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The Service Member’s Voice in Government

Guardian The

Uniformed Services Journal FALL 2016

Where the flag flies, we know freedom resides

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

National Association for Uniformed Services® 5535 Hempstead Way Springfield, VA 22151-4094

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THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

FOR UNIFORMED SERVICES MISSION: Promote a strong national defense and protect the benefits earned through service and sacrifice in the uniformed services.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

MCPO David Rudd, USN (Ret), Co-Chair

Col Warren Parker, USMC (Ret), Co-Chair

Col Michael F. Harris, USAF (Ret), 1st Vice Chair -

Treasurer & Chair – Finance Committee

Karl P. Karl, USMC (Vet), 2nd Vice Chair - NAUS Secretary

Fall 2016 • Vol. 40 No. 4

INSIDE 2 NAUS Mailbox

3 NAUS President’s Message 4 Letter From ROA 6 NAUS 48th Annual Meeting

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FRONT COVER:

We once again highlight a quote from NAUS Legislative Director Rick Jones. Inside he discusses the flag ammendment and the Supreme Court decision ern me nt Voi ce in Gov Me mb er’s that held that a person could not The Ser vice The be legally responsible for physical l urna Services Jo Uniformed desecration of our flag.

Guardian 6 FALL 201

flies, he flag Where t edom resides w fre we kno

Spc. Morgan Austin, communications specialist with Joint Forces Command – United Assistance, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), holds up the U.S. flag during a promotion and re-enlistment ceremony Jan. 1, 2015, at Barclay Training Center, Monrovia, Liberia.

8 NAUS Legislative Update

13 14 20 22 25 26 28 32 36

Estate Plan Update Key Bills

NAUS Briefs: Veterans News

NAUS Briefs: Healthcare News Seniors’ Corner

NAUS/TAPs Scholarship Active Duty Download

Excelsior College

USAA Advice Center

37 Wreaths Across America 38 SMW 40 Taps

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Rashene Mincy, 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera)/ Released).

The Guardian is published bimonthly by the National Association for Uniformed Services®, 5535 Hempstead Way, Springfield, VA 22151-4094; Tel. (703)750-1342, 1(800)842-3451; Fax (703)354-4380; email: naus@naus.org; website: www.NAUS.org. Postmaster: send address changes to The Guardian • 5535 Hempstead Way Springfield, VA 22151-4094.

Subscription rates: Membership in NAUS includes a subscription to the The Guardian. For persons and organizations not eligible for membership: $25 per year in USA and its possessions; $35 per year to a foreign address. Single copy is $8.00.

MajGen Timothy F. Ghormley, USMC (Ret), 3rd Vice Chair Chair-Governance Committee

COL Dan Dennison, USA (Ret), EXCOM Member -

Chair-Legislative Affairs Committee

CMSgt Christopher E. Muncy, USAF (Ret), EXCOM Member-

Chair-Membership & Development Committee

DIRECTORS

LCDR Francis Bertulfo, USPHS

SGM Russell Cain, USA (Ret) - Uniformed Services Disabled Retirees (USDR) MSG Howard J. Day, III, USA

MCPO Paul Dillon, USN (Ret)

Sgt Brian J. Griffin, USAF (Ret)

1SG Mary E. Hall, USA (Ret)

BGen John A. Hurley, USAFR (Ret)

CAPT Robert C. Lloyd, Jr., USPHS

SMSgt Charles E. Murphy, USAF (Ret)

Mrs. Patricia L. Walker - President, Society of Military Widows CSM Ron Buatte, USA (Ret) – RVP – Region 1 - Northwest Col Al Stewart, USAF (Ret) – RVP – Region 2 - West

MSgt Thomas Paolillo, USAF (Ret) – RVP – Region 3 - Central

SMSgt Chuck Murphy, USAF (Ret) – RVP – Region 4 - Southwest LtCol Dick I. Brubaker, USAF (Ret) – RVP – Region 5 - North Central Mr. Dennis Freytes – RVP – Region 6 - Southeast

MCPO Paul Dillon, USN (Ret) – RVP – Region 7 - Northeast Vacant – RVP – Region 8 - Mid-Atlantic

AFFILIATE/MERGER ADVISORS

COL Otto Grummt, USA (Ret) - Co-Chair Membership & Development

Morris Harvey - President, American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV) SGM Anthony Nathe, USA (Ret) - President, Uniformed Services

Disabled Retirees (USDR-1981)

Mr. Fred Taylor - NAUS Florida Department President

NAUS STAFF

MajGen Tom Wilkerson, USMC (Ret) – President and CEO Ms. Windora Bradburn, CPA – CFO

Rick Jones, USA (Vet) H – Legislative Director/PAC

CTI1 Mike Plumer, USN (Ret) H – Deputy Legislative Director Tommy Campbell – Creative Director/Managing Editor Mrs. Maggie Nayyar – Director of Development Mrs. Toni Cimini – Membership Manager

H Registered Federal Lobbyists

I am so thankful to be selected as a recipient

of a NAUS 2016-17 Scholarship. As the second oldest of six children, this is a tremendous blessing to both myself and my family! I am certain there were many qualified applicants, and I cannot express how much I appreciate you choosing to invest in my education. Thank you again for believing in me.

It is another reminder that my dreams can really be achieved!

Erin Ward 2016-2017 NAUS Scholarship Recipient Proud NAUS Parent: SCPO Jonathan N. Ward, USN Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the generosity

you have shown by choosing me as a scholarship recipient. Not only does this scholarship mean a lot financially but it also means a lot personally in helping me achieve my goals. Once again, thank you for the time, effort and thought you have put into this scholarship and me.

Elizabeth Wong 2016-2017 NAUS Scholarship Recipient Proud NAUS Parent: Col Lolo Wong, USAF (Ret)

We welcome your comments and feedback, send to: NAUS Mailbox, 5535 Hempstead Way, Springfield, VA 22151 or to tcampbell@naus.org.

Greetings, I have not been getting the weekly Watchdog updates. Please check on my membership or if there is some other issue. I checked and e-mail is not in my spam file. Thank you.

Vincent Tobol Waco, TX website NAUS the to Question submitted NAUS NOTE: We received this question many times over the past few weeks. As stated in the July 22 edition at the very top of the Watchdog, “This is the last Watchdog that NAUS will publish until after Congress returns from its summer break on Sept. 6. This will enable staff to take vacations and get some rest before the startup, again, of what may turn out to be a very hectic time in D.C.” The Watchdog has started publishing again and hope this answers any concerns anyone other members may have had about the status of their weekly update.

Mike Plumer - Deputy Legislative Director/Veterans Affairs - NAUS

In mid-July, I was notified that my friend, former Commanding Officer and former NAUS Board of Director had passed away (pg 40).

I had known Col Millis since we first met in the Philippines in the Spring of 1970. At that time he was the CO and I was a mere Captain. The unit was the Southeast Asia Communications Area (SEACR) and at that time the area of responsibility included the headquarters, 1961st Communications Group both located at Clark AB, Pampanga, Philippines; the 1965th Communications Group in Taiwan, the 1974th Communications Group in Vietnam and the 1974 Communications Group in Thailand.

The unit was commanded by Col Millis, his deputy/vice commander was also a Colonel, as was his Director of Operations and my immediate supervisor. I was the computer, COMSEC, and record communications guy; however on the day in question I was just the “Newbie”. I had literally been off the World Airways contract flight from “the World” for a bit less than two hours. My sponsor had met me at the MAC Passenger Terminal with the sad story, “I need to stop by the office for a minute, then we’ll get you to your billet”. It is late March 1970, I had left Charleston AFB, SC 36 hours before, was wearing my AF “Blues” and hadn’t slept, seen a razor, or a shower in all that time and here I was meeting my new boss and I wasn’t “spit shined”. My new boss shook my hand, made the obligatory “noises”, then handed me a message and asked if I knew anything about the subject. After a quick perusal I responded that I was familiar with the computer system in question but it was not one with which I had worked before. He handed me a pad and pen and responded, “Good, answer the message and tell them that you are the Action Officer”. This I did before I could go to my billet! The cloud did have a silver lining though. It required me to report to Fuchu AS, Japan at some date to be determined in the next two months and get training on the operation of the computer system. It seemed that I was to be the Command Test Director for the Test and Acceptance of the Clark AB node of the Worldwide Automated Weather Network. As the trip approached, I received a call from the command section that the Commander wanted to see me. Lord, what have I done now??? I reported expecting to get a butt chewing for something; however, Col Millis asked when I was leaving for Japan and handed me a legal sized envelope that looked like a drunk chicken had stepped in ink and walked around on it and said simply, when you get a chance while in Japan, mail this in the local Post Office. It seemed that Col Millis was fluent in Japanese and he was writing one of the personnel from his old Air Attaché office.

I was to learn that this was only a scratch on the surface of the officer know as Billy J. Millis, Colonel, USAF. Fast forward 30+ years, I was to get a call out of the Blue from Bill Millis in Austin, TX asking me to consider replacing him of the Board of Directors of an organization known as the National Association for Uniformed Services (NAUS).

Michael F. Harris, Colonel, USAFR (Ret) 1st Vice Chairman – Treasurer - NAUS 2

The Guardian Fall 2016

From The Desk Of The President: MajGen Thomas L. Wilkerson, USMC (Ret)

Over the past few months the NAUS

ExCom has come to

common ground with ROA regarding their

name, their willingness to expand focus from

Reserves alone to Total Force and all veterans.

The ExCom thought it

best that ROA leadership

make its case by writing a letter to all NAUS

members outlining why

To all NAUS Members and Supporters, I write to bring all of you up to date on a key initiative regarding the future of NAUS – our mission and our support to members. When I assumed duties as the 26th CEO in June of 2015, we conducted a strategic review of our position both financially and operationally.

As you already know from our reports, the situation was grim as our key measures of finance and membership continued in a decade long decline. e Board Executive Committee (ExCom) provided guidance to bring down expenses while maintaining our core programs, to grow revenues and to explore the option of merging with another like-minded MSO/VSO. With member support we have made progress in the past 15 months towards reaching the first two goals. However, despite significantly reducing our expenses and increasing our revenues we still did not gain a positive operating margin. And, our membership continuing its decade long decline. e ExCom responded by directing that we pursue merger options more aggressively. e result of that effort narrowed our search to the Reserve Officers Association (ROA). It alone of all the other potential merger partners already embraced the seven services, and worked the Congress on national defense policy and member/veteran benefits – but only for Reserve forces.

Over the past few months the NAUS ExCom has come to common ground with ROA regarding their name, their willingness to expand focus from Reserves alone to Total Force and all veterans. e ExCom thought it best that ROA leadership make its case by writing a letter to all NAUS members outlining why they believe our potential integration is good for both ROA and NAUS. e ROA leadership accepted the challenge and prepared the letter that follows on the next page to the Board and our members. It is a solid package; it stands on its own merits and it clearly states how ROA will embrace our mission and integrate all of our members.

ROA leaders have also indicated they are comfortable with the dra Binding Agreement prepared by the NAUS CEO and Counsel, as well. We will have it ready for our Board and members to review prior to the annual meeting. Further, we will be sending the Agreement to all members by email, snail mail, and online that you can be fully informed for voting at the Annual Meeting.

With this letter and the ROA/NAUS signed binding Integration Agreement, I believe the ExCom can recommend the Board and you our members embrace the integration as our best possible road to a brighter future. With that, we commend ROA’s letter to your closest attention as you consider this important opportunity.

they believe our potential

integration is good for

both ROA and NAUS.

Semper Fidelis,

omas L. Wilkerson Major General, USMC (Ret)

The Guardian Fall 2016

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The Guardian Fall 2016

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Plan Now To Join Us For The 48th Annual Membership Meeting Webinar Wednesday, October 26, 2016 NAUS MEMBERS: MAKE PLANS TO JOIN US FOR THIS YEAR”S MEETING! This year’s meeting will be once again presented as a webinar and teleconference.

Members will be able to see their association’s President and Board Members discuss the current status of NAUS, the issues that your association has been working on over the past year including voting on the NAUS/ROA integration.

Register Today by using the instructions on the next page!

The Service Memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Voice in Government

Guardian The

48th Annual Membership Meeting Webinar Wednesday, October 26,2016

How to Register:

Go to

www.naus.org/ register Once at the site, just enter your information and click continue to register for the

48th Annual Meeting Webinar After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

If you have any trouble registering please contact the 24/7 support at 1-855-352-9003 for assistance.

