COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
ACTIVITIES OF THE
106^TH CONGRESS

HON. LANE EVANS
RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER

NOVEMBER 1999

WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED …

FIGHTING FOR VETERANS’ HEALTH CARE FUNDS THROUGHOUT THE BUDGET CYCLE

After four years of a virtual "budget freeze" under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, there were few in the Congress that had not heard from veterans about the significant funding needed for VA health care in Fiscal Year 2000. Dialogue about how much funding was needed began in the House Committee on Veterans Affairs almost as soon as the President submitted his budget request to Congress. Debate continued in earnest as Democrats, who wanted to recommend a $2 billion increase for VA health care, were denied the opportunity to do so in Committee. At every turn, Republicans passed up chances presented by their Democratic colleagues to increase the addition to VA health care budget beyond $1.7 billion.

March 16, 1999

Democrats on House Committee on Veterans Affairs provide additional and dissenting views to the House Committee on the Budget. Republicans recommend adding $1.7 billion to the President’s budget while Democrats, led by Rep. Lane Evans (D-IL), along with Reps. Bob Filner (D-CA), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), and Corrine Brown (D-FL), recommend an additional $3.2 billion--$2.3 billion for discretionary care and $.9 billion for veterans’ benefits. The recommended $3.2 billion increase to the President’s request for FY 2000 closely reflected the recommendations of veterans’ service organizations in the Independent Budget authored by AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Veterans of Foreign Wars and was strongly supported by these groups.

March 23, 1999

While the House Budget Committee supported a discretionary spending level of $.9 billion over the President’s budget for FY 2000, funds are cut below the FY 1999 level in FY 2001 and in the out years. The Democratic Caucus on the Budget, led by Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) rejected the Committee’s recommendation and were critical of the Committee’s efforts to "cover up" a drastic cut in discretionary spending over a five-year period with a one-year gain. Later, the Republican Budget Resolution added $1.6 billion for FY 2000, but also eliminated care in the out years. Among many reasons, Democrats rejected the Republican Budget because of inadequate funding for veterans in FY 2000 and in the out years.

July 1, 1999

The Democratic Caucus Meets with the Director of Office of Management and Budget, Jack Lew to discuss concerns about the President’s FY 2000 Budget Submission for VA Medical Care and request that the President give additional consideration of the system’s funding needs in FY 2001. As a result of this and other meetings, Vice President Gore announced a $1 billion increase in the President’s request for VA funding.

August 3, 1999

Ranking Democratic Member of Appropriations, Rep. Dave Obey (D-WI) criticized the GOP VA-HUD appropriation and submitted additional views to the Appropriations report which called for the additional $3 billion recommended by veterans’ service organizations.

August 1999

On a party-line vote, the Committee on Appropriations rejects an amendment offered by Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX). The amendment, supported by almost all veterans’ service organizations, including the American Legion, would have deferred a capital gains tax cut for one year in order to provide an additional $730 million (for a total of an additional $2.4 billion) to veterans health care in FY 2000. Republicans again refused to protect the amendment brought by Edwards, Evans, Obey, and Deborah Stabenow (D-MI) under the rule guiding the House’s consideration of the VA-HUD appropriation. Rep. Filner brought forward additional appropriations to increase the VA budget. House Democrats attempted to defeat the rule on the House floor, but Republicans, on another party-line vote, accepted it.

Sept. 7, 1999

After ruling the Edwards amendment out-of-order on the House floor, the House votes to approve H.R. 2684 which contains a $1.7 billion increase for veterans.

LEGISLATION

Jan. 6, 1999 -- H.R. 70, the Arlington National Cemetery Burial Eligibility Act, Approved by the House on March 23, 1999 by a vote of 428-2.

Jan. 6, 1999 -- H.R. 135, the Veterans' Access to Emergency Care Act of 1999, Provisions included in H.R. 2116, the Veterans Millennium Health Care Act.

Jan. 19, 1999 -- H.R. 364, the Veterans' Employment and Training Bill of Rights Act of 1999

Jan. 19, 1999 -- H.R. 365, the Let Our Military Personnel Buy a Home Act of 1999

Jan. 19, 1999 -- H.R. 366, the Veterans Entrepreneurship Promotion Act of 1999

Feb. 9, 1999 -- H.R. 606, to improve benefits and services for members and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces recommended by the Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Assistance.

Feb. 10, 1999 -- H.R. 690, to add bronchiola-alveolar carcinoma to the list of diseases presumed to be service-connected for certain radiation-exposed veterans. Provisions included in H.R. 2280, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1999.

