Tuesday, March 31, 2009
DoD Changes Identification Charges
The Department of Defense (DoD) began the process of removing Social Security numbers from issued identification (ID) cards in an effort to prevent identity theft. The exception to this applies to Geneva Convention cardholders whose last four numbers of their Social Security number will remain on their cards. All ID card holders should wait until their cards are in need of renewal before replacing their cards with ones devoid of a Social Security number. The DoD instructed retirees with indefinite expiration dates on their cards to start replacing them in January 2010. Cardholders whose cards have expired may contact the nearest Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System site. If the cardholder does not know where their local RAPIDS site is located, they can visit the Rapids Site Locator to find a location nearby.
Friday, March 13, 2009
MOAA testifies on Veteran's Affairs
Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), respective Chairmen of the Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committees, welcomed representatives from MOAA and other military and veterans' groups providing testimony at a March 12 joint hearing of the two committees.
MOAA's COL Bob Norton (USA-Ret) said MOAA's top priority for the VA health system is passage of advance appropriations for the VA health care system. In 19 of the last 22 years, Congress has failed to approve the VA health care funding bill before the start of the fiscal year - causing disruption in health services, construction plans and research, and longer wait-times for veterans seeking care.
Sen. Akaka, Sen. Burr (R-NC), the Senate panel's Ranking Member, and Chairman Filner are sponsoring bills (S.423 and H.R.1016, respectively) to authorize advance VA health funding. But there are indications that the administration is backing away from its earlier support for the idea, and Budget and Appropriations Committee members have expressed skepticism.
Norton also strongly urged permanent authorization for a VA-DoD oversight office to work on seamless transition issues (authority for the current DoD/VA Senior Oversight Committee expires the end of this year) and highlighted the need for consistent training and compensation programs for wounded warriors' caregivers. He noted wide variations in services and support for caregivers within and between DoD and VA.
Sen. Akaka followed up to request expanded comments on caregiver issues. Norton responded that there are cases where family members and other caregivers have had to give up their homes, jobs and health insurance to become full-time caregivers. The nation has an absolute obligation to provide a substantive and consistent system of care for their support, he said.
Norton also recommended:
1. Reducing the huge backlog of VA disability claims through upgrades in technology, training and quality control
2. Consolidation of all GI Bill programs to maximize their utility for readjustment, recruiting and retention purposes
3. Improving the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program
4. Upgrading VA compensation and educational benefits for survivors of veterans whose death was caused by military service
5. Strengthened reemployment and financial protection laws for activated National Guard and Reserve servicemembers
MOAA's COL Bob Norton (USA-Ret) said MOAA's top priority for the VA health system is passage of advance appropriations for the VA health care system. In 19 of the last 22 years, Congress has failed to approve the VA health care funding bill before the start of the fiscal year - causing disruption in health services, construction plans and research, and longer wait-times for veterans seeking care.
Sen. Akaka, Sen. Burr (R-NC), the Senate panel's Ranking Member, and Chairman Filner are sponsoring bills (S.423 and H.R.1016, respectively) to authorize advance VA health funding. But there are indications that the administration is backing away from its earlier support for the idea, and Budget and Appropriations Committee members have expressed skepticism.
Norton also strongly urged permanent authorization for a VA-DoD oversight office to work on seamless transition issues (authority for the current DoD/VA Senior Oversight Committee expires the end of this year) and highlighted the need for consistent training and compensation programs for wounded warriors' caregivers. He noted wide variations in services and support for caregivers within and between DoD and VA.
Sen. Akaka followed up to request expanded comments on caregiver issues. Norton responded that there are cases where family members and other caregivers have had to give up their homes, jobs and health insurance to become full-time caregivers. The nation has an absolute obligation to provide a substantive and consistent system of care for their support, he said.
Norton also recommended:
1. Reducing the huge backlog of VA disability claims through upgrades in technology, training and quality control
2. Consolidation of all GI Bill programs to maximize their utility for readjustment, recruiting and retention purposes
3. Improving the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program
4. Upgrading VA compensation and educational benefits for survivors of veterans whose death was caused by military service
5. Strengthened reemployment and financial protection laws for activated National Guard and Reserve servicemembers
Friday, March 6, 2009
TRICARE STATUS from Senator Lieberman
Tricare Correspondence From Senator Lieberman
Dear Mr. Buxton:
Thank you for contacting me regarding rumored cuts in benefit programs for military retirees, including TRICARE for Life. Currently, a wealth of false and misleading information is being distributed on this matter;
and I welcome the opportunity to explain the source of the confusion.
