August 2010 Archives

VA Health Care and Benefits Provided for Many Vietnam Veterans
 
WASHINGTON – Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and other areas will have an easier path to access quality health care and qualify for disability pay under a final regulation published tomorrow in the Federal Register by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

The new rule expands the list of health problems VA will presume to be related to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposures to add two new conditions and expand one existing category of conditions.

“Last October, based on the requirements of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 and the Institute of Medicine’s 2008 Update on Agent Orange, I determined that the evidence provided was sufficient to award presumptions of service connection for these three additional diseases,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.  “It was the right decision, and the President and I are proud to finally provide this group of Veterans the care and benefits they have long deserved.”

The final regulation follows Shinseki’s determination to expand the list of conditions for which service connection for Vietnam Veterans is presumed. VA is adding Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease and expanding chronic lymphocytic leukemia to include all chronic B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia.

In practical terms, Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a “presumed” illness don’t have to prove an association between their medical problems and their military service.  By helping Veterans overcome evidentiary requirements that might otherwise present significant challenges, this “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application process.

The Secretary’s decision to add these presumptives is based on the latest evidence provided in a 2008 independent study by the Institute of Medicine concerning health problems caused by herbicides like Agent Orange.

Veterans who served in Vietnam anytime during the period beginning January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides.

More than 150,000 Veterans are expected to submit Agent Orange claims in the next 12 to 18 months, many of whom are potentially eligible for retroactive disability payments based on past claims.  Additionally, VA will review approximately 90,000 previously denied claims by Vietnam Veterans for service connection for these conditions.  All those awarded service-connection who are not currently eligible for enrollment into the VA healthcare system will become eligible.

This historic regulation is subject to provisions of the Congressional Review Act that require a 60-day Congressional review period before implementation.  After the review period, VA can begin paying benefits for new claims and may award benefits retroactively for earlier periods.  For new claims, VA may pay benefits retroactive to the effective date of the regulation or to one year before the date VA receives the application, whichever is later.  For pending claims and claims that were previously denied, VA may pay benefits retroactive to the date it received the claim.

VA encourages Vietnam Veterans with these three diseases to submit their applications for access to VA health care and compensation now so the agency can begin development of their claims.
Individuals can go to a website at  http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/AO/claimherbicide.htm to get an understanding of how to file a claim for presumptive conditions related to herbicide exposure, as well as what evidence is needed by VA to make a decision about disability compensation or survivors benefits.

Additional information about Agent Orange and VA’s services for Veterans exposed to the chemical is available at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.

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LITHONIA – Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) issued the following statement to honor the memory and legacy of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the eve of the 47th anniversary of his famous “I Have A Dream” speech.

“Martin Luther King Jr. is the embodiment of sacrifice and spirit that helped lead us to become a better society, a better nation and world,” said Johnson.

“His speech 47 years ago from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial should serve as a reminder today that while we have made great progress, we still have a long way to go in fulfilling the Dream.

Dr. King urged this nation to “live out the true meaning of its Creed.”  Today is a time for introspection.  A time to ponder who we are as a people, a time to ponder how we go forward together in unity and love and reject the forces of division and hate.  We are eternally grateful to Dr. King and the organizers of the l964 March on Washington.  It was truly one of our nation’s finest hours.  It was a beacon for who we want to be as a nation and a guidepost to move us forward.”

LITHONIA, GA – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) released the following statement today on Georgia being awarded $400 million in Race to the Top funds to reform education:

“Congratulations to the State of Georgia and in the Fourth Congressional District –DeKalb, Rockdale and Gwinnett schools ¬– for taking this competition seriously and thinking constructively about how to improve the education of all our children,” said Johnson.

“We need bold and innovative ways to decide what is and what is not working in our classrooms. We must close the achievement gap to not only improve our neighborhood schools, but make us more competitive as a state and as a nation. Race to the Top is a great tool for creating new, innovative ways to educate our children.”

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Upcoming Events

WORKING TO END VET HOMELESSNESS – As part of its push to end veteran homelessness by 2015, Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching its “Make the Call” initiative in Atlanta on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. Veterans and their families should never worry about finding themselves on the streets or living without care. It’s part of a $3.4 billion effort to provide health care to homeless veterans and $800 million in housing programs. The VA is encouraging family friends and citizens to “Make the Call” and help prevent and end homelessness among veterans. The number – staffed around the clock – is 877-4AID-VET or 877-424-3838. For more information, click HERE.

-- 2010 Atlanta VAMC Homeless Stand Down. Saturday, October 30 at Atlanta VAMC. See attached “Save the Date” email from point of contact Mary Lou Pittman, Chief, Voluntary Service, 404-728-7728.

