Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009

Veterans Legislatoin (See Next Page) Carney Draft Bill - This legislation would create a toll free VA hotline to facilitate communication between college counselors and VA mental health professionals that are familiar with service related mental health conditions. It provides VA training to college counselors concerning service related mental health issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression, sexual assault, sexual trauma, and readjustment disorder. It also creates a standard process for the VA to certify college counselors to ensure competence at treating service related mental health conditions. HR 24 - To redesignate the Department of the Navy to The Department of the Navy and Marine Corps, thus giving the Marine Corps official recognition. S 1963 Caregivers and Veterans of Omnibus Health Services Act. The VA caregivers portion of the Presidnets budget does not cover the full cost of the program. HR 2879 - Rural Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 to make improveents to veterans health care, increasing travel compen-sation to 41.5 cents per mile for veterans traveling to receive care at a VA facility and establishes a grant program to improve transportation for veterans coming from highly rural areas. It creates 1 to 5 centers of excellence in rural areas providing health care research and education. to introduce a comprehensive veterans jobs bill immediately! Filner Employment - To include in a comprehensive Veterans Jobs Package to include: expanding and doubling the work opportunity tax credit, revamping the VR&E program, providing funds for a comprehensive employment campaign, including vocational training and certifications in the post 9/11 G.I. Bill, increasing servicemembers ability to transfer their training and skills, mandating that DOL-VETS do a thorough review of the DVOP/LVER program, reforming the vets-100 filing report, conducting a an annual representative survey of unemployed veterans, conducting a job-fair in every congressional district, extending unemployment insurance for veterans, and others. S 3162 - Legislation that will clarify and protect all VA healthcare programs including CHAMPUS VA and spina bifida care under the new healthcare legislation. S. 3192 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the tolling of the timing of review for appeals of final decisions of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and for other purposes. S 3234 Veterans Employment Act of 2010 - For the future of American veterans expands the Veteran Business Center Program to provide training and counseling, expands the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill to include apprenticeships and job training programs, and establishes a Veterans Conservation Corps Grant Program and a Veterans Energy/Green Jobs Grant Program. HR 3257 - The Militar Family Leave Act, which will be offered as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. This bill would grant the family of servicemembers temporary annual leave during their deployment. Baucus Veteran Employment Transition Act of 2010. This draft bill will make major improvements in helping boost veterans employment. It would create a more efficient system whereby businesses who hire recent veterans receive a Work Opportunity Tax Credit. Holt Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act - which would provide funding for suicide prevention programs for members of the Individual Ready Reserve. This legislation will fill a critical void in the militarys suicide prevention services which does not easily reach those in the IRR and IMAs who are between deployments. Hall - Legislation seeking to designate the musical piece Taps as the national song of remembrance. FY 2011 Defense Appropriations bill which provides $20 million dollars for outreach programs authorized under the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. These resources are critical to supporting innovative, community-based veterans and military families outreach programs for members of the National Guard, the Reserves and their families in all three phases of deployment: pre-deployment, active duty, and post deployment. HR 3257, The Military Family Leave Act, which will be offered as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. Your bill would grant the family of servicemembers temporary annual leave during their deployment. This legislation greatly benefit veterans and their families by providing two weeks of leave for every family member (spouse, sibling, or parent) of a service member who receives orders to active duty in support of a contingency operation, or who is deployed in connection with a contingency operation. HR 4006 - To ammend title 38, United States Code, to provide for Indian veterans health care coordinators and other purposes. This bill improves health care for American Indian veterans by implementing Indian veterans healthcare coordinators in ten VA facilities with the highest rate of Indians. HR 4213 - The Tax Extenders Act of 2009 to provide a one time check of $250.00 to veterans who do not receive social security, social security recipients and SSI recipients. HR 4443 - To ammend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the work opportunity tax credit for hiring veterans. HR 4765 - Legislation that would specifically authorize VA work-study student positions in congressional offices. Your important legislation would insure that great opportunities in congressional offices are available to veterans who are finishing their schooling and looking to gain valuable employment skills. H.R. 5014 which would clarify and protect all VA health care programs including CHAMPVA, Vocational Rehabilitation and spina bifida care under the new health care bill. To benefit veterans and their families by ensuring that all VA health care programs meet the require standards for individual health insurance coverage under the new health care law. It will also protect the benefits of Vietnam War and certain Korean War veterans children who have been diagnosed with spina bifida. H.R. 5064, Fair Access to Veterans Benefits Act of 2010. This bill creates flexibility in favor of the veteran within the claims appeals process. Currently, there is a 120 day deadline to file an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. However, your legislation extends the deadline if special circumstances result in a veteran missing the 120 day deadline to file an appeal. Foxx bill extending home loans for surviving spouses of certain totally-disabled veterans. Under section 3701(b) of title 38, United States Code, surviving spouses of totally-disabled veterans can apply for a VA home loan only if their spouse dies due to a service-related cause. Under this legislation home loans would also be extended to the surviving spouse of a totally-disabled veteran who dies from a non-service related cause. Allowing a military widow to utilize the VA home loan program is the right thing to do. We applaud your effort to fight for benefits of all surviving spouses of our nations veterans. HR 5282 - Which provides greater funding to the Veterans Curation Project. The Veterans Curation Project has been a great success since the Army Corps of Engineers opened its first veterans laboratory in Augusta, Georgia. The Army Corps of Engineers is working closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Veteran Service Organizations to ensure greater cooperation in providing valuable technical and management skills to veterans for future employment opportunities. Dicks $25 million authorization and appropriation to fund the Gulf War Veterans Illnesses Research Program (GWVIRP) within the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Commands (USAMRMC) Office of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 5360, HR 4894, HR 4887, HR 4477, HR 4048, HR 3949, HR 3491, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2990, HR 2980, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2713, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 2180, HR 1879, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1169, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 3148, S 1963, S 1939, S 1779, S 1407, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S. 546, S. 535, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S.Con.Res. 13.

