The Independence Fund - Advocacy - DC Office

To channel my old Navy days, BZ, Senator Jon Tester, for telling The Independence Fund's CEO Sarah Verardo, "Thank you, Sarah, for putting this back on us, putting this back on Congress, putting this back on this Committee. We have responsibility here too."

We are ready to work this, work this hard, and work this quick. To go back to my Navy stuff, "Anchors Aweigh, my girls and boys, Anchors Aweigh!"

The Independence Fund's CEO Sarah Verardo testifying before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on the program.

"The Independence Fund, and many of the other organizations who joined with us, warned the VA, Congress, even this Committee, that exactly [these problems with the Caregiver program] would happen" because of this poorly written regulation.

The Independence Fund is here at Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman's hearing on the program. Our CEO, Sarah Verardo will be testifying on the second panel.

Senators Senator Jon Tester and Senator Jerry Moran speak about how this new regulation "is far more restrictive than Congress ever intended."

While the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announcement yesterday to suspend disenrollments and discharges of Legacy Caregivers is a good first step, it doesn't do anything (yet) for the 84,000 new Caregiver applicants who have already been denied, nor does it change the fundamental problems with the regulation.

The Independence Fund - Advocacy - DC Office will continue to fight to get this fixed, and will demand these changes happen in weeks, not years as the VA implied yesterday.

yesterday

This afternoon U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Remy announces VA is suspending Caregiver program discharges and demotions for "Legacy" Caregivers. About time. Check out our Twitter account (below) where you can see ALL the communications The Independence Fund's had with the VA about this issue.

And the VA is going to reevaluate the regulation, as the VA now admits Veterans are being disenrolled from the program when they shouldn't. Good that they finally got on board.

But then, when asked how long this will take, the VA says "It could take a year, it could take more." What?!?!?!?! Gimme a break. They turned around review of more than 200 comments on the new regulation in weeks. They can get this done THIS SUMMER.

All these Legacy Veterans and Caregivers are scheduled to be disenrolled this October 1st! And nothing is said about the new applicants where at least 85,000 have already been denied these benefits! This needs to be fixed this summer. Otherwise, we will work to get Congress to do so by legislation and the VA can just live with the new law.

Yes, good on VA for taking the high road here and admitting the Caregiver regulation is deeply flawed. But they have to operate on a MUCH faster timeline.

https://twitter.com/TIFinDC/status/1506333820731146240?s=20&t=4E8KUAKZAhhAdOfy3DCPSA

The Independence Fund - Advocacy - DC Office on Twitter “. Remy just announced they will suspend kicking out & demoting Legacy Caregivers. Following are the comms we've had w/Congress & VA on this exact issue. We're cautiously optimistic, and we won't relax, but this is great start. 's 1st letter.”

Independence Fund's own Representative, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, PhD, is hosting this Small Business Forum as part of Black History Month. Given veterans are more likely to own their own business and be entrepreneurs, as well as the opportunity this presents for Caregivers and veteran families, this can be very helpful for starting a business.

Advisory: Adams Holds Virtual Black History Month Small Business Forum on Friday CHARLOTTE – On Friday, February 25 at 12:00 Noon, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) will host a Virtual Black History Month Small Business Forum on Zoom. Interested parties can register here, or at adams.house.gov/small-business. The Small Business Administration, The Institute, The Women's Busines...

"We just want clean drinking water."

Jamie Simic, Navy Spouse and Pearl Harbor base housing resident exposed to the Red Hill fuel spill into the drinking water, at the Reserve Organization of America building on Capitol Hill, talking about the exposed families and the need for immediate testing and remediation.

Jamie and her Amanda Feindt met with nine Congressional offices to get relief.

Toxic exposure takes many forms, and this is just one of those on which The Independence Fund - Advocacy - DC Office fights for every day.

Amand Feindt described how her kids ended up in the hospital with this poisoning.



The Independence Fund

And now, for something a little lighter - Duffel Blog never lets you down:

https://www.duffelblog.com/p/barracks-lawyer-passes-barracks-bar?r=4gpdn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Barracks lawyer passes barracks bar exam on ninth tequila The so*******ch actually did it!

Why is satire often so funny? Because it makes fun of an underlying truth.

