July 2001 Newsletter, Disabled American Veterans, Department of New York

Disabled American Veterans Department of New York, 200 Atlantic Avenue, Lynbrook, New York 11563

NEWSLETTER
A PUBLICATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK
Volume 10, Number 7, July 2001, PAGE 2 of 4

A "FAMILY FRIENDLY" BENEFITS BILL - PASSED AND ON ROUTE TO "W" FOR OK
Edward G. Galian, Department Adjutant

Just before Memorial Day was a fitting time for the House to pass a "family-friendly" benefits bill expanding health and insurance coverage for surviving dependents of veterans and servicemembers, House VA Committee Chairman Chris Smith (NJ-4) said Thursday.

"This bill is a reminder of what is owed to the survivors of our servicemen and women, and although much remains to be done by this Congress, it is a harbinger of what we can accomplish to keep our commitment to veterans," Congressman Chris Smith said after passage of the the Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvements Act of 2001. The amended H.R. 801, is now at the White House for the President's signature.

Here's what it will do:

Expand health coverage under the Civilian Health and Medical Program-Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) for survivors of veterans who died from a service-connected disability. Under this measure, CHAMPVA beneficiaries who are Medicare-eligible would receive coverage similar to "TRICARE for Life" improvements Congress gave to Department of Defense beneficiaries last year. Such coverage would be automatic for CHAMPVA beneficiaries already eligible for Medicare on the date of enactment. Future Medicare-eligible CHAMPVA beneficiaries would have to obtain Medicare Part B coverage before receiving the new benefit.

Expand the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program to include spouses and children. Spousal coverage could not exceed $100,000 and child coverage could not exceed $10,000. Upon termination of SGLI, the spouse's policy could be converted to a private life insurance policy.

Make the effective date of increased maximum SGLI coverage from $200,000 to $250,000 retroactive to October 1, 2000. This would provide increased benefits to survivors of servicemembers who died in recent training accidents or acts of terrorism while on duty.

Require the VA to make eligible dependents aware of VA services through the media and other outreach efforts.

We thank Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and Ranking Member Lane Evans for their work and support for this legislation.

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