UVC Members and Friends,
The 2011 session of the 67th General Assembly ended Wednesday, May 11th. It was a productive session for veteran's issues, with several major victories.
Victories
The continuing budget challenge in Colorado limits many opportunities to fund veteran services as needed in the state. That said, the United Veterans Committee worked to protect the current levels of support for Colorado's veteran and military community. The State Veteran Nursing Home budget did not suffer significant cuts following adjustments from the sale of the Trinidad Nursing Home.
UVC opposed and helped to defeat HB 1038, a measure that would have prevented the sale of the Trinidad home. The Trinidad home was not a qualifying veterans home, yet suffered losses totaling nearly $5 million over ten years - losses subsidized by VA funding to the 505 fund that oversees all State Veteran Nursing Homes.
Also, UVC opposed several attempts to change the Medicaid reimbursement rates that apply to the SVNH residents, measures that could have raised rates paid by veterans on fixed incomes. SB 170 and HB 1285 were defeated, and SB 125 was amended to not harm the residents.
The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs also suffered cuts to their budget, but relative to other departments the impact was minimized. One of two new armories was funded and is now eligible for federal matching funds to complete. Funding for the second armory was postponed until 2012, when federal matching funds will need to be met or lost.
The UVC also supported the DMVA's measure to make processing applications for the disabled veteran property tax exemption more efficient, allowing for more timely responses. And the UVC helped defeat SB 033, a measure that would have required the flying of the Honor & Remember flag over state buildings on specific days.
Other Successes
Two measures designed to make voting easier for military members deployed overseas were passed, HB 1219 and SB 189. HB 1237 provides for a new billeting fund for the National Guard to improve training facilities and quarters. Two measures allowing military members in professions that require licensing to maintain their licenses more easily during and immediately following a deployment, HB 1013 and HB 1100. A Department of Defense child care pilot program was established ( HB 1027).
Lastly, UVC opposed a provision in SB 109 that would have given a new tax refund checkoff for education top-line priority on Colorado income tax forms. The bill was amended to drop that provision.
Losses
HB 1129 would have established a veteran preference in state contracting procedures, but was also linked to union and domestic vendor requirements that allowed for a 25% increase in contracting costs to the state. Under the current budget conditions those provisions were not supported by the majority of the House and the measure was defeated. Veteran preference may be revisited as a stand-alone measure next year as a result of this year's efforts. And lastly, HB 1321 was another voting measure to improve access to ballots by deployed military members. It was defeated in the Senate for reasons that are unclear, but seem to be unrelated to the bill itself.
Wrap Up
In short, UVC had a very successful legislative session. Thank you to everyone who took time to go to the Capitol to testify for bills or show support for veterans. Your work in your community is widely recognized by legislators. Veterans carry a loud voice when we choose to speak out on issues of public policy.
This summer we will continue to work on the veteran service budgetary needs and on issues initiated by the UVC Legislative Committee. While we avoided even deeper cuts to veteran services Colorado remains in the bottom of all states in monetary support for veterans. We must continue to reach out to legislators at the local level, in their communities during the summer and fall. Developing personal relationships as constituents is critical when it comes time to weigh in on issues that impact Colorado's veteran and military community. Your continued support and volunteer efforts on behalf of Colorado veterans makes the difference when legislators are making important decisions
The full spreadsheet of all legislation tracked and/or worked by UVC this session is attached.
Best regards,
Nate Gorman
UVC Legislative Liaison
Nate Gorman
The Gorman Group
PO Box 574
Kittredge, CO 80457
Phone: 303.221.2231
Friday, May 20, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
FW: CALL TO ACTION - VOTE NO ON SB 170
From: Ralph Bozella [mailto:
Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 2:38 PM
Subject: CALL TO ACTION - VOTE NO ON SB 170
Please call or email your state senator and ask that they vote no on SB 11-170.
This bill will hurt all nursing homes in the state including state veteran nursing homes by increasing the cost that the homes pay for Medicaid without going through the legislative process. When bills are introduced through legislative committees we have the opportunity to explain how they can help or hurt veterans. SB 170 will take budget setting authority for the General Fund portion of the nursing home Medicaid per diem away from the legislative process and give it to the Medical Service Board. This board can vote for General Fund increase or decreases for Medicaid without hearing testimony, and have an impact on what homes pay for Medicaid. Attached is more information provided by Colorado Health Care Association. As stated in the information:
* THIS
* THIS
* THIS
* THIS
* INSTEAD THIS
Please contact your state senator and ask that they vote no on SB 11-170. Thanks, Ralph
Ralph Bozella, Legislative Chair
American Legion Department of
303-589-3170
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Friday, March 11, 2011
Invitation to Veterans NOT Currently Receiving Care at a VHA Facility
-From: Urdiales, Anita (V19) [mailto:Anita.Urdiales@va.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2011 2:03 PM
To:
Subject: Invitation to Veterans NOT Currently Receiving Care at a VHA Facility
Steve, please distribute this invitation to your UVC membership. Thank you!
