RAO Bulletin Update 1 April 2007 - page 2
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:41 am
VDBC UPDATE 15: At their March meeting the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission (VDBC) Chairman Terry Scott, (LTG USA, Ret.) tabled any recommendation regarding SBP/DIC, concurrent retirement pay and disability compensation until a future meeting. As reported in the past, five options are under consideration, including:
1. Endorsing an offset of military retirement by VA disability compensation for everyone. (Pre-CRDP policy);
2. Endorsing the current tiered CRDP/CRSC approach;
3. Endorsing full concurrent receipt of both longevity retired pay and VA compensation for those with 20 plus years of service;
4. Endorsing the current election of CRDP and CRSC and expand tiered approach to 20 plus YOS for retirees rated 10-40%; and
5. Endorsing the previous option and extending CRSC and CRDP criteria to Chapter 61 retirees with less than 20 years of service.
The Commission did decide not to consider option one, and Chairman Scott requested staff to compile potential cost estimates on the four remaining issue options and provide commission members with potential compensation tables for disabled retirees. The VDBC final report will include a number of research topics in the form of issue papers ranging from disability compensation, pension, survivor and dependent benefits. The VDBC meets monthly in the Washington DC area and the final report is due to Congress by 1OCT 07. For more information on VDBC refer to www.vetscommission.org. (Source: FRA News Bytes 23 Mar 07 ++]
MILITARY PAY TAX BILL: The Armed Forces Tax Relief Act A bill HR 1559 exempting all military pay and benefits from federal income taxes was introduced 18 MAR in the House of Representatives by Rep. John Culberson (R-TX). Culberson is not the first person to propose federal tax exclusions for all service members. Similar legislation has rarely received any serious attention in Congress, because the drop in federal tax revenues would have to be made up by increasing taxes on other Americans, or by cutting spending on federal entitlement programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and military and federal civilian retired pay — all unpopular choices for politicians, according to House aides working on military personnel issues. The aides asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to speak to reporters. The measure was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, where it is one of several military-related tax measures introduced since the new session of Congress started in January. It is, by far, the most ambitious because it would expand tax exclusions to everyone on active duty. Currently, such exclusions are limited to active-duty members only while serving in combat zones.
Under Culberson’s bill, National Guard and reserve members would still be taxed on their military pay while in a drilling status. Under his bill, all military compensation — including basic pay, special pays and bonuses — would not be counted as income for tax purposes for active-duty members. Military retired pay would still be taxable. The bill would apply to income received in calendar year 2007. Several bills have been introduced since January that are aimed at helping mobilized Guard and reserve members and their employers by providing tax breaks for making up lost salary while mobilized, hiring temporary replacement workers and for lost production. Just last week, two bills were introduced to provide tax exemptions of up to $2,000 for military members and their families. Both of those bills are sponsored by Rep. Christopher Carney (D-PA) a Navy Reserve officer:
- One would allow a combat-zone tax break for the spouses of deployed service members. When a military member spends a cumulative 90 days in a combat zone, or is hospitalized for combat injuries, their spouses could receive a federal tax deduction of 2% of their adjusted gross income, up to a maximum of $2,000.
- The second would give all active-duty service members, and reservists on inactive duty training, the same exclusion, also capped at $2,000 a year.
Carney’s bills, like Culberson’s, are awaiting decisions by the House Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for passing all tax-related legislation, about whether to package proposed legislation into a single military-related tax bill, or to consider the proposals as it passes a more general collection of tax changes. A decision on how to proceed is unlikely before the House of Representatives approves an overall spending and revenue plan, which could happen within two weeks. [Source: NavyTimes Rick Maze article 21Mar 07 ++]
MEDAL OF HONOR DAY: The United States Congress has designated March 25th of each year through Public Law 101-564 as National Medal Of Honor Day, a day dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients. Conceived in the State of Washington, this holiday should be one of our most revered. Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives met on 21 MAR with 31 recipients of the Medal of Honor as part of an effort to acknowledge the nation’s greatest heroes and highlight this year’s first ever national "Medal of Honor Day" The date was chosen because it was on March 25 in 1863 that the first Medals of Honor were presented to six Union soldiers. The medal was originally authorized in 1861 for sailors and Marines, and the following year for Army soldiers as well. Since then, more than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to members of all services and the Coast Guard, as well as to a few civilians who distinguished themselves with valor. Almost half of thes were Civil War soldiers. Since the beginning of World War II, only 846 Medals of Honor have been awarded. Over half that number died in their moment of heroism. Only 328 soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen from Pearl Harbor to Somalia have survived to actually wear the Medal. Today only 111 of them are still with us.
National Medal of Honor day is celebrated in some communities, however for the most part the occasion comes and goes with little notice. Patriotic Americans are encouraged to commemorate this day by:
- Fly your flag on this day.
- As a gesture of your appreciation, take a few moments in the week prior to National Medal of Honor Day to mail a "Thank You" card to one of our living Medal of Honor recipients. You can find a list of the living as well as information on writing to them at www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_f ... iving.html
- Most newspapers are not aware that this special day exists. Why not tip your local media to the occasion. Before you do, check out www.homeofheroes.com/hometownheroes/index.html for Medal of Honor recipients from your city and state as well as any who might be buried in your city. This information can give your media a "local angle" that can increase the probability that they will consider doing a story to remind Americans of our heroes.
- Consider doing something in your local schools, or even on a civic level, if there is a Medal of Honor recipient living near your location.
- If there is a Medal of Honor recipient buried in your home town, get a school class, scout troop, or other youth organization to "adopt a grave site".
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is the organization chartered by the U. S. Congress to represent the affairs and concerns of those few Americans who wear the Medal of Honor. Refer to www.cmohs.org for additional info on their organization and awardees. All matters related to the Medal of Honor should be directed to the CMOH Society at: Congressional Medal of Honor Society, 40 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 Tel: (843) 884-8862/1471F [Source: Senate Committee On Veterans' Affairs msg. 22 Mar 07 ++]
TRICARE/CHAMPUS FRAUD UPDATE 05: An indictment has been filed by the Department of Justice against Health Visions Corporation and all Health Visions owned facilities. On 16 MAR HQ TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) notified Philippine Tricare beneficiaries of their decision to suspend claim payments associated with a large number of Philippine providers who either used HVC as a billing agent or those who contracted with HVC to provide health care services affiliated/associated with HVC. This affected all claims received on or after 8 NOV 06 for medical services from these providers regardless of when the services were provided. This payment suspension was put in place for an indefinite period of time as determined by HQ TMA. The suspension of claims payments also applied to beneficiary-submitted claims seeking reimbursement for services which were obtained from those same providers. After review HQ TMA decided to remove a large number of these providers from their suspended list and have advised that any claims associated with their services will be processed under normal claim processing procedures until further notice. The suspension of payments remains in effect for the following Philippine Institutional providers:
Divine Shepard
Philippine International Hospital
Riverfront International Hospital
St John The Baptist Hospital
Subic Bay Medical Center
Total Life Care
For the foreseeable future, and until otherwise notified, Tricare Area Office Pacific (TAO-P) recommends that Philippine beneficiaries not seek TRICARE services from the providers whose claims are under suspension. If a beneficiary does seek services from these providers, any submitted claim will be pended, and not reimbursed, until the situation is resolved with the particular provider. TAO-P recommends that beneficiaries seek TRICARE services from any of the other certified Philippine providers who are not on the claims-suspended list. More detailed information can be found on the TAO-P website: http://tpaoweb.oki.med.navy.mil by clicking on the “TRICARE in the Philippines” button. There you will find a NOTICE to all beneficiaries, a listing of the providers under this suspended claims action, a list of authorized providers, and some other important links. TAO-P regrets the inconvenience these actions may cause beneficiaries and providers, but they are necessary to ensure the overall integrity of the TRICARE program as it is implemented and managed in the Philippines.
If there are any specific questions in regard to the “Suspension of Claims Payment” list, contact the WPS Overseas Claims Processor via (608) 301-2310/2311, or secure email: Questions via WPS’ website at www.tricare4u.com, or by writing to: WPS/TRICARE Overseas, P.O. Box 7635, Madison, WI 53707. As usual, for general TRICARE customer service questions, contact my TRICARE Pacific Regional Customer Service Center (RCSC) at Regional Customer Service Center (RCSC), TAO-P, Camp Lester, Okinawa via phone 0730-1630 M-F Japan Standard Time COMM: (81) 6117-43-2036, DSN: 643-2036, TOLL FREE: 1-888-777-8343, Option 4 or EMAIL: <TPAO.CSC@med.navy.mil>. [Source: Chief, Program Operations (TAO-P) Lt Col Tony Ingram msg. 16 & 22 Mar 07 ++]
FILIPINO VET INEQUITIES: A number of issues affecting Filipino veterans who served in WWII are being addressed in the 110th Congress. During WWII the Philippines was a Commonwealth of the U.S. making their soldiers part of the U.S. allied forces. Many are former members of the Philippine Scouts, a U.S. Army unit. Others formed the resistance against Japanese troops after U.S. forces surrendered at Bataan. Upon termination of hostilities Washington broke wartime promises dating back to 1946 that the soldiers could become U.S. citizens and enjoy the same pension and medical benefits as American troops. The federal government has since belatedly fulfilled some of those commitments, but only in the past two decades and only in fits and starts. Some issues continue to remain unresolved It took Washington 45 years after the war to offer veterans a proper chance to obtain citizenship. There are as many as over 50,000 Filipino veterans of World War II alive today. Some 10,000 are said to live in the United States. Most are in their 70s and 80s.
. Many of these elderly veterans, including those wounded in battle and awarded the Bronze Star and other medals, are living their last years far from their children and grandchildren because of U.S. immigration rules. Veterans and their backers say the need to reunite divided families only grows more urgent given the advancing age of the veterans. The Immigration Act of 1990 allowed each veteran to bring only one immediate family member to the United States . The shortcomings of that law have left the sons and daughters of the veterans with little choice but to get in line for immigration visas along with everyone else if they want to live in the U.S. On average, they must wait about 20 years because so many Filipinos hope to emigrate and the limits are set by nationality. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) introduced legislation in the last to years to remedy the situation. It would allow children of Filipino World War II veterans to sidestep the immigration waiting list. The measure died last year when it was included in a large omnibus immigration bill that was derailed by disagreements over a border fence and making English the national language. According to an Akaka spokesman Akaka is optimistic the Senate will pass the reunification legislation this year. The Veterans Affairs Committee, which Akaka chairs, plans to hold hearings on the issue next month coinciding with the 65th anniversary of the Bataan Death March on 9 APR.
Other lawmakers plan a bill that would give full pension and disability benefits to those Filipino veterans who have been denied the same benefits as former American soldiers. If enacted it would give many the opportunity to return to the Philippines to live near their families. However, it is necessary for those in poor health to continue to reside in the U.S. to access the medical care, medicines, and therapy available at veterans’ facilities. There are no VA hospitals in the Philippines and only one Outpatient Clinic located in Manila which most could not access. At present the following legislation has been introduced in Congress to address Filipino inequities:
- S.0057: Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to deem certain service in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been active service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Sponsor: Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/4/07).
- S.0066: A bill to require the Secretary of the Army to determine the validity of the claims of certain Filipinos that they performed military service on behalf of the United States during World War II. Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/4/07).
- S.0671: Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act. A bill to exempt children of certain Filipino World War II veterans from the numerical limitations on immigrant visas. Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [HI].
- H.R.0760: Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to deem certain service in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been active service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 1/31/07).
