage reimbursement to 41.5 cents per mile for disabled veterans who travel for health care, and funding to hire 2,000 more claims adjudicators.
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Defense Bill Passes. The “FY 2009 National Defense Authorization Act,” S. 3001, has passed Congress and has been cleared for the President, but as of Oct 3, 2008 the White House Executive Clerk reports this important bill has not been received. Among other features, this legislation includes a January 1, 2009, 3.9 percent pay raise for military members; prohibits DoD’s plans to increase TRICARE fees for military retirees; instructs DoD to restructure TRICARE Reserve Select premiums to avoid overcharging reserve component members; waives TRICARE co-pays and deductibles for colorectal, prostate, breast, and cervical screenings, annual physicals, vaccinations, and other preventative services; and requires DoD to replace decorations on a one-time basis upon request of the recipient or next of kin.
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President Issues Executive Order Impacting Military Spouses. On Sept 25, 2008, President Bush issued an executive order that would provide expedited recruitment and selection of spouses of members of the Armed Forces for appointment to positions in the federal civil service as part of the effort of the United States to recruit and retain in the military service, skilled and experienced members of the Armed Forces and to recognize and honor the service of such members injured, disabled, or killed in connection with their service. To read the complete order click HERE.________________________________________
Wounded, Ill and Injured Compensation & Benefits Handbook. This 190-page document produced by the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs is designed to help service members who are wounded, ill and injured, as well as family membes taking care of them navigate through the military and veteran disability, evaluation, compensation, and benefits programs that designed to help them. Click HERE to access and download this valuable resource.
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CMSAF #9 Binnicker Honored in Congress. On Sept 26, 2008, Rep. Jeff Miller made a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives. He said in part, “I rise today to recognize James C. Binnicker, a man who has dedicated a lifetime of service both to our country and to the families of our military veterans. It is my pleasure and privilege to honor him as a great leader and a great American.” To read Rep. Miller’s entire speech click HERE and scroll down to entry #54 in the Congressional Record. ________________________________________
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008 (S. 2617) signed by the President. This bill would give veterans the same cost-of-living adjustment (effective December 1, payable January 1, 2009) as Social Security recipients. The actual COLA will not be known until mid-October. However, current trends, based on the Consumer Price Index, show it may be as high as six percent.
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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Secretary of the Air Force Confirmed. After more than 2 months of delays and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-WA dropped her opposition to the nomination, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to recommend the appointment of Michael B. Donley to become the 22nd Air Force Secretary. The full Senate confirmed the nomination by voice vote Oct 2, 2008.
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TRICARE retiree dental benefit available overseas. Retired TRICARE beneficiaries living overseas may enroll in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program. Beginning Oct. 1, the Enhanced-Overseas TRDP is available for eligible uniformed service retirees and their families. Click HERE for the rest of this story.
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Military Leaders on Guard’s Role. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton A. Schwartz, ANG Director Lt Gen Craig McKinley, ANG Command Chief Master Sergeant Richard Smith, and others recently spoke of the role and future plans for the Air and Army National Guard. To read these comments, click HERE.
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2008 Veterans Day teacher resource guide is now online. Parents and educators can download the guide as a PDF file from the VA Web site, click HERE to view. The guide includes: suggested activities for Veterans Day (such as a school assembly, musical performance, or flag-raising ceremony); information on how to contact veterans service organizations and staff at VA medical centers, benefits offices, and National Cemeteries; information for older students including handouts on the origins of Veterans Day, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, statistics on America’s wars, and scholarships; and subjects for younger students such as a Veterans Day maze and coloring pages.________________________________________
Hand Salute. S. 3001 also authorizes military members and veterans not in uniform to render the hand salute during the playing of the National Anthem. In combination with the provisions passed in the 2008 NDAA, veterans and military members not in uniform will now (once the President signs S. 3001) be able to salute when the Flag is raised or lowered or passes in review, and when the National Anthem is played.________________________________________
TRICARE Reserve and Guard Family Benefit Now Permanent. In an Oct 2, 2008 new release, TRICARE Management Agency announced eligible families of activated National Guard and Reserve members will continue to save up to $300 in annual deductibles now that a TRICARE “demonstration’ program is a permanent benefit. To read the entire article, click HERE.
