Veteran Employment Transition Act of 2010

See next page. Discussed with House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs staff concerns about legislation proposed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to address the claims backlog. The proposed legislation is the Veterans Benefit Programs Improvement Act of 2010. Urged Congress to consider methods for addressing the VA benefits claims processing backlog. Discussed the Rating and Processing Individuals Disability (RAPID) Claims Act (H.R. 5549). Discussed and submitted correspondence to Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) concerning the Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2010 (S. 3517). Supported Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act (H.R. 1037/S. 728)includes increases for the Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance program. Supported H.R. 1169would provide a significant increase in the VAs Specially Adapted Housing grant, the Special Home Adaptation grant, and the grant to purchase an automobile. Supported the Veterans Training Act (H.R. 3813)would grant veterans access under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to non-degree granting training programs and schools. Supported Surviving Spouses Benefit Improvement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2243)would replace the current rate of VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC )with a formula setting the rate of DIC at a rate equal to 55 percent of the rate paid to a veteran with a total disability rating. Supported Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act (H.R. 775) and S. 535would eliminate the offset to the military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for families who receive VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Supported the Improving Veterans Electronic Transition Services Act (H.R. 5225)would give veterans electronic access to their official military personnel files and require an assessment of the feasibility of using a centralized web portal to improve veterans access to benefits and records. Supported the Severely Injured Veterans Benefit Improvement Act of 2009 (H.R. 3407)would increase the rate of special monthly compensation available to veterans who have been severely injured and grant eligibility to veterans with traumatic brain injuries to receive aid and attendance benefits. Supported the Homeless Veterans and Other Health Care Authorities Act of 2010 (S. 1237), which includes provisions of the Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2009 (S. 1547). Supported the End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2010 (H.R. 4810), which includes provisions of H.R. 2504, the Help Our Homeless Veterans Act (H.R. 2559), H.R. 2735, and H.R. 3906. Supported H.R. 5014which clarifies that the health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs constitutes minimum essential coverage for the purposes of health reform. Supported the Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theatre (COMBAT) Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2009 (H.R. 952)which would expand the definition of combat with the enemy to include active duty service in a theatre of combat operations during a period of war. Supported the Veterans Employment Transition Act (S. 3398/H.R. 5400)which would simplify the process employers must follow to receive tax credits for hiring veterans who meet certain classifications. Supported the Veterans Employment Transition Act (S. 3398)which would simplify the process employers must follow to receive tax credits for hiring veterans who meet certain classifications. Discussed with House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs staff concerns about legislation proposed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to address the claims backlog. The proposed legislation is the Veterans Benefit Programs Improvement Act of 2010. Urged Congress to consider methods for addressing the VA benefits claims processing backlog. Discussed the Rating and Processing Individuals Disability (RAPID) Claims Act (H.R. 5549). Discussed the Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2010 (S. 3517). Supported HR 2059 to enable military personnel who have a family member with a disability to designate a special needs trust to receive military retiree and survivor benefits annuities rather than a natural person. Without this bill, if benefits are paid directly to the family member, the payments can jeopardize that persons eligibility for Social Security and Medicaid benefits. Supported the Veterans Benefits Act of 2010 (H.R. 3219)omnibus veterans legislation that includes increases for the Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance program. Supported the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights (H.R. 5428). Supported the Post-9/11 Veterans Education al Assistance Improvements Act (S. 3447/H.R. 5933)which would make needed modifications to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, including adding additional types of educational training programs for which veterans would be eligible to receive assistance. Supported the Housing, Employment and Living Programs for Veterans Act (H.R. 5360)which 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. Submitted testimony to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity as a co-chair of the CCD Veterans Task Force regarding federal contractor compliance with affirmative action requirements concerning veterans. Urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to accept the authority granted to them by six states through the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to serve as a voter registration agency. Discussed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2009 (H.R. 4121) which includes proposed improvements to the VAs appeals process and the establishment of the Veterans Judicial Review Commission. Discussed the Veterans' Disability Claims Efficiency Act of 2010 (H.R. 5928) which would improve the efficiency of processing certain claims for disability compensation by veterans through the use of interim disability ratings and fast track review of initial claims for benefits.

Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: AMTRAK - Natl Railroad Passenger Corporation, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

H.R.32Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009 H.R.270TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2009 H.R.294Veteran-Owned Small Business Promotion Act of 2009 H.R.296Armed Forces Disability Retirement Enhancement Act H.R.297Veteran Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Subsistence Allowance Improvement Act of 2009 H.R.466Wounded Veteran Job Security Act H.R.476Housing Fairness Act of 2009 H.R.593To 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.613Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act H.R.620Jobs for Veterans Act of 2009 H.R.667Heroes at Home Act of 2009 H.R.775To 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.784To 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.785To 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, and for other purposes. H.R.819To 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.929To 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.950To 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.952COMBAT PTSD ActCompensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act H.R.1016Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 H.R.1017Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act H.R.1036Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act of 2009 H.R.1037Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2009 H.R.1098Veterans' Worker Retraining Act of 2009 H.R.1168Veterans Retraining Act of 2009 H.R.1169To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disabled veterans for specially adapted housing and automobiles and adapted equipment. H.R.1171Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 H.R.1175To 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. H.R.1182Military Spouses Residency Relief Act H.R.1211Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act H.R.1283Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009 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.1544Veterans Mental Health Accessibility Act H.R.1633Honor the WISH ActHonor the Written Intent of our Soldier Heroes Act H.R.1701PTSD/TBI Guaranteed Review For Heroes Act H.R.1809To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the geographical coverage of TRICARE Prime to include Puerto Rico and Guam. H.R.1821Equity for Injured Veterans Act of 2009 H.R.1879National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2009 H.R.1963To amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure that members of the Armed Forces who are being separated from active duty receive comprehensive employment assistance, job training assistance, and other transitional services, to require that such members receive a psychological evaluation in addition to the physical examination they receive as part of their separation from active duty, and for other purposes. H.R.2058Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act of 2009 H.R.2066Graduate Psychology Education Act of 2009 H.R.2138SERV ActServices, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans Act H.R.2200Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act H.R.2393Military Voting Protection Act of 2009 H.R.2416To require the Department of Veterans Affairs to use purchases of goods or services through the Federal supply schedules for the purpose of meeting certain contracting goals for participation by small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, including veterans with service-connected disabilities. H.R.2419Military Personnel War Zone Toxic Exposure Prevention Act H.R.2456Veterans Education Tuition Support Act of 2009VETS Act of 2009 H.R.2474Veterans Educational Equity Act H.R.2505Reaching Rural Veterans through Telehealth Act H.R.2506Veterans Hearing and Assessment Act H.R.2547Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act H.R.2562Service Members Home Ownership Act of 2009 H.R.2583Women Veterans Access to Care Act H.R.2614Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Reauthorization Act of 2009 H.R.2647National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 H.R.2696Servicemembers' Rights Protection Act H.R.2698Veterans and Survivors Behavioral Health Awareness Act H.R.2699Armed Forces Behavioral Health Awareness Act H.R.2825Safety in Defense Contracting Act H.R.2836National Guard and Reservist Suicide Prevention and Community Response Act H.R.2874Helping Active Duty Deployed Act of 2009 H.R.2879Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 H.R.2898Wounded Warrior Caregiver Assistance Act H.R.2928To amend title 38, United State Code, to provide for an apprenticeship and on-job training program under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program. H.R.2931Kyle Barthel Veterans and Service Members Mental Health Screening Act H.R.3073To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs establish a grant program to provide assistance to veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless. H.R.3082Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2010 H.R.3103To revise certain requirements relating to the Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program of enhanced contract care authority for health care needs of veterans in highly rural areas. H.R.3155Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act H.R.3223To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting goals and preferences for small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans. H.R.3257Military Family Leave Act of 2009 H.R.3267To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide relief with respect to the children of members of the Armed Forces of the United States who die as a result of service in a