[Source: Associated Press Audrey McAvoy article 22 Mar 07 ++]
VA FACILITY MAINTENANCE: The Veterans Affairs’ vast network of 1,400 health clinics and hospitals is beset by maintenance problems such as mold, leaking roofs and even a colony of bats, an internal review says. The investigation, ordered two weeks ago by VA Secretary Jim Nicholson, is the first major review of the facilities conducted since the disclosure of squalid conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center . A copy of the report was provided to The Associated Press. Democrats newly in charge of Congress called the report the latest evidence of an outdated system unable to handle a coming influx of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan . Investigators earlier this month found that the VA’s system for handling disability claims was strained to its limit. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee said, “Who’s been minding the store?” They keep putting Band-Aids on problems, when what the agency needs is major triage.” The report found that 90% of the 1,100 problems cited were deemed to be of a more routine nature: worn-out carpet, peeling paint, mice sightings and dead bugs at VA centers. The other 10% were considered serious and included mold spreading in patient care areas. Eight cases were so troubling they required immediate attention and follow-up action, according to the 94-page review. Some of the more striking problems found and noted in the report were:
1) Deteriorating walls and hallways were common, requiring repair, patch and paint in 30 percent of patient areas in Little Rock AR.
2) Roof leaks throughout the VA clinic in White City OR requiring continuously repair, mold clean up, spraying and/removal of ceiling tiles.” Also, large colonies of bats residing outside the facility that sometimes flew into the attics and interior parts of the building. Of benefit is that the bats keep the insect pollution to a minimum.
3) Secondhand smoke from an outside smoking shelter sometimes infiltrated the building through the women’s restroom in Oklahoma City
4) Numerous unspecified “environmental conditions” affected the quality of the building in New York ‘s Hudson Valley , with the private landlord repeatedly refusing to fix problems. The VA is taking steps to relocate to another facility.
5) Roof leaks or mold at facilities such as Hudson Valley NY; North Chicago IL; Indianapolis IN ; Puget Sound WA; Portland OR ; and Fayetteville AR..
VA's Acting Under Secretary for Health Michael Kussman said he special review of all facilities concludes most deficiencies involve “normal wear and tear." He noted that most of the maintenance issues identified in the special report did not involve areas providing direct patient care. The overwhelming majority of issues identified are the kinds of items you would expect to find -- and see being addressed -- in an organization with nearly 150 million square feet of space where 1 million patients come each week. Kussman said the Department's $519 million maintenance budget for this year, coupled with $573 million proposed for next year, should take care of any maintenance shortcomings. If further funds are needed, VA pledged to work with congressional committees to identify how to best address those needs. "VA facilities are inspected more frequently than any other health care facilities in the nation," Kussman said. "We will continue to monitor closely the progress of corrective action identified by this special report."
Veterans groups said they were concerned about the findings but also appreciated the VA’s aggressive efforts to identify problems. “We now expect these problems to be corrected immediately and not shelved due to insufficient funding or because the proper care and treatment of our wounded veterans is no longer in the national spotlight,” said Joe Davis, spokesman of Veterans of Foreign Wars. In response, Nicholson this week ordered “immediate corrective action” to fix problems, with full accounting provided to the VA. [Source: Associated Press Hope Yencarticle 22 Mar 07 ++]
VETERANS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT: The H.R. 5549 Attorneys for Veterans Act was passed in the 109th Congress after lengthy negotiations and compromise between the House and Senate Veteran Affairs committees and signed into law. Basically it gave veterans the right to hire an attorney to represent them in furthering their claims only after the VA had issued an initial decision on their claim and the claimant had appealed. The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization, which provides free representation for veterans in appeal cases, was opposed to that legislation fearing that among other things attorneys would unduly charge for their services on such claims. DAV recently sent out a letter to their Commanders and members on the subject. They were urged to sign the petitions and send them to Congress in an effort to repeal the "Attorneys for Veterans" legislation passed last year through the newly submitted Veterans’ Benefits Protection Act” H.R. 1318 in the 110th Congress.
On 19 MAR, Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), who favors "Attorneys for Veterans" and who was mentioned in the DAV's letter, responded via letter to the DAV regarding their claims in an effort to correct what appears to be a "misrepresentation" of his involvement and support of the legislation. Among other things he said that he believes veterans to be mature, responsible, and capable enough to decide for themselves whether or not to hire legal representation. That the legislation only gives veterans the option of do so and they should not be discouraged from availing of free assistance provided by many veteran service organizations. His letter can be viewed at www.vawatchdog.com/07/nf07/nfMAR07/nf032007-8.htm.
Additionally, commentary from an attorney who represents veterans in the VA claims process was received that said, "I believe Senator Craig wrote a very well reasoned response to the DAV. The only thing I would have added is since the new law only allows attorney representation after a denial by the VA Regional Office and the submission of a Notice of Disagreement, attorney representation would only occur after a Veterans' Service Organization (VSO) (if the veteran was so represented) has failed to obtain a favorable decision. I believe this is a very important point. If the veteran first obtained VSO representation [from the DAV, for example], and that representation failed to obtain a favorable result, why shouldn't the veteran then be allowed to seek other representation, if he or she so chooses?" [Source: VA Watchdog dot Org Larry Scott article 20 Mar 07 ++]
ECHO TAPS WORLDWIDE: Hundreds of volunteer brass players are being recruited to perform the 24 notes of “Taps” on 19 May 07, in recognition of Armed Forces Day at National Cemeteries, State Veterans Cemeteries and American Battle Monuments Cemeteries overseas. The event, called “Echo Taps Worldwide,” is being organized by the VA National Cemetery Administration and Bugles Across America to honor and remember American veterans through a worldwide performance of Taps. Organizers also hope the event will interest brass players in volunteering to perform Taps at the military funerals of veterans throughout the year. Each day, America loses about 1,800 of its veterans, primarily those who fought in World War II and Korea. In honor of them and the service they provided, it is important that our Nation preserves the tradition of a live bugler to play final military honors. During the event, players will form a line through the cemetery and perform a cascading version of Taps. Brass players of all ages are encouraged to perform at the cemetery of their choice. Schools and other organizations are also invited to participate in the tribute as performers or support volunteers. Volunteer buglers and trumpeters must register through the VA's website, which is attached to the "Echo Taps" website www.echotaps.org.
The first large “Echo Taps” event occurred In May 05, when 674 brass players from 30 states lined 42-miles of road between Woodlawn National Cemetery in Elmira, NY, and Bath National Cemetery in Bath, NY. Playing “Taps” in cascade, it took nearly three hours from the first note played at Woodlawn to the final note of Taps sounded at the National Cemetery at Bath. In 2006, players performed “Echo Taps” at 52 National Cemeteries and State Veterans Cemeteries across the Nation on Veterans Day in preparation for the upcoming effort. The Armed Forces Day event in 2007 will involve buglers around the world to include participants at American Battle Monument Cemeteries overseas. Thomas Day, a Marine veteran who founded Bugles Across America in 2000 said, “A live bugler performing Taps is an expression of the Nation’s appreciation for the service of each veteran. With more than 600,000 veterans dying each year, we are always looking for new volunteers to perform this valuable service. Echo Taps Worldwide will honor America’s 40 million veterans who have served over the course of our history and draw attention to the need for more buglers to perform “Taps” as part of final military honors. [Source: TREA Update 12 Jan 07 ++]
RECRUITER MISCONDUCT UPDATE 02: The military is considering installing surveillance cameras in recruiting stations across the country, the most dramatic of several new steps to address a rise in misconduct allegations against military recruiters—including sexual assaults of female prospects and bending the rules to meet quotas. In a letter to Congress a top Pentagon personnel official outlined the initiatives, which also include a ban on recruiters meeting with prospective recruits of the opposite sex unless a supervisor is present. Recruiters may also be required to give potential recruits “applicant’s rights cards,” spelling out what a recruiter can and cannot do to get them to enlist, and the military may set up a hot line to report violations, according to the letter. Together, they mark the Pentagon’s most forceful attempt to address what government investigators say is an increase in the number of recruiters using questionable tactics and in some cases breaking the law while trying to fill the Pentagon’s need for new soldiers and Marines. In the 7 MAR letter Michael L. Dominguez, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, wrote that at least one branch of the service is “assessing the feasibility of video surveillance” to prevent abuses.
All services have examined their programs and have instituted several new facets,” Dominguez reported. The military has more than 20,000 recruiters, thousands of whom serve on the “front lines” of recruitment at schools, malls, sporting events, and other gathering places for young people. They are required to sign up at least two recruits a month, a struggle in healthy economic times and when public approval for the war in Iraq is at an all-time low. Since the military is seeking to increase its ranks by 92,000 troops over the next five years, the Army and Marine Corps will add more recruiters. But the pressure to put more men and women in uniform probably will not diminish. While cases of recruiter misconduct are considered rare, a Government Accountability Office investigation using Defense Department data last year found that substantiated cases of recruiter wrongdoing rose from about 400 in 2004 to 630 in 2005.
The August 2006 report also found that cases of sexual harassment of potential recruits or falsifying medical records more than doubled from 30 instances to 70. Examples of misconduct include making unrealistic promises to recruits, fraternizing with them during off hours, offering them cash or other incentives to enlist, and generally “coercive behavior,” according to Beth J. Asch , a researcher at the government-funded Rand Corporation who specializes in military recruiting issues. Criminal behavior includes underage drinking and sexual harassment. Recruiters have also been cutting corners to find enough bodies to meet their quota, some analysts say, turning a blind eye to problems that would ordinarily disqualify prospects from joining the Army: scrapes with the law, single parenthood, medical problems, and drug abuse. “The biggest problem is looking the other way on narcotics use” among prospective recruits, said Alan Gropman , a professor at the National Defense University in Washington.
Both analysts and the Pentagon said sexual misconduct is among the most pressing issues of recruiter wrongdoing. An investigation by the Associated Press found that in 2005, at least 80 male recruiters were disciplined for abusing female potential recruits. More than 100 young women who had expressed interest in joining the military reported that their recruiters had victimized them, the AP investigation found. The abuse included rape on couches in recruiting offices, assaults in government cars, and groupings en route to military entrance exams. The commander of the US Army Recruiting Command, Major General Thomas P. Bostick , issued an updated policy prohibiting recruiters from being alone with a potential applicant of the opposite sex. Instituting the "buddy system," the 14 MAR directive requires that during the recruiting process there will be at least one qualifying person present at all times whenever a recruiter meets with a prospect, applicant, or future soldier of the opposite gender. The Army command is implementing this policy “primarily to maintain the integrity of the recruiting process and enhance the credibility of that process with potential recruits, parents/guardians, communities, and school officials,” according to the directive. [Source: Boston Globe Bryan Bender article 19 Mar -07 ++]
WRAMC UPDATE 07: As House lawmakers worked to halt the planned closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Sen. John Warner (R-VA) proposed a more modest change in the military’s plans. The former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said he wanted to accelerate construction projects at two other Washington-area military hospitals, which would absorb Walter Reed patients when the facility closes in 2011. Doing so would provide a “seamless turnover” for wounded troops, Warner said during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the Army’s fiscal 2008 budget proposal. Warner also warned against overturning the base closure law to keep Walter Reed open, arguing that it would be a precedent-setting move that would spur lawmakers to try to halt other base closings. “I think it makes great sense,” acting Army Secretary Preston (Pete) Geren said of Warner’s proposal. The House Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved an amendment to the fiscal 2007 supplemental spending bill that would delay Walter Reed’s closure until the end of the war. It passed as part of a manager’s package of amendments. “This was a dumb, dumb thing,” Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill., the amendment’s sponsor, said of the decision to close Walter Reed. Many of the base closing decisions “were dumb,” he said, “but this was the dumbest.” [Source: GOVEXEC.com Daily Briefing 15 Mar 07]
BUG SAFETY (CHILDREN): Summer Safety tips.
Don't use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.
Insect repellents containing DEET are the most effective.