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New SRB List. The Air Force Personnel Center has released the new Selective Reenlistment Bonus listing which adds 51 specialties to the current listing. Also, the maximum amount an Airmen can receive per zone was raised from $60,000 to $90,000. To access the entire SRB listing, click HERE.
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New Battle Gear. The Air Force’s new airman battle system-ground (ABS-G), a tactical ensemble, is an equipment item for Airmen who perform their mission outside the wire in close coordination with ground forces. To read more about this ground combat operational safety gear, click HERE.
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AF Crossroads Continues. Although the Air Force originally announced that the Air Force Crossroads would be replaced on October 1 by the Air Force Community Web site, CMSAF Rodney J. McKinley notified AFSA on September 30 that, “. . . As a result of feedback from our Airmen and their families, we have extended the Crossroads/ GI Mail contract. There will be no interruption in service. . . We are committed to making sure that service members and their families have a robust and growing service to meet their needs.”
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DoD-VA Medical Record Coordination. The collaboration of the Departments of Defense and Veterans’ Affairs in using common medical records is one step closer to reality. To read about the status of DoD-VA sharing of medical record data, click HERE.
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Traumatic Brain Injury Benefits. The VA has announced it will change the way it evaluates traumatic brain injuries and burn scars for purposes of determining the appropriate level of compensation for these injuries. To view the entire regulation published in the Federal Register, click HERE.
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ALS a Compensable Illness. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dr. James Peake, announced that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease,” will be treated as a service-connected, compensable illness for the purposes of VA disability payments. To read more, click HERE.
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LEGISLATION NEWS AND UPDATES
H.R. 7111, by Rep. Thelma D. Drake, R-VA, would designate the “Honor and Remember Flag” created by Honor and Remember, Inc., as an official symbol to recognize and honor members of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty.
H.R. 7167, by Rep. Joseph A. Sestak, Jr., D-PA, would amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the availability of health care provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs by adjusting the income level for certain priority veterans.
H.R. 7168, by Rep. Louis McIntosh Slaughter, D-NY, would amend title 10, United States Code, to require defense contractors to disclose certain information regarding former Department of Defense officials, and for other purposes.
H.R. 7178, by Rep Artur Davis, D-AL, would amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, and for other purposes.
H.R. 7214, by Rep. Maxine Waters, D-CA, would amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to use the Health Professionals Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of licensed mental health professionals in the Department of Veterans Affairs available to assist veterans suffering from the effects of combat stress, and for other purposes.
H.R. 7216, by Rep. George Miller, D-CA, would to amend section 3328 of title 5, United States Code, relating to Selective Service registration. This bill was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform which considered and passed the bill.
S. 2162, the “Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008,” by Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-HI, to improve the treatment and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders, and for other purposes. Update: Presented to the President on Sept 30, 2008.
S. 2840, the “Military Personnel Citizenship Processing Act,” by Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-NY, would establish a liaison with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to expedite naturalization applications filed by members of the Armed Forces and to establish a deadline for processing such applications. Update: Presented to the President on Sept 30, 2008.
S. 3023, Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008,” by Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-HI, would improve and enhance compensation and pension, housing, labor and education, and insurance benefits for veterans. Status: Presented to the President on Oct 2, 2008.
S. 3580, the “Ensuring Safe Facilities and Equipment for American Troops Overseas Act,” by Sen. John Cornyn, R-TX, would assure the safety of expeditionary facilities, infrastructure, and equipment supporting United States military operations overseas.
S. 3585, the “Ensuring Defense Support to Catastrophic Incident Response Act of 2008,” by Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-CT, would establish the responsibility of the Department of Defense to plan for and respond to catastrophic incidents in the United States.
S. 3621, by Sen. Mel Martinez, R-FL, would authorize extended benefits for certain autistic dependents of certain military retirees.