Issues/Programs

-- Agent Orange new presumptive conditions. (Hairy Cell Leukemia and other Chronic B Cell Leukemia, Parkinson’s Disease and Ischemic Heart Disease). US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ordered VA to publish a final implementing regulation by September 1, 2010. Under the Congressional Review Act, VA will have to wait 60 days to begin paying claims – hopefully, by November 1. If the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) completes its review early enough to allow publication of the rule before Sept. 1, payments could begin in October.

Either way, new or reopened claims should be filed as soon as possible to ensure the earliest effective date for awarded benefits. Also, remind survivors of veterans whose cause of death was related to one of the presumptive conditions to file application for VA survivors’ benefits. VA is already developing claims in anticipation of final rule.

-- PTSD Stressor Verification Rule. There has been a good deal of public confusion about this new regulation.

-- The main misunderstanding has been that this rule does not eliminate the requirement to establish a service-connected stressor; rather, it relaxes the evidentiary standards.
-- The other issues relate to whether veterans who received denials on PTSD claims within the last year should file for reconsideration or a notice of disagreement and the need to clarify the difference in filing for reconsideration versus reopening a claim. These are compensation claim technicalities that can have a major impact. I’ve attached a recent response from the VA Regional Office to questions I submitted for clarification.
-- Here’s the major caution I gleaned. In general, if a veteran files for a reconsideration based on additional evidence (or evidence based on the new regulation) within a year of the first denial and has not received a decision by the end of the one year appeal period, s/he cannot file a notice of disagreement (appeal) protecting the effective date as the date of claim if the VA continues the original decision to deny service-connection. New and material evidence would have to be submitted in order for the claim to be reopened.

-- REV Claims.  Rapid Evaluation of Veterans’ Claims (REV) is a program being piloted by the Atlanta VA Regional Office that provides an alternative to the traditional claims process for veterans seeking an increase for a service-connected disability, based on worsening of the condition/symptoms. The goal is to provide a decision within 30 days of receipt of claim. I’ve attached documents that explain the program, explain how to file and provide a sample claim. You can find additional information, forms and fact sheets online at www.vba.va.gov/transformation/atlanta/.

A couple of important items:–

-- New National Call Center for Homeless Veterans – 1-877-4AID VET (424-3838). 24 hours a day, seven days a week, homeless veterans will receive timely assistance and coordinated access to VA and community services from expert responders. Family members, workers at community agencies and non-VA providers also may call the hotline find out about the programs and services available to assist homeless veterans.

-- OJT/Apprenticeship Programs – GI Bill Not Only For College – Harry Stumpf, Senior Coordinator, GA State Approving Agency, asked for assistance in getting the word out that many of the GI Bill programs provide supplemental compensation for eligible veterans through On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeship programs. OJT and apprenticeship programs may be approved in a wide variety of occupations. Some are in trades that relate to military occupations, but many are not. Some of the currently approved programs include administration, law enforcement, diesel mechanics, electronics, and plumbing. Most OJT or apprenticeship programs can be submitted for approval consideration. (404) 656-2306 or 2322 or www.sdvs.georgia.gov.

FYI – Veteran Population Resources - http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/laborfor/veterans/veterans.html and http://www1.va.gov/vetdata. Most sources estimate DeKalb County has about 45,000 veterans.
 

Dear Friends,

It’s been a busy August so far. There have been several notable federal investments in our schools and transportation projects I would like to share and important events coming up you might find useful.

FUNDS FOR ROCKDALE SCHOOLS: I’m pleased to announce that our office secured $700,000 for Rockdale County schools from the Department of Education. I requested the funding as part of the FY 2010 Labor, Health and Education appropriations bill. The Rockdale County School System will receive $400,000 for its Office of Teaching and Learning, which will go toward the system’s Early Learning Initiative and $300,000 will go toward the program AVID – Advancement via Individual Determination. For more on this program, click here.

TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS: I’m also excited to report that the funds we helped obtain $1.7 million for the I-20 East Transit Corridor Project in south DeKalb and for the Atlanta BeltLine are on the way. In addition to these investments, we’re helping bring $500,000 to replace the existing bridge that carries Jimmy Carter Boulevard over I-85 and reconstruction of the intersections with the existing I-85 on and off ramps. The new bridge will carry 11 lanes, four lanes wider than the existing seven lane bridge.  

