Policy Memo

This is a policy memo I ghostwrote for public figures Tiffany and Scotty Smiley that has been sent to D.C. in an attempt to help reform the VA.

POLICY MEMO: The Empowerment Act

TO: Whom It May Concern

FROM: Tiffany Smiley

RE: An Executive Order to Establish a Presidential Commission Specifically for Overhaul and Reform in Accessibility, Health and Rehabilitation Resources, Education and Overall Veteran Empowerment for Catastrophically Injured Veterans and Their Families

In the 2019 Fiscal Year Budget, there was a proposed a $12.1 billion increase over 2018. It was mentioned that this $12.1 billion increase would go towards high-quality health care, and timely access to benefits and services, along with mandatory funding for Veteran’s benefits. Assuming the VA is able to obtain a $12.1 billion increase in the budget, I would like to propose a total overhaul and reform in the overall effectiveness of the VA. This would come in the form of a presidential commission specifically designed to show the commitment to injured veterans and their families. Money has been blindly thrown at the VA without showing a dedicated effort towards making improvements; money has simply been thrown towards causes that already exist and do not make programs or current installments any more efficient or effective.

In this case, I propose that we quit throwing money to “Band Aid” useless efforts and put money towards more quality care and attention to ensuring that veterans are healthier, which in the end would save us money and accomplish more. Many fraudulent claims have been made in the disability mindset of our veterans and their care through the VA. I propose that we would save more money coming from an empowerment perspective, dedicated to ensuring veteran success and encouraging veterans to exceed their potential as a disabled piece of society.

I also propose that caregivers be taken care of as they play a vital role in the empowerment and encouragement of disabled and injured veterans. In my personal experience as a caregiver to my blind, partially paralyzed husband, assistance for success was not available. Money was not getting to the user efficiently or properly. I was not given the proper support I needed as his caregiver. His success meant my sacrifice, and it is the same way for many caregivers. I know I am voice of millions.

For the above areas of need, this proposal will:

· Create a presidential commission that consolidates and elevates issues that empower veterans, through education, employment, physical and mental rehabilitation, etc.

· Prioritize public-private partnerships so the government can learn from private sector success. The public-private partnerships will create better availability to government service and opportunities to succeed by involving more of America.

· Make assistance available to caregivers; the commission will get the resources and American people involved to empower veterans for a better future and greater economic security.

· Within the commission, create a grant designed to offer awards, scholarships and easily accessible allowances to catastrophically injured veterans who have the desire to accomplish goals that shouldn’t be limited by their disabilities.

· Create a grant program within the VA that promotes and rewards local collaboration among communities that improve outcomes for veterans around employment, and mental and physical well-being.

Conclusion:

Developing a commission for these purposes will put veterans, patriotism and respect at the forefront of our country. As a government, we need all of America behind our mission and this begins with the president and his devotion to the cause, which will become apparent with the creation of a presidential commission. Creating an empowerment culture through this commission will save money, increase the health of injured veterans, give veterans more opportunity, and create thousands of jobs. We live in a unique time where technology and access to resources are so readily available. The people who understand sacrifice and selfless service better than anyone else should be given and awarded every economic opportunity available and encouraged to lead a normal, capable life.

Sincerely,

Tiffany & Scotty Smiley