No more rationed care for veterans, thank you IAVA

Dear readers,

If you signed and helped pass this legislation, you've probably received your own letter from IAVA and Paul. If not, the good news is THEY DID IT! These guys are really on the ball, they passed this new GI Bill, by tapping into the Veterans community on and off line. My hat is off to them and I strongly recommend you get on their e-mail list, so you can help them support all veterans, combat and non-combat, male and female, from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan. Here's the letter they sent explaining more about that recent GI Bill...

Dear Lisa,

I'm writing from Washington, DC, and I have some big news.

The President just signed IAVA's number one legislative priority for the year into law- advance funding for VA healthcare. And it's all because of your support.

Click here to watch a quick video update I recorded at the White House before the signing ceremony, and find out how you played a huge role in today's victory.

The new law requires Congress to pass the VA healthcare budget one year in advance. It means no more rationed care for veterans- regardless of what year it is, or what party is in power. Period.

This is what we've been fighting for since January- and it's a huge win for veterans of all generations.

For the past ten months, you've played a crucial role in this historic process by calling Congress, forwarding emails, making donations, and recruiting others to join the fight. Click here to see how you contributed to this historic victory.

Last year, IAVA made passing a new GI Bill our number one priority. And because of you, we got it done. This year, we chose a new goal, and again, we got it done. You stepped up to the plate, and ensured that the VA will always have a budget that passes on time.

Click here to see how we won this fight together.

Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Paul

Paul Rieckhoff
Executive Director & Founder
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

More exciting news from IAVA and President Obama

Thank you Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA for your hard work on moving the DOD and VA into the computer age and toward a cooperative effort that will benefit us ALL! This new seamless sharing of information and records will: help vets, increase quality of care, decrease waiting time, slash spending and eliminate the waste of unnessasary re-tests and misdiagnosis. Here's more explaination from Mr. Rieckhoff...

"Right now, there is no easy process for transferring service members' medical records from the DOD to the VA when they leave active duty. As a result, some of our most seriously wounded troops are suffering through redundant tests, misdiagnoses, and delayed treatment. This initiative will make medical and military records electronic and transferable, meaning a more streamlined, less bureaucratic process for our injured troops.

But this isn't just a matter of eliminating red tape. This change impacts the health, and lives, of the men and women who have served our country."

Today, IAVA and the nation's leading Veterans Services Organizations stood with President Obama, Secretary Gates and Secretary Shinseki at the White House to renew the nation's commitment to our newest generation of heroes.

Fulfilling two of his campaign promises, President Obama announced his support for advance funding the VA and ensuring a seamless transition between the VA and DOD healthcare, which will have a huge impact on the lives of troops and veterans.

Can you take a minute to join IAVA in thanking President Obama, Secretary Gates and Secretary Shinseki for making veterans and their families a priority? This is an important first step to giving our veterans the health care and benefits they've earned.

Click here to watch a quick video and add your name! http://www2.iava.org/o/436/t/8492/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1906