combat zone. H.R.3283To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow for reimbursement of certain travel at a set rate, and for other purposes. H.R.3288Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 H.R.3323Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Act of 2009 H.R.3337Post-9/11 Veterans' Job Training Act of 2009 H.R.3368Honor Act of 2009 H.R.3407Severely Injured Veterans Benefit Improvement Act of 2009 H.R.3441To provide for automatic enrollment of veterans returning from combat zones into the VA medical system, and for other purposes. H.R.3467Veterans Education Enhancement and Fairness Act of 2009 H.R.3484To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the authority for certain qualifying work-study activities for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. H.R.3554National Guard Education Equality Act H.R.3561To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of educational assistance provided to certain veterans for flight training. H.R.3577Education Assistance to Realign New Eligibilities for Dependents (EARNED) Act of 2009 H.R.3579To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount of the reporting fees payable to educational institutions that enroll veterans receiving educational assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. H.R.3590Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009 H.R.3657To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for members of the United States Public Health Service and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Corps to transfer unused benefits under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program to family members, and for other purposes. H.R.3661To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a monthly housing stipend under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for individuals pursuing programs of education offered through distance learning, and for other purposes. H.R.3813Veterans Training Act H.R.3839To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the reimbursement of mental health counselors under TRICARE, and for other purposes. H.R.3885Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act H.R.3943Post 9/11 Troops to Teachers Enhancement Act H.R.3948Test Prep for Heroes Act H.R.3976Helping Heroes Keep Their Homes Act of 2009 H.R.4064To make certain improvements in the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program. H.R.4073Rural Veterans Reimbursement Act H.R.4079To amend title 38, United States Code, to temporarily remove the requirement for employers to increase wages for veterans enrolled in on-the-job training programs. H.R.4121Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2009 H.R.4203To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans certain educational assistance payments through direct deposit. H.R.4279To amend titles 38 and 10, United States Code, to authorize accelerated payments of educational assistance to certain veterans and members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces. H.R.4320Post-9/11 GI Education Fairness Act of 2009 H.R.4359WARMER ActWarriors Adapting Residences with Mortgages for Energy Renovations Act H.R.4403Securing Patriots Access to Convenient and Economic Air Travel Act of 2009SPACE-A Travel Act of 2009 H.R.4440COMBAT ActCombat Operations and Medical Benefit Authorization for our Troops Act of 2010 H.R.4465To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take into account each child a veteran has when determining the veteran's financial status when receiving hospital care or medical services. H.R.4469To 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.4477Military Personnel Toxic Exposure Registry Act H.R.4568TBI Treatment Act H.R.4569Expanded Housing for America's Veterans Act H.R.4667Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2010 H.R.4765To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize individuals who are pursuing programs of rehabilitation, education, or training under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to receive work-study allowances for certain outreach services provided through congressional offices, and for other purposes. H.R.4810End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2010 H.R.4923TRICARE Dependent Coverage Extension Act H.R.5045To provide for the tolling of the timing of review for appeals of final decisions of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and for other purposes. H.R.5048To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to enhance the protection of credit ratings of servicemembers serving on active duty, and for other purposes. H.R.5120Veteran Employment Assistance Act of 2010 H.R.5303To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve housing stipends for veterans receiving educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program. H.R.5315Post-9/11 GI Bill Improvement Act H.R.5385Student Veteran Counseling Improvement Act H.R.5400Veteran Employment Transition Act of 2010 H.R.5449To amend section 310 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 to extend the period of time during which claims for retroactive stop-loss special pay may be submitted. H.R.5484VetStar Veteran-Friendly Business Act of 2010 H.R.5549RAPID Claims ActRating and Processing Individuals' Disability Claims Act H.R.5731Veterans Mental Health Professionals Oversight Act of 2010 H.R.5737Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Dependent Coverage Improvement Act H.R.5768To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the waiver of the collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans, and for other purposes. H.R.5928Veterans' Disability Claims Efficiency Act of 2010 H.R.5933To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve educational assistance for