Veteran Unemployment Hits 1 Million
BY BOB BREWIN 07/15/11 04:47 pm ET
More than 60,000 veterans hit the unemployment rolls in June, which puts the total number of unemployed veterans at more than 1 million, according to Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Miller, in a hearing Friday, pitched the 2011 Veteran Opportunity to Work Act backed with $3 billion budget as one solution to this problem. This bill emphasizes education and training, and includes language that mandates active duty personnel attend Transition Assistance Program classes that teach civilian job market skills such as resume writing.
Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif, the ranking member on the committee, sharply criticized the Miller bill, arguing: "This bill does very little to create jobs for veterans, regardless of how my Republican colleagues may portray it. This bill is about completely contracting out the Transition Assistance Program." Filner also blasted the Miller bill funding formula as a tax on vets who have Veterans Administration-backed mortgages, by using high loan fees to pay for the jobs bill.
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Veteran Unemployment Hits 1 Million
Showing posts with label Congressman Filner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Congressman Filner. Show all posts
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Unemployed veterans hit 1 million and House Bill will make veterans pay
It sounds like a great thing to do. Taking care of veterans and making sure they have jobs sounds like an honorable thing to do, but we always need to read the fine print. When you read what Congressman Filner had to say about this "fix" you'll understand the fix yet again comes with a price that other veterans will have to pay for. What happened to doing the right thing? Some folks in congress would rather protect the rich than take care of the people we owe the greatest debt to, our veterans after they protected the whole country with their lives.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2011-2012
Opening Statement of Hon. Bob Filner, Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Welcome to the hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2011 and Fiscal Year 2012.
The President has requested a budget for VA of $125 billion, including a total discretionary resource request of $60.3 billion. VA medical care represents 86 percent of the total discretionary request. For fiscal year 2011, the Administration is requesting $51.5 billion in resources for VA medical care. Appropriated resources for medical care for fiscal year 2011 have already been provided in last year’s Consolidated Appropriations Act. This funding level is an increase of $4.1 billion, or 8.6 percent over fiscal year 2010 levels.
In accordance with the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, enacted last year with the support of this Administration and the bipartisan support of this Congress, the VA has requested $50.6 billion in appropriated dollars and a total resource level of $54.3 billion, a $2.8 billion, or 5.3 percent increase over fiscal year 2011 levels. We understand this level is consistent with the VA’s actuarial model.
Rest assured that this Committee will be working closely with our counterparts in Congress and with the Administration as the process moves forward to ensure that veterans have the medical care resources they need when fiscal year 2012 begins on October 1, 2011.
The veterans’ groups that co-author the Independent Budget, who will be testifying on our second panel today, have recommended for fiscal year 2011, a total resource level for VA medical care of $52 billion, and an overall discretionary funding level of $61.5 billion, $1.2 billion above the Administration’s requested increase of $4.3 billion. We are looking forward to their testimony and the testimony of The American Legion, VVA, IAVA, and Veterans for Common Sense which are on our third panel.
Mr. Secretary, I am impressed by your robust budget request and your emphasis on funding many of the priorities of this Committee, including addressing the plague of homelessness, rural health care access, and the mental health care needs of our veterans. This budget addresses the problems faced by our newer veterans while not forgetting the sacrifices and service of veterans from previous conflicts.
I note that you are requesting additional funding for more claims processors and I am looking forward to you providing this Committee with a roadmap on how we reform the claims process. More money and more FTE will not solve this broken process and it won’t provide us with a system that is fair to veterans and efficient.
We look forward to hearing about your successes this year, your frustrations, and how you plan to use the resources in this request to meet the needs of our veterans. We look forward to working with you to ensure that you have the money to do the job, and we look forward to working closely with you to assist you in your goal of creating a 21st Century VA.
Welcome to the hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2011 and Fiscal Year 2012.
The President has requested a budget for VA of $125 billion, including a total discretionary resource request of $60.3 billion. VA medical care represents 86 percent of the total discretionary request. For fiscal year 2011, the Administration is requesting $51.5 billion in resources for VA medical care. Appropriated resources for medical care for fiscal year 2011 have already been provided in last year’s Consolidated Appropriations Act. This funding level is an increase of $4.1 billion, or 8.6 percent over fiscal year 2010 levels.
In accordance with the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, enacted last year with the support of this Administration and the bipartisan support of this Congress, the VA has requested $50.6 billion in appropriated dollars and a total resource level of $54.3 billion, a $2.8 billion, or 5.3 percent increase over fiscal year 2011 levels. We understand this level is consistent with the VA’s actuarial model.
Rest assured that this Committee will be working closely with our counterparts in Congress and with the Administration as the process moves forward to ensure that veterans have the medical care resources they need when fiscal year 2012 begins on October 1, 2011.
The veterans’ groups that co-author the Independent Budget, who will be testifying on our second panel today, have recommended for fiscal year 2011, a total resource level for VA medical care of $52 billion, and an overall discretionary funding level of $61.5 billion, $1.2 billion above the Administration’s requested increase of $4.3 billion. We are looking forward to their testimony and the testimony of The American Legion, VVA, IAVA, and Veterans for Common Sense which are on our third panel.
Mr. Secretary, I am impressed by your robust budget request and your emphasis on funding many of the priorities of this Committee, including addressing the plague of homelessness, rural health care access, and the mental health care needs of our veterans. This budget addresses the problems faced by our newer veterans while not forgetting the sacrifices and service of veterans from previous conflicts.
I note that you are requesting additional funding for more claims processors and I am looking forward to you providing this Committee with a roadmap on how we reform the claims process. More money and more FTE will not solve this broken process and it won’t provide us with a system that is fair to veterans and efficient.
We look forward to hearing about your successes this year, your frustrations, and how you plan to use the resources in this request to meet the needs of our veterans. We look forward to working with you to ensure that you have the money to do the job, and we look forward to working closely with you to assist you in your goal of creating a 21st Century VA.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Thank you Congressman Filner and Congresswoman Pelosi for what you did for veterans
There are a lot of people really happy this morning. I can see the people wanting to not pay taxes anymore happy but when I think about the people who will suffer because of this, it makes me heartsick. I only pray the Republicans who voted for the reversal of the leadership in the House will pay attention to what their politicans are doing and not doing for our veterans. You have to hold them accountable!
For now I want to thank Congressman Filner and Congresswoman Pelosi for what their leadership did for the sake of our veterans.
110th "Liberal" House did these for veterans under Congressman Filner and Congresswoman Pelosi. But some voters still wanted to hate the "Dems" in congress no matter what they did that was right, just, long overdue and taking care of the veterans they claim to love.
December 2008
12/17/2008 Filner Discusses Veterans Issues on Dr. Phil Show
12/8/2008 Filner Pleased With Obama Pick of General Shinseki to Run Troubled VA
November 2008
11/20/2008 Filner Re-elected Chair of House Vets Committee
11/19/2008 Filner to VA: Confidence in VA Completely Shattered by Recent Document Shredding
11/18/2008 Herseth Sandlin Continues to Monitor Progress of New G.I. Bill
October 2008
10/14/2008 Filner Victorious in Fight for Expansion of Veterans’ Health Care and Benefits
10/14/2008 Congressman Filner’s Bill Extends Purple Heart to All Deceased Prisoners of War!
10/1/2008 Filner Applauds Enactment of Veterans’ Spending Bill
September 2008
9/24/2008 Filner Leads House in Passage of Comprehensive Bills to Help Veterans Prevent Foreclosure, Access the Health Care They Need and Receive Earned Disability Benefits in a Timely Fashion
9/19/2008 Veterans Benefit Administration in Need of Improved Training, Performance Management and Accountability
9/18/2008 Chairman Filner Introduces Legislation to End Delays and Stop Budget Shortfalls for Veterans Health Care Funding
9/18/2008 House Passes Legislation to Honor Nation’s Veterans
9/16/2008 House Veterans’ Subcommittee Raises Concerns about VA Approach to Implementing New G.I. Bill Benefits
9/16/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Assesses Suicide Prevention Efforts at the VA
9/15/2008 The Veterans’ Affairs Committees of the House and Senate Hold a Joint Hearing for The American Legion to Present Legislative Priorities
9/11/2008 House Passes Bill to Improve VA Home Loan Program and Sends COLA Bill to President’s Desk
July 2008
7/31/2008 House Passes Comprehensive Legislative Package to Improve Veterans Care and Augment Needed Services
7/25/2008 REPRESENTATIVES BRADY AND FILNER CRITICAL OF VA LIMITATIONS ON VOTER REGISTRATION
7/24/2008 Important Veterans Provisions Included in Comprehensive Housing Bill
7/23/2008 Congress Must Act to Restore Earned Benefits to All Vietnam Veterans – Including “Blue Water” Vets!
7/18/2008 Agent Orange Equity Act Press Conference, Wednesday, July 23
7/16/2008 House Veterans Committee Approves Comprehensive Legislative Package to Improve Veterans Care and Augment Needed Services
7/15/2008 Understanding the Journey of War Veterans:
7/15/2008 VA Details New Suicide Awareness Campaign at House Veterans Oversight Hearing
7/10/2008 Subcommittee Approves Legislation to Increase Access for Mental Health Care for Veterans’ Families
7/10/2008 Improvement Needed for Rehab Program at VA
7/9/2008 First – DO NO HARM!!
June 2008
6/30/2008 New G.I. Bill for Nation’s Veterans Becomes Law
6/26/2008 House of Representatives Votes to Name VA Facilities after Heroic Veterans
6/26/2008 Subcommittee Approves Legislation to Help Veterans Readjust After Military Deployments
6/26/2008 Health Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Provide Mental Health Treatment for Family Members of Veterans
6/24/2008 Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: When the National Guard and Reserves Come Home
6/23/2008 Subcommittee Reviews Bills to Improve Quality of Life for Returning Veterans
6/17/2008 Filner to the VA: Suspend drug study IMMEDIATELY! IT MAY CAUSE SUICIDE!