Uniformed Services Journal

The NAUS Staff is proud to bring you this edition of the 2016 Fall The Guardian.

As you may already know, there are many changes coming to NAUS. We detail the plan for integration with ROA in this issue and try to prepare you for the future of NAUS and your membership as part of ROA. Details of the 48th Annual Meeting are included with instructions on how to register for this years web conference. We hope you will join us as this will be the most important member meeting NAUS has ever held and the last as the association you have known for 48 years.

As always we bring you the latest news on the issues that concern your earned benefits. Even with Congress being on break for the majority of the last two months, we let you know where things stand currently and what needs to be of concern as we head into the upcoming election.

Please let us know your thoughts as this is YOUR membership magazine,. We welcome your comments and feedback on The Guardian.

Please send correspondence to: NAUS Mailbox, 5535 Hempstead Way, Springfield, VA 22151 or to tcampbell@naus.org.*

Thank you Tommy Campbell, Creative Director/ Managing Editor, The Guardian

*(Include your hometown and daytime phone number. Due to space restrictions, not every entry can be published and those that are may be edited to fit.)

legislative

update

by Rick Jones, Legislative Director, & Mike Plumer, Deputy Legislative Director Lawmakers Continue Discussion to Reconcile Defense Policy Bill

Following a long summer recess, House and Senate Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Armed Services Committees are back at work on negotiations for a final fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Throughout the recess, staff with the House and Senate Armed Services Committees have been sorting out dozens of policy and spending differences in their bills and outlining expectations for working out various policy conflicts.

As we go to press, however, there is little new information about the how the final version

8

will package the most expansive Pentagon overhaul in more than three decades.

With November’s election only days away, Congress continues to work out a final agreement in a difficult period of time with a rising national debt and an enormous deficit of billions of dollars.

NAUS continues to advise Congress to give priority for our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq to assure they have the resources to carry out their missions in these theaters of operation.

As the defense authorization bill continues to wind its way to passage, NAUS urges our lawmakers to build a capability that makes sure that our men and women have all the resources they need if they are called to go into harm’s way.

When we are

in a military conflict our service members must have the wherewithal to protect against the threats they face, to carry out their mission and to protect our people and our way life.

The fiscal 2017 National Defense Authorization Act is mustpass legislation.

It is a massive undertaking that touches on so many aspects of our defense and national security priorities and the well-being of our military personnel and their families.

Let’s take a closer look at the quality of life issues under consideration in this important bill.

Final NDAA Holds Key Military Pay Raise in 2017

The House bill supports a 2.1 percent January raise to match wage growth in the private sector.

The Senate bill proposes only a 1.6 percent pay increase, consistent with the White House budget proposal.

In addition, President Obama invoked his authority to set uniformed service members a pay raise below civilian wage growth effective Jan. 1, 2017. Obama wrote in an Aug. 31 letter to congressional leaders “I have determined that for 2017, across-the-board pay increases will be 1.6 percent.”

If Congress does not approve the higher raise, the 2017 pay hike The Guardian Fall 2016

will mark the fourth consecutive year that military salary increases have not kept pace with the private sector.

NAUS has advised lawmakers involved in conference on the final bill that the reduced salary could make recruiting and retention more difficult as the lower military wage grows the gap between military and civilian pay.

Senate Aims for BAH Reform

As we go to press, Senators have proposed two reforms to change the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) system. First it would cap BAH payments to stateside members who are married or who share housing costs. These individuals would receive the amount they actually pay for off base housing or the local BAH maximum for their rank and family status, whichever is the lower.

The House version does not address BAH and the White House opposes curbing BAH payments. NAUS notes that the Senate proposed similar changes in last year’s NDAA, none of which survived conference with the House.

TRICARE Reforms: House Proposal

Let’s start with the good news: TRICARE for Life is unaffected, held harmless; There is no change in the new year. In addition, the House rejects almost all Pentagon proposals for higher fees and co-pays intended to drive patients, particularly retirees, back into managed care and military facilities.

The House reform would end TRICARE Standard and Extra on Jan. 1, 2018, to be replaced by a new self-managed, preferred provider option, called TRICARE Preferred. The House Preferred option (formerly Standard) would end the current percentage payment of present authorized cost. In its place, there would be an annual enrollment fee with a flat-rate dollar copayment for Active Duty family members and retirees.

Payment of the enrollment fee would be required for access to the military medical system starting in 2018.

TRICARE Prime would continue as the managedcare option as the system is currently designed.

Fees would rise for certain beneficiaries.

For those who join the Uniformed Service on or after Jan. 1, 2018, the participation fee for Active Duty family members would be $310/$600 and retirees $425/$850, respectively for single and family.

For beneficiaries, Active Duty or retired, prior to Jan. 1, 2018, the fee would be $100/$200, but would not, repeat, not go into effect until 1.) a baseline The Guardian Fall 2016

assessment of network adequacy and beneficiaries’ access to care under the TRICARE health care provider network is submitted not later than Sept. 1, 2017; and, 2.) the DoD Comptroller General submits a report, NLT Feb. 1, 2020, ensuring improvement of access, quality of care, and beneficiaries’ satisfaction under TRICARE Preferred.

These fees would increase annually as currently calculated, by the percentage amount of the annual COLA increase in retired pay.

TRICARE Reforms: Senate Proposal

The Senate proposal also holds harmless TRICARE for Life. TFL is unaffected, without change.

Under the Senate bill, TRICARE Standard would be renamed TRICARE Choice. Participation would require users to enroll annually to help better manage costs and resources.

Increases in annual enrollment fees for TRICARE Choice would phase in starting for retirees at $150/$300 for Individual/Family in 2018 and rise yearly, climbing over five years, to $450/$900.

For active duty families, Senate Choice would require a deductible for out-of-network providers of $100/$200 for E4 and below and $300/$600 for E5 and above.

Copays would also be required, higher for retired than for active duty families, but both groups would make copays, unless using a Military Treatment Facility.

TRICARE Prime would continue as the managedcare option. Fees would increase $350/$700 for Individual/Family from current levels of $282/$565.

Active duty service members enrolled in TRICARE Prime would pay no enrollment fees for their health care coverage. Also families of active duty service members enrolled in TRICARE Prime would continue to see no enrollment fees for their coverage.

All beneficiaries, including retirees and their families, would continue to receive healthcare services and prescription drugs free of charge in military hospitals and clinics.

The Senate bill proposes a TRICARE Supplemental Option

The Senate bill proposes a TRICARE Supplemental option for eligible beneficiaries who have Other Health Insurance. The beneficiary would pay ½ of the enrollment fee applicable in the retirement category who enrolls in TRICARE Choice. The program would cover costs not otherwise paid by the OHI. The Senate plan also proposes that increases in all TRICARE fees would be indexed for under age 9

and retired.” Ranking Member Susan Davis (D-CA) echoed many Reform Proposals Directed of Heck’s remarks and said the reforms will put the commissaries on at Commissary System As we go to press, NAUS is a sustainable path while protecting the benefit for service members working with a number of and veterans. partner associations to urge In brief, the House authorizes Women Draft Registration Congress proceed with caution the Defense Secretary to develop The Senate agreed on a provision on the scope and pace of and implement a comprehensive to its version of the annual defense reforms being considered strategy to enhance practices policy bill that calls for women to during deliberations on the across the system to reduce reliance sign up with the Selective Service Fiscal Year 2017 National on appropriated funds, “without within 30 days of turning 18 — Defense Authorization Bill. just as men are — beginning in As readers know, the Department reducing the benefit to patrons.”

January 2018. of Defense has proposed accelerated The reform package also includes Though the House Committee measures to allow DoD to immedi- many check points to slow reforms and give Congress 30 days to on Armed Services supported the ately proceed with implementation review changes and stop the policy change, the directive was of changes to products, pricing process if the shopping benefit not included in that chamber’s and funding mechanisms that appears at risk. version of the bill. have served the system well over The purpose of these reforms, The Supreme Court ruled in 1981 the past 30 years. says Chairman Mac Thornberry that women did not have to register On the other hand, the House for the draft, noting that they should bill offers reforms to the commissary (R-TX), is to put commissaries on a self-sustaining basis, so they can not face the same requirements as benefit that will, according to men because they did not participate Chairman Joe Heck (R-NV), “ensure stand on their own and deflect the effort to do away with the on the front lines of combat. But that the commissaries will remain benefit by those who wish to since Defense Secretary Ashton B. an integral part of the military privatize the system.

Carter said in December that the lifestyle as well as a good value Turning to the Senate reform Pentagon would open all combat for shoppers - both active duty proposals, the fiscal year jobs to women, military 2017 NDAA would direct officials have told Conthe Department of Degress that women fense to privatize up to should also sign up for five of the 240 base comthe draft. missaries for two years to While the subject has assess “the feasibility yet to be worked out in and advisability” of priconference, a return to vatizing the entire sysforcing people to join the tem. armed forces seems unReforms include a pilot likely. Military leaders program to replace the maintain the all-voluncost-plus-five-percent pricteer force is working ing formula with variable and do not want a repricing across local marturn to conscription. The kets.

The committees also U.S. has not had a miliendorse allowing the Detary draft since 1973, in Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones fense Commissary the waning years of the Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones CapAgency to offer its own Vietnam War era. Still, tion Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption brand products to leverall men between the Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption Jones Caption 65 retirees and their families. The Senate proposal would base increases on the annual Consumer Price Index for Medical Expenses as calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which historically runs above the annual COLA increase.

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ages of 18 and 25 are required by law to register.

The Guardian Fall 2016

age savings, protect the benefit and modernize operations.

In whole, the House-Senate bills propose a number of new authorities aimed to modernize store operations, which include variable pricing and the introduction of private labeled brands. Reform is clearly in the wind, but how it will take form is yet unclear.

End Former Spouse Windfall: Base Benefits at Time of Divorce

The National Association for Uniformed Services (NAUS) is pleased to see the House and Senate agree on a provision to amend the 1982 Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA), a law that allows courts to consider treatment of retirement pay and other marital assets in divorce proceedings.

The NAUS endorsed provision would amend the USFSPA to base all prospective awards of military retired pay on the member’s rank and time served at the time of the divorce. Current law allows courts to divide final retired pay, even though the retirement occurs years after divorce.

Under the revision, promotions and longevity pay increases earned after a divorce would be the sole property of the service member who earned them.

Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance

As readers know, NAUS is a staunch supporter of making Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments fairer, more equitable, and more in keeping with the promise of the program to service members and their families.

NAUS has long supported The Guardian Fall 2016

legislation to end the offset that is applied to SBP due to receipt of Veterans Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for survivors of those who died as a result of serving our country in uniform.

SBP pays a percentage of the deceased service-member’s income, and it comes from the Department of Defense.

DIC is a payment made to widows, their children and some parents who have lost a husband, father or son. Widows are entitled to the benefit for the remainder of their lives, unless they remarry.

DIC comes from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The offset, a dollar-for-dollar deduction, is supposedly intended to prevent double dipping from two similar benefit plans.

But the Survivors Benefit Plan and Dependents Indemnity Compensation are provided for different reasons, and the offset leaves many military families with no survivors' benefits at all. Others receive only the amount left over after the offset is deducted.

(Currently, the monthly reduction in SBP equals the DIC compensation, currently set at $1254 a month, and in many cases, especially in enlisted SBP, the DIC reduction totally eliminates survivor receipt of any benefits under SBP for which the service member paid premiums.)

Instead of ending the offset, the House and Senate provisions in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act authorize an extension of a partial monthly payment, referred to as a special survivor indemnity allowance (SSIA), to all survivor beneficiaries.

With SSIA set to expire next year, both chambers would re-authorize it at a $310-monthly payment, less than a third of the reduction.

The House voted to extend it one

year, and the Senate would make it permanent at $310.

Fundamentals and NAUS Priorities

One of the central principles upon which NAUS is based is an understanding that our service members, our retirees, our veterans and their families are to be honored. For us honoring those who serve is the right thing to do.

The NAUS legislative team understands that in an all-volunteer force, the best in the world, we simply cannot expect to attract and retain the best and brightest if we do not provide quality housing, health care and education for our uniformed services personnel and their families and if we do not keep the promises that we have made to those who serve.

NAUS members also believe that the cost of providing health care to service members, retirees and families is entirely affordable.

