Berkley Urges Veterans Who Served Post-9/11 To Submit Application For New GI Bill Benefits

On-line Form Now Available; Eligibility Begins August 1, 2009

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today (May 1, 2009) encouraged all veterans to go on-line and submit their applications through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for benefits under the recently enacted Post-9/11 GI Bill.

“The original GI Bill helped generations of veterans attend college or buy a home and it strengthened America’s communities and our nation’s economy.  Now its time for the men and women who served following 9/11 to go on-line and sign-up for the GI bill benefits they earned through military service to our nation.  I encourage all those who are eligible to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which includes our Iraq and Afghanistan vets, to visit www.gibill.va.gov and to fill out the proper forms,” said Berkley.

Prospective beneficiaries may apply online through the GI Bill Web site at http://www.gibill.va.gov/.  Qualified veterans will receive a "Certification of Eligibility" as well as additional information regarding benefits they may qualify for under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which will become effective on August 1, 2009.

Veterans, service members, reservists and National Guard members with active duty since September 10, 2001, may be eligible for this benefit. Veterans will remain eligible for benefits for 15 years from the date of last discharge or release from a period of active duty of at least 90 continuous days.

Eligible applicants must have served for an aggregate period of at least 90 days since September 10, 2001, or served at least 30 continuous days on active duty since September 10, 2001, and received a discharge for disability.

Benefit payment rates range from 40 percent of the maximum benefit for a person with at least 90 days, but less than 6 months of aggregate service and up to 100 percent of the benefit for people with at least 36 months of aggregate service or 30 continuous days and a discharge due to a service connected disability.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill, passed by Congress last year, is the most extensive educational assistance program authorized since the original GI Bill was signed into law in

1944. It provides eligible applicants with tuition payments to assist them in getting a college education. For many participants, it also provides a housing allowance and a stipend for books and supplies.

Information about the new program and VA's other educational benefits can be obtained on-line at www.gibill.va.gov or by calling 1-888-GIBILL1 (1-888-442-4551).

Reps. Berkley, Engel Call For Conditions on U.S. Aid to Gaza

Letter Urges Strict Requirements for Gaza Funding

Nevada Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and New York Congressman Eliot Engel are calling for conditions to be placed on any funding the United States provides to the Gaza Strip that could be included in a supplemental spending package now being assembled.  In a letter sent to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, the pair requested that restrictions be placed on $300 million in funding for Gaza that is now being discussed.  Berkley and Engel are asking their colleagues to support a requirement that funding only be provided to Gaza if Hamas renounces terrorism, recognizes Israel’s right to exist and fully honors previous agreements, including cease-fire arrangements. They are also demanding the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

“We are concerned that – in the aftermath of Hamas’ unprovoked attacks on Israel – sending hundreds of millions of dollars to Gaza without conditions will send precisely the wrong message at the wrong time,” the letter states.

“It is, therefore, essential that we not simply write a “blank check” for the Gaza-based Palestinians to continue acting this way. We must instead send a message that the United States will help with the needs of the Palestinians if – and only if – they meet the conditions of the international community to recognize Israel, renounce terrorism, and commit to all agreements they have signed with Israel,” the letter states.

The following is the complete text of the Berkley-Engel letter:

April 28, 2009

The Honorable David R. Obey, Chairman

The Honorable Jerry Lewis, Ranking Member

Committee on Appropriations

H-218, The Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Lewis:

We write to you today regarding the President’s request for supplemental funding in fiscal year 2009.  It has come to our attention that within President Obama’s request is $900 million in funding for the West Bank and Gaza.  We are concerned that – in the aftermath of Hamas’ unprovoked attacks on Israel – sending hundreds of millions of dollars to Gaza without conditions will send precisely the wrong message at the wrong time. 

In late 2008, Hamas intensified its missile attacks on Israel, using Gaza as a launching pad to terrorize the population of Sderot and other communities in southern Israel.  Even after Israel withdrew completely from Gaza in 2005, the unprovoked assault by unguided rockets of terror continued.  The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) finally retaliated against these attacks, after showing incredible restraint for many years, destroying a great deal of Hamas’ infrastructure within Gaza.  While the IDF attempted to minimize civilian casualties, there was damage to many areas in Gaza.  The blame for this, however, rests firmly on Hamas’ shoulders, as they began the unprovoked shelling on Israeli cities and were warned repeatedly that the continued shelling would bring a strong response from Israel.  Further, Hamas conducted its combat operations from heavily-populated civilian areas and, thus, was responsible for the protection of the civilians in the area.  Indeed, this use of unarmed men, women, and children as human shields was shocking and disgraceful.

It is, therefore, essential that we not simply write a “blank check” for the Gaza-based Palestinians to continue acting this way.  We must instead send a message that the United States will help with the needs of the Palestinians if – and only if – they meet the conditions of the international community to recognize Israel, renounce terrorism, and commit to all agreements they have signed with Israel.  Not only has Hamas failed to meet any of these conditions, it has not stopped raining rockets on Israeli territory and still holds captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.  It is essential that we condition our funding for Gaza on Hamas’ complying with these basic demands.  Without such links, Palestinians will see the U.S. as providing aid while Hamas continues to terrorize the Israeli people, with no consequences from the U.S. government.

