Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009

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

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

ERISA H.R. 32: America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendment to H.R. 3590

Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

ERISA H.R. 32: America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendment to H.R. 3590

Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Executive Office of the President (EOP), Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

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

ERISA H.R. 32: America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 Senate Finance Committee Health Care/Insurance Reform Legislation Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendment to H.R. 3590

Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

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

ERISA H.R. 32: America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 Senate Finance Committee Health Care/Insurance Reform Legislation

Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, President of the U.S., SENATE

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

S.263Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009 S.274Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act of 2009 S.315Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009 S.423Advanced Approps S.459SUPPORT for Substance Use Disorders ActSupporting Uniformed Personnel by Providing Oversight and Relevant Treatment for Substance Use Disorders Act S.475Military Spouses Residency Relief Act S.498A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize dental insurance for veterans and survivors and dependents of veterans, and for other purposes. S.514Veterans Rehabilitation and Training Improvements Act of 2009 S.543Veteran and Servicemember Caregiver Support Act of 2009 S.559A bill to provide benefits under the Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence program for certain periods before the implementation of the program. S.597Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 S.658Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 S.669Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act S.699Far South Texas Veterans Medical Center Act of 2009 S.711Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act of 2009 S.728Veterans' Insurance and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009 S.731 A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for continuity of TRICARE Standard coverage for certain members of the Retired Reserve. S.734Rural Veterans Health Care Access and Quality Act of 2009 S.772 Honor Act of 2009 S.801 Family Caregiver Program Act of 2009 S.831 National Guard and Reserve Retired Pay Equity Act of 2009 S.842A bill to repeal the sunset of certain enhancements of protections of servicemembers relating to mortgages and mortgage foreclosures, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay mortgage holders' unpaid balance on housing loans guaranteed by Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. S.847 Education Benefits for Survivors who Enlist S.902 SERV ActServices, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans Act S.1106 Selected Reserve Continuum of Care Act H.R.32 Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009 H.R.270 TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2009 H.R.593 To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the authorized concurrent receipt of disability severance pay from the Department of Defense and compensation for the same disability under any law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover all veterans who have a combat-related disability, as defined under section 1413a of such title. H.R.620 Jobs for Veterans Act of 2009 H.R.775 To repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan to offset the receipt of veterans dependency and indemnity compensation. H.R.784 To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress quarterly reports on vacancies in mental health professional positions in Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities. H.R.785 To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide outreach and training to certain college and university mental health centers relating to the mental health of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom H.R.819 To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to the survivors of former prisoners of war who died on or before September 30, 1999, under the same eligibility conditions as apply to payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to the survivors of former prisoners of war who die after that date. H.R.952COMBAT PTSD ActCompensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act H.R.1016Advance Approps H.R.1036Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act of 2009 H.R.1211Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act H.R.1308Veterans Mental Health Screening and Assessment Act H.R.1336Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2009 H.R.1401VET Corps Act of 2009 H.R.1474Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009 H.R.1633Honor the WISH ActHonor the Written Intent of our Soldier Heroes Act H.R.2058Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act of 2009 H.R.2419Military Personnel War Zone Toxic Exposure Prevention Act H.R.2456Veterans Education Tuition Support Act of 2009 H.R.2547Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act H.R.2825Safety in Defense Contracting Act H.R.2874Helping Active Duty Deployed Act of 2009 H.R.2879Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 H.R.2931To direct the Secretary of Defense to adopt a program of professional and confidential screenings for members of the armed forces on active duty to detect mental health conditions for the purpose of reducing the incidence of suicide among such members

