Legislature(1995 - 1996)
03/22/1996 05:29 PM House MLV
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
March 22, 1996
5:29 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Ivan Ivan, Co-Chair
Representative Pete Kott, Co-Chair
Representative Ed Willis
Representative Richard Foster
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Eldon Mulder, Vice Chair
Representative Gail Phillips
Representative John Davies
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
* HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 61
Opposing the proposed changes in the functions of the federal
Office of Veterans Affairs in Anchorage.
- PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE
* HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 32
Establishing YUKLA 27 Remembrance Day.
- PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE
(* First public hearing)
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HJR 61
SHORT TITLE: ANCHORAGE VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE
SPONSOR(S): STATE AFFAIRS
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
03/08/96 3029 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
03/08/96 3029 (H) MLV, STATE AFFAIRS
03/22/96 (H) MLV AT 5:00 PM CAPITOL 17
BILL: HCR 32
SHORT TITLE: YUKLA 27 REMEMBRANCE DAY
SPONSOR(S): LABOR & COMMERCE
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
03/08/96 3028 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
03/08/96 3028 (H) MLV
03/22/96 (H) MLV AT 5:00 PM CAPITOL 17
WITNESS REGISTER
TIM ARMSTRONG, Commander
Taku Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Service Officer, Auke Bay American Legion Post
6590 Glacier Highway, Space 101
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 780-6723
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 61
GENE DAW, Past Commander
Taku Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars
P.O. Box 0995
Juneau, Alaska 99802
Telephone: (907) 586-3816
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 61
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 96-5, SIDE A
Number 0025
CO-CHAIR PETE KOTT called the House Special Committee on Military
and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 5:29 p.m. Members
present at the call to order were Representatives Ivan, Kott,
Willis and Foster. Members absent were Representatives Mulder,
Phillips and Davies.
HJR 61 - ANCHORAGE VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE
Number 0067
CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT announced that the first order of business to come
before the committee was HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 61, Opposing
the proposed changes in the functions of the federal Office of
Veterans Affairs in Anchorage.
REPRESENTATIVE ED WILLIS introduced HJR 61, which he stated was
brought to his attention by a group of Anchorage veterans. The
resolution supports continuation of the Anchorage Veterans Affairs
(VA) Regional Office. Alaska's demographics are such that the
state's already large veteran population will continue to increase,
putting even greater demands on the existing office in Anchorage.
The resolution also points to the efficiency rating of the
Anchorage VA office, which is the sixth highest of the 57 regional
VA offices in the nation. HJR 61 also states that moving the
pension and claims functions of the Anchorage office to Reno,
Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona would impact the processing of claims
and applications, and prevent personal access by veterans.
Finally, HJR 61 puts the Alaska legislature on record as opposing
the federal proposal of downsizing the Anchorage VA office and
shifting the functions to other states. Representative Willis
introduced Tim Armstrong and Gene Daw, of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars (VFW).
Number 0306
REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD FOSTER commended Representative Willis for
introducing HJR 61. He stated that at least a dozen veterans had
visited his office to discuss the issue, and that he had spoken
with Colonel John Ritz of Senator Stevens' staff in Washington,
D.C., about the matter. He noted that passage of HJR 61 would make
a strong statement. Representative Foster made a motion that HJR
61, with attached fiscal note and individual recommendations, pass
out of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans'
Affairs.
Number 0395
TIM ARMSTRONG, Commander, Taku Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
(VFW) and Service Officer, Auke Bay American Legion Post, stated
that Gene Daw, Past Commander of the Taku VFW post, wished to
address an issue of concern to veterans.
Number 0460
CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT asked if the proposed testimony was related to HJR
61.