Client expense: $190,000 · Firm income: Not reported

H.R. 84: Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act -- Makes the standard for access to care for a veteran seeking primary care from the Department of Veterans Affairs 30 days from the date the veteran contacts the Department. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe an appropriate standard for waiting times at Department health-care facilities as measured from the time a visit is scheduled until the time the veteran is seen. Directs the Secretary to periodically review the performance of Department health-care facilities in meeting such standards. Authorizes the Secretary to contract for health care services in non-Department facilities in a case in which the Secretary is unable to meet access standards. Prohibits such contracting-out with respect to a Department geographic service area that has a compliance rate in meeting such standards of 90 percent or more. Requires quarterly reports from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees on the Department's experience with respect to waiting times. H.R. 1036: Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act of 2009 -- To amend title 38, USC, to establish the position of Director of Physical Therapy Service within the Veterans Health Administration and to establish a fellowship program for physical therapists in the areas of geriatrics, amputee rehabilitation, polytrauma care, and rehabilitation research H.R. 1075: RECOVER Act (Restoring Essential Care for Our Veterans for Effective Recovery Act) -- Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, if a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility that would otherwise provide covered medical services to veterans residing in an area for which a major disaster is declared is unable to provide such services for at least 180 days due to such disaster, to contract with one or more non-VA facilities in that area to provide such services to veterans who reside within 150 miles of the VA facility that is unable to provide the services. Makes such requirement inapplicable to a VA facility that is closed, or that the Secretary intends to close, as part of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) process. Makes this Act applicable to any VA facility unable to provide covered services on or after August 29, 2005, by reason of a major disaster. H.R. 1211: Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act -- To amend title 38, U.S.C., to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. H.R. 1335: To amend title 38, USC, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain copayments from veterans who are catastrophically disabled. -- Prohibits the collection by the VA of copayments or other fees for hospital or nursing home care in the case of catastrophically disabled veterans. H.R. 1546: Caring for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2009 -- Directs the VA Secretary to establish within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) the Committee on Care of Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury to continually assess VHA capability to meet the treatment and rehabilitation needs of veterans with traumatic brain injury. H.R. 2504: To amend title 38, USC, to provide for an increase in the annual amount authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans. -- To amend title 38, USC, to provide for an increase in the annual amount authorized to be appropriated to the VA Secretary to carry out comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans. H.R. 2698: Veterans and Survivors Behavioral Health Awareness Act -- Directs the VA Secretary to provide scholarships to individuals pursuing education or training in behavioral health care specialties that are critical to the operations of Vet Centers (centers for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans) in order to recruit and retain individuals with such specialties for service in Vet Centers. Conditions the scholarship on the recipient's agreeing to serve in such a capacity for whatever period the Secretary specifies in the agreement. Directs the Secretary, on receipt of a request for counseling from an individual who has been discharged or released from active service, to: (1) provide referrals to assist the individual in obtaining mental health care and services outside the VA; and (2) if pertinent, advise such individual of the individual's rights to apply for review of the discharge or release. Directs the Secretary to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide emotional support services for survivors of deceased members of the Armed Forces and deceased veterans through the survivors' peers. H.R. 2699: Armed Forces Behavioral Health Awareness Act -- Makes any member of the Armed Forces who is deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom eligible for readjustment counseling and related mental health services through Vet Centers (centers for such counseling and services for veterans), regardless of the member's duty status. Directs the Secretary of Defense to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide emotional support services for family members of members of the Armed Forces, including members of the reserves. Requires the Secretary of the Army to carry out a pilot program to enhance awareness of post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD) among members of the Army. H.R. 2701: FY 2010 Intelligence Authorization Act -- Support of the retention of section 348 which would require a declassification review of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) records that may be pertinent to the health problems being suffered by as many as 175,000 Desert Storm veterans. H.R. 2879: Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 -- Authorizes the VA Secretary to pay travel expenses for veterans receiving treatment at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities at the rate of 41.5 cents per mile. (Under current law the rate is that 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 highly rural areas; (3) carry out demonstration projects to examine alternatives for expanding care for veterans in rural areas; (4) establish a program to provide peer support, readjustment, and mental health services to veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (and related services to their family members); (5) assign an Indian Veterans Health Care Coordinator for each of the ten VA facilities that serve communities with the greatest per capita number of Indian veterans; (6) report to Congress jointly with the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the advisability of the joint establishment and operation by the VAs Veterans Health Administration and the Indian Health Service of health clinics to serve populations of Indian reservations, including Indian veterans; and (7) report annually to Congress on matters related to VA care for veterans residing in rural areas. H.R. 2990: Disabled Military Retiree Relief Act -- To provide special pays and allowances to certain members of the Armed Forces, expand concurrent receipt of military retirement and VA disability benefits to disabled military retirees, and for other purposes. H.R. 3257, H.R. 3484, H.R. 3579, H.R. 3813, H.R. 3948, H.R. 3976, H.R. 4079, H.R. 4203, H.R. 4359; H.R. 4469: Legislation of various bills -- Enhanced benefits and services for veterans and their families H.R. 3441: To provide for automatic enrollment of veterans returning from combat zones into the VA medical system, and for other purposes -- To provide for automatic enrollment of veterans returning from combat zones into the VA medical system, and for other purposes H.R. 3926: Armed Forces Breast Cancer Research Act -- Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly conduct a study on the incidence of breast cancer among members of the Armed Forces and veterans and report study results to Congress. H.R. 3949: Veterans Small Business Assistance and Servicemembers Protection Act of 2009 -- To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to improve the equitable relief available for servicemembers called to active duty, and for other purposes. H.R. 4006: Rural, American Indian Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 -- Directs the VA Secretary to assign an Indian Veterans Health Care Coordinator for each of the ten VA facilities that serve communities with the greatest per capita number of Indian veterans. Includes among Coordinator duties: (1) improving outreach to tribal communities; (2) coordinating the medical needs of Indian veterans on Indian reservations with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Indian Health Service (HIS); and (3) acting as an ombudsman for Indian veterans enrolled in the VHA health care system. Directs the Secretary to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of the Interior to ensure the electronic transfer of health records of Indian veterans between HIS and VA facilities. Requires the VA Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report jointly to Congress on the advisability of the joint VHA-HIS establishment and operation of health clinics to serve populations of Indian reservations, including Indian veterans. H.R. 4241: To amend chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, to allow for increased flexibility in payments for State veterans homes -- Authorizes the VA Secretary, in lieu of making payments to state homes for furnishing nursing home care to veterans, to enter into agreements with such homes to furnish such care under federal provisions which allow the Secretary to transfer to non-VA homes (at the expense of the United