In order to honor Veterans like yourself, the VA is defining a “comprehensive set of health-care services that Veterans Health Administration (VHA) will provide to all enrolled veterans in a more patient-centered way, without respect to location, facility, or provider”. In other words, the VA wants to hear from you as a Veteran not currently using VHA for your health care services.
VHA has partnered with Planetree to conduct Voice of the Veteran Focus Groups (VOVFG) in your geographical area to collect opinions, suggestions, recommendations, and anecdotal stories, all of which will contribute toward enhancing the Veteran’s healthcare experience.
To help us meet your health care needs and enhance our services in a way that would be beneficial to you, we are pleased to offer you the opportunity to participate in this important focus group. This group is designed to hear about your concerns or reasons for not using VHA facilities for your healthcare, and to gather your ideas for improving care for Veterans like yourself in the future. Consultants from the Planetree organization will lead the group. Planetree is a non-profit group, founded by a patient, working nationally with the VHA to create an even more Patient-centered environment.
As a Veteran, your opinion is very important to us. We are excited to hear from you so that we can provide a healthcare experience for you that effectively meets your needs. The meeting will be held the afternoon of April 8, 2011 and will be about an hour and a half in length. If you are interested in participating, please RSVP to Anita Urdiales at 303-639-6992 or e-mail Anita.Urdiales@va.gov or Jordan Schupbach at 303-393-5205 or e-mail Jordan.Schupbach@va.gov. We will be happy to confirm your participation and provide more details.
Sincerely,
& nbsp; Anita Urdiales
Health System Specialist
& nbsp; VA Rocky Mountain Network 19
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Thursday, March 3, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Last Surviving WWI Veteran Passed
Photo by Charlie Riedel
(In a May 26, 2008 file photo Frank Buckles receives an American flag during Memorial Day activities at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Mo.)
The passing of Mr. Frank Buckles marks the final departure of the last surviving link to the more than 2 million American men and women who served during World War I. Sadly, this generation of heroes has surrendered to time and the day has come when they no longer walk among us.
World War I unleashed an unrestrained, methodical and mechanized destruction of human life leaving more than 8 million dead and 21 million wounded. Our late entry into the war in 1917 helped stop the slaughter in Europe, but at a heavy price to the nation; 126,000 deaths and more than 200,000 wounded by the end of the war in 1918. Despite the extremes of the war; fear, courage, cruelty and compassion, America made a conscious decision to fight for the ideal of freedom.
The full scope and stark reality of that war was beyond all of us, with the exception of one man who represented an entire generation assigned to history. Frank Buckles’ service and that of his now-absent comrades was borne from neither bravery nor bravado. It came from within; a sense of selflessness…doing something good for others, despite the danger. They faced fear and accepted it, challenged it, fought it, and then acted with honor. That is their legacy to us.
And that’s why we must ensure the memory of their courage and sacrifice won’t fade or disappear into anonymity. That would be an irretrievable loss to the nation, one that we cannot afford to pay.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Rocky Mountain Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home
| Rocky Mountain Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home |
Charles Bogle
Colonel, AUS (Ret)
Co-Chairman
Friday, February 25, 2011
Governor Hickenlooper Confirmed Speaker- UVC 39th Annual Awards Banquet
Fellow veterans
Governor John Hickenlooper is the confirmed keynote speaker for the 39th Annual Awards Banquet of the United Veterans Committee of Colorado. This event will be held on Sunday, April 10th at the Denver Renaissance Hotel at
The Awards Banquet, as in past years, will be a gala event in an exciting new venue where veterans, organizations, legislators and those who have helped veterans and their families the past year will be recognized and honored for their services. Invitations have gone to
Visit UVC's Web site at: www.unitedveteranscommittee.com and click "Banquet" on the left side column of the page. You are urged to make your reservations for individuals and your organizations as deadlines are almost upon us. Artwork for ads should be sent electronically as per instructions. Final preparations for the program book should include your organizations ads and a listing of both table and individual sponsors supporting UVC.
