Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2008

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. Testimony: April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resource Challenges with the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

Client expense: $220,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Army, Dept of (Other), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Merit Systems Protection Board, Natl Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Marines, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

CEMETERIES, MONUMENTS, & BURIALS S 2701a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery in the eastern Nebraska and western Iowa regions. #16. Specif Lobbying issues (contd.) COMPENSATION, PENSION & BENEFITS Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 House hearing of April 10 HR 3681Veterans Benefits Awareness Act of 2007to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to advertise in the national media in regards to veterans benefits. S 161 & S 2617Veterans Disability Compensation Automatic COLA Act and Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008to make cost-of-living adjustments in rates of disability and dependents compensations, clothing allowance, and DIC rates by linking the rate of increase of the Social Security benefit. S 961Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007amend title 46, USC, to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the US Merchant Marines during WWII. S 2309 S 2550Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act of 2008prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain debts owed to the United States by members of the Armed Forces and other veterans who doe because of an injury incurred or aggravated on active duty in a combat zone. S 2674Americas Wounded Warriors Actto improve and enhance procedures for the retirement of members of the Armed Forces for disability and improve and enhance authorities for the rating and compensation of service-connected disabilities in veterans. S 2737Veterans Ratings Schedule Reviewamend title 38, USC, granting jurisdiction to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to review compliance of the schedule as it applies to disabilities under section 1155 with statutory requirements applicable to entitlement to disability compensation under chapter 11 of title 38. S 2825Veterans Compensation Equity Act of 2008would require a minimum disability rating for veterans receiving medication or treatment for a service-connected condition. S 2864Training and Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans Enhancement Act of 2007would help severely injured veterans by (1) repealing the limitation of the number of veterans enrolled in programs of independent living services, (2) make the independent living program mandatory, and (3)increase the quality of life for these veterans. S 2951a bill to require reports on the progress of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in addressing causes for variances in compensation payments for veterans for service-connected disabilities. Draft billVeterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2008 EDUCATION HR 329821st Century Service members Protection Actlegislation to expand the Service members Civil Relief Act to cover service contracts such as cellular phone service, care insurance, utilities, cable television, or internet access. HR 4889The Guard and Reserves Are Fighting Too Act of 2008would re-codify chapter 1607 of title 10, USC, by transferring responsibility of the National Guard and the Ready Reserves educational benefits from the Department of Defense to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. HR 5684Vetearns Education Improvement Act of 2008would provide for an increased monetary benefit, increase the time limitation for use, and make more palatable the buy in over a 24 months period, and other matters of interest. S 22Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2007would enhance military strength while providing an educational benefit that equips a generation of veterans to face the challenges of tomorrow. S 1718Veterans Education Tuition Support Actwhich would amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide reimbursement of tuition for programs of education interrupted by military service, determent of students loans, and reduce interest rates for service members during periods of military service. S 2139National Guard and Reserve Educational Benefits Fairness Act of 2007provides educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to members of the National Guard and Reserves for extended service on continuous active duty status for prolonged service in certain theaters of operations. S 2683GI Bill Miscellaneous Improvements Act of 2008would correct a misapplication of rules determining educational accelerated payments and make permanent authority established under PL 107-103 S. 2938Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment through Educational Act of 2008 #16. Specif Lobbying issues (contd.) EMPLOYMENT HR 3393Reservist Access to Justice Act of 2007legislation to correct some previous court decisions that favored employers by amending the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 2004 (USERRA) HR3646to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor to conduct a joint study on the fields of employment for which the greatest need for employees exists in various geographic areas. HR 3889to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a longitudinal study of the vocational rehabilitation programs administered by the Secretary HR 3798National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2007would ensure that the National Guard receives equal employment protections under USERRA. HR 4089VA employees collective bargaining rights. S 2471 USERRA Enforcement Improvement Act of 2007 HEALTH/MEDICAL CARE PTSD Treatment and Research House hearing on April 1 HR 2818legislation to establish centers of excellence for the study and treatment of epilepsy within the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 4463Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Actdirects the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe standards for appointment and practice as a physician within