Paralyzed Veterans of America
Minnesota Chapter
Board of Directors
Seth Thomas (President)
Tim Valentin (Vice-President)
Linda Hooker (Secretary)
Karl Olson (Treasurer)
Vicky Garrison (Immediate Past President)
1 Veterans Drive SCI 238 Minneapolis, MN 55417 612-467-2263 office@mnpva.org
John Novicki Ron James
Bruce Henderson Jose Garcia
National Service Officers Chapter Staff
Ginny Grabowski Office Assistant 612-467-2263
MS Contact
Rich Scott: 612-467-2263
Sarah Little Executive Assistant 612-699-8551
Editor-in-Chief: Sarah Little
Assistant Editor: Ginny Grabowski North Star Bullet
Ginny Grabowski Volunteer Coordinator
Mission
Foundedin1946,theParalyzedVeterans ofAmerica(PVA)isanational organizationdedicatedtoservingformer membersoftheU.S.ArmedForceswho havesufferedcatastrophicparalysisasa resultofspinalcordinjuryordisease.By Publiclaw92-93(1971),theU.S. CongresscharteredPVA.
Jason Stephenson Sr Veterans Health & Benefits Specialist 1 Veterans Drive - SCI 141 Minneapolis, MN 55417 612-629-7022 jasonS@pva.org
Tami Anderson
Sr National Service Officer Federal Building Room G915 St. Paul, MN 55111 612-970-5668 | 1-800-795-3609 tamiA@pva.org
Jim Arndt Vocational Rehab Program Federal Building Room G915 St. Paul, MN 55111 202-416-6476 | 1-800-795-3609 jamesA@pva.org
Todd Kemery National Director 612-467-2263 toddkemery@mnpva.org
Ellie Smith Administrative Assistant I Federal Building Room G915 ellieS@pva.org
"CIRCUMSTANCESDONOTABDICATE RESPONSIBILITY."
-AuthorUnknown
Good day and Happy New Year! The start of every new year is a time where people look at everything in their life that they deem unnecessary, unwanted, or simply unworthy. The reason is because we all believe we can improve our life or at the very least we all have the desire to want more for our lives. Though, I believe that an individual can benefit from learning the art of being happy with a minimalist lifestyle (reasons being outside this article), that is not the point of this article. This month I would like to discuss responsibility.
To follow the “New Year, new me” mindset is to ultimately want to take charge of your life and the actions that accompany it. In other words, to take responsibility for your life. There are many shapes and forms of responsibility. Whether it be your family, health/fitness, life goals, community outreach, or simply the trivial chores in your daily living it is up to you as an individual to commit yourself to the highest good within each avenue of responsibility.
On the other hand, responsibility abdicated is tyranny promoted. That being said, a tyrant isn't just a boss at work who controls your every move; it can just as easily be you who is the tyrant to yourself. It is a hedonic whim that overcomes you. It is the spirit of lustful desire, worry or doubt. What reigns true is that anything you avoid taking charge of is subjected to being taken charge of by something or someone else.
As the days and months of this year come to pass, be attentive to the responsibilities in your life, work as hard as you can to do the best you can, and most importantly, do not shirk the duties which will fulfill your responsible life. Putting focus on yourself and your own life improvements will not only
positively impact you, but can ripple in a wonderful way to others.
Have an Unused Vehicle?
Consider supporting PVA by donating your unused vehicle! For wheelchair accessible vehicles, contact us at the MNPVA office at 612-467-2263. Your vehicle will be matched with one of our veterans in need of accessible transportation.
For all other vehicles, go to pva.careasy.org/home. Donations through National PVA also benefit our chapter.
Tami Anderson
VA makes several cancers presumptive for service connection –
Lowering the burden of proof for Veterans to receive no-cost health care and earned benefits.
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it is making acute and chronic leukemias, multiple myelomas, myelodysplastic syndromes, myelofibrosis, urinary bladder, ureter, and related genitourinary cancers presumptive for service-connection for:
·Gulf War Veterans: Veterans who served in Somalia or the Southwest Asia theater of operations (which includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the airspace above these locations) during the Persian Gulf War on or after August 2, 1990.
