From: FRA NewsBytes [Newsbytes@fra.org]
Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 05:30
To: fra@fra367.org
Subject: FRA NewsBytes -- 02-12-10
This week in NewsBytes:
Medicare/TRICARE Provider Payment Cuts Still Pending
Independent Budget for FY2011 VA Finances
VA Begins to Recover GI Bill Emergency Payments
Free Tax Software for Active Duty, Reservists and Families
FRA NHQ Closed on Monday, February 15th


Medicare/TRICARE Provider Payment Cuts Still Pending
Proposals to exempt Medicare and TRICARE reimbursements from the budgetary spending freeze have cleared the House and Senate, but now Congress must pass legislation that delays or eliminates the 21-percent cut to doctors' reimbursement rates that are slated to take effect on March 1, 2010. Some health care providers already choose not to participate in the Medicare and TRICARE programs because of low reimbursement rates and, if Congress doesn't act, many doctors are expected to stop seeing Medicare and TRICARE patients. Please use the FRA Action Center at www.fra.org to contact your U.S. representative and senators to ask them to pass this important legislation.


Independent Budget for FY2011 VA Finances
The FY2011 Independent Budget (IB) was recently released by AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The comprehensive budget and policy document welcomes the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) budget being excluded from the Administration's freeze on discretionary spending and the implementation of advanced funding for VA health care for FY2012 ($54.3 billion). The annual IB is supported by FRA and has served as a guide for VA funding for 24 years.

The IB commends the Administration's budget proposal that includes a significant increase in funding for the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), the VA agency charged with providing compensation and benefits to veterans. This reflects a commitment toward reducing the massive claims backlog and providing timely and accurate education benefits to service members and veterans eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The IB also recommends an additional $500 million above the VA's proposed budget for medical care programs and expresses alarm with the level of funding recommended for construction projects and information technology.


VA Begins to Recover GI Bill Emergency Payments
Late last year emergency payments of up to $3,000 were made available to service members and veterans who applied for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits, but hadn't received them in time to pay tuition for the Fall 2009 semester. The payments were considered advances on the total benefit available to eligible students and recipients are now being notified by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) about the repayment process.

If recipients are still in school and receiving education benefits from VA, they can choose to have VA deduct the advance payment from their current benefits. Recipients also have the option of establishing a monthly repayment agreement with VA, which may extend for up to one year.  

For more information on repayment, visit www.gibill.va.gov/advpayrecovery.htm.


Free Tax Software for Active Duty, Reservists and Families
Military OneSource is providing H&R Block At Home� (formerly TaxCut) online tax filing at no charge to active duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members and their families. The service, provided by the Department of Defense, is available through the Military OneSource Website (www.militaryonesource.com) and tax consultations are available by calling their tax hotline at 1-800-730-3802.


FRA NHQ Closed on Monday, February 15th
FRA National Headquarters will be closed on Monday, February 15th, in observance of President's Day.  The offices will open at 8:00 am (EST) on Tuesday, February 16th.

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