Latest news with #TeamRedWhiteandBlue
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
VA To Extend Veteran Assistance Program Through 2028
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced plans to extend eligibility for its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) to include more so-called "legacy" Veterans and their caregivers, a move expected to benefit thousands who served before 2001. Newsweek contacted the VA for comment via email on Sunday. Why It Matters The expansion, set to take effect later this year, will make permanent the eligibility of caregivers for Veterans who were already receiving support before recent policy changes. Previously, many of these "legacy" participants—Veterans injured or seriously ill due to service before 9/11—faced uncertainty about whether they would continue to qualify under updated guidelines. What To Know The VA is the second-largest federal department in the U.S, with a workforce of around 470,000, a quarter of them Veterans themselves. It provides disability benefits to approximately 6.2 million Veterans nationwide. A former U.S. military soldier and volunteer member of Team Red White and Blue serving as an honor guard stands at attention during the Memorial Day ceremony on May 31, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough... A former U.S. military soldier and volunteer member of Team Red White and Blue serving as an honor guard stands at attention during the Memorial Day ceremony on May 31, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. MoreThe PCAFC offers eligible caregivers financial stipends, access to health insurance, mental health counseling, respite care, and training in medical and caregiving tasks. The program was initially created for post-9/11 Veterans but was expanded in recent years to include those who served before May 7, 1975. Veterans who served between 1975 and 2001 were expected to be phased in later, a timeline that caused frustration for many. "The new rule will extend program eligibility for legacy participants, legacy applicants and their family caregivers for three years while VA continues the rulemaking process to refine the program. The extension will ensure that legacy participants and applicants can maintain their benefits and stability during this time," the VA said in a statement. "Legacy participants are Veterans, service members, and their family caregivers who were participating in PCAFC as of Sept. 30, 2020, and legacy applicants are Veterans, service members, and their family caregivers who applied for PCAFC before Oct. 1, 2020, and were accepted into the program on or after Oct. 1, 2020." With this new announcement, the VA aims to eliminate gaps in support and provide continuity of care to those who were already approved under the older criteria. The agency also stated it will streamline reassessments and reduce administrative burdens for caregivers. Veteran advocacy groups will no doubt welcome the news. As reported by Newsweek, the VA also recently announced a temporary expansion of burial benefits for certain veterans and their families. Recipients will see a temporary increase of these benefits thanks to the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, known as the Dole Act. This benefit from the Dole Act will mean eligible veterans will have their full burial costs covered. Veterans will also be impacted by President Donald Trump's recent budget bill, as reported by Newsweek. Veterans' programs have historically received bipartisan support and consistent funding increases. Trump's proposed budget continues that trend, with an $83 billion boost over the prior year, largely for mandatory medical care and benefits payouts. House Republicans are proposing a $453 billion bill for the VA in fiscal year 2026. While the bill maintains key benefits for Veterans, it also includes a number of changes that could affect how some services are delivered and funded. The new spending measures, part of the sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill passed by the House in May, come as the VA faces a wave of changes, including staff cuts that have triggered protests nationwide. However, the bill's inclusion of policy items tied to reproductive health, firearm access, and vaccine mandates could limit or reshape access to VA services. What People Are Saying VA Secretary Doug Collins in the announcement: "Legacy caregivers have helped shape VA's Caregiver Support Program for many years. This decision underscores VA's commitment to Veterans and caregivers across the nation and will help provide consistency and stability to nearly 15,000 legacy participants for years to come." What Happens Next More detailed guidance is likely to be issued by the VA in the coming weeks. Current participants in the program are encouraged to stay in contact with their local Caregiver Support Coordinators for updates.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Makes you proud to be an American': Veterans running across US reach East TN
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Over the course of the last two weeks, a dozen military veterans have been running across the country raising money and awareness for veteran health services. Team Red, White and Blue started planning the Old Glory Ultra Relay last year. They started running in San Diego and have their sights set on Washington D.C. On Thursday night, one of the runners made their way through Turkey Creek. Team Red White and Blue is an organization that provides health and wellness opportunities to military veterans. The Old Glory Ultra Relay showcases what veterans are capable of when they return home. Ribbon cut on new 264-home neighborhood in North Knoxville 'We really decided that we wanted to do something impactful and epic and show the American people what veterans are capable of,' said Team Red, White and Blue deputy director John Pinter. 'Health and wellness is not good in America in general right now, I don't think that's any secret. It's actually worse in the veteran community. For the first time really since they've ever been recording it, veterans are more unhealthy than the general population.' State Senator Richard Briggs of Knoxville has nearly 40 years of active and reserve military service. He came out to Turkey Creek as a runner came through. Briggs said it makes him proud to be an American to see how peopled reacted to the runners. Over 33,000 applications submitted on first day of Tennessee school voucher program 'People were getting out of their cars. They were cheering and they were waving,' Briggs said. 'We watch these things that happen on television, we think maybe our country is divided and will never be the same. You see these guys running across the country and carrying a flag from California to Washington D.C., you see how ordinary citizens are reacting. It makes you proud to be an American and gives you hope that America will continue to be the greatest country in the world.' The group has been met with widespread public support across the country. 'We have been met with nothing but support from the American people. It's been really, really meaningful to kind of see what that's like,' Pinter said. 'Schools, little kids, I mean everyone has been super supportive of this and it really kind of recharges your batteries. I think as veterans we were all like 'hey this is the America we signed up to defend.' ▶ See more top stories on The 12 runners are broken up into four teams each group running an eight-hour shift. I was told there is non-stop movement as someone is on the ground running 24 hours a day until they get to D.C. Pinter said they expect to be in Kingsport by 10:00 a.m. Friday and are hoping to be in Washington D.C. by Sunday afternoon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