And the underlying truth is that VA medical care has systemic problems. Now, the Duffel Blog satirizes this with the great gallows humor of, "VA to offer free cup of coffee while you wait in line to die."

Ouch.

But the satirists at Duffel Blog link to the REAL VA Inspector General report that found these problems, "...demonstrate a systemic failure of leadership and indicate a need to accelerate the VA's efforts to overhaul its health care culture".

No, these failures aren't one-offs; they are not the exception. What the Inspector General is saying is that these failures are the rule, and are, "...due in large part to the actions and, even more often, inactions, of leaders" and that, "Changes to [Veterans Health Affairs'] patient safety approaches are necessary and overdue, but impossible without the dedication of strong leaders who recognize that a cultural transformation is required to support meaningful and sustainable change."

So next time someone tells you, "Oh, VA health care is great! Nothing needs to change. In fact, let's make it bigger and MORE centralized," just remember, VA hospitals have been around as for 100 years, and the Veterans Health Administration turned 75 this year. Yeah, we think that's enough time to get their "stuff" into one sock.

https://www.duffelblog.com/p/va-to-offer-free-cup-of-coffee-while

VA to offer free cup of coffee while you wait in line to die TYFYS.

’s service to America began as a soldier in WWII. Now, you can honor his life and legacy at the very memorial he worked so hard to establish. His proudest moments were when he united our nation. So let’s come together, once again, in his honor and show our appreciation for his lessons in leadership, love of country, and service.

Join Dole Institute of Politics and Elizabeth Dole Foundation on Friday, December 10th at the National World War II Memorial at 11am EST, alongside General Mark A. Milley, Tom Hanks, Savannah Guthrie, The United States Army Band, and others to celebrate the remarkable life of Senator Bob.

This event is open to all who wish to attend and is accessible for those with disabilities. For people not located in the DC metropolitan area, you can tune in to the event virtually via Facebook Live.

Details at https://robertdole.org/events/.

Robert Joseph Dole » Events Senator Dole will lie in state in the United States Capitol Rotunda on Thursday, December 9. At 10 a.m., a private ceremony will be held with President Joe Biden, Congressional leadership, Senator Elizabeth Dole and Robin Dole in the Rotunda. This event will be broadcast for the public.   

Our heartfelt condolences to the entire Elizabeth Dole Foundation family on Senator Dole’s passing early this morning.

The Nation has lost a true American hero, statesman, and just really great man.

Rest in Peace, Brave Soldier. You most certainly earned it.

It is with heavy hearts we announce that Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep. At his death, at age 98, he had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years. More information coming soon.

Excuse us why we here at the DC offices break our arms patting ourselves on the back.

But seriously, this is just plain wrong - disenrolling 6,700 Veterans from the Caregiver program. That's more than the number of Sailors on an aircraft carrier or all the people in the US Public Health Service. It's more than 35% of all the legacy Caregivers before the program got expanded.

We like to say here in DC that The Independence Fund - Advocacy - DC Office team likes a good trench fight, but we like a deal that fixes the problem more. We know there are already people in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs who are hearing this, and we will not let up until we resolve this.

More to come! Stay tuned!

The Independence Fund
Healing Household 6
Heroes Athletic Association
Coast Guard Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association (CWOA)
Sea Service Family, Foundation
Armed Forces Retirees Association
Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A.
Blinded Veterans Association
Non Commissioned Officers Association
Vietnam Veterans of America
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States
Fleet Reserve Association National Headquarters
Save Our Allies
Association of the United States Navy
Military Order of the Purple Heart, USA
Catholic War Veterans of US
Reserve Organization of America
Japanese American Veterans Association
Naval Enlisted Reserve Association - NERA
Veteran Warriors
Veteran Warriors: Caregiver Support Group

The Independence Fund understands the unique challenges our and families face. In this difficult time, we want you to know resources are available.

Our partners at Cohen Veterans Network have created a new, online educational course to help Veteran and Military families reduce stress and worry in their lives. "Tools for Managing Stress and Worry" is , self-paced, and in small segments that can easily fit into a busy schedule.

https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/toolsforstress/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VAntage Point Blog post 11/17/21 on September's "Beaudette Ruling".

The Independence Fund - Advocacy - DC Office knows there are still unanswered questions around this and is working to get those answers as quickly as we can!

