November '09 Nevada Government—Shelley Berkley Column

Berkley Bills Will Modernize
Burial Benefits For America’s Veterans

** Increase Needed to Help Cover
the Rising Cost of Final Arrangements **

(November 9, 2009 – Washington, D.C.) Responding to the rising cost of final arrangements for America’s veterans and their loved ones, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV) has introduced legislation to update burial and marker benefit payments administered through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Veterans who proudly served our nation are entitled to benefit payments to help cover the cost of their final arrangements. But over time, inflation has eroded the purchasing power of these payments, leaving it to families and states to cover any extra costs,” said Berkley.

The Burial Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 4045) increases payments to match the same percentage of burial costs that were covered in 1973 when the benefits were initiated.

“Veterans deserve to be laid to rest with full recognition of their military service and by increasing these benefits, we can defray costs for families who might otherwise be unable to cover such an expense. My legislation increases payments so that veterans and their loved ones can have peace of mind when planning for their final arrangements,” said Berkley.

Specifically, The Burial Benefits Improvement Act:

Increases the Department of Veterans Affairs plot allowance from $300 to $745 for veterans who are buried in a state veterans cemetery or a private cemetery;
Increases the burial allowance from $2,000 to $4,100 for veterans who die as a result of service-connected injuries; and
Increases the burial allowance from $300 to $1,270 for a veteran whose cause of death is not related to military service.

In addition to updating burial assistance benefit payments, Berkley has introduced separate legislation (H.R. 4044) that restores an allowance for the purchase of a gravestone or other funeral marker.

“Whether it’s a veteran who served in World War II or one who fought in Iraq or Afghanistan, this enhanced allowance will help ease the burden on families who are already coping with the loss of a loved one,” said Berkley. “These men and women earned their benefits through military service to our nation and we owe it them in return to make sure these payments retain the proper value over time.”

In 1972, the law creating the National Cemetery Administration included a provision authorizing a burial plot allowance as a means to offset demands on national cemeteries and as recognition of the personal, religious and ethnic preferences of veterans. Subsequent legislation established additional forms of burial assistance, including a cash reimbursement to veterans and their families who preferred to purchase their own marker or headstone for placement in a private cemetery.

In 1990, Congress eliminated the marker allowance and curtailed eligibility of wartime veterans to receive the plot allowance unless they were receiving VA compensation, pension benefits, or if they died of service connected injuries. The Berkley bill restores these benefits to veterans of any war who have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, as was the case prior to 1990.

Berkley: Health Care Reform Package Will Expand
And Protect Coverage For Nevada Families

(November 7, 2009 – Washington, D.C.) Congresswoman Shelley Berkley spoke today from the House floor in support of legislation that will increase access to affordable health coverage for Nevadans and end the ability for insurers to exclude those with pre-existing medical conditions. The House is expected to pass The Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) later tonight.

Berkley Statement

“I rise today in support of this piece of legislation that will expand health care coverage to millions of my fellow Americans.

“The way we provide health care in this country is unsustainable. In Nevada the cost of a private family health insurance plan is expected to grow from over $11,000 in 2009 to more than $19,000 in 10 years from now. If we do nothing we will reach a point in this country where hardly anyone will be able to afford health insurance.

“This bill is good for Nevada. Over 400,000 uninsured Nevadans will be able to get health insurance because of this bill.

This bill is good for Nevada seniors. it closes the doughnut hole, eliminates cost pays for preventive services and extends the life of Medicare over five years.

“The bill isn't perfect, doesn’t contain a provision to protect bone density tests I fought for and doesn't fix the Medicare physician payment system and we must fix both, but I do support this for the needed reforms that are included. It’s a great first step. Faye Schwartzer in Las Vegas, Nevada, this is for you.”

The Affordable Health Care for America Act

If you have insurance, this bill:

Keeps your insurance company from denying you care or coverage—or charging you moremdash;because of diabetes, heart disease or any other “pre-existing condition.”
Gives you peace of mind that you won’t lose coverage if you lose your job, move, or change jobs.
Prevents insurance companies from dropping you because you get “too sick.”
Covers preventive care with no co-pays or deductibles.
Limits out-of-pocket expenses your insurance company can make you pay.

If you don’t have insurance, this bill:

Lets you comparison shop for a quality, affordable health plan through a new health insurance exchange or marketplace.
Offers you low group rates even for individual coverage.
Helps lower your premiums with affordability credits for those who need help paying.
Prevents any insurance company from denying you coverage for heart disease, diabetes or another “pre-existing condition.”
Extends coverage for young Americans, allowing them to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans up to their 27th birthday if they choose.
Includes a public health insurance option to compete on a level playing field with private insurers.

For our seniors, this bill:

Strengthens Medicare, extending its solvency for years to come.
Improves access to your doctor.
Lowers Medicare drug prices by beginning to close the coverage gap or “donut hole” immediately.
Reduces inefficiencies and program costs to help Medicare remain solvent without cutting benefits.
Improves coordination and increases the quality of care for seniors with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions.