Veterans Report - Week of January 19, 2015

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Veterans Report - Week of January 19, 2015

Eliminate Out of Pocket Costs with MBA Tricare Supplement
Doctor and hospital bills are expensive even when you're covered by TRICARE. Help minimize or even eliminate out-of-pocket expenses with the (http://offers.military.com/v/tricare-mb ... rvr0119.nl) MBA-sponsored TRICARE Insurance Supplement Plan.


TRICARE Users Must Self Identify on 2014 Tax Forms
TRICARE users will need to identify themselves and their families on their 2014 tax forms as having healthcare coverage, Defense Department officials said, or risk paying a fine. The Affordable Care Act requires Americans to hold what is known as "minimum essential coverage," for their healthcare, either through their employer or purchased elsewhere. Those who did not have that coverage for 2014 could be charged a series of fees. But not every TRICARE user may meet those requirements, officials warned. Some dependent parents and parents-in-law receive TRICARE as part of the TRICARE Plus program, which allows them to use some military treatment facilities. That care does not meet the minimum coverage requirements, and those users could face fines if they do not purchase additional coverage, officials said. For more details, see (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015 ... forms.html) this Military.com article.


Horticultural Therapy for PTSD
Veterans will have the opportunity to grow their own food through a new horticultural healing program starting this March in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Sponsored by Greenleaf, Urban Gardening and Horticultural Healing, the program will give clients hands on vocational training that combines rehabilitation, healing and allows clients to create a food garden. The idea is to help veterans who are challenged by physical and emotional challenges such as PTSD. Class size will be 15 clients a year and program members will attend four hours a week for 36 weeks. There is a $200 program fee. For more information, e-mail (mailto:pollinatingpeace@gmail.com) pollinatingpeace@gmail.com.
For more mental health and wellness guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... d-wellness) Military.com Mental Health and Wellness section.


Free Hotel Rooms for Vets in WV
Hilton Worldwide and WorkForce West Virginia announce "Operation Opportunity Initiative", which will provide hotel accommodations to assist veterans with job interviews, skills training, housing searches, and any employment testing that would make travel a necessity during a job search. The rooms will be provided at no charge to the veteran. The program is available for veterans, current military servicemen and women, National Guard, Reserve members, and eligible spouses. WorkForce West Virginia staff will verify eligibility, job search activity, and also assist veterans with the application process at local offices throughout the state. For more information, visit the WorkForce West Virginia website at (http://www.wvcommerce.org/business/work ... fault.aspx) www.wvcommerce.org/business/workforcewv/default.aspx or call 1-800-252-JOBS (5627) or TDD: 304-558-1549.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Congress Sponsors VA Honesty Project
The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs is sponsoring the VA Honesty Project. The goal of VA Honesty Project is simple: to highlight the Department of Veterans Affairs' lack of transparency with the press and the public about its operations and activities. VA Honesty Project documents nearly 70 recent instances in which VA has failed to respond to reporters' requests for information or refused to answer specific questions. VA Honesty Project will be continually updated with new examples of VA refusing to respond to the press as they arise. Is VA stonewalling the media? Let the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs know what you think by posting on the Committee's VA Honesty Project page on (https://www.facebook.com/HouseVetsAffai ... eam_ref=10) Facebook. For more information, visit the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website at (http://veterans.house.gov/VAHonestyProject) veterans.house.gov/VAHonestyProject.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Why a VA Loan Isn't Really a VA Loan
In a recent (https://www.facebook.com/Militarydotcom ... 70/?type=1) post, Military.com linked to the 2015 loan limits for mortgages that are obtained through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan program, leading to several comments that reveal how confusing VA loans can be if you don't understand how they work. For more details, see (http://paycheck-chronicles.military.com ... y-va-loan/) this Paycheck Chronicles post.


Legislation to Boost Vet Employment
Legislation to boost (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) veteran employment and offer a financial break to small businesses will give military retirees, reservists and some disabled veterans an advantage in hiring -- against civilians and other fellow veterans. Under the (https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr22/text) Hire More Heroes Act, a small business not offering a health plan could hire someone covered by (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Tricare or receiving care from the Department of Veterans Affairs and not have to pay the employer mandate stipulated in the Affordable Care Act. (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015 ... -jobs.html) Read more about the bill on Military.com.
For more on legislations that affects service members and veterans, visit the (http://capwiz.com/military) Military.com Legislative Center.


One Association, One Voice, Yours. Join MOAA Now
Join MOAA as a Basic member, you'll not only lend your voice to a greater cause, but you'll also gain access to (http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/ou ... rvr0119.nl) extensive benefits tailored to the needs and lifestyles of military officers.


VA Care for C-123 Crews Due to AO Exposure
Retired Air Force Reserve Maj. Wes Carter almost didn't travel to Washington D.C. last week where, to his surprise, he heard an independent panel of scientists verify what he had dogged the Air Force and Department of Veterans Affairs about for almost four years. The Institute of Medicine said Carter and up to 2100 other former reserve air crewmen and maintainers of C-123 aircraft, flown for a decade after the Vietnam War, were indeed exposed to toxic residue from Agent Orange herbicide sprayed from some of the same aircraft during the war.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... 3-crewmen/) Read this week's Military Update to get the full story.


$500k Military Family Coverage from Less than $2 a Day
Family Protection for less. Get $500,000 Coverage from less than $2 a day. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... rvr0119.nl) Could your family survive if something happened to you?


