Measure approved on bipartisan vote Bill to help veterans and their families passes Legislature, heads to guv SACRAMENTO – A plan to help returning veterans and their families adjust to life after combat passed the Senate today and now goes to Gov. Schwarzenegger. Sponsored by Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, Senate Bill 1127 would provide veterans, and especially their families, more information about what’s available to support their transition from military service to civilian life. “A majority of resources available for veterans in helping them readjust to civilian life are targeted solely to them,” Oropeza said. “Most of the time, however, a veteran’s immediate family is the first line of support. It is important for us to provide families with tools that will help them help our veterans.” Specifically, SB 1127 directs the state Department of Veteran’s Affairs to increase public awareness through greater publicity and Web site presence about existing services. These include ways to file compensation or pension claims; find care for and diagnosis of traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress; obtain employment; find housing; and information on financial aid for school.
The governor has until the end of September to sign SB 1127, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature.

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From: p38bob@comcast.net p38bob@comcast.net

Date: Friday, August 20, 2010 3:32 PM

17 August a significant piece of legislation was signed into law by Governor Arnold Swartzennegger of California,

It was Assembly Bill 2386 authored by Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee …and  Assemblyman Danny Gilmore (R-Hanford)

The bill, until January 1, 2016, would authorize a hospital to enter into an agreement with the Armed Forces of the United States to authorize a physician and surgeon, physician assistant, or registered nurse to provide medical care in the hospital to promote the combat readiness of the health care professional covered under this law.

In essence what we are talking about is saving the lives of our military men and women.

Behind all of this when it was first proposed by Colonel Lee Payne, former Commander of David Grant Medical Center and now Air Force Space Command Surgeon, and later  by Colonel Brian  Hayes , Commander 60^th MDG,  was  Colonel Art Krause USAF ret.

Colonel Krause is an old SAC guy and upon retiring he became a lobbyist in the State of California. For 35 years, and highly respected in the California Legislature, he has practiced his profession and built a tremendous reputation as one who gets bills legislated into law. It was this reputation that led to AB 2386 being written and moved through the legislature with no dissenting votes in both the Assembly and the Senate.

There was a lot of vibrant, expert professional  testimony given by Colonel Hayes before the Senate Committee proceeding the final floor vote and tremendous backing by some of the VSOs and particularly that of Colonel Lorna Griess, USA NC, ret of CAL MOAA.

So Art, on behalf of some fortunate young military men and women, whom you will never know , thanks for getting this bill moved into law that will save the lives of many by allowing military doctors of all the services to upgrade their skills through appropriate training opportunities  offered under this law.

People can make a difference ..they just have to have the will to do it.

Art.. you are  a phenomenal example of this.

You still, with pride, dignity, and love for your military family, continue to serve your country..

Chk6

bob

http://e-lobbyist.com/gaits/text/58818

“The struggle to do what is  right for

those who serve is unending.”

Admiral Bud Edney, USN ret

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17 August a significant piece of legislation was signed into law by Governor Arnold Swartzennegger of California, It was Assembly Bill 2386 authored by Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee …and Assemblyman Danny Gilmore (R-Hanford)

The bill, until January 1, 2016, would authorize a hospital to enter into an agreement with the Armed Forces of the United States to authorize a physician and surgeon, physician assistant, or registered nurse to provide medical care in the hospital to promote the combat readiness of the health care professional covered under this law. In essence what we are talking about is saving the lives of our military men and women.

Behind all of this when it was first proposed by Colonel Lee Payne, former Commander of David Grant Medical Center and now Air Force Space Command Surgeon, and later by Colonel Brian Hayes , Commander 60th MDG, was Colonel Art Krause USAF ret.

Colonel Krause is an old SAC guy and upon retiring he became a lobbyist in the State of California. For 35 years, and highly respected in the California Legislature, he has practiced his profession and built a tremendous reputation as one who gets bills legislated into law. It was this reputation that led to AB 2386 being written and moved through the legislature with no dissenting votes in both the Assembly and the Senate.

