So, no need to be overly concerned about anything in this proposal actually being enacted. TRICARE Supplement? She said the bill is completely detached from reality and breaks a promise from the PACT Act. By [1] The legislation proposed by Congressional Republicans would set the FY2024 topline at $1.471 trillion, equal to the FY 2022 level. 25%. Now, its no secret that the government has to find a way to balance the budget, but why is that the burden of the Men and Women who have sacrificed body and mind in the service of their country? Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 327: Agreed to by a record vote of 219-210, after agreeing to the previous question by a record vote of 218-210, on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. At the max income level, payments would cease all together. Editor's note: This article has been edited to remove a common idiom that could have been construed as ableist out of context. Make sure you are signed up as an advocate in our. | Sitemap Millions of borrowers are feeling collective disappointment. However, you may be entitled to some of the other benefits offered through the VA. Other materials may receive publicity online or within veteran networks, but MOAA stays focused on programs actually at risk or improvements on the cusp of becoming law. Inclusion or exclusion of any particular option does not imply an endorsement or rejection by CBO. irector of Veteran Benefits and Guard/Reserve Affairs, reduction or elimination of VA disability payments for veterans with higher incomes, MOAA Testimony to Joint Congressional Panel Outlines Key Priorities for Veterans, MOAA's Legislative Priorities for the 118th Congress, Mark an Iraq War Milestone by Supporting Combat-Injured Veterans, reduce the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for military retirees, Introduce Enrollment Fees for TRICARE For Life, Introduce Minimum Out-of-Pocket Requirements in TRICARE For Life, Means-Test VA Disability Compensation for Veterans with Higher Income, End VAs Individual Unemployability Payments to Disabled Veterans at the Full Retirement Age for Social Security, Reduce VAs Disability Benefits for Veterans Who Are Older Than the Full Retirement Age for Social Security, Narrow Eligibility for VAs Disability Compensation by Excluding Veterans with Low Disability Ratings, Use an Alternative Measure of Inflation to Index Social Security and Other Mandatory Programs, Cap Increases in Basic Pay for Military Service Members, Replace Some Military Personnel with Civilian Employees, Reduce the Basic Allowance for Military Housing to 80 Percent of Average Housing Costs, Increase Prescription Drug Copayments for All Veterans, End Enrollment in VA Medical Care for Veterans in Priority Groups 7 and 8, Include VAs Disability Payments in Taxable Income, Multiple reports and legislation beyond the CBO have outlined plans that would, Congress already has lowered the Basic Housing Allowance from 100% of all housing costs to 95%, making the CBOs. MOAA believes our servicemembers and veterans have earned these benefits through their service and sacrifice, and any changes to these programs must be made with the utmost care and consideration. Republicans argue they met a promise to not cut veterans spending after a huge fight with Democrats and veterans organizations over potential reductions to the VA. Those concerns were raised after the House passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act last month, which caps all new non-defense spending at fiscal 2022 levels, amounting to a $130 billion topline cut across all federal agencies except the Defense Department. However, the health of the veteran population also affects the number of older veterans on the rolls, as do outreach efforts by VA and others to inform veterans about the benefit and other factors. CNBC's Ylan Mui joins Shep Smith to report on a major u-turn in Congress as Democrats and Republicans have reached an agreement to pass the . Reforming veterans benefits will be controversial, but necessary Q. There are many other proposed cuts to VA disability and compensation that are not listed here, but the message remains the same. Combined Federal Campaign #67808, EIN 35-2330290, 2023 NVHS | All Rights Reserved | website by. A 22 percent cut to the National Institutes of Health would delay cancer and Alzheimers research. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 For every additional two dollars of gross household income, disability compensation would decrease by one dollar. The Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act will require VA leaders to work with Defense Department officials in helping separating troops with health care skills who apply for open medical jobs in veterans hospitals. Signatures. The number of veterans age 67 and older who receive disability compensation has increased in the past decade as Vietnam veterans have aged. The CBO also published another report, Trends in DoDs and VAs Budgets for Military Compensation, earlier this month, which analyzed ways to limit the U.S. militarys compensation budget over the coming years. The Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act will guarantee that children and spouses of veterans who die from service-connected injuries will get in-state tuition rates. The chained CPI-U has grown by an average of about 0.25 percentage points more slowly per year since 2001 than the traditional CPI measures have, and the Congressional Budget Office expects that trend to continue. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime. We will work with Congress and other stakeholders to advocate for the best interests of our servicemembers and veterans and ensure that any changes to military spending, veteran benefits, and TRICARE are made with the utmost care and consideration. The Congressional Budget Office recently published a proposal to reduce veterans benefits for the purpose of lowering the deficit. The report, filed at the start of each new Congress for the past 12 years, provides lawmakers with options to reduce the deficit through spending cuts and ways to increase revenue. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass. We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. Workers who claim retirement benefits after turning 62 but before reaching their FRA receive smaller benefits for as long as they live. Max Hauptman Titus separated from the Army in 2017 as a captain and is MOAA's Director of Veteran Benefits and Guard/Reserve Affairs. Monday, Apr 24 (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Thirty million fewer healthcare visits. All rights reserved. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to adjust the threshold amount for minor medical facility construction projects of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. We advocate for the disabled. Nobody has made even a notional suggestion that these changes are on the table. Its a strong bill.. At a certain income level, deductions would be made to the veterans compensation payments. 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We appreciate your support. The math is simple, but unforgiving. A Biden administration report required by Congress outlines research options for a last-ditch effort to slow the heating of the planet. Proposed GOP cuts would slash $30 billion from veterans spending After trust-fund exhaustion, therefore, for the people who would be affected by this option, the reduction in payable benefits would be smaller than the reduction in scheduled benefits. Over the next two posts, we will discuss the two most common types, When VA benefits are being discussed, we are generally referring to VA disability compensation benefits. Those Social Security disability benefits are based on previous earnings and usually replace wages and salaries on less than a one-to-one basis.). As stated earlier, some wounds never heal. Congress passed bipartisan legislation benefitting veterans and At this level, all appropriated fundingincluding both defense and domestic programswould be cut deeply. The "savings" from these proposed changes will come directly at the cost of veterans. Congress Budget Office proposals 1-2023 : r/VeteransBenefits GOP lawmakers said they rejected the additional allocations for the Toxic Exposure Fund over concerns about it being included in mandatory spending. Ukraine war latest: Wagner boss Prigozhin 'returns to Russia' in we represent clients nationwide. Fixing disability and retirement pay is Congress' next big vets issue For each option, CBO presents an estimate of its effects on the budget but makes no recommendations. Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act The Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act will require VA leaders to work with Defense Department officials in helping separating troops with health care skills who apply for open medical . Click here to join or upgrade now. SB2158. Under this option, workers would not be allowed to apply for DI benefits after their 62nd birthday, nor would they receive DI benefits for a qualifying disability that begins after that date. House Republicans' Pledge to Cut Appropriated Programs to 2022 Level The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability compensation to veterans with medical conditions or injuries that were incurred or worsened during active-duty service. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 There would be no adjustment for household size, according to the option. The Major Richard Star Act named for an Army veteran who died in 2021 of cancer related to burn pit exposure in Iraq and Afghanistan would allow combat-wounded veterans medically discharged. In addition, the VA may increase certain veterans disability compensation to the 100 percent level even though the department has not rated their service-connected disabilities at that level. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. Q. The dispute over veterans' benefits stems from the mandate in the GOP debt ceiling bill to return to the levels of discretionary spending in the fiscal year 2022 budget. MOAA previously outlined specific concerns with TRICARE For Life (TFL) and cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) issues because there was specific congressional movement on related benefit cuts over the years. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 WINGS OF WORLD WAR II: Take a unique look at the iconic aircraft that shaped modern warfare. Signatures: 10,387 Next Goal: 15,000. Disability compensation is not means-tested: Veterans who work are eligible for benefits, and, in fact, most working-age veterans who receive such compensation are employed. House Republicans reportedly pledged to cut programs funded by annual appropriations in 2024 back to their 2022 levels as part of the deal to elect Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker. https://t.co/P7HWowEn4l. The second alternative would require a 30 percent or higher disability rating only for new disability compensation applicants. Rep. John Carter (R-Texas), chairman of the Military and Veterans Affairs subcommittee, said Republicans did not accept the proposed shift of more than $14 billion to the mandatory side of the budget for the Toxic Exposure Fund. By using our site you agree to our use of cookies. . Q. House Republicans advanced an appropriations bill Wednesday that would increase spending for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by $18 billion from last fiscal year but significantly reduce a . The CBO are some cold-hearted bean counters. The amount of compensation depends on the severity of their disabilities (which are rated between zero and 100 percent) and . They added that roughly 1.5 million of 5 million veterans receiving VA disability had household income that exceeded the $125,000 threshold it set for 2023, or the 70th percentile of total household income for the entire country in 2019. In this case, gross income would be defined as the income (before deductions) received by the veteran, his or her spouse, and any dependents in the prior calendar year, including wages, Social Security benefits, investment and retirement income and excluding VA disability payments. Veterans Month sees signing of a series of reform measures directed at helping Veterans. H.R. 2811 - Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 On the same day as the hearing, Sens. It would eliminate President Bidens student debt relief plan, taking away breathing room for 26 million Americans who have already applied or are automatically eligible. Republicans included around $5.5 billion for the fund. A proposal in a December 2022 Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report suggesting the reduction or elimination of VA disability payments for veterans with higher incomes received significant attention on social media in recent weeks - enough that it was raised, and rebuked, during VA Secretary Denis McDonough's press conference March 23. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Use an Alternative Measure of Inflation to Index Social Security and Other Mandatory Programs, 6. Reduce VA's Disability Benefits to Veterans Who Are Older Than the Full Currently, 5.2 million veterans receive disability compensation from the VA. . First, the VA may stop making IU payments to veterans age 67 or older, which is the full retirement age for social security benefits. Social Security and pension benefits would be unaffected by this option. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Q. Theattorneysat Hill & Ponton are here to support you with appealing a claim to get benefits for your service-connected disability. VA warns 81K health care employees' jobs at risk under House GOP debt We cannot continue offering proposals to reduce compensation that veterans DESERVE, NEED, and COUNT ON. Recently, the CBO released a report outlining options to reduce the federal deficit. Activists want to disqualify Trump from ballot in key states under 14th Nearly a quarter of Republicans say classified docs charges make them more Putins fall could be the domino that topples the worlds autocrats, Republicans sound alarm over DeSantiss sagging campaign. Limbs dont grow back, and many wounds (both physical and mental) never heal. The proposal put forth would negatively impact the lives of veterans as there are multiple ways in which they could potentially lose compensation. Employment proposal may help military spouses, but it could hurt, too Its purpose is, after all, to compensate someone for a disability they received while performing a duty, regardless of if they later went on to found a small business, invest well, get a business degree, start of T-shirt company, or anything else that could conceivably net someone more than $125,000 a year. The reduction in VA's disability benefit could affect older veterans' participation in the labor force and the age at which they would begin claiming Social Security benefits. Tightening restrictions on who can access these programs could reduce spending by $327 billion over the same 2023-2022 timeframe, according to the proposal. (Tony Dejak/AP) A new House proposal . We'll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build back better. The required cuts to important domestic needs would be deep under any likely scenario that meets their pledge, and would hit programs still feeling the after-effects of a decade of austerity. Under section 257 of the Deficit Control Act, in its projections CBO must assume that scheduled Social Security benefits would be paid even after the programs trust funds were exhausted. But, not every veteran's disability rating is scheduled for a reexamination, and not every rating will change. And it would increase energy bills for families, while also increasing pollution. DAV Resolution Number 036approved by members during the 2017 National Convention in New Orleans . The reaction to these reports was, needless to say, not positive. In 2017, 4.5 million veterans with medical conditions or injuries that occurred or worsened during active-duty service received disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Social Security and pension benefits would be unaffected by this option. Related: CBO Suggests Raising Tricare Fees, Cutting Veteran Benefits to Slash Deficit. Workers who became disabled and applied for benefits before age 62 would not be affected by this option. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. That approach stands in stark contrast to the Presidents Budget, which invests in the American people, grows the economy from the middle out and bottom up, and reduces the deficit by nearly $3 trillion by asking the wealthy and big corporations to pay their fair share. Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 By contrast, the income that people receive after they retire (from Social Security or private pensions) usually is less than their earnings from wages and salary before retirement. More than 500,000 claims have already been filed through the PACT Act. Waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. The CBO presents an estimate of its effects on the budget but makes no recommendations, according to the report. You have my commitment that we won't do it," McDonough said during a press conference with reporters in Washington, D.C. As a consequence, once veterans reach retirement age, the combination of their VA disability payments and Social Security benefits may be more than the income of comparable veterans without a service-connected disability. By contrast, the income that people receive from Social Security or private pensions after they retire usually is less than their earnings from wages and salary before retirement. Speaking from Snake Island, Zelenskyy honored the Ukrainian soldiers who fought for the island. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that our servicemembers and veterans receive the care and benefits they were promised. On Thursday, Veteran Warriors Inc., an advocacy group that supports wounded and ill veterans and caregivers, thanked reporters for asking McDonough about the option. This year's list, first published Dec. 7, addressed VA disability compensation, which CBO analysts said has increased substantially faster than inflation, in total spending and per veteran. Service-connected disabilities vary widely in severity and type: Some examples are the loss of a limb, migraines, and hypertension. Finally, we need MOAA members to consider themselves as recruiters - the more members we have in MOAA, the louder our voice. Almost a $30 billion shortfall for. We dont think this is a good idea, said VA Secretary Denis McDounough when asked about the CBO proposal on Thursday by Military Times reporter Leo Shane III, adding that no one within the VA or in Congress was giving any serious consideration to the spending cuts. Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 The amount of base compensation veterans receive depends on the severity of their disabilities (which are rated between zero and 100 percent in increments of 10). Senate votes on PACT Act veterans health care bill. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. Function 700 - Veterans' Benefits and Services, Reduce VAs Disability Benefits to Veterans Who Are Older Than the Full Retirement Age for Social Security, Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2019 to 2028, End VAs Individual Unemployability Payments to Disabled Veterans at the Full Retirement Age for Social Security, Veterans' Disability Compensation: Trends and Policy Options, Privacy, Security, and Copyright Policies. Include Disability Payments From the Department of Veterans Affairs in Taxable Income. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. The 2022 mandatory funding request totals $152.7 billion, an increase of $14.9 billion or 10.8% above 2021. Veterans who are already receiving IU payments and are age 67 or older after the effective date of this option, would continue to collect their IU supplement. This scale continues until the 10-year threshold and the maximum DIC amount is awarded. We will NOT stand for this! 10,387. Opt in to send and receive text messages from President Biden. Third, congress is trying to narrow eligibility for for VAs disability compensation by excluding veterans with low disability ratings. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices First, the VA may stop making IU payments to veterans age 67 or older, which is the full retirement age for social security benefits. and U.S. We'll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build . Tweet. Finally, we need MOAA members to consider themselves as recruiters - the more members we have in MOAA, the louder our voice. Indeed, the means-testing for VA benefits is just one of 17 proposals covering a broad range of issues, as well as separate reports that include options for changing federal tax and spending policies in particular areas, according to the CBO. This was outlined in a proposal from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) published last December on possible ways to reduce government spending. Congress Budget Office proposals 1-2023. The time for action from MOAA on these proposals is when these items reach even the earliest stage of meaningful debate in the halls of Congress," said MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret). Click on the links below to see more information about the legislation. Beyond these impacts, this bill would also hold our economy hostage to even more cuts that would undermine our recovery and harm hard-working families, seniors, and students. You can learn how to make a difference on all of MOAAs advocacy issues by visiting our. What is the CBO, and why did it propose cutting veterans benefits? Like the possibility of means-testing disability payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs based on income, which would mean that the more money one earns at work, the less one would receive based on a service-related disability. A 2023 Guide to VA Disability Rates & Pay Schedules, Individual Unemployability Rating Calculator, List of Blue Water Navy Ships Exposed to Agent Orange (Interactive Vietnam Map), Social Security Disability Benefits Guide, zero (least severe) and 100 percent (most severe), the Congressional Budget Office statement here, VA Benefits:Not Just Disability Compensation, 1. But the legislation was passed by the subcommittee despite concerns from Democrats over a $14.7 billion cut to the Toxic Exposures Fund from the Biden administrations request of about $20 billion for the medical benefits allocation. The amount of this compensation depends on the severity of the disability, which is rated on a scale from zero to 100 percent. Ukraine war latest: Zelenskyy's hometown attacked on war's 500th day To receive the resulting supplemental compensation, termed Individual Unemployability (IU), disabled veterans must apply for the benefit and meet the following criteria: Receipt of IU is not based on age, voluntary withdrawal from work, or other factors. Indeed, Biden has been advocating for cuts to Social Security for roughly 40 years. Service-connected disabilities vary widely in severity and type: Some examples are the loss of a limb, migraines, and hypertension. A. Beware of Republicans Trying to Cut Your Social Security Benefits 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has introduced budget options that might drastically reduce your veteran's disability benefits. White House cautiously opens the door to study blocking sun's rays to SURVIVING SPOUSE CORNER: Get regular updates on key issues, financial tips, and more. CBO estimates that the number of veterans age 67 and older who would no longer receive their full preretirement disability compensation from VA would increase from 60,000 in 2020 to about 470,000 in 2028. Instead, we utilized the Cost of War Toxic Exposure Fund as intended: to cover the incremental costs above the [fiscal 2021] baseline to implement the PACT Act, Carter said in a Wednesday statement during the markup hearing. received significant attention on social media in recent weeks enough that it was raised. 15,000. The latest list, published in December but only garnering attention among veterans this week, called for means-testing for veterans with higher income levels. Subscribe to Task & Purpose Today. If you are intending toappeal a denied claim, you can contact us for an evaluation and we can help you with this process. A. Group urges White House, VA to reject resurfaced proposal cutting "Inclusion or exclusion of any particular option does not imply an endorsement or rejection by CBO," analysts wrote. While the notion of means-testing VA disability pay is concerning, no legislation to that effect has been offered in either chamber, nor has the proposal been a part of any administration budget plans. MOAA sponsors a variety of insurance plans to help meet your needs. VIETNAM UNCHRONICLED: MOAA presents stories of service and sacrifice. Hill & Ponton P.A. The VASRD's 15 body systems had seen periodic rating criteria updates, but this continuing effort reflects the first comprehensive review since 1945. The VA Has No Plans to Cut Off Wealthy Veterans. Here's What You Need

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