States) veterans who have been furnished such care in a facility under the jurisdiction of the VA. Replaces provisions providing for payment of nursing home care at the lesser of the prevailing rate or the cost of daily care with provisions providing for payment at the rate determined for a state home that is the applicable or prevailing rate payable in the geographic area in which the state home is located. H.R. 4632: Renovate and Enhance Veterans Meeting Halls and Posts Act (REVAMP Act) - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible veterans service organizations for repairs and rehabilitation of their existing facilities. Defines "eligible veterans service organization" as: (1) a tax-exempt entity organized on a local or area basis; and (2) a local or area chapter, post, or other unit of a national, regional, statewide, or other larger entity of which local or area chapters, posts, or units are members (but not any such national, regional, statewide, or other larger entity itself). Prohibits an eligible veterans service organization from receiving such grant amounts, for any single fiscal year, in an amount exceeding the lesser of the cost of the proposed repair or rehabilitation or $200,000. Makes a grant recipient ineligible to receive another such grant until after five succeeding fiscal years. Prohibits the use of such grants for construction or acquisition of a new facility. H.R. 23, S. 663: A Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2009 -- Establishes in the Treasury the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund for payments by the VA Secretary of a monthly benefit of $1,000 to each individual who, between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, was a documented member of the U.S. merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) serving as a crewmember of a vessel that was operated in U.S. waters by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation and under contract to, or the property of, the United States. Requires such individuals to: (1) apply for such benefit before October 1, 2009; and (2) not have received benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. H.R. 174, S. 691: A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in southern Colorado region, and for other purposes. -- Directs the VA Secretary to establish a national cemetery in El Paso County, Colorado. H.R. 1302, S. 1155: A bill to 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. -- A bill to 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. H.R. 1428, S. 1752: A bill to amend title 38, USC, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide wartime disability compensation for certain veterans with Parkinson's disease. -- A bill to amend title 38, USC, to direct the VA Secretary to provide wartime disability compensation for certain veterans with Parkinson's disease. S. 546: Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2009 -- Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability (under current law, only a disability rated at 50% or more). Makes eligible for the full concurrent receipt of both veterans' disability compensation and either military retired pay or combat-related special pay those individuals who were retired or separated from military service due to a service-connected disability. S. 977: Prisoner of War Benefits Act of 2009 -- A bill to amend title 38, USC, to provide improved benefits for veterans who are former prisoners of war, and for other purposes. S. 1444: Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act -- A bill to amend title 38, USC, to clarify the meaning of "combat with the enemy" for purposes of service-connection of disabilities. S. 1467: Lance Corporal Josef Lopez Fairness for Servicemembers Harmed by Vaccines Act of 2009 -- A bill to amend title 38, USC, to provide coverage under Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance for adverse reactions to vaccinations administered by the Department of Defense, and for other purposes. S. 1483: A bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Alexandria, Minnesota, as the "Max J. Beilke Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic". -- A bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Alexandria, Minnesota, as the "Max J. Beilke Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic". S. 1518: Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2009 -- A bill to amend title 38, USC, to furnish hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while the water was contaminated at Camp Lejeune. S. 1531: Department of Veterans Affairs Reorganization Act of 2009 -- A bill to amend title 38, USC, to establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs the position of Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, and for other purposes. S. 1556: Veteran Voting Support Act of 2009 -- A bill to require the VA Secretary to permit facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be designated as voter registration agencies, and for other purposes. S. 1753: Disabled Veteran Caregiver Housing Assistance Act of 2009 -- A bill to amend title 38, USC, to increase assistance for disabled veterans who are temporarily residing in housing owned by a family member, and for other purposes. S. 1963 [S. 252, S. 597, S. 801]: Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009A bill to amend title 38, USC, to provide assistance to caregivers of veterans, to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, to improve the provision of health care to veterans. -- Specific support for the mental health care provisions, care giver provisions, rural health care provisions and enhancements and improvements for women veterans health care within the Department of Veterans Affairs. [This measure contains provisions of S. 252, S. 597, and S. 801] General Support Letter for Buyer/Mckeon Amendment to HR 4872 -- Ensure both VA and DoD beneficiaries are exempted in any national health care reform legislation. General Support Letter -- Funding for Gulf War research in DoD FY 2011 appropriations bill. Letter to chairman ofHouse Veterans AffairsCommittee Sub-Committee on DisabilityAssistance & MemorialAffairs -- Concerns and comments of The American Legion regarding the VAs Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program. General Support Letter -- Support of legislation to enable State Veterans Homes to furnish nursing home care to parents whose child died while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. Testimony (HVAC Roundtable meeting) -- Organizations legislative priorities for 2010. Testimony -- Veteran/military transition issues. Testimony -- Status update on implementation of Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 (PL 110-389). Testimony -- Review of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Contract Health Care: Project HERO Testimony -- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for FY 2011 and FY 2012 Testimony -- The Veterans Health Administrations Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Testimony -- H.R. 4241, to amend Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code (USC), to allow for increased flexibility in payments for State Veterans Homes. Testimony (HVAC Claims Summit 2010) -- Department of Veterans Affairs claims processing issues. Testimony -- Examination of VA Regional Office Disability Claims Quality Review Methods Is VBAs Systematic Technical Accuracy Review (STAR) Making the Grade? Testimony -- Various health care bills (H.R. 949, H.R. 1075, H.R. 2698, H.R. 2699, H.R. 2879, H.R. 3926, H.R. 4006, H.R. 84, and 3 Discussion Drafts). General Support Letter for Buyer/Mckeon Amendment to HR 4872 -- Ensure both VA and DoD beneficiaries are exempted in any national health care reform legislation. General Support Letter -- Funding for Gulf War research in DoD FY 2011 appropriations bill. General Support Letter -- Support $10 million in funding in FY 2011 DoD authorization bill for the Eye Trauma and Vision Research Program. General Support Letter -- Support of legislation to enable State Veterans Homes to furnish nursing home care to parents whose child died while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. Testimony (HVAC Roundtable meeting) -- Organizations legislative priorities for 2010. Testimony -- Veteran/military transition issues. Testimony -- Status update on implementation of Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 (PL 110-389). Testimony -- Review of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Contract Health Care: Project HERO Testimony -- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for FY 2011 and FY 2012 Testimony -- The Veterans Health Administrations Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Testimony -- H.R. 4241, to amend Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code (USC), to allow for increased flexibility in payments for State Veterans Homes. Testimony (HVAC Claims Summit 2010) -- Department of Veterans Affairs claims processing issues. Testimony -- Examination of VA Regional Office Disability Claims Quality Review Methods Is VBAs Systematic Technical Accuracy Review (STAR) Making the Grade? Testimony -- Various health care bills (H.R. 949, H.R. 1075, H.R. 2698, H.R. 2699, H.R. 2879, H.R. 3926, H.R. 4006, H.R. 84, and 3 Discussion Drafts). General Support Letter -- Support $10 million in funding in FY 2011 DoD authorization bill for the Eye Trauma and Vision Research Program. Letter to Chairman, House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Disability Assistance & Memorial Affairs -- Concerns and comments of The American Legion regarding the VAs Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program.