ONE THING TO NOTE: VA has indicated it will likely take 6-7 months to send out every letter related to prior denials and will be doing so in batches of several thousand at a time.

https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/97251/veterans-caregivers-have-new-expanded-opportunities-to-ask-for-review-of-pcafc-decisions/?utm_source=VRvpbottomlink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources

Veterans, caregivers have new expanded opportunities to ask for review of PCAFC decisions - VAntage Point The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregiver (PCAFC) decision letters issued include a new notice review and appeal rights.

An extremely busy yesterday for the members of The Independence Fund's DC staff.

First up: a breakfast meet-and-greet at The White House, where our very own Bob Carey was among the attendees from various Veteran Serving Organizations. Carey presented President Joe Biden with a TIF challenge coin and shared his own "Biden Story" with POTUS.

The Independence Fund - Advocacy - DC Office is proud work with POTUS and everyone at The White House to effect necessary VA policy and legislative changes our Nation's deserve!

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

"VA Extends Presumptive Period for "

https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5733

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

Episode 1 of premieres TONIGHT on your local PBS station.

The 4-part series airs Tuesdays at 9:00pm.

Also check out the fabulous list of resources on this PBS page as well.

American Veteran AMERICAN VETERAN is a four-part documentary series tracing the veteran experience across the arc of American history and exploring the present-day divide betwee

If you are in the greater DC area, this is an incredible opportunity!
Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier

20 DAYS UNTIL

Register for the Flower Ceremony now at https://anctomb100.eventbrite.com/

On November 9th and 10th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the public will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to lay a flower at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as part of the Flower Ceremony. This is the first time in nearly 100 years that the public will be able to access the Tomb Plaza to pay their respects.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own flowers, but complimentary roses, gerbera daisies and sunflowers will be distributed. FREE trams will be available for participants from the Welcome Center to the Memorial Amphitheater. This event is ADA accessible as well as stroller-friendly.

The ceremony will start with representatives from the Crow Nation placing flowers at the Tomb and reciting the prayer given 100 years ago by American-Indian Chief Plenty Coups. There will also be interpretive talks given from the Memorial Amphitheater west steps (side closest to Mast of the Maine Memorial) throughout the day. On November 10 at 4 p.m., the ceremony will conclude with the original benediction recited by the Army Chief of Chaplains.

For more information about the Flower Ceremony, visit https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Media/News/Post/11412/For-First-Time-in-Nearly-100-Years-Public-Authorized-to-Approach-Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldier-Plaza

"WHAT WOULD YOU ASK THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS?"

Submit your questions to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough by October 20 -- then tune in on November 11th for the answers.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-would-you-ask-the-secretary-of-veterans-affairs?utm_source=dept_of_va&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SECVA

What would you ask the Secretary of Veterans Affairs? | RallyPoint Post your question now! The Honorable Secretary Denis McDonough will be holding a virtual townhall event on November 11th, 2021. This is a rare opportunity to connect with one of our most influential leaders, so be sure to comment your questions below! Due to the high profile nature of the townhall,...

TAKE NOTE OF THIS ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY!

Arlington National Cemetery invites you to participate in the 100th Anniversary of the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.
November 9 - 10, 2021
9:00am - 4:00pm (Eastern)

Walk on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Plaza and pay respects by placing a complimentary flower at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is a rare opportunity for the public to walk next to the Tomb, a privilege only given to the Sentinels of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-centennial-commemoration-public-flower-ceremony-tickets-171383882807?fbclid=IwAR1MqxZ-N1E4_QTSTfyYnHH2GaYoXm7m9SdtgRZ1RyXLMPCjksW0gyzirzo

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemoration Public Flower Ceremony Be a part of history! Arlington National Cemetery invites you to participate in the 100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Two members of the DC Office attended this year’s Marine Corps Association’s “Wounded Warrior Leadership Awards Ceremony”, of which The Independence Fund was proudly a sponsor.
October 7, 2021
📍National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle, VA

Are you registered to ?

If not today, please SOON!

And if you’re military, you can register via Federal Voting Assistance Program - FVAP: https://www.fvap.gov/military-voter

The Independence Fund’s Mobility Program Manager, Nick Armendariz, a with 3 combat tours in Afghanistan, testified on Wednesday, September 22 before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Majority / House Committee on Veterans' Affairs GOP at its hearing on veteran ***dePrevention.