the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5554Veterans Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Actwould create a pilot program to expand and improve VAs ability to treat veterans suffering from substance use disorders. HR 5595Make Our Veterans Smile Actlegislation which would require VA to provide outpatient dental care to all service-connected veterans. HR 5622Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Actwould create a 5-year pilot program to provide contract health care for any veteran who would have to wait 30 days or more for primary care in VISN 8. HR 5730legislation which would require the display of any injured and amputee veterans bill of rights. HR 5888to expand veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-department facility by correcting an unjust anomaly under law. HR 6114SUNSET Act of 2008requires VA to provide a veteran with pre-test counseling and to obtain the veterans written informed consent prior to testing the veteran for HIV infection. HR 6122Veterans Pain Care Act of 2008directs the Secretary of Veterans of Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on the management of pain experienced by veterans enrolled for health care services. HR _____--Spina Bifida Health Care Program Expansion Act, would mandate health care for children suffering from spina bifida of Vietnam veterans. S 2377Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Actwhich aims to improve the quality of health care practitioners within VA S 2383a bill which would create a pilot program to provide mobile health care services to veterans in rural areas. S 2573Veterans Mental Health Treatment First Actto incentivize treatment for veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental health issues. S 2639Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Actwould have a funding mechanism to provide VA with a sufficient, timely, and predictable budget. S 2797a bill which would authorize the construction and leasing of a number of major medical facilities throughout the country S 2799Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Actwould expand and improve upon the health care services provided to women veterans. S 2889 (sections 2-6) S 2899Veterans Suicide Actwould require VA to study the number of suicides among veterans using information from the Department of Defense, veterans organizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and various state offices. S 2921Caring for Wounded Warriors Actwould create a pilot program of improve care for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries. #16. Specific Lobbying issues (contd.) S 2926Veterans Non-Profit Research and Education Corporations Enhancement Actwould strengthen and improve the non-profit research corporations affiliated with VA to conduct research and education and assist in the raising of funds for VAs essential projects from sources VA otherwise might not have access to, including private and public funding sources. S 2937would permanently extend treatment for veterans who participated in chemical and biological tests conducted by the Department of Defense through the Desert Test Center. S 2963legislation which would make many needed improvements to the mental health care services provided to veterans, but also to members of the Armed Forces and survivors. S 2969Veterans Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Actwould dramatically improve VAs ability to recruit and retain high-quality medical professions and would increase the quality of care provided S 2984 (Title III)deals with various VA health care matters HOUSING HR 4539Department of Veterans Affairs Loan Guaranty Cost Reduction Act of 2007 HR 4883, to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for limitation on the sale, foreclosure, or seizure of property owned by a servicemember during the one-year period following the servicemembers period of military service by temporarily increasing service members foreclosure relief from 90 days to one year. HR 4884Help Our Veterans to Keep Their Homes Act of 2008would increase the maximum home loan guarantee amount, decrease the equity requirement to refinance a home loan, require the VA Secretary to review and streamline the process of using a guaranteed home loan to purchase a condominium, and for other causes. HR 5664to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update at least once every six years the plans and specifications for specially adapted housing furnished to veterans by the Secretary S 2768a bill to provide a temporary increase in the maximum loan guaranty amount of certain housing loans guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. S 2273Enhanced Opportunities for Formerly Homeless Veterans Residing in Permanent Housing Actwould authorize the VA Secretary to create a pilot program to provide grants to a number of entities providing housing for homeless veterans. S 2961a bill to enhance the refinancing of home loans by veterans Draft bill Preventing Unnecessary Foreclosure for Service Members Act of 2008 INSURANCE Draft bill to make stillborns insurable dependents for purposes of Service members Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program Draft bill to require a report on the inclusion of severe and acute Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among the conditions covered by the Traumatic Injury Protection coverage under SGLI. OTHER HR 3467Second Chance for Americas Veterans Actwould extend and provide funding for the incarcerated Veterans Transition Program S 2090a bill to protect the privacy and security concerns in court records. S 2091a bill to increase the number of court active judges. S 2138Department of Veterans Affairs Reorganization Act of 2007 which would make changes to the number and scope of VAs assistant and deputy assistant secretaries and clarify the duties thereof.

Client expense: $6,500 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions making comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. HR 1527, Project HERO, involving the VA initiative on contract health care.

Client expense: $260,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Army, Dept of (Other), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Merit Systems Protection Board, Natl Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Marines, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)