VA Claims Backlog Expected To Grow To 400K, Largely Due To The PACT Act
The Department of Veterans Affairs anticipates that its claims backlog, defined as those older than 125 days, will grow "potentially up to 400,000" in the next year, largely the result of the PACT Act.
Spokane VA Director Warns Budget Trouble Caused By Computer System Is Forcing Staff Cuts
A projected $35 million budget deficit at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center caused largely by the use of a flawed computer system is forcing the Spokane hospital to reduce its staff, according to an internal email, despite the ongoing effects of the Department of Veterans Affairs' decision to test the system there.
House lawmakers hope they’ll have good news on the debt ceiling to bring back to constituents when they head home for Memorial Day events next weekend.
VA Now Working With 1,000+ Community-Based Coalitions To End Veterans Suicide
By: VA Press Room | VA.Gov
May 18th, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it is now working with more than 1,000 local community coalitions engaged in ending Veteran suicide. These coalitions, established VA’s Public Health Model for Suicide Prevention, now reach more than 7.5 million Veterans nationwide.
By combining community coalitions with clinical intervention strategies as outlined VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, these coalitions help reduce the risk of suicide by providing Veterans with tailored resources and direct support in the communities where they work and live. One example is the Monona County Suicide Prevention Coalition in Iowa, which recently implemented an “Ask the Question” campaign to open lines of communication between Veterans, their community members, and their medical providers.
Preventing Veteran suicide is VA’s top clinical priority and a top priority of the Biden-Harris administration, as outlined in the White House Strategy for Preventing Military and Veteran Suicide 2021. In September, VA released the 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which showed Veteran suicides decreased from 2019 to 2020, and fewer Veterans died by suicide in 2020 than in any year since 2006.
“One suicide will always be one too many, and it will take all of us — working together — to end Veteran suicide,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “We are working with these coalitions to support Veterans at risk of suicide all across America, combining VA’s clinical expertise with on-the-ground community interventions to save lives.”
As a part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda and the Biden-Harris Administration’s, comprehensive plan to reduce military and Veteran suicide, VA has recently announced or continued several additional efforts to end Veteran suicide. In January, VA announced Veterans in an acute suicide crisis can go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergent suicide care crises, including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. In response to National Suicide Hotline Designation Act designating the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Department of Veterans Affairs has made it more user-friendly to access Veterans Crisis Line with Dial 988 then Press 1. VA has also awarded $20 million through Mission Daybreak, a grand challenge aimed at developing innovations to reduce Veteran suicides; granted more than $52 million to 80 community-based organizations through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program; conducted 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.”
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.
The Military Spouse Hiring Act would encourage companies to employ military spouses, who frequently face disproportionate impediments in the job market, by extending the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include them.
Intends to help military spouses find better work opportunities.
Support the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act!
Authorizes veterans with a service-connected disability of less than 50% to concurrently receive both retired pay and disability compensation.
Makes qualified disability retirees with less than 20 years of retirement-creditable service eligible for concurrent receipt, subject to specified reductions in retired pay.
Qualify approximately 42,000 military retirees with combat-related injuries to concurrently receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation.
Provide total offset relief to veterans who suffered combat injuries or illnesses who were medically retired with less than twenty years of service.
Allowsthe receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability.
Extends full concurrent receipt eligibility to individuals who were retired or separated after at least 20 years of military service due to a service-connected disability.
Support the Military Family Nutrition Access Act of 2023!
The Military Family Nutrition Access Act was created to aid military families with active duty members who are facing food insecurity.
By eliminating Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from the income calculations used to establish eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the bipartisan bill will combat food insecurity.
Military personnel risk their life to protect our nation; they shouldn't have to worry about providing for their families.
The Not Just a Number Act would oblige the VA to look into how veterans use their benefits in their yearly report on suicide prevention in order to assess the connection between VA benefits and suicide outcomes.
In its fight against veteran suicides, the VA evaluates which VA benefits have the best impact on preventing suicide and requires the Department to submit recommendations for an increase in such benefits.
If you have any questions, please reach out to AFSA's Military and Government Relations team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.
AFSA Professional Education, Personal Development Symposium Registration isLIVE!!!
THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention Registration is LIVE!!! This year’s Summit/AFSA International Convention will convene Friday, August 4, through Wednesday, August 9,2023,(Departures: Thursday, August 10, 2023) in Dallas, Texas, at the Hilton Anatole Resort, 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas. For more details, please click on the link below:
THEME:The Theme for THE SUMMIT 23/AFSA International Convention is“Back to Basics and Beyond.”
NOTE:Main arrival and registration is on Friday, August 4, 2023.
THEME PARTY/ICE BREAKER:THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention Theme Party/Ice Breaker is on Friday, August 4, 2023.The Theme for the Theme Party/Ice Breaker is “Super Heroes & Sheroes.” The Dress Code for the Theme Party/Ice Breaker is:
Dust off your Cape!
