Questions and Answers

I would like to know why the American Legion hasn't come out against what the DOD is proposing to do in regards to military retirees’ health benefits. They are suggesting an enrollment fee for those who are 65 and over. They also want to increase the prescription medicine co-pay. Then they are also talking about doing away with the 20 year retirement system and replacing it with a civilian type of retirement plan. They are saying that if they don't get this, they will have to make more cuts in personnel. That is a bunch of BS. Why aren't you standing up with the other military organizations who are fighting this?
Would you give me your perspective on S. 3296, proposed flag protection legislation from Senator Jon Tester (MT). It is an old rehash, but is it something we could support? I know the emphasis for The American Legion is on the constitutional amendment. Sen. Tester is not a supporter of the amendment so this looks like a way for him to provide some reconciliation. We in the Legion have let him and his staff know our position. The senator has done many things for veterans. However, this is a sticking point.
I read your Legislative Update and would like to bring something to your attention, with regard to TRICARE co-payments. Being Retired Air Force with 32 years of Active, Reserve and National Guard Service, I am fortunate to participate in TRICARE for Life. For the past several years while my wife has been taking medication for her illness, we have been paying $3.00 per 30-day prescription. However, that co-pay has recently been increased to $5.00. Are you aware of this increase? I DON'T GET IT. The cost of living goes up 3% but they raise the co-pay 66 2/3%.
Greetings. I'm trying to verify a legislative proposal attributed to POTUS [President of the United States]. ‘Obama introduced a proposal to require veterans to carry private health insurance to cover the estimated $540 billion annual cost to the federal government of treatment for injuries to military personnel received during their tours on active duty.’ Is this factual? Thanks
What is the current status of S. 402, the “Cold War Service Medal Act”? Was it enacted and is there a Cold War Medal now. Are Cold War Veterans now finally recognized?
I have been an American Legion member for 23 years and would like to know why The American Legion was not included in the list of 32 members of the Military Coalition that released a statement to the DOD 2013 Federal Budget Proposals on March 14.
Where or how do I sign up for the Legislative action e-list? I read about it in Dispatch but can't find anywhere to sign up.
On March 8 the President signed H.R. 347, the ‘Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011,’ now Public Law 112-98. This bill… restricts the ‘freedom of speech’ and ‘right of citizens to demonstrate.’ It leaves the restrictions to the Secret Service and attaches felony charges to violations, attaching a one year-plus imprisonment as a penalty. “While we must protect the President of the U.S., we must also ensure that our rights as citizens to protest or demonstrate are not trampled on by the government, at the whim of his protectors. “Although this has nothing to do with the VA or DOD, I am surprised that you guys did not pick up on this bill. I was told that it was even signed in secret. I realize that we cannot keep tabs on every bill that comes forward, but something as important as this just seemed to fall through the cracks.
I am sending this message to tell you how deeply discouraged I am this evening with the response I received from the local American Legion regarding a non-partisan petition for the purpose of putting on the upcoming ballot an initiative to allow the voters to decide if our state legislature be switched to a part-time governing body. The Legionnaires that I had a brief chance to talk with were totally against even discussing the petition that I had in hand. They were very adamant that their by-laws strictly state that politics are not to be discussed and they could lose their charter if the by-laws are broken. From what I read in the Legion Mission statement and what is stated in the Get Out the Vote page, it seems that Legionnaires would / should be willing to listen to issues that affect our state’s veterans. We cannot forget that in this country, our government is “of the people, by the people and for the people.” It cannot survive as a democratic republic unless the people participate. That is our task. It is most sad that some of those Legionnaires fought on foreign soils to protect our freedom but now turn a deaf ear and ignore their duty to be politically aware and protect our freedom here at home.
Does The American Legion have any idea of what is going on with the U.S. Postal Service? Postmaster General Donahoe has recommended closing hundreds of mail processing plants and displacing thousands of veteran-employees in general and thousands of disabled veterans in particular. The USPS is the second largest employer of veterans after DOD. If General Donahoe is allowed to take this irrational cost cutting measure, you're looking at the possibility of veterans being put out of a job or forced to travel and/or move hundreds of miles in order to stay employed. With the housing market being what it is, how can anyone sell their house and relocate? This is an effort to just get people to quit out of frustration and anger. It's time The American Legion got involved and pressured Congress and the President to take action and tell Donahoe to cease and desist his plan to ruin veterans’ lives who have honorably served their country. I'm asking you to please get involved ASAP! I have been with the USPS for 26 yrs and I am rated at 90% disabled with the VA and I was told I would be without a job come June. I am just one of thousands of veterans nationwide this is happening to. DON'T ALLOW THIS TO TAKE PLACE! Thank you.
The fiscal year 2013 appropriations process is beginning. What are the various steps of this process when Congress approves funding bills before they are signed by the President?
Can members of The American Legion attend political functions and wear their Legion cover (Hat), especially if they are not involved, only attending?
Can members of The American Legion attend political functions and wear their Legion cover (Hat), especially if they are not involved, only attending?
The Federal Constitutional Convention is being pushed by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) around the country. When 34 states sign on America will be destroyed. This is all coming in as a Balanced Budget Amendment or Article V Amendment Convention. If a Constitutional Convention is called, it will be a runaway convention. With a Constitutional Convention we can kiss our Constitution and the 2nd Amendment goodbye. My question to the American Legion is what is your position on a Federal Constitutional Convention. If you are against one, then would you like to work with us in defeating this move across America?
Our American flag was desecrated in Florida that offered a flag (made in China and offered for $12.95) where the stars that represent each of the independent states was replaced by a picture of President Obama. The local county election headquarters chairwoman refused to take down the Obama flag until some very angry veterans created a shouting match. It is no small thing to desecrate the American Flag! Every service man and woman has sacrificed their lives and kept their sacred honor to uphold our flag. Please, please publish our American Legion position of support for our flag. I love our magazine. I hope to see an investigation report in our magazine.
There are several bills in Congress right now that address the repeal of concurrent receipt. Which of these bills does The American Legion support?
I haven't seen anything for a while about H.R. 303. This was the bill calling for full concurrent receipt of military retirement and VA disability compensation for retirees with VA disability compensation under 50 percent. We are still paying our own VA compensation off the top of our retirement. Can you advise retirees as to what is going on with this bill?
Since the final report of the Supercommittee was released, I have been hearing conflicting stories of what will happen to VA medical care accounts. For that matter, I’m very worried about the effect that sequestration will have on other VA accounts. Can you shed any light on all of this?
In the past few weeks, we’ve been getting an overwhelming number of emails outlining media reports of Department of Defense (DOD) budget cuts. Included in the emails are references towards changes in TRICARE, TRICARE reimbursement rates for doctors, and other changes in military retirement. All usually contain the question, “What is The American Legion doing about this?”
The Legion should only lobby on issues directly and immediately affecting veterans, not on more distant, indirect topics, like the Keystone XL pipeline. I oppose the pipeline for minimal jobs, high risk of accident/pollution, oil going to general and overseas distribution, not restricted to the U.S., etc, etc, etc. Do not get involved on general topics. I despise the corporate, money, PAC influence…You do not speak for me on this. Stay out of general indirect topics!
Do you have a list of the National American Legion’s Legislative Issues? If so, could I get a copy? Thank you.
During the recent Christmas-New Year’s holiday period, both chamber of the U.S. Congress held something called “pro forma sessions.” What is a pro forma session, and why did they do this?
What stand is the Legion taking towards fighting this proposed $200 fee for [TRICARE for Life]? Are we allowing the government to break their promise to veterans who served 20 years again?