·Post-9/11 Veterans: Veterans who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, or Uzbekistan and the airspace above these locations during the Gulf War on or after September 11, 2001. This includes Veterans who served at the Karshi-Khanabad (K2) base in Uzbekistan after September 11, 2001.
This step lowers the burden of proof for these Veterans, meaning that they do not need to prove that their service caused their condition to receive benefits for it. Instead, VA automatically assumes service connection for the condition and provides benefits accordingly. Additionally, when a Veteran becomes service connected for a health condition, it gives them access to free health care for that condition. The presumptions for urinary bladder, ureter, and related genitourinary cancers went into effect on January 2, 2025, and the presumptions for acute and chronic leukemias, multiple myelomas, and myelodysplastic syndromes, myelofibrosis will be effective on January 10, 2025.
In addition to supporting all Veterans who served during the Gulf War, Iraq War, and Afghanistan War, these steps are also a part of a comprehensive effort VA is undertaking to listen to Veterans who served at the Karshi-Khanabad (K2) base and ensure that we are providing them – and their survivors – with the care and benefits they deserve. Partly as a result of these efforts, K2 Veterans have higher claim and approval rates than any other cohort of Veterans: 13,002 K2 Veterans of the approximately 16,000 known K2 Veterans are currently enrolled in VA healthcare, more than 11,800 are service-connected for at least one condition, the average K2 Veteran is service connected for 14.6 conditions at a 70% disability rating, and the average service-connected K2 Veteran receives an average of $30,000 a year in earned benefits. VA continues to work to ensure that all K2 Veterans get access to the benefits they deserve.
VA encourages Veterans with these conditions to apply for benefits today, and we encourage eligible Veterans with previously denied claims to reapply. VA will update publicly available information and conduct general outreach to Veterans and survivors to publicize this new eligibility and how to apply. To apply for benefits, Veterans and survivors may visit VA.gov or call 1-800-MYVA411 or your local National Service Officer.
(The above information is part of a longer article.Ref. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Secretary, VSO Liaison, KM).
“DO NOT TAKE LIFE TOO SERIOUSLY, YOU WILL NEVER GET OUT OF IT ALIVE.”
-Elbert Hubbard
All Veterans with Multiple Sclerosis qualify for PVA membership!
PVA membership criteria have opened up our membership to all veterans with MS. If you have MS or know of a veteran with MS, share this information with them! Have questions about MNPVA? Contact our office!
Volunteer Coordinator
We can always use volunteers! Please reach out to Ginny to find out how you can join the team of valuable volunteers serving SCI/D veterans.
Volunteer Opportunities
We always use volunteers in many different areas such as fundraising committee, event committee, website committee, mailing help, sewing, IT assistance or to provide support at events. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer team leader, please contact our office and speak with Ginny.
“THE SMALLEST ACT OF KINDNESS IS WORTH MORE THAN THE GRANDEST INTENTION.” -Oscar Wilde
Superpowered by Bionic Clothing
·Four muscle activation
·All-terrain walking support
·FDA-cleared
·All-day wearability
Regain function and freedom with full-leg stimulation for MS, spinal cord injury, stroke, and more Proudly Serving Veterans
The Neural Sleeve is now on contract at the VA. Visit cionic.com/va to learn more about accessing the Neural Sleeve through your VA benefits.
Sarah , US Army Veteran, Living with MS
Connect with Us!
We love hearing from our members. If you have a question, a need, or just want to say hi, please reach out. The chapter is you and you are the chapter!
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 1:30pm
Phone or Voicemail
Office Phone
612-467-2263
Office Assistant: ginnygrabowski@mnpva.org
Executive Assistant: sarahlittle@mnpva.org
President: seththomas@mnpva.org
Call or Text
Executive Assistant (Sarah)
612-699-8551
President (Seth) 320-390-0219
Facebook: @MinnesotaPVA
Instagram: pva.mn
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/mnpva X (formerly Twitter): @pvamn1993
Our office is conveniently located in the VA Minneapolis SCI/D center, across from the PT/OT center.