veterans who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, and for other purposes. S.252Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009 S.262FORCE Act of 2009Fortifying Operational Reserve Component Efforts Act of 2009 S.263Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009 S.274A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an incentive to hire unemployed veterans. S.315Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009 S.423Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 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 authorize dental insurance for veterans and survivors and dependents of veterans; S.514: Veterans Rehabilitation and Training Improvements Act of 2009; S.535: A bill to repeal requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan by veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation, and for other purposes; S.543: Veteran and Servicemember Caregiver Support Act of 2009; S.559: A bill to provide benefits under the Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence program for certain periods before the implementation of the program; S.597: Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009; S.658: Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009; S.669: Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act; S.699: Far South Texas Veterans Medical Center Act of 2009; S.711: Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act of 2009; S.728: Veterans' Insurance and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009; S.731: A bill to provide for continuity of TRICARE Standard coverage for certain members of the Retired Reserve; S.734: Rural Veterans Health Care Access and Quality Act of 2009; S.772: Honor Act of 2009; S.801: Family Caregiver Program Act of 2009; S.811: Graduate Psychology Education Act of 2009; S.831: National Guard and Reserve Retired Pay Equity Act of 2009: S.3352:Veterans Pensions Protection Act of 2010; S.3367: A bill to amend title 38, US Code, to increase the rate of pension for disabled veterans who are married; S.3368: A bill to authorize certain individuals to sign claims filed with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on behalf of claimants; S.3377: A bill to improve the multifamily transitional housing loan program of the Department of Veterans Affairs by requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to issue loans for the construction of, rehabilitation of, or acquisition of land for multifamily transitional housing projects instead of guaranteeing loans for such purposes; S.3454: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011Military Construction Authorization Act for FY2011; S.3348: A bill to provide for the treatment of documents that express disagreement with decisions of the Board of Veterans' Appeals and that are misfiled with the Board within 120 days of such decisions as motions for reconsideration of such decisions, and for other purposes. S.842A bill to repeal the sunset of certain enhancements of protections of servicemembers relating to mortgages and mortgage foreclosures, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay mortgage holders unpaid balances on housing loans guaranteed by Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. S.847A bill to provide that utilization of survivors' and dependents' educational assistance shall not be subject to the 48-month limitation on the aggregate amount of assistance utilizable under multiple veterans and related educational assistance programs. S.902SERV ActServices, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans Act S.944Wounded Warrior Transition Assistance Act of 2009 S.1026Military Voting Protection Act of 2009 S.1072A bill to amend chapter 1606 of title 10, United States Code, to modify the basis utilized for annual adjustments in amounts of educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve. S.1106Selected Reserve Continuum of Care Act S.1237Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Act of 2009 S.1390National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2010 Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center Act of 2009Military Construction Authorization Act for FY 2010 S.1391Department of Defense Authorization ct for FY 2010 Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center Act of 2009 S.1407Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 S.1415Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act S.1429Servicemembers Mental Health Care Commission Act S.1444/1452COMBAT PTSD Act S.1467 Lance Corporal Josef Lopez Fairness for Servicemembers Harmed by Vaccines Act of 2009 S.1495Service Dogs for Veterans Act of 2009 S.1547Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2009 S.1668National Guard Education Equality Act S.1753Disabled Veteran Caregiver Housing Assistance Act of 2009 S.1780Honor America's Guard-Reserve Retirees Act S.1784A bill to ensure that State approving agencies provide timely responses to applications for approval of courses of education and provide justifications for disapproval of courses, to provide for the review of the disapproval of courses by State approving agencies, and for other purposes. S.1785A bill to require State approving agencies to approve courses of education that have been accredited and approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association, and for other purposes. S.1932Post 9/11 Troops to Teachers Enhancement Act S.1963: Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009; S.2097: Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act; S.3517: Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2010; S.2757: Military Families Act; S.3477: Blue Star/Gold Star Flag Act of 2010; S.2769: Post-9/11 Veterans' Job Training Act of 2009; S.3065: Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2010 