6/12/2008 Veterans’ Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Bolster Disability Benefits for Veterans
6/11/2008 House of Representatives Passes Veterans Legislation
6/11/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Approves Legislation to Establish Epilepsy Centers of Excellence
6/11/2008 Improving Care for America’s Wounded Warriors
6/5/2008 Health Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Bolster Health Care for Veterans
May 2008
5/23/2008 Filner Releases Statement on VA Blue Ribbon Commissions
5/22/2008 Veterans in Need of Clear and Simple Outreach to Access VA Benefits & Services
5/22/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Hearing: Need for Health Care Providers at VA Continues
5/21/2008 House of Representatives Passes Veterans Legislation
5/8/2008 Chairman Filner Statement on Veterans Provisions in Housing Legislation
5/6/2008 The Truth About Veterans’ Suicides
5/1/2008 Chairman Filner Statement on the G.I. Bill
April 2008
4/16/2008 Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Improve Transition for Returning Service Members and Veterans
4/10/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee Reviews Historic Legislation to Reform the VA Benefits Claims Processing System
4/9/2008 Our Homeless Heroes: A Moral Disgrace for Our Nation
4/3/2008 House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Hold Joint Hearing
4/2/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Oversight Hearing to Address Vision Needs of Veterans with TBI
4/1/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Hearing: More Research Needed on Effective and Comprehensive PTSD Treatment
March 2008
3/13/2008 Chairman Filner Lauds Passage of Budget
3/13/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Oversight Hearing to Examine Care of Seriously Wounded Veterans
3/13/2008 The U.S. Paralympic Military Program: A Dynamic Rehabilitative Therapy for Our Injured Heroes
3/11/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Examines Treatment of Substance Use Disorders and Associated Mental Health Conditions at the VA
3/6/2008 House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Hold Joint Hearing
3/4/2008 House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Hold Joint Hearing
3/4/2008 House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Hold Joint Hearing
February 2008
2/28/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Explores Expanding Mental Health Services for Families of Veterans
2/28/2008 Will Our Veterans Survive the Housing Crisis?
2/27/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Holds Hearing on VA Construction for 2009
2/26/2008 VA Disability Rating System in Need of Comprehensive and Immediate Repair
2/14/2008 House of Representatives Offers National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans
2/14/2008 “VA’s Claims Processing System is in Need of 21st Century Reform”
2/13/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Reviews Expiring Programs at the VA
2/13/2008 Bush Budget 2009: Misplaced Priorities for America’s Veterans
2/7/2008 Bush Budget 2009: Failing to Respond to the Needs of Our Veterans
2/6/2008 Veterans Group Recognizes Filner as “Legislator of the Year”
2/5/2008 No New Taxes for America’s Veterans!
January 2008
1/29/2008 Veteran Laments VA Claims Process: “We Are Not Alone”
1/29/2008 VA Inspector General: Marion VA Was In Disarray
1/28/2008 New Law Improves VA Health Care for America’s Returning Service Members and Veterans
1/17/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Update the Montgomery G.I. Bill
December 2007
12/19/2007 House of Representatives Passes Legislation to Modernize the VA Medical Center in Atlanta
12/19/2007 Filner Introduces Legislative Package to Help Veterans Survive the Subprime Mortgage Crisis
12/12/2007 Stopping Veteran Suicides: VA Not Reaching the Veterans that Need the Help
12/12/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Holds Joint Subcommittee Hearing to Examine VA Outpatient Waiting Times
12/11/2007 House of Representatives Passes Veterans Legislation
12/6/2007 Chairman Filner Names Kimberly Ross Staff Director of DAMA Subcommitte
12/6/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hosts Presidential Management Fellow
12/5/2007 Congressman Filner Introduces Bill to Provide Paralympics Programs to Disabled Veterans
November 2007
11/16/2007 Our Nation’s Veterans: Stopping Suicides and Ending Homelessness!
11/7/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Passes the Fair Benefits for Guard and Reserve Act
11/6/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) released the following statement on the Marion Veterans Affairs Medical Center:
11/5/2007 House of Representatives Passes Legislation Honoring America’s Veterans in Preparation for Veterans Day
11/1/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the VA Construction Process
October 2007
10/31/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hosts Army Congressional Associate
10/30/2007 Filner Statement on Nomination of James B. Peake
10/25/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the Department of Labor VETS Program
10/24/2007 House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the Sharing of Electronic Medical Records between DoD and VA
10/23/2007 House of Representatives Passes Veterans Legislation
10/18/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the Montgomery G.I. Bill
10/17/2007 Filner praises Dole/Shalala recommendations – but urges a more radical shake-up of the bureaucracy!
10/17/2007 House Veterans Affairs’ Committee Hearing Examines the Long-Term Costs of the Current Conflicts
10/16/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Hearing Examines Benefits Disparities within the Veterans Benefits Administration
10/10/2007 House Veterans Affairs’ Committee Reviews Findings of the Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission
10/4/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Holds Hearing on VA Research Programs
10/3/2007 House Veterans Affairs’ Committee Hearing Examines Funding the VA of the Future
September 2007
9/27/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Improving Services for Homeless Veterans
9/26/2007 House VA Committee Continues Oversight of VA Information Technology Security
9/25/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Holds Hearing on VA’s Polytrauma Centers
9/25/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Holds Hearing on VA Appeals Process
9/20/2007 The American Legion Presents Legislative Agenda to Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
9/20/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Jobs for Returning Veterans
9/19/2007 Shalala and Dole Provide Details on Commission Recommendations to House VA Committee
9/18/2007 VA Secretary Jim Nicholson to Report on Current Issues – and to Say “Goodbye”!
9/6/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Jobs for Returning Veterans
July 2007
7/30/2007 House of Representatives Passes Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007
7/30/2007 House of Representatives Passes Legislation to Address the Immediate Needs of Returning Veterans and Expand Benefits for WWII Merchant Mariners
7/25/2007 “Personality Disorder”: A Deliberate Misdiagnosis To Avoid Veterans’ Health Care Costs!
7/18/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Symposium on Traumatic Brain Injury
7/17/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Passes Five Bills
7/17/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Passes Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007
June 2007
6/25/2007 House of Representatives Votes to Name Four VA Facilities after Medal of Honor Recipients
6/20/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Hearing on Health Care Equity for All Veterans
6/18/2007 Chairman Filner Names David M. Tucker Chief Counsel for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
6/15/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Applauds House Passage of Veterans Spending Bill
May 2007
5/23/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds VA Disability Claims Roundtable
5/23/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Filner Pleased at House Passage of Bills Honoring America’s Veterans
5/22/2007 Congress Passes Resolution to Recognize the Service of United States Merchant Marine Veterans on National Maritime Day
5/17/2007 House Passes Budget Resolution
5/16/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Symposium on PTSD
5/3/2007 VA Officials that Miscalculated the Needs of our Veterans Awarded Significant Bonuses
April 2007
4/19/2007 Progress for America’s Veterans
April 2007
4/16/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Hearing on Past-due “Thank You” to Members of the United States Merchant Marines
March 2007
3/30/2007 VA Treatment Centers Lack Access to Troop Medical Records
3/29/2007 Budget Resolution Passes House
3/28/2007 Wounded Warrior Assistance Act Passes House
3/27/2007 Veterans Groups Join Democrats in Support of Budget Resolution
3/23/2007 Chairman Filner Supports Proposed Budget Increase for Veterans
3/22/2007 House Passes Three Bills to Improve Veterans’ Benefits
3/16/2007 Skelton-Hunter-Snyder-Mchugh-Filner Introduce the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007
3/15/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Reports Three Bills
3/6/2007 House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Hold Joint Hearing
3/2/2007 Filner Statement on Walter Reed Army Medical Center
February 2007
2/27/2007 House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Hold Joint Hearing
2/15/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Hearing on Equity for Filipino Veterans
2/13/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Stakeholders Summit to Identify Legislative Priorities
111th Congress under the same leadership
1/22/2010 Improvements Ahead for Post 9/11-G.I. Bill Claims System
1/21/2010 House Veterans' Affairs Committee Meets with VSO Leaders
12/16/2009 Clear Need for Procurement Reform at VA:
12/7/2009 Herseth Sandlin Leads Discussion on Educational Options for Veterans
12/7/2009 House Committee Examines How Federal Dollars Get to Local Veterans for Health Care
12/7/2009 More than 200 Members of Congress Agree: Agent Orange Veterans Deserve Compensation for Their Sacrifice!!
11/4/2009 House of Representatives Votes to Enhance Veteran Protections: A Congressional “Thank You” for Veterans Day
10/28/2009 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Advances Bills to Enhance Veteran Protections
10/23/2009 Landmark Legislative Victory for Veterans!
10/22/2009 Chairman Filner Supports Veteran Athletes and Military Paralympic Program
10/22/2009 Landmark Legislative Victory for America’s Veterans!!
10/21/2009 Emergency Stipends Successfully Reach Veteran Students
10/16/2009 Secretary Shinseki Provides Update on the State of the VA to Congressional Panel
10/14/2009 Chairman Bob Filner Releases Statement on Agent Orange Decision
10/14/2009 Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee Advances Bills to Enhance Veteran Protections
10/14/2009 Hall Leads Discussion on Proposed Regulation Change Regarding PTSD Determinations for Veterans
10/8/2009 House Passes Historic Bill to Secure Timely Funding for Veterans’ Health Care
10/2/2009 VA Provides Encouraging Progress Report on Going Green
9/29/2009 Congressional Panel Spotlights Waste, Inappropriate Use of VA Resources
9/25/2009 Most – Not All – Veterans Getting Prescription Drugs They Need
9/25/2009 Congressional Panel Calls on VA to Do More to Honor Sacrifice of America’s Veterans
9/17/2009 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Roundtable on Veterans’ Treatment Courts
9/15/2009 Filner Applauds VA Decision to Restart National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study
9/14/2009 The American Legion Presents Legislative Agenda to Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
9/14/2009 Herseth Sandlin Urges Stronger Management Oversight of VA Projects
September 2009
9/25/2009 Congressional Panel Calls on VA to Do More to Honor Sacrifice of America’s Veterans
9/17/2009 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Roundtable on Veterans’ Treatment Courts
9/15/2009 Filner Applauds VA Decision to Restart National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study
9/14/2009 The American Legion Presents Legislative Agenda to Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
9/14/2009 Herseth Sandlin Urges Stronger Management Oversight of VA Projects
August 2009
8/5/2009 Filner Bill Allows Elderly Veterans to Use Their Earned Medicare Dollars for VA Health Care
8/5/2009 California Veterans to Get Full GI Bill Benefit: Agreement between State of California and VA Will Result in Dramatic Increase in Benefits for Yellow Ribbon Program
July 2009
7/31/2009 VA’s Limited Scope of Research Prevents Gulf War Vets From Getting the Benefit of the Doubt
7/31/2009 VA Stumbles in Providing Vocational Rehab to Veterans
7/30/2009 Paralympians Inspire Others to Be Better and Do More
7/30/2009 VA’s Limited Scope of Research Prevents Gulf War Vets From Getting the Benefit of the Doubt
7/27/2009 House Passes Bill to Provide Unprecedented Support to Veteran Caregivers
7/23/2009 Critical Warning Signs Missed at Philly VA Weak Oversight Efforts Fail to Protect Veterans
7/21/2009 State Approving Agencies See Expanded Role Under Post-9/11 G.I. Bill
7/21/2009 Hearing Spotlights Immediate Needs of Nation’s Women Veterans
7/15/2009 Veterans’ Affairs Committee Passes Bill to Provide Training and Support for Veteran Caregivers
7/14/2009 Deadline Looms for VA-DOD Interagency Office on Military Electronic Health Records
7/13/2009 House Votes to Strengthen Work Study Program for Returning Veterans
7/10/2009 House Passes Advance Appropriations for Veterans Health Care in Veterans Funding Bill
7/10/2009 House Approves Filner Amendment to Support Paralympic Program for Injured Vets
June 2009
6/26/2009 VA Set for Start of Post-9/11 GI Bill on August 1
6/25/2009 House Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Provide Greater Support to Veterans and Survivors
6/24/2009 House Passes Historic Bill to Secure Timely Funding for Veterans’ Health Care
6/24/2009 House Votes to Improve Care for Women Veterans
6/23/2009 House Subcommittee Reviews Claims Process for Veterans
6/19/2009 VA Addresses Failures of Contaminated Equipment Use
6/19/2009 House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health Reviews Legislation
6/12/2009 CARES Process Lacks Transparency, Performance Measures
6/10/2009 Veterans’ Affairs Committee Passes Historic Bill to Secure Timely Funding for Veterans’ Health Care
6/8/2009 House Affirms Commitment to Nation’s Veterans, Men and Women in Uniform
6/8/2009 More Support for Caregivers of Veterans Needed
6/3/2009 Too Many Unmet Needs for America’s Veterans: Losing Veterans to our Streets
May 2009
5/21/2009 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Roundtable to Address Issues Confronting Women Veterans
5/20/2009 VA Unresponsive to Questions, Needs of Gulf War Veterans
5/20/2009 As VA Reaches Out to Veterans, Health Care Access Issues Magnify
5/19/2009 House Passes Bills to Honor America’s Veterans: A Congressional Thank You for Memorial Day
5/14/2009 House Subcommittee Reviews Appellate Process for Veterans
5/14/2009 House Subcommittee Reviews Appellate Process for Veterans
5/14/2009 Federal Contractors Not Taking Necessary Steps to Employ Veterans, Say Veterans Groups
5/13/2009 Private Sector Groups Present Cutting Edge Technology and Treatment Options for Veterans at Hearing
5/12/2009 House Votes to Thank WWII Service of Merchant Mariners
5/8/2009 Congress Must Act to Restore Earned Benefits to All Vietnam Veterans – Including “Blue Water” Vets!
5/6/2009 Veterans’ Affairs Committee Advances Legislation
April 2009
4/30/2009 Chairman Hall Holds Hearing to Discuss the COMBAT PTSD Act, H.R. 952
4/30/2009 Filner Applauds Passage of Budget Resolution that Increases Veterans’ Funding
4/30/2009 Care Coordination for Seriously Injured Veterans Improving
4/30/2009 Filner Holds Hearing on Advance Appropriations for Veterans’ Health Care
4/6/2009 Chairman Filner Names Martin L. Herbert Majority Staff Director of Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee
4/2/2009 Filner Applauds Passage of House Budget Resolution that Increases Veterans’ Funding
March 2009
3/30/2009 House Subcommittee Reviews Combat PTSD
3/30/2009 House Advances Important Veterans Bills
3/25/2009 Veterans’ Affairs Committee Advances Legislation
3/23/2009 Filner Reintroduces Bill to Help Vietnam Veterans Suffering from Parkinson’s Disease
3/19/2009 Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittees Advance Legislation to Improve Care and Benefits for Veterans
3/19/2009 Health Subcommittee Reviews New and Existing Health Care Programs for Rural Veterans
3/18/2009 VFW Presents Legislative Goals at Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
3/17/2009 Veterans Groups Present Legislative Goals at Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
3/17/2009 Billing Our Heroes: It’s DOA!
3/17/2009 DOD and VA Let Veterans with Eye Injuries Down
3/13/2009 Filner Releases Views on VA Budget Request
3/10/2009 Obama Budget 2010: Responding to the Needs of Our Veterans
3/6/2009 Veterans Groups Present Legislative Goals at Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
3/3/2009 Health Subcommittee Reviews Legislation
3/3/2009 House Subcommittees Probe Mishandling of Veterans Disability Claims
February 2009
2/26/2009 DAV Presents Legislative Agenda at Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
2/26/2009 Filner Honored for Protecting Veterans’ Education Benefits
2/26/2009 Obama Budget 2010: Responding to the Needs of Our Veterans
2/26/2009 New G.I. Bill On Track for August
2/14/2009 Finally, Equity for Filipino WWII Veterans!!
2/14/2009 Filner Pledges to Fight for Budgets Worthy of Our Veterans
2/13/2009 Filner and Akaka Reintroduce Legislation to Secure Timely Funding for Veterans’ Health Care through Advance Appropriations
2/13/2009 Filner Introduces Bill to Ensure Parity for Veterans Taking On-Line Courses
2/11/2009 Congressional Leaders, Veterans Orgs and Former VA Official to Hold Press Conference Supporting Advanced Funding of Veteran's Health Care
2/9/2009 Filner Reintroduces Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act
2/5/2009 “Shinseki Off to Great Start,” says Filner
2/2/2009 Keeping the Promise: A Veterans Agenda for the 111th Congress
2/2/2009 Filner Urges More Veterans Spending in Stimulus Package
January 2009
1/22/2009 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Adopts Oversight Plan for the 111th Congress and Officially Names Members
1/21/2009 FILNER APPLAUDS CONFIRMATION OF VA SECRETARY SHINSEKI
1/15/2009 FILNER APPALLED BY LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY, LEADERSHIP AT VA
House Veterans Work
It is terrible that we're going to head backwards because no one on the news bothered to tell veterans and their families how much was done for them and who did it. I talk to Republican voters all the time and none of them had a clue. Too bad the media never told them what was going on and who was lying about what.
For now I want to thank Congressman Filner and Congresswoman Pelosi for what their leadership did for the sake of our veterans.
110th "Liberal" House did these for veterans under Congressman Filner and Congresswoman Pelosi. But some voters still wanted to hate the "Dems" in congress no matter what they did that was right, just, long overdue and taking care of the veterans they claim to love.
December 2008
12/17/2008 Filner Discusses Veterans Issues on Dr. Phil Show
12/8/2008 Filner Pleased With Obama Pick of General Shinseki to Run Troubled VA
November 2008
11/20/2008 Filner Re-elected Chair of House Vets Committee
11/19/2008 Filner to VA: Confidence in VA Completely Shattered by Recent Document Shredding
11/18/2008 Herseth Sandlin Continues to Monitor Progress of New G.I. Bill
October 2008
10/14/2008 Filner Victorious in Fight for Expansion of Veterans’ Health Care and Benefits
10/14/2008 Congressman Filner’s Bill Extends Purple Heart to All Deceased Prisoners of War!
10/1/2008 Filner Applauds Enactment of Veterans’ Spending Bill
September 2008
9/24/2008 Filner Leads House in Passage of Comprehensive Bills to Help Veterans Prevent Foreclosure, Access the Health Care They Need and Receive Earned Disability Benefits in a Timely Fashion
9/19/2008 Veterans Benefit Administration in Need of Improved Training, Performance Management and Accountability
9/18/2008 Chairman Filner Introduces Legislation to End Delays and Stop Budget Shortfalls for Veterans Health Care Funding
9/18/2008 House Passes Legislation to Honor Nation’s Veterans
9/16/2008 House Veterans’ Subcommittee Raises Concerns about VA Approach to Implementing New G.I. Bill Benefits
9/16/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Assesses Suicide Prevention Efforts at the VA
9/15/2008 The Veterans’ Affairs Committees of the House and Senate Hold a Joint Hearing for The American Legion to Present Legislative Priorities
9/11/2008 House Passes Bill to Improve VA Home Loan Program and Sends COLA Bill to President’s Desk
July 2008
7/31/2008 House Passes Comprehensive Legislative Package to Improve Veterans Care and Augment Needed Services
7/25/2008 REPRESENTATIVES BRADY AND FILNER CRITICAL OF VA LIMITATIONS ON VOTER REGISTRATION
7/24/2008 Important Veterans Provisions Included in Comprehensive Housing Bill
7/23/2008 Congress Must Act to Restore Earned Benefits to All Vietnam Veterans – Including “Blue Water” Vets!
7/18/2008 Agent Orange Equity Act Press Conference, Wednesday, July 23
7/16/2008 House Veterans Committee Approves Comprehensive Legislative Package to Improve Veterans Care and Augment Needed Services
7/15/2008 Understanding the Journey of War Veterans:
7/15/2008 VA Details New Suicide Awareness Campaign at House Veterans Oversight Hearing
7/10/2008 Subcommittee Approves Legislation to Increase Access for Mental Health Care for Veterans’ Families
7/10/2008 Improvement Needed for Rehab Program at VA
7/9/2008 First – DO NO HARM!!
June 2008
6/30/2008 New G.I. Bill for Nation’s Veterans Becomes Law
6/26/2008 House of Representatives Votes to Name VA Facilities after Heroic Veterans
6/26/2008 Subcommittee Approves Legislation to Help Veterans Readjust After Military Deployments
6/26/2008 Health Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Provide Mental Health Treatment for Family Members of Veterans
6/24/2008 Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: When the National Guard and Reserves Come Home
6/23/2008 Subcommittee Reviews Bills to Improve Quality of Life for Returning Veterans
6/17/2008 Filner to the VA: Suspend drug study IMMEDIATELY! IT MAY CAUSE SUICIDE!