Puzzle Lovers!
Congratulations to our Nov/Dec puzzle winner Nick Hofland. Could you use a $25 Gift Card? Send in a completed copy or a digital picture of your completed puzzles for a chance to win in our regular drawing! One submission per month. Thanks to all for sending in your entries - participation is growing! Next drawing date: 2/28/2025.
All members are invited to join us at our monthly board meetings. These meetings are hybrid (both in person and virtual) so you can choose what works for you!
Please call the office at 612-467-2263 for details. We'd love to see you!!
“HARD THINGS WILL HAPPEN TO US. WE WILL RECOVER. WE WILL LEARN FROM IT. WE WILL GROW MORE RESILIENT BECAUSE OF IT.” -Taylor Swift
Come join us for an evening of fun, food, and learning! This popular event is open to inpatients, outpatients, family, and caregivers. 4:00 PM 4:00 PM
Next Date: 02/26/2025, 03/26/2025
Calendar at a Glance
Feb 3
Feb 13
Feb 26
Mar 13
Mar 26
National Veteran Wheelchair
Games Registration Opens
Adaptive Sports/Recreation
@ Northern Star Basecamp
SCI/D Education Night
Adaptive Sports/Recreation
@ Northern Star Basecamp
SCI/D Education Night
Stay Active! Activity Reimbursement Activity Reimbursement Activity Reimbursement
MNPVA wants to make it easier for members to attend activities in their MNPVA wants to make it easier for members to attend activities in their communities and just for fun! Reimbursement is available for activities communities and just for fun! Reimbursement is available for activities like concerts, sporting events, and theater! like concerts, sporting events, and theater!
Reimbursement may include the cost of admission, lodging, Reimbursement may include the cost of admission, lodging, transportation, meals/food, non-alcoholic beverages, and parking for transportation, meals/food, non-alcoholic beverages, and parking for MNPVA members. Reimbursements cannot be made until event date has MNPVA members. Reimbursements cannot be made until event date has passed and attendance confirmed by signature on form. passed and attendance confirmed by signature on form. Contact the Contact the office for a more information or reimbursment form. office for a more information or reimbursment form.
Please note: FY24-25 shall not exceed $750/member. Availability of funds are subject to change at anytime. Reimbursement amount is set each year in October by the Board of Directors based on budget.
Itemized receipts are required and must be accompanied by a signed reimbursement request form. Reimbursement request forms must be received within 30 days for payment. Some restrictions apply. Participation as an athlete may be covered differently. Please contact the office ahead of time to request assistance and information.
“NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. THE WORD ITSELF SAYS ‘I’M POSSIBLE!’”
-Audrey Hepburn
MNPVA Members Sports Tickets
Includes two great accessible seats. Save your itemized parking, snack, and non-alcoholic beverage receipts to request reimbursement from us. Bring a family member, friend, or caregiver for the second seat ticket recipients who want to say thanks, Tickets are drawn and awarded about ten days before each game.
Upcoming Wild Games
Hurricanes 2/6 at 6:30 PM
Islanders 2/8 at 7 PM
Red Wings 2/25 at 7 PM
Bruins 3/2 at 2:30 PM
Penguins 3/9 at 2:30 PM
Avalanche 3/11 at 7 PM
Rangers 3/13 at 7 PM
Blues 3/15 at 7 PM
Kings 3/17 at 7 PM
Kraken 3/19 at 8:30 PM
Sabres 3/22 at 1 PM
Golden Knights 3/25 at 7 PM
Capitals 3/27 at 7 PM
Devils 3/29 at 5 PM
Stars 4/6 at 2 PM
Sharks 4/9 at 7 PM
Ducks 4/15 at 7 PM
MNPVA BOWLING
Our chapter continues to support active bowling groups that meet weekly. All skill levels are welcome, and no commitment is required. Bowling once a week has many benefits for both the body and mind. Current locations include:
Thursdays at 11am
McPete's Sports Bar & Lanes 590 Humboldt Dr Big Lake, MN
Fridays at 11:30am
Split Rocks Bowling 5063 273rd St Wyoming, MN 55092
St. Croix Lanes 1153 St Croix St, River Falls, WI
If you're near - let us know
As we grow our bowling groups, we have many ideas for events, competitions, and gatherings. Our chapter's own famous "Minnesota" Bowling ramps are available for those desiring to bowl regularly.
