NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE VETERANS HOMES “Caring for America’s Heroes”

1. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE VETERANS HOMES“Caring for America’s Heroes” CAPITOL HILL ISSUES AND ANSWERS February, 2012

2. Legislative Session Overview Review of NASVH 2012 Priorities DC update and HR 2074 Overview by Peter Dickinson HR 2074 Call to Action by Maine Veterans Homes’ John Larouche and Kelly Kash Legislative Packet Final Review and Assembly

3. Prior To Your Congressional Visits • Review all documents: • Background Paper for HR 2074 • Letter to Senators Murray and Burr • Memo on how to move the Senate letter • Sample Thank You letter • Meeting with your Legislator Overview • Feedback form • Capitol Campus Map • Cost of Care to the VA and Reception Invite Card • Have a good understanding of the NASVH priorities • Understand the impact current state 70% legislation has on your home and future state

4. Priority 1Modification of Enhanced Per Diem Program(70% Service Connected Veterans Legislation) • Work on this legislation dates to 2006 • Action and follow up needed NOW • HR 2074 will be discussed in greater detail

5. Priority 2100M Veterans Homes Construction Grant Program • President’s Budget is 85M • State economies are showing signs of recovery • Construction brings jobs and state legislatures are willing to invest • States that deferred projects are going back on the cue • List of new projects is growing • Current Priority list leaves

6. Priority 3Publishing Final Rules that Address Adult Day Health and Domiciliary Care • Rules have been in the VA concurrence process for over two years • Only one active ADHC in the country, Long Island VH • Adult Day Health and Domiciliary Care are critical, now more than ever, in addressing recently returning veteransand preventing homelessness • ADHC is a needed care line to enhance quality of life and keep veterans living at home longer

7. Priority 4Consolidation of Duplicative Surveys for State Veterans Homes by VA • Over 50% of State Veterans Homes have two compliance surveys each year; DVA and CMS • Surveys are largely repetitious, resulting in unnecessary duplication and expense to the taxpayer • CMS surveys 186 care standards, while VA surveys 158 care standards • All of VA’s surveyed standards approximate CMS standards with the exception of eight. 

8. Next Steps • Legislative Reception • 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm • Cannon Office Building, Room 334 • Hill Visits Tracking Form • Complete a Form for Each Visit • Return to Alfie Alvarado ASAP • NASVH and You • Assist with Follow-Up Actions • Facilitate Next Year’s Legislative Agenda • Thank You Notes • Revisit Your Visit • Revisit Your Legislative Agenda • Reference Your Visit Next Year

9. Questions and Answers Contact: Alfie Alvarado NASVH Legislative Officer alfie@dva.wa.gov (360 791-4339 Together, we are… “Caring for America’s Heroes”