6/12/2008 Veterans’ Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Bolster Disability Benefits for Veterans
6/11/2008 House of Representatives Passes Veterans Legislation
6/11/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Approves Legislation to Establish Epilepsy Centers of Excellence
6/11/2008 Improving Care for America’s Wounded Warriors
6/5/2008 Health Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Bolster Health Care for Veterans
May 2008
5/23/2008 Filner Releases Statement on VA Blue Ribbon Commissions
5/22/2008 Veterans in Need of Clear and Simple Outreach to Access VA Benefits & Services
5/22/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Hearing: Need for Health Care Providers at VA Continues
5/21/2008 House of Representatives Passes Veterans Legislation
5/8/2008 Chairman Filner Statement on Veterans Provisions in Housing Legislation
5/6/2008 The Truth About Veterans’ Suicides
5/1/2008 Chairman Filner Statement on the G.I. Bill
April 2008
4/16/2008 Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Improve Transition for Returning Service Members and Veterans
4/10/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee Reviews Historic Legislation to Reform the VA Benefits Claims Processing System
4/9/2008 Our Homeless Heroes: A Moral Disgrace for Our Nation
4/3/2008 House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Hold Joint Hearing
4/2/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Oversight Hearing to Address Vision Needs of Veterans with TBI
4/1/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Hearing: More Research Needed on Effective and Comprehensive PTSD Treatment
March 2008
3/13/2008 Chairman Filner Lauds Passage of Budget
3/13/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Oversight Hearing to Examine Care of Seriously Wounded Veterans
3/13/2008 The U.S. Paralympic Military Program: A Dynamic Rehabilitative Therapy for Our Injured Heroes
3/11/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Examines Treatment of Substance Use Disorders and Associated Mental Health Conditions at the VA
3/6/2008 House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Hold Joint Hearing
3/4/2008 House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Hold Joint Hearing
3/4/2008 House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Hold Joint Hearing
February 2008
2/28/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Explores Expanding Mental Health Services for Families of Veterans
2/28/2008 Will Our Veterans Survive the Housing Crisis?
2/27/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Holds Hearing on VA Construction for 2009
2/26/2008 VA Disability Rating System in Need of Comprehensive and Immediate Repair
2/14/2008 House of Representatives Offers National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans
2/14/2008 “VA’s Claims Processing System is in Need of 21st Century Reform”
2/13/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Reviews Expiring Programs at the VA
2/13/2008 Bush Budget 2009: Misplaced Priorities for America’s Veterans
2/7/2008 Bush Budget 2009: Failing to Respond to the Needs of Our Veterans
2/6/2008 Veterans Group Recognizes Filner as “Legislator of the Year”
2/5/2008 No New Taxes for America’s Veterans!
January 2008
1/29/2008 Veteran Laments VA Claims Process: “We Are Not Alone”
1/29/2008 VA Inspector General: Marion VA Was In Disarray
1/28/2008 New Law Improves VA Health Care for America’s Returning Service Members and Veterans
1/17/2008 House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Update the Montgomery G.I. Bill
December 2007
12/19/2007 House of Representatives Passes Legislation to Modernize the VA Medical Center in Atlanta
12/19/2007 Filner Introduces Legislative Package to Help Veterans Survive the Subprime Mortgage Crisis
12/12/2007 Stopping Veteran Suicides: VA Not Reaching the Veterans that Need the Help
12/12/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Holds Joint Subcommittee Hearing to Examine VA Outpatient Waiting Times
12/11/2007 House of Representatives Passes Veterans Legislation
12/6/2007 Chairman Filner Names Kimberly Ross Staff Director of DAMA Subcommitte
12/6/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hosts Presidential Management Fellow
12/5/2007 Congressman Filner Introduces Bill to Provide Paralympics Programs to Disabled Veterans
November 2007
11/16/2007 Our Nation’s Veterans: Stopping Suicides and Ending Homelessness!
11/7/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Passes the Fair Benefits for Guard and Reserve Act
11/6/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) released the following statement on the Marion Veterans Affairs Medical Center:
11/5/2007 House of Representatives Passes Legislation Honoring America’s Veterans in Preparation for Veterans Day
11/1/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the VA Construction Process
October 2007
10/31/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hosts Army Congressional Associate
10/30/2007 Filner Statement on Nomination of James B. Peake
10/25/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the Department of Labor VETS Program
10/24/2007 House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the Sharing of Electronic Medical Records between DoD and VA
10/23/2007 House of Representatives Passes Veterans Legislation
10/18/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the Montgomery G.I. Bill
10/17/2007 Filner praises Dole/Shalala recommendations – but urges a more radical shake-up of the bureaucracy!
10/17/2007 House Veterans Affairs’ Committee Hearing Examines the Long-Term Costs of the Current Conflicts
10/16/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Hearing Examines Benefits Disparities within the Veterans Benefits Administration
10/10/2007 House Veterans Affairs’ Committee Reviews Findings of the Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission
10/4/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Holds Hearing on VA Research Programs
10/3/2007 House Veterans Affairs’ Committee Hearing Examines Funding the VA of the Future
September 2007
9/27/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Improving Services for Homeless Veterans
9/26/2007 House VA Committee Continues Oversight of VA Information Technology Security
9/25/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Holds Hearing on VA’s Polytrauma Centers
9/25/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Holds Hearing on VA Appeals Process
9/20/2007 The American Legion Presents Legislative Agenda to Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
9/20/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Jobs for Returning Veterans
9/19/2007 Shalala and Dole Provide Details on Commission Recommendations to House VA Committee
9/18/2007 VA Secretary Jim Nicholson to Report on Current Issues – and to Say “Goodbye”!
9/6/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Jobs for Returning Veterans
July 2007
7/30/2007 House of Representatives Passes Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007
7/30/2007 House of Representatives Passes Legislation to Address the Immediate Needs of Returning Veterans and Expand Benefits for WWII Merchant Mariners
7/25/2007 “Personality Disorder”: A Deliberate Misdiagnosis To Avoid Veterans’ Health Care Costs!
7/18/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Symposium on Traumatic Brain Injury
7/17/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Passes Five Bills
7/17/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Passes Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007
June 2007
6/25/2007 House of Representatives Votes to Name Four VA Facilities after Medal of Honor Recipients
6/20/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Hearing on Health Care Equity for All Veterans
6/18/2007 Chairman Filner Names David M. Tucker Chief Counsel for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
6/15/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Applauds House Passage of Veterans Spending Bill
May 2007
5/23/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds VA Disability Claims Roundtable
5/23/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Filner Pleased at House Passage of Bills Honoring America’s Veterans
5/22/2007 Congress Passes Resolution to Recognize the Service of United States Merchant Marine Veterans on National Maritime Day
5/17/2007 House Passes Budget Resolution
5/16/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Symposium on PTSD
5/3/2007 VA Officials that Miscalculated the Needs of our Veterans Awarded Significant Bonuses
April 2007
4/19/2007 Progress for America’s Veterans
April 2007
4/16/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Hearing on Past-due “Thank You” to Members of the United States Merchant Marines
March 2007
3/30/2007 VA Treatment Centers Lack Access to Troop Medical Records
3/29/2007 Budget Resolution Passes House
3/28/2007 Wounded Warrior Assistance Act Passes House
3/27/2007 Veterans Groups Join Democrats in Support of Budget Resolution
3/23/2007 Chairman Filner Supports Proposed Budget Increase for Veterans
3/22/2007 House Passes Three Bills to Improve Veterans’ Benefits
3/16/2007 Skelton-Hunter-Snyder-Mchugh-Filner Introduce the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007
3/15/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Reports Three Bills
3/6/2007 House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Hold Joint Hearing
3/2/2007 Filner Statement on Walter Reed Army Medical Center
February 2007
2/27/2007 House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Hold Joint Hearing
2/15/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Hearing on Equity for Filipino Veterans
2/13/2007 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Stakeholders Summit to Identify Legislative Priorities
111th Congress under the same leadership
1/22/2010 Improvements Ahead for Post 9/11-G.I. Bill Claims System
1/21/2010 House Veterans' Affairs Committee Meets with VSO Leaders
12/16/2009 Clear Need for Procurement Reform at VA:
12/7/2009 Herseth Sandlin Leads Discussion on Educational Options for Veterans
12/7/2009 House Committee Examines How Federal Dollars Get to Local Veterans for Health Care
12/7/2009 More than 200 Members of Congress Agree: Agent Orange Veterans Deserve Compensation for Their Sacrifice!!
11/4/2009 House of Representatives Votes to Enhance Veteran Protections: A Congressional “Thank You” for Veterans Day
10/28/2009 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Advances Bills to Enhance Veteran Protections
10/23/2009 Landmark Legislative Victory for Veterans!
10/22/2009 Chairman Filner Supports Veteran Athletes and Military Paralympic Program
10/22/2009 Landmark Legislative Victory for America’s Veterans!!
