Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2008

Improving survivor benefits for widows of deceased veterans and to restore and improve Veterans benefits. S.225,S.326,S.384,S.644,S.648,S.935,S.1063,S.1315,S.1326,S.1606,S.1784,S.2162,S.2504,S.2617,S.2674,S.2825,S.2836,S.2854,S.2921,S.2938,S.2969,S.2992,S.3023,S.3107,S.3299,HR23,HR92,HR657,HR690,HR760,HR843,HR1108,HR1211,HR1214, HR1428,HR1527,HR1585,HR1589,HR1641,HR1927,HR2192,HR2202,HR2247,HR2385,HR2682,HR2702,HR2790,HR2910 HR3026,HR3393,HR3458,HR3793,HR3819,HR4053,HR4107,HR4137,HR4146,HR4204,HR4255,HR5892,HR6225, HR6268,HR6445,HR6599,HR6600

Client expense: $429,304 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Other), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

HR 6122, HR 6114, HR 6032, HR 5985, HR 5954, HR 5892, HR 5888, HR 5730, HR 5729, HR 5709, HR 5684, HR 5622, HR 5595, HR 5554, HR 5509, HR 5448, HR 5454, HR 5155, HR 4463, HR 4274, HR 4231, HR 4204, HR 4146, HR 4107, HR 4089, HR 4053, HR 3954, HR 3889, HR 3819, HR 3795, HR 3681, HR 3458, HR 3415, HR 3286, HR 3249, HR 3070, HR 3047, HR 3008, HR 2818, HR 2790, HR 2697, HR 2696, HR 2623, HR 2612, HR 2514, HR 2378, HR 2259, HR 2239, HR 2219, HR 2192, HR 2190, HR 2173, HR 2172, HR 2026, HR 2005, HR 1944, HR 1927, HR 1925, HR 1853, HR 1589, HR 1538, HR 1527, HR 1490, HR 1448, HR 1477, HR 1472, HR 1470, HR 1444, HR 1435, HR 1426, HR 1382, HR 1370, HR 1354, HR 1318, HR 1315, HR 1284, HR 1265, HR 1214, HR 1197, HR 1137, HR 995, HR 976, HR 963, HR 797, HR 728, HR 704, HR 676, HR 675, HR 652, HR 649, HR 634, HR 612, HR 542, HR 538, HR 463, HR 402, HR 358, HR 343, HR 339, HR 336, HR 333, HR 315, HR 303, HR 243, HR 161, HR 156, HR 109, HR 100, HR 92, HR 81, HR 67, H.Con.RES 336, H.Con.RES 176, S 3023, S 2984, S 2969, S 2963, S 2961, S 2951, S 2938, S 2937, S 2926, S 2921, S 2899, S 2889, S 2864, S 2825, S 2824, S 2799, S 2797, S 2796, S 2768, S 2737, S 2701, S 2683, S 2639, S 2674, S 2617, S 2573, S 2550, S 2471, S 2383, S 2377, S 2309, S 2273, S 2162, S 2160, S 2142, S 2139, S 2138, S 2091, S 2090, S 2026, S 2004, S 1718, S.1454, S 1441, S 1326, S 1315, S 1314, S 1271, S 1266, 2 1265, S 1261, S 1233, S 1215, S 1205, S 1196, S 1163, S 1147, S 1096, S 1065, S 1043, S 1026, S 994, S 961, S 935, S 882, S 874, S 848, S 847, S 815, S 698, S 692, S 643, S 610, S 526, S 479, S 472, S 439, S 423, S 383, S 349 S 326, S 225, S 168, S 161, S 117, S 67, S 57, S 38, S 22.