The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10% to over 30%. The benefits of DEET reach a peak at a concentration of 30%, the maximum concentration currently recommended for infants and children. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age. The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase. [Source: COPS Newsletter Spring 06 http://cops.cc/programs/resources]
WRAMC UPDATE 06: It was reported 15 MAR that there is a strong movement in Congress to try and reverse the decision of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission and remove Walter Reed Army Hospital from the list of military installations to be closed. The House Appropriations Committee passed the $124 billion Iraq/Afghanistan war supplemental spending bill and included in it an amendment authored by defense subcommittee chairman John Murtha of Pennsylvania that would prohibit Walter Reed Army Medical Center from being closed for the duration of the war in Iraq. The amendment was supported by both Democrats and Republicans on the committee. In question is what effect it will have on the BRAC process. BRAC has worked because it has been impenetrable, at least until now. No member of Congress wants to see a military installation closed in his or her district or state. The BRAC process has been successful because it has managed to close installations that were deemed unnecessary by preventing individual members of Congress from stopping the final decisions made by the BRAC Commission. By taking Walter Reed off the closing list a precedent may have been set that could have unintended consequences in future BRAC efforts. It should be noted that the reprieve for Walter Reed is conditional. Once the Iraq war is over it is very possible that Walter Reed will rejoin the list of installations scheduled to be closed. [Source: TREA Washington Update 16 Mar 07 ++]
MILLENNIUM COHORT STUDY: The Millennium Cohort Study was designed to evaluate the long-term health effects of military service, specifically deployments. The Department of Defense realized after the 1991 Gulf War that there was a need to collect more information about the long-term health of service members. The Millennium Cohort Study was designed to address that critical need, and the study was underway by 2001. Funded by the Department of Defense, and supported by military, Department of Veterans Affairs, and civilian researchers, almost 108,000 people have already participated in this groundbreaking study. The Millennium Cohort is comprised of two unique groups, the 2001 Cohort of 77,047 individuals and the 2004 Cohort of over 30,000 individuals. As force health protection continues to be a priority for the future of the United States military, the Millennium Cohort Study will be providing a crucial step towards enhancing the long-term health of military service members.
The Millennium Cohort Study at the Naval Health Research Center is launching its third enrollment effort. They will be contacting nearly 300,000 service members encouraging them to fill out the 2007 survey. The study will monitor the health of more than 150,000 members who served in all branches US military, making this the largest prospective military health study in the history of the United States armed forces. The survey will include active duty, veteran, and military retiree participants. This effort will span more than 20 years, and participants will be surveyed every three years, for self-reported health data. The results of this study have far-reaching potential and will shape policy on military service benefits and health care for years to come. Study information and documents are available for viewing at the Millennium Cohort website http://www.millenniumcohort.org. [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 16 Mar 07 ++]
NDAA 2008: Representatives of several Military Coalition members testified for two hours before the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee on 15 MAR, answering the Subcommittee's questions about priority issues for active duty, Guard/Reserve, and retired members and their families and survivors. Chairman Vic Snyder (D-AR) asked each representative what their priorities would be for inclusion in the FY2008 Defense Authorization Act, which the committee will be drafting next month. The Coalition representatives cited:
- Ensuring proper care, support, and smooth transition from military to VA services for wounded warriors and their families.
- Ensuring the services have enough manpower to meet their mission requirements and ease terrible stresses on active duty, Guard and Reserve families due to high deployment rates.
- Rejecting disproportional, budget-driven health fee increases and putting standards in law for military health benefits that recognize career military members' pre-payment of extraordinary, up-front premiums through decades of service and sacrifice.
- Correction of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) inequities for "greatest generation" retirees and widows of members who die as a result of service.
- More progress in eliminating the disability offset to earned military retired pay.
- Continued progress in restoring full pay comparability for active duty, Guard and Reserve members who are paying such a high price in the current conflict’
Rep. John McHugh (R-NY), the Subcommittee's senior Republican, indicated the Subcommittee's strong sympathy with the concurrent receipt and SBP issues, but said it was unlikely that the Budget Resolution now being crafted by congressional leaders would provide enough budget headroom to permit full fixes. He asked whether the Coalition would be willing to consider interim steps to make additional progress.
MOAA Government Relations Director Col Steve Strobridge (USAF-Ret) responded that the Coalition had worked with the Subcommittee in the past on such efforts and would be willing to do so again as an alternative to making no progress at all. He highlighted the particular inequity facing combat-wounded members forced into medical retirement before attaining 20 years of service and urged the Subcommittee to at least "vest" retired pay for those members at 2.5% of pay times their years of service. Strobridge also indicated the importance of providing assistance to widows suffering deduction of VA survivor benefits from their SBP annuities, and highlighted the traumas many suffer as the Defense Finance and Accounting Service demands that they repay large amounts of previously paid SBP. [Source: MOAA Leg Up 16 Mar 07]
TAX ON HOME SALE: Many people remember the pre-1997 rules that required taxpayers to purchase a more expensive home within two years of the sale of a primary residence to defer capital gains. After age 55, taxpayers could downsize and receive a one-time capital gain exclusion of up to $125,000. The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 significantly changed primary residence tax treatment, making it potentially much more beneficial for taxpayers. The new rules allow for an exclusion from income taxes on up to $500,000 in gain on the sale of a personal residence if married, filing jointly and up to $250,000 for single filers under Internal Revenue Code Section 121. To qualify for this exclusion, taxpayers must meet these requirements:
■ Ownership. You (or your spouse, if married) must have owned the house for at least two of the previous five years.
■ Use. The home must have been used as the primary residence for two out of the previous five years. If you are married, both of you must meet this requirement. If one spouse does not, the exclusion is only $250,000. Servicemembers who meet the ownership test above may suspend the use requirement for up to 10 years if they are on qualified, official, extended duty for 90 days or more and are serving more than 50 miles from the primary residence or are living in government housing. IRS Publication 3, The Armed Forces’ Tax Guide (pages 11-12), explains this provision in detail.
■ Frequency. You may only use this exclusion every two years. If one spouse has sold a primary residence within the past two years, the exclusion is limited to $250,000.
These rules turn the primary residence back into a powerful investment tool, particularly in areas with significant price appreciation. For example, assuming you meet all requirements. If you bought your home in 1985 for $200,000 and have made $50,000 in improvements, your cost basis would be $250,000. If you sell the home for $800,000, paying a 6% real estate commission ($48,000) and incurred $15,000 in fix-up and miscellaneous expenses, your final effective sales price (sales price less selling costs) is $737,000. Their gain on the sale, then, is $737,000 minus $250,000 (basis), or $487,000. If you are married, filing jointly, and meet all requirements, you can exclude the entire gain from income taxes. A home must be a primary residence to qualify for this valuable exclusion. Vacation homes and rental properties do not qualify under this provision. For taxpayers who don’t meet all requirements but sell the primary residence because of job relocation, health issues, or unforeseen circumstances, a reduced exclusion might be available. IRS Publication 523 is the primary source for determining tax treatment for home sales. You can download the publication at www.irs.gov. [Source: MOAA Financial Forum May 06]
COLA 2008 UPDATE 04: The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the February 2007 Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is the metric used to calculate the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for military retired pay and annuities. The CPI had its third straight increase of FY2007 - 0.5% above January's CPI. However, the CPI still stands 0.3% below its starting point at the beginning of the fiscal year five months ago. This year's cumulative -0.3% through February is the lowest rate of inflation recorded for the first five months of any fiscal year for the past 30 years. But inflation could turn around quickly in the next seven months. The next quarter may give a clearer picture of where inflation may end up for 2007. The lowest COLA military retirees and annuitants received in the last 30 years was 0% in 1985. That year, Congress consciously eliminated the COLA for federal retirees and survivors to save money. The lowest COLAs based on actual inflation occurred in 1986 and 1998 at 1.3%. [Source: MOAA Leg Up 16 Mar 07]
VBDR: Department of Defense, through Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) as the Executive Agent, provides dose estimates for veterans who participated in the 1945-1946 occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, Japan, and in U.S. sponsored atmospheric nuclear testing between 1945 and 1962. These dose reconstructions are used by the VA to evaluate and decide veterans' claims filed under the provisions of Public Law (PL) 98-542 and implementing regulations in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 3.311. In 1977 the radiation exposure military personnel received as a result of their participation in above-ground nuclear weapons tests became a national issue. A front page article was published in the Sunday paper supplement, Parade Magazine, about a report of an increased incidence of leukemia in veterans who had taken part in a nuclear weapons test at the Nevada Test Site. This test, Shot Smoky, was part of the Plumbbob Series conducted at the Nevada Test Site.
The Parade Magazine story was an initiating event for the need to assess doses for veterans who participated in nuclear weapons testing. Each of the military services, Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps quickly set up offices under the coordinating direction of the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA), a legacy agency of the current DTRA to collect information on veterans who participated in weapons tests, information on their radiation exposures, and to respond to the significant number of inquiries that resulted. These offices were called Nuclear Test Personnel Review (NTPR) offices with the service name in front. These offices coordinated the initial services’ responses to the individual veterans and assisted DNA in responding to the Veterans Administration (Department of Veterans Affairs as of 1989), Congress, news media and the public.
Early on it was recognized that personnel dosimetry information for the veterans was fragmented between the services, DNA and the Nevada Test Site. DNA was designated the responsible Department of Defense organization to address the radiation exposures of the veterans for all of the services as well as to coordinate the services’ other NTPR activities. Since individual radiation exposure information often was not available, the need for a program of individual veteran's radiation dose reconstruction became apparent early in the NTPR program and was initiated by and performed under the guidance of DNA. In 1987 the functions of the individual service NTPR offices were incorporated into a single NTPR office at DTRA, where responsibility for the dose reconstruction program and the NTPR program currently reside.
In DEC 03 Congress directed the Secretaries of DoD and VA under Section 601 of Public Law (PL) 108-183 to appoint an advisory board to provide on-going independent review and oversight of the Dose Reconstruction (DR) Program. That board is titled the Veterans’ Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction (VBDR) and under its charter is tasked to advise DoD and VA as follows :
(a) Conduct periodic, random audits of dose reconstructions and decisions on claims for radiogenic diseases;
(b) Assist the VA and DTRA in communicating to veterans information on the mission, procedures, and evidentiary requirements of dose reconstruction;
(c) Carry out other activities with regard to review and oversight of the Dose Reconstruction Program as specified jointly by the Secretaries; and
(d) Make recommendations on modifications to the mission and procedures of the Dose Reconstruction Program as the Advisory Board considers appropriate as a result of the audits.
The Committee is made up of medical, scientific and Atomic Veteran personnel. In MAR 07 they held a public meeting in Las Vegas NV at which the Committee unanimously voted to advise Congress to abolish the DR program. This program has, for the most part, worked to deny Atomic Veterans' Claims (with the exception of a limited number of cancers approved by Congress). Abolishing this time consuming, expensive, program will open the way for justice for numerous Atomic Veterans suffering from several medically recognized radiological diseases with the criteria being medical and not political. For additionally info on the VDBR refer to www.vbdr.org. [Source: eVeterans News 19 Mar 07 ++]
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT 2007: The proposed House bill provides $1.7 billion for initiatives to address the healthcare needs of OIF/OEF veterans, particularly those suffering from traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder. Funding is also included to address facility deficiencies so the Department of Veterans Affairs does not have to defer facility maintenance and upkeep in order to provide quality health care services. Congressman Chet Edwards (D-TX-17), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee sent a Dear Colleague communication to members of Congress on 15 MAR which details the VA funding included in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill. A summary of the initiative follows:
* $6.3 million to support the Department announced initiative to establish polytrauma support clinic teams at each of the 21 regional health care networks to improve case management of veterans. This funding will prevent veterans from falling through the cracks once they return home;
* $20 million for a pilot program authorized in 1996 to use contract physicians for disability examinations. This funding will allow a veteran to see a physician closer to home for the initial disability visit thereby shortening the claims process time and make it easier for the veteran and his/her family;
* $62 million to hire additional compensation claims personnel to expeditiously handle the claims of veterans returning from OIF/OEF as well digitizing all combat unit records. Both initiatives will shorten the time it takes to process a compensation claim as well as reduce the current backlog of claims;
* $35 million to upgrade information technology systems to include programs that effectively screen all patients for traumatic brain injury and PTSD;
* $35 million to advance research in areas most impacted by the global war on terror, such as traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and prosthetics;
* $30 million for a new Level I comprehensive polytrauma center. Congress established four Level I comprehensive polytrauma centers in 2005, which are the rehabilitation centers where active duty and veterans go after they leave the hospital and before they go home;
* $45 million to upgrade facilities at the existing four Level I and 17 Level II polytrauma centers;
* $100 million for contract mental health care. This funding allows the Department to contract with private mental health care providers to ensure that OIF/OEF veterans are seen in a timely and least disruptive fashion, including members of the Guard and Reserve;
* $56 million to ensure the Department has sufficient funds to maintain an adequate supply of state-of-the-art prosthetics for veterans;
* $228.9 million directed for treatment of OIF/OEF patients. In fiscal year 2006, the Department underestimated the number of OIF/OEF patients in the system by 40 percent. While the Committee understands the Department has revised the model used to calculate these projections and expects to track their estimates more closely, year-to-date information suggests the model may still be immature so this funding provides for a higher level of patients;
* $250 million for medical administration to ensure there are sufficient personnel to support the growing number of OIF/OEF veterans and to maintain a high level of service to all veterans in the system. This account funds the support staff such as appointment and records clerks that increase physician efficiency and improve access to care;
* $550 million for non-recurring maintenance which will allow the Department to make some headway in addressing the $5 billion backlog identified in their Facility Condition Assessment. The bill also includes $260 million for minor construction to address the backlog of projects at locations throughout the country. These amounts are intended to prevent the Department from experiencing a situation similar to that found at Walter Reed; and
* $23.8 million to complete a spinal cord injury center, already under construction.
