VA To Resume Medical Records Overhaul In Early 2022, With New Leadership Guiding The Work .

Veterans Affairs officials will restart their electronic medical records overhaul early next year but with a completely new leadership team designed to avoid the implementation problems seen at early sites using the new software. Department leaders announced the changes on Wednesday alongside the findings of a four-month investigation into the $16-billion project, which includes plans for expanded employee training and widespread deployment of the new system throughout VA hospitals as early as 2024. To read more, please click here.

Reforms To Military Justice System Endangered By Slow Pace Of Defense Authorization Bill.

As recently as a month ago, major legislative reforms to how the military handles sexual misconduct cases appeared inevitable. Now advocates are worried they may be abandoned entirely. On Tuesday, a group of 66 House and Senate lawmakers implored congressional leaders to keep the military justice changes in the annual defense authorization bill, amid rising rumors that key congressional leaders are planning to dump the provisions in order to speed up final passage of the defense measure. To read more, please click here.

With Defense Bill Stalled, Will Lawmakers 'Ping Pong' It Home ?

With hope of a normal legislative process almost gone, lawmakers are dusting off a nearly decade-old congressional playbook in the hopes of finding a way to get the annual defense authorization bill to the president's desk before the end of December. The move coincides with a building panic that Congress' 60-year streak of passing the authorization bill may be in serious danger, and along with it hundreds of pay and policy provisions that are included in the massive measure. Defense advocates warn that could be a disaster - not only for one of the last reliable examples of bipartisan agreement on Capitol Hill, but also for military and defense industry leaders, who would see new-start programs, project expansions and Pentagon reforms sidelined without the bill. To read more, please click here.

President Biden Signs Four Veterans Bills Into Law

By: Matthew Schwartzman, AFSA Policy Advisor, Legislative Affairs

On Tuesday, November 30, President Joe Biden signed four pieces of legislation; thereby codifying them into law. 

The bills signed, with legislative summaries, are as follows:

S.796, the Protecting Moms Who Served Act of 2021

This bill requires the VA to implement the maternity care coordination program. For those who are unfamiliar, the VA provides maternity coverage and care coordination to attempt to "help create a seamless maternity care experience." Under current policy, maternity care is covered by the VA but is provided by non-VA providers in non-VA facilities.

As a part of the bill, the VA will now be required to provide community maternity care providers with training and support with respect to the unique needs of pregnant and postpartum veterans, particularly regarding mental and behavioral health conditions in relation to the service of a said veteran. 

Additionally, the legislation compels the Government Accountability Office (GAO), no later than two years from now, to report on maternal mortality and several maternal morbidity among pregnant and postpartum veterans, with a focus on racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes for veterans.

This legislation was sponsored in the Senate by Senators Tammy Duckworth and Susan Collins; and in the House by Representative Lauren Underwood.

In a press release following the codification of the Protecting Moms Who Served Act, Senator Duckworth issued the following statement:

"It's a tragedy every time a mother dies from a preventable cause related to pregnancy or childbirth, and it's shameful that far too often these moms are women of color whose pain or symptoms have been overlooked or ignored. I'm so proud that President Biden signed this bipartisan bill I introduced with Senator Collins and Representative Underwood-which would help address our nation's growing maternal mortality crisis by helping ensure the pregnancy complications of all women Veterans are not overlooked or ignored-into law today."

The press release also out-layed the statutory intent of the $15 million investment put forth from this bill, which seeks to:

• Ensure effective coordination between VA facilities and non-VA facilities in the delivery of maternity care and other healthcare services;
• Facilitate access and referrals to resources in the community to address social determinants of health;
• Identify mental and behavioral health risk factors in the prenatal and postpartum periods, and ensure that pregnant and postpartum Veterans get the help and treatment they need; and
• Offer childbirth preparation classes, parenting classes, nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, lactation classes and breast pumps.

S.894, the Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act of 2021

The Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act of 2021 requires the VA to consult with the Department of Defense (DoD) to "identify and refer" service members with health care occupations for employment with the VA during their time of separation from service. This legislation was first introduced in the Senate by Senators Mike Braun and Maggie Hassan, and in the House by Representatives Robert Latta and Kathleen Rice. 

