November 24, 2021 Share this on: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
  Breaking News  
   
 

VA Gets $5 Billion Boost To Fix Problems In House Social Spending Bill.

The Department of Veterans Affairs would get about $5 billion to update aging facilities, lease more medical buildings, add residents to its medical staff and more under a major social spending bill passed Friday by the House. After weeks of negotiations among Democrats on areas of the bill unrelated to the VA funding -- and another last-minute delay when House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., spoke on the floor for eight-and-a-half hours Thursday night and Friday morning -- the House voted 220-213 to approve what's been dubbed the Build Back Better Act.

To read more, please click here.


 

Spouse, Kids Of Vets Who Die From Service Injuries, Guaranteed In-State College Tuition Rate Under New Law.

 

Children and spouses of veterans who die from service-connected injuries will be guaranteed in-state tuition rates under new legislation approved by Congress this week. The measure - the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act - passed without objection in the House on Monday. Senate lawmakers had approved the legislation back in June. The change is expected to affect about 150,000 surviving dependents, potentially saving them tens of thousands in higher education expenses each year.

To read more, please click here.


 

Ruling On Burn Pit Link To Cancers And A Rare Lung Disease Coming From VA Next Year

 

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to announce in 2022 whether some forms of cancer and a rare lung disorder seen in patients exposed to burn pits and other forms of pollution should entitle veterans to expedited benefits and disability compensation. VA Secretary Denis McDonough said Thursday that the VA will announce "early next year" whether some cancers will be deemed as connected to military service, and for constrictive bronchiolitis -- a rare disease that affects the lungs' smallest passageways -- by summer 2022. The White House announced on Veterans Day that it planned to improve the disability claims process for veterans with illnesses linked to toxic exposure, announcing several initiatives and plans to speed up reviews of exposure-related illnesses.

To read more, please click here.


 
  AFSA on the Hill  
   
 

AFSA M&G Wishes You and Your Family a Very Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Military and Government Relations Team wanted to take a moment to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving! 

We gather on this day to be thankful for what we have, for the family we love, the friends we cherish, and for the blessings that will come. May you enjoy this celebration with your family full of laughter and peace. Happy Thanksgiving greetings!


 
  Legislative Action Center  
   
 

Legislative Action Center 

Throughout the course of the 2021 Legislative Awareness Week (LAW), our Military and Government Relations Team unveiled 20+ advocacy campaigns on our Legislative Action Center. 

Each campaign consists of an AFSA supported piece of legislation and/or target area for this year's NDAA. While Saturday symbolized the final day of the LAW 2021, it is not the final day for you to contact your elected officials in support of each of the campaigns that impacts you, your family, your fellow Airmen, and/or your loved ones.  

Below are the campaigns that are currently located on our Action Center. Please take no more than 5-10 minutes to scan through each of the campaigns and click on the custom links provided below. 

Support the Reducing Barriers for Military Voters Act

This legislation places UOCAVA active-duty service members in a better position to have their ballots accepted when they vote.  

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88419/respond 

Support a more adequate BAH! 

To contact your elected officials in support of a more sufficient Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for service members and their families in this year's NDAA, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88420/respond 

Support the Military Hunger Prevention Act

This legislation would create a basic needs allowance to help service members who are struggling to provide food for themselves and their families. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88425/respond 

Support the G&R Incentive Pay Parity Act

This legislation would require that a special bonus or incentive pay for a member of the reserve component is the same as a member in the regular component of that Armed Force. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88430/respond 

Secure a 2.7% Pay-Raise! 

To contact your elected officials in support of a 2.7% pay-raise, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/71707/respond 

Protect the MilTA Program! 

To contact your elected officials asking for an increase in funding for the MilTA program at a level sufficient to meet an increase in demand and steadily rising tuition costs, please visit 

https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88433/respond 

Fully Fund Impact Aid! 

The Advancing Toward Impact Aid Full Funding Act would fully fund impact aid for the first time since 1969.  

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit 

https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88442/respond 

Support the G&R GI Bill Parity Act

This legislation would expand eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill by adjusting the type of service that entitles a member of the Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard to such assistance. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88430/respond 

Support expanding TRICARE coverage for cranial remolding helmets! 

