VFW Action Corps Weekly
Initiative to End Veteran Overprescribing: VFW Washington Office staff members participated in events with the Grunt Style Foundation’s "War Cry for Change to End Veteran Overprescribing." This initiative aligns with the VFW's 2025 priority goals that focus on improving health care quality and ensuring access to evidence-based pharmaceutical alternatives. The VFW supports prioritizing whole health, mental wellness, and patient-centered care, rather than fostering a reliance on prescription drugs. VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci spoke at a press conference held on Capitol Hill that brought together advocates, veterans, and policymakers to push for more responsible and holistic approaches to veteran health care. Watch the press conference.
Veterans Indicted in Puerto Rico Claim Shark Case: A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico recently handed down a 49-count indictment against 10 individuals, including veterans, a VA employee, and unaccredited claims agents that the VFW calls Claim Sharks. They have been charged with defrauding the government to illegally obtain VA disability compensation benefits. The charges specify that the claims agents coached the veterans on providing false information during medical examinations and for submitting claims to obtain maximum disability compensation, while the VA employee routed these claims to his subordinates for adjudication. The VFW has been warning veterans over the past few years that THEY could be held liable for fraudulent activity of these Claim Sharks. Read more.
VA Foreign Medical Program Update: VA has announced that veterans who receive care through the Foreign Medical Program(FMP) will now receive reimbursement payments through direct deposit instead of paper checks. This applies only to payments made to U.S. bank accounts, but VA is working to add international bank accounts. FMP covers health care for service-connected disabilities and related conditions for veterans living or traveling abroad. Improvements to this program, including faster reimbursements, is a VFW priority. This change to direct deposit is a positive step. Read more.
VA Pacific Region Virtual Town Hall and Claims Clinic: VA is inviting all veterans residing in Indochina to join a virtual town hall and claims clinic seeking to address needs unique to individuals living outside of the continental United States. The virtual event will be held on Wednesday, June 11, at 5:00 p.m. Indochina Time (ICT). Registration is required. Two claims clinic sessions are available –– 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (ICT) –– for those who want to schedule an appointment.
Join VFW and ZeroMils for Conversation on Thriving After Service: On Thursday, June 12, leaders from the VFW Washington Office will join ZeroMils for its second annual Military Thriving® Change Forum at Georgetown University as it convenes corporate, nonprofit, and community partners to discuss ways to create cultures and communities in which veterans thrive after service. The transition from military to civilian life is a top priority for the VFW and we are excited to be a part of this important discussion. With this in mind, ZeroMils also invites VFW members and supporters to tune in to the live stream of the event on June 12 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Beware of VA Pension Poaching Scam: Fraudsters use a tactic called “pension poaching” in attempts to swindle veterans and survivors who are potentially eligible for VA pension benefits. A pension is an income-based benefit, and these bad actors pressure individuals to manipulate their assets or add unneeded home health care expenses to deceptively adjust their earnings to qualify. If caught illegally obtaining VA benefits, the pensioner, not the fraudster, would be responsible for repaying any improperly received amounts. Read more to arm yourself against this scam.