GENE DAW, Past Commander, Taku Post of the VFW, stated that the VFW
is in 100 percent support of HJR 61, but that he also wished to
testify on another matter. He explained that he has been working
with Senator Stevens' office. Senator Stevens has requested that
the VA send an under secretary to Anchorage, to discuss the
proposed relocation. In addition, the under secretary will also
discuss the issue of out-patient treatment for veterans. The VA
plans to put veterans under a Medicare fee schedule. In some areas
of Alaska, this will result in veterans having to pay a portion of
their own medical bills. In the past, for those having a greater
than 50 percent disability, the VA has paid 100 percent of the
bill. Mr. Daw emphasized that Anchorage and Fairbanks would not be
affected by this change, because VA centers are located there,
where the veterans can receive out-patient treatment at no cost.
For veterans in Southeast Alaska or other outlying areas, however,
they must receive out-patient treatment in their own communities.
Number 0662
MR. DAW further testified that when U.S. troops are sent to battle,
they are called the best troops in the world. He asked why
disabled veterans should not receive the best medical treatment.
He reiterated that the VFW supports HJR 61, but that they would
also like to see a resolution related to health care for veterans
in the state. He stated the resolution needs to be passed before
the under secretary's visit to Anchorage, in order to help convince
the VA that it is making a mistake. He further noted that Senator
Stevens is behind the veterans 100 percent, and that passing a
resolution would give him more ammunition.
Number 0769
CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT stated that someone from his staff could assist
Mr. Daw in crafting language for a new resolution. He noted that
the deadline would be tight, due to the five day notice requirement
for hearings.
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER suggested that, since time remaining in the
session is so short, a letter signed by all of the committee
members might be helpful.
CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT noted that a letter would not carry the same
weight as a resolution. He also noted that, because of the dual
subject rule, language regarding the health care issue could not be
incorporated into HJR 61.
Number 0834
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIS concurred that the two issues should be kept
separate.
CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT asked if there was any objection to moving HJR 61
out of the committee. Hearing no objection, HJR 61 was moved out
of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs,
with unanimous consent and attached zero fiscal note.
HCR 32 - YUKLA 27 REMEMBRANCE DAY
Number 0915
CO-CHAIRMAN IVAN IVAN announced that the next order of business to
come before the committee was HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 32,
Establishing YUKLA 27 Remembrance Day.
REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT noted that a bill resembling HCR 32 had
been previously introduced, but at the request of many members, it
was re-drafted as a resolution. He stated that the event referred
to is unmatched within the state, in terms of loss of life and
resources. The resolution includes the provision that copies will
be forwarded to the next of kin of the deceased airmen.
Number 1026
REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD FOSTER made a motion that the committee pass
out the resolution.
CO-CHAIRMAN IVAN announced that, there being no objection, HCR 32
was passed out of the House Special Committee on Military and
Veterans' Affairs, with unanimous consent and attached zero fiscal
note.
CO-CHAIRMAN IVAN then noted that Mr. Daw wished to make a
statement.
Number 1275
MR. DAW then continued his discussion of the proposed reduction to
veteran's benefits. He explained that under the new system, when
a medical care provider presents a bill to the VA, the VA will pay
whatever the normal Medicare payment would be. In Southeast Alaska
and other outlying areas, this would amount to about 60 percent.
Thus, the veteran would be required to pay the remaining 40
percent. He emphasized that, especially for retired disabled
veterans, this would be a real hardship, especially since it is so
unexpected. These veterans have always counted on the VA to pay
their medical bills.
Number 1228
REPRESENTATIVE IVAN suggested that Mr. Daw work with legislative
staff to develop a resolution regarding the issue.
MR. DAW further testified that a meeting regarding the Medicare fee
schedule had been held in Juneau recently, but no veteran's
organization representatives were invited. Only medical care
providers were invited.
Number 1330
MR. ARMSTRONG noted that the meeting was only discovered by
accident, through a comment by a federal building security guard.
No veteran's organizations were notified about the meeting. Even
the local VA affairs representative in the building was not aware
of the meeting until it was actually ongoing.
CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT encouraged Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Daw to work with
his staff, and develop language for a resolution. Co-Chairman Kott
noted that the committee would be happy to expedite such a
resolution.
REPRESENTATIVE IVAN noted that his staff was also available to help
with the resolution.
ADJOURNMENT
Number 1445
There being no further business to come before the House Special
Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Co-Chairman Kott
announced that the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
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