To contact your elected officials on this AFSA supported measure, please visit 

https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88455/respond 

Support the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act

This legislation would allow a dependent up to the age of 26 to be covered under the TRICARE program without an additional premium; regardless of whether they are eligible to enroll in an employer sponsored plan. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88456/respond 

Support the Healthcare for Our Troops Act

This legislation would provide no-fee healthcare for members of the Guard and Reserve through TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) and fix the parity gap for retirees receiving retirement pay due to deployment credits by extending eligibility for TRICARE upon receipt of retirement pay. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88457/respond 

Support the TRICARE Select Restoration Act

This legislation would eliminate TRICARE Select enrollment fees for veterans who retired prior to 2018. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88459/respond 

Support the TRICARE Fairness for G&R Retirees Act

This legislation would align eligibility for TRICARE health coverage with the age at which personnel of the Retired Reserve (former G&R members) begin receiving retired pay. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88461/respond 

Support the Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act

This legislation would allow an employer a WOTC for hiring the spouse or domestic partner of a member of the Armed Forces and create a flexible spending arrangement that permits service members to pay for childcare on a pretax basis. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88463/respond 

Support the Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act

This legislation would direct the forgiveness or offset of an overpayment of retired pay to a surviving spouse of a veteran. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88465/respond 

Support the Military Child Care Expansion Act

This legislation would establish a new stream of funding to modernize CDCs, expand childcare capacity for military families via pilot-public partnerships, and expand financial assistance for service members who hire in-home childcare providers. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88481/respond 

Support the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act

This is one of the three concurrent receipt measures supported by AFSA. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88573/respond 

Support the Retired Pay Restoration Act

This is one of the three concurrent receipt measures supported by AFSA. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88574/respond 

Support the Major Richard Star Act

This is one of the three concurrent receipt measures supported by AFSA. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88513/respond

If you have any questions, please reach out to AFSA's Policy Advisor, Matthew Schwartzman, at mschwartzman@hqafsa.org.


 
  AFSA Membership Information  
   
 


Greetings AFSA Division and Chapter Leadership,

We are pleased to share the AFSA Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay procedures and marketing materials to help share the process with our members, your membership and potential new recruits.

The Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay program creates an opportunity to JOIN AFSA or RENEW a membership by making a $36 once-a-year/every-year auto payment, or a $4-each-month/every- month auto payment. The $36 once-a-year option is set at $36, and the $4-a-month option includes a bank processing fee of $1 each month.

Review the two ways to enroll, the benefits to using the auto-pay option, and the marketing materials to help share the details of this program and ensure its success.

For more information, please click here.

For questions, please contact AFSAHQ Member & Field team at 800-638-0594 x 288.


Please Update Your Contact Information Today!

Dear Air Force Sergeants Association Member,

In order for the AFSA to effectively communicate with our members, it is essential to ensure we have your current and / or valid e-mail address. 
 
We are in the process of updating our records and need your help! Please take a moment to ensure that we have your most current mail and email address (no .mil's); and accurate membership listing information.

We've made it easy, as you can update your information in either one of three ways: 

  1. Call Member & Field Relations team directly at 800-638-0594 x 288 (Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)
  2. Email to: msvcs@hqafsa.org
  3. Visit www.hqafsa.org and select the UPDATE button on the right

We thank you in advance for your support and prompt updates.


 
  And that's the way it is...  
   
 

In sum, the Department of Veterans Affairs is set to receive about $5 billion to update aging facilities, lease more medical buildings, add residents to its medical staff and more under a major social spending bill passed Friday by the House. 

Moreover, the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act passed without objection in the House on Monday. This legislation would ensure children and spouses of veterans who die from service-connected injuries will be guaranteed in-state tuition rates for their education.

And that's the way it is for Tuesday, November 24, 2021.


Stay tuned for our next M&G-B, where we will continue to keep you in the loop on all things pertinent to the coronavirus, veterans, active-duty members, guards and reservists, and military family members. Stay happy, and stay healthy!