VETERANS LEGISLATION (SEE NEXT PAGE) H.Res.925 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the meritorious service performed by aviators in the United States Armed Forces who were shot down over, or otherwise forced to land in, hostile territory yet evaded enemy capture or were captured but subsequently escaped. HR 3943 - To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow members of the Armed Forces who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, to be eligible to participate in the Troops-to-Teachers Program, and for other purposes. S. 1932 - To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow members of the Armed Forces who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, to be eligible to participate in the Troops-to-Teachers Program, and for other purposes. H.R. 1175 - To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize taxpayers to designate a portion of their income tax payments to a National Military Family Relief Fund to be used by the Secretary of Defense to assist the families of members of the Armed Forces who are serving in, or have served in, Iraq or Afghanistan. HR 3554 - To amend Title 38, United States Code, to provide for the inclusion of certain active duty service in the reserve components as qualifying service for purposes of Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program, and for other purposes. H.R. 4469 - To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces deployed in support of a contingency operation. H.R. 24 - To redesignate the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps. H.R. 4213 - The Tax Extenders Act of 2009. This amendment will provide a one-time check of $250 to veterans who do not receive social security, social security recipients, and SSI recipients. H.R. 950 - To amend chapter 33 of Title 38, United States Code, to increase educational assistance for certain veterans pursuing a program of education offered through distance learning. H.R. 4443 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the work opportunity tax credit for hiring veterans. H.R. 2879, Rural Health Care Improvement Act of 2009. To enhanced traveling compensation will ease the burden for rural veterans seeking out health care, and the transportation research will lay the foundation for future improvements. H.R.4006 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for Indian veterans health care coordinators, and for other purposes. S. 3162 - Legislation that will clarify and protect VA health care programs including CHAMPVA, Vocational Rehabilitation and spina bifida care under the new health care bill.