There was a lot of vibrant, expert professional testimony given by Colonel Hayes before the Senate Committee proceeding the final floor vote and tremendous backing by some of the VSOs and particularly that of Colonel Lorna Griess, USA NC, ret of CAL MOAA.

So Art, on behalf of some fortunate young military men and women, whom you will never know , thanks for getting this bill moved into law that will save the lives of many by allowing military doctors of all the services to upgrade their skills through appropriate training opportunities offered under this law.

People can make a difference ..they just have to have the will to do it.

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Working retirees win access to TRICARE supplement option. As of June 18, 2010, civilian employers of military retirees once again can offer a TRICARE supplemental plan with their cafeteria-style health insurance options so that workers who elect to use their TRICARE Standard benefit can buy coverage conveniently and with pre-taxed dollars. Employers are still prohibited from offering incentives for employees to leave employer-paid plans and use TRICARE instead.

TRICARE costs to retirees is still on the table. Advisory panels argue Military benefits are unsustainable. “Unless retirees contribute more for their TRICARE insurance, medical costs will not be brought under control and the national defense they served and for which they fought and sacrificed, will be harmed.” “DODs personnel accounts need to be brought under control by modernizing retirement, pay, health benefits and the up-or-out promotion system. The task force is also looking at elimination of 110,000 civilian jobs.” All this means that we can really expect a serious fight next year to protect your earned retirement benefits.

The Department of Defense is launching a push this week to remind service members and veterans who may be eligible for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay to submit their claim before the October 21st deadline. For information see: http://www.defense.gov/stoploss.

First wave of tax increases for next year: Expiration of 2001 and 2003 Tax Relief: (Bush tax cuts). The top income tax rate will rise from 35 to 39.6% (2/3rds of small businesses are here). The lowest rate will rise from 10 to 15%. All the rates in between will also rise (25% to 28%, 28% to 31%, & 33% to 36%). The “marriage penalty” will return from the first dollar of income. The child tax credit will be cut in half from $1000 to $500 per child. The dependent care and adoption tax credits will be cut and the death tax will return - 55% tax rate for estates over $1 million.

I recently attended an Army Nurse Corps Reunion in Washington DC. It was fun seeing old friends and seeing the young nurses I worked with as successful leaders. I am bringing this up because on Saturday, we wre treated to a tour which included the super physical therapy unit at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This unit has “virtual reality” equipment, a fully equipped car donated by the Ford Motor Co. to teach driving, and a machine that can emulate any sport, to assist soldiers with amputated limbs regain balance and reintegrate into society. Of the 1,100 soldiers throught the unit, 147 have been sent back to full duty in the middle east artificial limbs and all.

Sadly, Walter Reed will be gone forever in August 2011. It will be cohabiting with the Navy on the Bethesda Campus. Yet to be determined - will floors be floors or decks, stairs or ladders, walls or bulkheads and so forth. Could be a problem. I will check the scuttlebutt later and let you know.

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As you all know by now, the 21% Medicare cutback has been fixed again until December.

Tax increases are coming next year, count on it. The Bush tax cuts are going away. The Obama care package reads like there would be a tax on health benefits next year. According to the Senate Finance Committee and National MOAA, that is not true. There isn’t any tax on health benefits value before 2018 and then only the “Cadillac” plans will be taxed. “Cadillac” plans are those costing more than $10,200 for an individual or $27,500 for a family. It is true that the new law requires an entry on the W-2 showing the cost of employer-provided care. The purpose of including it on the W-2 is to show employees what the benefit value is (much as the military services provide an annual statement of military benefits value to currently serving personnel). Insurers will be assessed 40% of whatever share of the value exceeds the $27,500 threshold. If the value of a plan is $30,000, the insurer will be taxed 40% of $2,500= $1,000. It’s not the employees, but the insurance companies providing those plans (and employers that self-insure) that could be subject to taxation on part of such value - several years downstream. (I will let you think about who actually pays those taxes.)

