Charles August Long Undiagnosed Diseases Research and Collaboration Network Act of 2011

Supported S. 1806. This legislation would allow individuals to designate tax overpayments as contributions to a fund for homeless veterans. Supported the Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act of 2012 (H.R. 6527). This legislation includes greater assistance through VA for veterans who have infertility issues related to their military service. This is a companion bill to the Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act of 2012 (S. 3313). Supported the Military Service Integrity Act (S. 3372). This legislation would allow for individuals who falsely claim military service or receipt of awards for military service to be charged with a criminal violation if the claim is made to secure a tangible benefit or a personal gain. Discussed with advocates a legislative proposal to expand the approved uses of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Supported the GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012 (S. 2241). Supported the Honoring Americas Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 (HR 1627). This omnibus legislation contains many provisions that we have advocated for including access for service dogs to VA facilities. Discussed access to VA mental health services with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration. Supported the Veterans I.D. Card Act (H.R. 2985). This legislation directs the Secretary of VA to issue a veteran's identification card to any veteran who requests such card and is neither entitled to military retired pay nor enrolled in the VA system of patient enrollment. Supported the Veterans Data Breach Timely Notification Act (H.R. 3730). Requires the VA Secretary, in the event of a data breach with respect to sensitive personal information that is processed or maintained by the Secretary, to notify Congress and each individual whose sensitive personal information is involved in the data breach. Supported the Veterans Affairs Employee Accountability Act (H.R. 4481). Directs the VA Secretary to ensure that no employee of VA who violates any civil law covered by the Federal Acquisition Regulation receives any retention incentive, payment, or award for or during the year of such violation. Discussed the Veterans Fiduciary Reform Act of 2012 (H.R. 5948). Supported the Mental Health Access to Continued Care and Enhancement of Support Services Act (S. 3340). Discussed legislation that would amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to consider the resources of individuals applying for pension that were recently disposed of by the individuals for less than fair market value when determining the eligibility of such individuals for such pension, and for other purposes (S. 3270). Supported legislation that would amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for coverage under the beneficiary travel program of the Department of Veterans Affairs of certain disabled veterans for travel for certain special disabilities rehabilitation, and for other purposes (S. 1755). Discussed the Veteran Voting Support Act of 2011 (S. 1264). Directs the VA Secretary to provide mail voter registration application forms to each veteran who: (1) seeks to enroll in VA health care system at the time of such enrollment; and (2) is already enrolled in such system when there is a change in the veteran's enrollment status or when there is a change in the veteran's address. Discussed with VA the long-term care benefits available to birth children of Korean and Vietnam conflict veterans who have spina bifida. Discussed the Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act of 2012 (H.R. 4072). This legislation would consolidate programs currently carried out by DOLs Veterans Employment and Training Service in VA. It would also consolidate the disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives into a single provision establishing veteran employment specialists, which shall perform both tasks. Supported the Military and Veterans Educational Reform Act (S. 2179). This legislation would make needed reforms to ensure that veterans and servicemembers receive the full benefit of their DOD and VA educational benefits. Supported the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (H.R. 674/Pub. Law 112-56). This legislation includes provisions to increase employment opportunities for veterans and represents a blend of proposals that were included in H.R. 2433 and S. 951. Discussed the Veteran Voting Support Act of 2011 (S. 1264). This legislation would require VA to provide voter registration applications and assistance in absentee voting for certain veterans. Urged Congress and the Administration to address the treatment of our nations veterans by some for-profit educational institutions. This includes amending the 90/10 rule. Supported the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act (H.R. 2433). This legislation would help to ensure that veterans receive the training, transition, and placement assistance they need to allow them to gain meaningful employment opportunities. Supported the Helping Our Homeless Heroes Act (H.R. 2559). This legislation would make improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs that assist homeless veterans and their families. Supported the CAL Undiagnosed Diseases Research and Collaboration Network Act of 2011 (H.R. 2671). This legislation would help to track undiagnosed diseases and facilitate collaboration between physicians, researchers, and government agencies by creating a patient registry to be maintained by the National Institutes of Health. Supported the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act (H.R. 198). This legislation would direct the VA Secretary to carry out a pilot program for assessing the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms through a therapeutic medium of service dog training and handling for veterans with disabilities. Also discussed Senate companion bill (S. 1838). Supported H.R. 2074, as amended. The amended legislation includes H.R. 198 and H.R. 1154. Supported S. 914, as amended. The amended legislation includes S. 769, S. 411, and S. 957. Discussed the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 (S. 951) and the need to ensure that there are platforms for the development of internship opportunities for wounded warriors with private