2014 Veterans Day Newsletter
Dear Friend,
On Veterans Day, we honor the brave and heroic service of all of our veterans. The men and women of our Armed Services risk their lives around the world every day to protect our freedoms and to keep us safe. And in return, it is critical that we ensure that they and their loved ones are taken care of when they return home.
I am honored to represent thousands of veterans who live in the 9th District in Washington State. As the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), I know that Congress must do all we can to ensure our veterans receive the benefits they deserve.
As sequestration and budget cuts continue to weigh on the defense budget and government spending in general, Congress cannot fall short on our commitment to provide our veterans with access to high quality health care, education, and employment opportunities as they transition into civilian life. I will continue to advocate for these priorities in the House Armed Services Committee and in the House of Representatives.
Veterans and their families face a unique set of challenges. While Congress has increased VA funding this year, there is still more work to do. I look forward to working with veterans in the community and my colleagues in the House of Representatives to improve the lives of our veterans and to ensure they get the support they need.
I wanted to give you a brief update on some of the work I have been doing this year in Washington D.C. and in the 9th District on behalf of our veterans. Thank you to all our nation’s veterans and their families for their service to our nation.
Best,
Adam
VA HEALTHCARE REFORM
Earlier this year it was reported that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) clinic in Phoenix, Arizona maintained lists to hide lengthy delays in providing veterans the care they need. Since then, an internal audit of the VA found that more than 57,400 veterans have had to wait 90 days or more for appointments at medical facilities. It was also discovered that schedulers were routinely instructed to alter and falsify data to hide the amount of time it took for veterans to see a doctor. As a result of these findings, the VA’s Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin announced that 69 VA facilities would be placed under investigation for potential criminal wrongdoing.
Since the VA problems arose, Congressman Smith has been actively working to fix the VA’s problems by engaging both constituents and organizations that work closely with veterans. Although he has a tremendous amount of respect for Secretary Shinseki, Adam called for his resignation because fixing the VA’s problems had to start with accountability. Adam understands how important it is to establish a more collaborative relationship with the VA , so after the release of the internal audit, he has been engaged with the Director of VA Puget Sound (PSHCS) on the situation in our region. According to the VA. the average wait time at PSHCS is 32 days and far exceeds the department’s stated 14-day goal. Further, Adam hosted a Veterans Advisory Council, to discuss concerns about manipulated wait times and ways to improve the Veterans Health Administration system. We cannot let our veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country wait for medical care.
Congressman Smith was pleased to support the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014, legislation to overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs and address many of the problems that have been exposed. The law provides $10 billion to cover medical care to veterans at non-VA facilities and $5 billion to hire more doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals. The bill allows veterans to seek medical care from alternative health-care providers if the VA cannot provide care within 30 days of seeking an appointment or if the veteran lives more than 40 miles away from a VA clinic. H.R. 3230 also gives the VA Secretary greater ability to fire or demote senior officials for poor job performance or misconduct. I strongly advocated for this legislation as it is a major first step to improving VA services and providing veterans with the benefits and treatment they deserve.
WORK IN THE COMMUNITY
When back home in the 9th District, Adam interacts frequently with VA officials, veterans, and many veteran organizations in the Puget Sound region.
Navigating the VA and DoD system can be a daunting process, and Adam and his staff are here to assist by connecting you with Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) who can help you through the process and make sure your applications and filings have been received. The staff has been successful in assisting many veterans who had issues with VA/DoD benefits. We encourage veterans to call our office if they need assistance.
Adam was encouraged by efforts stemming from Governor Inslee’s issuing of Executive Order 13-01 to support federal, state, and local collaboration for veterans transition support. In particular, he looks forward to hearing about the future accomplishments of the Washington State Military Transition Council (WSMTC); a truly collaborative effort whose aim is to better streamline active duty service members’ transition to civilian life.
Over the summer, Adam’s district office worked with Joint Base Lewis-McChord to arrange an award ceremony for WWII and Korean War veteran Master Sgt. James Hayden to receive long overdue service medals. After nearly 61 years to the day he was released from a prison camp during the Korean War, Mr. Hayden received both his POW and Korean Service medals, as well as a Silver Star he never received from WWII. Maj. General Terry Ferrel, Commanding General of JBLM’s 7th Infantry Division presented the medals to Mr. Hayden with his family present.
SEQUESTRATION AND THE VA
In the last several years, Congressman Smith has supported historic increases in funding for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Since Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, VA funding has increased by more than 44 percent. These dramatic increases reflect not only Congress’ priority to care for our current veterans, but also a need to care for a new generation of veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. Adam will continue to support full funding for the VA and improvements to its efficiency as he did by voting for the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2015. The bill provides $64.7 billion in funding for the VA, $1.8 billion above the FY 2014 enacted level. Of this amount, $56.2 billion goes towards VA medical services, support, facilities, and research which is an important step in addressing the over 250,000 backlogged claims that still exist.
COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
As the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Smith works with other committee members every year to pass our National Defense Authorization Act. Although the bill is not perfect, the Chairman and Rep. Smith worked in a bipartisan manner to pass the legislation through the House of Representatives. The legislation included a 1.8% pay raise for the troops and also prohibits a Pentagon proposal to increase Tricare Prime enrollment fees and pharmacy copays. Additionally, the bill works to improve mental health policies by requiring person-to-person mental health screenings during each 180-day period in which a member is deployed. It also requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct an assessment of the transition of care for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury across the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments.
HEARING FROM YOU
In order to better represent my district, Congressman Smith created a survey on his website to get feedback on my work, as well as to understand your priorities. He encourages you to participate here,
PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH
District Office:(425) 793-5180
DC Office: (202)-225-8901
http://adamsmith.house.gov to send an email;
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