The Department of Michigan, assisted by Billy Johnson and Matt Herndon of the National Headquarters Internal Affairs Division, is in Trout Lake, Mich., this week to assist the community in developing a new American Legion post.
Representatives of The American Legion’s National Committee on Education are exhibiting at the annual conference of the National Middle School Association in Baltimore to share information about educational scholarships, Legion youth programs and flag education with middle school educators and administrators from all over the nation.
With the elections completed and a clearer picture of Congress now in place, The American Legion is looking at how various committees that directly impact U.S. veterans and servicemembers will be altered.
Peter Gaytan, executive director of the Legion's Washington office, met with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki this morning to discuss VA payment of new Agent Orange presumptive conditions. VA has begun issuing payments for the newly recognized conditions.
National Security/Foreign Relations Director Barry A. Searle and deputy director Joe Grassi Deputy participated in a conference call with the TRICARE Beneficiary Panel for a monthly update on TRICARE issues. It was briefed that there is a backlog in the European Region for Host Nation Medical Service requests due to a greater-than-anticipated volume. Additionally, topics concerning the TRICARE and Medicare appeals process, and a discussion of the TRICARE Young Adult Program were covered.
The Department of Iowa, assisted by National Internal Affairs Division Assistant Director Scott Miller, is revitalzing a Legion post in Clinton, Iowa, this week.
Barry A. Searle, director of the Legion's National Security/Foreign Relations Division, attended a briefing concerning the Independent Payment Advisory Board(IPAB) and its potential impact on veterans utilizing Medicare. IAPD, which takes effect in 2014, will make recommendation for cuts in Medicare programs if Medicare cost increases are greater than Medical inflation cost. These recommendations will become law the following year if the Senate does not overrule them with a three-fifths majority vote.
Freddy Gesner, assistant director for the Legion's National Security/Foreign Relations Division, sent a letter to the White House regarding The American Legion’s position on the propounded plans to downgrade the US-Russian Joint Commission on POW/MIAs. The plan is to transfer who the commission reports to from the president to a working group in DoD, sending a false signal to the commission’s Russian counterparts that America has lost interest in joint accounting for its POW/MIAs from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War.
Economic Division staff is following up with a homeless veteran and family that received a federal housing voucher after seeking help from The American Legion.
With several key issues facing veterans, servicemembers and their families, Legionnaires are urged to not only vote Tuesday, but also help others get to the polls to cast their votes. For more information, go to http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/pdf/gotv2010.pdf.
