Supreme Court Rejects Case Tied To Families Being Removed From VA Caregiver Program
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a case filed by a Navy SEAL and veterans advocates over new regulations put in place in 2020 by the Department of Veterans Affairs that led to families being told they were being removed from the agency's caregiver program.
Dept. Of Veterans Affairs Ahead Of Health Care Staffing Goals For Now
Veteran Affairs officials are ahead on their health care hiring and retention goals for the fiscal year but will need to bring in more human resources personnel to keep pace with the staffing surges in coming months.
Air Force Expands Cancer Review Of Nuclear Missile Personnel
The Air Force’s review of cancers among its nuclear missile corps will include all personnel who worked on, guarded, supported or operated the nation’s ground-based warheads, Air Force Global Strike Command announced Wednesday.
Life Insurance Premiums For Service-Members Are Increased By $100K, And Disabled Veterans Now Have A New Choice.
By: Vanessa Lee | AFSA's Legislative Communications & Administrative Assistant
Starting March 1, military life insurance premiums will rise for the first time in 18 years. A further $100,000 in life insurance will be automatically added for service members, increasing the total Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage to $500,000.
The Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Program will now allow up to $500,000 in coverage, instead of the previous $400,000 maximum. This policy benefits specified beneficiaries.
Even individuals who have previously decreased or denied their Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, or SGLI, will automatically receive the expanded coverage. All eligible individuals for SGLI, including Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve members, are covered more comprehensively.
The monthly out-of-pocket costs of military members' paychecks will rise by roughly 30% to $31 for the coverage.
According to a Department of Veterans Affairs online update, all eligible service members will initially receive SGLI coverage automatically at the maximum coverage level unless they choose to deny it.
The rise results from the cost-of-living adjustments granted by Congress as part of the S.2794: Supporting Families of the Fallen Act, which President Joseph Biden signed into law on October 17.
One dollar is included in each monthly SGLI premium for TSGLI. The Traumatic Injury Protection benefit under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance helps eligible service members recover financially in the near term after suffering a serious accident, such as a limb loss or other types of injuries. Like before, the service member's dependent children are likewise covered for $10,000 by SGLI at no additional charge. The Family SGLI program, a different one that offers additional life insurance for partners and dependent children, does not modify the coverage amounts.
Former service personnel have the option to keep their coverage under the Veterans' Group Life Insurance after they leave the military, as long as they continue to pay the premiums.
According to the department, VGLI coverage won't automatically be increased. At specific anniversary periods, eligible veterans under 60 who have maintained coverage will be able to acquire more coverage.
A new life insurance program for veterans with disabilities related to their service was also introduced this month by the VA.
As a veteran matures, starting at age 30, the VGLI rates rise every five years, unlike the rates for service members. The monthly premium for coverage of $500,000 for veterans under the age of 29 will be $35. Beginning March 1, the full table of premiums for $500,000 for all ages will be accessible on the VA website.
Although SGLI is regarded as a reliable benefit for service members at a fair price, it expires when a person quits the military. Within a year and 120 days, SGLI can be changed to the Veterans' Group Life Insurance scheme. In comparison to other insurance plans, VGLI is more expensive. Yet, it's crucial to keep in mind that, regardless of condition, everyone leaving the military with SGLI coverage is eligible for VGLI. You don't have to provide documentation of your physical fitness if you apply for VGLI within 240 days of your separation.
VALife will be an option for veterans enrolled in the current Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance, according to a VA statement. Veterans will also have the choice to keep their current coverage.
LAST CHANCE: AFSA 2023 Total Force Survey!
The Total Force 2023 survey will expire soon on the HQAFSA.org website, just in case you missed it or haven't caught up. Please take the time to complete the survey so that our Military and Government Relations Team can best assist you. The survey this year is thorough and covers a variety of vital subjects for our members, such as an Active Component, Reserve Component, and more! Have any inquiries? Contact our M&G team by sending an email to milgov3@hqafsa.org.
Several historic events occurred on Tuesday, the first day the 118th Congress met. Despite being a long list, these legislation addresses a larger variety of public policy objectives that fall under the purview of the seven main emphasis groups of our legislative platform. The bills are currently being introduced, and AFSA is striving to provide more details on the following:
H.R.254 – To amend title 10 United States Code, to improve the administration of the TRICARE program in Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.