[Source: eVeterans News 19 Mar 07 ++]
WILL ROGERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM: Will Rogers, the American Cowboy-Humorist, comedian, social commentator, vaudeville performer, and actor was probably the greatest political sage this country has ever known. He died in a plane crash with Wylie Post in 1935 at the age of 54. At the time of his death he was America’s most widely read newspaper columnist, between his daily "Will Rogers Says" telegrams which he composed daily to address each day's news and his weekly column. His Sunday night half-hour radio show was the nation's most-listened-to weekly broadcast. In both, he expressed his disappointment with big government and the effect it had on the nation, particularly during the Depression era. His wit was often caustic: as he explained, "There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you." Nevertheless, he identified with the Democratic Party saying "I don't belong to any organized party. I'm a Democrat," and was a vocal supporter of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. At one point, he was even asked to run for governor of Oklahoma, the party hoping to benefit from his immense popularity.
In the United States Capitol Building each state is allowed to have two statues. In memorial he was given this honor by the state of Oklahoma. It is said that as Presidents walk by the Will Rogers statue on the way to give a State of the Union speech it is good luck to rub the shoes on the statue. The Will Rogers Memorial Museum is located at 1720 West Will Rogers Blvd, Claremore Ok 74018 Tel: (918) 341-0719 wrinfo@willrogers.com. It is open 365 days a year 0800-1700. Admission to the nine galleries, three theaters, interactive television, and special children's museum is by voluntary contributions. For additional info refer to www.willrogers.org. Following are some examples of his wit:
1. Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.
2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
3. There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman...neither works.
4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
5. Always drink upstream from the herd.
6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.
8. There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.
9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
10. If you're riding' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.
11. Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier'n puttin' it back.
12. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
About Growing Older...
First ~ Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
Second ~ The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for
Third ~ Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
Fourth ~ When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.
Fifth ~ You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
Sixth ~ I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.
Seventh ~ One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.
Eighth ~ One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.
Ninth ~ Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
Tenth ~ Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf
And finally ~ If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old.
[Source: eVeterans News 19 Mar 07 ++]
FUTURE FOR VETS COMMISSION: The Commission on the Future for America’s Veterans began operating in SEP 06 as a private, independent, analytical body to examine the needs of veterans 20 years in the future, and develop recommendations for how the federal government should meet those needs. Over the next 15 months, the Commission will be holding meetings and conducting research to develop and deliver recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the America public by Memorial Day 2008. The Commission was created by the Veterans Coalition, an organization that includes The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America, Blinded American Veterans Foundation, Jewish War Veterans, and Military Order of the Purple Heart. The Commission is currently engaged in a multi-state tour actively seeking input from military veterans, veterans’ experts, and other Americans interested in supporting veterans. The tour began at Charleston WV in JAN 07, continued for 3 days in mid-MAR in Tampa FL, goes to San Diego CA at the end of May, and then on to Cincinnati OH in July.
The centerpiece of their Tampa visit was an open, public “town hall” meeting held in which hundreds of Florida residents were able to speak directly to the Commission about their experiences with VA today and their hopes for its future. This “town hall” meeting, called “Conversations on the Future for America’s Veterans”, was webcast live over the Internet. During the week, the Commission conducted tours of the VA nursing home at Bay Pines and the polytrauma and spinal cord injury units at the Haley VA hospital in Tampa. The Commission also heard several hours of expert testimony about the future of VA research, academic affiliations, and information management and technology. Among the experts who spoke to the Commission were: Dr. Steven Scott, Medical Director, Tampa Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center; Dr. Joel Kupersmith, VA Chief of Research and Development; Dr. Paul Tibbits, VA Deputy Chief Information Officer; Dr. Malcolm Cox, Chief Academic Affiliations Officer; Dr. Jordan J. Cohen of the American Association of Medical Colleges; Dr. Lynn Wecker, Associate Dean for Research at the University of South Florida College of Medicine; and Mr. Gary Ewart, Director of Research at Friends of VA Research.
Managing Commissioner Harry N. Walters in a press release said that, “the Commission on the Future for America’s Veterans has taken major strides towards its goal of developing a vision and plan for how this nation can best deliver needed benefits and services to our veterans far into the future." Harry Walters previously served as Administrator of Veterans Affairs under President Ronald Reagan. For additional information on the commission’s work refer to www.future4vets.org. Among other items the site provides a summary of healthcare, benefits, transition, catastrophic disability, National Guard and Reserve issues under review by the Commission. [Source: VA Secretary VSOL Office Kevin Secor msg 19 Mar 07 ++]
DFAS DEATH NOTIFICATION UPDATE 01: The Death of a Military Retiree or Annuitant can be reported to Defense finance and Accounting Service at either (800) 269-5170 or (800) 321-1080 07-1930 EST M-F. You need to have the decedent’s Social Security Number (SSN) and the date of death when you call. If reporting by mail send to DFAS U.S. Military, Retirement Pay, P.O. Box 7130, London, KY 40742-7130 or Fax: (800) 469-6559 for retirees and U.S. Military, Annuitant Pay, P.O. Box 7130, London, KY 40742-7131 or Fax: (800) 982-8459 for Annuitants. Send one photocopy of a death certificate which indicates the cause of death. DFAS will take steps to close out the pay account to prevent any overpayments. If the decedent was a retiree enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and/or the Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP), additional steps will be taken to initiate pay accounts for eligible survivors. Designated beneficiaries of retirees should expect a Standard Form 1174 (SF-1174) and, if applicable, SBP/RSFPP-related forms in the mail within seven to ten business days of reporting the death. For assistance call either of the numbers listed above or refer to www.dod.mil/dfas/retiredpay/reportingde ... itant.html.
Telephone numbers of other government offices which may need to be contacted are:
- Social Security Administration (SSA) at (800) 772-1213.
- Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) at (800) 538-9552.
- If the deceased was receiving disability compensation or Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC), notify the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) at (800) 827-1000.
- If the deceased was a civil servant or retired civil servant, notify the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) toll-free at (888) 767-6738.
- If the deceased was enrolled in DVA-sponsored insurance such as National Service Life Insurance (NSLI) or Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), notify them at (800) 669-8477.
Those living near a military installation may be able to receive help with administrative matters from a Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO) or Retired Activities/Affairs Office (RAO). Note that these services are not available at all military installations/geographic locales. Those living in the Philippines can call the VA Regional Office from 08-1600 M-F at 528-6300 [embassy operator], 528-2500 [direct line] or for outside Metro Manila you may call toll free at 1-800-1-888-5252. To notify SSA call (63-2) 523-1001ext. 6228 To notify either SSA or VA by mail send to 1201 Roxas Boulevard - Ermita 1000 – Manila. Some additional toll-free numbers you may find useful are:
Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA): (800) 776-2322
Army & Air Force Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA): (800) 522-5221
Burial at Sea: (888) 647-6676 (option 4)
Funeral Honors: (877) 645-4667
Military Benefit Association: (800) 336-0100
Officers Benefit Association: (800) 736-7311
Uniformed Service Benefit Association: (800) 368-7021
[Source: DFAS Mar 07 ++]
RETURNING GWT HEROES TF: On 6 MAR 07 the President directed VA Secretary Nicholson to establish an Interagency Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes. The Task Force will consist of Secretaries, or their designees, from the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education. The Director, Office of Management and Budget, and the Administrator, Small Business Administration, will also serve on the Task Force. The mission of the Task Force is to:
(a) Identify and examine existing Federal services that currently are provided to returning Global War on Terror service members;
(b) Identify existing gaps in such services;
(c) Seek recommendations from appropriate Federal agencies on ways to fill those gaps as effectively and expeditiously as possible using existing resources; and
(d) Ensure that in providing services to these service members, appropriate Federal agencies are communicating and cooperating effectively, and facilitate the fostering of agency communications and cooperation through informal and formal means, as appropriate.
The Task Force is focused on improvements using existing executive authority and resources. The Commission will report its recommendations to the President via the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veteran affairs and will provide a final report no later than 30 JUN 07. To further their study on how to enhance combat veteran services and reduce red tape they are inviting feedback from those concerned. People can email their comments to the task force at TFHeroes@va.gov or fax comments to 202-273-9599. Task Force information and mailing address can be obtained on the VA home page, www.va.gov/taskforce. The Web page allows active duty service members, veterans, family members and others to comment directly to the task force on the accessibility, timeliness and delivery of services. Comments will be studied by the task force, used in the panel’s evaluation of gaps in service and form the basis of recommended solutions. Under the terms of the executive order creating the task force, the group has 45 days to complete their mission. [Source: VA Press Release 15 Mar 07 ++]
HEPATITIS & LIVER CANCER: Some 200 million people worldwide are infected with the hepatitis C virus of which nearly 5 million of these are in the U.S. Each year about 230,000 new hepatitis C infections are recorded. Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver, usually from a viral infection but sometimes from toxic agents. Five known viruses cause inflammation of the liver resulting in hepatitis A, B, C, D or E. Hepatitis C is the single most significant cause of liver disease and liver transplants, spreading through contact with infected blood and other body fluids. Viral hepatitis symptoms are similar, no matter the type. Some people infected with hepatitis C show no symptoms but can infect others without knowing it. Symptoms can take up to 20 or 30 years to appear. They include jaundice, fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, dark urine, joint pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea. Rarely will viral hepatitis alone cause liver failure and death. Rather, those with chronic hepatitis C infection are more susceptible to liver failure , or cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Increases in the rate of liver cancer over the past two or three decades may well be due to hepatitis C virus acquired during the 1960’s and 1970’s. The risk of Hepatitis C, as well as other blood-borne diseases can be lowered through lifestyle precautions. Other risk factors are beyond a person’s control. Most at risk are people who:
= Are hemodialysis patients;
= Have ever injected drugs;
= Have jobs that expose them to human blood;
= Received a blood transfusion before July 1992;
= received clotting factors made before1987;
= Have had sexual contact with an infected person; or
= Have has multiple sex partners.