If you live in the Twin Cities metro area and would like to join a more local bowling group, let us know! We're looking into starting a group in the Bloomington area.
Please contact the office at 612-467-2263 if you’re interested in joining and if there isn’t a local group, we can help get the word out to form one.
Research Corner
Opportunities for Participation in Research
Discover ongoing research in our community aimed at enhancing life quality for individuals with spinal cord injury or disease. Each study includes contact info, inclusion criteria, and status. MNPVA invites you to review these opportunities, contact the researchers with queries, and discuss with your physician if they suit you. Thanks to the amazing local researchers for their vital work in the SCI/D field!
Bone as Regulator of Energy Balance and Male Fertility after SCI: A Pilot Study
University of Minnesota researchers are seeking participants with or without a spinal cord injury for a clinical trial. We are interested in how bone health affects insulin sensitivity and sperm health in adult males with spinal cord injuries. Participation in the research will take approximately 5 hours over 3-4 visits. Compensation of $200 will be provided for participation.
Investigator: Dr. Leslie Morse, morsel@umn.edu, 612-301-3072
Coordinator: Liza Nowlin, rehablab@umn.edu, 612-301-3072
“SUCCESS IS NOT FINAL; FAILURE IS NOT FATAL; IT IS THE COURAGE TO CONTINUE THAT COUNTS.”
-Winston S. Churchill
VA Research Study seeking veterans with spinal cord injuries who use wheelchairs and who use a lift to transfer to their wheelchair.
The purpose of this research study is to assess and refine our CMAP system (Comprehensive Mobile Assessment of Pressure), a seated pressure mapping system. Participation will last about 4 weeks.
Participants must have a smart phone and a home wifi connection.
Participants will use a pressure mapping device in their wheelchairs at home – this device sends seating information to a research therapist who will monitor activity and make recommendations for pressure injury prevention.
Participants will complete surveys and participate in interviews. The study provides up to $100 compensation to participants.
The principal investigator of this study is Dr. Byron Eddy. Anyone interested can call the study coordinator at 612-467-4806.
“REAL CHANGE, ENDURING CHANGE, HAPPENS ONE STEP AT A TIME.”
-Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of a standing wheelchair that provides mobility while standing. We will assess how much participants use this device, what they can do with it, and any impact on health and quality of life.
We are looking for volunteers who meet the following criteria:
•
• Spinal cord injury (SCI) or stable spinal cord disorder/dysfunction (SCD)
Greater than 6 months post-injury (SCI) or post diagnosis (SCD)
•Manual wheelchair user
•
• •
•
•
Sufficient hand & arm function to operate manual standing wheelchair
Unable to stand independently without support
Body weight below 275 lbs
Age 18 or older
Not involved in another study related to mobility
This study involves completing study visits at the Minneapolis VA for assessments and training followed by taking a device home for 2 months.
This study is open only to Veterans
HelpShape SpinalCordInjury Research
Join the NIH Happiness study for a research focus group. Share your insights to improve spinal cord injury research!
We want to learn about the benefits and challenges of practicing Qigong, a mindful movement program that might help reduce nerve pain for people with spinal cord injuries.
Participants will share their thoughts in a 90-minute virtual (Zoom) focus group. $50 compensation is provided. Wearelookingfor: This
Adults (18+) with spinal cord injuries (SCI) for at least 1 year
Caregivers for adults with SCI
Healthcare personnel for adults with SCI
Other stakeholders in the SCI community
Washington Update
Check out the PVAction Force page to view alerts and a list of key legislation.