As Brian Braden once said, “The overall expense of the U.S. military is the biggest bargain in human history. At the expense of about 3 percent of our gross domestic economy, about 1 percent of the American population serving under the glorious flag of the United States guarantees the liberty and security of more than 300 million Americans and countless allied citizens around the world.

Under the protection of those uniformed volunteers, humanity has enjoyed the greatest period of prosperity in its history.”

As the service member’s voice in government, NAUS members believe America has a responsibility, indeed a moral contract, to keep its promises to those who have served and 11

sacrificed to protect our country. While much work remains to be done to ensure that those who have served receive the benefits and care they have earned, NAUS has successfully championed new policies and resources to improve the quality of life for America’s military retirees, veterans, their families and survivors.

TRICARE Reform Aims to Encourage Beneficiary Care at MTFs

One of the key principles of the Congressional and Pentagon’s military healthcare reform is to bolster and enhance military treatment facilities, or MTFs, the foundation of military medical care.

At question is how can MTFs support the primary mission of readiness with the mission to provide care to beneficiaries.

According to reformers, providing a diverse mix of patients strengthens the program and helps to maintain skills for our military medical team. Maintaining skills enhances the readiness mission and ensures our service members are medically ready to deploy.

Over the years we have recognized many changes in military health care. For example, in 1989, there were more than 500 MTFs worldwide, 168 hospitals and hundreds of clinics. Today, there are 55

hospitals and 360 clinics for a total of 415 MTFs. e change reflects a shi in health care from inpatient focus to more clinic-focused outpatient care models.

Under current proposals for TRICARE reform, Pentagon and Congressional efforts are focused on ways to recapture beneficiary care into the MTFs, to incentivizing beneficiaries to come back into the MTF. In this regard, there are two major concerns: First is the fact that beneficiaries don’t like necessarily having a military medical provider because when that person PCSs or deploys, they feel like they have to start all over with another provider. e other situation is access to timely care, scheduling timely appointments in the MTF. As Congress and the Administration move to reform TRICARE, NAUS will continue to urge caution before we alter the system.

NAUS members tell us the current system works pretty well. It can be improved but dramatic changes that increase healthcare costs for beneficiaries should be resisted.

Our military retirees and their families earned their promised healthcare benefits. Improvements must not be made at the cost of wholesale change in the system or requirements for steep enrollment fees to gain access to a benefit already earned in sacrifice and hardships.

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Flag Amendment NAUS holds the greatest respect for the Supreme Court and for the Justices who interpret the Constitution. We disagree, however, with the decision that held that a person could not be legally responsible for physical desecration of our flag.

We believe that the flag of the United States should never be the object of physical desecration.

Frankly, flag desecration is wrong. And protection of the flag, a symbol of hope and freedom, will in no way limit the opportunity nor the breadth of protest available in the exercise of free speech rights.

NAUS stands solidly behind the right of Americans to protect their flag. For more than 200 years, the American flag has flown proudly here and around the world as a testimonial to freedom. We understand and uphold our precious ability to dissent, but desecrating the flag goes too far. Where the flag flies, we know freedom resides.

In his passionate dissent against flag burning, Justice John Paul Stevens eloquently stated: "e ideas of liberty and equality have been an irresistible force in motivating leaders like Patrick Henry, Susan B. Anthony, and Abraham Lincoln, schoolteachers like Nathan Hale and Booker T. Washington, the Philippine Scouts who fought at Bataan, and the soldiers who scaled the bluff at Omaha Beach. If those ideas are worth fighting for—and our history demonstrates that they are—it cannot be true that the flag that uniquely symbolizes their power is not itself worthy of protection from unnecessary desecration."

NAUS is grateful to the leaders of Congress who have proposed a constitutional amendment to protect the flag. In the House the measure is H.J.Res.9, introduced by Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR). In the Senate, the bill is S.J.Res.21, introduced by Sen. David Vitter. e Congressional proposals simply state, “Congress shall have the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.” ese resolutions are simple and to the point. ey apply only to the flag, the unique symbol of our nation, and preserves the widest range of options for free expression.

The Guardian Fall 2016

SUPPO

AND G RT

Estate Plan Update: Is a Will or Trust Right for You?

As life changes, take the time to update your estate plan and determine if a will or trust is right for you. The first estate plan you created may have addressed your needs at that time. You’ve likely undergone several life changes since then—maybe your children are grown and on their own, or you divorced and remarried.

Take a fresh look at your plan and consider whether a will or trust is right for your current situation. Consider the differences below: NG IVI

A will:

•Takes effect at your passing and governs the transfer of everything owned in your individual name. It does not govern the transfer of jointly owned property or property that is controlled by beneficiary designation, such as retirement plan accounts or life insurance policies.

•Can be easily changed at any time.

•Must go through probate, the legal and public process of validating a person’s will and distributing assets.

•Is a simple tool to use when making a future gift to a favorite cause.

• Is created during your lifetime to hold, manage and distribute property.

• Lets you reserve the right to change or terminate the trust at any time, and to act as your own trustee.

• Avoids a lengthy probate process, keeping your distributions private.

• Is useful for real estate holdings located out of state.

• Can provide for a backup trustee if you're filling that role and you become incapacitated.

• Is an affordable way to support the people and causes you love most.

A revocable living trust:

Review Your Plans

As you review your plans, you may find that you’re ready to make a gift to National Association for Uniformed Services. If so, contact Maggie P. Nayyar at mnayyar@naus.org.

This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor.

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KEY E BILLS IN CONGRESS 113th Congress

Defense S. 103 – (No Cosponsors), Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV), 1/7/15 - Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations. Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, during a funding gap impacting the Armed Forces, to make available to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard, out of any amounts in the general fund of the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such amounts as necessary to continue to provide pay and allowances to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, including reserve components, who perform active service during the funding gap. Allows for the provision of such pay and allowances, at the discretion of the Secretary, to: (1) Department of Defense (DOD) civilian personnel providing support to such members, and (2) DOD contractor personnel providing direct support to such members. Defines “funding gap” as any period aer the beginning of a fiscal year for which interim or full-year appropriations for the personnel accounts of the Armed Forces for that fiscal year have not been enacted.

H.R. 124 – (1 Cosponsor), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), 1/6/15 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Redesignate the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.

H.R. 1126 – (10 Cosponsors), Rep. Peter King (R-NY), 2/26/15 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services.

Supply Our Soldiers Act of 2015. Directs the Department of Defense to provide for a program under which postal benefits are provided to a member of the Armed Forces who is on active duty and who is either: (1) serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, or another hostile fire area designated as eligible for hazardous duty pay; or (2) hospitalized at a

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roughout the 114th Congress, NAUS will identify and track certain bills that address issues important to our members. e Library of Congress provides online information concerning Congress and the legislative process through a website named THOMAS, located at thomas.loc.gov. is is an easy to use tool to help you track bills in which you are interested but we do not list due to space limitations. THOMAS also provides access to other congressional committees for you to do independent research. e dates in each summary generally denote when the bill was introduced.

military medical facility as a result of such service. Requires the postal benefits to be in the form of coupons, vouchers, or other evidence of credit to use for postal-free mailings. Makes the benefits program applicable during FY2016-FY2021.

S. 1290 – (No Cosponsors), Rep. Mike Rounds (R-SD) – 5/12/15 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services.

TRICARE Portability Act of 2015. Direct the Secretary of Defense to ensure that beneficiaries covered under a TRICARE health plan are able to access health care under such health plan in each TRICARE program region.

S. 1386 – (2 Cosponsors), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), 5/19/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services. Icebreaker Recapitalization Act. Provide multiyear procurement authority for the procurement of up to six polar icebreakers to be owned and operated by the Coast Guard.

Companion Bill: H.R. 3214 (5 Cosponsors) Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), 7/27/15.

Referred to House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure; Foreign Affairs.

S. 1463 – (6 Cosponsors), Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), 5/26/15 – Referred to Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and the Budget. Amend the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to modify the distance requirement for expanded availability of hospital care and medical services for veterans through the use of agreements with non-Department of Veterans Affairs entities.

S. 1611 – (5 Cosponsors), Sen. John une (R-SD), 6/18/15 - Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. Companion Bill: H.R. 1987 – (4 Cosponsors), Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), 4/23/15 – Passed by full House on 5/18/15.

Sent to Senate for further actions.

S. 1628 – (No Cosponsors), Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), 6/18/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services. A bill to preserve the current amount of basic allowance for housing for certain married members of the uniformed services.

S. 1721 – (1 Cosponsor), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), 7/18/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services. Joint Formularies for Veterans Act of 2015 Directs the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly establish: (1) a uniform formulary with respect to systemic pain and psychotropic drugs that are critical for the transition of an individual from receiving health care services furnished by DOD to health care services furnished by VA, and (2) a uniform formulary for DOD and VA that includes all appropriate systemic pain and psychotropic drugs.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit DOD and VA from each maintaining its own formularies.

S. 1766 – (39Cosponsors), Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), 7/15/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services. Restore Honor to Armed Services Act. Requires appropriate military record correction boards or discharge review boards to review the discharge characterization of any former members of the Armed Forces requesting a review who were discharged because of their sexual orientation. Companion Bill: H.R. 3068 – (114 Cosponsors), Rep. Mark Pohan (D-WI), 7/15/15 – Referred to House Committee on The Guardian Fall 2016

Armed Services.

S. 2403 - (8 Cosponsors), Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), 12/15/15 – Referred to Senate Armed Services Committee. Amend title 10, United States Code, to provide a period for the relocation of spouses and dependents of certain members of the Armed Forces undergoing a permanent change of station in order to ease and facilitate the relocation of military families, and for other purposes.

Companion Bill: H.R. 4200 – (4 Cosponsors), Rep. Christopher Gibson (R-NY), 12/9/15 - Referred to House Armed Services Committee.

H.R.1500 - (12 Cosponsors), Rep. John Kline (R-MN), 3/19/15 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Ensure that certain TRICARE program beneficiaries may enroll in TRICARE Prime regardless of the location of their residence.

H.R. 2053 – (1 Cosponsor), Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), 4/28/15 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Military Reserve Survivor Benefit Equity Act. Makes the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity for survivors of members of the reserves who die from an injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty during inactive duty training the same as the annuity for survivors of members of the regular Armed Forces who die in the line of duty while on active duty.

H.R. 2067 – (24 Cosponsors), Rep Steve Israel (D-NY), 4/28/15 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Cold War Service Medal Act. Provide for the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who served honorably during the Cold War. H.R. 2264 – (55 Cosponsors), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), 5/12/15 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Establish a space-available transportation priority for veterans of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected, permanent disability rated as total.

H.R. 4298 – (13 cosponsors), Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) – 12/18/2015, Referred to House Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Direct the Secretary of the Army to place in Arlington National Cemetery a memorial honoring the helicopter pilots and crew members of the Vietnam Era. The Guardian Fall 2016

H.R. 4478 – (1 Cosponsor), Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), 2/4/16 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Dra America’s Daughters Act. Amends the Military Selective Service Act to extend the registration and conscription requirements of the Selective Service System to all U.S. citizens and residents between the ages of 18 and 26. (Currently such provisions apply only to men.)

H.R. 4493 – (No Cosponsors), Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), 2/8/16 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Extends through FY2018 (at $400 per month) the special survivor indemnity allowance for a surviving or former spouse of a deceased member of the Armed Forces whose annuity under the survivor benefit program is offset by the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation received from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

H.R. 4519 – (11 Cosponsors), Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), 2/10/16 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Extends through FY2022 (at increasing monthly amounts for each fiscal year) the special survivor indemnity allowance for a surviving or former spouse of a deceased member of the Armed Forces whose annuity under the survivor benefit program is offset by the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation received from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

H.R. 4554 – (35 Cosponsors), Rep. Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA), 2/12/16 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Makes eligible for TRICARE health care benefits certain National Guard members (and dependents) who are performing disaster response duty, if the performance of such a duty immediately follows a period in which the member served on full-time additional National Guard duty.

“Disaster response duty” means duty performed by a member of the National Guard in state status pursuant to an emergency declaration by the state governor (or, for the District of Columbia, by the mayor) in response to a disaster or in preparation for an imminent disaster.

Veterans

S. 12 – (29 Cosponsors), Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), 1/6/15 - Referred to Senate Committee on Finance. Hire More Heroes Act of 2015.