Several blood tests can determine if you have been infected with hepatitis C. Your doctor may order just one or combination of these tests. Two drugs currently approved for treatment re interferon and ribavirin, which can be taken alone are in combination. No vaccinations are currently available. In 1998 VA opened a national registry to identify patients with hepatitis C and track their clinical status with the goal of improving care. A recent study of nearly 1300 patients at 20 VA medical centers found a hepatitis C infection rate of 5.4%. The figure for Vietnam veterans was more than double that. Another study found that up to 70% of new hepatitis-C patients are unable to begin antiviral therapy
1. Endorsing an offset of military retirement by VA disability compensation for everyone. (Pre-CRDP policy);
2. Endorsing the current tiered CRDP/CRSC approach;
3. Endorsing full concurrent receipt of both longevity retired pay and VA compensation for those with 20 plus years of service;
4. Endorsing the current election of CRDP and CRSC and expand tiered approach to 20 plus YOS for retirees rated 10-40%; and
5. Endorsing the previous option and extending CRSC and CRDP criteria to Chapter 61 retirees with less than 20 years of service.
The Commission did decide not to consider option one, and Chairman Scott requested staff to compile potential cost estimates on the four remaining issue options and provide commission members with potential compensation tables for disabled retirees. The VDBC final report will include a number of research topics in the form of issue papers ranging from disability compensation, pension, survivor and dependent benefits. The VDBC meets monthly in the Washington DC area and the final report is due to Congress by 1OCT 07. For more information on VDBC refer to www.vetscommission.org. (Source: FRA News Bytes 23 Mar 07 ++]
MILITARY PAY TAX BILL: The Armed Forces Tax Relief Act A bill HR 1559 exempting all military pay and benefits from federal income taxes was introduced 18 MAR in the House of Representatives by Rep. John Culberson (R-TX). Culberson is not the first person to propose federal tax exclusions for all service members. Similar legislation has rarely received any serious attention in Congress, because the drop in federal tax revenues would have to be made up by increasing taxes on other Americans, or by cutting spending on federal entitlement programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and military and federal civilian retired pay — all unpopular choices for politicians, according to House aides working on military personnel issues. The aides asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to speak to reporters. The measure was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, where it is one of several military-related tax measures introduced since the new session of Congress started in January. It is, by far, the most ambitious because it would expand tax exclusions to everyone on active duty. Currently, such exclusions are limited to active-duty members only while serving in combat zones.
Under Culberson’s bill, National Guard and reserve members would still be taxed on their military pay while in a drilling status. Under his bill, all military compensation — including basic pay, special pays and bonuses — would not be counted as income for tax purposes for active-duty members. Military retired pay would still be taxable. The bill would apply to income received in calendar year 2007. Several bills have been introduced since January that are aimed at helping mobilized Guard and reserve members and their employers by providing tax breaks for making up lost salary while mobilized, hiring temporary replacement workers and for lost production. Just last week, two bills were introduced to provide tax exemptions of up to $2,000 for military members and their families. Both of those bills are sponsored by Rep. Christopher Carney (D-PA) a Navy Reserve officer:
- One would allow a combat-zone tax break for the spouses of deployed service members. When a military member spends a cumulative 90 days in a combat zone, or is hospitalized for combat injuries, their spouses could receive a federal tax deduction of 2% of their adjusted gross income, up to a maximum of $2,000.
- The second would give all active-duty service members, and reservists on inactive duty training, the same exclusion, also capped at $2,000 a year.
Carney’s bills, like Culberson’s, are awaiting decisions by the House Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for passing all tax-related legislation, about whether to package proposed legislation into a single military-related tax bill, or to consider the proposals as it passes a more general collection of tax changes. A decision on how to proceed is unlikely before the House of Representatives approves an overall spending and revenue plan, which could happen within two weeks. [Source: NavyTimes Rick Maze article 21Mar 07 ++]
MEDAL OF HONOR DAY: The United States Congress has designated March 25th of each year through Public Law 101-564 as National Medal Of Honor Day, a day dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients. Conceived in the State of Washington, this holiday should be one of our most revered. Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives met on 21 MAR with 31 recipients of the Medal of Honor as part of an effort to acknowledge the nation’s greatest heroes and highlight this year’s first ever national "Medal of Honor Day" The date was chosen because it was on March 25 in 1863 that the first Medals of Honor were presented to six Union soldiers. The medal was originally authorized in 1861 for sailors and Marines, and the following year for Army soldiers as well. Since then, more than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to members of all services and the Coast Guard, as well as to a few civilians who distinguished themselves with valor. Almost half of thes were Civil War soldiers. Since the beginning of World War II, only 846 Medals of Honor have been awarded. Over half that number died in their moment of heroism. Only 328 soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen from Pearl Harbor to Somalia have survived to actually wear the Medal. Today only 111 of them are still with us.
National Medal of Honor day is celebrated in some communities, however for the most part the occasion comes and goes with little notice. Patriotic Americans are encouraged to commemorate this day by:
- Fly your flag on this day.
- As a gesture of your appreciation, take a few moments in the week prior to National Medal of Honor Day to mail a "Thank You" card to one of our living Medal of Honor recipients. You can find a list of the living as well as information on writing to them at www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_f ... iving.html
- Most newspapers are not aware that this special day exists. Why not tip your local media to the occasion. Before you do, check out www.homeofheroes.com/hometownheroes/index.html for Medal of Honor recipients from your city and state as well as any who might be buried in your city. This information can give your media a "local angle" that can increase the probability that they will consider doing a story to remind Americans of our heroes.
- Consider doing something in your local schools, or even on a civic level, if there is a Medal of Honor recipient living near your location.
- If there is a Medal of Honor recipient buried in your home town, get a school class, scout troop, or other youth organization to "adopt a grave site".
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is the organization chartered by the U. S. Congress to represent the affairs and concerns of those few Americans who wear the Medal of Honor. Refer to www.cmohs.org for additional info on their organization and awardees. All matters related to the Medal of Honor should be directed to the CMOH Society at: Congressional Medal of Honor Society, 40 Patriots Point Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 Tel: (843) 884-8862/1471F [Source: Senate Committee On Veterans' Affairs msg. 22 Mar 07 ++]
TRICARE/CHAMPUS FRAUD UPDATE 05: An indictment has been filed by the Department of Justice against Health Visions Corporation and all Health Visions owned facilities. On 16 MAR HQ TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) notified Philippine Tricare beneficiaries of their decision to suspend claim payments associated with a large number of Philippine providers who either used HVC as a billing agent or those who contracted with HVC to provide health care services affiliated/associated with HVC. This affected all claims received on or after 8 NOV 06 for medical services from these providers regardless of when the services were provided. This payment suspension was put in place for an indefinite period of time as determined by HQ TMA. The suspension of claims payments also applied to beneficiary-submitted claims seeking reimbursement for services which were obtained from those same providers. After review HQ TMA decided to remove a large number of these providers from their suspended list and have advised that any claims associated with their services will be processed under normal claim processing procedures until further notice. The suspension of payments remains in effect for the following Philippine Institutional providers:
Divine Shepard
Philippine International Hospital
Riverfront International Hospital
St John The Baptist Hospital
Subic Bay Medical Center
Total Life Care
For the foreseeable future, and until otherwise notified, Tricare Area Office Pacific (TAO-P) recommends that Philippine beneficiaries not seek TRICARE services from the providers whose claims are under suspension. If a beneficiary does seek services from these providers, any submitted claim will be pended, and not reimbursed, until the situation is resolved with the particular provider. TAO-P recommends that beneficiaries seek TRICARE services from any of the other certified Philippine providers who are not on the claims-suspended list. More detailed information can be found on the TAO-P website: http://tpaoweb.oki.med.navy.mil by clicking on the “TRICARE in the Philippines” button. There you will find a NOTICE to all beneficiaries, a listing of the providers under this suspended claims action, a list of authorized providers, and some other important links. TAO-P regrets the inconvenience these actions may cause beneficiaries and providers, but they are necessary to ensure the overall integrity of the TRICARE program as it is implemented and managed in the Philippines.
If there are any specific questions in regard to the “Suspension of Claims Payment” list, contact the WPS Overseas Claims Processor via (608) 301-2310/2311, or secure email: Questions via WPS’ website at www.tricare4u.com, or by writing to: WPS/TRICARE Overseas, P.O. Box 7635, Madison, WI 53707. As usual, for general TRICARE customer service questions, contact my TRICARE Pacific Regional Customer Service Center (RCSC) at Regional Customer Service Center (RCSC), TAO-P, Camp Lester, Okinawa via phone 0730-1630 M-F Japan Standard Time COMM: (81) 6117-43-2036, DSN: 643-2036, TOLL FREE: 1-888-777-8343, Option 4 or EMAIL: <TPAO.CSC@med.navy.mil>. [Source: Chief, Program Operations (TAO-P) Lt Col Tony Ingram msg. 16 & 22 Mar 07 ++]
FILIPINO VET INEQUITIES: A number of issues affecting Filipino veterans who served in WWII are being addressed in the 110th Congress. During WWII the Philippines was a Commonwealth of the U.S. making their soldiers part of the U.S. allied forces. Many are former members of the Philippine Scouts, a U.S. Army unit. Others formed the resistance against Japanese troops after U.S. forces surrendered at Bataan. Upon termination of hostilities Washington broke wartime promises dating back to 1946 that the soldiers could become U.S. citizens and enjoy the same pension and medical benefits as American troops. The federal government has since belatedly fulfilled some of those commitments, but only in the past two decades and only in fits and starts. Some issues continue to remain unresolved It took Washington 45 years after the war to offer veterans a proper chance to obtain citizenship. There are as many as over 50,000 Filipino veterans of World War II alive today. Some 10,000 are said to live in the United States. Most are in their 70s and 80s.
. Many of these elderly veterans, including those wounded in battle and awarded the Bronze Star and other medals, are living their last years far from their children and grandchildren because of U.S. immigration rules. Veterans and their backers say the need to reunite divided families only grows more urgent given the advancing age of the veterans. The Immigration Act of 1990 allowed each veteran to bring only one immediate family member to the United States . The shortcomings of that law have left the sons and daughters of the veterans with little choice but to get in line for immigration visas along with everyone else if they want to live in the U.S. On average, they must wait about 20 years because so many Filipinos hope to emigrate and the limits are set by nationality. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) introduced legislation in the last to years to remedy the situation. It would allow children of Filipino World War II veterans to sidestep the immigration waiting list. The measure died last year when it was included in a large omnibus immigration bill that was derailed by disagreements over a border fence and making English the national language. According to an Akaka spokesman Akaka is optimistic the Senate will pass the reunification legislation this year. The Veterans Affairs Committee, which Akaka chairs, plans to hold hearings on the issue next month coinciding with the 65th anniversary of the Bataan Death March on 9 APR.
Other lawmakers plan a bill that would give full pension and disability benefits to those Filipino veterans who have been denied the same benefits as former American soldiers. If enacted it would give many the opportunity to return to the Philippines to live near their families. However, it is necessary for those in poor health to continue to reside in the U.S. to access the medical care, medicines, and therapy available at veterans’ facilities. There are no VA hospitals in the Philippines and only one Outpatient Clinic located in Manila which most could not access. At present the following legislation has been introduced in Congress to address Filipino inequities:
- S.0057: Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to deem certain service in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been active service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Sponsor: Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/4/07).
- S.0066: A bill to require the Secretary of the Army to determine the validity of the claims of certain Filipinos that they performed military service on behalf of the United States during World War II. Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/4/07).
- S.0671: Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act. A bill to exempt children of certain Filipino World War II veterans from the numerical limitations on immigrant visas. Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [HI].
- H.R.0760: Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to deem certain service in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been active service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 1/31/07).
