Ozark Empire Chapter Newsletter

This months words from the Chapter President - September 2025

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Welcome back after a nice and hot summer break. Hope you were able to enjoy the time off and perhaps travel, enjoy time with family, or simply relax.

As we resume our regular gatherings, here are a few priority issues listed in the recent MOAA Newsletter from August 21, 2025.

Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), urged lawmakers to ensure important servicemember- and military family-focused provisions remain intact as the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) moves toward floor consideration. The letter was sent to every member of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees – panels that play a pivotal role in shaping defense policy.

MOAA-Backed Caregiver Aid, Plus Other VA-Focused Legislation, Moves Through Key Committee:
A legislative lifeline for veteran caregivers who face an uncertain future as their caregiving duties end was among six MOAA-backed bills advanced through the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee late last month.

The committee’s efforts will result in progress across critical areas of veteran and caregiver support. The bills moving forward as of July 30:

S. 879, Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement (3R) Act: Provides job training, professional relicensure support, retirement planning, and bereavement counseling to family caregivers who are enrolled in VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), which will assist them after their caregiving duties conclude.
S. 275, Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act:Expands residential rehabilitation treatment program for veterans with mental health and substance use disorders, particularly in geographic areas where VA services are limited or not available. It also enhances veterans’ access to community care.
S. 607, Improving Veteran Access to Care Act: Requires VA to establish an interdisciplinary patient team to modernize scheduling, coordinate services, and cut wait times.

S. 1245, Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act: Strengthens health care and benefits for survivors of military sexual trauma and assault.

S. 1383, Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act: Creates an independent advisory body to improve accessibility for veterans with disabilities.
S. 2392, Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act:Authorizes an annual cost-of-living adjustment to protect the value of veterans’ compensation and benefits.

For all who are Premium or Life members of MOAA, a free Survivor’s Planning Guide is available for download. It can be obtained at www.moaa.org.

As always, our newsletter is freely available on the chapter website: www.oemoaa.org as well as via email to all members. If anyone wishes to receive this newsletter via US Mail, please make that known to a Board Member or the Newsletter Editor, and we will be happy to accommodate.

Becky Hutchings, President