We urge you to condition our funding on reciprocal actions from Hamas.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter.  We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Shelley Berkley

Member of Congress

Eliot Engel

Member of Congress

Berkley, Kirk Work To Stop Devastating Cut In Payments To Doctors Who Treat Medicare Patients

Letter to House Leadership Signed by Bipartisan Group of 90 Reps

Seeking to protect access to the doctor for millions of Americans covered under Medicare, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and Congressman Mark Kirk -- joined by 88 colleagues -- have authored a letter to Speaker of the House Pelosi and Minority Leader Boehner expressing support for reforming the physician payment system.  Unless Congress acts this year, physicians face a 21% cut in the amount they are reimbursed under Medicare, leaving patients across the U.S. in jeopardy of losing access to their regular doctors.

“With your leadership, we believe Congress can come together to avert next year’s cut and initiate reforms that not only preserve, but also improve Americans’ access to the care that only a qualified physician can provide,” the letters states.

Berkley, Kirk and their colleagues are seeking bipartisan support from House leadership for efforts to eliminate the scheduled cut in Medicare physician reimbursement rates and for reform of the system to address the reimbursement issue over the long term.        

“We ask for your support and leadership in enacting legislation this year that would provide a positive Medicare update for all physicians in 2010 and would initiate payment reform to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries—and all Americans—will be able to access the care they depend on their physicians to provide,” states the letter signed by the 90 Member of Congress.

The letter raises concerns, however, about limiting payments to some types of physicians as a way to increases payments for other care services.

“One idea we cannot support is a proposal to finance increased reimbursement for one physician specialty or one set of physician services by simply cutting reimbursement for all others.  While we must find ways to help Americans better manage their care, we do not support proposals that would establish a reimbursement structure that would threaten patients’ access to the life-saving care that other physician specialties are trained to provide,” states the letter.

The following is the full text of the Berkley-Kirk letter.  A list of the 88 co-signers is available upon request.    

April 30, 2009

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Speaker

H-232, US Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable John Boehner   

Republican Leader

H-204, US Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader Boehner:

We write to express our concern about the Medicare physician payment system and the effect that future Medicare payment cuts would have on Americans’ ability to obtain important medical care.  We ask for your support and leadership in enacting legislation this year that would provide a positive Medicare update for all physicians in 2010 and would initiate payment reform to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries—and all Americans—will be able to access the care they depend on their physicians to provide.

Unless Congress acts, Medicare physician payments will be cut 21.5 percent next year and by more than 40 percent over the next decade.  These cuts are required by the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula used to calculate Medicare physician reimbursement.  In 2002, the SGR led to a 5.4 percent reduction in Medicare physician payments, and only Congressional action has prevented further reductions.  Even though Congress stopped these cuts, Medicare payments have not kept pace with rising costs of medical practice, and the uncertainty surrounding Medicare reimbursement from one year to the next threatens patients’ access to care by undermining the ability of physicians to plan for the future.

Many ideas have been offered about how to reform Medicare’s physician payment system, including resetting the SGR baseline, removing physician-administered drugs from the calculation of the SGR, basing payments on a measure of practice costs, and building on physician-led quality improvement efforts. One idea we cannot support is a proposal to finance increased reimbursement for one physician specialty or one set of physician services by simply cutting reimbursement for all others.  While we must find ways to help Americans better manage their care, we do not support proposals that would establish a reimbursement structure that would threaten patients’ access to the life-saving care that other physician specialties are trained to provide.

It is clear that the Medicare payment system is broken and Congress must act this year.  With your leadership, we believe Congress can come together to avert next year’s cut and initiate reforms that not only preserve, but also improve Americans’ access to the care that only a qualified physician can provide.

Sincerely,

SHELLEY BERKLEY                                                             MARK KIRK

Member of Congress                                                    Member of Congress

Obama Budget Slashes Wasteful Spending On Yucca Mountain

Dump Proposal on Last Legs as Funding Fades

Calling it a project near collapse, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today (May 7, 2009)pledged to help President Obama slash wasteful spending on the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump.  In its latest budget -- released earlier today -- the Obama administration is seeking to slash funding for the failed Yucca Mountain project to $197 million, a sum that reflects President Obama’s commitment to ending efforts to turn Nevada into a nuclear waste dump. 

 “Slashing Yucca Mountain’s budget not only reduces wasteful spending, it takes us one step closer to finally eliminating this threat to the future of Nevada.  President Obama is making good on the promise he made to end Yucca Mountain and this budget takes us closer than ever before to permanently burying this $100 billion dinosaur in the Nevada desert,” said Berkley.  “Support for Yucca Mountain has collapsed -- in part because of its $100 billion price tag -- and a safe alternative to dumping this waste in Nevada clearly exists.”    

 “Rather than continuing to waste billions of dollars on a pile of radioactive pork, we need to move forward on securing America’s nuclear waste at existing sites where it can safely remain in hardened containers for the next 100 years.  There is simply no need to move this waste and every reason to keep it off America’s roads and railways given the danger of an accident or deliberate terrorist strike,” said Berkley.