Legislation

Forward Observer:  Secretary Wilkie’s Four Priorities for the VA in 2019

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Priorities, smy-orities … five, six or ten … different ones almost every time you look …  when it comes to the Department of Veterans Affairs (and federal agencies in general).  It is time to do a little house cleaning as the new year begins because, in these times, on what the VA concentrates will dramatically change its operations in the coming years.  For example, implementing the Mission Act listed below is no ‘small potatoes’ matter.

In his words, the Secretary of the VA, Mr. Wilkie, has now whittled down the Department of Veterans Affairs’ strategic priorities for 2019 to four:  (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer: Senate Continues to Stall on Blue Water Navy Act Passage

LVMAC Poster Art 2005As an update, the Senate continues to stall since we have last written on the bill.  From the VFW, which emphasizes the importance of acting now in whatever way you can:

“During the Vietnam War, veterans who served in the offshore waters of Vietnam drank, bathed in, and cooked with water contaminated by Agent Orange. They are now arbitrarily and unjustly denied benefits for illnesses associated (more…)

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Forward Observer:  Will the Senate Have the Courage to Rise Above the Intransigence of the VA on the Blue Water Navy Issue?

LVMAC Poster Art 2005The behavior of the Senate on the issue of the Blue Water Navy’s exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam Conflict has been less than noble — nor has it done its job.  Over the decades, it has conveniently allowed the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to lead it by the nose and to provide an excuse for inaction. (more…)

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Forward Observer: The VA Mission Act Is Enacted

LVMAC Poster Art 2005We thought it would happen on Memorial Day.  Instead, it happened on 6 June 2018 (D-Day).  The President finally signed the VA MISSION Act of 2018 upon which we have previously reported .

According to the VFW’s Action Corps Weekly of 8 June,  “ ‘The VA MISSION Act will help improve the care our veterans get at the VA while leveraging the capabilities of the private sector when needed. It will help recruit the best talent at the VA, which is what our veterans deserve, and it also extends caregiver benefits to every veteran who needs it,’ …  The VA MISSION Act was the result of a bipartisan and bicameral effort led by Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Sen. Johnny Isakson, Ranking Member Sen. Jon Tester and House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Rep. Phil Roe, M.D.” (more…)

By LVMAC, ago