NATIONAL

•    “Wounded Veteran Tax”: This legislative effort which has been going on since 2020 would allow approximately 54,000 “medically-retired” Veterans with less than 20 years of Active Duty to receive both their full retirement pay and VA “Disability Compensation!” Sound familiar? The major delay in getting it passed sis due to its projected cost. For instance, Sen Ron Johnson (R-WI) argues that the “original” estimate of $9.7B is actually $70B now! MOAA states that Johnson’s estimate of the total estimated cost is wrong because it includes  ALL military medical retirees while the proposal would only apply to “medical retirees who are eligible for Combat Related Special Compensation “and would cost approximately $11B over TEN years! It’s my personal opinion that enacting this Legislative effort is long overdue and is most worthy of our support!

•    “Love Lives On Act of 2025’: When a Military member dies , the financial benefits thei surviving family members expect to receive are really only conditional because the Surviving Spouse “may not remarry before age 55” without losing significant financial benefits! This legislative initiative would end what has become known as the “remarriage penalty!”  
•    Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Billet Cuts: The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) currently under consideration extends “halts” to medical billet cuts fo 10 years and   extends notification requirements for any MTF restructuring plans to include an  endorsement from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Surgeon General!
 

STATE

•    “Unscrupulous” VA Claims Representatives: As publicized in an “E-Mail Alert” message we sent out on March 27th, the MOAA Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) urged all MOAA Chapters in Virginia to communicate with the Governor’s office to express strong opposition to legislative proposals (SB 315 and HB 398) which would allow “non-certified” and, in some cases, “unscrupulous” organizations from performing as “VA Claims representatives.” These Bills will become law if the Governor either approves the Bills OR does nothing NLT April 13th! All members are urged to contact the Governor’s office urging her to VETO the legislative proposals ASAP by either calling the “Governor’s Comment Line” at (804) 786-2211 or by using the online “Contact Form”: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/contact/

•    Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP): This program which was established in 1930 to provide educational assistance to surviving dependents of service members and disabled veterans is undergoing considerable attention. Program costs for tuition waivers and stipends have increased significantly over the years and ,as a result, there is considerable disagreement in the Virginia General Assembly about its future. The program is currently funded through June 30, 2026. As of this date, the program is not funded after that date; however, a special session of the General Assembly is scheduled in April  to address funding for the program in order to keep it running for at least the next two years! 

•    State Income Exemptions for USPHS & NOAA Commissioned Corps Retirees: Proposed legislation would have expanded those eligible for exemptions for retired Military members  to include approximately 358 Virginia residents from these two groups. The proposal was rejected!