Read more about what he said here ⤵️

Afghanistan vet testifies about veteran su***des: ‘I know of countless su***de attempts’ Lawmakers and witnesses said preventing veteran su***de is a long term and on-going commitment that involves everything from making sure essential needs like housing and food are covered for our vets, to making sure they have access to mental healthcare treatment.

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Rep. Mike Bost asked The Independence Fund's Nick Armendariz, as a veteran of Afghanistan, what veterans of Afghanistan think of the recent events in Afghanistan and what he would recommend.

Nick talked about how Afghanistan veterans are very much impacted by the events of the last month, and how they "wonder if it [their service and sacrifice] was worth it." He recommended veterans in crisis reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line, and in the coming weeks, talked about how The Independence Fund will roll out "The Independence Line", a call center professionally manned to assist both Afghan refugees and US veterans - the Afghans with navigating the resettlement process and the US veterans with finding quality, timely, culturally competent, mental health care.

Congressman Mark Takano kindly gives a shout out to The Independence Fund employee, and combat veteran, Nick Armendariz, for his selfless service both during his time in the Army - with three Afghanistan deployments - and his time as a veteran and with The Independence Fund. "It is very clear to me you've endured great sacrifice, and I salute the work you do both as an individual and as a member of The Independence Fund."

Thank you Congressman Mark Takano, and thank you Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Majority and House Committee on Veterans' Affairs GOP for the invitation and opportunity to speak.

At today's Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing on Su***de Prevention, Rep. Mike Bost kindly gives a shout-out to The Independence Fund's Nick Armendariz, a combat Army veteran who deployed three times to Afghanistan, is a veteran mental health advocate, and the Mobility Program Manager at The Independence Fund.

We thank the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Majority, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs GOP, and the Members of the Committee for giving The Independence Fund and Nick a chance to testify before the Committee today.

Holly Herrera is U.S. Department of State 's Resettlement Director at U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration addresses the assembled group of veteran, military, and charitable organizations hosted by The Independence Fund , Mighty Oaks Foundation, and our new coalition, Save Our Allies .

We will report after this meeting as to what you can do to help our Afghan Allies and US veterans struggling with present day situations.

Want to join our efforts? Email us at [email protected].

The Independence Fund - Advocacy - DC Office endorsed an amendment offered by Congressman Greg Murphy, MD today in the House Veterans Affairs Committee to provide $100 million additional funding to Vet Centers to support veteran transitions and mental health care.

With the Afghanistan withdrawal, even the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognized the need for expanded veteran mental health care for those US veterans, and proposed using Vet Centers to help with that increased need (https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/92752/afghanistan-resources-available-for-ptsd/).

Meanwhile, at the VA's flagship medical center in Washington, DC, we know of veterans who are being told they can't get a mental health care appointment until the middle of October, and Community Care would take even longer. But of course, the VA is offering those veterans more drugs!

Congressman Greg Murphy,'s amendment would have provided the funding the VA needs to get veterans the mental health care they need, when they need it...which is now. But on a party line vote, because the Committee Majority believes the VA has all the funding it needs, the amendment was voted down.

VA has all the mental health money it needs? Tell that to the veterans who have to wait six weeks to get mental health care. Our veterans deserve better.

Rep. Jack Bergman offered a legislative amendment in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs today to limit new construction on Veterans Health Administration facilities until the Asset Infrastructure Review process is completed.

The reason the Asset Infrastructure Review is important is the VA already has hundreds of Veterans Health Administration facilities which are empty or underutilized, while other VHA facilities in the Southeast and Southwest are completely swamped with patients, but the VA can't build up in those areas because they have to spend all their money keeping the underutilized facilities open.

Add on top of that, the VA is effectively prohibited by law and regulation from renting space for health care facilities because government bureaucrats want them to put all 30 years of rental expenses on the table in the first year - effectively the same as if they built a new facility.

Meanwhile, regional hospitals, especially in rural areas, are shutting down when the VA could come in, rent out a wing of that hospital, deliver better and closer care for the local veterans, and help the local regional hospital stay open for the local non-veteran population.

The The White House was supposed to nominate the members of the Asset Infrastructure Review by the end of May, but no nominations have been made. The Commission needs to move forward...NOW!.