Please finalize your plans to attend the 39th Annual Awards Banquet by making your reservations now and help us finalize needed arrangements and meet our deadlines. All the information needed to participate in this annual event can be found on the UVC Web site.
Yours in comradeship,
Marvin L. Meyers (303) 694-9022 Ken C. Melcher (303) 341-9170
Banquet Co Chair Banquet Co Chair & Reservations
Past President UVC Past President UVC
FOR RESERVATION AND AD INFORMATION: visit UVC's Web site at: united veteranscommittee.com
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Fwd: VA Homeless Conference Update
-------- Original Message --------
| Subject: | VA Homeless Conference Update |
|---|---|
| Date: | Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:51:47 -0700 |
| From: | Schupbach, Jordan D. <Jordan.Schupbach@va.gov> |
| To: | Steve Rylant <sarylant@comcast.net> |
Thanks again to all who participated in the Homeless Forum held February 7, 2011 in Denver and Colorado Springs. We had 89 people in attendance, with 66 non-VHA attendees representing 44 agencies and Colorado Springs had 30 people in attendance, with 18 non-VHA attendees representing 15 agencies, making the grand total of 119 in attendance, 84 non-VHA representing and 59 agencies. We were pleased to have a number of VIP guests including Helen Thorpe, our new First Lady of Colorado as well as Jeannie Ritter, our most recent First Lady, in attendance.
We identified common themes, two action items to add to the 5-year plan, which map out our next actions and follow ups to the forum- those themes and plans are summarized below. We will want to distribute a brief summary and the revised 5-year plan and specific follow up action plans for the forum to participants and invitees. While there were some competing agendas as one would expect in such a large gathering, the very strong feedback was that of a lot of energy and excitement in agencies and people coming together to pool our resources to help reach the goal of ending homelessness in Veterans in the next 4 years. We plan to have a repeat forum/coalition meeting in about 6 months.
We also want to thank all who volunteered to co-chair workgroups that we were going to develop out of the break-outs. We have instead decided to form a single steering committee for a new, yet to be named coalition, from the forum attendees and invitees. Please let us know if you are interested in being a part of this steering committee and if you are interested in being a co-chair for this new group.
Common themes:
1. Communication- to all stakeholders and especially our Veterans, in all shapes and forms, including existing resources such as the United Way 211 line, and the many unmet needs.
2. Collaboration/Linkages- while many exist, many further opportunities exist, including development of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) etc.
3. Resources- many exist but aren’t widely known, no one agency or person knows them all, and despite this there are clear gaps to be addressed.
No one agency, especially VHA, can get the job done alone.
4. Employment is a huge need for our at risk and homeless Veterans and resources are especially scarce in smaller cities and rural areas.
5. Non-eligible Veterans- i.e. those who aren’t eligible for VA services, are especially challenged. (One common positive feedback is that homeless Veterans who are eligible for VA services have a much broader and more comprehensive range of services and help available to them than do non-Veteran homeless folks).
6. At risk populations, especially returning OEF/OIF Veterans are an area of acutely increased need and concern.
Two additions to 5-year plan, including action items:
1. Create a coalition (name t.b.d.) led by VHA, starting with the participants of this initial Homeless Forum:
a. Form a steering committee
i. Solicit volunteers to form committee, identify co-chairs, from VA and non-VA
ii. Include fed, state, regional/city, public nonprofits etc
b. This is not to duplicate or upstage existing organizations such as FRICH, the Colorado Interagency Council, the Metropolitan Denver Homeless Initiative, and the Denver Road Home etc.
c. First steering committee meeting by 4/30/11- agenda to include:
i. Name of coalition
ii. Leadership
iii. Charter and structure
iv. Preparation for proposed CRRC (see #2)
v. Future steering committee meetings
vi. Next Coalition meeting- about 6 months after 2/7/11- including a more focused agenda
2. Prepare for proposed CRRC and make it a true community one-stop shop, not just VA (need to keep as proposed idea until official announcement of funding made by others):
a. Pull together all available resources to create a community wide referral and reference center where veterans could get immediate assistance and referral for issues they have with medical care, community resources, etc.
b. Create a network of CRRCs?- interfacing with what Pikes Peak MHC is reported to be doing in Colorado Springs, and what Posada is working to set up in Pueblo
c. Ideally create a Virtual CRRC- Our community partners and Veterans, especially OEF/OIF, need at least a link from official ECHCS webpage to a comprehensive, user friendly homeless/CRRC page.
d. Linked to existing resources such as United Way 211 line, our HUD-VASH resource line, the VA Homeless Hotline, the Vet Center’s Nat’l call center etc
e. Target date of completion: 9/30/11
Thank you and we look forward to your response.