Amend the Internal Revenue Code to add a provision to exempt any employee with coverage under a health care program administered by the Department of Defense, including the TRICARE program, or by the Veterans Administration, from classification as an eligible employee

of an applicable large employer for purposes of the employer mandate under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide such employees with minimum essential health care coverage.

S. 170 – (11 Cosponsors), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), 1/13/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. CHAMPVA Children’s Care Protection Act. Amend title 38, to increase the maximum age for children eligible for medical care under the CHAMPVA program. Companion Bill: H.R. 218 – (4 Cosponsors), Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL).

S. 241 – (2 Cosponsors), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), 1/22/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Military Family Relief Act. Provide for the payment of temporary compensation to a surviving spouse of a veteran upon the death of the veteran.

S. 242 – (2 Cosponsors), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), 1/22/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act. Provide leave to any new Federal employee who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 30 percent or more for purposes of undergoing medical treatment for such disability. 11/05/15.

Became Public Law 115-75.

S. 865 – (17 Cosponsors), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), 3/25/15 – Referred to Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Ruth Moore Act of 2015.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in any case in which a veteran claims that a covered mental health condition was incurred in or aggravated by military sexual trauma during active duty, to: (1) accept as sufficient proof of service-connection a diagnosis by a mental health professional together with satisfactory lay or other evidence of such trauma and an opinion by the mental health professional that such condition is related to such trauma if consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of such service, notwithstanding the fact that there is no official record of such incurrence or aggravation in such service; and (2) resolve every reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran. Allows such service-connection to be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. Includes as a “covered mental health condition” post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or any other 15

mental health diagnosis that the Secretary determines to be related to military sexual trauma. Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress in each of 2016 through 2020 on covered claims submitted. Companion Bill: H.R. 1607 – (31 Cosponsors), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), 3/25/15 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

S. 901 – (49 Cosponsors), Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), 4/13/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during service in the Armed Forces that are related to that exposure, to establish an advisory board on such health conditions. Companion Bill: H.R. 1769 (201 Cosponsors). Rep. Dan Benishek (R-MI) – Referred to House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Armed Services.

S. 1203 – (10 Cosponsors), Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV), 5/6/15 – Referred to and hearing held by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act. Improve the processing by the Department of Veterans Affairs of claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

S. 1856 – (16 Cosponsors), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), 2/23/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Department of Veterans Affairs Equitable Employee Accountability Act of 2015. Provide for suspension and removal of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs for performance or misconduct that is a threat to public health or safety and to improve accountability of employees of the Department, and for other purposes.

S. 1991 – (No Cosponsors), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), 8/5/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Choice Card Act of 2015. Eliminate the sunset date for the Choice Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to expand eligibility for such program. Companion Bill: H.R. 3183 – (22 Cosponsors), Rep. David Jolly (R-FL), 7/23/15. Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

S. 2437 – (23 Cosponsors), Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), 1/11/16 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Women Airforce Service Pilot Arlington Inurnment Restoration Act of 2016. Directs

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the Department of the Army to ensure that the cremated remains of persons who served as Women’s Air Forces Service Pilots are eligible for inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Companion Bill: H.R. 4336 - (153 Cosponsors), Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ), 1/6/16.

S. 2473 - (9 Cosponsors), Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), 1/28/16 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Express Appeals Act. Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) carry out a five-year pilot program to provide the option of an alternative appeals process to determine appeals of claims for disability compensation more quickly, and (2) inform claimants about such program. Appeals filed under the pilot program are described as “fully developed appeals.”

S. 2493 – (No Cosponsors), Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), 2/3/16 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Expand eligibility for hospital care and medical services under section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to include veterans who are age 75 or older.

S. 2507 –(No Cosponsors), Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), 02/04/16 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Medal of Honor Surviving Spouses Recognition Act. Requires the payment of a Medal of Honor special pension to the surviving spouse of a deceased Medal of Honor recipient if that person was married to the recipient for: (1) at least one year; or (2) any period of time if a child was born of the marriage, or was born to them before the marriage. e special pension for a living Medal of Honor recipient is increased to $1,299.61 per month.

S. 2554 – (1 Cosponsor), Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), 2/11/16 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the removal or demotion of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs based on performance or misconduct.

H.R. 2992 – (308 Cosponsors), Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN), 7/9/15 – Referred to House Committee on Financial Services.

Merchant Marine of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act. e Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall arrange for the award, on behalf of the Congress, of a single gold medal to the U.S. Merchant Marine of World War II, in recognition of their dedicated and vital service during World War II. H.R. 388 – (24 Cosponsors), Rep. Paul Ruiz (D-CA), 1/14/15 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. Provide for a lifetime National Recreational Pass for any veteran with a service-connected disability.

H.R. 366 – (35 Cosponsors), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), 1/14/15 - Referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Oversight and Government Reform, the Judiciary, and Science, Space, and Technology. Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act. Reauthorize the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, to provide assistance to small businesses owned by veterans, to improve enforcement of employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services.

H.R. 454 – (No Cosponsors), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), 1/21/15 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act. Provide for forgiveness of certain overpayments of retired pay paid to deceased retired members of the Armed Forces following their death.

H.R. 473 – (7 Cosponsors), Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), 1/22/15 - Referred to House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, and Oversight and Government Reform. Increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability to Veterans Act. Improve the accountability of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

H.R. 517 – (1 Cosponsor), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), 1/22/15 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Establish a task force to evaluate the backlog of appeals to claims submitted to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

H.R. 563 – (80 Cosponsors), Rep. Janice Hahn (D-CA), - 1/27/15 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act. Direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the

The Guardian Fall 2016

Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II. H.R. 593 – (6 Cosponsors), Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO), 1/28/15 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Extend the authorization for the construction of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado, and to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers to manage such construction.

H.R. 607 – (5 Cosponsors), Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA), 1/28/15 - Referred to Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce. Amend the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 to extend the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program.

H.R. 658 – (13 Cosponsors), Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), 2/2/15 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress an annual report on the performance of the regional offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

H.R. 800 – (24 Cosponsors). Rep Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), 2/9/15 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide veterans the option of using an alternative appeals process to more quickly determine claims for disability compensation.

H.R. 969 – (333 Cosponsors), Rep. Christopher Gibson (R-NY), 2/13/15 – Referred To House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2015. Includes as part of the Republic of Vietnam its territorial seas for purposes of the presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure by veterans to certain herbicide agents while in Vietnam.

Companion Bill: S. 681 – (44 Cosponsors), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), 3/9/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

The Guardian Fall 2016

H.R.1379 – (No Cosponsors) Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), 3/16/15 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Authorize the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to develop evidence in appeal cases.

H.R.1475 – (309 Cosponsors), Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX), 3/19/15 – Referred to House Committee on Natural Resources.

Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance Act. Authorizes a Wall of Remembrance as part of the previously authorized Korean War Veterans Memorial to include, in regards to the Korean War: (1) a list by name of members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were killed in action; (2) the number of members who were wounded, listed as missing in action, or prisoners of war; and (3) the number of members of the Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and the other nations of the United Nations (U.N.) Command who were killed, wounded, missing, or prisoners. Prohibits using any federal funds to construct the memorial.

H.R.1532- (7 Cosponsors), Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), 3/23/15 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Keeping our Promises to Veterans Act. Amend the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to modify the distance requirements regarding the eligibility of certain veterans to receive medical care and services from non-Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.

H.R. 1594 - (206 Cosponsors), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), 3/24/15 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services.

Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act. Repeals certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military retired pay or who would be entitled to retired pay except for being under 60 years of age. Prohibits requiring repayment of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund. Repeals the optional authority of (and instead requires) the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an annuity to a member’s dependent

children when there is no eligible surviving spouse. Directs the Secretary concerned to restore annuity eligibility to a surviving spouse who earlier agreed to transfer such eligibility to a surviving child or children of a member. Companion Bill: S. 979 (30 Cosponsors), Sen. Bill Nelson (R-FL), 3/24/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services.

H.R. 1681 – (6 Cosponsors), Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO), 3/26/15 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. VA Construction, Accountability, and Reform Act. Extend the authorization for the major medical facility project to replace the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers to manage the construction of such project, to transfer the authority to carry out future major medical facility projects of the Department from the Secretary to the Army Corps of Engineers.

H.R. 1899 – (7 Cosponsors), Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), 4/21/15 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act. Extend to all veterans with a serious service-connected injury eligibility to participate in the family caregiver services program. Companion Bill: S. 657 - (1 Cosponsor), Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), 3/4/15 – Referred to Senate Subcommittee on Health.

H.R. 1994 – (98 Cosponsors), Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), 4/23/15 – Referred to House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Oversight and Government Reform. VA Accountability Act of 2015. Authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to remove or demote a VA employee based on performance or misconduct.

Companion Bill: S. 1082 (20 Cosponsors), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), 4/23/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.R. 2531 – (25 Cosponsors), Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), 5/21/15 Referred to House Subcommittee 6/15/15.

ACES Act of 2015. Amend the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to deem any member of the Armed Forces who died between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2005, to have died on January 1, 2006, in order to make that member’s surviving spouse eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship. (Surviving spouses of service members who die in the line of duty aer September 11, 2001, are eligible for such

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assistance until the earlier of the date they remarry or the date that is 15 years aer the military spouse’s death.)

A surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who died between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2005, who elected before enactment of this Act to receive educational benefits under the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Frye program may revoke such choice. (Such an election is currently irrevocable.)

H.R. 2662 – (13 Cosponsors), Rep Trent Franks (R-AZ), - 6/4/15 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Fallen Heroes Family Assistance Act. e Secretary of the military department concerned is required to provide transportation for the next of kin to attend the transfer ceremony of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who dies overseas in the line of duty in a combat or humanitarian relief operation or in combat zone designated by the Secretary of Defense.

H.R. 3007 – (25 Cosponsors), Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), 7/9/15 – Referred to House Committee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Prohibits the Confederate battle flag’s display in any national cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration.

H.R. 3139 – (50 Cosponsors), Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), 7/21/15 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Securing Military Personnel Response Firearm Initiative Act or SEMPER FI Act. Directs the Secretary concerned to authorize an eligible member of the Armed Forces assigned to an Armed Forces recruitment center to carry a service-issue sidearm as a personal- or force-protection measure while on duty at the recruiting center, notwithstanding any federal, state, or local law or Department of Defense policy to the contrary.

In lieu of authorizing eligible members of the Armed Forces to carry a service-issue sidearm, or in addition, the Secretary concerned may implement additional security measures for Armed Forces recruitment centers, including improved structural security measures. is Act shall not be interpreted to grant any member of the

18

Armed Forces the authority to conduct civilian law enforcement functions within U.S. territory.

H.R. 3423 – (56 Cosponsors), Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN), 7/29/15 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Agent Orange Extension Act of 2015. is bill extends for two years the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicides, including Agent Orange, with respect to veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. e Agent Orange Act of 1991 is amended to extend for two years the authority of the VA to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate the scientific evidence regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides, including the association between exposure to a herbicide used in U.S. and allied military operations in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era and each disease suspected to be associated with such exposure.

S. 2331 – (1 Cosponsor), Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), 11/19/15 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Amend the Service members Civil Relief Act to make invalid and unenforceable predispute arbitration agreements with respect to controversies arising under provisions of such Act and to preserve the rights of service members to bring class actions under such Act.

Social Security

S. 20 – (No cosponsors), Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), 1/6/15 – Referred to Senate Committee on the Budget. Social Security Lock-Box Act of 2015.

Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide a point of order against consideration of any: (1) budget resolution that sets forth totals for any fiscal year with respect to the Social Security Trust Funds that are less than the totals of the Social Security H.R. 4138 – (7 Cosponsors), Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), 12/1/15, Referred to House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Oversight and Government Reform. Authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to recoup relocation expenses paid to or on behalf of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trust Funds for that fiscal year as calculated in accordance with a current services baseline, or (2) spending or tax legislation that would cause any totals to be less than the Funds totals for the covered fiscal year. Makes the point of order described in (2) above inapplicable to Social Security reform legislation. Requires any federal budget submitted by the President that recommends totals for any fiscal year with respect to the Funds that are less than the totals of the Funds for that fiscal year to include a detailed proposal for Social Security reform legislation. Makes this Act inapplicable upon the enactment of such legislation. Defines “Social Security reform legislation” as a bill or joint resolution to save Social Security that specifies that it constitutes reform legislation.

H.R.333– (78 Cosponsors), Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA), 1/13/15 – Referred to House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Armed Services.

Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act. Permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rated less than 50 percent to receive concurrent payment of both retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation, to extend eligibility for concurrent receipt to chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service.

H.R. 589 – (11 Cosponsors), Rep. omas Massie (R-KY), 1/28/15, Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.

Amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the inclusion in gross income of Social Security benefits.

Pay & Compensation

H.R. 303 – (119 Cosponsors), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), 1/13/15 – Referred to House Committees on Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Retired Pay Restoration Act. Permit additional retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or combat-related special compensation.

S. 271 – (24 Cosponsors), Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), 1-27-15 – Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services. Retired Pay Restoration Act. Permit certain retired members of the uniformed services who The Guardian Fall 2016

have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason H.R. 675 – (5 Cosponsor), Rep. Ralph Lee Abraham (R-LA), 2/3/15, Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Provide for annual cost-of-living adjustments to be made automatically by law each year in the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans.

Companion Bill: S. 1493 – (*20* Cosponsors), Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), 6/3/15.

The Guardian Fall 2016

of their years of military service or CombatRelated Special Compensation.

H.R. 2539 - (12 Cosponsors), Rep. Joseph Kennedy (D-MA), 5/21/15 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Provide for an increase in the amount of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

H.R. 3074 – (15 Cosponsors), Rep. John Duncan (R-TN), 7/15/15 – Referred to House Committee on Education and the Workforce. CPI for Seniors Act of 2015. is bill directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor to prepare and publish a monthly index, to be known as the Consumer Price Index for Seniors, that indicates monthly changes in expenditures for consumption that are typical for individuals in the United States who are 62 years of age or older.

H.R. 3351 – (37 Cosponsors), Rep. Michael Honda (D-CA), 5/29/15 –Referred to House Committees on Veteran’s Affairs; Ways and Means; Oversight and Government Reform; Armed Services. Provide for cost-of-living

increases for certain Federal benefits programs based on increases in the Consumer Price Index for the elderly.

Flag Amendment

H.J. Res. 9 - (40 Cosponsors), Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR), 1/6/15 - Referred to House Committee on the Constitution and Civil Justice. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States giving Congress power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. Companion Bill: S.J.Res. 21- (9 Cosponsors), Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), 7/30/15 – Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.

19

News Briefs

Ariel view of Pershing Park - 2014.

WWI Memorial Planned e winner of the contest by the National World War One Centennial Commission to design a World War I Memorial is a 25-year-old architect-in-training who had never been to the nation's capital. His winning entry is a proposed revamp of Pershing Park in Washington, DC with sprawling green space atop memorial walls that tell the story of the Great War through the words and faces of the Americans who fought it.

His partner in the project is New York sculptor Sabin Howard. e estimated cost of the new memorial is $48 million, which will come entirely from private donations. e goal for beginning construction is November 2017, with a dedication on the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 2018. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2ckGJUN.

President Signs Two Veteran Friendly Bills On July 22, 2016, President Obama signed into law: H.R. 5588, the “Veterans’ Compensation COLA Act of 2016,” which provides for a Cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the beneficiaries of veterans' disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation equal to the Social Security COLA. S. 524, the “Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016,” which addresses prescription opioid abuse and addiction by, among other provisions: (1) authorizing grant programs for abuse prevention and education, including prescription monitoring; (2) expanding access to treatment and recovery options, including medication assisted treatment and overdose reversal drugs; (3) expanding law enforcement grants and prescription drug take back programs; (4) providing specific opioid abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery resources to veterans, women, and children.

VA Overpays Veterans in Prison e government improperly shelled out $104.1 million in disability compensation and pension payments over seven years to veterans in prison, according to a new watchdog report. e Veterans Benefits Administration failed to slash benefits given to vets incarcerated in federal, state and local correctional facilities between 2008 and 2015 in thousands of cases, the 20

VETERANS NEWS Veterans Affairs Department inspector general found, primarily because the agency was more focused on eliminating the disability claims backlog, which had ballooned to an all-time high in 2013.

Federal law requires the department to reduce disability compensation and discontinue pension payments for veterans serving more than 60 days in federal, state, or local correctional institutions for a felony, and in some cases, a misdemeanor.

For vets with a service-connected disability rating of 20 percent or more, the government reduces disability compensation to a 10 percent rate while they are in prison; for those with a 10 percent rating, the VBA cuts the benefit payment in half for the duration of incarceration.

Because those adjustments do not require VA staff to attribute disability ratings to individual cases, they are not considered part of the department’s disability claims backlog. So, the VBA didn’t prioritize processing them, the watchdog discovered during its two-year audit, which meant millions of taxpayer dollars were wasted.

In one case, the watchdog found that VBA already had overpaid a veteran -- who started serving a 151-month sentence in federal prison in 2012 -- $107,000 in vets’ benefits as of Oct. 1, 2015.

Overall, the inattention led to $59.9 million in overpayments to vets in federal prison, and $44.2 million in erroneous payments for those veterans housed in state and local correctional facilities.

Because the workload was not a high priority for VA, datasharing between VBA, the Justice Department’s Bureau of Prisons, and the Social Security Administration fell by the wayside resulting in significant processing delays, the inspector general found.

Lawmakers Look to Protect Veterans from VA Mistakes A bipartisan group of lawmakers is looking to protect veterans from suffering credit score mishaps at the hand of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

In response to outcry over long wait times at VA clinics, the agency created a program in 2014 that covers veterans who seek outside medical treatment. But many have complained the VA is slow to make payments to their private doctors, which have in turn reported the medical debts to credit bureaus. e Protecting Veterans Credit Act, introduced by Reps.

Randy Hultgren (R-IL) and John Delaney (D-MD), would provide a one-year grace period before medical bills through this program may be reported. e lawmakers say this will provide the VA with enough time to make the payments.

“No veteran should have their credit rating hurt because of delayed [VA] payments,” Delaney said. “In many cases, veterans are already using the choice program because they’ve endured a long wait time to be treated. We shouldn’t destroy their finances on top of that.” e lawmakers say this will protect veterans' credit scores, which affect everything from the interest rate they receive when purchasing a home or buying a car to whether they The Guardian Fall 2016

News Briefs will be hired for a job. e measure is also backed by Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) as well as a number of veterans groups. “Enough veterans have faced collateral damage from delays at the VA — their credit score shouldn’t be another casualty of this bureaucracy,” Hultgren said.

“Veterans and their families deserve accurate and timely billing and reimbursements from the VA,” he added. "ey should not be held liable for the VA’s problems. We need quick action on this legislation to ensure our veterans aren’t held responsible for bureaucratic ineptitude.”

VA Announces Elimination of Signature Requirement e VA has announced it has eliminated paper signature requirements for veterans wishing to enroll in VA health care.

Effective immediately, VA has amended its enrollment regulations to allow Veterans to complete enrollment applications for enrollment in VA health care by telephone without the need for a paper signature. is action also accelerates VA’s effort to enroll all Combat Veterans with pending enrollments as part of its ongoing Veterans Enrollment Rework Project (VERP).

By adding this telephone application option to VA’s regulations with this amendment, VA will now offer three ways to enroll under 38 CFR 17.36(d) (1). is option provides veterans a convenient third enrollment option in addition to the paper VA Form 10-10 EZ and the online health care application.

To apply, call 1-877-222-VETS (8387), Mon-Fri between 8 am and 8 pm, EST.

Veterans’ Preference Becomes Controversial e federal government's practices for hiring veterans have emerged as a sticking point between the House and the Senate.

An amendment in the House-passed fiscal 2017 financial services spending bill would prohibit funds from being used to change the current policy on veterans’ preference in federal hiring. at measure is a direct response to a provision in the Senate’s fiscal 2017 Defense authorization legislation that would limit the application of veterans’ preference to a vet’s first job in federal service. e Defense policy bill is now in conference committee; the House version of it does not contain the language on veterans’ preference.

Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a veteran of the Iraq war, introduced the financial services amendment, saying that it wasn’t the time to “dilute” a system that has successfully hired and promoted more vets in the federal government. “While this change might seem innocuous, it could have serious negative implications for the men and women who served our nation in uniform,” Gallego said last week during remarks on the House floor. e Senate provision would not allow veterans’ preference – a confusing and oen controversial factor in federal hiring – to be an advantage in any subsequent federal jobs for which an eligible employee applies. In other words, vets would receive the additional points that veterans’ preference confers during the application process for their first jobs in federal government, but not for any The Guardian Fall 2016

VETERANS NEWS future positions within the competitive service. e measure also would affect certain close relatives of veterans, including spouses and parents, who are eligible for veterans’ preference under specific circumstances when applying for federal jobs.

VA Announces Choice Program Appointments Recently the VA announced that it has scheduled more than 2 million appointments under the Veterans Choice Program (VCP). e Choice Act, which included the VCP, was passed in August 2014 to help veterans access timely health care both within VA and the community. VA was required to implement a new, national program in just 90 days, with new requirements that complicated the way VA provides community care. VA recognized many of these challenges very early in the implementation of the program and VA and all our stakeholders have been working together to make needed changes while implementing this new nationwide program.

VA has outlined a path to improve community care and create a program that is easy to understand, simple to administer, and meets the needs of Veterans, community providers, and VA staff. VA submitted this plan to Congress in October 2015.

Within the plan are several legislative proposals that VA and Congress need to work on together to improve the experiences for veterans and community providers: e first proposal would increase veterans’ access to community care providers by allowing VA to enter into agreements with local community providers. e second would streamline when and how much VA pays for health care services by having VA be the primary payer. e third fix would allow VA to more accurately account for healthcare purchased in the community. e last request is for funding and funding flexibility to improve access to care, reimburse the cost of emergency treatment, and create value-based payment models to best serve veterans that need community care.

VA Dental Reauthorization On July 13, the Senate passed S. 3055, the Veterans Affairs Dental Reauthorization Act of 2016, without amendment by Unanimous Consent. is legislation reauthorizes the VA Dental Insurance pilot program for another five years.

Veterans Eligible for Cybersecurity Training e Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Hire Our Heroes have teamed up to offer training for veterans in cybersecurity. DHS's Federal Virtual Training Environment (Fed VTE) offers free online, on-demand cyber security training to government employees and veterans. Veterans can sign up for an account through the Hire Our Heroes website, http://bit.ly/1KnBIuk, and follow instructions through "ID me" to verify veteran status and register for a FedVTE account. DHS also offers a Veterans Cybersecurity Training and Education Guide to help veterans assess their readiness and interest in a cyber security career.

21

News Briefs

HEALTHCARE NEWS to call and remain in contact with your regional contractor.

Your regional contractor will have the most current list of providers. If you contact a specialty care provider directly, you could be on a wait list instead of getting the care you or a family member needs. You can reach your contractor by phone.

Find your contractor's contact information on the TRICARE website, www.tricare.mil.

Health Information Exchange

VA to Provide Expanded Veterinary Services for Additional Service Dogs e VA announced that it is piloting a program to implement veterinary health benefits for mobility service dogs approved for veterans with a chronic impairment that substantially limits mobility associated with mental health disorders.

VA has been providing veterinary benefits to veterans diagnosed as having visual, hearing or substantial mobility impairments and whose rehabilitation and restorative care is clinically determined to be optimized through the assistance of a guide dog or service dog.

With this new pilot, this benefit is being provided to veterans with a chronic impairment that substantially limits mobility associated with a mental health disorder for whom the service dog has been identified as the optimal way for the veteran to manage the mobility impairment and live independently.

House Passes Changes to IRS Code Regarding Health Savings Accounts On July 6, 2016, the House passed H.R. 1270 the Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2015. is legislation repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that limit payments for medications from health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, and health flexible spending arrangements to only prescription drugs or insulin (thus allowing distributions from such accounts for over-the-counter drugs). is legislation now awaits similar actions from the Senate.

TRICARE and Specialty Care If you are a TRICARE beneficiary with special needs or a serious illness, your care is best coordinated through your regional contractor. TRICARE rules require that if the care you need is available at a military hospital or clinic near you, and there is space available, you will be referred there first.

However, if the care you need is not available, you will be referred to a network provider near you. It is important 22

e DoD launched its Health Information Exchange Initiative on June 1, 2016. e new system, allows private physicians and some government organizations to view medical records held by military hospitals or clinics, if they are treating patients with such records. e program should ease the need to hand-carry military health records or lab results between health care providers participating in the exchange.