Client expense: $240,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Improving survivor benefits for widows of deceased veterans and to restore and improve Veterans benefits. S22,S225,S326,S384,S644,S648,S935,S1063,S1315,S1326,S1606,S1784,S2162,S2504,S2825,S2836,S2854,S2921,S2938,S2992 HR23,HR92,HR657,HR690,HR760,HR843,HR1211,HR1214,HR1428,HR1585,HR1589,HR1641,HR1927,HR2202,HR2247, HR2385,HR2682,HR2702,HR2790,HR2910,HR3026,HR3393,HR3458,HR3819,HR4053,HR4107,HR4137,HR4146,HR4204, HR4930,HR5223,HR5315,HR5595,HR5609,HR5684,HR5740,HR5791,HR5854,HR5864,HR5868,HR6185

Client expense: $626,803 · Firm income: Not reported

Improving survivor benefits for widows of deceased veterans and to restore and improve Veterans benefits. S.22,S.225,S.326,S384,S644,S935,S1063,S1315,S1326,S1606,S1784,S2162, - HR 5684, HR5740 HR23,HR92,HR657,HR760,HR843,HR1211,HR1214,HR1585,HR1589,HR1641,HR1927,HR2202,HR2247,HR2385,HR2682, HR2702,HR2790,HR2910,HR3026,HR3393,HR3458,HR3819,HR4053,HR4107,HR4137,HR4146,HR4204,HR5223

Client expense: $515,000 · Firm income: Not reported

HR 5509, HR 4107, HR 4053, HR 3819, HR 2790, HR 2623, HR 2612, HR 2514, HR 2239, HR 2190, HR 2026, HR 1944, HR 1927, HR 1589, HR 1538, HR 1477, HR 1472, HR 1470, HR 1426, HR 1382, HR 1354, HR 1318, HR 1315, HR 1284, HR 1265, HR 1214, HR 1197, HR 1137, HR 995, HR 976, HR 963, HR 797, HR 728, HR 704, HR 676, HR 675, HR 652, HR 649, HR 634, HR 612, HR 402, HR 358, HR 343, HR 333HR 303, HR 243, HR 161, HR 156, HR 109, HR 100, HR 81, HR 67, H.Con.RES 176, S 2799, S 2639, S 2674, S 2617, S 2160, S 2026, S.1454, S 1441, S 1326, S 1315, S 1314, S 1271, S 1266, 2 1265, S 1196, S 1096, S 1065, S 994, S 935, S 848, S 847, S 815, S 698, S 643, S 479, S 439, S 423, S 383, S 349 S 326, S 161, S 67, S 57, S 22.

Client expense: $200,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Veterans Employment & Training Service