10/21/2009 Emergency Stipends Successfully Reach Veteran Students
10/16/2009 Secretary Shinseki Provides Update on the State of the VA to Congressional Panel
10/14/2009 Chairman Bob Filner Releases Statement on Agent Orange Decision
10/14/2009 Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee Advances Bills to Enhance Veteran Protections
10/14/2009 Hall Leads Discussion on Proposed Regulation Change Regarding PTSD Determinations for Veterans
10/8/2009 House Passes Historic Bill to Secure Timely Funding for Veterans’ Health Care
10/2/2009 VA Provides Encouraging Progress Report on Going Green
9/29/2009 Congressional Panel Spotlights Waste, Inappropriate Use of VA Resources
9/25/2009 Most – Not All – Veterans Getting Prescription Drugs They Need
9/25/2009 Congressional Panel Calls on VA to Do More to Honor Sacrifice of America’s Veterans
9/17/2009 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Roundtable on Veterans’ Treatment Courts
9/15/2009 Filner Applauds VA Decision to Restart National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study
9/14/2009 The American Legion Presents Legislative Agenda to Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
9/14/2009 Herseth Sandlin Urges Stronger Management Oversight of VA Projects
September 2009
9/25/2009 Congressional Panel Calls on VA to Do More to Honor Sacrifice of America’s Veterans
9/17/2009 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Roundtable on Veterans’ Treatment Courts
9/15/2009 Filner Applauds VA Decision to Restart National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study
9/14/2009 The American Legion Presents Legislative Agenda to Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
9/14/2009 Herseth Sandlin Urges Stronger Management Oversight of VA Projects
August 2009
8/5/2009 Filner Bill Allows Elderly Veterans to Use Their Earned Medicare Dollars for VA Health Care
8/5/2009 California Veterans to Get Full GI Bill Benefit: Agreement between State of California and VA Will Result in Dramatic Increase in Benefits for Yellow Ribbon Program
July 2009
7/31/2009 VA’s Limited Scope of Research Prevents Gulf War Vets From Getting the Benefit of the Doubt
7/31/2009 VA Stumbles in Providing Vocational Rehab to Veterans
7/30/2009 Paralympians Inspire Others to Be Better and Do More
7/30/2009 VA’s Limited Scope of Research Prevents Gulf War Vets From Getting the Benefit of the Doubt
7/27/2009 House Passes Bill to Provide Unprecedented Support to Veteran Caregivers
7/23/2009 Critical Warning Signs Missed at Philly VA Weak Oversight Efforts Fail to Protect Veterans
7/21/2009 State Approving Agencies See Expanded Role Under Post-9/11 G.I. Bill
7/21/2009 Hearing Spotlights Immediate Needs of Nation’s Women Veterans
7/15/2009 Veterans’ Affairs Committee Passes Bill to Provide Training and Support for Veteran Caregivers
7/14/2009 Deadline Looms for VA-DOD Interagency Office on Military Electronic Health Records
7/13/2009 House Votes to Strengthen Work Study Program for Returning Veterans
7/10/2009 House Passes Advance Appropriations for Veterans Health Care in Veterans Funding Bill
7/10/2009 House Approves Filner Amendment to Support Paralympic Program for Injured Vets
June 2009
6/26/2009 VA Set for Start of Post-9/11 GI Bill on August 1
6/25/2009 House Subcommittee Reviews Legislation to Provide Greater Support to Veterans and Survivors
6/24/2009 House Passes Historic Bill to Secure Timely Funding for Veterans’ Health Care
6/24/2009 House Votes to Improve Care for Women Veterans
6/23/2009 House Subcommittee Reviews Claims Process for Veterans
6/19/2009 VA Addresses Failures of Contaminated Equipment Use
6/19/2009 House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health Reviews Legislation
6/12/2009 CARES Process Lacks Transparency, Performance Measures
6/10/2009 Veterans’ Affairs Committee Passes Historic Bill to Secure Timely Funding for Veterans’ Health Care
6/8/2009 House Affirms Commitment to Nation’s Veterans, Men and Women in Uniform
6/8/2009 More Support for Caregivers of Veterans Needed
6/3/2009 Too Many Unmet Needs for America’s Veterans: Losing Veterans to our Streets
May 2009
5/21/2009 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Roundtable to Address Issues Confronting Women Veterans
5/20/2009 VA Unresponsive to Questions, Needs of Gulf War Veterans
5/20/2009 As VA Reaches Out to Veterans, Health Care Access Issues Magnify
5/19/2009 House Passes Bills to Honor America’s Veterans: A Congressional Thank You for Memorial Day
5/14/2009 House Subcommittee Reviews Appellate Process for Veterans
5/14/2009 House Subcommittee Reviews Appellate Process for Veterans
5/14/2009 Federal Contractors Not Taking Necessary Steps to Employ Veterans, Say Veterans Groups
5/13/2009 Private Sector Groups Present Cutting Edge Technology and Treatment Options for Veterans at Hearing
5/12/2009 House Votes to Thank WWII Service of Merchant Mariners
5/8/2009 Congress Must Act to Restore Earned Benefits to All Vietnam Veterans – Including “Blue Water” Vets!
5/6/2009 Veterans’ Affairs Committee Advances Legislation
April 2009
4/30/2009 Chairman Hall Holds Hearing to Discuss the COMBAT PTSD Act, H.R. 952
4/30/2009 Filner Applauds Passage of Budget Resolution that Increases Veterans’ Funding
4/30/2009 Care Coordination for Seriously Injured Veterans Improving
4/30/2009 Filner Holds Hearing on Advance Appropriations for Veterans’ Health Care
4/6/2009 Chairman Filner Names Martin L. Herbert Majority Staff Director of Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee
4/2/2009 Filner Applauds Passage of House Budget Resolution that Increases Veterans’ Funding
March 2009
3/30/2009 House Subcommittee Reviews Combat PTSD
3/30/2009 House Advances Important Veterans Bills
3/25/2009 Veterans’ Affairs Committee Advances Legislation
3/23/2009 Filner Reintroduces Bill to Help Vietnam Veterans Suffering from Parkinson’s Disease
3/19/2009 Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittees Advance Legislation to Improve Care and Benefits for Veterans
3/19/2009 Health Subcommittee Reviews New and Existing Health Care Programs for Rural Veterans
3/18/2009 VFW Presents Legislative Goals at Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
3/17/2009 Veterans Groups Present Legislative Goals at Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
3/17/2009 Billing Our Heroes: It’s DOA!
3/17/2009 DOD and VA Let Veterans with Eye Injuries Down
3/13/2009 Filner Releases Views on VA Budget Request
3/10/2009 Obama Budget 2010: Responding to the Needs of Our Veterans
3/6/2009 Veterans Groups Present Legislative Goals at Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
3/3/2009 Health Subcommittee Reviews Legislation
3/3/2009 House Subcommittees Probe Mishandling of Veterans Disability Claims
February 2009
2/26/2009 DAV Presents Legislative Agenda at Joint Hearing of House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees
2/26/2009 Filner Honored for Protecting Veterans’ Education Benefits
2/26/2009 Obama Budget 2010: Responding to the Needs of Our Veterans
2/26/2009 New G.I. Bill On Track for August
2/14/2009 Finally, Equity for Filipino WWII Veterans!!
2/14/2009 Filner Pledges to Fight for Budgets Worthy of Our Veterans
2/13/2009 Filner and Akaka Reintroduce Legislation to Secure Timely Funding for Veterans’ Health Care through Advance Appropriations
2/13/2009 Filner Introduces Bill to Ensure Parity for Veterans Taking On-Line Courses
2/11/2009 Congressional Leaders, Veterans Orgs and Former VA Official to Hold Press Conference Supporting Advanced Funding of Veteran's Health Care
2/9/2009 Filner Reintroduces Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act
2/5/2009 “Shinseki Off to Great Start,” says Filner
2/2/2009 Keeping the Promise: A Veterans Agenda for the 111th Congress
2/2/2009 Filner Urges More Veterans Spending in Stimulus Package
January 2009
1/22/2009 House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Adopts Oversight Plan for the 111th Congress and Officially Names Members
1/21/2009 FILNER APPLAUDS CONFIRMATION OF VA SECRETARY SHINSEKI
1/15/2009 FILNER APPALLED BY LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY, LEADERSHIP AT VA
House Veterans Work
It is terrible that we're going to head backwards because no one on the news bothered to tell veterans and their families how much was done for them and who did it. I talk to Republican voters all the time and none of them had a clue. Too bad the media never told them what was going on and who was lying about what.
Don't let veterans be betrayed again
For the last 4 years there has been so much hope in this country for veterans because of Congressman Filner's leadership in the House Veterans Affairs Committee. He's a Democrat so they controlled the committees for the last 4 years. Reading what has been wrong with the way we treat veterans was no longer just a matter of what was wrong but what they were doing about it. The Dems in the House wrote some outstanding bills and most of them were brought to a passing vote in the Senate but even more were blocked by GOP filibusters. (You've read about them on this blog for a long time.) Veterans were no longer treated like second class citizens far below funding for defense contractors. They were not considered to be seeking "welfare" from the VA instead of what was owed to them. All in all, there were many years of neglect committed against them the Democrats tried to make right. They managed to do that with the GI Bill (the GOP were against) along with just about everything else concerning the men and women in the military and veterans.
The hope of finally getting it right for them is now gone. We're about to head right back into the hands of a GOP House wanting to cut the budget off their backs. Kiss all the advances that could have happened because you won't see them for a very long time now.
The GOP blocked the COLA (Cost of Living) last year and they did it again this year, but maybe the list of wrongs committed by them will matter enough for the Republicans in this country to force them to do the right thing for the sake of our veterans. This is unlikely considering the people we just elected were part of the problem to begin with, but were elected anyway. The people in this country do still have power to make them do the right thing for our veterans and we need to make sure the media reports on it instead of ignoring it. Veterans Day will be bitter sweet in this nation this year and by all accounts, for the next two years at least.
The hope of finally getting it right for them is now gone. We're about to head right back into the hands of a GOP House wanting to cut the budget off their backs. Kiss all the advances that could have happened because you won't see them for a very long time now.
The GOP blocked the COLA (Cost of Living) last year and they did it again this year, but maybe the list of wrongs committed by them will matter enough for the Republicans in this country to force them to do the right thing for the sake of our veterans. This is unlikely considering the people we just elected were part of the problem to begin with, but were elected anyway. The people in this country do still have power to make them do the right thing for our veterans and we need to make sure the media reports on it instead of ignoring it. Veterans Day will be bitter sweet in this nation this year and by all accounts, for the next two years at least.
Republicans take more than 60 House seats, CNN projects
By Mariano Castillo, CNN
November 3, 2010 5:34 a.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: The GOP picks up more than 60 seats, CNN projects
Republicans gain a majority in the House
About 100 of 435 House seats were competitive
Pelosi urges "common ground"
Watch CNN live on TV, online and on your iPhone tonight from 7 p.m. ET to get all the news and results from the hotly contested 2010 midterm elections. And share your election experiences with CNN iReport.
(CNN) -- There is a new speaker in town.
Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, will be the new Speaker of the House, replacing Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California, as the GOP rolled in Tuesday's midterm elections, gaining a majority for the first time in four years.
The Republican Party will pick up more than 60 seats in the legislature, a statistical analysis of exit polls by CNN projects. That's a comfortable margin over the 39 seats needed to wrest control from the Democrats.
read more here
Republicans take more than 60 House seats
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Congressmen Filner and Grayson were asking for you today
Just back from meeting Congressman Filner and Congressman Grayson in downtown Orlando. They came together today to ask how you are doing, that is, if you are a veteran. For all the hard work both of these gentlemen do all year long for veterans, they want to know what you need and how what they are trying to do is working for you.
There were a lot of people there working on behalf of veterans and some really great questions but for me right now I want to tell you what I asked. I wanted to know why I was listening to CSPAN and hearing some people in congress say they couldn't increase funding for the VA because "there were two wars to pay for" at the time all the reports of inadequate care were the topic of many news stories beginning with the scandal at Walter Reed. Congressman Filner said he didn't have an answer as to why the general public didn't have a clue about any of this but I have a feeling he was just being nice. We know it is because the cable news shows had better things to talk about than just taking care of veterans or mouthing support to their faces at the same time they were stabbing them in the backs. If you want to know who was voting against veterans, look up the voting record of your senator and representative to learn all about them. If you noticed, then in 2007 when Filner took over chairmanship of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, things started to get better but there is a long way to go and there at too many people getting in the way.
Congressman Grayson added to Filner's answer by saying on the Presidential committee, there are some saying that stopping the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not the answer to coming up with fixing the funding problems. They want to cut the pay to the troops and cut back on services to the veterans. Again, he was being nice because we know that has been the answer all along because the Republicans some of my friends elected were duped into believing they cared simply because they were told and never bothered to check the voting records. Filner and Grayson said it was a moral obligation to take care of the men and women we send into combat and their care should be part of the budget for any war as a debt that needs to be paid just like all other war spending.