H.R. 84, the "Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act" H.R. 294, a bill to guarantee loans to veteran owned small businesses H.R. 761, a bill to clarify eligibility for burial in a national cemetery H.R. 949, to improve collective bargaining rights and procedures H.R. 1017, the "Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act" H.R. 1036, the "Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 1075, the "RECOVER Act (Restoring Essential Care for Our Veterans for Effective Recovery)" H.R. 1335/S. 821, a bill to eliminate co-payments for catastropically disabled veterans H.R. 1169, a bill to increase the specially adapted housing and automobile assistance grants H.R. 1293, the "Disabled Veterans Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act of 2009" H.R. 2379, the "Veterans Group Life Insurance Improvements Act of 2009" H.R. 2461, the "Veterans Small Business Verification Act" H.R. 2504, to provide for an increase in the annual amount authorized the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out homeless veterans programs from $150 million to $200 million H.R. 2559, the "Help Our Homeless Veterans Act" H.R. 2614, the "Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Reauthorization Act of 2009" H.R. 2696, the "Servicemembers' Right Protection Act" H.R. 2698, the "Veterans and Survivors Behavioral Health Awareness Act" H.R. 2699, the "Armed Forces Behavioral Health Awareness Act" H.R. 2713, the "Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act" H.R. 2735, a bill to make improvements to the comprehensive programs for homeless veterans H.R. 2770, a bill to modernize and clarify the laws governing VA Nonprofit Research Corporations H.R. 2774, the "Families of Veterans Financial Security Act of 2009" H.R. 2874, the "Helping Active Duty Deployed Act of 2009" H.R. 2879/S. 658, the Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 3073, a bill to establish a grant program to assist veterans at risk of becoming homeless H.R. 3219, the "Veterans' Insurance and Health Care Improvements Act of 2009" H.R. 3407, the "Severly Injured Veterans Benefits Improvement Act" H.R. 3441, a bill to provide for automatic enrollment of veterans returning from combat zones into the VA health care system H.R. 3485, the "Veterans Pension Protection Act" H.R. 3544, the "National Cemeteries Expansion Act of 2009" H.R. 3926, the "Armed Forces Breast Cancer Research Act" H.R. 4006, the "Rural, American Indian Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 4241, to allow for increased flexibility in payments for State veterans homes Discussion draft legislation concerning various homeless veterans issues Discussion draft legislation to reform and expand the VA Supportive Housing Program carried out by HUD Discussion of the impact on veteran owned businesses by the Center for Veterans Enterprise Discussion draft legislation to improve VA continuing professional education Discussion draft legislation to waive certain requirements relating to VA mental health counselors Discussion draft legislation to make improvement to VA performance pay and collective bargaining rights S. 977, the "Prisoner of War Benefit Act of 2009" S. 1118, a bill to increase the rates of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation S. 1394, the "Veterans Entitlement to Service Act of 2009" S. 1444, the "Combat PTSD Act" S. 1467, the Lance Corporal Josel Lopez Fairness for Servicemembers' Harmed by Vaccines Act of 2009" S. 1518, the "Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2009" S. 1752, a bill to provide compensation for veterans with Parkinson's disease S. 1753, a bill to increase the amount of Temporary Residence Assistance available S. 1963, the "Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009"

