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NAUS 3Feb12

WASHINGTON REPORT
“Doc Fix” Update
This week the House and Senate conferees continued to work on H.R. 3630, a bill to enact short-term extension of the payroll tax cut, of unemployment insurance, and the so-called Doc Fix.  As you know, all these provisions are set to expire at the end of  February.
Should the doc fix not occur, doctors would see a huge cut in their reimbursement for treating Medicare/TRICARE patients and health care for military retirees and their families would be tougher to find as doctors reassess and likely drop out of participation in the program.
Currently a House-Senate conference committee is working on finding a settlement to these critical issues and conference vice chairman, Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) said, “… gradually we’ll get there … but we’re not there yet, nowhere close to it yet.”   
As NAUS encouraged, the House voted 397-16 last week to urge the conferees to resolve provisions set to expire at the end of February.  While we press for a permanent “doc fix,” NAUS understands that another temporary provision may be necessary because pay-for differences may not be resolved before the clock runs out on the current short-term extension March 1.
Please click here on Fix the "Doc Fix" to send an email message to your elected officials.  The issue requires immediate action, so even if you have done so already, please send another one.  Also ask your family, friends and neighbors to get involved.  Your representatives really need to know how you feel.

Doctors Frustration Growing on Reimbursement Problems
NAUS recently came across results of a survey by the Connecticut State Medical Society that indicates a growing reluctance of doctors to accept Medicare/TRICARE patients.  The survey, released January 18, reports that 19 percent of physicians in the State have begun limiting appointment for patients covered by Medicare and TRICARE or have begun to decline any new patients with either type of coverage. 
The Connecticut report strongly suggests a growing frustration in adding more Medicare and TRICARE patients due to the prolonged uncertainty about reimbursement rates and related bureaucratic hassles with Medicare, which diminish the benefit of treating these patients.
Reports we have heard from retirees in Texas, California, Florida and other States, with large populations of military retirees, say finding coverage is getting more difficult.  This situation does not bode well for all the retirees now reaching or approaching the magic 65 age when the only available medical coverage is TRICARE for Life and Medicare. 

More BRAC Closures?
The Administration has indicated that the DoD Budget will request one or two more rounds of Base Realignment and Closures (BRAC) to help with the cuts in Defense funding that have been mandated.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) has promised to kill any new BRAC proposals.
In a speech this week, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey warned that if Congress fails to grant him the ability to balance Defense Department cuts worse problems could result.
Dempsey said that with a $487 billion budget reduction over the next decade, infrastructure must change accordingly.
“When we talk about balancing the force and our investment in balance, there’s manpower costs, there’s modernization and equipment costs, there’s training and maintenance costs, and then there’s this thing called infrastructure -- just those things involved with turning the lights on and off,” he said.
Gen. Dempsey acknowledged that senior Defense officials don’t want to close bases, but they are simply faced with tough choices.
“By the way, I didn’t pass the Budget Control Act,” he said. “I didn’t say, ‘Hey how about hitting me with a bill for $500 billion.”

Senate Veterans Jobs Caucus
NAUS is working with a number of other major military organizations to support Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) in forming a Senate Veterans Jobs Caucus. 
NAUS is pleased to add our name to the Senators positive focus on veterans employment and thank Sens. Manchin and Kirk for their support of our veterans.
The caucus will hold:
Monthly meetings at the staff level to share information on veterans employment initiatives.
Monitor veterans employment issues by working with constituents, government and service organizations to help provide solutions.
Work with local, State and national employers on an “I Hire Veterans” program.

House Armed Services Hold Arlington National Cemetery Oversight
Today, Chairmen of the Subcommittees on Military Personnel and on Oversight and Investigations, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), respectively, hold a joint oversight hearing regarding burial mismanagement at the Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), first revealed in 2010.
The purpose of the House Armed Services Subcommittees joint hearing is to review findings from the Army’s “Arlington National Cemetery Gravesite Accountability Task Force” report provided to Congress at the end of 2011. The hearing also will look at efforts to address accountability issues.  
NAUS agrees with Rep. Randy Forbes, Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, who said that the burial mismanagement at ANC “continues to be tragic for us as a nation and for the families of the men and women who have selflessly and faithfully served our nation.”
NAUS will continue to press Congress and the Administration to bring this unfortunate situation to an appropriate conclusion that restores faith in ANC management and returns the high standard of respect to those who serve this great nation in uniformed service. 

HEALTH CARE NEWS
Vaccine Sees Dramatic Reduction In Respiratory Infection Among Navy Recruits
Redenovirus vaccinations given to Navy recruits during basic training over the past two years have led to a dramatic decline in the number of recruits with febrile upper respiratory infections.  The infection rate dropped from a 2010 high of 93 cases per week down to 11 cases per week in the first month of 2012.  Due to the close quarter’s conditions of basic training squad bays illness can spread quickly and result in missed training days for recruits.  If too many are missed they can be dropped from training which will delay their graduation and the time spent in medical recovery cost the government money. 
This two-pill vaccination costs a total of $222 per recruit and Navy officials cite its ability to reduce febrile upper respiratory infections by 89.5 percent and allowing more recruits to graduate without medical delays as well worth the price tag.  This vaccine is not currently available to the general public, but was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for recruits entering basic training.  Even so, Defense health officials acknowledge that any long-term outcomes must still be monitored.