HR 4887 - “The TRICARE Affermation Act” passed the House ensuring Medicare, TRICARE, TFL and the VA healthcare systems are going to be deemed acceptable coverage and not taxed. Senator Webb has introduced a companion bill in the Senate that will have similar language to HR 4887.

HR 3787 will accord veteran status to Guard and Reserve retirees who were never called to active federal service during their military careers. Non-federal service such as 911, or Katrina did not count. At age 60, they are entitled to military retired pay, TRICARE and a number of veteran’s benefits, but they were not veterans under the law.

If you are a retiree with a combat-related disability and not receiving CRSC (Combat-Related Special Compensation), check with your parent service. Just over 2 years ago CRSC eligibility was extended to all combat/combat related disabled retirees, regardless of their years of service or VA disability rating percentage.

Special note: There is a difference between a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) and a Nursing Home. Medicare/TRICARE pay for one and not the other. Sometimes they are in the same building. According to Medicare: admission to a SNF must follow a minimum 3-day impatient hospital stay for a related illness or injury, and a doctor must certify that you need skilled nursing and rehabilitative services. Medicare fully covers the first 20 days, days 21 through 100 are partially covered. Then come the unlimited days allowed by TFL with the TRICARE catastrophic cap kicking in. As long as the Doctor prescribes “skilled” nursing facilities, the cost to families will be low.

Medicare currently covers Hospice care. Medicare cuts for dialysis and hospice care will begin in 2012 under Obamacare.

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BILL SIGNED BY GOVERNOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11TH

Late this afternoon Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 343 - The Interstate Compact. Today was his deadline for signing or vetoing bills.

As usual, nothing has been really easy with this bill but because of the great efforts of all of you, CA is now the 26th state to join the Compact and brings the number of military children covered by the Compact to about 80%. I can’t that you all enough for your hard work in making this possible.

Laurie

Dr. Laurie Crehan, Quality of Life State Liaison, Pacific Region (AZ, CA, HI, NV), DoD-State Liaison Office Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, MC & FP, voice/fax: 858-274-3314 cell: 858-361-1731 www.USA4MilitaryFamilies.org continue reading

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UNANIMOUS PASSAGE BY THE CALIFORNIA SENATE AND ASSEMBLY

Wednesday night, September 9, 2009, California SJR10, scoring a unanimous 70-0 aye votes, passed the House of the California State Assembly. It had previously and unanimously passed the Senate floor with 36-0 aye votes.

It directs the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of SJR10 resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States the Speaker of the House of Representatives the Majority Leader of the Senate and each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.

Here is the resolution: http://placer.networkofcare.org/veterans/legislate/display.cfm?bill=SJR%2010&ver=05/28/2009

The final passage of SJR 10 represents six months of intensive lobbying by Colonel Art Krause ,USAF ret, on behalf of his fellow military retirees. With time spent pro bono, and with the accumulation of 38 years experience by Art as a professional lobbyist, this is not the first time Art has successfully guided significant resolutions and bills through the many facets of the California State Legislature in dedicated support of members of the United States military, both active and retired. continue reading

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GATES HEARS MILITARY CHILDREN’S EDUCATION ISSUES

By Donna Miles/American Forces Press Service

FORT BELVOIR, Va., Sept. 8, 2009 - As President Barack Obama was in nearby Arlington giving his pep talk today to America’s schoolchildren, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here in a receiving mode to hear firsthand about challenges military children face in the education system.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates meets with troops and spouses to discuss various topics of concern for military families at George Washington Community Center on Fort Belvoir, Va., Sept. 8, 2009.

Gates paid his first visit here as defense secretary, meeting in a closed-door session with military parents whose children were kicking off their new school year at local Fairfax County schools.

Talking with reporters after the 45-minute session, Gates said he has a list of issues to look into after today’s discussion. These include: continue reading

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