I am aware of several chain emails, online discussion boards, blogs, and even articles in well-intentioned veterans' publications
that imply that President Obama and Congress plan on eliminating TRICARE for Life. The insinuations put forth by these sources are false.
The source of these stories is a report issued by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), entitled Budget Options Volume 1: Heath Care, released in December 2008. Before jumping to conclusions about the report itself, however, it is important to know exactly what the CBO is. CBO is a nonpartisan federal agency, tasked with providing Congress with cost estimates for the many legislative proposals considered each year. It also periodically offers Congress suggestions for adjusting federal spending. CBO is an information gathering body for Members
of Congress. Its recommendations about the budget are completely non binding; and its officers do not draft actual policy, legislation, or law.
The Budget Options report in question offersa total of 115 options for reducing (or, in some cases, increasing) federal spending on health care, only three of which relate to TRICARE. These options are merely
suggestions, not policy statements or actual legislation. Reports such as this one are routine, and very few options or recommendations made by CBO are typically acted upon. President Obama has not indicated
support for the three recommendations in this report related to TRICARE, nor has any Member of Congress, to the best of my knowledge. Any suggestion that the Administration is affiliated with this report ignores the fact that it was drafted by the CBO - which, again, is an advisory body of
the legislative branch, not the executive branch.
You may also be interested to know that both the Reserve Officers Association (ROA) and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) have issued statements condemning the aforementioned ed rumors that are being perpetuated through these chain emails.
I hope that you have found this letter informative, and I encourage you to share this information with members of your community who are concerned about issues relating to military retirees. As a member of
the Senate Armed Services Committee, please be assured of my continued commitment to protecting the various interests of all those who have fought tirelessly to protect our cherished freedoms.
Thank you again for sharing your views and concerns with me. I hope you will continue to visit my website at http://lieberman.senate.gov for updated news about my work on behalf of Connecticut and the nation. Please contact me if you have any additional questions or comments about
our work in Congress.
Sincerely,
Joseph I. Lieberman
UNITED STATES SENATOR
Dear Mr. Buxton:
Thank you for contacting me regarding rumored cuts in benefit programs for military retirees, including TRICARE for Life. Currently, a wealth of false and misleading information is being distributed on this matter;
and I welcome the opportunity to explain the source of the confusion.
I am aware of several chain emails, online discussion boards, blogs, and even articles in well-intentioned veterans' publications
that imply that President Obama and Congress plan on eliminating TRICARE for Life. The insinuations put forth by these sources are false.
The source of these stories is a report issued by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), entitled Budget Options Volume 1: Heath Care, released in December 2008. Before jumping to conclusions about the report itself, however, it is important to know exactly what the CBO is. CBO is a nonpartisan federal agency, tasked with providing Congress with cost estimates for the many legislative proposals considered each year. It also periodically offers Congress suggestions for adjusting federal spending. CBO is an information gathering body for Members
of Congress. Its recommendations about the budget are completely non binding; and its officers do not draft actual policy, legislation, or law.
The Budget Options report in question offersa total of 115 options for reducing (or, in some cases, increasing) federal spending on health care, only three of which relate to TRICARE. These options are merely
suggestions, not policy statements or actual legislation. Reports such as this one are routine, and very few options or recommendations made by CBO are typically acted upon. President Obama has not indicated
support for the three recommendations in this report related to TRICARE, nor has any Member of Congress, to the best of my knowledge. Any suggestion that the Administration is affiliated with this report ignores the fact that it was drafted by the CBO - which, again, is an advisory body of
the legislative branch, not the executive branch.
You may also be interested to know that both the Reserve Officers Association (ROA) and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) have issued statements condemning the aforementioned ed rumors that are being perpetuated through these chain emails.
I hope that you have found this letter informative, and I encourage you to share this information with members of your community who are concerned about issues relating to military retirees. As a member of
the Senate Armed Services Committee, please be assured of my continued commitment to protecting the various interests of all those who have fought tirelessly to protect our cherished freedoms.