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

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY GOALS FOR VETERANS -- January 28, 2009 -- before the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs--our views and concerns on this years legislative priority goals for veterans. #16. Specific lobbying issues. VAs BUDGET REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010 -- March 10, 2009 before the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs on behalf of the Independent Budget (IB): AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America, to produce a set of policy and budget recommendations that reflect what we believe would meet the needs of Americas veterans. The VFW is responsible for the construction portion of the Independent Budget. Contacts made on the following legislative initiatives: H.R. 32--McIntyrea bill that is directed towards improving access to outreach services and assistance programs of which veterans and their families deserve. H.R.147--a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their income tax payment to provide assistance to homeless veterans, and for other purposes. H.R.228 --Jackson-Leea bill which would direct the Secretary of Veteran Affairs to establish and carry out a scholarship program aimed at remedying the difficulty in recruiting new graduates of university programs specializing in blind rehabilitation. H.R.297--a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount of subsistence allowance payable by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans participating in vocational rehabilitation programs, and other purposes. H.R. 347--Schiffa bill which would award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Japanese-American 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team for their dedicated service to our nation during World War II. H.R. 394--Browna bill which would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the amount of the Medal of Honor special pension by up to $1,000. H.R.466--a bill to extend protection from discrimination and acts of reprisal against veterans to include not only those who suffer illnesses, injuries and disabilities incurred in or aggravated by service in the armed forces, but also to those receiving treatment for such service-connected health conditions. H.R. 666--SalazarThe Military Valor Roll of Honor Act. Legislation which will establish and maintain a database containing the names and citations of all members of the armed forces, members of the United States merchant marines, and civilians affiliated with the armed forces who have been awarded the Medal of Honor or any other medal authorized by Congress. H.R. 667--Salazar--legislation which would dramatically improve the delivery of health care for those veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury. H.R. 668--(and S. 307--Senators Crapo and Wyden)--the Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act, a beneficial bill that would exempt the number of beds veterans use at critical access hospitals (CAH) from counting toward the inpatient bed limitation. H.R. 746--Adler--the Safeguarding Americas Seniors and Veterans Act. Legislation which will guarantee veterans and seniors who are not currently working an important and beneficial tax credit of $500 which will help to reduce the strain of financial hardship faced by many veterans in the current economic climate who would not otherwise qualify for the proposed Making Work Pay tax credit. H.R. 784--a bill to require the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to report quarterly to Congress on vacancies in the mental health profession: such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and licensed professional mental health counselors in the VA. H.R. 785--a bill to establish a pilot program from FY 2010 to 2013 to educate and engage in outreach to college and university mental health centers relating to the mental health of recently separated service members. H.R. 819--Holdena reintroduction of legislation which provides Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits to surviving spouses of former prisoners of war (POW), which also seeks to extend the receipt of DIC benefits to surviving spouses of former POWs who died on or before September 30, 1999 and will ease the financial strain left on survivors of POWs who do not currently qualify for DIC benefits. H.R.929--legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program of training to provide eligible veterans with skills relevant to the job market, and for other purposes. H.R.942--legislation to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot project on the use of educational assistance under programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs to defray training costs associated with the purchase of certain franchise enterprises H.R.950--legislation 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. #16. Specific lobbying issues (contd.) H.R. 952--Hall--the Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater (COMBAT) Act, to grant a presumptive service connection to veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and have actively served in a designated theater of combat. This will relieve the burden faced by many veterans who are forced to prove the events they faced while serving our Nation are the direct cause of their PTSD. H.R. 953--Heller--the Veterans Travel Tax Relief Act of 2009 which would provide for a deduction for travel expenses to VA medical centers in connection with examinations or treatments relating to service-connected disabilities. H.R.1088--legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a one-year period for the training of new disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives by National Veterans' Employment and Training Services Institute. H.R.1089--legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the enforcement through the Office of Special Counsel of the employment and unemployment rights of veterans and members of the Armed Forces employed by Federal executive agencies, and for other purposes. HR 1169--Boozman--legislation that would amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of assistance provided by VA to disabled veterans for specially adapted housing, automobiles and equipment. H.R.1171--legislation which will amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize a Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Grant ProgramThis important bill and your amendment will improve VA assistance to the homeless so that it better suits the unique needs of women veterans and veterans with children. H.R. 1211--Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act--legislation that would improve benefits and services to female veterans, especially those who have served or are serving in OEF/OIF operations and Section 101, which would require VA to study barriers in providing comprehensive health care for women including: scope of services provided to women, effective outreach, mental health care and gender sensitivity of its health care providers. H.R. 1227--Halvorson--legislation which would waive the time limitations specified by law for the award of certain military decorations in order to allow the posthumous award of the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller for actions while a member of the Navy during World War II. H.R. 1474--Davis--the Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009, a bill which would strengthen the protections in current law to ensure that servicemembers and veterans employment and reemployment rights are effectively enforced under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). H.R. 1803--Nye-- the Veterans Business Center Act of 2009legislation which would greatly expand the Small Veteran Business Center program within the Small Business Administration to serve as an outlet and resource for veteran business owners. A Draft bill to close existing loopholes in law, allowing VA to cover unmet emergency room treatment for veterans in certain cases which would allow VA to pay for of emergency care for veterans enrolled in VHA under certain cases. It closes a loophole that sticks many veterans unfairly with a large hospital bill. Section 1725 of Title 38 authorizes VA to reimburse veterans for medical expenses related to emergency care at non-VA facilities if the veteran is enrolled and using the VA health care system. This bill allows VA to be a secondary payer in those situations, so the vet will not have to pay out of pocket. Additionally, it removes care accidents where insurance pays out for medical coverage from the list of things that would bar VA from paying for emergency care. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- S. 263-- Casey--the Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009, legislation which would strengthen the protections in current law to ensure that servicemembers' and veterans' employment and reemployment rights are effectively enforced under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). S. 274 --Baucus--legislation that would provide an employer incentive to hire unemployed veterans. S. 307--Senators Crapo and Wyden (and H.R. 668)--the Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act, a beneficial bill that would exempt the number of beds veterans use at critical access hospitals (CAH) from counting toward the inpatient bed limitation. S. 404--Akaka--the Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act--important legislation which would close a loophole in the law that can cost veterans thousands of dollars out of veterans' own pocket when they seek emergency care at non-VA facilities. S. 572--Webb--the Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act, which would designate the Purple Heart stamp as a commemorative "forever" stamp and ensure that the first-class postage stamp never expires or decreases in value. #16. Specific lobbying issues. S. 597-- Murray-- the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act--legislation which would provide enhanced health care benefits to female veterans, especially those who are veterans of the current conflict era. S. 614-- Hutchisonlegislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Air Force Service Pilots for the honorable service they rendered their country during World War II.

Improving survivor benefits for widows of deceased veterans and to restore and improve Veterans benefits. S.252,S.263,S.423,S.475,S.484,S.597,S.731,S.801 HR32,HR84,HR108,HR190,HR235,HR568,HR667,HR972,HR1016,HR1211,HR1335,HR1377,HR1474,HR1821

Client expense: $368,093 · Firm income: Not reported

Improving survivor benefits for widows of deceased veterans and to restore and improve Veterans benefits. S.252,S.263,S.423,S.475,S.484,S.597,S.731,S.801 HR32,HR84,HR108,HR190,HR235,HR568,HR667,HR972,HR1016,HR1211,HR1335,HR1377,HR1474,HR1821

Client expense: $368,093 · Firm income: Not reported

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 1818, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1211, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, 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 821, S 820, S 801, S 642, S 597, S 423, S 404, S 277, S 252, 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