I asked Congressman Filner about why he holds so many hearings on the problems our veterans face but doesn't seem to be getting any testimony on what works. Wives of Vietnam veterans were the same age as the newer wives of the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. We have years of experience to offer them in telling them how they can heal their marriages and help their husbands heal. After all we had to make all the mistakes learning because no one was talking about any of this when the Vietnam veterans came home. My own marriage is going on 26 years and yes, I remember what it felt like to be lost, alone, afraid and often even ashamed. I remember what it was like trying to explain all of this to our daughter and our families. I had the luxury, if you want to call it that, of knowing what PTSD was and why my husband changed because I was studying it since 1982 right after we met and my Dad said it was shell shock.
Congressman Filner said that people like me should be hired so that we can help other families cope and help the veteran heal. He's right. Taking care of the veteran and the families keeps families together and then it should help stop many veterans from becoming homeless. None of this has to be this bad.
Both Congressmen also brought up how the DOD says there are so many killed and so many wounded but the figures coming out of the VA do not match. The DOD says there are less than 50,000 wounded but over 100,000 filed claims for their wounds with the VA. The figures on the deaths do not come close because there are many not counted who committed suicide.
There is a lot that has to be done but these two men are trying and so are a lot of others across the country. I just thought it was important that you knew you were talked about today and both of these men wanted to know how you really are instead of waiting for the troubles your going through to become too great before someone does something more for you. They feel it is a debt that needs to be paid and not something any of you should have to do without, beg for or fight for.
There were a lot of people there working on behalf of veterans and some really great questions but for me right now I want to tell you what I asked. I wanted to know why I was listening to CSPAN and hearing some people in congress say they couldn't increase funding for the VA because "there were two wars to pay for" at the time all the reports of inadequate care were the topic of many news stories beginning with the scandal at Walter Reed. Congressman Filner said he didn't have an answer as to why the general public didn't have a clue about any of this but I have a feeling he was just being nice. We know it is because the cable news shows had better things to talk about than just taking care of veterans or mouthing support to their faces at the same time they were stabbing them in the backs. If you want to know who was voting against veterans, look up the voting record of your senator and representative to learn all about them. If you noticed, then in 2007 when Filner took over chairmanship of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, things started to get better but there is a long way to go and there at too many people getting in the way.
Congressman Grayson added to Filner's answer by saying on the Presidential committee, there are some saying that stopping the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not the answer to coming up with fixing the funding problems. They want to cut the pay to the troops and cut back on services to the veterans. Again, he was being nice because we know that has been the answer all along because the Republicans some of my friends elected were duped into believing they cared simply because they were told and never bothered to check the voting records. Filner and Grayson said it was a moral obligation to take care of the men and women we send into combat and their care should be part of the budget for any war as a debt that needs to be paid just like all other war spending.
I asked Congressman Filner about why he holds so many hearings on the problems our veterans face but doesn't seem to be getting any testimony on what works. Wives of Vietnam veterans were the same age as the newer wives of the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. We have years of experience to offer them in telling them how they can heal their marriages and help their husbands heal. After all we had to make all the mistakes learning because no one was talking about any of this when the Vietnam veterans came home. My own marriage is going on 26 years and yes, I remember what it felt like to be lost, alone, afraid and often even ashamed. I remember what it was like trying to explain all of this to our daughter and our families. I had the luxury, if you want to call it that, of knowing what PTSD was and why my husband changed because I was studying it since 1982 right after we met and my Dad said it was shell shock.
Congressman Filner said that people like me should be hired so that we can help other families cope and help the veteran heal. He's right. Taking care of the veteran and the families keeps families together and then it should help stop many veterans from becoming homeless. None of this has to be this bad.
Both Congressmen also brought up how the DOD says there are so many killed and so many wounded but the figures coming out of the VA do not match. The DOD says there are less than 50,000 wounded but over 100,000 filed claims for their wounds with the VA. The figures on the deaths do not come close because there are many not counted who committed suicide.
There is a lot that has to be done but these two men are trying and so are a lot of others across the country. I just thought it was important that you knew you were talked about today and both of these men wanted to know how you really are instead of waiting for the troubles your going through to become too great before someone does something more for you. They feel it is a debt that needs to be paid and not something any of you should have to do without, beg for or fight for.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Stimulus falls short for vets, lawmakers say
As if Buyer would have a clue what is needed by veterans when he had control over what made it all worse for veterans. While Filner and Buyer are correct that this spending bill does not do enough for veterans, the fact remains that there are eight years worth of catching up on. Eight years of Bush and his friends controlling the VA and even more years of the GOP with control over the committees.
Read this and then read about what Buyer had to say,,,,
Read this and then read about what Buyer had to say,,,,
Fact Sheet: VA Benefits for Filipino Veterans April 2008 Word PDF
Citizens of the Republic of the Philippines who serve today in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for VA benefits under the same criteria as other U.S. military veterans. However, eligibility for VA benefits for Filipino veterans who served in recognized units of the Philippine Armed Forces – especially during World War II – is not so clear-cut.
The Philippine Islands gained their independence from the United States in 1946 following a transition period that was interrupted by World War II. During World War II, Filipinos served in a variety of units, some coming under direct U.S. military control, others having no ties to the U.S. military, and still others falling somewhere in the middle. Federal law, international treaties and court cases have taken up the question of which VA benefits should be given to various groups of World War II Filipino veterans.
The United States recognizes service in four groups as qualifying for some VA benefits:
Regular, or “Old,” Philippine Scouts. Regular Philippine Scouts, or "old scouts," were members of a small, regular component of the U.S. Army that was considered to be in regular active service. Originally formed in 1901, long before any formal plan for Philippine independence, the Regular Philippine Scouts were part of the U.S. Army throughout their existence.
Commonwealth Army of the Philippines. Also known as the Philippine Commonwealth Army, these veterans were called into the service of the United States Armed Forces of the Far East (USAFFE), its members serving between July 26, 1941, and June 30, 1946.
Guerrilla Service. People in this group served as guerrillas in USAFFE in resistance units recognized by and cooperating with U.S. forces between April 20, 1942, and June 30, 1946.
New Philippine Scouts. New Philippine Scouts were Philippine citizens who served with the U.S. Armed Forces with the consent of the Philippine government between Oct. 6, 1945, and June 30, 1947.
Entitlement to VA Benefits
Filipino veterans who served with U.S. forces in the Regular Philippine Scouts before October 6, 1945, are entitled to all VA benefits under the same criteria as apply to any veteran of U.S. military service. Those benefits are paid at the full-dollar rate, and their dependents and survivors are entitled to benefits under the eligibility rules common to survivors of U.S. veterans.
Veterans of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, recognized guerrilla forces, and the New Philippine Scouts are entitled to compensation for service-connected disabilities. They are not entitled to disability pension for non-service-connected disabilities, nor are their survivors entitled to death pension.
Benefits for veterans of the Commonwealth Army, recognized guerrilla forces, and the New Philippine Scouts who live outside of the United States are paid at the rate of 50 cents for each dollar. However, these veterans who reside in the United States receive full-dollar rate compensation payments if they are either U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens.
VA pays burial benefits to the survivors of certain veterans at the full-dollar rate for veterans who were residing in the U.S. on the date of death. Those veterans must also have been either United States citizens or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens. This covers only Commonwealth Army and recognized guerrilla service. Eligibility applies to deaths on or after Nov. 1, 2000, as this is based on legislation enacted in 2000. Burial benefits for these veterans also include interment in any national cemetery with available space, a burial flag, and a grave marker or headstone.
VA pays burial benefits to the survivors of New Philippine Scouts as well, at the full-dollar rate, if the veterans were lawfully residing in the United States on the date of death, and were United States citizens or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens. Eligibility applies to death on or after Dec. 16, 2003, based on legislation enacted in 2003.
The survivors of Commonwealth Army, recognized guerrilla forces, and New Philippine Scouts veterans who are entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (for example, if the veteran died during military service) are paid at a rate of 50 cents for each dollar when residing in the Philippines. Survivors residing in the United States and who are either U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens are entitled to full-dollar payment.
Health Care Benefits
Filipino Commonwealth Army Veterans, including those who were recognized by authority of the U.S. Army as belonging to organized Filipino guerilla forces, and new Philippine Scouts are eligible for VA health care in the United States on the same basis as U.S. veterans if they reside in the United States and are citizens or lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Old Philippine Scouts are eligible for VA health care benefits based upon their status as U.S. veterans.
In the Philippines, the Republic of the Philippines government provides medical care to eligible Filipino veterans. Filipino veterans are ineligible for VA health care treatment services in the Philippines although the VA does provide them examinations in connection with determining their eligibility for VA compensation and pension benefits. U.S. veterans with service-connected conditions are eligible for medical care for both service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities at the VA outpatient clinic in Manila. U.S. veterans there also are eligible for hospital care for service-connected disabilities, which is provided under VA contract.
Background
The origins of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines are in the early 1900s when the United States assumed formal sovereignty over the Philippines. At that time, the United States was preparing for the Philippines to become a sovereign nation. Public Law 73-127, enacted in 1934, required the Commonwealth Army to respond to the call of the President of the United States under certain conditions. In fact, President Franklin Roosevelt ordered the Commonwealth Army to service on July 26, 1941, and it served with the USAFFE command throughout World War II.
Public Law 79-190, enacted in October 1945, authorized recruiting 50,000 “new” Philippine Scouts in anticipation of needing local occupational forces. President Truman acknowledged the contributions of the Philippine people who fought under the umbrella of the USAFFE command to defend the Philippine Islands against occupation by the Japanese. He called for a study to determine the level of benefits appropriate to conditions in the Philippines. The reduced rate of benefits to veterans living there was based on the different economic conditions in the Philippines and the United States.
Current laws affecting these benefits date to congressional actions in 1946 that specified that the service of groups other than the Old Scouts would not be considered U.S. military service. VA officials considered that Filipino military service met the statutory definition of a U.S. veteran until Congress passed Public Laws 79-301 and 79-391 in 1946. Public Law 79-301, the First Supplemental Surplus Appropriation Rescission Act, authorized a $200 million appropriation to the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, with the provision that service in the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines should not be deemed to have been service in the military or naval forces of the United States. Public Law 79-391, the Second Supplemental Surplus Appropriation Rescission Act enacted in 1946, provided that service in the New Philippine Scouts was not deemed U.S. military service.
