| Many veterans continue to experience challenges in obtaining reimbursement for travel to their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical appointments. S. 2975, the Road to Access Act, would ensure that veterans receive the travel reimbursements they deserve by improving the payment and processing of travel allowances, making it easier for them to access the care they need. The Road to Access Act would extend the claims submission period up to 180 days after the eligible travel date and enhance outreach by requiring VA to provide information to veterans on available payments and allowances during the first care instance each year, while informing them of the reasons for any denied claims and options for resubmission or appeal. Additionally, the bill supports certain disabled veterans or those without access to the Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSSS) by allowing mileage reimbursement claims to be submitted on their behalf and providing an alternative option to submit paper claims if they lack access to appropriate technology or internet services. DAV is pleased to endorse the Road to Access Act, in alignment with DAV Resolution No. 407, which calls for timely processing and payment of travel reimbursement claims through the VA’s beneficiary travel system. We call on all DAV members and supporters to contact their senators and urge them to co-sponsor and support this important legislation. Thank you for participating in the DAV Commander’s Action Network. |
The Road to Access Act
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Call to Action HR 8371
| Since the beginning of the 118th Congress, hundreds of bills have been introduced to improve the health care and benefits provided to our nation’s veterans, their caregivers, families and survivors. Over many months, our engagements with members and staff through congressional hearings, committee briefings, stakeholder roundtables and informal discussions have led to the introduction of an omnibus package of legislation that addresses several of our highest legislative priorities to include reforming and expanding health care, benefits and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, contains dozens of bipartisan and bicameral bills that address some of the most urgent needs of veterans and caregivers to include improving veterans’ mental health and long-term care services, VA’s caregiver program, veterans’ homeless program, electronic health record modernization, dental care, educational assistance, burial benefits and more. DAV supports, H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, as it aligns with several DAV resolutions to fulfill the promise of caring for our nation’s ill and injured veterans. We request all DAV members and supporters to contact their representative and urge them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. |
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Fair Access to Co-ops for Veterans Act
| DAV supports H.R. 7703, the Fair Access to Co-ops for Veterans Act. This bill would allow veterans the ability to use their VA home loan certificates to help purchase cooperative housing units. Co-ops are typically apartments in large buildings, particularly in big cities. However, several other co-op housing types exist, including the following: townhouses, duplexes, single-family homes or manufactured homes. They are generally considered more affordable housing in major cities. DAV supports this legislation as it would provide service-disabled veterans more options to obtain affordable housing for themselves and their families. Affordable housing options are one of the top priorities for service-disabled veterans, especially those transitioning from active duty. We ask that you contact your Representative and urge them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 7703—the Fair Access to Co-ops for Veterans Act. Thank you for your continued support of service-disabled veterans, their families, survivors and caregivers. |
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VA Emergency Transportation Access Act
Government reimbursement rates for certain types of highly specialized emergency transportation have been significantly lower than the true costs of providing such services.
Earlier this year, the VA finalized a proposed rule change to cut its reimbursement rate for emergency air medical transportation. During health emergencies, this reduction could put an estimated 4.7 million veterans living in rural and remote communities, who already struggle to get reliable access to health care, at even greater risk.
H.R. 5530, the VA Emergency Transportation Access Act, would limit the VA’s ability to change payment rates for transporting veterans and eligible individuals on specialized transportation modes.
DAV supports H.R. 5530, in accordance with DAV Resolution No. 323, which calls on VA to provide equitable access to transportation options for veterans who need specialized forms of transportation to VA facilities.
We call on DAV members and supporters to contact their representative and urge them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 5530, the VA Emergency Transportation Access Act.
