Recent CRS Reports on Veteran Affairs

Recent CRS Reports on Veteran Affairs include the following:

• POWs AND MIAs: STATUS AND ACCOUNTING ISSUES
• MILITARY RETIREMENT: MAJOR LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
• MILITARY MEDICAL CARE SERVICES: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
• PERIODS OF WAR

POWs AND MIAs: STATUS AND ACCOUNTING ISSUES   
CRS Publication Date:  06/01/2006
Document No.:  RL33452
Author(s):  Charles A. Henning, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division

Abstract:  This report summarizes numbers of U.S. prisoners of war (POWs) and servicemembers missing in action (MIAs) lost during the Vietnam War (1961-1973) and the Korean War (1950-1953), compares these losses to other 20th century American wars, and describes the POW/MIA investigation and policy process. It discusses reports asserting that some POWs from these wars were not returned to U.S. control when the wars ended, and that some of these individuals may still be alive. Further, it discusses Americans possibly captured by communist countries during Cold War incidents, or after being liberated from German POW camps at the end of World War II, and whether any such Americans could still be alive. It also summarizes POW/MIA matters and controversies related to post-Cold War U.S. military operations, particularly the 1991 Persian Gulf War; the ongoing Operation Enduring Freedom that began on October 7, 2001, when the United States began combat operations against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan; and Operation Iraqi Freedom that began on March 19, 2003. Finally, the report describes legislation and congressional oversight concerning the POW/MIA issue.

MILITARY RETIREMENT: MAJOR LEGISLATIVE ISSUES   
CRS Publication Date:  06/01/2006
Document No.:  RL33449
Author(s):  Charles A. Henning, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division

Abstract:  The FY2006 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has been enacted. However, with the recruiting and retention challenges being faced by the military (especially the Army and Marine Corps), it is anticipated that military personnel benefits, to include retirement, will continue to be advanced and advocated by the Department of Defense (DOD) and veteran's organizations. It is further anticipated that the reserve retirement age (the age at which a retired reservist begins receiving retired pay) will remain an issue for the 109th Congress.

MILITARY MEDICAL CARE SERVICES: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS   
CRS Publication Date:  05/23/2006
Document No.:  IB93103
Author(s):  Richard A. Best, Jr., Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division

Abstract:  As part of the budget submission for FY2007, the Administration is proposing significant increases in enrollment fees and co-payments for military retirees under the age of 65. Active duty beneficiaries and Medicare-eligible retirees would be unaffected (except for relatively small increases in pharmacy co-pays). DOD proposes that retirees not eligible for Medicare would pay a larger share of their total health care costs and that cost shares be adjusted annually for inflation. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld has expressed concern that corporations and state and local governments are encouraging employees who are military retirees to rely on Tricare, with DOD thus indirectly subsidizing the health care costs of other employers at the expense of other defense requirements.

PERIODS OF WAR   
CRS Publication Date:  05/01/2006
Document No.:  RS21405
Author(s):  Barbara Salazar Torreon, Knowledge Services Group

Abstract:  This report lists the beginning and ending dates for periods of war found in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs. It also lists and differentiates other beginning dates given in declarations of war, as well as termination of hostilities dates and armistice and ending dates given in proclamations, laws, or treaties.

CRS Reports can be obtained from GalleryWatch.com. Individual reports are available from www.pennyhill.com. [RH]