ELEASES OLICY PRIORITIES PVAR 2025P
With a new Congress and a new Administration in Washington, D.C., PVA’s priorities for 2025 are focused on ensuring access to the care and benefits PVA members have earned and the civil rights protections they deserve. We look forward to working with our champions to move these priorities forward throughout the year.
Our priorities for 2025 are as follows:
•
•
•
•
• Protect VA's Specialized Health Care Services
Increase Access to Long-Term Services and Supports for Veterans with SCI/D
Improve Veterans’ Financial Security
Enhance Access to Health Care Services for Veterans with SCI/D
Defend the Freedoms of Veterans with Disabilities
For more details on each of the priorities, please click here
—“F ” NEW CONGRESS ULL RESTART
The 119th Congress is officially underway. All unpassed bills from the previous Congress must be reintroduced. We are working with the authors of bills addressing PVA’s legislative priorities to make that happen. It’s
important to remember that bill numbers and titles may change as part of the process.
The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC) leadership remains the same, but some of its members have changed. For example, the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee’s former Ranking Member, Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA), moved to the House Appropriations Committee and will be working on its MILCON/VA Subcommittee. This is the subcommittee that allocates funding for the VA. Another HVAC member, Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-IN) who served as the Ranking Member of the HVAC’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, will be joining him. A third Democratic member, Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH), left the HVAC to serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Three new members, all doctors—Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Rep. Herb Conaway (D-NJ) and Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-MN), were chosen to replace them. Conaway is a veteran. Reps. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ), Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-Northern Mariana Islands), and Tom Barrett (R-MI) are joining the HVAC as new Republican members. Rep. Hamadeh and Rep. Barrett are veterans.
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) is now the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) has been selected as the new Ranking Member. Joining the committee as members of the majority are Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN) and Tim Sheehy (RMT). Sen. Banks is currently serving in the U.S. Navy
Reserve and Sen. Sheehy is a veteran. On the minority side, Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) are now members of the committee. Sen. Duckworth and Sen. Gallego are veterans who served in Iraq.
PRESIDENT SIGNS VETS SAFE TRAVEL LEGISLATION
On January 4, President Biden signed an amended version of the VETS Safe Travel Act (H.R. 7365). This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar (RAZ) and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), provides free access to TSA Pre✓® for certain eligible veterans who otherwise meet the requirements of the program. Prior to passage in the House, the bill was amended to limit eligibility to veterans with service-connected disabilities. In order to be eligible, the veteran must meet all of the requirements for TSA Pre✓® and be service connected for limb loss, paralysis, or permanent blindness and as a result use a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or other assistive device to aid with mobility.
T E D A N L
On January 2, President Biden signed S. 141, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act into law, bringing an end to PVA’s long effort to pass this legislation. Now, our focus will shift toward implementing its many provisions which include eliminating the cap on how much VA can pay for home care. The law also expands services to better support caregivers, such as providing them with respite and mental health care to ensure their wellbeing and that of their families. Other provisions require the VA to develop a plan that allows for same-day appointment scheduling and create a pilot program that enables veterans with chronic health conditions to access dental care. It also enhances stipends for some of VA’s education programs and tightens oversight of educational providers serving veterans. Additionally, it broadens eligibility for burial allowances and revises definitions for certain surviving spouses.
bipartisan effort reflects a shared commitment to honoring the sacrifices of those who have served by ensuring they and their caregivers receive the vital supports they desperately need.
P S L
On January 4, President Biden signed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act (H.R. 6492) into law. The EXPLORE Act improves access and increases outdoor recreation opportunities for various groups, including people with disabilities and veterans. The law directs the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a comprehensive assessment of outdoor recreation facilities on federal recreational lands and waters and high-priority trails to determine the accessibility of the facilities and trails. The Secretary must also select locations to develop new accessible trails and make modifications to transform existing trails into accessible trails. Additionally, maps and signage for new trails must be consistent with federal laws and accessibility guidelines. The law also mandates the selection of locations for the creation of new accessible recreational opportunities (biking, rock climbing, water activities, etc.) that comply with federal laws.