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2024 COLA
| DAV supports H.R. 7777 and S. 4047, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2024. This bill would increase VA compensation benefit rates for veterans and those in receipt of Dependents Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Without annual COLAs, many disabled veterans, who sacrificed their own health and family life for the good of our nation, may not be able to maintain the quality of life they deserve. Consistent with DAV Resolution No. 226, we support H.R. 7777 and S. 4047. We must ensure that veterans’ benefits keep pace for the many veterans and survivors who are on fixed incomes and largely rely on their compensation payments for basic necessities. Please contact your Senators and Representative and urge them to co-sponsor and support the Veterans’ Compensation COLA Act of 2024. Thank you for standing with DAV to provide a cost-of-living increase for our nation’s service disabled veterans, their families and survivors. |
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H.R. 5247, the Expedited Hiring for VA Trained Psychiatrists Act of 2023
| The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), noted in 2023, that PTSD is more common among veterans than civilians. At some point in their life, 7 out of every 100 Veterans (or 7%) will have PTSD. The VA’s National Suicide Prevention Report of 2023, reported in 2021, 6,392 veterans died by suicide and many veterans struggle to get timely mental health services they need and deserve. Recruiting and hiring mental health specialists is challenging, which hinders VA’s ability to support the growing number of veterans seeking help. A 2023 VA Inspector General report revealed that more than half of VA’s 139 medical facilities faced a severe shortage of psychiatrists. H.R. 5247, the Expedited Hiring for VA Trained Psychiatrists Act of 2023, aims to reduce wait times for veterans seeking mental health care by allowing the VA to establish a fast-track process for hiring psychiatrists. DAV supports H.R. 5247, in accordance with DAV Resolution No. 250, which calls for effective recruitment, retention, and development of the VA health care workforce. Please contact your representative and urge them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 5247, the Expedited Hiring for VA Trained Psychiatrists Act of 2023. |
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S. 280 and H.R. 7434, the BEST for Vets Act
The Better Examiner Standards and Transparency for Veterans Act, or the BEST for Vets Act, would ensure that only licensed health care professionals furnish disability examinations under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Disability Examination Office.
The BEST for Vets Act states that, “no examination as part of this program will be conducted by any health care professional other than a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, audiologist, or psychologist that has a current unrestricted license to practice that health care profession.” Additionally, the bill would require the VA to provide an annual report to the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees.
VA compensation and pension exams are vital to the disability claims process in determining the existence of current conditions and whether or not a veteran’s illness or injury is related to their military service. In many cases, these exams are the linchpin to establish or deny a claimed benefit making it incredibly important that the appropriate licensed health care professional conduct these exams.
In accordance with DAV Resolution No. 220, DAV strongly supports S. 280 and H.R. 7434—the BEST for Vets Act, which will ensure our nation’s veterans are afforded professional opinions in the development of their disability claims.
Please urge your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor the BEST for Vets Act. Thank you for supporting service-disabled veterans, their families and survivors.
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Help protect this benefit
| When a veteran’s disability is rated less than a total 100% evaluation, but he or she is unable to obtain or maintain substantial gainful employment, VA regulations allow the veteran to apply for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). It is based on the severity of the individual veteran’s unique disability picture and its impact on the veteran’s ability to obtain and maintain substantial gainful employment. Generally, the veteran must have a single disability rated at 60% or a combined evaluation of 70% to be eligible for TDIU. In recent years, reducing or limiting TDIU has been the focus of many Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports as a deficit reduction measure. In December 2018, it was suggested to terminate and cutoff TDIU benefits at the age of 65, and in reports in December 2020 and December 2022, CBO recommended to restrict TDIU once a veteran reaches the age of 67. H.R. 6362, the Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act, would provide additional protections for TDIU and prohibit the VA from considering the age of the veteran or their eligibility to any retirement benefit, including Social Security, in making such determinations. DAV strongly supports H.R. 6362, as it would ensure the availability of TDIU for all veterans regardless of age or receipt of any other earned federal benefits. Consistent with DAV Resolution No. 445, DAV supports the protection of TDIU as it is not a retirement or pension program. We are calling on all DAV members and supporters to contact their elected representatives and urge them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 6362 to protect veterans and their families now and in the future from these harmful proposals. Thank you for all you do for America’s veterans and their families.. |
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OKC VA Hosting Community Care Tele-Town Hall
| WHAT: | Community Care Tele-Town Hall |
| WHEN: | January 11, 2024, at 11:30am-12:30pm |
| WHERE: | Via Telephone conference call at 1-833-305-1730 |
| WHO: | Veterans with Community Care questions and concerns can call into this Virtual Tele-Town Hall and get questions answered. |
BACKGROUND:
The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System is inviting the OKC area Veterans to call into the Community Care Veterans Tele-Town Hall on Thursday, January 11th from, 11:30am to 12:30pm.
OKC staff, Health Care Providers and Veterans Benefits Association (VBA) will be on hand to answer questions about Community Care, Travel, VA Benefits, eligibility, Veteran programs, new virtual resources, OKC ongoing improvements and much more.
If you would like to join the call you must dial into the program on 11 January from 1130am-12:30pm by calling 1-833-305-1730 to attend.
This is a chance for Veterans to ask those questions they may have about what Veteran Affairs can do for them.
For questions about the event please contact: Carmen Daugherty at 405-416-0279.
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NORTH OKC PATIENTS CAN NOW GO TO NORTH MAY CLINIC FOR LABORATORY.
NORTH OKC PATIENTS CAN NOW GO TO NORTH MAY CLINIC FOR LABORATORY.
See below graphic for information location for primary care clinics.
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