WELCOMING CEREMONY: The Welcoming Ceremony is on Saturday, August 5, 2023. The Dress Code for the Welcoming Ceremony is:
Business Casual, Military Personnel on Funded TDY orders: OCPs.
AFSA PRESIDENT’S DINNER & AWARDS CEREMONY. The AFSA President’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony is on Sunday, August 6, 2023. The Dress Code for the President’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony is:
AFSA Members: Gentlemen: Tuxedo or Dark Suit, Ladies: Dress evening wear (long or short);
Military Personnel on Funded TDY Orders: Mess Dress or Semi-Formal Uniform;
Top Performer Club members (Formerly TwinFLIER, SKYHIGHER and/or HighFLIER Club members): Wear the AFSA blue blazer. If they are active-duty military members, they may wear the AFSA blue blazer, but are highly encouraged to wear their service dress uniform.
AIR & SPACE HONORS BANQUET AND CMSAF AWARDS CEREMONY. The Air & Space Honors Banquet and CMSAF Awards Ceremony is on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. The Dress Code for the Air & Space Honors Banquet and CMSAF Awards Ceremony is:
Gentlemen: Tuxedo or Dark Suit,
Ladies: Dress evening wear (long or short);
Military Personnel on Funded TDY Orders: Mess Dress or Semi-Formal Uniform
THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention
REGISTRATION FEE: The registration fees are as follows:
AFSA International Convention
Complete Early Registration (1 April - 31 May)$275.00
Use Promo Code: AFSAEarly to save. Expires April 30, 2023
Complete Registration (1 June - 31 July)$300.00
Complete Late Registration (1 August - 4 August) $325.00
AFSA International Convention Plus PEDs and Air & Space Honor’s Banquet
Complete Early Registration (1 April - 31 May)$325.00
Use Promo Code: AFSAEarly to save. Expires April 30, 2023
Complete Registration (1 June - 31 July)$350.00
Complete Late Registration (1 August - 4 August) $375.00
On Monday, August 7-9, there will be a full day of Professional Development. All Professional Development Forums are open to all military members on Active Duty and DoD civilian personal at no cost.
BEAUTIFUL EVENT LOCATION- Book your rooms now!The Summit 23/AFSA International Conventionis held at the Hilton Anatole, 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Dallas, Texas where you'll find an entertainment complex designed to relax and delight you and your family. We've partnered with the Hilton Anatole to offer special AFSA/SUMMIT ROOM RATES at $154+ tax a night.
NOTE: Please identify that you are with the Air Force Sergeants Association group.
(This special rate includes the outdoor Jade Water Pool Complex with slides and a lazy river, the Verandah Fitness Club & V-Spa, dining options, and much more.)
NOTE:The last date to make hotel reservations at the AFSA contracted room rate is July 14, 2023.
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 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)
Email to: msvcs@hqafsa.org
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, in order to avoid worker burnout while processing a rise in disability claims under the toxic exposure legislation passed last year, the agency must now strike a fine balance between processing these claims and preventing a doubling of its backlog in the following year.
More than 560,000 disability compensation claims have been submitted under the PACT Act, the historic law that expanded benefits eligibility for post-9/11 veterans and former service members from other eras sickened by exposure to environmental pollution, according to VA Undersecretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs on Monday.
The VA has hired hundreds of additional employees to help manage and process claims as a result of the inflow, growing its Veterans Benefits Administration workforce by 15%.
In addition, the hospital would need to lower its allowed staffing level by more than 15% due to the anticipated shortfall, wrote Mann-Grandstaff Director Robert Fischer in an email to managers dated May 9 that was acquired by The Spokesman-Review. Even though national VA administrators admit the new electronic health record system has decreased the amount of veterans each clinician can visit, doing so would require cutting the equivalent of 146 full-time positions as they become vacant, he added.
Mann-Grandstaff has been more reliant on the private sector for healthcare as a result of system limitations and a lack of clinicians in important specialties. Separate data that The Spokesman-Review was able to obtain indicate that this has put the hospital on track to spend an additional $38 million above budget even though veterans must wait a long time for care outside of the VA.
And lastly, officials from the White House and congressional leaders have hinted that a deal to raise the nation's debt ceiling, which would avert a number of potential economic calamities, would be reached in the coming days. Representatives of the administration have been directly talking with House Republican leaders about this problem for the past week, and they have publicly expressed hope that a resolution will be reached shortly.
Without fresh legislation from Congress, Treasury officials have predicted that the US will likely run out of borrowing capacity around June 1. Payroll for the military, veterans' benefits, and a variety of other federal debts might not be paid on time or at all if that occurs.
And that's the way it is for Tuesday, May 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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