Feb. 10, 1999 -- H.R. 691, to provide for a portion of any funds recovered by the United States in any future lawsuit brought against the tobacco industry to be made available for health care for veterans. Provisions included in H.R. 2116, the Veterans Millennium Health Care Act.

Feb. 11, 1999 -- H.R. 708, the Surviving Spouses Benefits Restoration Act of 1999. Provisions included in H.R. 2280, the Veterans Benefits Improvements Act of 1999

Feb. 24, 1999 -- H.R. 784, Dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses of former prisoners of war. Provisions included in H.R. 2280, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1999.

Feb. 25, 1999 -- H.J. Res. 34, Congratulating and Commending the Veterans of Foreign Wars. House Report 106-205. Passed the House under suspension by voice vote on June 29, 1999. Passed the Senate by unanimous consent on September 28, 1999. Signed into law on September 29, 1999. Public Law 106-61

March 4, 1999 -- H.R. 1020, the Veterans' Hepatitis C Benefits Act of 1999

March 11, 1999 -- H.R. 1071, the Montgomery GI Bill Improvements Act of 1999

March 23, 1999 -- H.R. 1214, the Veterans' Claims Adjudication Quality Assurance Act of 1999. Provisions included in H.R. 2280, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1999

March 24, 1999 -- H.R. 1247, Codification and expansion of authority for the World War II Memorial. Provisions included in H.R. 2280, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1999

March 25, 1999 -- H.R. 1286, the Justice for Atomic Veterans Act of 1999

April 14, 1999 -- H.R. 1216, provides that pay adjustments for nurses and other health-care providers employed by the VA shall be made in the same manner applicable to Federal employees and to revise the authority for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make further locality pay adjustment for those employees.

April 20, 1999 -- H.R. 1476, the National Cemeteries Act of 1999. Provisions included in H.R. 2280, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1999

April 20, 1999 -- H.R. 1482, Reauthorization of the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) Provisions included in H.R. 2280, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1999

April 27, 1999 -- H.R. 1568, the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999. House Report 106-206, Part 1. Passed the House amended under suspension by voice vote on June 29, 1999. Passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent on August 5, 1999. Signed into law on August 17, 1999. Public Law 106-50

April 28, 1999 -- H.R. 1603, Permanent eligibility of former members of the Selected Reserve for veterans housing loans. Provisions included in H.R. 2280, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1999.

April 29, 1999 -- H.R. 1628, to establish a National Cemetery for veterans in the Miami, FL metropolitan area.

May 12, 1999 -- H.R. 1764, Concurrent receipt of military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation.

May 12, 1999 -- H.R. 1765, to increase, effective as of December 1, 1999, the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans. Provisions included in H.R. 2280, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1999

May 13, 1999 -- H.R. 1799, to Revise and Improve Sexual Trauma Treatment and Counseling Program. Limited provisions included in H.R. 2116, the Veterans' Millennium Health Care Act

June 7, 1999 -- H.R. 2016, to make permanent the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. Provisions included in H.R. 2280, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act

June 8, 1999 -- H.R. 2040, to provide for a comprehensive assessment of veterans' cemeteries

Provisions included in H.R. 2280, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1999

June 9, 1999 -- H.R. 2116, the Veterans Millennium Health Care Act. House Report 106-237. Passed the House amended under suspension by vote of 369-46. Senate passed S. 1076 on September 8, 1999. On-going conference with Senate.

June 15, 1999 -- H.Res. 208, Calling on the National Cemetery Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans reasonable access to burial in national cemeteries

June 18, 1999 -- H.R. 2280, the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1999. House Report 106-202. Passed the House amended under suspension by a vote of 424-0 on June 29, 1999. Passed the Senate, in lieu of S. 1393, with an amendment by unanimous consent on July 26, 1999. On-going conference with Senate.

July 1, 1999 -- H.R. 605, to improve retirement authorities applicable to judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Provisions included in H.R. 2280, the Veterans Benefits' Improvement Act of 1999.

July 22, 1999 -- H.R. 2586, to increase the amount of veterans' burial benefit paid for plat allowances, and to provide for the payment to States of plot allowances for veterans' eligible for burial in a national cemetery.

July 30, 1999 -- H.R. 2660, Pay Parity for Dentists Employed by the VA

August 5, 1999 -- H.J. Res. 65, Commending the World War II veterans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. House Report 106-352, Part 1. Passed the House amended under suspension by a vote of 422-0 on October 5, 1999.