HR 585--Amend title 38, USC, to expand the number of individuals qualifying for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance--Amends the Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006 to remove the requirement that, in order to qualify for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury protection coverage under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program during the period beginning on October 7, 2001, and ending on November 30, 2005, the Secretary of the military department concerned must determine that the loss was a direct result of a traumatic injury incurred in the theater of operations for Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom (thus including traumatic injury incurred while performing other types of military service during such period under such coverage). HR 760--Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007--Amend title 38, USC, to deem certain service in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been active service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the VA Secretary. HR 1137--Amend title 38, USC, to increase to $2,000 the amount of the Medal of Honor special pension under that title and to provide for payment of that pension to the surviving spouse of a deceased Medal of Honor recipient--Increases from $1,000 to $2,000 the monthly special pension paid to Medal of Honor recipients. Provides for payment of such pension to the surviving spouse of a deceased recipient as long as the surviving spouse was married to the recipient: (1) for one year or more; or (2) for any period of time if a child was born of the marriage or was born to them before the marriage. HR 1944--Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act of 2007--Amend title 38, USC, to direct the VA Secretary to screen certain veterans for symptoms of traumatic brain injury. HR 2005--Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2007--Authorizes the VA Secretary to pay travel expenses for veterans receiving treatment at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities at the rate provided to federal employees in connection with the performance of official duties. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and operate at least one and up to five centers of excellence for rural health research, education, and clinical activities; (2) establish a grant program to provide innovative transportation options to veterans in remote rural areas; (3) carry out demonstration projects to examine alternatives for expanding care for veterans in rural areas; and (4) report annually to Congress on matters related to VA care for veterans residing in rural areas. HR 2579--Amend title 38, USC--Amend title 38, USC, to authorize the use of funds in the Department of Veterans Affairs readjustment benefits accounts and funds appropriated for such purpose to provide funding for State approving agencies. HR 2623--Amend title 38, USC--Amend title 38, USC, to prohibit the collection of copayments for all hospice care furnished by VA. HR 3047--Veterans Claims Processing Innovation Act of 2007--Directs the VA Secretary to establish a work credit system for evaluating regional offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) with respect to veterans' claims processing. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop and maintain a system for processing veterans' disability compensation claims using artificial intelligence that utilizes medical and military service data to generate disability rating recommendations; and (2) maintain a regional office at which all such claims are processed exclusively electronically. Provides that if a veteran who is a claimant dies before completing the submission of a claim for benefits, the person who would receive any accrued benefits(s) due to such veteran shall be treated as the claimant for purposes of completing submission of the claim. Directs the Secretary to contract with a private entity to evaluate the training and assessment programs for VBA employees. HR 3249--Veterans Burial Benefits Improvement Act of 2007--Increases the authorized allowance for burial and funeral expenses for deceased veterans who: (1) at the time of death were in receipt of veterans' disability compensation or veterans' pension benefits; or (2) were veterans of any war or were discharged of released from active military service for a service-connected disability and for whom there is no next of kin or sufficient resources to cover funeral and burial costs. Increases the burial plot allowance for veterans who, at the time of death, were receiving hospital or nursing home care in or through the VA. Authorizes the annual adjustment of such allowances by the same percentage increase as adjustments to benefit amounts payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. HR 3286--Amend title 38, USC, to reduce the period of time for which a veteran must be totally disabled before the veteran's survivors are eligible for the benefits provided by the VA Secretary for survivors of certain veterans rated totally disabled at time of death--Allows veterans' disability compensation benefits to be paid to the survivor of a veteran whose service-connected disability was continuously rated totally disabling for at least one year immediately preceding death. (Current law allows such survivor right of payment if the disability was rated total for periods of up to ten years under various circumstances). HR 3415--Amend title 38, USC, to authorize the placement in a national cemetery of memorial markers for the purpose of commemorating servicemembers or other persons whose remains are interred in an American Battle Monuments Commission cemetery--Requires the VA Secretary to furnish for placement a memorial headstone or marker in a national cemetery to commemorate veterans and their spouses whose remains are interred in an American Battle Monuments Commission cemetery. HR 23; S 961--Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of WWII Act of 2007--Directs the VA Secretary to pay a monthly benefit of $1,000 to certain honorably-discharged veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine who served between December 7, 1941, and December 3, 1946 (or to their survivors). Includes service in the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service. Exempts from taxation benefits paid under this Act. S 383--A bill to amend title 38, USC, to extend the period of eligibility for health care for combat service in the Persian Gulf War or future hostilities from two years to five years after discharge or release--Extends from 2 years to 5 years following discharge or release the eligibility period for certain veterans who served in combat after the Persian Gulf War to receive hospital care, medical services, or nursing home care provided by the VA Secretary, notwithstanding a lack of evidence to conclude that their condition is attributable to such service. HR 797; S 1163; PL 110-157--Blinded Veterans Paired Organ Act of 2007--A bill to amend title 38, USC, to improve compensation and specially adapted housing for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes, and to provide for the use of the National Directory of New Hires for income verification purposes. S 1233--Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Act of 2007--A bill to provide and enhance intervention, rehabilitative treatment, and services to veterans with traumatic brain injury. HR 2790--Amend title 38, USC, to establish the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services within the office of the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health--Establishes within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services, who shall report to the VHA's Under Secretary for Health on all matters relating to the education and training, employment, appropriate utilization, and optimal participation of physician assistants within VHA programs and initiatives. HR 3458--Direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on the provision of traumatic brain injury care in rural areas--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program in five rural States selected by the Secretary, in consultation with the Office of Rural Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs. In each of the five States selected, the Secretary shall assign a specific Department of Veterans Affairs case manager to each individual diagnosed with traumatic brain injury who is receiving care in a medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs in a selected State. HR 3819--Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2007--Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reimburse certain veterans without a service-connected disability enrolled as active participants of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care plan for the cost of emergency treatment received in a non-VA facility until such time as such veterans are transferred to a VA facility. Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary to reimburse certain veterans with a service-connected disability or a non-service-connected disability associated with or aggravating a service-connected disability for the value of emergency treatment for which such veterans have made payment from sources other than the VA. HR 4053--Mental Health Improvements Act of 2007--Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure the provision of specified substance use disorder treatment services at each VA medical Center and community-based outpatient clinic. Requires the Secretary to ensure that treatment for a substance use disorder and a comorbid mental health disorder is provided concurrently by a team of experienced clinicians. Requires the Secretary to: (1) carry out a program of enhanced care and treatment for veterans with substance use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and (2) establish at least six national centers of excellence on PTSD and substance use disorders. Requires a report on residential mental health care facilities of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Pays tribute to Justin Bailey. Requires a: (1) pilot program on peer outreach and support services, readjustment counseling services, and other mental health services for veterans of OIF and OEF; (2) program of research into comorbid PTSD and substance use disorder and (3) pilot program on the provision of readjustment and transition assistance to veterans and their families in cooperation with Vet Centers. HR 4107--Woman Veterans Health Care Improvement Act--Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) conduct a long- term epidemiological study on the health of women veterans who served on active duty in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom; (2) assess barriers encountered by women veterans to the provision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of comprehensive health car; (3) assess all health care services and programs provided by the VA for women veterans; (4) provide training for mental health professionals who provide counseling to women veterans suffering from sexual trauma; (5) develop a plan for the identification, development, and dissemination of treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other conditions attributable to combat or sexual trauma that are proven effective for women veterans; (6) conduct a study of the provision of readjustment counseling and related mental health services for women veterans at vet centers; (7) carry out a pilot program for child care for certain women veterans receiving health care from VA facilities; and (8) carry out a pilot program to evaluate feasibility of providing counseling and transition adjustment assistance for women veterans who are newly separated from active duty service. Requires women veterans recently separated from active duty service to be included on the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. HR 4146--Amend title 38, USC, to clarify the availability of emergency medical care for veterans in non-Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities--Requires the determination of whether a veteran can be transferred to a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility after receiving emergency medical treatment in a non-Department facility to be based both on the condition of the veteran and on the availability of a bed in a Department facility that is not geographically inaccessible to the veteran. HR 4204--Veterans Suicide Study Act--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study to determine the number of veterans who have committed suicide between January 1, 1997 and the date of the enactment of this Act. Testimony to House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Economic Opportunity--Testimony on expiring Department of Veterans Affairs Programs--Adjustable Rates Mortgages, Apprenticeship and on-the-job training, Post Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program, Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance, Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program, DOL VETS Program, VETS Claim Referral Program to Office of Special Counsel. Testimony to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs--Findings and Recommendations of the Veterans Disability Commission with Respect to the Current Disability Compensation System--American Legion recommends changes to VA Disability ratings. Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs--On the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Improve VA's Claim Processing System--American Legion cautions VA on use of AI to improve claims processing. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs--VA Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2009--VA Budget Request, Veterans Health Care Administration, Mandatory Funding of VA Medical Care, Third-Party Reimbursements, Medicare Reimbursements, Medical Construction and Infrastructure Support, Major and Minor Construction, Veterans Benefits Administration, National Cemetery Administration, National Shrine Commitment, State Cemetery Construction Grants, GI Bill and Veterans Education Benefits, State Approving Agencies, VA Home Loan Guarantee Program, Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Department of Labor VETS service, Homelessness, Training, Veterans Workforce and Investment Program, Employment Rights and Veterans Preference, Veteran/Service-Connected Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses. Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs--Testimony regarding problems in claims--Examining the backlog and VA's claims processing system. Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health--VA Construction Authorization--Advocate greater funding for VA Construction purposes. Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health--Supporting Those who Support our Veterans--Mental Health Treatment for Veterans' Families.

H.R. 2790, a bill to establish a head of VA Physician Assistants H.R. 3458, a bill to establish a pilot program on TBI care H.R. 3819, the "Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act" H.R. 4053, the "Mental Health Improvements Act" H.R. 4107, the "Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act" H.R. 4146, Emergency medical care in non-VA facilities H.R. 4204, the "Veterans Suicide Study Act" H.R. 4231, the "Rural Veterans Health Care Access Act" H.R. 1102, the "Total Force Educational Assistance Enhancement and Integration Act" H.R. 1211, the "Resuming Education After Defense Service Act" H.R. 1214, the "Veterans' Survivors Education Act" H.R. 2247, the "Montgomery GI Bill For Life Act" H.R. 2385, the "21st Century GI Bill of Rights Act" H.R. 2702, the "Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act" H.R. 2910, the "Veterans' Education Tuition Support Act" The "Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Authorization and Lease Act"

Client expense: $143,238 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)