The U.S. government also gave the Philippine government grants of at least $500,000 per year for more than 30 years, starting in the 1960s, to help the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City upgrade its equipment and physical plant. In addition, VA provided a total of $3 million in equipment funds to VMMC during the period from 2002 to 2005.
A VA contract with the VMMC was expanded by legislation in 1963 permitting the center to care for non-service-connected conditions of Filipino and U.S. veterans.
Legislation in 1973 permitted VA itself to provide medical treatment of service-connected conditions (and non-service-connected illnesses in certain conditions) for Philippine Army and New Philippine Scout veterans. The half rates of compensation to most Filipino veterans living in the Philippines were intended to reflect that the Philippines had a lower cost of living than the United States. Since World War II, however, many Filipino veterans and their dependents have immigrated to this country.
Legislation enacted in 2000 provided the full-dollar rate compensation payments to veterans of the Commonwealth Army or recognized guerrilla forces residing in the U.S. if they are either U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens. Another 2000 law authorized payment of burial benefits on behalf of veterans in these groups where they had been U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens.
In 2003, Congress passed legislation that expanded compensation benefit payments to the full-dollar rate for New Philippine Scouts residing in the U.S. if they are either U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens. This legislation also expanded burial benefit payments to the full-dollar rate for New Philippine Scouts who at the time of death were residing in the U.S. and were U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens. It also expanded Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits to the full-dollar rate for survivors of veterans who served in the New Philippine Scouts, Philippine Commonwealth Army or recognized guerrilla forces, if the survivor is residing in the U.S. and is either a U.S. citizen or a legally admitted resident alien.
Stimulus falls short for vets, lawmakers say
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 16, 2009 16:46:52 EST
The Democratic chairman and the ranking Republican on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee usually don’t agree on much — but both say the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, set to be signed into law Tuesday, doesn’t do enough for veterans.
The chairman, Bob Filner, D-Calif., said the bill, HR 1, includes $1.4 billion for veterans programs and includes provisions intended to help stabilize the economy, result in job creation and provide economic development in local communities.
Filner, who voted for the bill, said he is sorry it doesn’t do more for veterans.
“I am disappointed that we could not provide more of an investment in this bill, and I will continue to work to draw attention to the growing and unmet needs of our veterans,” he said.
Steve Buyer of Indiana, the ranking Republican who voted against the bill, said he also wishes it did more for some veterans — but less for others.
Buyer, who was committee chairman when Republicans controlled the House, was critical of the inclusion in the final bill of a controversial provision that provides $198 million in payments to Filipino veterans who served in World War II alongside U.S. forces.
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Stimulus falls short for vets, lawmakers say
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Filner advocates 'de-boot camp' for returning GIs
I've sent Congressman Filner and Senator Akaka letters about the suffering the veterans are going thru as well as their families. All of them have been ignored. After all, since I'm not an important person, a well connected person, they probably feel as if they just don't have the time to listen to someone like me or even respond. I have a feeling their aids never even showed them the letters. Why should they?
I'm just a wife of a veteran out of millions of others. I'm glad someone managed to get thru to Congressman Filner so that he came up with this idea. It's long overdue. I've been trying to do what I can to open their eyes to know that most of the suffering going on does not have to happen. Filner bought up how the troops get a boring information program and most of them are either not paying attention or fall asleep. They are in a hurry to get out there. After looking at what the government had to offer, I came up with the videos I make but powerful people don't want to bother with them. The difference between people like me and the "professionals" is this is all we focus on. This is also what we live with everyday of the year. It's all personal to us and we know these veterans very well. Research is not done just by reading books and having a few interviews or spending an hour a day with a veteran. It's living lives with them, learning from them, listening to them, watching for the signs, studying what works and doing it right by their side instead of above them.
Maybe the powerful people in Washington could have saved a lot of time if they bothered to listen to people like me when Vietnam veterans came home. We've had all these years to know what works and what doesn't.
I'm just a wife of a veteran out of millions of others. I'm glad someone managed to get thru to Congressman Filner so that he came up with this idea. It's long overdue. I've been trying to do what I can to open their eyes to know that most of the suffering going on does not have to happen. Filner bought up how the troops get a boring information program and most of them are either not paying attention or fall asleep. They are in a hurry to get out there. After looking at what the government had to offer, I came up with the videos I make but powerful people don't want to bother with them. The difference between people like me and the "professionals" is this is all we focus on. This is also what we live with everyday of the year. It's all personal to us and we know these veterans very well. Research is not done just by reading books and having a few interviews or spending an hour a day with a veteran. It's living lives with them, learning from them, listening to them, watching for the signs, studying what works and doing it right by their side instead of above them.
Maybe the powerful people in Washington could have saved a lot of time if they bothered to listen to people like me when Vietnam veterans came home. We've had all these years to know what works and what doesn't.
Filner advocates 'de-boot camp' for returning GIs
Washington Times - Washington,DC,USA
EXCLUSIVE: Filner advocates 'de-boot camp' for returning GIs
Urges wide trauma screening
Audrey Hudson (Contact)
Thursday, November 20, 2008
EXCLUSIVE:
A key House leader is proposing to establish a "de-boot camp," where returning service members would undergo mandatory diagnosis for brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in order to reduce instances of domestic violence and suicide.
JOSEPH SILVERMAN/THE WASHINGTON TIMES HELPING VETS: Rep. Bob Filner, California Democrat, says new veterans need public support.
Rep. Bob Filner, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, said Wednesday he will lobby the Obama administration for the de-boot camp and other new initiatives for service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as veterans from the Vietnam era.
"There were more suicides [postwar] by Vietnam veterans than those who died in the war. We cannot make the same mistakes again. Mental illness is an injury that has to be dealt with," Mr. Filner said during an editorial board at The Washington Times. "We all have to understand what they are facing. We all have to understand PTSD."
The California Democrat said he wants the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reduce a backlog of claims by granting all claims made by Vietnam veterans who say they suffer illnesses from exposure to the defoliant Agent Orange.
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Friday, November 14, 2008
Congressman Filner, do VA hearing right or not at all!
Congressman Filner, the veterans in this country need this to be done right. Otherwise it is just paying more lip service instead of taking care of them. Have you ever considered what these veterans are going thru when they do their duty, serve their country, get wounded and then have to fight the government after? Have you ever considered what this does to them and their families as they wait, and wait, and wait? They didn't make the government wait until they got around to going to combat and risking their lives so why is the government under the impression they are entitled to make the veterans wait to have their claims processed and approved so their wounds are treated and their families are provided for? Can they tell a mortgage company to wait? Can they tell a landlord to wait? If they cannot work they don't have an income!
If you think this is just about Afghanistan and Iraq veterans you better think again. Too many Vietnam veterans are still waiting to have their claims approved and have fought the government in order to finally have justice. How many do you need to sit in front of you giving sworn testimony before you understand that? This is just the latest slap in the face to veterans when they found out claims were being shredded and filing dates changed to not make it look that bad. We have to get this right and get it right now. Our veterans should not have to wait to be taken care of! kc
If you think this is just about Afghanistan and Iraq veterans you better think again. Too many Vietnam veterans are still waiting to have their claims approved and have fought the government in order to finally have justice. How many do you need to sit in front of you giving sworn testimony before you understand that? This is just the latest slap in the face to veterans when they found out claims were being shredded and filing dates changed to not make it look that bad. We have to get this right and get it right now. Our veterans should not have to wait to be taken care of! kc
Vets committee reneges on VA hearings
Nov 14, 2008
November 14, 2008
Vets committee reneges on VA hearings
The chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs won't hold hearings as promised on a shredding controversy at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Instead of a formal hearing, the committee chairman will hold a two-hour "round table" discussion on Wednesday in Washington without sworn witnesses and no assurance the VA will even participate.
Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., who chairs the committee, could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday and no explanation about the change was provided by committee staff.
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Thursday, October 23, 2008
VA Shredder, national scandal, national disgrace
Larry Scott, of VA Watchdog, was outraged the media had not reported on this story and he is not alone. Many of us, advocates working very hard to make sure that veterans feel appreciated and are really taken care of, have been faced with this startling fact that no matter what we do, no matter how hard we work, no matter what the veterans who served this country were promised, it has now been wasted.
When you think of how reports like this make veterans feel, you are only beginning to understand what far reaching catastrophic consequences come with this. Imagine if you will being a veteran with your service still fresh in your mind. You know you cannot work because you were sent to risk your life in combat. You know your family is suffering financially and the added stress on your relationship is killing you. First you are told you would have to wait until your claim makes it through the "process" and "these things take time" only to find out that while you were suffering, waiting for your claim to finally be approved, borrowing money so that you and your family do not go homeless or hungry, you find out that the VA has piles waiting to be shredded and your claim could be in it. How would you feel?
Well that is exactly what is happening to men and women across this nation and all the yellow ribbons, hand shakes and welcome home speeches won't do a damn bit of good for any of them. Where is the outrage? Where is the press coverage on CNN, MSNBC, FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC? Where is the coverage on the local news stations? There are many reports in the print media but not enough so that the general public is aware of how bad this is.
We really need to wonder why the major stations are finding it just not news worthy enough to report on this when we have a nation election along with many state elections and the people we send to Washington will be responsible for all of this all over again. Is it that the troops and our veterans just don't matter enough? Is it that while so many young men and women are serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Nationals Guards and Reservists, they are also joining the growing ranks of veterans who expected their service to be honored when it really matters to them but Sarah Palin's wardrobe is more "news worthy" and gets them more viewers?
It's not just the major TV and cable stations I have a problem with. It's the radio ones as well. It's time for us to stand up for the veterans and demand they report on what is going on. We are paying attention but most of America is focused on their own problems and they need to be made aware of all of this so they can do something about it. Read the reports from VA Watchdog and know how bad this all is then wonder how you'd feel if it happened to your own family. Wouldn't you want someone like you to fight? This is not only a scandal but it's a disgrace!
Senior Chaplain Kathie Costos
Namguardianangel@aol.com
www.Namguardianangel.org
www.Woundedtimes.blogspot.com
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington
When you think of how reports like this make veterans feel, you are only beginning to understand what far reaching catastrophic consequences come with this. Imagine if you will being a veteran with your service still fresh in your mind. You know you cannot work because you were sent to risk your life in combat. You know your family is suffering financially and the added stress on your relationship is killing you. First you are told you would have to wait until your claim makes it through the "process" and "these things take time" only to find out that while you were suffering, waiting for your claim to finally be approved, borrowing money so that you and your family do not go homeless or hungry, you find out that the VA has piles waiting to be shredded and your claim could be in it. How would you feel?