Thank you again for sharing your views and concerns with me. I hope you will continue to visit my website at http://lieberman.senate.gov for updated news about my work on behalf of Connecticut and the nation. Please contact me if you have any additional questions or comments about
our work in Congress.
Sincerely,
Joseph I. Lieberman
UNITED STATES SENATOR
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
February Meeting
Our February meeting will be hel on 26 February at the Bluegrass Country Club with dinner served at 6:30PM. Our speaker will be Cliff Hardison, a member of our chapter.
Dinner will be:
Garden Salad
Jamaican Pork Medallions
Cheddar & Rosemary Potatoes
Green Beans Amandine
Carrott Cake
Tea, Coffee, Rolls
For more information contact CDR Dave Moomy at (615) 264-7092 or dmoomy@comcast.net.
Dinner will be:
Garden Salad
Jamaican Pork Medallions
Cheddar & Rosemary Potatoes
Green Beans Amandine
Carrott Cake
Tea, Coffee, Rolls
For more information contact CDR Dave Moomy at (615) 264-7092 or dmoomy@comcast.net.
Monday, January 26, 2009
New Chapter officers for 2009 were elected at the January dinner meeting. The oath of office was administered by Frank Edwards, the outgoing president. The new officers are:Steve Petersen - President
Steve Cronin - 1st Vice President
Fran McNutt - Treasurer
Dave Moomy - Secretary
Ben Alexander - Chaplain
Joe Heine - Legislative
Richard Smith - Benefits
Frank Edwards is congratulating Steve petersen on his election as president of the Sumner County Chpater of MOAA for 2009.Monday, January 19, 2009
January Chapter Meeting
When and Where
Our January Chapter meeting will be held on Thursday, January 22nd, at Bluegrass Country Club in Hendersonville, TN. We will meet at 6:00 PM and have dinner at 6:30 PM. The cost of the meal will be $24.00 per person.
Menu
Garden Salad
Chicken Ambassador
Scalloped Potatoes
Buttered Asparagus Spears
New York Cheese Cake
Rolls
Tea and Coffee
NOTE: If coming to the dinner on short notice, please call Fran McNutt at 672-7713.
Installation of 2009 Officers
The slate of new officers for 2009 will presented at the meeting. They are:
President – Steve Petersen
1st Vice President – Steve Cronin
2nd Vice President – TBD
Treasurer – Danny Cox
Secretary – Dave Moomy
Legislation – Joe Heine
Benefits – Richard Smith
After the election, the new officers will be installed by Frank Edwards, the outgoing President.
MOAA Chapter Meeting Presentations
We are pleased to have Mr. Fred Bailey, Founder and Executive Director for “Children Are People, Inc.” to be our speaker. His program assists at-risk children and their families with developing academic and life skills in order to produce responsible, self-sufficient adults who contribute to the community. Please check his website at www.capinctn.org .
As we plan and coordinate guest presenters for our MOAA meetings this year we very much would like feedback from you on whom and/or what topics you desire to have presented to our members.
As we plan and coordinate guest presenters for our MOAA meetings this year we very much would like feedback from you on whom and/or what topics you desire to have presented to our members.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Toys for Tots Update
From Joe Heine:
Would you please send this out to all of our members electronically.
Our Toy's For Tot's collection at Sunday's Christmas Party netted 69 toy's. It was a tremendous effort by all concerned and when I delivered them to the Marine Corps Reserves Sumner County Coordinator this afternoon, his often repeated word was "AWESOME".
On behalf of the Marine Corps Reserve, a HUGE THANK YOU to all of our members for supporting such a worthy cause, the children who would have otherwise not received much, if anything, this coming Christmas morning.
Would you please send this out to all of our members electronically.
Our Toy's For Tot's collection at Sunday's Christmas Party netted 69 toy's. It was a tremendous effort by all concerned and when I delivered them to the Marine Corps Reserves Sumner County Coordinator this afternoon, his often repeated word was "AWESOME".
On behalf of the Marine Corps Reserve, a HUGE THANK YOU to all of our members for supporting such a worthy cause, the children who would have otherwise not received much, if anything, this coming Christmas morning.
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