A different section of the law directs the Interior Secretary to seek partnerships with the VA and the Department of Defense to develop educational and public awareness materials. These materials should include information on free opportunities for members of the Armed Forces and veterans to access federal recreational lands. The law also strongly encourages hiring veterans in all positions related to the management of federal recreational lands and waters.
PVA is extremely grateful to Congress for passing this important legislation supporting the families and caregivers of our nation’s veterans, especially those with catastrophic injuries and diseases, like MS and ALS. Their
On December 23, 2024, President Biden signed the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act into law. This legislation was originally introduced in the Senate on July 26, 2023, as S. 2513 by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT). The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act intends to improve the VA’s claims and appeals process by temporarily adding three judges to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, establishing an internship program at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to recruit law school
students, improve and modernize the VA’s Disability Benefits Questionnaires, and allow VA examination contractors to contact the veteran’s accredited representative (in addition to the veteran) when scheduling appointments amongst other issues. To read more about the new law’s provisions, click here.
P C R
On December 6, 2024, the VA published its muchanticipated proposed rulemaking which would improve the department’s Caregiver Programs. The overwhelming majority of their proposed changes would affect the department’s current Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), such as eliminating the onerous requirement that a veteran require assistance with an activity of daily living each time it is performed in order to qualify for the program. Another proposed change expands PCAFC eligibility criteria to include more veterans who have a serious injury or who meet the standards of individual unemployability (IU). Additionally, eligibility for the program would be reassessed every two years, rather than every year, allowing participants to continue receiving services for a longer period of time. Another proposed change would allow VA to conduct home visits via telehealth during any emergency declared by a federal, state, or local authority involving certain safety or public health risk.
VA welcomes your feedback to help them shape the final version of these changes. The public has until February 4 to submit their comments to the proposed rule, which you can find here. PVA has worked with VA over the past few years to develop some of these proposed changes and will submit comments to the department.
F P R -
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule on accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act for transit stops in public rights-ofway. The rule adopts the Access Board’s Public Rights-ofWay Guidelines (PROWAG). The Access Board published the standards in August 2023, but the
standards could not be enforced until adopted by DOT and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Notably, DOT’s enforcement authority covers transit facilities and services. DOJ must also adopt the standards to fully enforce the guidelines in all public rights-of-way.
DOT's standards will apply to new construction and alterations of transit stops in the public right-of-way. A public right-of-way is public land acquired for, or dedicated to, transportation purposes. Under the final rule, a transit stop is defined is an area designated for passengers to board or alight from buses, rail cars, and other transportation vehicles that operate on a fixed route or scheduled route, including bus stops and boarding platforms. The final rule requires newly constructed and altered transit stops in the public rightof-way to comply with PROWAG. The guidelines are effective January 17.
C E T
On December 20, 2024, Congress passed a second continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded through March 14. It also contained language codifying VA’s Veteran Experience Office and providing greater oversight of the department’s accounting procedures. The latter provision requires VA leaders to regularly meet with the members of the VA committees for the next three years to provide updates on the agency’s finances. Further, it withholds bonuses to senior VA leaders whenever financial shortfalls exist.
Most notably, the CR did not include the $6.6 billion in additional funding that VA said it needed for veterans health care for the current fiscal year. Congressional leaders are still reviewing VA's request for the extra money and we are hopeful that they will address the shortfall in legislation funding the government beyond March 14.
Three bipartisan bills introduced by Rep. Marcus Molinaro (R-NY) as part of his Think DIFFERENTLY initiative to remove barriers in key areas of society for individuals with disabilities have been signed into law.
On January 4, President Biden signed the Think Differently Database Act (H.R. 670/S. 4174) into law. This legislation requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish a publicly available website with information on Medicaid caregiving services and programs. This website must include information on eligibility, points of contact, waitlists, and covered long-term services.