[Source: Associated Press Audrey McAvoy article 22 Mar 07 ++]
VA FACILITY MAINTENANCE: The Veterans Affairs’ vast network of 1,400 health clinics and hospitals is beset by maintenance problems such as mold, leaking roofs and even a colony of bats, an internal review says. The investigation, ordered two weeks ago by VA Secretary Jim Nicholson, is the first major review of the facilities conducted since the disclosure of squalid conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center . A copy of the report was provided to The Associated Press. Democrats newly in charge of Congress called the report the latest evidence of an outdated system unable to handle a coming influx of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan . Investigators earlier this month found that the VA’s system for handling disability claims was strained to its limit. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee said, “Who’s been minding the store?” They keep putting Band-Aids on problems, when what the agency needs is major triage.” The report found that 90% of the 1,100 problems cited were deemed to be of a more routine nature: worn-out carpet, peeling paint, mice sightings and dead bugs at VA centers. The other 10% were considered serious and included mold spreading in patient care areas. Eight cases were so troubling they required immediate attention and follow-up action, according to the 94-page review. Some of the more striking problems found and noted in the report were:
1) Deteriorating walls and hallways were common, requiring repair, patch and paint in 30 percent of patient areas in Little Rock AR.
2) Roof leaks throughout the VA clinic in White City OR requiring continuously repair, mold clean up, spraying and/removal of ceiling tiles.” Also, large colonies of bats residing outside the facility that sometimes flew into the attics and interior parts of the building. Of benefit is that the bats keep the insect pollution to a minimum.
3) Secondhand smoke from an outside smoking shelter sometimes infiltrated the building through the women’s restroom in Oklahoma City
4) Numerous unspecified “environmental conditions” affected the quality of the building in New York ‘s Hudson Valley , with the private landlord repeatedly refusing to fix problems. The VA is taking steps to relocate to another facility.
5) Roof leaks or mold at facilities such as Hudson Valley NY; North Chicago IL; Indianapolis IN ; Puget Sound WA; Portland OR ; and Fayetteville AR..
VA's Acting Under Secretary for Health Michael Kussman said he special review of all facilities concludes most deficiencies involve “normal wear and tear." He noted that most of the maintenance issues identified in the special report did not involve areas providing direct patient care. The overwhelming majority of issues identified are the kinds of items you would expect to find -- and see being addressed -- in an organization with nearly 150 million square feet of space where 1 million patients come each week. Kussman said the Department's $519 million maintenance budget for this year, coupled with $573 million proposed for next year, should take care of any maintenance shortcomings. If further funds are needed, VA pledged to work with congressional committees to identify how to best address those needs. "VA facilities are inspected more frequently than any other health care facilities in the nation," Kussman said. "We will continue to monitor closely the progress of corrective action identified by this special report."
Veterans groups said they were concerned about the findings but also appreciated the VA’s aggressive efforts to identify problems. “We now expect these problems to be corrected immediately and not shelved due to insufficient funding or because the proper care and treatment of our wounded veterans is no longer in the national spotlight,” said Joe Davis, spokesman of Veterans of Foreign Wars. In response, Nicholson this week ordered “immediate corrective action” to fix problems, with full accounting provided to the VA. [Source: Associated Press Hope Yencarticle 22 Mar 07 ++]
VETERANS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT: The H.R. 5549 Attorneys for Veterans Act was passed in the 109th Congress after lengthy negotiations and compromise between the House and Senate Veteran Affairs committees and signed into law. Basically it gave veterans the right to hire an attorney to represent them in furthering their claims only after the VA had issued an initial decision on their claim and the claimant had appealed. The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization, which provides free representation for veterans in appeal cases, was opposed to that legislation fearing that among other things attorneys would unduly charge for their services on such claims. DAV recently sent out a letter to their Commanders and members on the subject. They were urged to sign the petitions and send them to Congress in an effort to repeal the "Attorneys for Veterans" legislation passed last year through the newly submitted Veterans’ Benefits Protection Act” H.R. 1318 in the 110th Congress.
On 19 MAR, Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), who favors "Attorneys for Veterans" and who was mentioned in the DAV's letter, responded via letter to the DAV regarding their claims in an effort to correct what appears to be a "misrepresentation" of his involvement and support of the legislation. Among other things he said that he believes veterans to be mature, responsible, and capable enough to decide for themselves whether or not to hire legal representation. That the legislation only gives veterans the option of do so and they should not be discouraged from availing of free assistance provided by many veteran service organizations. His letter can be viewed at www.vawatchdog.com/07/nf07/nfMAR07/nf032007-8.htm.
Additionally, commentary from an attorney who represents veterans in the VA claims process was received that said, "I believe Senator Craig wrote a very well reasoned response to the DAV. The only thing I would have added is since the new law only allows attorney representation after a denial by the VA Regional Office and the submission of a Notice of Disagreement, attorney representation would only occur after a Veterans' Service Organization (VSO) (if the veteran was so represented) has failed to obtain a favorable decision. I believe this is a very important point. If the veteran first obtained VSO representation [from the DAV, for example], and that representation failed to obtain a favorable result, why shouldn't the veteran then be allowed to seek other representation, if he or she so chooses?" [Source: VA Watchdog dot Org Larry Scott article 20 Mar 07 ++]
ECHO TAPS WORLDWIDE: Hundreds of volunteer brass players are being recruited to perform the 24 notes of “Taps” on 19 May 07, in recognition of Armed Forces Day at National Cemeteries, State Veterans Cemeteries and American Battle Monuments Cemeteries overseas. The event, called “Echo Taps Worldwide,” is being organized by the VA National Cemetery Administration and Bugles Across America to honor and remember American veterans through a worldwide performance of Taps. Organizers also hope the event will interest brass players in volunteering to perform Taps at the military funerals of veterans throughout the year. Each day, America loses about 1,800 of its veterans, primarily those who fought in World War II and Korea. In honor of them and the service they provided, it is important that our Nation preserves the tradition of a live bugler to play final military honors. During the event, players will form a line through the cemetery and perform a cascading version of Taps. Brass players of all ages are encouraged to perform at the cemetery of their choice. Schools and other organizations are also invited to participate in the tribute as performers or support volunteers. Volunteer buglers and trumpeters must register through the VA's website, which is attached to the "Echo Taps" website www.echotaps.org.
The first large “Echo Taps” event occurred In May 05, when 674 brass players from 30 states lined 42-miles of road between Woodlawn National Cemetery in Elmira, NY, and Bath National Cemetery in Bath, NY. Playing “Taps” in cascade, it took nearly three hours from the first note played at Woodlawn to the final note of Taps sounded at the National Cemetery at Bath. In 2006, players performed “Echo Taps” at 52 National Cemeteries and State Veterans Cemeteries across the Nation on Veterans Day in preparation for the upcoming effort. The Armed Forces Day event in 2007 will involve buglers around the world to include participants at American Battle Monument Cemeteries overseas. Thomas Day, a Marine veteran who founded Bugles Across America in 2000 said, “A live bugler performing Taps is an expression of the Nation’s appreciation for the service of each veteran. With more than 600,000 veterans dying each year, we are always looking for new volunteers to perform this valuable service. Echo Taps Worldwide will honor America’s 40 million veterans who have served over the course of our history and draw attention to the need for more buglers to perform “Taps” as part of final military honors. [Source: TREA Update 12 Jan 07 ++]
RECRUITER MISCONDUCT UPDATE 02: The military is considering installing surveillance cameras in recruiting stations across the country, the most dramatic of several new steps to address a rise in misconduct allegations against military recruiters—including sexual assaults of female prospects and bending the rules to meet quotas. In a letter to Congress a top Pentagon personnel official outlined the initiatives, which also include a ban on recruiters meeting with prospective recruits of the opposite sex unless a supervisor is present. Recruiters may also be required to give potential recruits “applicant’s rights cards,” spelling out what a recruiter can and cannot do to get them to enlist, and the military may set up a hot line to report violations, according to the letter. Together, they mark the Pentagon’s most forceful attempt to address what government investigators say is an increase in the number of recruiters using questionable tactics and in some cases breaking the law while trying to fill the Pentagon’s need for new soldiers and Marines. In the 7 MAR letter Michael L. Dominguez, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, wrote that at least one branch of the service is “assessing the feasibility of video surveillance” to prevent abuses.
All services have examined their programs and have instituted several new facets,” Dominguez reported. The military has more than 20,000 recruiters, thousands of whom serve on the “front lines” of recruitment at schools, malls, sporting events, and other gathering places for young people. They are required to sign up at least two recruits a month, a struggle in healthy economic times and when public approval for the war in Iraq is at an all-time low. Since the military is seeking to increase its ranks by 92,000 troops over the next five years, the Army and Marine Corps will add more recruiters. But the pressure to put more men and women in uniform probably will not diminish. While cases of recruiter misconduct are considered rare, a Government Accountability Office investigation using Defense Department data last year found that substantiated cases of recruiter wrongdoing rose from about 400 in 2004 to 630 in 2005.
The August 2006 report also found that cases of sexual harassment of potential recruits or falsifying medical records more than doubled from 30 instances to 70. Examples of misconduct include making unrealistic promises to recruits, fraternizing with them during off hours, offering them cash or other incentives to enlist, and generally “coercive behavior,” according to Beth J. Asch , a researcher at the government-funded Rand Corporation who specializes in military recruiting issues. Criminal behavior includes underage drinking and sexual harassment. Recruiters have also been cutting corners to find enough bodies to meet their quota, some analysts say, turning a blind eye to problems that would ordinarily disqualify prospects from joining the Army: scrapes with the law, single parenthood, medical problems, and drug abuse. “The biggest problem is looking the other way on narcotics use” among prospective recruits, said Alan Gropman , a professor at the National Defense University in Washington.
Both analysts and the Pentagon said sexual misconduct is among the most pressing issues of recruiter wrongdoing. An investigation by the Associated Press found that in 2005, at least 80 male recruiters were disciplined for abusing female potential recruits. More than 100 young women who had expressed interest in joining the military reported that their recruiters had victimized them, the AP investigation found. The abuse included rape on couches in recruiting offices, assaults in government cars, and groupings en route to military entrance exams. The commander of the US Army Recruiting Command, Major General Thomas P. Bostick , issued an updated policy prohibiting recruiters from being alone with a potential applicant of the opposite sex. Instituting the "buddy system," the 14 MAR directive requires that during the recruiting process there will be at least one qualifying person present at all times whenever a recruiter meets with a prospect, applicant, or future soldier of the opposite gender. The Army command is implementing this policy “primarily to maintain the integrity of the recruiting process and enhance the credibility of that process with potential recruits, parents/guardians, communities, and school officials,” according to the directive. [Source: Boston Globe Bryan Bender article 19 Mar -07 ++]
WRAMC UPDATE 07: As House lawmakers worked to halt the planned closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Sen. John Warner (R-VA) proposed a more modest change in the military’s plans. The former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said he wanted to accelerate construction projects at two other Washington-area military hospitals, which would absorb Walter Reed patients when the facility closes in 2011. Doing so would provide a “seamless turnover” for wounded troops, Warner said during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the Army’s fiscal 2008 budget proposal. Warner also warned against overturning the base closure law to keep Walter Reed open, arguing that it would be a precedent-setting move that would spur lawmakers to try to halt other base closings. “I think it makes great sense,” acting Army Secretary Preston (Pete) Geren said of Warner’s proposal. The House Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved an amendment to the fiscal 2007 supplemental spending bill that would delay Walter Reed’s closure until the end of the war. It passed as part of a manager’s package of amendments. “This was a dumb, dumb thing,” Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill., the amendment’s sponsor, said of the decision to close Walter Reed. Many of the base closing decisions “were dumb,” he said, “but this was the dumbest.” [Source: GOVEXEC.com Daily Briefing 15 Mar 07]
BUG SAFETY (CHILDREN): Summer Safety tips.
Don't use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.
Insect repellents containing DEET are the most effective.