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 4894, HR 4887, HR 4477, HR 4048, HR 3949, HR 3491, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2990, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 2180, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 3148, S 1963, S 1939, S 1779, S 1407, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S 546, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S.Con.Res. 13

Client expense: $190,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Veterans Legislation: [See Next Page] HR 2879 Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 HR 3689 Letter to the Honorable Mark Udall: offer our support for H.R. 3689, to provide for an extension of the legislative authority of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial fund, Inc. to establish a Vietnam Veterans Memorial visitor center. HR 3796 Letter to the Honorable Bob Filner: offered the opportunity to express our views on your recent legislation, as proposed to be amended, H.R. 3796, To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve per diem grant payments for organizations assisting homeless veterans. HR 3926 The Armed Forces Breast Cancer Research Act. legislation that would direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of VA to work jointly in conducting a study on the incidence of breast cancer among our nations veterans HR 4051 To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who served honorably during the Cold War, and for other purposes S. 2743 Letter to the Honorable Olympia Snowe: offer our support for S. 2743, legislation that would create a Cold War Service Medal. S. 883 The Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act. This legislation would help raise funds for the Medal of Honor Foundation which promotes the spirit that embodies the Medal of Honor courage, sacrifice, service and patriotism. S. 1775 Letter to the Honorable Evan Bayh: offer our support for the Servicemember Student Loan Interest Relief Act. SA 2733 Amendment to Military Construction/VA Appropriations bill; Letter to Representative Ike Skelton Amendment to FY 2010 NDAA prohibiting any TRICARE; Fee Increases; Letter to the Honorable Tim Johnson: offer our support for SA 2733, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Appropriations Act.