employers. Supported the Helping our Homeless Veterans Act (S. 411/H.R. 1133). This legislation would allow changes to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) program to ensure that homeless veterans receive more effective case management services. Supported the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitative Services Improvements Act of 2011 (S. 957). This legislation would help to ensure that veterans with traumatic brain injuries receive the critical rehabilitation services needed to allow them to maximize their independence. Supported the Housing, Employment, and Living Programs (HELP) for Veterans Act of 2011 (H.R. 117). This legislation includes provisions that would not only reform the VAs Special Home Adaptation grant program to allow veterans who meet the nationally accepted standard of legal blindness to receive assistance with critical home modification, but also increase the amount of grant funding available for this program and the Specially Adapted Housing grant program. Supported the Andrew Connolly Veterans Housing Act (H.R. 1671). This legislation would extend until December 31, 2016, the authority of the VA Secretary to provide adaptive housing assistance under the Temporary Residence Adaptation grant program to veterans with disabilities who are temporarily residing with family members. Supported legislation establishing an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights (H.R. 805). This legislation directs the VA Secretary to ensure that an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights is printed on signage in accessible formats and displayed prominently and conspicuously in each VA prosthetics and orthotics clinic. It also requires VA employees who work at such clinics, as well as patient advocates of veterans who receive care there, to receive training on the Bill of Rights and directs the Secretary to conduct outreach to inform veterans about it. Supported the Veterans Equal Treatment for Service Dogs Act (VETS Dogs Act) (H.R. 1154/S. 769). The VETS Dogs Act states that the VA Secretary may not prohibit the use of service dogs in VA facilities or on VA property. Discussed the CHAMPVA Childrens Protection Act of 2011 (H.R. 115/S. 490). This legislation increases from 23 to 26 the maximum age of eligibility for certain dependent children of veterans for medical care under CHAMPVA (the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]). Urged Congress to expand the extended caregivers program authorized by the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act (P.L. 111-163) to include all veterans who are eligible for VA health care and meet certain needs-based criteria. Urged Congress to expand VA home and community-based services for veterans with disabilities. Urged Congress to increase Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits and to eliminate the offset of military Survivor Benefit Plan annuities. Urged Congress to provide appropriate oversight for and resources to address the VAs benefits claims processing backlog. Urged VA to accept the authority granted to them by states through the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to serve as a voter registration agency.

Client expense: $70,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

United Spinal Supports H.R. 5428 - The Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights As part of the Independence through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, United Spinal Association signed on to a letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee in support of HR 5428 - the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights. This bill would establish a written list of rights that all injured and amputee veterans have access to high quality orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) care. O&P care, consisting of orthopedic braces, artificial limbs, and the clinical services necessary to treat the patient, is vital to veterans who have lost limbs or have sustained injuries or disorders of the arms, legs, back and neck. Supported the GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012 (S. 2241). Supported the Honoring Americas Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 (HR 1627). This omnibus legislation contains many provisions that we have advocated for including access for service dogs to VA facilities. Discussed access to VA mental health services with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration. Supported the Veterans I.D. Card Act (H.R. 2985). This legislation directs the Secretary of VA to issue a veteran's identification card to any veteran who requests such card and is neither entitled to military retired pay nor enrolled in the VA system of patient enrollment. Supported the Veterans Data Breach Timely Notification Act (H.R. 3730). Requires the VA Secretary, in the event of a data breach with respect to sensitive personal information that is processed or maintained by the Secretary, to notify Congress and each individual whose sensitive personal information is involved in the data breach. Supported the Veterans Affairs Employee Accountability Act (H.R. 4481). Directs the VA Secretary to ensure that no employee of VA who violates any civil law covered by the Federal Acquisition Regulation receives any retention incentive, payment, or award for or during the year of such violation. Supported the Veterans Fiduciary Reform Act of 2012 (H.R. 5948). Supported the Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act of 2012 (S. 3313). Supported the Mental Health Access to Continued Care and Enhancement of Support Services Act (S. 3340) Discussed legislation that would amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to consider the resources of individuals applying for pension that were recently disposed of by the individuals for less than fair market value when determining the eligibility of such individuals for such pension, and for other purposes (S. 3270). Supported legislation that would amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for coverage under the beneficiary travel program of the Department of Veterans Affairs of certain disabled veterans for travel for certain special disabilities rehabilitation, and for other purposes (S. 1755). Discussed the Veteran Voting Support Act of 2011 (S. 1264). Directs the VA Secretary to provide mail voter registration