The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10% to over 30%. The benefits of DEET reach a peak at a concentration of 30%, the maximum concentration currently recommended for infants and children. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age. The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase. [Source: COPS Newsletter Spring 06 http://cops.cc/programs/resources]
WRAMC UPDATE 06: It was reported 15 MAR that there is a strong movement in Congress to try and reverse the decision of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission and remove Walter Reed Army Hospital from the list of military installations to be closed. The House Appropriations Committee passed the $124 billion Iraq/Afghanistan war supplemental spending bill and included in it an amendment authored by defense subcommittee chairman John Murtha of Pennsylvania that would prohibit Walter Reed Army Medical Center from being closed for the duration of the war in Iraq. The amendment was supported by both Democrats and Republicans on the committee. In question is what effect it will have on the BRAC process. BRAC has worked because it has been impenetrable, at least until now. No member of Congress wants to see a military installation closed in his or her district or state. The BRAC process has been successful because it has managed to close installations that were deemed unnecessary by preventing individual members of Congress from stopping the final decisions made by the BRAC Commission. By taking Walter Reed off the closing list a precedent may have been set that could have unintended consequences in future BRAC efforts. It should be noted that the reprieve for Walter Reed is conditional. Once the Iraq war is over it is very possible that Walter Reed will rejoin the list of installations scheduled to be closed. [Source: TREA Washington Update 16 Mar 07 ++]
MILLENNIUM COHORT STUDY: The Millennium Cohort Study was designed to evaluate the long-term health effects of military service, specifically deployments. The Department of Defense realized after the 1991 Gulf War that there was a need to collect more information about the long-term health of service members. The Millennium Cohort Study was designed to address that critical need, and the study was underway by 2001. Funded by the Department of Defense, and supported by military, Department of Veterans Affairs, and civilian researchers, almost 108,000 people have already participated in this groundbreaking study. The Millennium Cohort is comprised of two unique groups, the 2001 Cohort of 77,047 individuals and the 2004 Cohort of over 30,000 individuals. As force health protection continues to be a priority for the future of the United States military, the Millennium Cohort Study will be providing a crucial step towards enhancing the long-term health of military service members.
The Millennium Cohort Study at the Naval Health Research Center is launching its third enrollment effort. They will be contacting nearly 300,000 service members encouraging them to fill out the 2007 survey. The study will monitor the health of more than 150,000 members who served in all branches US military, making this the largest prospective military health study in the history of the United States armed forces. The survey will include active duty, veteran, and military retiree participants. This effort will span more than 20 years, and participants will be surveyed every three years, for self-reported health data. The results of this study have far-reaching potential and will shape policy on military service benefits and health care for years to come. Study information and documents are available for viewing at the Millennium Cohort website http://www.millenniumcohort.org. [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 16 Mar 07 ++]
NDAA 2008: Representatives of several Military Coalition members testified for two hours before the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee on 15 MAR, answering the Subcommittee's questions about priority issues for active duty, Guard/Reserve, and retired members and their families and survivors. Chairman Vic Snyder (D-AR) asked each representative what their priorities would be for inclusion in the FY2008 Defense Authorization Act, which the committee will be drafting next month. The Coalition representatives cited:
- Ensuring proper care, support, and smooth transition from military to VA services for wounded warriors and their families.
- Ensuring the services have enough manpower to meet their mission requirements and ease terrible stresses on active duty, Guard and Reserve families due to high deployment rates.
- Rejecting disproportional, budget-driven health fee increases and putting standards in law for military health benefits that recognize career military members' pre-payment of extraordinary, up-front premiums through decades of service and sacrifice.
- Correction of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) inequities for "greatest generation" retirees and widows of members who die as a result of service.
- More progress in eliminating the disability offset to earned military retired pay.
- Continued progress in restoring full pay comparability for active duty, Guard and Reserve members who are paying such a high price in the current conflict’
Rep. John McHugh (R-NY), the Subcommittee's senior Republican, indicated the Subcommittee's strong sympathy with the concurrent receipt and SBP issues, but said it was unlikely that the Budget Resolution now being crafted by congressional leaders would provide enough budget headroom to permit full fixes. He asked whether the Coalition would be willing to consider interim steps to make additional progress.
MOAA Government Relations Director Col Steve Strobridge (USAF-Ret) responded that the Coalition had worked with the Subcommittee in the past on such efforts and would be willing to do so again as an alternative to making no progress at all. He highlighted the particular inequity facing combat-wounded members forced into medical retirement before attaining 20 years of service and urged the Subcommittee to at least "vest" retired pay for those members at 2.5% of pay times their years of service. Strobridge also indicated the importance of providing assistance to widows suffering deduction of VA survivor benefits from their SBP annuities, and highlighted the traumas many suffer as the Defense Finance and Accounting Service demands that they repay large amounts of previously paid SBP. [Source: MOAA Leg Up 16 Mar 07]
TAX ON HOME SALE: Many people remember the pre-1997 rules that required taxpayers to purchase a more expensive home within two years of the sale of a primary residence to defer capital gains. After age 55, taxpayers could downsize and receive a one-time capital gain exclusion of up to $125,000. The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 significantly changed primary residence tax treatment, making it potentially much more beneficial for taxpayers. The new rules allow for an exclusion from income taxes on up to $500,000 in gain on the sale of a personal residence if married, filing jointly and up to $250,000 for single filers under Internal Revenue Code Section 121. To qualify for this exclusion, taxpayers must meet these requirements:
■ Ownership. You (or your spouse, if married) must have owned the house for at least two of the previous five years.
■ Use. The home must have been used as the primary residence for two out of the previous five years. If you are married, both of you must meet this requirement. If one spouse does not, the exclusion is only $250,000. Servicemembers who meet the ownership test above may suspend the use requirement for up to 10 years if they are on qualified, official, extended duty for 90 days or more and are serving more than 50 miles from the primary residence or are living in government housing. IRS Publication 3, The Armed Forces’ Tax Guide (pages 11-12), explains this provision in detail.
■ Frequency. You may only use this exclusion every two years. If one spouse has sold a primary residence within the past two years, the exclusion is limited to $250,000.
These rules turn the primary residence back into a powerful investment tool, particularly in areas with significant price appreciation. For example, assuming you meet all requirements. If you bought your home in 1985 for $200,000 and have made $50,000 in improvements, your cost basis would be $250,000. If you sell the home for $800,000, paying a 6% real estate commission ($48,000) and incurred $15,000 in fix-up and miscellaneous expenses, your final effective sales price (sales price less selling costs) is $737,000. Their gain on the sale, then, is $737,000 minus $250,000 (basis), or $487,000. If you are married, filing jointly, and meet all requirements, you can exclude the entire gain from income taxes. A home must be a primary residence to qualify for this valuable exclusion. Vacation homes and rental properties do not qualify under this provision. For taxpayers who don’t meet all requirements but sell the primary residence because of job relocation, health issues, or unforeseen circumstances, a reduced exclusion might be available. IRS Publication 523 is the primary source for determining tax treatment for home sales. You can download the publication at www.irs.gov. [Source: MOAA Financial Forum May 06]
COLA 2008 UPDATE 04: The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the February 2007 Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is the metric used to calculate the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for military retired pay and annuities. The CPI had its third straight increase of FY2007 - 0.5% above January's CPI. However, the CPI still stands 0.3% below its starting point at the beginning of the fiscal year five months ago. This year's cumulative -0.3% through February is the lowest rate of inflation recorded for the first five months of any fiscal year for the past 30 years. But inflation could turn around quickly in the next seven months. The next quarter may give a clearer picture of where inflation may end up for 2007. The lowest COLA military retirees and annuitants received in the last 30 years was 0% in 1985. That year, Congress consciously eliminated the COLA for federal retirees and survivors to save money. The lowest COLAs based on actual inflation occurred in 1986 and 1998 at 1.3%. [Source: MOAA Leg Up 16 Mar 07]
VBDR: Department of Defense, through Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) as the Executive Agent, provides dose estimates for veterans who participated in the 1945-1946 occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, Japan, and in U.S. sponsored atmospheric nuclear testing between 1945 and 1962. These dose reconstructions are used by the VA to evaluate and decide veterans' claims filed under the provisions of Public Law (PL) 98-542 and implementing regulations in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 3.311. In 1977 the radiation exposure military personnel received as a result of their participation in above-ground nuclear weapons tests became a national issue. A front page article was published in the Sunday paper supplement, Parade Magazine, about a report of an increased incidence of leukemia in veterans who had taken part in a nuclear weapons test at the Nevada Test Site. This test, Shot Smoky, was part of the Plumbbob Series conducted at the Nevada Test Site.
The Parade Magazine story was an initiating event for the need to assess doses for veterans who participated in nuclear weapons testing. Each of the military services, Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps quickly set up offices under the coordinating direction of the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA), a legacy agency of the current DTRA to collect information on veterans who participated in weapons tests, information on their radiation exposures, and to respond to the significant number of inquiries that resulted. These offices were called Nuclear Test Personnel Review (NTPR) offices with the service name in front. These offices coordinated the initial services’ responses to the individual veterans and assisted DNA in responding to the Veterans Administration (Department of Veterans Affairs as of 1989), Congress, news media and the public.
Early on it was recognized that personnel dosimetry information for the veterans was fragmented between the services, DNA and the Nevada Test Site. DNA was designated the responsible Department of Defense organization to address the radiation exposures of the veterans for all of the services as well as to coordinate the services’ other NTPR activities. Since individual radiation exposure information often was not available, the need for a program of individual veteran's radiation dose reconstruction became apparent early in the NTPR program and was initiated by and performed under the guidance of DNA. In 1987 the functions of the individual service NTPR offices were incorporated into a single NTPR office at DTRA, where responsibility for the dose reconstruction program and the NTPR program currently reside.
In DEC 03 Congress directed the Secretaries of DoD and VA under Section 601 of Public Law (PL) 108-183 to appoint an advisory board to provide on-going independent review and oversight of the Dose Reconstruction (DR) Program. That board is titled the Veterans’ Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction (VBDR) and under its charter is tasked to advise DoD and VA as follows :
(a) Conduct periodic, random audits of dose reconstructions and decisions on claims for radiogenic diseases;
(b) Assist the VA and DTRA in communicating to veterans information on the mission, procedures, and evidentiary requirements of dose reconstruction;
(c) Carry out other activities with regard to review and oversight of the Dose Reconstruction Program as specified jointly by the Secretaries; and
(d) Make recommendations on modifications to the mission and procedures of the Dose Reconstruction Program as the Advisory Board considers appropriate as a result of the audits.
The Committee is made up of medical, scientific and Atomic Veteran personnel. In MAR 07 they held a public meeting in Las Vegas NV at which the Committee unanimously voted to advise Congress to abolish the DR program. This program has, for the most part, worked to deny Atomic Veterans' Claims (with the exception of a limited number of cancers approved by Congress). Abolishing this time consuming, expensive, program will open the way for justice for numerous Atomic Veterans suffering from several medically recognized radiological diseases with the criteria being medical and not political. For additionally info on the VDBR refer to www.vbdr.org. [Source: eVeterans News 19 Mar 07 ++]
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT 2007: The proposed House bill provides $1.7 billion for initiatives to address the healthcare needs of OIF/OEF veterans, particularly those suffering from traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder. Funding is also included to address facility deficiencies so the Department of Veterans Affairs does not have to defer facility maintenance and upkeep in order to provide quality health care services. Congressman Chet Edwards (D-TX-17), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee sent a Dear Colleague communication to members of Congress on 15 MAR which details the VA funding included in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill. A summary of the initiative follows:
* $6.3 million to support the Department announced initiative to establish polytrauma support clinic teams at each of the 21 regional health care networks to improve case management of veterans. This funding will prevent veterans from falling through the cracks once they return home;
* $20 million for a pilot program authorized in 1996 to use contract physicians for disability examinations. This funding will allow a veteran to see a physician closer to home for the initial disability visit thereby shortening the claims process time and make it easier for the veteran and his/her family;
* $62 million to hire additional compensation claims personnel to expeditiously handle the claims of veterans returning from OIF/OEF as well digitizing all combat unit records. Both initiatives will shorten the time it takes to process a compensation claim as well as reduce the current backlog of claims;
* $35 million to upgrade information technology systems to include programs that effectively screen all patients for traumatic brain injury and PTSD;
* $35 million to advance research in areas most impacted by the global war on terror, such as traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and prosthetics;
* $30 million for a new Level I comprehensive polytrauma center. Congress established four Level I comprehensive polytrauma centers in 2005, which are the rehabilitation centers where active duty and veterans go after they leave the hospital and before they go home;
* $45 million to upgrade facilities at the existing four Level I and 17 Level II polytrauma centers;
* $100 million for contract mental health care. This funding allows the Department to contract with private mental health care providers to ensure that OIF/OEF veterans are seen in a timely and least disruptive fashion, including members of the Guard and Reserve;
* $56 million to ensure the Department has sufficient funds to maintain an adequate supply of state-of-the-art prosthetics for veterans;
* $228.9 million directed for treatment of OIF/OEF patients. In fiscal year 2006, the Department underestimated the number of OIF/OEF patients in the system by 40 percent. While the Committee understands the Department has revised the model used to calculate these projections and expects to track their estimates more closely, year-to-date information suggests the model may still be immature so this funding provides for a higher level of patients;
* $250 million for medical administration to ensure there are sufficient personnel to support the growing number of OIF/OEF veterans and to maintain a high level of service to all veterans in the system. This account funds the support staff such as appointment and records clerks that increase physician efficiency and improve access to care;
* $550 million for non-recurring maintenance which will allow the Department to make some headway in addressing the $5 billion backlog identified in their Facility Condition Assessment. The bill also includes $260 million for minor construction to address the backlog of projects at locations throughout the country. These amounts are intended to prevent the Department from experiencing a situation similar to that found at Walter Reed; and
* $23.8 million to complete a spinal cord injury center, already under construction.
