VETERANS FOR COMMON SENSE for VETERANS FOR COMMON SENSE
No amount is shown when the filer reports less than $5,000 for the period, which the form does not ask them to state.
What was lobbied
2 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Defense DEF
Full implementation of Public Law 105-85, mandating universal pre- and post-deployment medical exams for service members, promoting anti-stigma (discrimination efforts) so service members will seek mental health care, using the Freedom of Information Act to monitor troop deployment, including service members deployed twice or more. Adequate funding and support for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (DOD appropriations).
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| PATRICK BELLON New | executive director |
| PAUL SULLIVAN | board of directors |
Veterans VET
VA healthcare and benefits. General support for Gulf War Illness scientific research, medical treatment, disability benefits as part of VAs and DoDs budgets and appropriations. Testimony on Cost of Wars: legislation mandating the Administration collect robust, consistent, and accurate data in a transparent manner so DoD, VA, and Congress can accurately estimate, monitor, and plan for the influx of post-war casualties from the current wars as well as any future wars, and provide transparency for access and analysis by academics and advocates; establishment of a Trust Fund so future generations of veterans are protected from unwarranted assaults on funding for VA healthcare and benefits. Urging legislation and regulatory changes for improved VA Undiagnosed Illness (UDX) Regulations; Urging VA to mail information to each veteran where VA has an address; re-open the disability claim of any Gulf War who asks; create a permanent VA Gulf War Veteran Advocacy Office; update the regulatory definition of Gulf War service; expanding regulations to include new presumptive conditions; promulgate new regulations expanding disability compensation benefits to veterans with multisymptom illness. PTSD claims: legislation mandating the creation of a new streamlined VBA, based on VBA pilots with requirements for quality and timely decisions so veterans dont wait for healthcare or benefit payments, reform of VBA leadership and staffing, creation of a fully automated claims processing system; simplification of claims application process; creation of a joint DoD-VA healthcare record; hiring of more veterans in VA; expand use of attorneys in VA claims process; expand VA information and outreach; creation of a temporary disability rating system; fund full-time, permanent VBA claims staff at every military discharge location, VHA medical center and clinic. Create and fund a robust Gulf War veteran advocacy committee to provide advice directly to the VA Secretary on Gulf War illness, treatments, and benefits; restoration of funding for VA Gulf War Illness research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| PATRICK BELLON New | executive director |
| PAUL SULLIVAN | board of directors |
Shown as published by the Senate Office of Public Records and the House Clerk under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. The official filing is the record; open it for the full form.