Thousands Of Military Families Struggle With Food Insecurity. 

It's a crisis that has existed for years inside one of the most well-funded institutions on the planet and has only worsened during the coronavirus pandemic. As many of 160,000 active-duty military members are having trouble feeding their families. That estimate by Feeding America, which coordinates the work of more than 200 food banks around the country, underscores how long-term food insecurity has extended into every aspect of American life, including the military. To read more, please click here.

Some TRICARE Users Will See A Price Increase In 2022.

Unfortunately, military families and retirees will be paying more for Tricare in 2022. Next year's fees were announced on Tricare's website on Nov. 5. Many using Tricare Prime and Tricare Select will see slight increases in their enrollment fees and deductibles, as well as increases in co-payments for some medical services in the coming year. To read more, please click here.

 The Pentagon Is Failing To Screen Most Transitioning Troops For Suicide Risk, Watchdog Says.

Most new veterans aren't getting screened for suicide risk and may be missing mental health treatment in the crucial first years of transitioning to civilian life, despite a presidential order that the military provide the service, the Defense Department inspector general found in a new report released Friday. The Pentagon screened only about one-third -- 34% in 2020 and 30% in 2019 -- of transitioning troops, who face an overall risk of suicide that's three times higher than active-duty service members, the IG reported. To read more, please click here.

VA and the White House Unveil Pilot Evaluation Model for Veterans Prospectively Exposed to Environmental Hazards While Serving 

By: Matthew Schwartzman

On Veterans Day, the VA and the Biden-Harris Administration announced the piloting of a "comprehensive military exposure model" to better determine the relationship existent between military service and exposure to toxic substance(s) during a said time of service. 

According to a press release from the VA, the goal of the new model is to "lower the burden of proof for Veterans impacted by exposures and speed up the delivery of health care and benefits they need."  

While the technicalities of the new model are yet to be publicly released, according to the VA, the new model will continue to "leverage scientific findings from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine available and relevant scientific research data, surveillance of Veterans' health outcomes, and adding the review of VA claims and military environmental research for trends and identify new concerns." 

From the information we have been able to gather thus far, the standard will be one of "equipoise." Within the context of ethical standards of clinical and personal research, a state of equipoise exists when a clinician has "no good basis for a choice between two or more care options or when one is truly uncertain about the overall benefit or harm offered." 

Our Military and Government Relations Team has been in contact with the VA to gather more information, and we will update you as soon as possible. 

However, in the interim, it appears as if the VA will look to employ this presumptive model to assess potential associations between environmental exposures and constrictive bronchiolitis, lung cancers, and rare respiratory cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma of larynx or trachea and saltatory gland-type tumors of the trachea. It is also important to note that the relatively recent decision to begin processing disability claims for asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis was made under the guise of the pilot model. 

According to the VA, the presumptive decision model pilot will run until April 1, 2022. After April 1, the VA will "look to use the results of the pilot to formalize the model." 

"We are seeking more information from Veterans, more evidence from more sources, and looking to take every avenue possible to determine where a potential presumptive illness based on military service location may exist in a more expedient and holistic manner, "said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. "We want all Veterans who may have been impacted to file a claim even if it was previously denied." 

In addition to developing and testing this new pilot model for determining presumptives, and adding asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis to the presumptive list, the Biden-Harris Administration also issued further guidance to move forward "to support our service members and veterans who may have encountered environmental hazards." 

According to a FACT SHEET released by the White House, the Administration intends to: 

• Improve data on individual exposures
• Raise awareness of VA benefits related to military exposures
• Expand training for VA and non-VA providers
• Establish a network of specialized providers and call center
• Extend the enhanced eligibility period for veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation New Dawn (OND) in Iraq.

For more information, please click here. 

This is all happening parallel to efforts on the Hill to pass comprehensive toxic exposure reform. Both the COST of War Act of 2021 and Honoring our PACT Act of 2021 would establish a framework to allow for millions of Veterans exposed to toxic substances to receive healthcare and benefits from the VA.  

Toxic exposure legislation is a leading priority for the AFSA's Military and Government Relations Team. As was reported in the summer version of the AFSA Magazine, this year's open letter to Congress, as approved by AFSA delegates at the 2021 Professional Education and Development Symposium in Orlando this July, specifically addressed each respective bill pending before the 117th Congress.  

In short, the letter respectfully requests congressional consideration of the following: 

• Expand a presumption of service connection to include K-2 veterans
• Ensure health care personnel and processors of claims have adequate training with respect to toxic exposure veterans
• Provide for reevaluations of claims for compensation involving certain presumptions of service connection
• Require consultation with congressionally chartered membership-based VSOs on select appointments to de jure advisory bodies that make determinations on presumptions.

As is the case with many scenarios wherein the VA is compelled (whether by the federal rulemaking process or via congressional action) to treat a larger cohort of veterans than at a previous point in time, claims backlog and/or systemic inaccuracy in claims processing is a concern at the forefront. 

Below is a graph displaying the current status of VA claims backlogged. 

To date, the VA is experiencing a claims backlog of 257,671. FYSA: this includes rating bundle disability compensation and pension claims received by VA and initial and supplemental claims for service-connected disabilities for Veterans and their survivors, Agent Orange-related claims, and pension claims for Veterans. 

In October, the VA announced it would hire and train 2,000 new employees to assist in claims processing, utilize funds provided via the American Rescue Plan for overtime to ensure timely claims processing, and deploy requested Fiscal Year 2022 budget resources to support Agent Orange presumptive processing, as well as for general compensation and pension claims processing. 

The AFSA stands at the ready to support the VA to ensure it is best equipped to deliver the best outcomes to beneficiaries in the reach of the enterprise. 

If you have any questions about any of the topics covered in AFSA On the Hill entry, please don't hesitate to reach out at mschwartzman@hqafsa.org.

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.

In sum, food insecurity in the military continues to gain momentum and national exposure. Both the House and Senate versions of the Fiscal Year 2022 NDAA contain provisions that would seek to provide service members and military families' relief; specifically, via a basic needs allowance (BNA). 

While opposed by AFSA, many TRICARE fees are increased annually by the amount of the military retired pay cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Because COLA for 2022 is higher than it has been for decades (5.9%), the dollar amounts of TRICARE fee increases will also be higher than we have seen in the recent past.

AFSA does support legislation that would eliminate the enrollment fee for those who retired prior to 2018 and their dependents. If you would like to support HQ efforts on this front, please visit the Legislative Action Center of this edition of the M&G-B.

And that's the way it is for Tuesday, November 16, 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!