H.R. 294, a bill to guarantee loans to veterans owned small businesses H.R. 761, a bill to clarify eligibility for burial in a national cemetery H.R. 1016/S. 423, the "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act: (Advance appropriations for VA Health Care) H.R. 1017, the "Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act." H.R. 1036, the "Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 1335/S. 821, a bill to eliminate co-payments for catastrophically disabled veterans H.R. 1169, a bill to increase the specially adapted housing and automobile assistance grants H.R. 2504, to provide for an increase in the annual amount authorized the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out homeless veterans programs from $150 million to $200 million. H.R. 2559, the "Help Our Homeless Veterans Act" H.R. 2735, a bill to make improvements to the comprehensive programs for homeless veterans H.R. 2879/S. 658, the "Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 2379, the "Veterans Group Life Insurance Improvements Act of 2009" H.R. 2461, the "Veterans Small Business Verification Act" H.R. 2614, the "Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Reauthorization Act of 2009" H.R. 2696, the "Servicemembers' Rights Protection Act" H.R. 2713, the "Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act" H.R. 2774, the "Families of Veterans Financial Security Act of 2009" H.R. 2874, the "Helping Active Duty Deployed Act of 2009" H.R. 3073, a bill to establish a grant program to assist veterans at risk of becoming homeless H.R. 3219, the "Veterans' Insurance and Health Care Improvements Act of 2009" H.R. 3407, the Severely Injured Veterans Benefits Improvement Act" H.R. 3485, the "Veterans Pension Protection Act" H.R. 3441, a bill to provide for automatic enrollment of veterans returning from combat zones into the VA health care system H.R. 3544, the National Cemeteriest Expansion Act of 2009" Discussion Draft legislation concerning various homeless veterans issues Discussion Draft legislation to reform and expand the VA Supportive Housing Program carried out by HUD S. 977, the "Prisoner of War Benefit Act of 2009" S. 1118, a bill to increase rates of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation S. 1394, the "Veterans Entitlement to Service Act of 2009" S. 1444, the "Combat PTSD Act" S. 1467, the :Lance Corporal Josef Lopez Fairness for Servicemembers' Harmed by Vaccines Act of 2009" S. 1518, the "Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2009" S. 1752, a bill to provide compensation for veterans with Parkinson's disease S. 1753, a bill to increase the amount of Temporary Residence Assistance available S. 1963, the "Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009"

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: 3949, HR 3491, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2990, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 2180, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 1963, S 1939, S 1779, S 1407, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S.Con.Res. 13

Client expense: $190,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 3491, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 1407, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S.Con.Res. 13

Client expense: $210,000 · 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 Affairs, Dept of (VA), Veterans Employment & Training Service

H.R. 294, a bill to guarantee loans to veteran owned small businesses H.R. 761, a bill to clarify eligibilty for burial in a national cemetery H.R. 1016/S. 423, the "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act" (Advance appropriations for VA Health Care) H.R. 1335/S. 821, a bill to eliminate co-payments for catastrophically disabled veterans H.R. 2879/S. 658, the "Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 1017, the "Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act" H.R. 1036, the "Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 1169, a bill to increase the specially adapted housing and automobile assistance grants H.R. 1182, the "Military Spouses Residency Relief Act" H.R. 2243, the Surviving Spouses" Benefit Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 2379, the "Veterans Group Life Insurance Improvements Act of 2009" H.R. 2416 H.R. 2461, the " Veterans Small Business Verification Act" H.R. 2504 H.R. 2559, the "Help Our Homeless Veterans Act" H.R. 2614, the "Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Reauthorization Act of 2009" H.R. 2696, the "Servicemembers' Rights Protection Act" H.R. 2713, the "Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act" H.R. 2735 H.R. 2774, the "Families of Veterans Financial Security Act of 2009" H.R. 2874, the "Helping Active Duty Depolyed Act of 2009" H.R. 2928 H.R. 2968 H.R. 3073 H.R. 3219, the "Veterans' Insurance and Health Care Improvements Act of 2009" H.R. 3223 H.R. 3407, the "Severly Injured Veterans Benefits Improvement Act" H.R. 3441 H.R. 3485, the "Veterans Pension Protection Act" H.R. 3544, the "National Cemeteries Expansion Act of 2009" H.R. 3554 H.R. 3561 H.R. 3577, the "Educational Assistance to Realign New Eligibilities for Dependents Act" Discussion Draft legislation concerning various homeless veterans issues S. 1495, the "Service Dogs for Veterans Act of 2009"

