Senator John D. Rockefeller IV and Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth at the annual CARE-NET conference

CARE-NET Conference Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth, was a keynote speaker for the annual CARE-NET conference. The event, held August 10th in Charleston, WV, focused on medical and rural health care issues affecting Veterans and their families. Assistant Secretary Duckworth, along with WV Senator John D. Rockefeller IV and Governor Joe Manchin, III, met with West Virginia VA medical center, vet center, and regional office staff to discuss Veterans issues and share VA's vision for improving health care services to women Veterans. CARE-NET, assists West Virginia military members and their families through all phases of the deployment cycle including pre and post deployment, and is dedicated to linking service members with resources in their community.

The Post–9⁄11 GI Bill
We are now accepting applications for the Post–9⁄11 GI Bill benefit that is effective August 1, 2009. Individuals with active duty service since September 11, 2001, may be eligible for this benefit and can apply on–line at www.GIBILL.VA.gov. The program provides tuition assistance, a housing allowance, a books and supplies stipend, and the option to transfer these benefits to family members under certain circumstances. For more information, visit the GI Bill website or call 1–888–GIBILL–1 (1–888–442–4551).

President Obama's Commitment to Veterans' Health Care

The President is committed to ensuring that the Department of Veterans Affairs provides America's Veterans the highest-quality health care possible. His budget requests the largest single-year increase in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs in three decades, and significantly expands coverage, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded.

Health reform will only build on the President's commitment to Veterans' health care. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible Veterans. Also, Veterans and their families will have additional choices for high-quality, affordable health care, with consumer protections that prevent insurance companies from denying coverage or setting a limit on the coverage they will provide.

The health reform legislation that the House of Representatives is considering would enable those who are covered by VA care, including dependents of certain veterans enrolled in the CHAMPVA program, to meet the individual responsibility mandate; thereby exempting such veterans and dependants from being assessed penalties. If enacted, the President will ensure that this exemption is implemented aggressively. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs would continue to maintain sole authority over the system and for enhancing the quality and access for all eligible Veterans.

Veterans seeking information about their rights under the proposed settlement of the court case involving the May 3, 2006, theft of computer equipment from the home of a former VA employee can visit www.VeteransClass.com for more information.