VHA Staff at the Denver VA Medical Center.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Fwd: For UVC: Openings available in Homelake's domciliary cottages!
We are excited to let the UVC know that the recently renovated domicilary cottages (similar to assisted living) in Homelake/Monte Vista have several openings for immediate occupancy! Prior to the renovation, the cottages were almost always full, and often had long waiting lists. But openings occurred during the renovation of many months, during which time, no new residents could be admitted. As you know, Homelake is the only State Veterans Home in Colorado to offer assisted living-like domiciliary cottages.
So if anyone knows of veterans and/or spouses/widows or Gold-Star Parents who might be interested, please feel free to pass on this information. I've attached a color ad that highlights what both the domiciliary cottages and the nursing home offer; contact information also is provided.
Anyone interested in more information can call Vickie Olson toll free at 888-838-2687 or 719-852-5118 or by e-mail at ( vickie.olson@state.co.us ) or Pam Self (same phone numbers) or by e-mail at pam.self@state.co.us .
Thank you for your help in getting the word out!
Connie
Connie S. Young, M.A.
Marketing and Business Development Manager
State and Veterans Nursing Homes
Department of Human Services
1575 Sherman St.
Denver, CO 80203
303.866.4985; fax: 303.866.2606
Caring communities that honor America's heroes!
This email message and any attachments, from the Colorado Department of Human Services, are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The information contained herein may include protected or otherwise privileged information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and deleting it without disclosure. Thank you.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
New and enhanced VA Benefits Provided to Caregivers of Veterans
From: VA Media Relations
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 2:00 PM
Subject: New and Enhanced VA Benefits Provided to Caregivers of Veterans
New and Enhanced VA Benefits Provided to Caregivers of Veterans
Unprecedented Law Augments Commitment
to Nation’s Most Vulnerable Veterans
“Caregivers make tremendous sacrifices every day to help Veterans of all eras who served this nation,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “They are critical partners with VA in the recovery and comfort of ill and injured Veterans, and they deserve our continued training, support and gratitude.”
“DAV is happy to hear that caregivers of Veterans are getting additional support and services to care for our Nation’s heroes and unprecedented new services for our most recent severely ill and injured,” said David W. Gorman, executive director of the Washington Headquarters of the Disabled American Veterans. “We understand there are challenges to implementing the new law; including ensuring that critically ill and injured Veterans of all eras are similarly supported.”
In addition to the new benefits and services for eligible Veterans who were disabled in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001 (Post 9/11 Veterans), VA will also begin providing enhanced benefits and services to caregivers of Veterans of all eras who are already enrolled in VA care, including:
· Access to VA’s toll-free Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274,
· Expanded education and training on caring for Veterans at home,
· Other support services such as counseling and support groups and referral services; and
· An enhanced website for caregivers.
Some of the new benefits of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act are restricted by law to the caregivers of the most seriously ill and injured Post 9/11 Veterans. Those additional benefits include:
· A monthly stipend,
· Health care coverage,
· Travel expenses, including lodging and per diem while accompanying Veterans undergoing care,
· Respite care; and
· Mental health services and counseling.
VA will take the opportunity to report to Congress in the future on the feasibility of expanding the enhanced services to family caregivers of Veterans of all eras.
While some of these enhanced benefits are available now, many of the other significant newly-enacted benefits will require the issuance of regulations. These additional benefits include monthly stipends, pay for travel costs, medical coverage, training, counseling and respite care designed to prevent institutionalization of Veterans whenever possible. The law requires detailed regulations for determining eligibility, designating and approving caregivers, and providing stipends and health care coverage to primary family caregivers. The complex process required to implement these regulations will provide Veterans, caregivers and the general public the opportunity to provide comments before those regulations are finalized.
“VA has supported caregivers of Veterans of all eras for almost eight decades,” said Deborah Amdur of VA’s Care Management and Social Work Service, “and we know from our experience and research that Veterans are best served when they can live their lives as independently as possible surrounded by caring family and friends.”
Each VA medical center has designated caregiver support coordinators who will assist eligible Veterans and caregivers in understanding and applying for the new benefits. VA also has a Caregiver Support Web page, www.caregiver.va.gov, which will provide general information once final regulations are published.
# # #
EW
Hillary Hutson
303-343-1268
Fax: 303-343-7238
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