That's why The Independence Fund supports Rep. Jack Bergman's amendment, and why we support standing up and moving forward with the Asset Infrastructure Review - to put VA health care where and when veterans need it, not where bureaucrats want it.

The Independence Fund Joins Sixteen Veteran & Military Organizations Calling on President Biden to Evacuate Afghanistan and Iraq SIV Applicants and Families /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, The Independence Fund joined sixteen organizations to write an open letter to Congress and President Biden urging them to evacuate...

CALL TO ACTION!
CALL TO ACTION!
CALL TO ACTION!

Do you agree that should receive everything they've earned from their service and sacrifice??
Well, here's something certain Veterans are NOT RECEIVING!!
And you can HELP US FIX IT!

Click below to find out more & take action!

The Independence Fund

CALL TO ACTION: Urge Your Legislators to Support Concurrent Receipt Dear Supporters and Advocates of The Independence Fund,Disabled Veterans Are Being Cheated of Their Retirement PayThe Major Richard Star Act (H.R.1282/S.344) will fix this problem, but we need your help NOW to get these bills across the finish...

EVEN MORE INFO on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs's newest Interim Final Rule on the addition of to the list of presumptive conditions related to to particulate matter.

We at The Independence Fund - Advocacy - DC Office continue to monitor this development and will keep everyone apprised as further information comes available.

Presumptive Service Connection for Respiratory Conditions Due to Exposure to Particulate Matter The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this interim final rule to amend its adjudication regulations to establish presumptive service connection for three chronic respiratory health conditions, i.e., asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis, to include rhinosinusitis, in association with...

MORE INFO about the addition of to presumptive conditions related to particulate matter exposure:

https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/index.asp

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

BIG NEWS FROM U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs!!

have been added to the list of presumptive conditions related to particulate matter during service in certain geographic locations.

The Independence Fund is just one of many VSOs whose advocacy has been instrumental in getting this kind of change!

WHAT A WIN FOR VETERANS!

ARE YOU A VETERAN WITH A PROSTHETIC?
IS THERE A VETERAN WITH A PROSTHETIC IN YOUR LIFE?

The Independence Fund is undertaking a on behalf of who have due to limb loss and get those prosthetics via U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) &/or Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TIF_Prosthetics

The Independence Fund - Advocacy - DC Office will be meeting with senior officials from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in August to suggest functional and practical solutions to its prosthetics process based on the responses to this survey!






(survey responses are entirely anonymous)

You should definitely spend the 34 minutes to listen to this and learn.

The Independence Fund's CEO, Sarah Verardo, to her husband SGT Mike Verardo, USA (Ret) was recently on Policy Vets podcast with former American Legion Executive Director Louis J Celli and former Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin.

In it, she tells us what day-to-day life is like for a Caregiver, especially when you are also running a nonprofit dedicated to helping catastrophically disabled veterans, their caregivers, and their families, AND while raising three young daughters.

Huzzah, Sarah Verardo, well done.

NEW out! Listen here: www.policyvets.org/podcasts -

Hosts, Policy Vets Chairman Dr David Shulkin and Executive Director Louis J Celli talk with Sarah Verardo, CEO of The Independence Fund, Caregiver, Mother and fierce advocate for Veterans and their families.

The Independence Fund applauds the US Senate for passing this legislation that will be a great boon for and urges President Joe Biden to sign this into law with all haste.
https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=8414

Tester, Moran Bill to Improve Rural Veterans’ Mental Health Care Heads to President’s Desk The U.S. Senate today unanimously passed bipartisan, bicameral legislation introduced by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) to expand access to mental health care for rural veterans. This legislation now heads to the President.....

Sunday, July 27 is PTSD Awareness Day.

PTSD can happen to anyone. The Military Health System can help you get diagnosed and provide you with evidence-based treatment so you can get your life back. If you're struggling with PTSD, reach out to your local military hospital or clinic and make an appointment today.

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/804638/ptsd-help-available

The Independence Fund

PTSD: Help is Available PTSD can happen to anyone. The Military Health System can help you get diagnosed and provide you with evidence-based treatment so you can get your life back. If you're struggling with PTSD, reach out to your local military hospital or clinic and make an appointment today. Learn more at health.mil/pt...