VICTORY!!
DAV There as President Signs Historic Veterans Legislation

White House Ceremony Marks Enactment of Veterans Caregiver Legislation
President Obama signed historic legislation (S. 1963) yesterday that provides comprehensive support to caregivers of severely disabled veterans, a central plank of DAV’s Stand Up For Veterans platform. The legislation finally reached the President’s desk after more than two years of discussion, debate and negotiations, resulting in substantial new benefits for caregivers, including stipends for thousands of financially strapped family members.

New Law Also Boosts Women Veterans Health Care Programs
Time magazine runs a story on how the new law will boost women veterans health care programs for the nation’s 1.8 million women veterans. DAV worked closely with Senator Patty Murray (WA) and Congresswomen Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD) while drafting the legislation to address many of the obstacles women face when seeking health care at VA medical facilities. As enacted, VA will for the first time to cover the costs for up to seven days of post-natal care for newborn infants of women veterans receiving maternity services at VA facilities.

House Hearing Examines Claims Processing Backlog
DAV and others are testifying today, May 6, 2010, at a House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs examining how VA can address the growing backlog of claims for veterans disability compensation. Subcommittee Chairman John Hall (NY) is focusing the hearing on improving quality and accuracy rather than just production to address the root causes of the backlog.

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