H.R.0112: G.I. Advanced Education in Science and Technology Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the payment of stipends to veterans who pursue doctoral degrees in science or technology. Sponsor: Rep Davis, Jo Ann [VA-1] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (None). Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

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H.R.0109: Disabled Veteran Small Business Eligibility Expansion Act of 2007. A bill to amend the Small Business Act to make service-disabled veterans eligible under the 8(a) business development program. Sponsor: Rep Davis, Jo Ann [VA-1] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (2). Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

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H.R.0092: Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish standards of access (i.e. 30 days) to care for veterans seeking health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, would allow referral to civilian care in cases where the standard is not met, would require the VA to annually report its performance in meeting those access standards, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny [FL-5] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (11). Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held. To support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=9240456.

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H.R.0089: Combat-Related Special Compensation Act. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to extend eligibility for combat-related special compensation (CRSC) paid to certain uniformed services retirees who are retired under chapter 61 of such title with fewer than 20 years of creditable service. Sponsor: Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (44). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Companion bill S.986. To support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=9240191.

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H.R.0081: Montgomery GI Bill Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that members of the Armed Forces and Selected Reserve may transfer certain educational assistance benefits to dependents, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD-6] (introduced 1/4/07) Cosponsors (5). Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

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H.R.0067: Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (32). Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

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H.R.0025: Fair Tax Act of 2007. A bill to promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the States. Sponsor: Rep Linder, John [GA-7] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (70). Companion Bill is S.0025. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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H.R.0023: Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007. A bill to amend title 46, United States Code, 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. Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 1/4/07). Cosponsors (244). Companion bill S.0961. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

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When a veteran needs emergency medical treatment, the VA allows that veteran to go to the nearest private or community hospital. Once the veteran is stabilized, the veteran must then be transferred to a VA hospital for any necessary continued care. The problem arises when there is a wait for a bed in a VA hospital. Current law does not require the VA to reimburse the hospital for the care given after the point of stabilization. In rural areas, the problem with the current law is particularly pronounced. Often, a patient may be deemed stable but is not necessarily stable enough to make ambulance trips traveling long distances. More specifically, the Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2007:

• Requires (under current law, authorizes) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reimburse certain veterans without a service-connected disability enrolled as active participants of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care plan for the cost of emergency treatment received in a non-VA facility until such time as such veterans are transferred to a VA facility.

• Requires (under current law, authorizes) the Secretary to reimburse certain veterans with a service-connected disability or a non-service-connected disability associated with or aggravating a service-connected disability for the value of emergency treatment for which such veterans have made payment from sources other than the VA.

Thus, HR 3819 would simply close that loophole and require the VA to reimburse the private hospital for care. Those interested in seeing this legislation become law should contact their legislator and request his/her support of the bill. A suggested editable letter with automatic transmission means can be found at http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=10912651&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id] to assist in this endeavor. [Source: USDR Action Alert 1 Feb 08 ++]

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Illinois, Ohio, and Massachusetts have recently passed legislation to help veterans transition back into civilian life. Veterans in Massachusetts are entitled to bonuses through the State’s Welcome Home Program. Massachusetts veterans should call the State Treasurer’s office at (617) 367-9333, ext. 859, to request bonus application materials. In Illinois, a new tax law known as the Returning Veterans Homestead Exemption provides a one-time $5,000 reduction to their home’s equalized assessed value. For more information, visit the Illinois Department of Revenue website. Ohio’s governor signed a law that exempts military pensions from State income tax and also prevents discrimination against veterans. [Source: NAUS weekly Update 1 Feb 07 ++]

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