TRANSPORTATION CHAIRMAN VISITS ATLANTA: On Aug. 16, I was honored to host Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) on a tour of the BeltLine, Perimeter Center, I-85 and Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Arabia Mountain and Clarkston. I was pleased he also took the time to meet with MARTA CEO Dr. Beverly Scott to discuss the I-20 East Corridor and DeKalb County officials in Decatur as well to discuss transportation issues.

As one of the newest members of the Transportation Committee, it was good to have Chairman Oberstar here to see many of our projects firsthand. According to Jim, we’ve made great progress since the last time he visited 13 years ago. But now is the time to continue investing in transit, our roads and bridges, bike paths, light rail and high-speed rail to make our communities more connected and livable. For more on the visit, check out WSB-TV, DeKalb County TV and click here.

RAY OF HOPE HEALTH FAIR: Please mark your calendars for the 10th annual Hope Clinic – Hope Through Health at Southwest DeKalb High School on Saturday, Aug. 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free clinic, offered by Ray of Hope Christian Church, is for patients with little or no health insurance. Services include medical, dental, vision, hearing, pharmacy and food and clothing. For more, call 770-696-5100 or e-mail htchteam@gmail.com.

TASTE OF CHAMBLEE: Chamblee, known as the “City on the Right Track”, is holding its third annual Taste of Chamblee tomorrow – Saturday, August 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be arts and crafts, music, activities for children and of course plenty of food. For more, click here.

MEDICARE, MEDICAID TURN 45: On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law. Since then, it’s helped protect millions of Americans who would otherwise not have access to quality, affordable health insurance. In Congress, we passed the Affordable Care Act that will add a decade of solvency to Medicare. Guaranteed Medicare benefits will not change, and participants will see greater savings, improved quality, and increased accountability in their health care coverage. For more, click here.

SOCIAL SECURITY REPORT: Despite all the talk you might hear about privatizing Social Security because it’s going broke, I’d like to draw your attention to the Social Security Board of Trustees annual report, released Aug. 5. It projects that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act helps to improve the long-term financial condition of the Social Security Trust Fund, more than offsetting the negative effects of the recession. Overall, the Trustees project that the program will remain solvent for nearly another three decades – until 2037. For more, clickhere.

As always, thank you for your time, and have a great weekend.

Hank
 

LITHONIA, GA – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) is pleased today to announce that he helped secure more than $2 million for area transportation projects, including the I-20 east Corridor in south DeKalb, the Atlanta BeltLine and Jimmy Carter Boulevard over I-85 in Gwinnett County.

More than $1.2 million will go towards the I-20 East Corridor for initial environmental work in Phase I of the corridor expansion and $475,000 will go to the BeltLine.

Rep. Johnson also helped obtain $500,000 to replace the existing bridge that carries Jimmy Carter Boulevard over I-85 and reconstruction of the intersections with the existing I-85 on and off ramps. The new bridge will carry 11 lanes, four lanes wider than the existing seven lane bridge.  

“Traffic congestion has gotten so bad it’s choking off our growth, our competitiveness and our quality of life,” said Rep. Johnson. “These investments will not only put people back to work, but will go a long way in helping us create sustainable, livable communities that will be better connected and more accessible.”

The funds come from both the FY 2009 and FY 2010 appropriations bills. The funds for the BeltLine and I-20 East projects are from the Federal Transit Administration. The funds for the I-85 project are from the Federal Highway Administration.

Rep. Johnson just toured all three areas and projects while hosting House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) on Aug. 16.

 

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LITHONIA, GA – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) played host to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar (MN-08) on August 16, showing the Chairman the Atlanta BeltLine, the Perimeter Center, I-85 and Jimmy Carter Boulevard, the I-20 East Corridor and Arabia Mountain Heritage Area bike paths.

See local news coverage: WSB | DeKalb County TV | Chairman Oberstar on Rep. Hank Johnson

Chairman Oberstar and Rep. Johnson also met with MARTA CEO Beverly Scott along the I-20 East Corridor and DeKalb County commissioners and CEO Burrell Ellis in Decatur.

Rep. Johnson, one of the newest members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was pleased to feature metro Atlanta projects for Chairman Oberstar.

“We’re out here exploring the possibilities of light rail and getting people on bikes,” said Rep. Johnson. “All four entities – the Beltline, Perimeter Center, MARTA and DeKalb County with Arabia Mountain – are doing great things to help create livable communities.”

Chairman Oberstar was impressed with the progress Atlanta has made since his last visit more than 13 years ago.

“Increased traffic congestion is a complex problem that can adversely affect the nation’s economic growth, our competitiveness in the world marketplace, and the quality of life in local communities,” said Chairman Oberstar. “While the federal government must lead the way in infrastructure investment, it is great to see first-hand innovative projects, such as the BeltLine, which can improve connectivity and lead to sustainable, vibrant communities.”