S.3082A bill to authorize individuals who are pursuing programs of rehabilitation, education, or training under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to receive work-study allowances for certain outreach services provided through congressional offices, and for other purposes. S.3171: A bill to provide for the approval of certain programs of education for purposes of the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program; S.3192: Fair Access to Veterans Benefits Act of 2010; S.3201: A bill to extend TRICARE coverage to certain dependents under the age of 26; S.3234: A bill to improve employment, training, and placement services furnished to veterans, especially those serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes. S.3280: A bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; S.3454: National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2011Military Construction Authorization Act for FY2011; S.3447: Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010; S.3425: Embedded Mental Health Providers for Reserves Act of 2010; S.3398: Veteran Employment Transition Act of 2010; S.3359: Veterans' Disability Compensation Automatic COLA Act: S.3355: Veterans One Source Act of 2010

Client expense: $30,000 · 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), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office

See next page. Supported Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009 (S. 1963)includes funding for family caregivers, improved access to services for women veterans and veterans living in rural areas, and other health matters. S. 1963 includes aspects of the Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act (H.R. 3155), Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act (H.R. 1211), Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act of 2009 (H.R. 1293),and Veterans Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2770). Supported Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act (H.R. 1037/S. 728)includes increases for the Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance program. Supported H.R. 1169would provide a significant increase in the VAs Specially Adapted Housing grant, the Special Home Adaptation grant, and the grant to purchase an automobile. Supported the Veterans Training Act (H.R. 3813)would grant veterans access under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to non-degree granting training programs and schools. Supported Surviving Spouses Benefit Improvement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2243)would replace the current rate of VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC )with a formula setting the rate of DIC at a rate equal to 55 percent of the rate paid to a veteran with a total disability rating. Supported Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act (H.R. 775) and S. 535would eliminate the offset to the military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for families who receive VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Supported the Improving Veterans Electronic Transition Services Act (H.R. 5225)would give veterans electronic access to their official military personnel files and require an assessment of the feasibility of using a centralized web portal to improve veterans access to benefits and records. Supported the Severely Injured Veterans Benefit Improvement Act of 2009 (H.R. 3407)would increase the rate of special monthly compensation available to veterans who have been severely injured and grant eligibility to veterans with traumatic brain injuries to receive aid and attendance benefits. Supported the Homeless Veterans and Other Health Care Authorities Act of 2010 (S. 1237), which includes provisions of the Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2009 (S. 1547). Supported the End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2010 (H.R. 4810), which includes provisions of H.R. 2504, the Help Our Homeless Veterans Act (H.R. 2559), H.R. 2735, and H.R. 3906. Supported H.R. 5014which clarifies that the health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs constitutes minimum essential coverage for the purposes of health reform. Supported the Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theatre (COMBAT) Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2009 (H.R. 952)which would expand the definition of combat with the enemy to include active duty service in a theatre of combat operations during a period of war. Supported the Veterans Employment Transition Act (S. 3398)which would simplify the process employers must follow to receive tax credits for hiring veterans who meet certain classifications. Discussed with House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs staff concerns about legislation proposed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to address the claims backlog. The proposed legislation is the Veterans Benefit Programs Improvement Act of 2010. Urged Congress to consider methods for addressing the VA benefits claims processing backlog. Discussed the Rating and Processing Individuals Disability (RAPID) Claims Act (H.R. 5549). Discussed the Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2010 (S. 3517). Supported HR 2059 to enable military personnel who have a family member with a disability to designate a special needs trust to receive military retiree and survivor benefits annuities rather than a natural person. Without this bill, if benefits are paid directly to the family member, the payments can jeopardize that persons eligibility for Social Security and Medicaid benefits.

Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: AMTRAK - Natl Railroad Passenger Corporation, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)