PHOENIX, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Any plans the Department of
Veterans Affairs has to hire outside contractors to launch a new GI Bill,
or to bring in outside companies to inspect state veterans homes, will face
fierce objection from the world's largest veterans organization. The
American Legion, meeting here for its 90th National Convention, passed
resolutions Monday to head off any intentions VA has to outsource either
the new GI Bill or the inspections.
"Our newest generation of veterans deserve the benefits administered by
the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, not outside contractors," said Marty
Conatser, national commander of The American Legion. "Patients, critics and
most media all cite the outstanding job the VA is doing. Outsourcing is not
the answer."
Reports are circulating that VA is planning to hire an outside company
to implement the Post 9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act - the new GI
Bill - which was signed on June 30 and is expected to take effect Aug. 1,
2009. The new bill dramatically improves education benefits for veterans
and their families, eliminates a $1,200 buy-in now charged to military
personnel and expands services for members of the National Guard and
Reserve components.
Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., told Legionnaires he was surprised and
disappointed that VA may be looking to outsource the GI Bill project. "I
just cannot believe that we'd ever allow this to happen," Mitchell told The
American Legion on Saturday. "The level of service won't be the same."
In the resolution opposing outsourcing the new GI Bill, The American
Legion argued that VA should hire the staff necessary to fulfill the law's
requirements. The Legion, which strongly opposes the movement toward
outsourcing critical services that could be handled internally at VA, also
passed a resolution opposing efforts to hire outside companies to perform
inspections on state veterans homes which have always been performed by
trained VA staff.
Media contacts: Joe March or Craig Roberts at any of the numbers listed
below.
(317) 748-1926 Cell
(317) 441-8847 Cell
SOURCE American Legion
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Related links:
http://www.legion.org
CONTACT:
Joe March or Craig Roberts, +1-317-748-1926
Cell, +1-317-441-8847 Cell, both of American Legion
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