Rep. Johnson said the visit was an ideal way to feature Atlanta.

“This visit today will go a long way toward increasing Washington’s comfort level with what we’re doing here in the Atlanta metro area with respect to transportation and sustainable communities.”

Local officials who also toured the BeltLine and the Fourth District include: BeltLine President Brian Leary and BeltLine CEO Lisa Gordon; MARTA CEO Beverly Scott (I-20 East Corridor); DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis, DeKalb County commissioners Sharon Barnes-Sutton, Kathie Gannon, Larry Johnson, Lee May and Jeff Rader (DeKalb County) and Clarkston Mayor Howard Tygrett (Clarkston).

Cutline: Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) introduces House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar, left, to PATH Foundation founder Ed McBrayer at Arabia Mountain Heritage Area.

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LITHONIA, GA – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) is pleased today to announce that he secured $700,000 for Rockdale County schools from the Department of Education.

Congressman Johnson requested the funding as part of the FY 2010 Labor, Health and Education appropriations bill.

The Rockdale County School System will receive $400,000 for its Office of Teaching and Learning, which will go toward the system’s Early Learning Initiative and $300,000 will go toward the program AVID – Advancement via Individual Determination.

“Helping schools and providing teachers and students with the resources they need to compete in a global marketplace is one of my main priorities,” said Rep. Johnson.

“As we work to turn this economy around and help boost job growth, it’s also important that we continue to provide our children and schools with the tools they need to be the innovators, scientists and business leaders of tomorrow.”

AVID helps level the playing field for minority, rural, low-income and other students by ensuring schools and teachers provide students with the rigorous instruction and curriculum needed to prepare them for success in high school and in postsecondary education. 

“We are excited about receiving these funds to assist with our early learning initiative and AVID programs,” said Dr. Samuel King, Superintendent of Rockdale County Public Schools.  “These research-based programs are helping children become strong, successful students with bright futures ahead of them.”

The funding will be for the period of Aug. 10, 2010 through Aug. 9, 2011.

Photo cutline: Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) visits Heritage High School earlier this year with, from left, Schools Superintendent Dr. Samuel King, graduate Erika Darden, Assistant Superintendent Gene Baker and Heritage Principal Greg Fowler.

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WASHINGTON, DC - El Congresista Hank Johnson (GA-04) ha votado a favor de la Ley de Asistencia para empleos en Educación y Medicaid, que salvará o creará más de 300.000 empleos en Estados Unidos - 140.000 puestos de trabajo para docentes y 150.000 puestos de trabajo para oficiales de policía, bomberos y enfermeras.

La medida salvará o creará más de 5.600 empleados docentes en Georgia - según la Asociación Nacional de Educadores - y proporcionará a Georgia con los necesitados fondos para Medicaid, lo que impedirá que el estado recorte miles de empleos a maestros, bomberos y otros trabajadores del sector público.

"Los maestros, policías, bomberos y enfermeras son algunos de los servidores públicos más dedicados en nuestras comunidades", dijo el representante de Johnson.

"Estos fondos se necesitan de inmediato para ayudar a evitar los despidos y de hecho volver a contratar a los profesores evitando que nuestros oficiales de seguridad pública pierdan sus puestos de trabajo.  Estas personas contribuyen enormemente a nuestra calidad de vida y hacen grandes sacrificios por nosotros, lo menos que podemos hacer es invertir en ellos. "

La legislación está completamente pagada y reduce el déficit en un periodo de 10 años mientras cierra excepciones que permiten a las empresas trasladar empleos estadounidenses al extranjero.

El proyecto de ley va ahora al escritorio del presidente Obama para su firma.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) today voted for the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which will save or create more than 300,000 American jobs – 140,000 teacher jobs and 150,000 jobs for police officers, firefighters and nurses.

The measure will save or create more than 5,600 teaching jobs in Georgia and provide Georgia with much-needed Medicaid funds, which will prevent the state from cutting thousands of jobs for teachers, firefighters and other public workers.

“Teachers, police officers, firefighters and nurses are some of the most dedicated public servants in our communities,” said Rep. Johnson.

“These funds are needed immediately to help prevent layoffs and actually rehire teachers and prevent our public safety officers from losing their jobs. They contribute so much to our quality of life and make so many sacrifices for us, the least we can do is invest in them.”

The legislation is fully paid for and reduces the deficit over 10 years while closing loopholes that allow corporations to ship American jobs overseas.

The bill now heads to President Obama’s desk for his signature.

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