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.