Last Wednesday, the final text of S.4049 the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA) was released, which includes a provision to add bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, and parkinsonism to the list of conditions associated with exposure to Agent Orange. The VFW thanks all of our advocates who took action and contacted their elected officials to urge them to keep this provision in the NDAA. The next step is for the House and Senate to vote on this legislation.
VFW Testifies Before House Committee
Last Wednesday, VFW National Legislative Service Director Patrick Murray testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs regarding proposed legislation. Murray thanked Ranking Member Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) for his many years of service to the Committee in recognition of his retiring at the conclusion of this Congress. Murray reaffirmed the VFW’s support of VA eligibility expansion, but stated the VFW disagrees with the intent of the specific proposal to establish an eligibility commission and voiced concerns regarding the open-ended nature and lack of defined direction of the proposed commission.
New DFAS Survivor SBP Newsletter
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) has launched a new twice-yearly Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) newsletter. This newsletter is specifically for survivors and SBP annuitants to assist with understanding the SBP program and how they can ensure their accounts are kept current. The VFW-supported elimination of the Widow’s Tax that was finalized last year will be in the first phase of implementation in 2021. This first issue of the newsletter has a detailed explanation of what will happen during each phase of the elimination that will continue over the next two years.
Women’s Health Transition Training Program
Female service members and veterans can enroll in the Women’s Health Transition Training Program (WHTT) to learn about the specific services available for women at VA health care facilities. The program focuses on the information necessary for women to transition from active duty health care to VA health services, increasing the ability for them to proactively manage their health care. The program is offered online 10 times each week. The sessions are run by women, are unclassified, and confidential.
TRICARE Select Enrollment Fee to Start Jan. 1
DOD announced that TRICARE Select Group A retirees will be required to pay an enrollment fee beginning on Jan. 1, 2021. Congress directed the Defense Health Agency in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to implement TRICARE Select retiree enrollment fees, but delayed the implementation. Group A is comprised of retirees and their family members if the sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment occurred before Jan. 1, 2018. The enrollment fee is waived for medically retired individuals and their family members, and for survivors of active-duty deaths. During TRICARE Open Season, running now to Dec. 14, beneficiaries must set up an allotment with their regional contractors for the enrollment fee to begin on Jan. 1, 2021. Beneficiaries who do not set up their allotment by the deadline will be unenrolled due to nonpayment. These individuals would have previously had 90 days from the termination date to request reinstatement. However, recently the Defense Health Agency has agreed to extend the reinstatement period to 180 days.
POW/MIA Update
Two World War II Brothers from USS Oklahoma Returned: Navy Fire Controlman 2nd Class Harold F. Trapp, 24, and Navy Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class William H. Trapp, 23, were assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including the Trapp brothers. Interment services are pending.
U.S. Navy Chief Carpenter’s Mate Tedd M. Furr, 39, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. Interment services are pending.
U.S. Navy Bandmaster James B. Booe, 42, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
U.S. Navy Seaman 1st Class Carl S. Johnson, 20, of Phoenix, Arizona, was assigned to the battleship USS West Virginia, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. Johnson will be buried Jan. 15, 2021, in his hometown.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Louis S. Doddo, 30, of South Norwalk, Connecticut, was a member of the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. He was killed July 7, 1944, during a massive Japanese attack against the 105th on the island of Saipan. Doddo will be buried May 2021 in his hometown.
Till next week, praying for all.
– Charles Castelluccio
