AGE 30: $425.00
AGE 31-40: $410.00
AGE 41-50: $375.00
AGE 51-60: $335.00
AGE 61-70: $290.00
AGE 71-80: $225.00
AGE 81 AND UP: $170.00
A newly reported missing computer involving the personal information of 37,000 veterans has triggered a stern reaction from the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. "On Friday VA officials informed members of Congress that a desktop computer containing information on veterans insurance claims was discovered missing from a subcontractor's office in Reston, Virginia. Since it was a private contractor involved, I expect VA to hold that contractor financially responsible for any costs that veterans may incur as the result of this loss," said Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) who chairs the Senate oversight committee on veterans' issues.
VA ws notified Thursday, August 3, by the Unisys Corporation that a desk top computer was missing from the contractor's offices in Reston, Virginia. The Department of Veterans' Affairs immediately dispatched a team to assist in the search for the missing computer and to help determine the precise nature of the information it may have contained. According to VA officials, information on the computer was password protected but was not encrypted.
Initial estimates indicate the desktop contained information on approximately 5000 patients treated at Philadelphia, approximately 11,000 patients treated at Pittsburgh, and approximately 2000 deceased patients. VA is also investigating the possibility the computer may have contained information on approximately another 20,000 people who received care through the Pittsburgh medical center.
It is believed the desktop computer may have contained patients' names, addresses, Social Security Numbers, date of birth, insurance carriers and billing information, dates of military service and claims data that may include some medical information.
Over the weekend police arrested two individuals-both 19 years old-in the theft of another computer which contained personal information of 26 million veterans and active-duty military members. A third individual-an unnamed juvenile-is also being held in custody.
The loss of that computer earlier this year led to several resignations at VA and numerous hearings on Capitol Hill. An analysis by FBI forensic experts determined that date was not breached.
VETERAN'S BENEFITS BILL PASSES IN THE SENATE: Overturns Civil War-era restriction on attorneys, improves educational opportunities, and more
A Civil War-era policy that prevents veterans from hiring attorneys moved one step closer to being removed Tuesday (August 1) when the U.S. Senate unanimously approved S2694, the "Veterans Choice of Representation and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2006". If adopted by the House, the legislation will overturn a policy that denies veterans the right to hire attorneys to help them seek benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under current law, a veteran has to exhaust the VA process-which ma take years-before hiring an attorney.
The legislation, which was approved by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs last month, also would require the removal of the ashes of convicted double murderer Russell Wagner from Arlington National Cemetery. Wagner brutally murdered Daniel Davis, 94 and Wilda Davis, 80, in Maryland in 1994. Wagner was later convicted and died in prison. His remains were then placed in Arlington as the result of a loophole in the law barring the burial of capital offenders in national cemeteries, which has since been closed.
The legislation also includes changes to the Montgomery G.I. Bill and the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits program. If approved by the House, veterans and survivors will be eligible for accelerated educational benefits for high-cost, short-term training leading to jobs in five areas of the economy: Transportation, construction, hospitality, energy and high technology.
The bill also includes a provision that would require VA to pay full costs for certain service-connected veterans residing in veterans' homes run by state governments, as well as provide medications for certain service-connected conditions for veterans in those state-run facilities. Under current law, the federal government only pays a portion of those costs. The bill would also allow VA to designate in privately-run care centers as "state homes."
The legislation would also:
1. Allow tribes to apply for grants to establish veterans' cemeteries on Native lands.
2. Improve efforts to prevent homelessness among veterans, especially among those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
3. Establish an Office of Rural Health in the Office of the Under Secretary of Health.
SMITH PRAISES PASSAGE OF HOUSE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL
Before adjourning for the Memorial Day recess, the House of Representatives passed HR 5122, the Fiscal Year 2007 Department of Defense (DoD) Authorization bill. Congressman Adam Smith, who supported the bill when it was before the Armed Services Committee, voted for the measure.
"Our servicemen and women, and their families, sacrifice each and every day for the freedoms that we enjoy." said Smith. "This critical legislation fulfills the commitment we owe them, particularly in this time of war. Our servicemen and women are engaged in operations around the world. We have the best-trained, most dedicated military force in the world. I'm proud to represent so many servicemembers and their families. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, it is my responsiblity to ensure that these brave men and women, and their families, get the best America can provide. Some of the highlights include additional funding for better equipped vehicles for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and for improvised explosive device (IED) protection.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE IMPORTANT PROVISIONS INCLUDED IN THE BILL:
1. TRICARE FOR ALL GUARD AND RESERVISTS: The bill grants full, affordable access to TRICARE for all Guard and Reservists, regardless of activation or employment status. This provision is part of an earlier bill that Smith introducted, H.R. 4468, which is a quality-of-life bill for Guard and Reservists.
2. NO TRICARE FEE INCREASES FOR RETIREES: The House rejected the DoD's paln increase TRICARE premiums and enrollment fees for retirees. The provision bars any fee increases in FY07 and creates a task force to study the potential impacts and savings generated by the DoD's plan.
3. END STRENGTH: The bill provides for an overall end strength increase of 30,000 troops for the Army and 5,000 Marines for the Marine Corps. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Army National Guard at its full end strength of 350,000. Also, $300 million was added for National Guard equipment, ensuring that the Guard will be able to recruit, train and equip their forces at robust levels.
4. PAY INCREASE: Also included in the bill is a 2.7% pay raise for all service members, as well as targeted pay raises for warrent officers and senior and mid-grade noncommissioned officers.
5. CLEAR-ZONE FUNDs FOR McCHORD: A provision in the bill recommends $50.0 millin for the Readiness and Environmental Protection initiative (REPI), an increase of $30.0 million. The REPI will support an array of efforts, including acquisition of land and easements, for preventing undesirable development around military test and training ranges, while ensuring sound environmental stewardship. Five bases were named as possible recipents of thse funds and three were located in Washington State: McChord Air Force Base, Fairchild Air Force Base and Naval Air Station Whidbey.
6. WASHINGTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD: The bill authorizes $800,000 to finish planning and design for the construction of a new training and operations facility for the 262nd Information Warfare Aggressor Squadron (262 IWAS) at McChord Air Force Base. The new facility would allow for a higher quality, secure work and training space for the 262 IWAS, whose work involves replicating potential adversary Information Warfare capabilities.