The Think Differently About Building Accessibility Act (H.R. 9313) was included as Section 2308 of the bipartisan Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (S. 4367). This legislation was also signed into law by the President on January 4. Section 2308 requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on compliance with the Architectural Barriers Act of buildings owned and leased by the General Services Administration.
Finally, in November 2024, the Think Differently About Emergencies Act (H.R. 6249) was signed into law. It requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the GAO to conduct a review of assistance and resources provided to individuals with disabilities and their families who are impacted by major disasters. Under this law, FEMA and the GAO must also provide recommendations to Congress on improvements to such assistance and resources.
NEWS OF NOTE
Veterans in the 119th Congress
The 119th Congress began with 100 members who had military experience, which is the largest number of lawmakers who are veterans in eight years. Two of them (Vice President JD Vance and Rep. Michael Waltz) have left to assume their respective roles in the new Administration. The remaining numbers are as follows: 19 are in the Senate and 79 are in the House. Of those, 26 are Democrats and 72 are Republicans. Experts say the increased number of veterans in Congress reflects a shift in political influence from older generations of veterans to the post-9/11 population.
David Capozzi Confirmed for Amtrak Board of Directors
At the end of the 118th Congress, the Senate confirmed David Capozzi as a member of the Amtrak Board of Directors. Capozzi is the former Executive Director of the U.S. Access Board, former National Advocacy Director for PVA, and a wheelchair user. His appointment satisfies a new statutory requirement for Amtrak to have a designated disability advocate on its board.
PVA Participates in SVA’s NatCon
Early this month, Student Veterans of America (SVA) held their annual conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado. NatCon is the largest gathering of student veterans each year and is attended by several veterans service organizations (VSO).
One of the popular sessions each year is a “Meet Your VSO Panel,” which PVA Associate Legislative Director Julie Howell participated in again this year. PVA also participated in a “Policy Think-Tank” session, assisting student veterans to think critically about issues impacting their communities and how to draft creative solutions.
SURVEYS & COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
Survey on Airport Disability Access
It’s been nearly 35 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. While airports have continued to keep pace with the changing requirements under this law, some airports have exceeded regulatory requirements to make their airports more accessible for all users through various guest experience programs, facility design choices, and amenities. Now, researchers are conducting a survey to identify exemplary airports. The survey is part of an Airport Cooperative Research Project (ACRP) Synthesis project. The ACRP is funded by the Federal Aviation Administration and sponsored by the Transportation Research Board. The survey responses will be compiled and included in a report, but participants will be anonymous. The survey should take
about 5 minutes to complete. Click here to take the survey.
Veterans’ Committee Activities
Please visit the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee webpages for information on previous and upcoming hearings and markups.
Joel Annen
Andrew Bernstrom
David Berscheit
Dwight Bierbrauer
Destry Boomgarden
Patrick Donley
Harlan Ebert
Ronald Ezuck
Robert Hawley
Gary Hieronimus
Glenn Jackola
Curtis Jorgenson
Joseph Jucknik
Robert Kilpatrick
Mark Lewis
Jeffery Martin
Mark Novak
Raymond Ostlund
Bradley Paulson
Michael Raphael
Bonnie Sampsell
Eric Larson
Eugene Striefel
Donald Thompson
Roger Tottingham
Timothy Valentin
Casey Whelan
Lee Whitley
Bill Wicklow
Robert Young
Gaylen Anderson
Clifford Anderson
Michael Arnold
Gregg Asher
Mark Cecchettini
Colleen Cihunka
David Coles
Danny Crosby
David Dew
Dale Haugen
Dennis Hendrickson
Anthony Hochstetler
Roger Illies
Ladonna Joseph
Lowell Kohls
James Loven
Chad Randall
Tom Stiehm
Peter Surkan
James Trueman
Lawrence Vian
Aaron Wilson
Sudoku
5 9 7 4 6 6 1 7 9 8 3 6 2 8 7 3 1 9 7 4 5 2 8 9 4 7 2 1 9 8 6 5
Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9. If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.
Mail completed copy to office to enter drawing for $25 gift card.
