From: FRA NewsBytes [Newsbytes@fra.org]
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 3:22 AM
To: fra@fra367.org
Subject: FRA NewsBytes -- 10-16-09
In this week's NewsBytes:
No COLA in 2010 Could Mean One-Time Payment
Cuts to Medicare/TRICARE Reimbursements
VA Announces Progress on Agent Orange Claims
Military Coalition Recognizes Hill Advocates
Happy 234th Birthday, U.S. Navy


No COLA in 2010 Could Mean One-Time Payment
Inflation for 2009, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), has taken its sharpest fall since 1947. The overall change in CPI is used to determine the annual Cost-of-living-Adjustment (COLA) for military and federal civilian retired pay, Social Security, veterans' disability and other inflation-indexed benefits. Because inflation is below zero for 2009, there will be no COLA for 2010, and it is important to note there will be no reduction in benefits.

In response, the Obama Administration and some members of Congress are calling for a one-time $250 payment to seniors, veterans, retired railroad workers and people with disabilities in January. These proposed payments would be similar to the economic stimulus payments made earlier this year, and equal a two-percent COLA for the typical Social Security recipient. Beneficiaries who qualify under several categories would only be eligible for one payment. Congress must approve the payments, which are estimated to cost $13 billion, before they can be implemented.


Cuts to Medicare/TRICARE Reimbursements
For the past several years, FRA and other military and veterans organizations have successfully urged Congress to postpone drastic cuts in Medicare and TRICARE reimbursements to physicians and other health care providers. The cuts have been postponed with a series of one-year legislative delays and, unless another one is enacted soon, reimbursement rates will be reduced by 21 percent on January 1, 2010. Such a rate reduction will deter doctors from accepting Medicare and TRICARE patients and negatively impact seniors' and military beneficiaries' access to health care services.

Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow has introduced the "Medicare Physician Fairness Act" (S. 1776), which proposes a permanent solution to this ongoing threat. The Senate is expected to vote on the FRA-supported measure next week.


VA Announces Progress on Agent Orange Claims
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki announced a decision to establish a presumptive service-connection for Vietnam veterans who have B cell leukemia, Parkinson's disease or ischemic heart disease. These diseases are all related to exposure to Agent Orange, a herbicide used in Vietnam. Secretary Shinseki's decision was based upon the recently released Institute of Medicine (IOM) report that was mentioned in the July 31, 2009, edition of Newsbytes.

FRA is advocating for a broader Agent Orange service-connection and this announcement is a major step in the right direction. Many Navy veterans who served off the coast of Vietnam, so-called "blue water" veterans, have health problems frequently associated with herbicide exposure, but have endured lengthy legal struggles to prove these problems are service-related. The Association has repeatedly pushed for a legislative remedy (H.R. 2254) and has referenced this issue as a priority for 2009 during the military and veterans' service organization meetings with the House and Senate VA committees.

To read the VA press release with links to more information on each service-connected illness, visit http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1796.


Military Coalition Recognizes Hill Advocates
The Military Coalition (TMC), a group comprised of FRA and 33 other military and veterans associations, presented its highest awards to two legislators and two congressional staffers who have championed the causes of pay, benefits, and quality-of-life improvements for active duty and Reserve personnel, veterans, and retirees, survivors and their families.

Senator Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) and Rep Joe Wilson (S.C.) received the Coalition's 2009 Award of Merit. Senator Lincoln was recognized for her leadership in sponsoring legislation to improve Reserve component education benefits and provide tax relief for certain disabled retirees and military survivors. Representative Wilson was recognized for his efforts to eliminate compensation inequities for disabled retirees and survivors; restore retirement equity for the Reserve Component mobilized since September 11, 2001; improve military health care; and establish military pay comparability with private sector wages.

TMC also presented its annual Freedom Award to Ms. Allison Witt, Legislative Director for Representative Robert Latta (Ohio) and Mr. Tony McClain, Military Legislative Assistant for Senator Lincoln, for their work in promoting support for military issues behind the scenes.

FRA NED Joe Barnes serves as the enlisted organization co-chair for the Coalition and members of FRA's Legislative Team co-chair several key TMC policy committees.


Happy 234th Birthday, U.S. Navy
FRA salutes the U.S. Navy this week as it celebrated its 234th birthday on October 13th.

The United States established its Continental Navy on October 13th, 1775, with the procurement, manning and dispatch of two armed vessels assigned to interrupt munitions shipments to the British Army in America. Over the course of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Navy amassed 50 ships, with approximately 20 active warships at its maximum strength.

FRA acknowledges all Sailors for their important role in our nation's history and their ongoing devotion to the Navy's core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.

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To share your views on these and other important topics, visit www.fra.org/discuss and click on "News."

FRA is the oldest and largest association representing the interests of current and former Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel. If you are not a member and are eligible, please join FRA at www.fra.org. The larger the membership base, the louder your voice is heard on Capitol Hill!

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