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2012 Federal Elections & Veterans Programs Outlook

A comprehensive overview of the impact of the 2012 Federal Elections on veterans programs, budget outlook, and legislative priorities, highlighting key leadership changes, budget obstacles, and policy reforms. Explore the challenges and opportunities facing veterans' healthcare, claims processing, and long-term care programs in the current political landscape. Stay informed on the latest developments, funding prospects, and areas of focus for improving services to veterans.

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2012 Federal Elections & Veterans Programs Outlook

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  1. 113thCongress: Political Environment and Outlook

  2. Results of the 2012 Federal Elections The Status Quo Prevails • President Obama Re-Elected to Second Term • Winning Percentage Drops from 53% to 51% • Democrats Retain Control of the Senate • Pick Up Two Net Seats (55 D&I to 47 R) • Republicans Retain Control of the House • Net Loss of Eight Seats (232 R to 200 D) • VA Secretary Shinseki Stays for Second Term

  3. Results of the 2012 Federal Elections Some Changes in Congressional Leadership • Sen. Sanders (D-VT) Assumes VA Committee Chair • Senator Burr (R-NC) Remains Ranking Member • Most Committee Members Return to SVAC • Rep. Miller (R-FL) Remains House VA Chairman • Rep. Michaud (D-ME) Becomes New Ranking Member • Wholesale Changes in Committee Membership, Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Slots • Sen. Murray (D-WA) Becomes New Budget Chairman

  4. Results of the 2012 Federal Elections Is Gridlock the New Status Quo in DC? • Can Divided Government Work Together? • Early Partisan Battles on Debt Ceiling and Sequestration • Will Budget Crisis Affect Veterans Funding? • Advance Appropriations and Ruling on Sequestration Provide Some Protection for VA Benefits and Programs This Year • Will Electoral Politics Block New Policy Changes? • Non-Stop Congressional Election Cycle • 2016 Presidential Campaign Already Underway

  5. Budget Outlook for Veterans Programs No Resolution to Continuing Budget Crisis • Congress Failed (Again!) to Pass Budget on Time • Late 15 of Last 16 Years, 21 of Last 24 • FY 2013 Continuing Resolution Expires April 1st • Most Agencies and Programs Funded at FY 2012 Levels • VA Funded at Proposed FY 2013 Levels (4.5% Increase) • VA Medical Care $1.5 Billion Below IB Recommendation • Will Advance Appropriations Advance? • VA Health Care Has Full Year FY 2013 Appropriation • BUT, FY 2014 Advance NOT Yet Approved

  6. Budget Outlook for Veterans Programs Budget Obstacle Course Ahead • Sequestration First Hurdle for New Congress • VA Exempted from Virtually All Automatic Cuts • BUT NOT Employment & Training Programs in DOL • Appropriations for Second Half of FY 2013 • VBA Funded at Increased 2013 Request Level • FY 2014 Advance Appropriations Must Be Approved • VA Must End Reliance on Old or New Gimmicks • (i.e. - “Operational Improvements”)

  7. Budget Outlook for Veterans Programs Administration’s New FY 2014 VA Budget Plan • President Delayed Budget Past February Deadline • Will Not Arrive Until March; Congress May Not Wait • FY 2014 Proposal Likely to Track FY 2013 Proposal • Advance Appropriation for FY 2014 Expected to Remain • 3.3% Increase for Medical Care Funding • Other Discretionary Accounts Expect Level Funding • Mandatory Funding Will Continue Rising

  8. Budget Outlook for Veterans Programs

  9. Budget Outlook for Veterans Programs

  10. Budget Outlook for Veterans Programs

  11. State Home Construction Grants Also Decreased

  12. Legislative Outlook for Veterans Programs Congressional Priorities • VA Health Care Funding • H.R. 803 - Putting Veterans First Act Reps. Miller (FL) and Michaud (ME) • Infrastructure / Construction Issues • New CBO Lease Scoring • Waste, Fraud and Abuse in All VA Spending • Mental Health Care, PTSD & Suicide • Claims Processing Reform • Veterans Transition to Employment

  13. Policy Outlook for Veterans Programs VA Long Term Care Programs • LTSS – Long Term Services and Support • Increasing Focus on Non-Institutional Care • VISN and VAMC’s “Rebalancing” LTSS • Local Re-Allocation of Resources

  14. Policy Outlook for Veterans Programs VBA Claims Processing Reform • Secretary’s Goal for 2015: End the Backlog • All Claims within 125 Days, 98% Accuracy • People, Processes and Technology • New Smart, Paperless IT System • VBMS, SEP, VRM • New Organizational Model for VAROs • FDC, DBQ, SNL • Training, Testing and Quality Control

  15. Working With VSOs for Success • The Independent Budget (VFW, DAV, PVA & AMVETS) • Budget Recommendations • Policy Recommendations • NASVH Endorses IB • IB Supports NASVH Recommendations • Major VSOs Tremendously Influential in DC • Testifying at Virtually All Congressional Hearings • Close Relationships with Congressional Staff • Collaborating with VBA on Claims Reform • VSO Resolutions Often Come From Local Chapters • Summer Conventions Adopt Resolutions • State, Local Conventions in Spring

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