application forms to each veteran who: (1) seeks to enroll in VA health care system at the time of such enrollment; and (2) is already enrolled in such system when there is a change in the veteran's enrollment status or when there is a change in the veteran's address. Discussed with VA the long-term care benefits available to birth children of Korean and Vietnam conflict veterans who have spina bifida. Discussed the Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act of 2012 (H.R. 4072). This legislation would consolidate programs currently carried out by DOLs Veterans Employment and Training Service in VA. It would also consolidate the disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives into a single provision establishing veteran employment specialists, which shall perform both tasks. Supported the Military and Veterans Educational Reform Act (S. 2179). This legislation would make needed reforms to ensure that veterans and servicemembers receive the full benefit of their DOD and VA educational benefits. Supported the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (H.R. 674/Pub. Law 112-56). This legislation includes provisions to increase employment opportunities for veterans and represents a blend of proposals that were included in H.R. 2433 and S. 951. Discussed the Veteran Voting Support Act of 2011 (S. 1264). This legislation would require VA to provide voter registration applications and assistance in absentee voting for certain veterans. Urged Congress and the Administration to address the treatment of our nations veterans by some for-profit educational institutions. This includes amending the 90/10 rule. Supported the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act (H.R. 2433). This legislation would help to ensure that veterans receive the training, transition, and placement assistance they need to allow them to gain meaningful employment opportunities. Supported the Helping Our Homeless Heroes Act (H.R. 2559). This legislation would make improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs that assist homeless veterans and their families. Supported the CAL Undiagnosed Diseases Research and Collaboration Network Act of 2011 (H.R. 2671). This legislation would help to track undiagnosed diseases and facilitate collaboration between physicians, researchers, and government agencies by creating a patient registry to be maintained by the National Institutes of Health. Supported the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act (H.R. 198). This legislation would direct the VA Secretary to carry out a pilot program for assessing the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms through a therapeutic medium of service dog training and handling for veterans with disabilities. Also discussed Senate companion bill (S. 1838). Supported H.R. 2074, as amended. The amended legislation includes H.R. 198 and H.R. 1154. Supported S. 914, as amended. The amended legislation includes S. 769, S. 411, and S. 957. Discussed the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 (S. 951) and the need to ensure that there are platforms for the development of internship opportunities for wounded warriors with private employers. Supported the Helping our Homeless Veterans Act (S. 411/H.R. 1133). This legislation would allow changes to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) program to ensure that homeless veterans receive more effective case management services. Supported the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitative Services Improvements Act of 2011 (S. 957). This legislation would help to ensure that veterans with traumatic brain injuries receive the critical rehabilitation services needed to allow them to maximize their independence. Supported the Housing, Employment, and Living Programs (HELP) for Veterans Act of 2011 (H.R. 117). This legislation includes provisions that would not only reform the VAs Special Home Adaptation grant program to allow veterans who meet the nationally accepted standard of legal blindness to receive assistance with critical home modification, but also increase the amount of grant funding available for this program and the Specially Adapted Housing grant program. Supported the Andrew Connolly Veterans Housing Act (H.R. 1671). This legislation would extend until December 31, 2016, the authority of the VA Secretary to provide adaptive housing assistance under the Temporary Residence Adaptation grant program to veterans with disabilities who are temporarily residing with family members. Supported legislation establishing an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights (H.R. 805). This legislation directs the VA Secretary to ensure that an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights is printed on signage in accessible formats and displayed prominently and conspicuously in each VA prosthetics and orthotics clinic. It also requires VA employees who work at such clinics, as well as patient advocates of veterans who receive care there, to receive training on the Bill of Rights and directs the Secretary to conduct outreach to inform veterans about it. Supported the Veterans Equal Treatment for Service Dogs Act (VETS Dogs Act) (H.R. 1154/S. 769). The VETS Dogs Act states that the VA Secretary may not prohibit the use of service dogs in VA facilities or on VA property. Discussed the CHAMPVA Childrens Protection Act of 2011 (H.R. 115/S. 490). This legislation increases from 23 to 26 the maximum age of eligibility for certain dependent children of veterans for medical care under CHAMPVA (the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]). Urged Congress to expand the extended caregivers program authorized by the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act (P.L. 111-163) to include all veterans who are eligible for VA health care and meet certain needs-based criteria. Urged Congress to expand VA home and community-based services for veterans with disabilities. Urged Congress to increase Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits and to eliminate the offset of military Survivor Benefit Plan annuities. Urged Congress to provide appropriate oversight for and resources to address the VAs benefits claims processing backlog. Urged VA to accept the authority granted to them by states through the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to serve as a voter registration agency.