H.R.236 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate a week as “Battle Buddy Check Week” for the purpose of outreach and education concerning peer wellness checks for veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sheila Lee Jackson [D-TX-18]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.234 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide a burial allowance for certain veterans who die at home while in receipt of hospice care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Jack Bergman [R-MI-1]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.228 – To amend title 10, United States Code, to include a single comprehensive disability examination as part of the required Department of Defense physical examination for separating members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Robert J. Wittman [R-VA-1]
Committees – House Armed Services, House Veterans Affairs
H.R.226 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to promote and encourage collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning that provide administrative assistance to veterans.
Sponsor: Robert J. Wittman [R-VA-1]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.221 – To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand eligibility for participation in the Federal Pell Grant program to certain trade schools.
Sponsor: Robert J. Wittman [R-VA-1]
Committees – Education and Labor
H.R.214 – To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide eligibility for TRICARE selected for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Gregory W. Steube [R-FL-17]
Committees – House Armed Services, House Veterans Affairs
H.R.196 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to modify the information technology systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide for the automatic processing of claims for certain temporary disability ratings, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Matthew M. Rosendale Sr. [R-MT-2]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.129 – To require the Secretary of Defense to ensure drop boxes are maintained on military installations for the deposit of unused prescription drugs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Vern Buchanan [R-FL-16]
Committees – House Armed Services
H.R.105 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to veterans with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sponsor: Andy Biggs [R-AZ-5]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.104 – To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to formally recognize caregivers of veterans, notify veterans and caregivers of clinical determinations relating to eligibility for caregiver programs, temporarily extend benefits for veterans who are determined ineligible for the family caregiver program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Andy Biggs [R-AZ-5]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.41 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure the timely scheduling of appointments for health care at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: James R. Baird [R-IN-4]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
If you have any additional questions on this specific issue, please e-mail our Military and Government Relations team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.
This edition features Port Mortuary and America’s Missing Heroes, Living with Bipolar Disorder in the Military, Fly-By Wire Defense and AFSA’s American Award Recipient – Don Ward. Read, download, print and share: https://www.hqafsa.org/fallmagazine.html
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 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:
Call Member & Field Relations team directly at 800-638-0594 x 288 (Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)
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Visit www.hqafsa.org and select the UPDATE button on the right
We thank you in advance for your support and prompt updates.
In sum, The U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a decision by the VA favoring its decision to change the eligibility requirements for its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers on Tuesday by refusing to take the case Veteran Warriors, Inc., et al. v. McDonough. The high court made this announcement on Tuesday.
Several families were informed that they would no longer be eligible for a program that provides financial help for relatives who assist veterans as a result of the changes to eligibility. Since then, the VA has halted the eligibility reviews that produced those notices.
A veteran who relied on a spouse or family member for care rather than hiring a home health aide or living in a nursing facility would receive additional compensation and benefits under the program, which was primarily designed to serve post-9/11 combat-injured veterans.
In addition,The Veterans Health Administration currently employs roughly 388,000 people, an increase of more than 2% from the beginning of the fiscal year in October of last year, according to VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal. In order to keep up with the escalating workloads throughout the system, department executives had previously stated that they anticipated boosting staffing levels by 3% in fiscal 2023.
Authorities attributed the department's recent hiring authority expansions, which included increased signing bonuses, student debt repayment schemes, and relocation incentives to fill positions in rural areas, to the department's success thus far.
Dr. Shereef Elnahal, the VA's Under Secretary for Health, stated that department leaders still anticipate hiring about 52,000 more people this year to meet their overall staffing objectives, including 30,000 people in crucial positions like doctors, nurses, housekeeping assistants, and food service workers.
And lastly,Space Force Lt. Col. Daniel Sebeck said last month that nine officers who had served as missileers—the airmen who fire the warheads from underground silos and control centers—at Montana's Malmstrom Air Force Station had been identified as having non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a kind of blood cancer.
Other missileers and missile support personnel have come forward since that briefing to the AP and other media sources to claim that they, too, have received a non-Hodgkin lymphoma or other malignancies diagnosis.
In addition to Malmstrom, F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming and Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota will also be included in the Air Force evaluation. The nation's inventory of ground-based nuclear warheads is kept in 450 silos operated by the three bases, which are launched atop Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.
And that's the way it is for Thursday, February 23, 2023.
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!
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