Congress Reassures Veterans on Health Care Reform

Yesterday, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs received a letter from the Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means, and Education & Labor committees assuring veterans that language in the proposed health care reform bill (H.R. 3200) would be changed to ensure that VA coverage is considered "adequate" and that veterans would still have access to the proposed exchange for their loved ones. The two-page letter can be viewed at the bottom of this posting.

After President Obama's recent speech on health care reform, AMVETS sent a letter to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs calling for these specific issues to be addressed. At the time, AMVETS leaders thought the President missed the mark on veterans' concerns over health care reform during the speech. Now, AMVETS leaders are happy to see that Congress is addressing these specific concerns.

Earlier this summer, House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) sent a letter saying that veterans would not be affected by the reforms outlined in H.R. 3200. However, AMVETS remained skeptical of the unintended consequences of the legislation as-written, which left the definitions of "adequate coverage" open to the interpretation of several cabinet offices. AMVETS was also concerned that if veterans only received enough care from VA to be considered "adequate," that they would not have access to the exchange for additional coverage and coverage for dependents.

Yesterday's letter, signed by Ways & Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), Education & Labor Chairman George Miller (D-Calif.), and Waxman, put these concerns to rest by assuring the veterans community that the language would change.

AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley said he was happy to read the letter and that AMVETS looks forward to working with Congress in the coming months to ensure that veterans and their dependents receive proper access to care in any proposed health care reform without penalty or other unforseen consequences.

Check back regularly with American Veteran Online for updates.

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran, it's back to work after a productive week at the national convention in New Orleans. While in New Orleans, AMVETS elected new national officers for 2009-2010 and passed 28 resolutions to help guide the organization in the coming year.

AMVETS leaders were honored to host VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, Louisiana VA Secretary Lane Carson, retired Army paratrooper Dana Bowman, Army Community Covenant Director retired Maj. Gen. Craig Whelden, and the Taiwan's Veterans' Affairs leaders.

AMVETS also thanks the 26 exhibitors who participated in the AMVETS Expo--particularly banquet sponsor Anheuser-Busch and keynote speakers from Paws with a Cause and Air Compassion for Veterans.

American Veteran also wants to thank former Marines Chef John Besh and Blake LeMaire from Besh Restaurant Group for sitting down with us to discuss their military service and how it has molded key business decisions, contributing to their companies' successes. The hospitality of Besh and LeMaire was certainly appreciated, and we're excited to share their story with our readers. Be on the look-out for Chef Besh's story in the fall issue of American Veteran magazine.

This week on American Veteran Online, we will look into the health care reform issue, which AMVETS took a vocal stance on three weeks ago. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) has listened to AMVETS, as the Wall Street Journal pointed out this morning. American Veteran will be following these developments closely as the Obama Administration continues to pursue comprehensive health care reform.

American Veteran will also provide an in-depth look at the new leadership of AMVETS, elected at the national convention.

As always, we're eager to hear what you have to say about the topics we discuss, and please tell us about the stellar programs happening in AMVETS departments across the country.