Client expense: $110,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Submitted testimony to the House Veterans Affairs Committee regarding community supports for veterans. Discussed the Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act of 2012 (H.R. 4072). This legislation would consolidate programs currently carried out by DOLs Veterans Employment and Training Service in VA. It would also consolidate the disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives into a single provision establishing veteran employment specialists, which shall perform both tasks. Supported the Military and Veterans Educational Reform Act (S. 2179). This legislation would make needed reforms to ensure that veterans and servicemembers receive the full benefit of their DOD and VA educational benefits. Supported the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (H.R. 674/Pub. Law 112-56). This legislation includes provisions to increase employment opportunities for veterans and represents a blend of proposals that were included in H.R. 2433 and S. 951. Discussed the Veteran Voting Support Act of 2011 (S. 1264). This legislation would require VA to provide voter registration applications and assistance in absentee voting for certain veterans. Urged Congress and the Administration to address the treatment of our nations veterans by some for-profit educational institutions. This includes amending the 90/10 rule. Supported the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act (H.R. 2433). This legislation would help to ensure that veterans receive the training, transition, and placement assistance they need to allow them to gain meaningful employment opportunities. Supported the Helping Our Homeless Heroes Act (H.R. 2559). This legislation would make improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs that assist homeless veterans and their families. Supported the CAL Undiagnosed Diseases Research and Collaboration Network Act of 2011 (H.R. 2671). This legislation would help to track undiagnosed diseases and facilitate collaboration between physicians, researchers, and government agencies by creating a patient registry to be maintained by the National Institutes of Health. Supported the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act (H.R. 198). This legislation would direct the VA Secretary to carry out a pilot program for assessing the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms through a therapeutic medium of service dog training and handling for veterans with disabilities. Also discussed Senate companion bill (S. 1838). Supported H.R. 2074, as amended. The amended legislation includes H.R. 198 and H.R. 1154. Supported S. 914, as amended. The amended legislation includes S. 769, S. 411, and S. 957. Discussed the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 (S. 951) and the need to ensure that there are platforms for the development of internship opportunities for wounded warriors with private employers. Supported the Helping our Homeless Veterans Act (S. 411/H.R. 1133). This legislation would allow changes to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) program to ensure that homeless veterans receive more effective case management services. Supported the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitative Services Improvements Act of 2011 (S. 957). This legislation would help to ensure that veterans with traumatic brain injuries receive the critical rehabilitation services needed to allow them to maximize their independence. Supported the Housing, Employment, and Living Programs (HELP) for Veterans Act of 2011 (H.R. 117). This legislation includes provisions that would not only reform the VAs Special Home Adaptation grant program to allow veterans who meet the nationally accepted standard of legal blindness to receive assistance with critical home modification, but also increase the amount of grant funding available for this program and the Specially Adapted Housing grant program. Supported the Andrew Connolly Veterans Housing Act (H.R. 1671). This legislation would extend until December 31, 2016, the authority of the VA Secretary to provide adaptive housing assistance under the Temporary Residence Adaptation grant program to veterans with disabilities who are temporarily residing with family members. Supported legislation establishing an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights (H.R. 805). This legislation directs the VA Secretary to ensure that an Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights is printed on signage in accessible formats and displayed prominently and conspicuously in each VA prosthetics and orthotics clinic. It also requires VA employees who work at such clinics, as well as patient advocates of veterans who receive care there, to receive training on the Bill of Rights and directs the Secretary to conduct outreach to inform veterans about it. Supported the Veterans Equal Treatment for Service Dogs Act (VETS Dogs Act) (H.R. 1154/S. 769). The VETS Dogs Act states that the VA Secretary may not prohibit the use of service dogs in VA facilities or on VA property. Discussed the CHAMPVA Childrens Protection Act of 2011 (H.R. 115/S. 490). This legislation increases from 23 to 26 the maximum age of eligibility for certain dependent children of veterans for medical care under CHAMPVA (the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]). Urged Congress to expand the extended caregivers program authorized by the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act (P.L. 111-163) to include all veterans who are eligible for VA health care and meet certain needs-based criteria. Urged Congress to expand VA home and community-based services for veterans with disabilities. Urged Congress to increase Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits and to eliminate the offset of military Survivor Benefit Plan annuities. Urged Congress to provide appropriate oversight for and resources to address the VAs benefits claims processing backlog. Urged VA to accept the authority granted to them by states through the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to serve as a voter registration agency.

Client expense: $70,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)