1. VA Funding Increased in CR: Both the House and Senate have cleared a comprehensive spending measure to fund most government programs at fiscal 2008 levels. The Continuing Resolution includes the FY2009 Military Construction/VA Appropriation (HR 6599) to fund VA at $4.5 billion above last year; the appropriation meets Independent Budget recommendations for healthcare. This is a victory for veterans and for the VFW. The President is expected to sign the bill this week. Some of the highlights include:

• $3.8 billion for mental healthcare and $584 million for substance abuse programs;
• $250 million to improve access for veterans in rural areas;
• $510 million for medical and prosthetic research;
• $130 million for homeless grants and per diem program
For complete coverage of the bill visit the House Appropriations website.:
 

2. VFW Testifies on GI Bill Implementation: The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing Wednesday on the VA's ability to meet the Aug. 1, 2009, implementation deadline of the new GI Bill (P.L. 110-252), and the use of a private contractor to design the IT plan. Because VA lacks an IT department sufficient to design and develop such a system to administer the new benefit, the VFW testified in support of hiring of an outside contractor to develop a web-based computer program that allows veterans and VA employees to access the program online. Our view is VA has not been clear in its message about the contracting goal, which has created confusion and concern. VFW testified that VA needs a fail-safe plan in order for the benefit to be ready for eligible veterans by Aug. 1. 2009. We also testified that it was paramount that VA maintain ownership of the data, as well as the computer applications that the contractor will provide to administer the program. To read our testimony and the full hearing documents, visit the House VA Committee website

3. SVAC Examines VA/DOD IT Progress: The Senate VA Committee held an oversight hearing on VA and DOD's Information Technology progress. The FY2007 NDAA mandates that VA and DOD develop interoperable "seamless" health systems by September 2009. The Senate committee has held 10 hearings on the subject and has urged both agencies to continue to make progress to meet the 2009 deadline. Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) applauded the progress made, but made reference to a recent GAO report that outlined many more areas that needed further attention and action. For more on the hearing, visit the Senate VA Committee website.

4. FY2009 NDAA Update: A House and Senate conference committee reached agreement this week on the FY2009 National Defense Authorization Act. The House passed the bill by a vote of 392-39. The Senate is expected to also adopt it, and send it to the President for his signature.

NDAA highlights include:
• A military pay raise of 3.9%;
• Prohibits TRICARE premium increases, and co-pays or user fees for the TRICARE retail pharmacy program;
• Requires DOD to recalculate the monthly premiums being charged to TRICARE Reserve Select beneficiaries;
• Provides tuition assistance and training opportunities for military spouses seeking degrees or careers that are portable as they move with their military spouse to other duty locations;
• Authorizes $1.7 billion for new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles for combat units in Iraq and Afghanistan;
• $3.2 billion for quality military housing;
• And prohibits the use of funds to establish permanent bases in Iraq.
More NDAA highlights and bill language can be found on the House Armed Services Committee website.