59,000 Vets to Regain Pay
New bill backed by 20 groups and 71% of veterans aims to end unfair offset and restore benefits to combat-injured vets and their families
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is urging Congress to pass the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, a comprehensive bill that includes over 60 pieces of legislation to support veterans and their families. The bill aims to address various issues, including the offset of earned retirement pay for combat-injured veterans and the provision of benefits for surviving spouses and caregivers.
One of the key provisions of the bill is the Major Richard Star Act, which would end an unjust offset forcing over 59,000 combat-injured veterans to forfeit earned retirement pay. This change would have a significant impact on the lives of these veterans, who have been waiting for years for this fix.
The Take Care of America's Veterans Act would also help family caregivers rebuild their financial and professional futures after years of sacrifice in support of veterans. Additionally, the bill would allow surviving spouses to retain critical benefits by removing arcane remarriage penalties, and increase Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for all survivors, with special attention to ensuring surviving spouses of veterans with ALS receive the benefits they deserve.
Furthermore, the bill would fund community programs working to prevent veteran suicide, a critical issue that affects many veterans and their families. The Take Care of America's Veterans Act would use projected savings from changes to the VA disability system regarding sleep apnea and tinnitus to pay for its programs.
MOAA is one of over 20 stakeholder organizations that support the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, and a recent survey by Mission Roll Call found 71 percent of veterans support the bill. With over 350,000 members, MOAA is a strong advocate for the rights and benefits of veterans and their families.
## Why it matters The Take Care of America's Veterans Act is a critical piece of legislation that has the potential to improve the lives of thousands of veterans and their families. The bill addresses various issues that have been pending for years, and its passage would be a significant step towards fulfilling the nation's promises to its veterans. The stakes are high, and the veteran community cannot wait for Congress to take action. With the support of over 20 organizations and 71 percent of veterans, the bill has a strong chance of passing, and its impact would be felt by veterans and their families across the country.
