Top 10 Veterans Stories in Today’s News – October 01, 2013

Veterans! Here’s your Top 10 News stories of the day compiled from the latest sources

We encourage you to browse our list so that you can take what you want and keep what you need

 
Government shutdown talks shift from ‘if’ to ‘how long?  As a government shutdown looms, some discussions in the nation’s capital shifted Monday from whether a last-minute deal can be reached to exactly how long and painful a partial shutdown would be for the country.
 
Federal government shutdown to affect federal offices in area.  The News Herald  Workers at the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs wouldn’t be around to process visa and … By MATTHEW BEATON / The News Herald … The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has stocked extra cash away to manage its medical …
Government Shutdown FAQ for Veterans.  Hyperlink to Article The Huffington Post:  At IAVA we’ve heard from a number of veterans concerned about the impact of a possible government shutdown. The following information is based on the latest guidance from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We will update as new information becomes available.
Vet groups: Congress and White House ‘playing chicken’ with lives.  Hyperlink to Article The Washington Post:  Veterans groups have reacted angrily to news that an extended government shutdown will leave the Department of Veterans Affairs unable to make disability compensation and pension payments to veterans.
VA Will Cut Off Disability Payments If Shutdown Lasts A Month.  Hyperlink to Article NextGov:  If a government shutdown continues through the end of October, the Veterans Affairs Department said it will have to cut off disability and education benefits payments, which could cause financial devastation to veterans, according to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Government shutdown: VA backlog at risk.  Hyperlink to Article Politico:  The VA may have to furlough as many as 20,000 claims processors if the White House and Congress aren’t able to agree on a continuing spending resolution to keep the government running past midnight Monday, VoteVets.org founder Jon Soltz said. And the existing claims backlog, which has long been decried by veterans’ advocates, could start to grow again if the shutdown continues for very long.
 
Overseas services might slow, but most won’t stop if gov’t shuts down.  While most services at overseas military bases would continue operating during a federal government shutdown, potential civilian furloughs could slow down or shutter some functions, including reducing American Forces Network television programming.
What’s Changing, What’s Not, In A Shutdown.  Hyperlink to Article NPR (AP):  The Board of Veterans Appeals will stop issuing rulings, meaning decisions about some disability claims by veterans will wait even longer than usual. Interments at national cemeteries will slow. If a shutdown drags on for weeks, disability and pension payments may be interrupted.
 
Medicare, Medicaid Would Keep Running If U.S. Government Shuts.  U.S. News & World Report   Medicare and Medicaid recipients and veterans will … affect any medical programs provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
Michelle Obama urges uninsured veterans to look into exchanges.  Hyperlink to Article Military Times:  The White House distributed a blog post today from [Michelle] Obama asking veterans to sign up for health insurance, either through the Veterans Affairs Department if they qualify or by purchasing it through the new exchanges.
 

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October is National Energy Action Month! The Green Management Program encourages you to do your part to reduce energy at work, home, and during the commute. VA strives to reduce energy and save resources in order to better serve our Veterans. Here are a few ways you can save energy this October and for months to come: At home: Don’t keep the refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37°-40°F for fresh food compartments and 5°F for the freezer section. At work: Use natural lighting, and turn off lights near windows when possible. Your commute: Inflate your tires to the proper recommended pressure (usually listed in the owner’s manual, on a sticker in the glove box, or on the driver’s side doorjamb. Checking this regularly can result in annual savings of more than $1,600!To learn about the Green Management Program and get more energy-saving tips, visit http://www.va.gov/greenroutine. Let us know what you’re doing to take action during National Energy Action Month. Send ideas for how VA can reduce its environmental impact to [email protected].