VETERAN’S NEWS From the Internet

Gathered by Bob Kinsler, SSG (ret), US Army, VFW Dept. of Oklahoma, Public Affairs Team Member

Government Shutdown Looming: Except for military and emergency services, the federal government will shut down unless Congress passes a continuing resolution by midnight tonight. Whether Congress will be able to put political differences aside is uncertain. Also uncertain is whether a new shutdown would replicate the 16-day shutdown in 2013. The VFW, along with other organizations, have worked tirelessly to shield VA from future shutdowns. That means health care facilities will remain open, new appointments will still be made, disability and compensation payments will be paid, and veterans will still be buried. More information will be known as the day and weekend unfolds.

From reading official websites (DOD style) all retired military personnel will get their retirement payments. From the VA = The compensation payments will continue (if this last more than a few weeks it might be delayed). These are different funds which were funded years ago. As it has been mentioned Social Security payments will also be paid (unless, like it takes more than a few weeks).

Senate Hearing on State of VA: On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing to discuss VA’s implementation of recent legislation enacted into law. VA reported that 13 provisions of the Forever GI Bill have been implemented and that it is working to ensure veterans impacted by GI Bill changes are properly informed about their new benefits. VA also reported that three percent of veterans offered the opportunity to participate in the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP) have elected to participate. VA claims that 75 percent of veterans who have participated in the RAMP pilot program, which is designed to expedite the claims appeals process, have received favorable rating decisions. Committee members sparred over different community care proposals being considered by the Senate. Secretary of Veterans Affairs David J. Shulkin agreed to send the committee official feedback on the different proposals. The VFW, along with 25 other veteran’s organizations, supports S. 2193, the Caring for Our Veterans Act of 2017, which would improve VA community care and internal care, and finally expand the caregiver program to veterans of all eras. 

A Recent event causes this report – FOR TRANSPORTATION TO BONHAM HEALTH CARE CENTER CALL 903-583-6496

Do not call or text Bob Kinsler, Will Edds, Connie Wilburn or Mike Bray for rides to Bonham Health Care Center. YOU MUST CALL THE NUMBER ABOVE.

FOR TRANSPORTATION TO MUSKOGEE OR OKLAHOMA CITY HEALTH CARE CENTERS Talk to you PRIMARY CARE TEAM. TELL THEM YOU NEED TRANSPORTATION TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT.

Those wanting to go to one of the VA Clinics in Oklahoma. Sorry, but currently there is no transportation to those clinics unless we finally get some new funding. Suggest calling the clinic requesting transportation.