S. 3657, the “Military Child Care Act of 2008,” by Sen. Max Baucus, D-MT, would provide additional respite care for spouses of members of the Armed Forces who deploy overseas.
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GENERAL NEWS
Airman’s Roll Call. This week’s Roll Call is about preventing domestic violence, and October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To read about signs that can help save a fellow Airman’s life, click HERE.
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2009 AFSA Professional Airmen’s Conference Set. Please mark your long-range calendar and plan to join your Air Force Sergeants Association 16-19 August for its 2009 Professional Airmen’s Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. More information to follow in future editions of this newsletter.
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Airmen Memorial Museum Needs Your Help. The theme for the 2010 calendar is “Back to Basics” and since 1946 more than 7 million men and women have entered the Total Air Force Basic Military Training Program. Click HERE to learn how you can help share your memories of BMT in this commemorative calendar.
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Air Force Expeditionary Center. The Air Force Expeditionary Center at Fort Dix, N.J., provides pre-deployment training for more than 7,000 students each year. To read more about this center, its armory, and the courses it supports, click HERE. ________________________________________
AMC Delivers MRAPs. Air Mobility Command recently delivered the 10,000th mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle to troops supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. MRAPs are constructed with V-shaped hulls and a raised chassis design to deflect underbelly blasts, and have proven to be lifesavers against improvised explosive devices, small arms fire, and mines. To read about this important, AMC war-fighting support accomplishment, click HERE.
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WASP Reunion. In September 1942, the Women Airforce Service Pilots program was formed to fill the need for stateside aviation duties, including ferrying aircraft and towing targets. To read about the recent, final reunion for the original WASPs of World War II, click HERE.
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Stop Sexual Harassment. Never turn a blind eye to sexual harassment, particularly if you are in a supervisory position. To read a recent Air Force Personnel Center article on this important issue, click HERE.
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COMMENTARY
An Airman’s National Anthem. To read about one Airmen that exults in performing the National Anthem and what it means to him, click HERE.
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Our Air Force Family. To read the thoughts of a Lt Col at Beale AFB about the meaning of “Air Force Family,” click HERE.
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Avoid Complacency. To read a commentary from a Langley AFB NCO about the need to think safety and avoid complacency, click HERE.
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AFSA MEMBER SERVICES/BENEFITS
Your Air Force Sergeants Association has partnered with a wide range of service providers, retailers, and suppliers to create exclusive members-only specials and extended services. Take advantage of the benefits of your AFSA membership today! Log onto www.hqafsa.org for a complete list of "Exclusive Member Services."
EVERY AIR FORCE ENLISTED MEMBER DESERVES THE
BENEFITS OF THE AIR FORCE SERGEANTS ASSOCIATION
Legislative Representation. Resources. Member Discounts. Camaraderie. Educational Scholarships. You know why it’s important to be a member -- why not share the benefits of AFSA? Complimentary gift memberships are a great way to introduce friends, Air Force business associates, and family members to your Air Force Sergeants Association. Sharing the Gift of AFSA is easy…simply complete the Gift Membership FORM, click HERE and fax, or send to AFSA Headquarters today. Or, call 800-638-0594 and speak with our Member and Field Relations professionals.
DISCOUNTS ON PRESCRIPTIONS
Great News! AFSA members & dependents have a NEW Prescription Discount Benefit: RxAmerica. Click here to find out more. Cut your prescription costs up to 20% on brand-name drugs and save as much as 50% on generic medicines with the RxAmerica program. Whenever you use the RxAmerica card at a participating pharmacy, RxAmerica’s computer compares the pharmacy’s price for your prescription with the association discounted price. You’ll receive the lowest price. For details on all of our AFSA Insurance benefits (General, Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Long Term Care, Dental, Cancer and Wellness) or click HERE.
AFSA 529 EDUCATION PLAN
Wachovia Securities, John Hancock and your AFSA have come together to create a one-of-a-kind 529 College Educational Plan for AFSA members only. A 529 Plan is an education savings plan operated by a state or educational institution designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs. It is named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code which created these types of savings plans in 1998. Now you can set-aside money for education for the special children in your life.
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