Date: 01/20/2006
Final
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Division of Veterans Affairs
COMMITTEE ON JOINT STATE VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
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10:07 AM -- Call To Order
The meeting was called to order by Representative Weissmann.
10:08 AM -- Division of Veterans Affairs
Bill Belz, director of the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs, briefed the joint committee on the state of veterans affairs in Colorado and distributed a handout (Attachment A). Mr. Belz provided an overview of the mission of the Division of Veterans Affairs, which is to ensure that Colorado veterans and their eligible dependants or survivors are aware of, and receive, the benefits they have earned. Once the division receives a power of attorney, the Division of Veterans Affairs is able to act on behalf of the veterans and assist in acquiring the documentation needed to support a veteran's claim to receive benefits. Further, the division works with various veterans organizations to support the needs of the veterans of Colorado, including the United Veterans Committee. The division also provides oversight for the Veterans Trust Fund. Mr. Belz responded to a question regarding which veterans receive Veteran's Affairs(VA) benefits. All veterans are eligible for benefits, but the level of benefits they receive depends on where they fall within eight benefit categories. Beginning in 2000, benefit categories six, seven, and eight were excluded from receiving full benefits. Mr. Belz reminded the committee that the Department of Veterans Affairs does not administer veterans' benefits; they assist in filing the claims.
10:15 AM
Mr. Belz commented on the growing needs of the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Grand Junction. Additionally, the Division of Veterans Affairs provides a considerable number of outreach programs throughout Colorado. Mr. Belz provided the specific example of a town hall meeting that was held January 22, 2006, in Fort Morgan, Colorado, in which 80 veterans and their families were in attendance. Mr. Belz pointed to the upward trend in number of claims, and discussed the departments five-year plan for handling these claims. Presumptive illness is a big factor among veterans. Many veterans who served in the first Gulf War are facing medical issues such as diabetes, cancer, and various undiagnosed stomach ailments. Mr. Belz emphasized the growing need for staffing and the need to have General Fund support restored. The department is not sure if the Veterans Trust Fund (currently used to offset some of the budget deficit) will have the needed funds to continue to support the department in subsequent years. The department also needs a new management system. Currently, veteran service officers receive a stipend of $100 per month for part-time service, and $200 for full-time service. Many of the service officers are volunteers. The department would like to see an increase in payments to the veterans service officer program. Mr. Belz noted that the department will be receiving General Fund dollars, but that the funds still cover the operating expenses incurred by the cemetery.
10:21 AM
Senator Tupa asked a question about supplemental funding and the department's discussion with the Joint Budget Committee. Mr. Belz responded that the reaction the department has received from the Joint Budget Committee has been favorable; however, their needs continue to grow. Senator Tupa asked further questions about the growing number of claims handled by the department and the federal government's responsibility to increase funds to the department. Mr. Belz affirms that they do receive federal money for programs, however, the programs are becoming increasingly restricted. The department expressed concern about complications that have arisen around the claims of veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome. According to the department, the federal government is making it increasingly more difficult to prove these sorts of claims by veterans. The department estimated that one out of eight people have some form of post-traumatic stress disorder. Again, the department noted that they do not provide any type of health care funding.
10:26 AM
Senator Fitz-Gerald asked questions about the salary of service workers. Mr. Belz responded that the pay for the veteran service officers was decided in the 1990s. General Whitney added that while he is not sure how the figures were determined, the intent of the pay was not to augment salary, but instead to offset operating expenses. However, because of this, some of the counties remain under served. Mr. Belz responded to a questions about veterans' nursing homes in Colorado. He noted that currently there are five nursing homes in Colorado that serve veterans. Senator May asked if any of the nursing homes were in danger of closure. General Whitney responded that while none of the facilities in Colorado are in danger of closing, they can be placed on restrictions by the federal government if they do not reach full census. The Fitzsimons facility is almost up to full census, and the Walsenburg facility has been mandated to put together a public relations program to reach full census. A brief discussion on Medicaid and Medicare coverage in these nursing homes ensued. General Whitney expressed that he would like to see Referendum C money used to reinstate programs and services the Division of Veteran's Affairs has lost.
10:34 AM
Mr. Belz responded to a question regarding the specific nursing home figures and statistics, stating that he would not be able to answer such questions, but that the Department of Human Services handles this data. He does know however, that there are a number of retirees in nursing homes. They are primarily private-pays, in which care is paid out of the patient's retirement pay. Senator May pointed out that the veterans who are not retired are a bigger strain on Medicare.
10:37 AM
Mr. Belz closed by asking the committee if there were any other questions, noting that the State Board of Veterans Affairs will address the trust fund at greater length.