Well that is exactly what is happening to men and women across this nation and all the yellow ribbons, hand shakes and welcome home speeches won't do a damn bit of good for any of them. Where is the outrage? Where is the press coverage on CNN, MSNBC, FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC? Where is the coverage on the local news stations? There are many reports in the print media but not enough so that the general public is aware of how bad this is.
We really need to wonder why the major stations are finding it just not news worthy enough to report on this when we have a nation election along with many state elections and the people we send to Washington will be responsible for all of this all over again. Is it that the troops and our veterans just don't matter enough? Is it that while so many young men and women are serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Nationals Guards and Reservists, they are also joining the growing ranks of veterans who expected their service to be honored when it really matters to them but Sarah Palin's wardrobe is more "news worthy" and gets them more viewers?
It's not just the major TV and cable stations I have a problem with. It's the radio ones as well. It's time for us to stand up for the veterans and demand they report on what is going on. We are paying attention but most of America is focused on their own problems and they need to be made aware of all of this so they can do something about it. Read the reports from VA Watchdog and know how bad this all is then wonder how you'd feel if it happened to your own family. Wouldn't you want someone like you to fight? This is not only a scandal but it's a disgrace!
Senior Chaplain Kathie Costos
Namguardianangel@aol.com
www.Namguardianangel.org
www.Woundedtimes.blogspot.com
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington
VA: NEARLY 500 CRITICAL DOCUMENTS FOUND IN SHREDDER BINS
ALL VA SHREDDER SCANDAL ARTICLES HERE...
UPDATE: NEW VA FIGURES SHOW NATIONWIDE PROBLEM WITH SHREDDING CRITICAL DOCUMENTS (10-23-08)VA finds hundreds of documents critical to veterans' claims in shredder bins across the country.AND --
FILNER COMPARES VA TO "KEYSTONE COPS," TO HOLD HEARING ON SHREDDING IN NOVEMBER (10-24-08)
DAV "OUTRAGED" BY VA SHREDDER SCANDAL (10-24-08)
HISTORY OF DECEPTION: VA ATTORNEYS CONVICTED OF DESTROYING DOCUMENTS (10-22-08)
FEDERAL JUDGE FINES VA FOR SHREDDING CRITICAL DOCUMENTS ... IN 1987 (10-20-08)
Friday, September 26, 2008
Congressman Filner Leads House in Passage of Comprehensive Veterans Bills
Filner Leads House in Passage of Comprehensive Veterans Bills
Written by Imperial Valley News
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Washington, DC - On Wednesday, September 24, 2008, Bob Filner (D-CA), Chairman of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, announced that the House of Representatives passed comprehensive legislation to provide improved health care services and increased benefits for our Nation’s veterans.
Chairman Filner (D-CA) thanked his Republican and Democratic colleagues for their contributions to the comprehensive legislative package. He also thanked his Senate counterparts for their dedication to working together to craft legislation that will address the important and timely needs of veterans.
Chairman Filner offered the following statement on the House Floor: “Over the course of the 110th Congress, we have learned much about the needs of our Nation’s veterans and the bills passed today go a long way to address them. S. 2162 takes care of the men and women who have given so much to defend this Nation and provides our veterans with the quality health care programs and services they need and so richly deserve. S. 3023 will help modernize the VA claims processing system and assist it in becoming a 21st century, world-class entity that reflects the selfless and priceless sacrifices of those it serves - our veterans, their families, and survivors.”
The following bills were considered and approved by the House of Representatives:
S. 2162, as amended - The Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Introduced by Senator Akaka)
Provisions of the bill include (but are not limited to):
* Expanding treatment for substance use disorders and mental health care;
* Conducting research into co-morbid PTSD and substance use disorders through the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder;
* Providing mental health care, including counseling, for families, of veterans;
* Providing reimbursement for a veteran for the costs of emergency treatment received in a non-VA facility;
* Establishing a pilot program to allow a highly rural veteran to receive non-VA health care;
* Designating at least four VA health care facilities as epilepsy centers of excellence;
* Mandating the VA to centralize third party billing functions at consolidated centers;
* Eliminating a rule prohibiting VA from conducting widespread testing for HIV infection;
* Expanding health care benefits provided to the children of Vietnam and Korean war veterans born with spina bifida;
* Developing and implementing a comprehensive policy on pain care management;
* Expanding referral and counseling services for certain at-risk and transitional veterans;
* Providing support services for very low-income veteran families residing in permanent housing; and,
* Authorizing major medical facility projects for 2009
click post title for more
Written by Imperial Valley News
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Washington, DC - On Wednesday, September 24, 2008, Bob Filner (D-CA), Chairman of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, announced that the House of Representatives passed comprehensive legislation to provide improved health care services and increased benefits for our Nation’s veterans.
Chairman Filner (D-CA) thanked his Republican and Democratic colleagues for their contributions to the comprehensive legislative package. He also thanked his Senate counterparts for their dedication to working together to craft legislation that will address the important and timely needs of veterans.
Chairman Filner offered the following statement on the House Floor: “Over the course of the 110th Congress, we have learned much about the needs of our Nation’s veterans and the bills passed today go a long way to address them. S. 2162 takes care of the men and women who have given so much to defend this Nation and provides our veterans with the quality health care programs and services they need and so richly deserve. S. 3023 will help modernize the VA claims processing system and assist it in becoming a 21st century, world-class entity that reflects the selfless and priceless sacrifices of those it serves - our veterans, their families, and survivors.”
The following bills were considered and approved by the House of Representatives:
S. 2162, as amended - The Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Introduced by Senator Akaka)
Provisions of the bill include (but are not limited to):
* Expanding treatment for substance use disorders and mental health care;
* Conducting research into co-morbid PTSD and substance use disorders through the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder;
* Providing mental health care, including counseling, for families, of veterans;
* Providing reimbursement for a veteran for the costs of emergency treatment received in a non-VA facility;
* Establishing a pilot program to allow a highly rural veteran to receive non-VA health care;
* Designating at least four VA health care facilities as epilepsy centers of excellence;
* Mandating the VA to centralize third party billing functions at consolidated centers;
* Eliminating a rule prohibiting VA from conducting widespread testing for HIV infection;
* Expanding health care benefits provided to the children of Vietnam and Korean war veterans born with spina bifida;
* Developing and implementing a comprehensive policy on pain care management;
* Expanding referral and counseling services for certain at-risk and transitional veterans;
* Providing support services for very low-income veteran families residing in permanent housing; and,
* Authorizing major medical facility projects for 2009
click post title for more
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Why doesn't the VA reach out to all veterans?
While this is a good step, what they don't want publicized is the fact they are not reaching out to all veterans. Vietnam veterans are still seeing their claims denied when all the evidence and their experiences have proven they suffered even worse treatment since they returned but have been the last ones on the list to receive the care they earned and desperately need.
Why aren't Senator Akaka and Congressman Finler holding hearings on the fact most of the backlog claims are from older veterans still suffering without getting the help they've been waiting for even longer? How about the Gulf War veterans just about forgotten? The older veterans from Korea and the few survivors of WWII still waiting for help? What is this all about? Is one war more worthy than others? One veteran more worthy than others?
We need to take care of the new veterans as soon as possible but have they ever once looked into the eyes of a Vietnam vet carrying around their wound for over 30 years when no one bothered to take care of them with any kind of effort? Their claims are not only trapped in the backlog piles, they are being denied as well as being pushed back on VA appointments because there is not enough staff to take care of all the veterans. It's about time the advocates started fighting for all our veterans equally. We cannot just fight for the ones coming home now trying to make it look like we're accomplishing something when so many of the older veterans are suffering in silence.
Senator Akaka and Congressman Filner need to acknowledge that as the VA and the DOD have failed to provide the care the new veterans need, they have yet to address the problems the older veterans have had to endure all these years. They are not invited to hearings. Their families are never asked any questions when they have been living with all of this for over 30 years. Do they really want to know what the problems are and find solutions or do they want publicity for doing anything at all?
Senior Chaplain Kathie Costos
Namguardianangel@aol.com
www.Namguardianangel.org
www.Woundedtimes.blogspot.com"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington
VA reaches out to veterans
By JARED MILLER
Star-Tribune capital bureau Sunday, July 06, 2008
CHEYENNE -- When Mike Alverson finished his service with the Marine Corps in 1988, military doctors told him he was in great shape and wished him luck in the civilian world, he said.
It wasn’t long before he was feeling the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and other health issues. The problem was, he didn’t know where to turn for help.
"When I got out of the Corps, I was one of the ones who dropped through the cracks," said Alverson, now 44 and living in Cheyenne.
Alverson, who subsequently served 20 years with the Wyoming National Guard, said he had a completely different experience when he returned home from 11 months of service in the Iraq war.
"The (Department of Veterans Affairs), they stepped it up," said Alverson, who plugged into his health benefits through a VA program for service members who spent time in Iraq or Afghanistan called the OEF/OIF program. "They made me aware of what their services are and what they could do for me."
The 2-year-old OEF/OIF program is so called because it was created specifically for veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.
The main objective is outreach. So instead of waiting for veterans to seek help, the VA now sends OEF/OIF program representatives out to meet National Guard soldiers before they set foot in Wyoming.
click post title for more
Why aren't Senator Akaka and Congressman Finler holding hearings on the fact most of the backlog claims are from older veterans still suffering without getting the help they've been waiting for even longer? How about the Gulf War veterans just about forgotten? The older veterans from Korea and the few survivors of WWII still waiting for help? What is this all about? Is one war more worthy than others? One veteran more worthy than others?
We need to take care of the new veterans as soon as possible but have they ever once looked into the eyes of a Vietnam vet carrying around their wound for over 30 years when no one bothered to take care of them with any kind of effort? Their claims are not only trapped in the backlog piles, they are being denied as well as being pushed back on VA appointments because there is not enough staff to take care of all the veterans. It's about time the advocates started fighting for all our veterans equally. We cannot just fight for the ones coming home now trying to make it look like we're accomplishing something when so many of the older veterans are suffering in silence.
Senator Akaka and Congressman Filner need to acknowledge that as the VA and the DOD have failed to provide the care the new veterans need, they have yet to address the problems the older veterans have had to endure all these years. They are not invited to hearings. Their families are never asked any questions when they have been living with all of this for over 30 years. Do they really want to know what the problems are and find solutions or do they want publicity for doing anything at all?
Senior Chaplain Kathie Costos
Namguardianangel@aol.com
www.Namguardianangel.org
www.Woundedtimes.blogspot.com"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington
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