ACTIVE DUTY NEWS
Earned Income Tax Credit
Many active duty personnel could be eligible to get more money back from the Internal Revenue Service.  People who earned less than $49,078 from wages, self-employment or farming last year may qualify for a refundable tax credit called the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).  But you must file a federal income tax return claiming the credit to get it.  Both EITC eligibility and the amount of tax credit people are eligible for is based on several factors.  The online EITC Assistant on the IRS website can help determine your eligibility and estimate the amount of your credit.  For more information, visit your local Tax Assistance Center and take advantage of any tax assistance programs available at your base.

Navy to Offer Volunteer Early Retirement to Some
The Navy will offer voluntary early retirement to certain sailors separating due to the Enlisted Retention Board (ERB) through Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA).  TERA is a temporary, voluntary program that offers voluntary early retirement at a reduced monthly retirement pay to eligible members with 15 to 20 years of active service.  Eligible sailors who desire early retirement under TERA must submit an application.  As TERA is not an entitlement, all eligible members must apply to receive benefits, and all applications may not necessarily be approved.  For more information on the ERB visit the NPC Webpage or contact the NPC customer service center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC.  More information on ERB transition assistance can be found on the NPC webpage.

VETERANS NEWS
Checking Benefits Online
DoD and the VA have jointly developed the eBenefits portal as a single secure point of access for online benefit information.  The site contains tools to perform multiple self-service functions, such as checking monthly benefit rates, filing a claim, or checking its status.
Veterans may enroll in eBenefits and obtain a Premium account by verifying their identity in-person at the nearest regional office or online depending on their status, or calling VA's toll free number at 1-800-827-1000.  Active duty service members may also enroll in eBenefits using their Common Access Card at any time during their military service, or before they leave during their Transition Assistance Program briefings.

Congress Looks Into VA Backlog Issue
The Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs recently held an oversight hearing to evaluate if the current disability rating systems at DoD and VA are best serving America's veterans, or if the systems are outdated and need to be updated to reflect today's veterans' population. The claims backlog and rating system is one of the most common complaints made by veterans about VA. Opening statements and a webcast of the hearing are available on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs website.

Hiring Our Heroes Update for Washington, D.C.
On Feb. 16 in Washington, D.C. the General Electric Company will be offering a free catered luncheon and an employment workshop launching GE’s Transition Assistance Program for Veterans. 
The program kicks off at noon at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium at 1301 Constitution Ave., NW. 
This employment workshop is an excellent preparation for upcoming Washington, DC career expos like Georgetown University’s Government and Non-profit Career Expo on February 17, 2012 and Hiring Our Heroes’ Washington Opportunity Expo on February 23, 2012.

Veterans Employment Program at University of Pittsburgh
NAUS has received the following request:
On behalf of the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL), and Quality of Life Technology (QoLT)—our unique partnership with neighboring Carnegie Mellon University—I invite you to extend the following information to veterans who may be interested in this opportunity.
 Experiential Learning for Veterans in Assistive Technology and Engineering (ELeVATE) is a paid (10 week stipend & financial assistance), full-time internship program designed to integrate veterans into college through a three-phased program including:
Paid research experience – work with faculty and graduate students on a research project in assistive technology and/or engineering.
Exploration of academic interests – attend workshops and field trips.
Promotion of academic success – will meet with rehabilitation counselors and veteran mentors.
Internship dates: May 21, 2012—July 27, 2012
Applications are being accepted NOW until the program is FULL! Apply  here
Prior college experience for participants is not required, but we would like to recruit individuals who are current students or are about to start their first semester.
If you have any questions, email me or call.  You may also contact Mary Goldberg (mrh35@pitt.edu) or Dr. Rory Cooper (rcooper@pitt.edu).
Brandon Marcelius Stirpe, BS
Pre-Doctoral Fellow
Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology
Rehabilitation Counseling |Class of 2013
University of Pittsburgh
Phone: 717.514.5882
Email: bms42@pitt.edu

NAUS NEWS
SMW 2012 Convention
The Society of Military Widows will be holding its 2012 Convention/Cruise October 6-13
cruising on the Carnival ship "DREAM" on an Eastern Caribbean – Nassau - St.Thomas & St. Maarten voyage.
DEADLINE FOR DEPOSIT IS APRIL 1, 2012
Chapter Presidents have the registration forms or you can download one from the SMW websitehttp://www.militarywidows.org/

NAUS Legislative Updates and Speaking Engagements for 2012
If you are involved with securing keynote speakers for your local Retiree Appreciation Day (RAD) or a NAUS Chapter President who might like to schedule a Legislative Brief in conjunction with a Membership drive meeting for your chapter, please get your invitation ready and send it in.  Regional Vice Presidents who are planning on manning tables at RADs in their areas should also let us know as soon as possible.
As soon as you know you will be inviting a NAUS speaker, please send a written invitation, (or email) to our NAUS HQ RAD coordinator Ms. Vicki Sumner at her email or call toll-free at 800-842-3451 for additional information.  Our calendar is rapidly filling up and if you want to be considered please let us know as soon as possible.  If there is a chance your invitation might not be sent until later in the year, please give us a heads up so we can add it to our tentative schedule.