State Veteran Affairs News
LePage Signs Bill Designed to Improve Services for Maine Veterans
Friday, April 15, 2016 | Category: State Veteran Affairs - ME
Governor LePage signed into law a bill that provides staffing for the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services and provides state community college and university tuition to members of the Maine National Guard. The new Bureau positions include one position that will be dedicated to improving and coordinating outreach and communication with Maine veterans. The other three will augment the current staff of state Veteran Service Officers. Two will be mobile, bringing services to veterans, and one will also focus on homeless veterans in Maine.
Bills Meant to Bolster Services and Access for Maine Vets Get Hearings
Friday, February 26, 2016 | Category: State Veteran Affairs - ME
Public hearings will be held next week on several state legislative bills totaling about $2.5 million,some of which is a one-time cost, are aimed at helping more Maine veterans get access to the services and benefits they may be eligible for. These bills are LD 1599 and LD 1610-1612.
Report: Maine's State Veterans Agency is "Dramatically Underfunded"
Friday, January 29, 2016 | Category: State Veteran Affairs - ME
The "Commission to Strengthen and Align the Services Provided to Maine's Veterans" released their final report. Amongst the recommendations, was to better fund Maine's Bureau of Veterans Services, improve communication with veterans, and work transportation challenges. The full Commission report is linked in the Bangor Daily News article.
Many Maine Veterans Still Waiting for Timely Health Care
Thursday, January 28, 2016 | Category: State Veteran Affairs - ME
Under the $10 billion dollar Veterans Choice Program implemented to shorten veterans' wait times for health care appointments, less than half of Maine veterans requesting appointments since July 2015 have been scheduled. Veterans who live 40 miles or more from a Department of Veterans Affairs facility or have to wait more than 30 days for care are eligible for private doctor care. Health Net, the company managing the federal program, granted that there are problems that must be fixed.