Military Officer - September 2008 - (Page 36)

washingtonscene COLA Watch ! As this column went to press, inflation stood at a cumulative 5.7 percent for the fiscal year, with three months still to go. If that pace continues, 2009 would see the highest COLA in 26 years. But a drop in gas prices could change that. menting reciprocal procedures to cut red tape for military children. As additional states approve the compact, their representatives will join the commission. Every state should sign the compact to help all relocating military kids gain improved record transfers, reduce repetitive courses, and provide a greater opportunity for advancement, college admission acceptance, and scholarships. If your state failed to enact the legislation this year or will consider it next year, engage your state legislators and encourage its adoption. MOAA has been a supporter of the compact since the beginning, and MOAA members, chapters, and councils continue to work hard to promote its adoption in their states. eran population and the rising numbers of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. VA Disconnect on Guard and Reserve Neither servicemembers nor families get word. A Investing in Veterans Congress adds $3 billion to VA budget. T he House Appropriations Committee already has beefed up the administration’s VA and military construction budget by almost $3 billion. Now the Senate Appropriations Committee is set to add even more. VA and Military Construction Subcommittee Chair Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) chastised the administration for cutting PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and prosthetics research funding by $38 million and VA construction accounts by $788 million. He also indicated the committee was considering raising income thresholds to make more nondisabled veterans eligible for VA care. MOAA supports such efforts to continue improving a VA health care system that chronically was underfunded in past years, given increasing demand from an aging vet- VA inspector general report released in July said the VA failed to send outreach letters to more than 36,000 National Guard and Reserve veterans. The report said this was one example of problems encountered by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in accessing the VA claims and transition-assistance programs and highlighted shortfalls in VA staff training to understand eligibility requirements for Guard and Reserve veterans. At a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing July 23, VA ofﬁcials addressed what is being done to remedy these issues. But testimony from reserve component commanders and military and civilian mental health providers got most of the committee’s attention. They acknowledged several VA programs are in place but said servicemembers and their families still are falling through the cracks. Their suggestions: ! The VA and DoD don’t need to be the only source of care — care can be supplemented by building a large civilian network that’s willing to help. ! The VA needs larger numbers of experienced mental health providers to provide group and individual care for veterans and their families. ! DoD and the VA need to educate the public that many servicemembers are experiencing normal reactions to combat or operational stress, not all of which are related to PTSD or traumatic brain 36 MILITARY OFFICER SEPTEMBER 2008

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Military Officer - September 2008 Contents MOAA Online From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Chapters in Action Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Middle Ground Finance Your Future One Step at a Time Cover Story: Reducing the Threat Slow Boat Through China Practice Makes Perfect Pages of History Faces of MOAA Information Exchange Member Books MOAA Scholarship Donors Advertising Index MOAA Member Services MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps Encore

Military Officer - September 2008

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