Systems participating in the eHealth Exchange include Sentara, Hawaii Pacific Health, HealtheConnections, MedVirginia, Multicare Health Services, San Diego Health Services, Providence-Swedish Health, CORHIO, INOVA and Texas Health Resources. e Social Security Administration also has access. e Department of Veterans Affairs does not, however, because it shares medical records and information with the Pentagon through a different system, called the Joint Legacy Viewer that gives doctors access to the records.

DHA officials say 13 more systems including Duke University, the Alaska e-Health Network and North Carolina Health Information Exchange will join this year.

Pentagon Announces Multibillion Dollar TRICARE Contracts Patricia Kime of Military Times reports Humana Military and Health Net Federal Services are the big winners in the bid for TRICARE contracts worth potentially $57 billion to manage the military health program over the next five years, announced by the Defense Department on ursday.

With the change from three regions to two UnitedHealthcare, the nation's largest single health care company and official manager of the Tricare West Region since 2012 is now out of the TRICARE business.

According to the contract announcement, Humana, which now manages the Tricare South Region, will assume the contract for the new TRICARE East Region, which encompasses 29 States and parts of two States and the District of Columbia. at contract has an up-front value of $67.5 million with an estimate of $40.5 billion for the duration of the contract.

Health Net Federal Services, which manages the Tricare North Region, was awarded the contract for TRICARE West Region, valued at more than $49 million in the initial phase and up to $17.7 billion over the five-year contract period. e West Region includes 19 States and portions of three States. e Defense Health Agency has cut the number of Tricare The Guardian Fall 2016

News Briefs regions from three to two in a cost-savings measure designed to streamline management oversight and cut administrative costs.

In the bidding process, companies were allowed to bid for both regions but could win only one contract and no single company would be selected to manage both regions.

Traditionally, the TRICARE contract award has been a tumultuous decision, with the last contract award process started in July 2009. e Tricare North region contract was given to Aetna, the South region contract was awarded to UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services and the West region went to TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

But HealthNet Federal Services, which originally held the North region contract, protested and eventually won the contract for that region while Humana, which held the South region, also protested and won back the contract.

A protest of that decision was then filed by UnitedHealth that was denied by the Government Accountability Office, aer which the company made a case that it should be able to compete for the West region contract. e government agreed, and in a follow-on competition for the West region, UnitedHealthCare won the contract for the Tricare West Region in March 2012.

In a statement released ursday, a UnitedHealthCare spokesman said it was “evaluating the next steps and looks forward” to hearing the government’s explanation for its decision.

“We remain committed to serving the health care needs of our country’s military service members, retirees and their families in the TRICARE West Region,” Bruce Jasurda said.

“UnitedHealthcare will continue to look for opportunities to support the Defense Health Agency to bring quality and innovative solutions to meet TRICARE beneficiaries’ health care needs.”

As is customary, the TRICARE contracts provide five, one-year options exercisable by the DoD. Final disposition of the contract award is, however, subject to the resolution of any protests that may be filed by unsuccessful bidders.

TRICARE Contract Awards Protested On August 1, UnitedHealthcare filed a formal protest against a Defense Department decision to award the next round of TRICARE contracts to two of the company's competitors.

An appeal filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) disputes the East and West region Tricare 2017 contract awards announced July 22. UnitedHealthcare currently manages the West region. e Pentagon selected Humana Government Business to manage the brand new East region, a consolidation of the North and South regions, and chose Health Net Federal Services to manage the West region. Humana manages the current South region and Health Net the North.

UnitedHealthcare submitted proposals for both the East and West Regions and is protesting the 2 contract awards. e East region contract has an initial value of $67.5 million and an estimated worth of $40.5 billion over the life of the The Guardian Fall 2016

HEALTHCARE NEWS contract. e West region contract is valued at $49 million in the initial phase and up to $17.7 billion for the duration of the five-year contract. e company won the West contract following a protest in 2012 and was awarded the contract to manage the South region in 2009 but lost the award in 2011 to the previous contractor, Humana, aer that company filed a protest.

UnitedHealthcare then filed an appeal to re-open the contract bid process for the West region on the basis that because it was not awarded the South region contract, it shouldn't have been denied the West region contract.

On Aug. 2 WellPoint Military Care, a division of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, filed a protest regarding the East contract award on Under the contract requirements, no single company can hold more than one TRICARE regional management contract.

GAO protests are normally adjudicated within 100 days.

DoD Consolidates TRICARE Regional Offices On July 1, 2016, TRICARE Regional Office (TRO) North and TRO South became TRO East. TRO West is continuing as before covering the western United States. e move was made in advance of the pending award of the TRICARE-2017 (T-2017).

Current TRO North staff in Falls Church, Virginia, and TRO South staff in San Antonio, are functioning under the new TRO East business model. Some staff rebalancing occurred to eliminate redundancies, but each office will continue to provide management and support services in their respective geographic areas covering 33 States.

Ken Canestrini, chief operating officer for TRO East, Canestrini said having two major regional offices hits the right balance of combining operations for efficiencies while making sure not all of the eggs are in one basket.

“With just one contractor for all stateside areas, if you had any issues with a contractor or service, it would likely affect all our beneficiaries,” said Canestrini. “is way you’ll continue to have two major sectors of terrain, while still capitalizing on best practices from the different regions.”

TRO East will handle the lion’s share of those enrolled in TRICARE, with about six million beneficiaries – about two-thirds of all TRICARE beneficiaries.

Under the future T-2017 Managed Care Support Contracts, one government business partner will manage the network of civilian medical providers for the entire East Region where previously, two business partners split that responsibility in eastern geographic regions designated as North and South.

The TRICARE Regional Offices provide essential government oversight and coordination for those civilian contractors.

Canestrini said this move is one of many initiatives in the Defense Health Agency to improve the Military Health System and ensure active-duty, retirees and family members receive the highest-quality health care services for years to come.

23

News Briefs

HEALTHCARE NEWS

The Commission on Care Releases Final Report In early July the Commission on Care released its long-awaited final report. e Commission was established by Congress under the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, to examine veterans’ access to VA health care and to examine strategically how best to organize the Veterans Health Administration, locate health resources, and deliver health care to veterans during the next 20 years.

Below are the Commission’s final recommendations: 1. Across the United States, with local input and knowledge, VHA should establish high-performing, integrated community health care networks, to be known as the VHA Care System, from which veterans will access highquality health care services.

2. Enhance clinical operations through more effective use of providers and other health professionals, and improved data collection and management.

3. Develop a process for appealing clinical decisions that provides veterans protections at least comparable to those afforded patients under other federally supported programs.

4. Adopt a continuous improvement methodology to support VHA transformation, and consolidate best practices and continuous improvement efforts under the Veterans Engineering Resource Center.

5. Eliminate health care disparities among veterans treated in the VHA Care System by committing adequate personnel and monetary resources to address the causes of the problem and ensuring the VHA Health Equity Action Plan is fully implemented.

6. Develop and implement a robust strategy for meeting and managing VHA’s facility and capital-asset needs.

7. Modernize VA’s IT systems and infrastructure to improve veterans’ health and well-being and provide the foundation needed to transform VHA’s clinical and business processes.

8. Transform the management of the supply chain in VHA. 9. Establish a board of directors to provide overall VHA Care System governance, set long-term strategy, and direct and oversee the transformation process.

10. Require leaders at all levels of the organization to champion a focused, clear, benchmarked strategy to transform VHA culture and sustain staff engagement.

11. Rebuild a system for leadership succession based on a benchmarked health care competency model that is consistently applied to recruitment, development, and advancement within the leadership pipeline.

12. Transform organizational structures and management processes to ensure adherence to national VHA standards, while also promoting decision making at the lowest level of the organization, eliminating waste and redundancy, promoting innovation, and fostering the spread of best practices.

13. Streamline and focus organizational performance measurement in VHA using core metrics that are identical to those used in the private sector, and establish a personnel performance management system for health care leaders in VHA that is distinct from performance measurement, is based on the leadership competency model, assesses leadership ability, and measures the achievement of important organizational strategies.

14. Foster cultural and military competence among all VHA Care System leadership, providers, and staff to embrace diversity, promote cultural sensitivity, and improve veteran health outcomes.

15. Create a simple-to-administer alternative personnel system, in law and regulation, which governs all VHA employees, applies best practices from the private sector to human capital management, and supports pay and benefits that are competitive with the private sector.

16. Require top executives to lead the transformation of HR, commit funds, and assign expert resources to achieve an effective human capital management system.

17. Provide a streamlined path to eligibility for health care for those with an other-than-honorable discharge who have substantial honorable service.

18. Establish an expert body to develop recommendations for VA care eligibility and benefit design.

NAUS Note: We emphasize that these are only recommendations. ere are currently no bills that are advocating for these changes.

24

The Guardian Fall 2016

Seniors’ Corner

by Rick Jones

No Plans to Changing Prostate Cancer Screening for Medicare Eligible Men Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men. According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly half of all men diagnosed with it are in the "low-risk" category and it is unlikely to progress. Early detection of prostate cancer has nearly a 100 percent survivability rate.

Even so, the Department of Health and Human Services United States Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended against routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests to detect this cancer in men at average risk of prostate cancer, regardless of their age. It

cited frequent over-treatment for false positive results and the benefits may not outweigh the side-effects of prostate cancer treatment for this recommendation.

Nearly two-thirds of all men in the US diagnosed with prostate cancer are age 65 or older and this recommendation raised concern that Medicare coverage for PSA screenings may be affected in the future. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, however, have no plans to change Medicare coverage for PSA testing at this time. Currently, Medicare pays the cost for one PSA test every 12 months for Medicare Part B eligible men ages 50 or older.

NAUS recommends you consult your doctor on what is best for you.

Walking Seen by Many as One of the Best Forms of Exercise for Seniors Walking is one of the best ways to ease back into an exercise program. Successful exercise programs are composed of four areas: endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. Walking involves a part of all these components. It is also one of the most basic exercises that can be done by most people anytime and anywhere. Regular exercise, like walking, presents proven health benefits.

Before beginning a new walking exercise program, it is a good idea to visit your primary physician or

other healthcare professionals for a check-up. Walking can greatly improve one’s health. So consult your doctor, find a comfortable pair of shoes, a good friend and get out into the air for a good walk. It will do you good and can help make almost anything you do more enjoyable.

First Social Security Card Did you ever wonder who was issued the first official Social Security Card? The first Social Security Card numbered 055-09-0001 was given to Mr. John David Sweeney, Jr., who lived in Westchester County, New York. The card was issued to Mr. Sweeney in November 1936 based on a form he filled out and mailed or dropped off at his local post office. His form arrived at the processing center in Baltimore along with a thousand others that made up the first batch to be officially processed. The Director of the Accounting Operations Division picked up the application at the top of the pile and declared it to be the first processed Social Security Card. From that day on, The Guardian Fall 2016

for Mr. Sweeney and every other American who ever worked to earn a living, this was the way the government tallied your wages and calculated your Social Security benefit.

Unfortunately, John Sweeney died of a heart attack in 1974 at the age of 61 without ever receiving any benefits from the social security program. Social Security did him no good. He didn’t collect a dime.

But as most of our members know, the surviving spouse can use the deceased recipient’s Social Security benefits, and his widow did so until her death in 1982.

As Paul Harvey said, “And now you know the rest of the story.”

25

NAUS and TAPS Award Scholarships to Fallen Service Members’ Families Arlington, VA --The National Association for Uniformed Services (NAUS) and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) have joined forces to award scholarships to family members of our Nation’s fallen service members. e partnership recognizes and responds to unmet financial aid needs for surviving family members. e NAUS-TAPS Scholarship for Siblings of the Fallen was established when our TAPS partners told us that siblings of the fallen were unable to receive support for their academic pursuits.

Our mission is to support and honor the service of the entire uniformed services community including families who oen endure long separations, catastrophic injuries and, in the cases of these families, painful loss. “e NAUS-TAPS Scholarship allows us to honor the service, courage and future achievements of our military families,” said Major General Tom Wilkerson, USMC (Ret), NAUS President and CEO. e Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers peer-based emotional support through an established peer mentoring network, online live chat programs, in-person care groups, and

online support groups that are confidential. Survivors connect inperson with others through TAPS grief seminars and retreats for adults, and TAPS Good Grief Camps and Camp Outs for children.

