VFW Veterans Advocacy Workshop

1. VFW Veterans Advocacy Workshop

2. Current Crisis Access to Health Care • Veterans off Waiting lists • Timely, Quality health care • Appointment Scheduling • Culture of cover-up • Functional scheduling IT system

3. Current Crisis Accountability • VA must hold those responsible accountable • Broken trust • Illnesses going untreated • Prosecute to the full extent of the law • Restore confidence in the system

4. A System Worth Saving VA Health Care System • Provides care for unique health care needs • Mental health • Prosthetics • War injuries and illnesses • Veterans are generally satisfied with VA care

5. Update on Capitol Hill Pass Legislation • Access and Accountability Act • National Defense Authorization Act • Appropriations Confirm New Secretary • Senate must hold hearing and vote Congressional Voting Accountability Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission • February 2015

6. November 2014 Election • Open Posts to candidates and members • Town hall meetings, debates, candidate forums • Insist Veterans and military quality of life issues are discussed • Attend Candidate forums or town hall meetings • Ask hard questions • Where do you stand on military quality of life issues • What are you doing/ or will you do to ensure veterans are receiving timely, quality health care

7. What Makes a Good Advocate • Understand the issues • Where to get up-to-date information • Action Corps Weekly, blog, testimony • Not just your story • Your story included in the big picture • Share that information • With Post, Auxiliary, family, other supporters • Build a network of advocates

8. Good Advocate • Engage with you members of Congress • Receive and respond to Action Alerts • Action alert numbers go here • Contact district office staff • They hear from constituents and work to solve local issues • Keep your network informed • Follow-up on Action Alerts • Hold them accountable • Let others know how they voted

9. Discussion