The background for the identified need of this legislation, according to a press release issued by Senator Braun, is as follows:

• In November 2019, the VA Inspector General stated that staff shortages are a root cause of many of the problems in veterans' care.
• The Department of Defense has robust medical departments in the Army, Navy, and Air Force totaling 111,462 Active Duty and 67,951 Reserve personnel in 2020. All or part of the medical education and training has been paid for by the Federal government.
• Their Military Occupation Specialties (MOSs) span the full spectrum of the medical professions from primary care physicians, to neurosurgeons, nurse practitioners, health care administrators, physical therapists, pharmacists, radiology technicians, medical logistician, biomedical maintenance, etc.
• All of these medical specialties can be utilized in the VHA, and their knowledge of the new electronic health record will also be invaluable.
• Currently, an average of 13,000 active duty medical department members separate from the military each year at the end of enlistments/contracts or through retirement.
• There is no formal program in place to actively recruit them to remain in federal health care in departments like Veterans Affairs (VA).

S. 1031

S.1031 requires the GAO to conduct a study to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to:

• Compensation benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• Disability ratings determined by the VA
• The rejection of fully developed claims for VA benefits. 

This legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock on March 25, 2021, and was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Robert Menendez, Richard Blumenthal, Patty Murray, Christopher Murphy, Patrick Leahy, and Ben Lujan. 

The House companion was introduced by Representative Mark Takano (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

S. 1095, the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act of 2021

This legislation amends title 38 to provide the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the authority to disapprove courses of education offered by public institutions of higher learning that do not charge veterans the in-State tuition rate for purposes of Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program.

On the week of April 12, this bill was introduced by U.S. House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee members (U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Tester and U.S. Representatives Barry Moore and David Trone). 

Background

The Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) program provides educational benefits to survivors of veterans who died from a service-connected disability.

While any veteran, service member or survivor qualifying for the Fry Scholarship, or any dependent using transferred entitlement under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, is eligible for in-state tuition at any state school in the country, DEA recipients are currently excluded by law from receiving the same in-state tuition benefit.

The legislation's namesake, Colonel John McHugh, was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2010 while he and his family were stationed at Fort Leavenworth. His daughter was attending Kansas State University at the time of his death. While children whose parent died before August 8, 2011 have access to both the Fry Scholarship and DEA, this legislation would make certain Colonel McHugh's family (and others in similar situations) would be eligible to receive in-state tuition when using DEA benefits.

Questions?

If you have any questions on any of the bills aforementioned, please reach out to me at mschwartzman@hqafsa.org.

To view the full transcript of remarks from the bill signing ceremony, please click here.

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.

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.

AFSA Magazine Published: Read the Latest Edition Today!

Have you read the latest edition of the AFSA Magazine? The Fall issue features our Eye on Washington, Ultra-Endurance Military Athletes, How to Become a Servant Leader, Professional Spotlight on our Maintainers, member Final Fly-bys and much more. 

Read, download, print and share here now: https://www.hqafsa.org/fall2021.html

In sum, the Office of the Functional Champion will be restructured to "ensure proper clinical participation, which will include having a primary role in processing and addressing patient safety issues." The modifications, according to department leaders, will allow authorities to better respond to personnel concerns and difficulties in the future. New training is also being developed, with greater practice time for workers with the new system before it is used in clinical situations. 

In some more NDAA news, lawmakers in the Senate thwarted a move to expedite the authorization bill's approval early this week on Monday, claiming they didn't have enough time in the full chamber to examine amendments.

Senate leaders have been attempting to reach an agreement on amendments for the past two weeks without success. Even before that, the Senate had been months behind schedule in moving forward with its draft of the yearly legislation.

Yesterday afternoon and last night, progress of the NDAA appears to be stalled even further following disagreement over an amendment put forward by Senator Rubio that would categorize products created by China's Muslim Uyghur minority as goods produced by "slave labor." This bill received bi-partisan support in the Senate earlier this year, but has not received a floor vote in the House. Senate leaders have called this amendment a "poison pill," under the guise that the Senate cannot put forward proposals that would raise revenue. 

Another objection was put forth by Senator James Lankford who sought to secure a vote on his amendment to prevent the Pentagon from withholding pay from National Guard troops for receiving the COVID vaccine. While this amendment was rejected, it is another element at play in NDAA negotiations taking place in the Senate.

These negotiations and considerations continue into today; and as more updates unfold, our Team will keep you updated.

And that's the way it is for Thursday, December 2, 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!