TAPS has assisted more than 50,000 surviving family members, casualty assistance officers, chaplains, and others supporting bereaved military families.

Part of the comprehensive casework TAPS offers survivors include information about and access to all the education benefits available to surviving military families. Since launching one year ago, the TAPS Education Support Services has helped over 750 military surviving families receive more than $49 million in federal and state benefits and private scholarships.

"All too oen, surviving siblings' financial needs for higher education are overlooked. TAPS is proud to partner with NAUS to offer these scholarships to two deserving siblings," said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder.

For more informations go to www.taps.org or www.naus.org.

e 2016 NAUS-TAPS Scholarship for Siblings of the Fallen recipients are: Angela R. Pansini, whose brother, Sergeant Nicholas Anthony Pansini, USMC, died by suicide when she was twelve.

Angela Pansini graduated with honors from Heritage High School. She will be attending University of Colorado, Denver, to continue her craving to learn. She has attended TAPs Seminars and Good Grief Camps and acted as a TAPs attendent for the past 6+ years. She was filmed for “Stay” video with Shoulder2Shoulder Inc. in 2014 about the importance for veterans to chose to stay (to be aware of suicidal thoughts and to get help if they need it) and was invited by Lynn and Bo Cottrell to speak at the 2016 TAPS Colorado Celebrity Classic dinner concert about her brother, Sgt. Nick Pansini.

Tessa Ulrich, whose brother, Lance Cpl. Scott Winter Ulrich, USMC, died while on active duty.

Tessa Ulrich graduated with honors from Grosse Point North High School. She will be majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology at Ave Maria University in hopes of attending medical school aer finishing her undergraduate studies.

Currently yoga plays a major role in Tessa’s life. It’s helped her cope with the loss of her brother and the stresses of schoolwork and everyday personal struggles. Cooking was always been something that Tessa, her mom and brother enjoyed. Still today cooking brings the memory of making the family anksgiving dinner and her brother’s famous shortbread cookies at Christmas time.

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The Guardian Fall 2016

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ACTIVE DUTY

DOWNLOAD Army Can Now Wear Rolled-up Sleeves Soldiers across the Army are now permitted to roll up their sleeves, just as Marines, sailors and airmen do.

The policy change, approved on Tuesday by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, followed overwhelmingly positive feedback from soldiers who took part in a 10-day trial at Fort Hood, Texas, that ended Sunday.

A memorandum on the policy change says that commanders may immediately authorize rolled sleeves for soldiers wearing the Army Combat Uniform in the Universal Camouflage Pattern, Operational Camouflage Pattern or Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern. Sleeves will be rolled neatly with the camo facing out no more than 3 inches above the elbow; sleeves may be down and cuffed during field training exercises, according to the memorandum.

Soldiers haven’t been allowed to roll their sleeves since the Battle Dress Uniform was replaced in 2005.

“When you can change a thing that doesn’t break good order and discipline and that soldiers like, let’s do it,” Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey said in an interview with The Washington Post. “We’re the only service that doesn’t do it, and we used to. So it’s not one of those things that if we do, we can’t survive. Because we’ve done it before and we know it’s not going to hurt anybody.”

Army Deadline for Leave Carry-Over Policy

Sept. 30 marks the deadline that Soldiers can carry up to 75 days of leave from one year to the next. As of Oct. 1, which marks the start of a new fiscal year, soldiers can maintain up to a maximum of 60 days of leave. Sixty days was the original amount soldiers could maintain from one year to the next before 2008, when the 75-day leave policy was implemented due to "high operations tempo." While serving in a combat zone, soldiers can accrue up to 120 days of leave. For more information, read All Army Activities Message 022/1213.

Navy to Review All Enlisted Ratings

In order to be as inclusive as possible and reflect that all Navy occupations are open to men and women, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus recently met with his leadership team to discuss the service's enlisted rating titles review.

Attendees at the meeting agreed to develop a new approach to enlisted ratings that provides greater detailing flexibility, training and credentialing opportunities and is more gender inclusive. A second working group will study how potential changes to rating titles may affect related personnel policy issues. Results of that review are expected to be completed and announced later this fall.

AF Accepting Applications for Flying Training

The Air Force Personnel Center is accepting applications through Nov. 18 for the next undergraduate flying training (UFT) selection board. The UFT selection board will convene Jan. 23-26, 2017, to review applications for 2017-2018 pilot, remotely piloted aircraft pilot, combat systems officer and air battle manager training opportunities. All applicants must be certified physically qualified. Eligibility guidelines, application requirements and responsibilities for UFT can be found by searching on the myPers website at myPers with the keyword "UFT."

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The Guardian Fall 2016

USA

USN

USAF

USMC

USCG

USPHS

NOAA

Navy Revises Cyberspace Policy

The U.S. Navy recently issued SECNAV Manual 5239.2, 'DoN Cyberspace IT and Cybersecurity Workforce Management and Qualification.' The manual updates Department of Navy (DoN)workforce policy and responsibilities to support the Department of the Navy's (DoN's) transition from the Information Assurance Workforce Program to the new DoD Cyberspace Workforce structure.

Addressed in the manual is a Cyberspace IT and Cybersecurity Workforce Module developed for use within Total Workforce Management Services (TWMS). This new TWMS Cyber IT and CSWF module will be available for the Navy on 22 July 2016. All pertinent Navy documents will be posted to the NAVIFOR CSWF page. Marine Corps documents will be posted to the HQMC C4 CY SharePoint portal.

New Army Officer Vetting Process

A change to Army regulations now requires that officers who are selected for promotion must now be vetted for mental, physical, moral, and professional fitness and meet the standards for exemplary conduct before their names are forwarded to the secretary of the Army for certification. Army Directive 2016-26 requires that a post-board screening be conducted on officers selected for promotion to captain through colonel and CW3 through CW5. Similar changes have been made for officers who are being considered for promotion to first lieutenant or chief warrant officer.

Air Force to Reduce Additional Duties

Airmen need more time to focus on their core missions, which is the reason the Air Force has made the decision to reduce additional duties. After conducting a review of duties, a task force was able to eliminate, reassign or reduce 29 of 61 specific duties identified under Air Force Instruction 38-206, "Additional Duty Management". Reassigned duties will be carried out by commander support staff (CSS).

The full list of additional duties impacted is available on the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Reducing the Burden on our Airmen' fact sheet at http://bit.ly/2cthqzT.

The Guardian Fall 2016

29

ACTIVE DUTY

DOWNLOAD

USA

USN

Navy "Deep-Sixing" Blueberry Uniform

USAF

USMC

USCG

USPHS

NOAA

The Navy’s most mocked camouflage uniform will soon be a thing of the past the service has announced.

The Navy Working Uniform Type I, blue camouflage utilities commonly referred to as “blueberries,” will be replaced everywhere in the service by the forest-green NWU Type III camouflage utilities developed by Naval Special Warfare Command as a tactical uniform.

According to an announcement by Naval Personnel Command, sailors will have the option of wearing either the NWU Type I or III beginning Oct. 1 of this year, and will be required to wear the NWU Type III as the primary working uniform ashore and in port by Oct. 1, 2019.

“As [Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson] and I travel to see sailors deployed around the world, one of the issues they consistently want to talk about are uniforms,” Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said in a statement. “They want uniforms that are comfortable, lightweight, breathable … and they want fewer of them. We have heard the feedback and we are acting on it.

As a direct result of Sailors’ input, effective Oct. 1, we will transition from the NWU Type I to the NWU Type III as our primary shore working uniform.”

Apart from the common criticism that the uniforms, introduced in 2009, added more weight to sailors’ seabags, the pattern has been mocked as a pointless use of camouflage.

“The Navy ‘blueberries’ – I don’t know what the name is, that’s what sailors call them – the great camouflage it gives is if you fall overboard,” Mabus reportedly said in 2013, acknowledging the controversy.

Officials said the NWU Type III, now used by riverines and other expeditionary forces, would be issued to new recruits beginning Oct. 1, 2017.

REACH Helps Wounded Vets Start Careers in Medicine

The REACH program is a Navy Medicine initiative to recruit, teach and employ wounded warriors into medical professions within the federal government. The program provides education, guidance and training for careers in the health care field and helps support a college degree. People participating in this program are eligible to begin within 90 days of their discharge date. After completing education and training, participants have the opportunity to get full-time employment in Navy Medicine.

For more information 0on the REACH program visit the REACH Program website, www.myreachcareer.com or contact the NHCP program director LCDR Ramaud Love at 760-763-5771 or Career Coach Jeff Tanner at jtanner@myvetadvisor.com.

Blue Angels to Resume Performances

The Navy's Blue Angels returned to the air Saturday, July 2, for the first time since one of the group's pilots was killed in an air show practice run.

The elite flight demonstration team performed at the National Cherry Festival Air Show in Traverse City, Michigan.

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The Guardian Fall 2016

Get legislative alerts and contact Congress directly with the NAUS Legislative Action Center:

Tips on Writing to a Member of Congress

C CAPWIZ APWIZ http://capwiz.com/naus

Letters and emails are the most popular choices of communication with a congressional office. NAUS’ online CapWiz feature, http://capwiz.com/naus, makes sending an email easy. You may also call or send a fax. Regardless of how you contact elected officials, these tips will help make sure your representative knows where you stand.

(When using email, include your name and address in your message.)

• State the purpose of your letter or email in the first paragraph. If it pertains to a specific bill identify it by the bill’s name or bill number such as House bill (H.R. ____) or Senate bill (S. ____).

• Be courteous, to the point, and include key information using personal examples to support your position.

• Address only one issue in each letter or email; and if possible, keep the letter to one page.

• Ask for the congressional member to support your position, to provide his/her position on the issue and if he/she disagrees, to state the reason for disagreement.

Addressing Correspondence: To a Senator The Honorable (full name) United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator (Last Name):

To a Representative The Honorable (full name) US House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative (Last Name):

The President The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President:

http://capwiz.com/naus

Not sure what these boxes are? They are QR codes. Here’s what to do with them: 1. Download the app - Search “QR code” on your smartphone to find a free QR reader app 2. Scan the Code - Hold your smartphone over the box. The app will use your camera to read the code.

3. Enjoy - These codes direct your phone to an email address, website, video, etc. This one takes you to CapWiz directly, right there on your phone! How easy is that!

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The Guardian Fall 2016

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Mention Corporate ID #1000007736 when calling or make reservations online from the Member Benefits section of the NAUS website. Plus, sign up for the FREE Wyndham Rewards program.

BUDGET Car Rental Discount – 1-800-455-2848 (Mention Code R198117) AVIS Car Rental Discount – 1-800-331-1212 (Mention Code B291017) HERTZ Car Rental Discount – 1-800-654-6511 (Mention Code 50163)

TNT – 1-800-282-0276 • www.funjet.com/naus - powered by Funjet Vacations now has over 900 destinations including the Caribbean, Hawaii, Bermuda, Mexico, Las Vegas and even Europe. NAUS Members receive a 5% discount off of already reasonable prices. You can book flights, hotels, activities and more in just one stop. (Mention Code NAUS)

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OTHER MEMBER BENEFITS! Go to www.NAUS.org and Click On the Member Benefits Tab to see all the exciting benefits available to NAUS Members only!

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The Guardian Fall 2016

35

USAA ADVICE CENTER • www.usaa.com Is Your Health care Plan Adequate?

Start reviewing It Today

When it comes to evaluating the adequacy of your health insurance needs, a simple, “Yes, I have health insurance,” response really doesn’t cut it. While health insurance is more available given the Affordable Care Act, understanding your health insurance can be challenging.

The good news is that you aren’t without resources to help you understand your benefits and identify gaps that could lead to more financial risk than you are willing to take.Your financial well-being is absolutely connected to your emotional and physical well-being; when one is under stress, the others are impacted and your financial plan could go off course.

Take the following steps to evaluate the adequacy of your health and wellness plans:

REVIEW YOUR PREVENTATIVE RESOURCES: Having an emergency fund is critical to keep a bad day or illness from crushing your bank accounts or making you reliant on credit cards. We recommend that you have at least $1,000 but ideally three to six months of living expenses set aside.

Review your budget and make certain that you are spending less than you are earning. Identify where your money is going and if needed identify areas where you can reduce expenses.

Understand your major medical insurance and your potential out-of-pocket expenses. Review your deductible, co-pay and co-insurance information, and make certain that you have money set aside in your emergency fund to cover these items.

