Feingold Bill Improves Outreach to Veterans Discusses Legislation During Local Listening Sessions August 7, 2003 Minong, WI – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today discussed his legislation that helps to ensure that all veterans who earned benefits through their service in the U.S. Armed Forces receive those benefits. Feingold’s bill, the Veterans Outreach Improvement Act, requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to do more to ensure that veterans are aware of the benefits to which they are entitled. Feingold’s legislation is based on a Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) program called “I Owe You,” which encourages veterans to apply, or to re-apply, for benefits that they earned from their service in the military. “Our veterans deserve much more than they are currently receiving from the VA,” Feingold said. “According to the WDVA, more than 11,000 Wisconsin veterans have attended “I Owe You” outreach events. If 11,000 vets in Wisconsin may be unaware of their benefits, it is troubling to think how many veterans around our country are in the same situation. It is particularly important to address gaps in the VA’s outreach program as we welcome home a new generation of brave men and women from service overseas.” Feingold’s legislation will help the VA reach out to veterans by: • Requiring the VA to establish a special fund for each of the VA’s departments intended solely for outreach efforts • Ensuring that the VA can enter into cooperative agreements with Departments of Veterans Affairs in the states regarding outreach activities • Giving the VA authority to award funds to Departments of Veterans Affairs in the states for outreach efforts – like the WDVA’s “I Owe You” program • Creating a structure in the VA that would require each of its departments to work together to coordinate outreach activities Feingold is also the author of the Veterans Outreach Protection Act. In July 2002, a memo was sent to VA regional health care directors ordering them to “ensure that no marketing activities to enroll new veterans [in the VA health care programs] occur within [their] networks.” Feingold’s legislation rescinds that order and prohibits the VA from using federal funds to enforce such a policy. Feingold held his 42nd Listening Session of 2003, and his 762nd since he was first elected, at the Minong Senior Center, starting at 7:15 a.m. He held his 43rd Listening Session of 2003, and his 763rd since he was first elected, at the St. Croix Tribal Health Clinic in Hertel, starting at 9:30 a.m. This is Feingold’s eleventh year of holding Listening Sessions in every county.

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