Scott Ellis Government Relations Director of MAPVA
2010 DisAbility Awareness Day
On April 7, 2010 the State Capital was the host to the annual DisAbility Awareness Day Program. People with Disabilities Awareness Day at the State Capitol gives people with disabilities and their advocates a chance to talk with decision-makers who can preserve or expand services that make a critical difference in the lives of Oklahomans with disabilities. This year over 800 people participated in this free event, which is hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and friends. The theme for this year is "The Winning Strategy". Our chapter’s booth had over 300 visits this year.
Legislation would bring unprecedented support for caregivers of seriously injured veterans, veterans in rural areas, and women veterans
From Senator Akaka:
U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, cheered today’s Congressional passage of S. 1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act by unanimous voice vote. This landmark bill, authored by Akaka, would establish an unprecedented permanent program to support the caregivers of wounded warriors, improve health care for veterans in rural areas, help VA adapt to the needs of women veterans, and expand supportive services for homeless veterans. S. 1963 passed the Senate unanimously this evening, after clearing the House of Representatives yesterday.
"For too long, the families of wounded warriors across America have paid the cost of war without sufficient support from the government their loved ones risked all to serve. I look forward to President Obama signing this important bill for the families of disabled veterans, and for women veterans, veterans in rural areas, and those veterans sleeping on the streets tonight," said Akaka.
Akaka held a series of hearings as Chairman, bringing in the families of seriously injured servicemembers to discuss how VA might better help those caring for severely disabled veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Akaka then developed legislation to establish a program to certify, train, and financially support veterans’ caregivers. A longtime supporter of veterans’ caregivers, Akaka introduced legislation in 2006, later enacted as part of an omnibus bill (Public Law 109-461), establishing a pilot program to assist caregivers.
The bill’s caregiver support provisions would:
• Fulfill VA's obligation to care for the nation's wounded veterans by providing their caregivers with training, counseling, supportive services, and a living stipend
• Provide health care to the family caregivers of injured veterans under CHAMPVA
• Require independent oversight of the caregiver program
The bill would also provide numerous other improvements for veterans, by:
• Expanding health care services for women veterans
• Reaching out to veterans living in rural areas
• Improving mental health care
• Removing barriers to care for catastrophically disabled veterans
• Enhancing VA medical services
• Strengthening VA's workforce
• Improving and increasing services to homeless veterans
Oklahoma Interests
On APRIL 23, 2010, there was a Veterans Information Seminar hosted by the DAV Chapter 39 at the Midwest City Senior Center. There was a lot of good information provided by the guest speakers. In case you missed it we had the following guest speakers; Senator Kenneth Corn, Sam Jarvis, Director VA Regional Office in Muskogee, David Wood, Director, VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City, and me. A BIG thank you to Director Robert Lesage for his introductions to the local DAV members and getting me in place for the event
On April 28, 2010 there was a meeting of the ACOG (Association of Oklahoma Governments) advisory panel for the disbursement of the JARC and New Freedom Federal Funds for transportation. The following was the request submitted for funding:
REVIEW SCORES AND PRIORITIZE THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS FOR JARC FUNDING:
A. Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) – Request for JARC operating funds to continue providing extended service on 15 fixed routes, begun under federal JARC earmarks in 2002, for access to jobs by low-income people. (Attachment IV-A)
B. City of Edmond – Request for JARC operating funds to continue operating the reverse bus commuter service between Oklahoma City and Edmond, known as the Edmond Expresslink, Route 100-X, for access to jobs by low-income people. (Attachment IV-B)
REVIEW SCORES AND PRIORITIZE THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS FOR NEW FREEDOM FUNDING:
A. Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) – Request for NF operating funds to continue existing service and expand service for the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) program. (Attachment V-A)
B. Community Health Centers, Inc. – Request for NF operating funds to continue operation of the Healing Hands Transport Bus, formerly the H.Net Express, serving medical and social service destinations for homeless persons and persons with disabilities. (Attachment V-B)
C. Community Health Centers, Inc. – Request for NF operating funds to continue operating the Klassen Access Bus, transporting low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals to the Perry A. Klassen Family Medical Care Center.
The State Legislature
This year S.B. 489, a hold over from last year, which would provide a sales tax exemption for the widows/widowers of 100% service connected veterans will not be heard in the Appropriations Committee. Senator Mike Johnson (R), who represents District 22, which is the counties of Canadian, Kingfisher, Logan, and Oklahoma, refused to hear the bill. To voice your displeasure please call his office at phone number 405-521-5592.
The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs may see a budget decrease of 10%. This will negatively affect the care our veterans at the state nursing homes. Any further reductions may result in the closing of one of the homes. Please contact your state Representative and Senator and ask them not to cut the ODVA budget.