IDENTIFY BENEFITS YOU CAN ACCESS: Contribute to a Health Savings Account if you are eligible. If you are enrolled in a High Deductible Healthcare Plan (HDHP) you are likely able to save for your medical expenses in a tax-advantaged account. In 2016, individuals can contribute up to $3,350, or up to $6,750 for families1. These plans will allow you to invest and potentially grow your contributions2; when you take the money out for a qualified medical expense, your withdrawals will be tax exempt.

Your employer may offer additional coverage options such as dental, vision, disability income, accident or critical illness insurance. Review each plan given your individual needs. If you do not have access to these plans through your employer, you may want to work with an insurance professional to purchase the needed plan(s).

You may have access to resources through your employer or associations that you may belong to that can be helpful, such as employee assistance programs for mental health and physical wellness. Utilizing these programs can help keep your emotional, physical and financial well-being intact.

IDENTIFY RISKS OR GAPS: Working with a financial planner or advisor and taking a holistic view of your individual situation can help create an action plan to help cover gaps or manage risks. It is critical that you identify what your plan will be if you face a financial challenge.

Taking steps to prevent your financial situation from becoming challenging is key.

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The Guardian Fall 2016

Wreaths Across America - December 17, 2016 One man's annual tribute to our veterans inspired a legion of volunteers and gave rise to the Wreaths Across America of today.

In 1992, Morrill Worcester and his Worcester Wreath company found themselves with a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Remembering his boyhood experience at Arlington, Worcester realized he had an opportunity to honor our country’s Veterans and arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington -e annual tribute went on quietly for several years until 2005, internet stories fueled attention for his annual quest, and Worcester received thousands of requests from all over the country from people wanting to help with Arlington, to emulate the Arlington project at their National and State cemeteries, or to simply share their stories and thank Morrill Worcester for honoring our nation’s heroes. Remember-Honor and Teach. is mission is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies on a specified Saturday in December at Arlington, as well as veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states, at sea, and 24 national cemeteries on foreign soil. A week of events including international veteran’s tributes, ceremonies at State Houses and a week-long “Veteran’s Parade” between Maine and Virginia where one of the groups who contacted Worcester in 2005, the Patriot Guard Riders, have escorted the wreath trucks down the East Coast and stop along the way at schools, monuments, veterans’ homes and communities to spread the message about the importance of remembering our fallen heroes, honoring those who serve, and teaching our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedoms. is week of events is made possible by thousands of volunteers who organize local ceremonies, raise funds to sponsor wreaths, and participate in the events.

See more at: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org The Guardian Fall 2016

37

Patricia Walker National SMW President kara7072@aol.com www.militarywidows.org Established 1968 • Affiliated 1984

O

ctober 12, 2016 will find many of us in San Antonio, Texas for our annual meeting and the opportunity to rekindle old friendships and meet new members, carry out the business of the National Society of Military Widows, make decisions about our future and install new officers to lead the way.

It has been a pleasure to be your leader for the past two years and I want to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to serve. We have changed our regions slightly to make the distribution of chapters more equal within the regions and reduce expenses. We have improved communications in some areas, had the opportunity to improve our knowledge of issues facing military widows through the teleconferences organized

by President–Elect Janet Snyder. We have also joined with other related organizations in supporting action that would bring mutual benefits. And we have moved with NAUS through the process of merging organizations for mutual benefit.

I want to thank all of you who have served as officers, board members and committee chairs through this past two years. Your support has been truly appreciated. Thanks, also, to all of our members who have supported our programs, conventions and actions. I particularly want to thank all of you who have taken the time to contact me, to raise questions and to let me know what you were thinking. And I am most grateful for the new friends I have made.

Janet Snyder has already proved her leadership qualities in bringing us new programs and reaching out to align us with sister organizations. She will lead us along new pathways as we see what the New Year brings.

I ask you to support her efforts as I intend to. We are all in this together and that is our strength.

Patricia Walker, SMW President

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE It is my honor and privilege to introduce the next SMW Legislative Chair for 2016 - 2018: ROSALIE HORTON, who will begin her duties following the October SMW Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Thank you for your support during the past four years.

Janet Snyder Legislative Chair, Society of Military Widows (702) 227-6566 • groundhog71@gmail.com

I am Rosalie Horton, the widow of Major Robert Horton. My husband died as a result of his military service on March 21, 1999.

We have two children. Thomas is now 18 and Carolyn is 25.

I have been working on legislative issues since 1999. This is not the way I ever imagined using my BA in Political Science. I have learned to go to the Hill with a briefing book of background information, plan to give 3 quick points of the reason for my visit and be prepared to answer questions. And sometimes the best answer is "can I get back to you" so that a well reasoned response can be provided.

I work in Engineering at Arlington National Cemetery and have been continuing my education toward an MBA and certification as a Contracting Officer.

As a widow, I have attended many TAPS programs. I am looking forward to being the SMW Legislative Chair and promoting legislative activism among our SMW members.

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The Guardian Fall 2016

S OCIETY

OF

M ILITARY W IDOWS ®

w w w. M i l i t a r y Wi d ow s. o rg

SMWUSJ16

Recruited by

Name

Date of Birth

Address Email Address

DUES: o 1 Yr

City

$19

o 3 Yrs

$49

o 5 Yrs

Phone Number

$69

Society of Military Widows 5535 Hempstead Way, Springfield, VA 22151 www.MilitaryWidows.org • 1-800-842-3451

As a benefit of membership, you receive a subscription to the NAUS Weekly Update e-newsletter.

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The Guardian Fall 2016

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39

TAPS Ms. Ellen M. Babcock ICC (SS) Richard L. Baldus, USN (RET) Maj George W. Boe, USAF (RET) LT Robert B. Bryant, USN (RET) MSgt William A. Coup, USAF (RET) CSM Donald E. Devaney, USA (RET) LtCol Albert P. Freer, Jr., USAF (RET) CW4 Robert R. Garrow, ARNG (RET) BMC Robert A. Gates, USCGR (RET) COL eodore Gaydos, USA (RET) TSgt Ivan L. Hagen, USAF (RET)

In Lieu of Flowers: NAUS wishes to thank those who have asked that “In lieu of flowers” a donation be made to the NAUS. is is a thoughtful and lasting salute to the memory of those dedicated veterans of the uniformed services. ank you for thinking of those who will follow. Donations should be sent to: NAUS, 5535 Hempstead Way, Springfield, VA 22151 Mr. Robert A. Haywood LCDR Robert T. Holmes, USN (RET) SFC Michael H. Johnson, Sr., USA (RET) SFC John W. Lawson, Jr., USA (RET) SFC Allen MacDonald, USA (RET) Mr. Desmond F. Mann LtCol Daniel B. Mason, USAF (RET) Mr. Melvin W. McMinn, Sr. CPO Eugene L. Meyer, USN (RET) Col Billy J. Millis, USAF (RET) SFC Neal Morris, USA (RET)

LT Paul C. Sackley, USNR (RET) Mrs. Rose Schuttler SSG Ronald L. Silva, USA (RET) 1SG omas T. Smith, USA (RET) 1SG Richard H. Smith, USA (RET) MSgt Charles A. Stephens, USAF (RET) Mrs. Mary Ann M. omas Maj Earl P. Tischendorf, Sr., USAF (RET) Mrs. Evelyn E. Vaughn CAPT James D. Webb, USCG (RET) Ms. Merna E. Zajic, Esq.

NAUS IS SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE PASSING OF TWO PAST BOARD MEMBERS

Donald E. Devaney

NAUS is saddened to receive news on the passing of Donald E. Devaney, July 16, following surgery to address kidney cancer. Don was a long-time NAUS loyalist, former NAUS co-chair, and former chief provost marshal at TRIPLER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, Hawaii.

As co-chair of the U.S. Army Hawaii Retiree Council for more than three decades, Don provided invaluable service to our retiree families and, as a result, facilitated an understanding by them of the ever-improving and changing medical delivery systems at Tripler.

NAUS well remembers Don as a man who dedicated his life to his country’s service. The retired Army sergeant major served more than five decades of military and civilian service, and we pass our sympathy and condolences to Don’s wife Toki and his family and friends. He will be missed.

Billy J. Millis went peacefully to meet the Lord on July 12, 2016. Born to Emma and Ernest Millis on December 10, 1920 outside Martinsville, IL. Billy frequently said,"I had a great life- I could not have had better". He is predeceased by his parents, his three brothers, Dwight, Buell and Forrest, their wives and his beloved wife, Bette and special daughter, Jo Linda. He is succeeded by his daughters, Carol Millis McKenzie, Ph.D., of Lakeway and Patricia (Trish) Millis, RN, of Austin and three dachshunds.

After a stint at the University of Illinois, he joined the Army Air Corp on February 1, 1941. He was sent to weather observers' school and then flight school. Upon graduation on 9 October 1942 (Class 42-I), he began a beloved career as a military pilot. He was proud of his 9000 air hours and the planes he flew- BT-13 Vultee, Fairchild PT-19, BT-14, AT-6, BC -1, AT-17, AT -9, B-25, B-17, B-29, C-47, DC-3, C-97, C-124, C-54, C-118,C-124, TY-39.

While stationed at Altus Air Base, OK as a flight instructor he met and married Bette Jo White. After their June 18, 1944 wedding day, the couple quickly moved regularly throughout his 30+year military career.

Billy J. Millis In the Admiralty Islands, he had an amateur radio license and the call sign KG6AV/VK9 - rare because it was an Australian/American call sign.

At that same time, he perfected air to ground communications in military aircraft.

As a MATS pilot, he flew the Berlin airlift, in and out of Korea and Vietnam and all over the world fixing telecommunications problems. He frequently attributes his success and happiness in the military to his wife, Bette, who took it all in stride and looked at every move and every TDY as an adventure.

Some of his favorite assignments were Air Attaché to the US Ambassador (MAAG) in Tokyo (1959-64). He attended Japanese language school at Yale for a year before the assignment and maintained a lifelong fluency in Japanese - speaking, reading and writing. The family embraced and loved Japan. Lifelong friendships were made with the following people: Tome Kojima, who lived with the family, Tutor Sugime, a cousin of Emperor Hirohito of Japan, Minou Genda, the designer of the raid on Pearl Harbor and leader of the Japanese Air Force, and Edwin O Ramsey, an American guerrilla fighter who organized 50 thousand Filipinos to overthrow the Japanese army and allowed General McArthur to retake the Philippines.

After Japan, he was given the command that the Col. Millis loved the most. He was assigned CO of the 5th Mobile Communication Command (now the 5th Mobile Combat Unit - 5th MOB) in Warner Robbins, GA.That unit continues to provide outstanding combat communications support to the Air Force. In 2014, Col. Millis was honored by the command at a reunion in Georgia.

After another overseas assignment, the family retired from Bergstrom (12th Air Force), Austin, TX where they made their home for 45 years. Billy then worked for the State of Texas, implementing TEXAN and TELPAC telecommunications networks throughout the state.

While in Austin, he and Bette helped start Riverbend Church. He was the third person baptized in that church; his daughter Linda was the first.

In May 2010, Billy lost the love of his life,wife of 68 years, Bette. He had been a faithful caregiver to her for ten years. He was able to stay in his home thanks to caregiver, Laura and his daughters.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Downs Syndrome Association of Central Texas at DSACT.org.

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The Guardian Fall 2016

USE THE CREDIT CARD THAT SUPPORTS NAUS.

USAA Bank is proud to offer members ways to support organizations like the National Association for Uniformed Services. You can also benefit from great rewards, competitive rates, and USAA’s legendary customer service. Plus, now you can extend your support by redeeming your rewards points for a donation to the National Association for Uniformed Services.

APPLY TODAY. usaa.com/nausvisa or 855-865-NAUS (6287) USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates. USAA products are available only in those jurisdictions where USAA is authorized to sell them.

Use of the term “member” or “membership” does not convey any eligibility rights for auto and property insurance products, or legal or ownership rights in USAA. Membership eligibility and product restrictions apply and are subject to change. Purchase of a product other than USAA auto or property insurance, or purchase of an insurance policy offered through the USAA Insurance Agency, does not establish eligibility for, or membership in, USAA property and casualty insurance companies. NAUS receives financial support from USAA for this sponsorship.

This credit card program is issued by USAA Savings Bank, Member FDIC. © 2016 USAA. XXXXXX-XXXX