[Source: eVeterans News 19 Mar 07 ++]
WILL ROGERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM: Will Rogers, the American Cowboy-Humorist, comedian, social commentator, vaudeville performer, and actor was probably the greatest political sage this country has ever known. He died in a plane crash with Wylie Post in 1935 at the age of 54. At the time of his death he was America’s most widely read newspaper columnist, between his daily "Will Rogers Says" telegrams which he composed daily to address each day's news and his weekly column. His Sunday night half-hour radio show was the nation's most-listened-to weekly broadcast. In both, he expressed his disappointment with big government and the effect it had on the nation, particularly during the Depression era. His wit was often caustic: as he explained, "There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you." Nevertheless, he identified with the Democratic Party saying "I don't belong to any organized party. I'm a Democrat," and was a vocal supporter of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. At one point, he was even asked to run for governor of Oklahoma, the party hoping to benefit from his immense popularity.
In the United States Capitol Building each state is allowed to have two statues. In memorial he was given this honor by the state of Oklahoma. It is said that as Presidents walk by the Will Rogers statue on the way to give a State of the Union speech it is good luck to rub the shoes on the statue. The Will Rogers Memorial Museum is located at 1720 West Will Rogers Blvd, Claremore Ok 74018 Tel: (918) 341-0719 wrinfo@willrogers.com. It is open 365 days a year 0800-1700. Admission to the nine galleries, three theaters, interactive television, and special children's museum is by voluntary contributions. For additional info refer to www.willrogers.org. Following are some examples of his wit:
1. Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.
2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
3. There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman...neither works.
4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
5. Always drink upstream from the herd.
6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.
8. There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.
9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
10. If you're riding' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.
11. Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier'n puttin' it back.
12. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
About Growing Older...
First ~ Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
Second ~ The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for
Third ~ Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
Fourth ~ When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.
Fifth ~ You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
Sixth ~ I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.
Seventh ~ One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.
Eighth ~ One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.
Ninth ~ Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
Tenth ~ Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf
And finally ~ If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old.
[Source: eVeterans News 19 Mar 07 ++]
FUTURE FOR VETS COMMISSION: The Commission on the Future for America’s Veterans began operating in SEP 06 as a private, independent, analytical body to examine the needs of veterans 20 years in the future, and develop recommendations for how the federal government should meet those needs. Over the next 15 months, the Commission will be holding meetings and conducting research to develop and deliver recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the America public by Memorial Day 2008. The Commission was created by the Veterans Coalition, an organization that includes The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America, Blinded American Veterans Foundation, Jewish War Veterans, and Military Order of the Purple Heart. The Commission is currently engaged in a multi-state tour actively seeking input from military veterans, veterans’ experts, and other Americans interested in supporting veterans. The tour began at Charleston WV in JAN 07, continued for 3 days in mid-MAR in Tampa FL, goes to San Diego CA at the end of May, and then on to Cincinnati OH in July.
The centerpiece of their Tampa visit was an open, public “town hall” meeting held in which hundreds of Florida residents were able to speak directly to the Commission about their experiences with VA today and their hopes for its future. This “town hall” meeting, called “Conversations on the Future for America’s Veterans”, was webcast live over the Internet. During the week, the Commission conducted tours of the VA nursing home at Bay Pines and the polytrauma and spinal cord injury units at the Haley VA hospital in Tampa. The Commission also heard several hours of expert testimony about the future of VA research, academic affiliations, and information management and technology. Among the experts who spoke to the Commission were: Dr. Steven Scott, Medical Director, Tampa Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center; Dr. Joel Kupersmith, VA Chief of Research and Development; Dr. Paul Tibbits, VA Deputy Chief Information Officer; Dr. Malcolm Cox, Chief Academic Affiliations Officer; Dr. Jordan J. Cohen of the American Association of Medical Colleges; Dr. Lynn Wecker, Associate Dean for Research at the University of South Florida College of Medicine; and Mr. Gary Ewart, Director of Research at Friends of VA Research.
Managing Commissioner Harry N. Walters in a press release said that, “the Commission on the Future for America’s Veterans has taken major strides towards its goal of developing a vision and plan for how this nation can best deliver needed benefits and services to our veterans far into the future." Harry Walters previously served as Administrator of Veterans Affairs under President Ronald Reagan. For additional information on the commission’s work refer to www.future4vets.org. Among other items the site provides a summary of healthcare, benefits, transition, catastrophic disability, National Guard and Reserve issues under review by the Commission. [Source: VA Secretary VSOL Office Kevin Secor msg 19 Mar 07 ++]
DFAS DEATH NOTIFICATION UPDATE 01: The Death of a Military Retiree or Annuitant can be reported to Defense finance and Accounting Service at either (800) 269-5170 or (800) 321-1080 07-1930 EST M-F. You need to have the decedent’s Social Security Number (SSN) and the date of death when you call. If reporting by mail send to DFAS U.S. Military, Retirement Pay, P.O. Box 7130, London, KY 40742-7130 or Fax: (800) 469-6559 for retirees and U.S. Military, Annuitant Pay, P.O. Box 7130, London, KY 40742-7131 or Fax: (800) 982-8459 for Annuitants. Send one photocopy of a death certificate which indicates the cause of death. DFAS will take steps to close out the pay account to prevent any overpayments. If the decedent was a retiree enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and/or the Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP), additional steps will be taken to initiate pay accounts for eligible survivors. Designated beneficiaries of retirees should expect a Standard Form 1174 (SF-1174) and, if applicable, SBP/RSFPP-related forms in the mail within seven to ten business days of reporting the death. For assistance call either of the numbers listed above or refer to www.dod.mil/dfas/retiredpay/reportingde ... itant.html.
Telephone numbers of other government offices which may need to be contacted are:
- Social Security Administration (SSA) at (800) 772-1213.
- Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) at (800) 538-9552.
- If the deceased was receiving disability compensation or Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC), notify the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) at (800) 827-1000.
- If the deceased was a civil servant or retired civil servant, notify the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) toll-free at (888) 767-6738.
- If the deceased was enrolled in DVA-sponsored insurance such as National Service Life Insurance (NSLI) or Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), notify them at (800) 669-8477.
Those living near a military installation may be able to receive help with administrative matters from a Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO) or Retired Activities/Affairs Office (RAO). Note that these services are not available at all military installations/geographic locales. Those living in the Philippines can call the VA Regional Office from 08-1600 M-F at 528-6300 [embassy operator], 528-2500 [direct line] or for outside Metro Manila you may call toll free at 1-800-1-888-5252. To notify SSA call (63-2) 523-1001ext. 6228 To notify either SSA or VA by mail send to 1201 Roxas Boulevard - Ermita 1000 – Manila. Some additional toll-free numbers you may find useful are:
Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA): (800) 776-2322
Army & Air Force Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA): (800) 522-5221
Burial at Sea: (888) 647-6676 (option 4)
Funeral Honors: (877) 645-4667
Military Benefit Association: (800) 336-0100
Officers Benefit Association: (800) 736-7311
Uniformed Service Benefit Association: (800) 368-7021
[Source: DFAS Mar 07 ++]
RETURNING GWT HEROES TF: On 6 MAR 07 the President directed VA Secretary Nicholson to establish an Interagency Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes. The Task Force will consist of Secretaries, or their designees, from the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education. The Director, Office of Management and Budget, and the Administrator, Small Business Administration, will also serve on the Task Force. The mission of the Task Force is to:
(a) Identify and examine existing Federal services that currently are provided to returning Global War on Terror service members;
(b) Identify existing gaps in such services;
(c) Seek recommendations from appropriate Federal agencies on ways to fill those gaps as effectively and expeditiously as possible using existing resources; and
(d) Ensure that in providing services to these service members, appropriate Federal agencies are communicating and cooperating effectively, and facilitate the fostering of agency communications and cooperation through informal and formal means, as appropriate.
The Task Force is focused on improvements using existing executive authority and resources. The Commission will report its recommendations to the President via the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veteran affairs and will provide a final report no later than 30 JUN 07. To further their study on how to enhance combat veteran services and reduce red tape they are inviting feedback from those concerned. People can email their comments to the task force at TFHeroes@va.gov or fax comments to 202-273-9599. Task Force information and mailing address can be obtained on the VA home page, www.va.gov/taskforce. The Web page allows active duty service members, veterans, family members and others to comment directly to the task force on the accessibility, timeliness and delivery of services. Comments will be studied by the task force, used in the panel’s evaluation of gaps in service and form the basis of recommended solutions. Under the terms of the executive order creating the task force, the group has 45 days to complete their mission. [Source: VA Press Release 15 Mar 07 ++]
HEPATITIS & LIVER CANCER: Some 200 million people worldwide are infected with the hepatitis C virus of which nearly 5 million of these are in the U.S. Each year about 230,000 new hepatitis C infections are recorded. Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver, usually from a viral infection but sometimes from toxic agents. Five known viruses cause inflammation of the liver resulting in hepatitis A, B, C, D or E. Hepatitis C is the single most significant cause of liver disease and liver transplants, spreading through contact with infected blood and other body fluids. Viral hepatitis symptoms are similar, no matter the type. Some people infected with hepatitis C show no symptoms but can infect others without knowing it. Symptoms can take up to 20 or 30 years to appear. They include jaundice, fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, dark urine, joint pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea. Rarely will viral hepatitis alone cause liver failure and death. Rather, those with chronic hepatitis C infection are more susceptible to liver failure , or cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Increases in the rate of liver cancer over the past two or three decades may well be due to hepatitis C virus acquired during the 1960’s and 1970’s. The risk of Hepatitis C, as well as other blood-borne diseases can be lowered through lifestyle precautions. Other risk factors are beyond a person’s control. Most at risk are people who:
= Are hemodialysis patients;
= Have ever injected drugs;
= Have jobs that expose them to human blood;
= Received a blood transfusion before July 1992;
= received clotting factors made before1987;
= Have had sexual contact with an infected person; or
= Have has multiple sex partners.
Several blood tests can determine if you have been infected with hepatitis C. Your doctor may order just one or combination of these tests. Two drugs currently approved for treatment re interferon and ribavirin, which can be taken alone are in combination. No vaccinations are currently available. In 1998 VA opened a national registry to identify patients with hepatitis C and track their clinical status with the goal of improving care. A recent study of nearly 1300 patients at 20 VA medical centers found a hepatitis C infection rate of 5.4%. The figure for Vietnam veterans was more than double that. Another study found that up to 70% of new hepatitis-C patients are unable to begin antiviral therapy