H.R. 147, the "Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund" H.R. 228, the "Visual Improvement and Orientation and Mobility Professionals Education Assistance Program" H.R. 297, the "Veterans Rehabilitation and Employment Subsistence Allowance Improve Act of 2009" H.R. 446, the "Wounded Veteran Job Security Act" H.R. 784, a bill to require the VA to provide quarterly reports on vacancies in the mental health profession H.R. 785/S. 597, the "Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act" H.R. 929, a bill to provide for job training skills relevant to the job market for qualified veterans H.R. 942, a bill to conduct a pilot project to allow veterans to use educational assistance to apply to training costs when purchasing a franchise H.R. 950, a bill to increase educational assistance for certain veterans H.R. 1016/S. 423, the "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act" (Advance appropriations for VA Health Care) H.R. 1037, a bill to establish a pilot program that will expand the current scope of the work-study program H.R. 1088, the "Veterans Employment Rights Realignment Act of 2009" H.R. 1098, the "Veterans' Worker Retaining Act of 2009" H.R. 1168, the "Veterans' Retraining Act of 2009" H.R. 1171, the "Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009" H.R. 1172, a bill that directs the VA to include on its internet website a list of organizations that provide scholarships to veterans and their surviors H.R. 1197, the "Medal of Honor Health Care Equity Act of 2009" H.R. 1302, a bill to establish the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services at VA H.R. 1335/S821, a bill to eliminate co-payments for catastropically disabled veterans H.R. 1546, the "Caring for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2009" H.R. 1821, the "Equity for Injured Veterans Act of 2009" H.R. 1879, the "National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2009" H.R. 2180, a bill to waive housing loan fees for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities called to active service H.R. 2713, "Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act" H.R. 2379, the "Veterans Group Life Insurance Imporovements Act of 2009" H.R. 2734, the "Health Care for Family Caregivers Act of 2009" H.R. 2738, a bill to proved travel expenses for family caregivers accompanying veterans to medical treatment facilities H.R. 2774, the "Families of Veterans Financial Security Act of 2009" H.R. 2770, the "Veterans Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations Enhancement Act of 2009" H.R. 2879/S. 658, the "Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 2898, the "Wounded Warrior Caregiver Assistance Act" H.R. 2968, a bill to eliminate the required reduction in the amount of the accelerated death benefit payable to certain terminally-ill persons insured under SGLI an VGLI S. 226, a bill to desigante the Merril Lundman Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic S. 239, the "Veterans Health Equity Act of 2009" S. 246, the Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act" S. 252, the "Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009" S. 263, the Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009" S. 315, the Veterans Outreach Improve Act of 2009" S. 347 S. 362, a bill to improve collective bargaining rights and prcedures for VA employees S. 404, the "Veterans' Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2009" S. 407, the "Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009" S. 475, the "Military Spouses Residency Relief Act" S. 498, a bill to authorize dental insurance for veterans and survivors and dependents S. 509, a bill to authorize a VA medical facility in Walla Walla Washington S. 514, the "Veterans Rehabilitation and Training Improvements Act of 2009" S. 543, the "Veteran and Servicemember Caregiver Support Act of 2009" S. 663, the "Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II" S. 669, the "Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act" S. 691, to establish a national cemetery in Southern Colorado S. 699, the "Far South Texas Veterans Medical Center Act of 2009" S. 728, the "Veterans' Insurance and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009" S. 734, the "Rural Veterans Health Care Access and Quality Act of 2009" S. 746, to establish a national cemetery in Sarpy County, Nebraska S. 772, the "Honor Act of 2009" S. 793, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Vision Scholars Act of 2009" S. 801, the "Family Caregiver Program Act of 2009" S. 820, the "Veterans Mobility Enhancement Act of 2009" S. 842 S. 847

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2734, HR 2583, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 642, S 597, S 423, S 404, S 277, S 252, S.Con.Res. 13

Client expense: $220,000 · 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 Affairs, Dept of (VA), Veterans Employment & Training Service