Bill to Allow Taking Back VA Bonus Cash
Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, recently introduced legislation that would give the Department of Veterans Affairs secretary the authority to recoup for cause bonuses paid to VA employees. (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nati ... /12159243/) VA paid more than $380,000 in cash bonuses to top executives at 38 hospitals that are under investigation for falsifying wait times for medical care. The legislation is also intended to eliminate confusion among VA officials who have made (http://washingtonexaminer.com/veterans- ... le/2550764) contradictory statements about the department's authority to recoup bonuses. Read the bill (http://veterans.house.gov/sites/republi ... es_xml.pdf) online.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


VA Offers Equine Therapy in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is launching a two-year pilot project with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Marion, Illinois to offer equine therapy for armed forces veterans at Giant City State Park in Makanda. The medical center will refer, as appropriate, veterans living with post-traumatic stress syndrome or other mental health issues to Giant City State Park's Equine Therapy Program. More than 25 horses, ponies and mules, will participate in the pilot project which began on January 1. Funding for veteran therapy sessions will be provided by the Marion VA Medical Center. For more information on equine services at Giant City State Park visit the Specialist Equine Services and Therapeutic Riding website at (http://www.SESTherapeuticRiding.com) www.SESTherapeuticRiding.com.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Valentines for Vets in Illinois
U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, Illinois, has announced his office is again participating in the "Valentines for Veterans" program. Foster is encouraging schools, groups and individuals throughout the 11th Congressional District of Illinois to create a Valentine's Day greeting for a veteran. Valentine's greetings may be dropped off at any of Foster's district offices from 9 a.m. To 5 p.m. Monday to Friday through Feb. 9. Information can be found at the Bill Foster 11th District of Illinois website at (http://www.foster.house.gov) www.foster.house.gov. Foster's Aurora, Illinois office is located at 2711 E. New York St., Suite 204, Aurora. For information, call 630-585-7672.


Schneider Is Hiring Veterans
One of the largest truckload carriers in North America, Schneider has been the top choice of safety-minded drivers for nearly 80 years. With over 75 percent of its drivers getting home weekly or better, Schneider provides professional opportunities that meet the work-life balance needs of today's drivers and owner-operators. (http://www.military.com/veteran-employe ... =vr0119.nl) Learn more.


VA Accountability Watch
The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs is sponsoring the VA Accountability Watch. A rash of preventable veteran deaths, infectious disease outbreaks and benefit and construction delays has put the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under intense scrutiny. VA Accountability Watch is dedicated to showing America's veterans and American taxpayers how the department's widespread and systemic lack of accountability may actually be encouraging more veteran suffering instead of preventing it. Does VA have the proper management and accountability structures in place? Let the Committee know what you think on its VA Accountability Watch webpage on (https://www.facebook.com/HouseVetsAffai ... 3792519808) Facebook. For more information, visit the (http://veterans.house.gov/accountability) House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


TRICARE to End Coverage Certificates
TRICARE will no longer send beneficiaries certificates of creditable coverage when they lose TRICARE eligibility. These certificates are no longer needed when beneficiaries transition off TRICARE. Beneficiaries will instead receive notice that their TRICARE coverage is ending. With the new Affordable Care Act (ACA), you do not need a certificate to prove you had coverage when go to a new health plan. If you are looking for other health insurance, you are encouraged to explore your options through the Market Place at (http://www.healthcare.gov/) www.healthcare.gov. The current open season runs from November 15 through February 15, 2015. Beneficiaries who do not purchase TRICARE premium based plans may qualify for premium assistance or state Medicaid. Visit (http://www.healthcare.gov/) www.healthcare.gov or contact your state marketplace for assistance.
For more on TRICARE, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


Sponsored Discount: Military Families Save Extra 10% on Select PCs & Tablets
Because Dell appreciates everything you do for us, they would like to invite you to take advantage of exclusive military discounts on Dell PCs featuring 4th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) processors, electronics and so much more. (http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/12309 ... 51-27?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]) Whether you're at home or abroad, Soldiers save big with Dell.


Don't Waste Your VA Loan Benefit -- Use it Now
Now is the time to use your VA Loan. Rates are near historic lows and you don't have to pay PMI or have a large down payment. Plus you can get financing up to $417,000. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0119.nl) Use your VA Loan Benefit today.
(http://www.military.com/money/va-loans?ESRC=mrvr0119.nl) Want more information about this great benefit?


VA Wheelchair Games Registration
The Department of Veterans Affairs is accepting applications for the 2015 National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Registration will close April 15. The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is a sports and rehabilitation program for military service Veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, amputations or certain neurological problems. Veterans travel from around the country to compete in the Games. The 2015 National Veterans Wheelchair Games will take place in Dallas, Texas, from June 21-26. For more information, visit the National Veterans Wheelchair Games website at (http://www.wheelchairgames.org) www.wheelchairgames.org and follow VA Adaptive Sports on Twitter at (https://twitter.com/VAAdaptiveSport) @VAAdaptiveSport.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Military.com Spouse Experience: San Antonio
This event is an opportunity for all military spouses to get together, learn from each other, share the joys and challenges of military life, and laugh at the inevitable and incredible "oops" moments that all milspouses have. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-milita ... rvr0119.nl) Register today.