EMERGING ISSUES

Veterans' Employment Issues

Public Law 104-275 established the Congressional Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Assistance (Transition Commission) to review the programs and benefits designed to facilitate the transition from military service to civilian life for those who have served in uniform. In February, the Transition Commission transmitted its analysis to Congress, which included a list of recommendations related to employment benefits.

These recommendations include the affirmative hiring of veterans and enforcement of veterans priority; working with the Secretary of Labor on a plan to evaluate the roles and functions of veterans' employment specialists; the establishment of a financial incentive system to reward States who provide exceptional employment-related service to veterans; allowing veteran students to use their GI Bill entitlements to pay for the costs of tests related to occupational licensing; and eliminating the current requirement that State Directors and Assistant Directors for Veterans Employment and Training be residents of the States in which they work for at least two years.

Credentialing and Licensing

Civilian credentialing for military job skills affects the lives of thousands of servicemembers who return to the civilian work force every year. Certification, in many fields, lies under the control of state or local licensing boards or unions. In recent years there has been increased reliance in the civilian workplace on certification and licensure to regulate entry into occupations and to promote safety, professionalism, and career growth. This increased emphasis can present significant barriers for transitioning military personnel seeking to transfer the skills they have learned in the military to employment in the civilian workforce.

If we can enable qualified veterans to obtain the certifications and licenses they need for civilian employment, we will have gone a long way towards meeting our responsibility to provide employment opportunities for America's veterans.

Adverse Birth Outcomes of Women Vietnam Era Veterans

An October 1998 VA report found that the children of women veterans who served in Vietnam have an increased risk of giving birth to children who have a variety of birth defects ranging from relatively minor skin conditions to serious disabilities including Down's syndrome. It is expected that legislation will be introduced to compensate these children.

Gulf War Illnesses Report

A newly written report on the illness-related claims of Persian Gulf War veterans points to several potentially useful areas for further research into the little understood illnesses of Gulf War veterans. Data from the report shows that:

Veterans who were potentially subject to toxic agents at the port of Al Jabayl and the Khamisiyah pit are more likely to file a claim for service-connected disability benefits than other veterans serving during the conflict or in the Gulf after it ended.

Khamisiyah veterans are more likely to be receiving a disability pension based on a permanent and total disability, which VA has determined is unrelated to military service than other Gulf veterans.

Women service members in all groups who served in the Gulf are more likely to be service-connected for undiagnosed illnesses than their male counterparts.

There has been little analysis and research involving the various groups of veterans who have filed claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs related to undiagnosed illness. Much remains to be learned about the illnesses experienced by veterans who served in the Persian Gulf.

Depleted Uranium

Recent findings by the General Accounting Office (GAO) cast doubt on the accuracy of dose reconstructions on the possible exposure of Persian Gulf War service personnel to Depleted Uranium (DU), performed by the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (CHPPM). While GAO has not made any conclusions about the possible health effects that could be related to higher than originally estimated exposures, their findings raise serious questions about the credibility of the center's efforts to find answers to the health problems that affect many of our Gulf War veterans. Investigations into this matter are needed to ensure that the best data possible is produced that will give us a better understanding of the health effects DU may have had on Gulf War veterans and potential health effects on servicemembers in future conflicts.

Hepatitis C

In June, the Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of the Inspector General (OIG) was asked to investigate growing complaints about veterans' access to diagnosis and treatment for Hepatitis C, and often-fatal disease disproportionately detected among Vietnam-era veterans.

The OIG report demonstrated that VA's response to the epidemic thus far has been widely variable from facility to facility. A national directive calls for screening every veteran, but this does not appear to be happening consistently or uniformly throughout VA's health care system. This issue of uniformity of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) risk evaluation needs to be addressed by VHA managers. The report also addressed the need to ensure widespread application of national guidance on appropriate screening and treatment guidelines. The OIG shared the perception of many VA officials who expressed concern abut the future funding needed for implementation of the VA's HCV initiative. The screening and treatment involved in the initiative is expensive and as veterans increasingly seek evaluation and testing for HCV, VHA resources will become strained.

Significant resources must be set aside to deal with the HCV epidemic. Collaboration with other agencies invested in addressing the epidemic seems to be a logical means to achieving some savings. This is clearly a mandate that requires new dollars if we want to avoid the tragic consequences we've faced in other epidemics, such as AIDS.