August Veterans Newsletter

Dear Neighbor, 

I am honored to continue serving North County San Diego and South Orange County as your Representative in the 118th Congress. I work everyday with my colleagues in both parties to tackle the challenges that many servicemembers, veterans, and military families of California’s 49th Congressional District encounter.

Since my last veterans’ newsletter, I am pleased to report that I have introduced five pieces of legislation aimed to bolster veterans’ benefits. I take great pride in serving you and will continue to fight for servicemembers to earn a living wage, increased support for transition back to civilian life, and investment in innovation and technology that will keep us ahead of those who want to do our country harm.

As always, I want to hear from you about your priorities and the challenges you face. I encourage you to reach out to my office to share your thoughts and concerns or ask any questions regarding military and veterans’ affairs by visiting levin.house.gov.

Please keep reading for updates on our work and the progress we are making to deliver the benefits and support you deserve, as well as other details on upcoming meetings and events.

Sincerely,

Mike Levin
Member of Congress

Recent Events

Rep. Levin Hosts Hearing Focused on Veteran Homelessness in San Diego Region

On May 5, 2023, Rep. Levin brought Members of Congress together for a House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity field hearing on veteran homelessness in the San Diego region. Regional and local stakeholders provided testimony on housing programs, the challenges unhoused veterans face in obtaining stable, affordable housing, and potential solutions.

Rep. Levin Honors CAPT Kathleen M. Bruyere at Renaming Ceremony

On May 19, 2023, Rep. Levin honored CAPT Kathleen M. Bruyere, USN (Ret.) and her surviving family at a renaming ceremony hosted by the Jennifer Moreno VA Medical Center. The event officially marked the renaming of the third-floor east clinics as the Kathleen M. Bruyere Health Pavilion.

Rep. Levin Hosts Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm on Camp Pendleton

On June 9, 2023, Rep. Levin hosted  Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm on a visit to Camp Pendleton. During the visit, Rep. Levin and Secretary Granholm received briefings from Camp Pendleton’s leadership about the installation’s efforts to implement renewable energy and sustainability projects, highlighting how the Department of Defense is advancing  toward a clean energy future.   

Rep. Levin Recognizes CA-49 Service Academy Appointees

On June 16, 2023, Rep. Levin recognized 14 outstanding young people who received official appointments from the United States Military Academy at West Point, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, and United States Merchant Marine Academy through a nomination from his office. At the event, Rep. Levin met with each future cadet and midshipman, and their families, to commend them for their dedication and future service to the country.

Legislative Update

Five Bipartisan Veterans’ Bills Led by Rep. Levin Introduced

In the last four months, Rep. Levin has introduced or cosponsored five pieces of legislation aimed to increase support of our veterans. The bills are:

1. H.R.1767: Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act, which would restore GI Bill benefits to students whose institutions are found to have engaged in fraudulent behavior. This bill passed out of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on July 26, 2023.
2. H.R. 1786: Get Rewarding Work for our Veterans (GROW) Act, which would establish a pilot program to employ veterans in federal jobs that relate to conservation, resource management, and environmental protection. This bill passed out of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on April 18, 2023, and received a hearing in the House Natural Resources Committee on July 20, 2023.
3. H.R. 2410, Veterans Early Treatment for Chronic Ailment Resurgence through Examinations (VET CARE) Act, which would authorize VA to provide administrative support to non-VA dental providers and direct VA to implement a pilot program to provide free outpatient dental care to eligible veterans.
4. H.R. 3738: Veterans’ Education, Transition, and Opportunity Prioritization Plan (VET OPP) Act, which, without adding any more bureaucracy, would address Veteran Benefits Administration issues concerning a lack of resources dedicated to specific veteran benefits by realigning transition, education, and employment programs at VA under a new administration, the Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.
5. H.R. 3981: Veterans Education Oversight Expansion Act, which would strengthen the reporting requirements of educational entities that are recipients of GI Bill education benefits to boost oversight, foster accountability, and most of all, help veterans access the quality education they deserve. This bill passed out of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on July 26, 2023.

Upcoming Events

District Veteran Service Organization (VSO) Meeting

On Monday, September 25, 2023, at 1:00 PM PT – 2:00 PM, Rep. Levin will host his Quarterly District Veterans Service Organization (VSO) Meeting via Zoom. This meeting will be an opportunity for all district VSOs to share their legislative and local priorities, as well as any potential concerns, with Rep. Levin. Please RSVP by emailing Keon Maluia at keon.maluia@mail.house.gov.

VA Updates

Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act Backdated Compensation Update

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is one of the largest health care and benefit expansions in VA history. Find out more information about the PACT Act and file your claim here.

To avoid being a victim of PACT Act fraud, find helpful tips here.

VA Expands Breast Cancer Screenings and Mammograms for Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that veterans under 40 who may have been exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their service are now eligible for breast cancer risk assessments and mammograms (as clinically appropriate) at VA. Veterans are eligible for these screenings regardless of age, symptoms, family history, and whether they are enrolled in VA health care. Breast cancer is also a presumptive condition under the PACT Act.

Veterans who are interested in the breast cancer risk assessment screenings can contact their VA primary care provider or reach out to their local VA medical center. Veterans can enroll in VA health care here.

Jennifer Moreno VA Medical Center introduces Medical Foster Home Program

The Jennifer Moreno VA Medical Center is pleased to announce the expansion of the Medical Foster Home (MFH) Program into the Southern California service area. Medical Foster Homes provide eligible veterans the option of living in a family setting when they can no longer stay safely in their own home.?

For veterans, Medical Foster Homes are an affordable alternative to nursing homes or assisted living facilities. It is a form of Community Residential Care provided in the Caregiver’s home. The following link provides information on the VA’s Medical Foster Home Program: Medical Foster Homes - Geriatrics and Extended Care (va.gov)

The San Diego VA is actively recruiting interested homeowners or renters who wish to foster and provide care to a veteran in their home.For more information about the San Diego VA MFH program and to apply to become a Caregiver and Home provider, please contact Adrienne McKechnie, LCSW, MFH Program Coordinator at (619) 607-7514.

Veterans can now call 1-800-MYVA411 to report sexual assault or harassment at VA

Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors can now report incidents of sexual assault or sexual harassment at VA facilities by calling 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411, option 9). 

Veterans Resource Center Now Open at Jennifer Moreno VA Medical Center

The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is now open to serve veterans. The VRC is located on the first floor of the Jennifer Moreno VA Medical Center, rooms 1590-1608 (across from the VA Police window). The VRC brings several services together in one location making it more convenient for veterans to get things done.

Among the services provided, veterans have a place to coordinate travel options such as Beneficiary Travel and rides from Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Get information about veteran-centric organizations such as The American Legion, American Veterans (AMVETS), and Veteran Service Officers (VSOs). Get help from the Veteran Experience Program Office, Health Benefits and Enrollment, and Whole Health.

VA and the American Association of Kidney Patients Collaborate

On July 27, 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a new partnership with the American Association of Kidney Patients to improve the everyday lives of veterans with kidney disease in coordination with VA’s Kidney Medicine Program.

Through several new partnerships, VA is poised to expand its range of services, educational resources, and testing capabilities for the one in six veterans who live with chronic kidney disease.