March 2, 2023 Share this on: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
  Breaking News  
   
 

Disabled Vets Post Stunning Job Gains As Economy Remains Hot Despite Inflation 

Employment numbers suggest that veterans have taken advantage of a robust economy fueled by the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic and ample federal funding to record major success in the jobs market and start businesses of their own. But the battle to tame inflation could put those gains in jeopardy.

To read more, please click here.


 

Pentagon Budgeting Panel Says 'All Options' On Table For Reform

A select panel exploring how to revamp Pentagon budgeting is far from Washington’s nightlife scene, but it has been hosting “open mic” events ― to find the best defense reform ideas.

To read more, please click here.


 

Tricare Now Covers New Costly Insulin Device For Type 1 Diabetics 

Military family members who are Type 1 diabetics can now get Tricare coverage for the Omnipod 5 insulin pump, Defense Health Agency officials announced.

To read more, please click here.


 
  AFSA on the Hill  
   
 

VA To Award $52.5 Million In Grants To Local Organizations Working To Prevent Veteran Suicide 

By: VA Office Of Public Affairs  | VA.Gov

Today, March 2nd, VA announced the availability of $52.5 million in grants to community-based organizations that provide or coordinate suicide prevention services for Veterans and their families – including conducting Veteran mental health screenings, providing case management and peer support services, delivering emergency clinical services, reaching out to Veterans at risk of suicide and more.

These grants will be awarded through VA’s Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. The Notice of Funding Opportunity provides information about the program, eligibility, and award process. Applications are due by 11:59 pm ET on May 19, 2023 and awards will be granted to eligible entities by Sept. 30, 2023. The funds will be used by the selected organizations in Fiscal Year 2024.

Preventing Veteran suicide is VA’s top clinical priority and a top priority of the Biden-Harris Administration. This effort is a key part of VA’s 10-year National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide and the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan for Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide. In September, VA released the 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which showed that Veteran suicides decreased in 2020 for the second year in a row, and that fewer Veterans died by suicide in 2020 than in any year since 2006.

“Veterans at risk of suicide deserve quick and easy access to mental health screenings, peer support, emergency services, and more – both from VA and community-based organizations,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “There are countless great organizations across America that are providing Veterans with this type of local, on-the-ground support, and we at VA are proud to support their efforts.”

This will be the second round of grants awarded as part of VA’s Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. In September 2022, VA awarded grants for the program’s first year, totaling $52.5 million to 80 awardees in 43 states, Washington, D.C., and American Samoa. The grant program is named after Parker Gordon Fox, a sniper instructor who died by suicide at the age of 25.

Grant funding will be divided into two priorities. Under Priority 1, VA will provide opportunities for funding to those entities with existing SSG Fox SPGP awards. Under Priority 2, new organizations can apply for grants worth up to $750,000. Following the selection of Priority 1 grantee applicants, any remaining funds will be awarded according to Priority 2. VA may prioritize the distribution of suicide prevention services grants under this priority to: (i) Rural communities; (ii) Tribal lands; (iii) Territories of the United States; (iv) Medically underserved areas; (v) Areas with a high number or percentage of minority Veterans or women Veterans; and (vi) Areas with a high number or percentage of calls to the Veterans Crisis Line.

Over the past two years, VA has announced or continued several additional efforts to end Veteran suicide. In January, VA announced that Veterans in acute suicide crises can go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost — including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. VA has also established 988 (then press 1) as a way for Veterans to quickly connect with caring, qualified crisis support 24/7; launched Mission Daybreak, a $20 million grand challenge aimed at developing innovations to reduce Veteran suicides; conduced an ongoing public outreach effort on firearm suicide prevention and lethal means safety; and leveraged a national Veteran suicide prevention awareness campaign, “Don’t Wait. Reach Out.” 


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.

To complete the survey, please visit https://www.hqafsa.org/takeaction.html


 
  Legislative Action Center  
   
 

Introduced By The 118th Congress 

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.
  • Sponsor: Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon [R-PR-At Large]
  • Committees – House Armed Services

 

  • 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.


 
  AFSA Membership Information  
   
 

Have You Read The Latest AFSA Magazine?

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 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, that was the case last week with the release of the Annual Warrior Survey by the Wounded Warrior Project, or WWP. The statistics for veterans have occasionally been so encouraging that those who gather the data have been astounded.

The more than 19,300 wounded, ill, and injured veterans surveyed—representing nearly 165,000 WWP members and the largest study of wounded service members since 9/11—provided information that was superior to that of every other WWP survey conducted since 2010. 

Due to the fact that 78.1% of these veterans have disability ratings of at least 70% with the Department of Veterans Affairs, their unemployment rate has consistently been in the double digits. However, the most recent study revealed that the rate has decreased by almost 50%, from 13.4% in 2021 to 6.8% in 2022. 

 

In addition, the events are being used by the 14-member Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution Reform, which Congress mandated and is made up of former lawmakers, Pentagon officials, and business executives, to gather a variety of viewpoints during its 15-month "discovery" phase, which is anticipated to end in December. Both the interim and final reports are expected in August and March of 2024, respectively. 

The open meetings are "where subject matter experts can put forth their opinions in a more informal approach with the commissioners and staff," according to a 34-page status update the panel provided on Thursday.
Former and present DoD program managers, program executive officers, comptrollers, and financial management officers have participated in the sessions. 

 

And lastly,The Omnipod 5, including the starter package, requires pre-authorization from the beneficiary's primary care manager.
Since February 15th, the gadget has been protected by the Tricare pharmaceutical benefit. At that moment, neither Tricare Pharmacy Home Delivery nor military pharmacies offered the Omnipod 5. Only Tricare retail pharmacies do, according to officials. 

The controller of the gadget continuously modifies and delivers insulin as needed using pods that are applied to the body as a patch.
The Omnipod's most recent model can speak directly with a continuous glucose meter.

In January 2022, the Food and Drug Administration gave the Omnipod 5 its approval.
The Omnipod 5 was examined by the Department of Defense Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee at its meeting in November, and it was then included in the universal formulary that is accessible at all Tricare retail pharmacies. 

 

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