General

P.L. 116-23 – Navy Blue Water Vietnam Veterans Act TREA continues to be briefed on VA s implementation plan to provide benefits to these newly eligible veterans. TREA is advocating begin the processing of claims as soon as possible and not wait until January 1, 2020. Budget and Debt Limit Deal Reached Congress and the Trump Administration announced on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, that a two-year budget and debt limit deal has been reached. Speaker... Read More

Defense Health Agency continues to transform the Military Health System TREA is pleased to provide the June 2019 TRICARE Online Patient Portal Secure Messaging toolkit. The toolkit offers a variety of products about TOL PP, including a fact sheet, step-by-step info sheet, posters, and a flyer and brochure. Access the toolkit using the link: https://www.trea.org/TREA/Resources/Important%20Links%20and%20Document%20Library/TREA/Important%20Links%20and%20Document%20Library.aspx?hkey=82e6a804-c61e-46ca-8a45-a61c9f44cb5e... Read More

House of Representatives Passes National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) The House passed its version of the annual defense bill on July 12, 2019, by a vote of 220-197, along party lines. The $733 billion defense spending bill is the largest in American history. Provisions call for curbing presidential war powers, a 3.1 percent troop pay raise and repeals of the controversial Widow's Tax and Feres Doctrine. The House and Senate will now try to craft... Read More

TREA joins Toxic Exposure in the American Military Working Group In June, TREA joined a new coalition of 13 VSOs/MSOs to address the issue of toxic exposure. The T oxic E xposures in the A merican M ilitary (TEAM) coalition will research currently available data to develop resources and advocate for additional exposure treatment for veterans and active duty service members. There are more than 165,000 veterans enrolled in the VA's Burn Pit Registry -... Read More

TREA REPORTS GOOD NEWS FOR VIETNAM VETERANS Senate clears Navy Blue Water Bill Measure goes to President for Signature On June 12, 2019, the Senate cleared legislation, H.R. 299, that would expand disability compensation for Vietnam-era veterans who have been unfairly denied benefits for illnesses linked to Agent Orange exposure for decades. The House passed the bill on May 14 on a 410-0 vote. The Senate action sends the bill to the President to sign... Read More

TREA "The Enlisted Association" Washington Update • DOJ Decides not to Appeal the Decision in Procopio TREA "The Enlisted Association" Washington Update DOJ Decides not to Appeal the Decision in Procopio GOOD NEWS FOR NAVY BLUE WATER VETERANS The Solicitor General submitted a motion to SCOTUS to dismiss Gray v. Wilkie as a moot case, as DoJ has decided not to appeal the decision in Procopio. This means Procopio is now law of the land:... Read More

TREA Members -- MISSION Act begins June 6, 2019 VA health care options are expanding and TREA is sharing important information to keep you informed! These changes may provide you with the option to see private sector care providers, if you meet the eligibility criteria described below. Here is a brief summary about the changes and what they mean to you. Additional information will be posted on TREA s Website at www.trea.org VA Health Care... Read More