VA would close 3 medical centers, restructure 100s of
outpatient clinics in new plan
VA Plan Would Close 3 Major Medical Centers, Restructure
Outpatient Clinics
The House today passed H.R. 2471, an omnibus spending
bill consisting of all 12 fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills and
supplemental funding to support Ukraine.
https://appropriations.house.gov/news
H.J.Res.75 - Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act,
2022
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-joint-resolution/75
Steps for Completing the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn
Pit Registry
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/exposures/Registry-Steps.pdf
VISN 4 Announces New Medical Center Director: The
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is pleased to announce the appointment of
Sharon Coyle as the new executive director of the Butler VA Health Care System
in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Note: VISN 4
Announced on March 11th, New Deputy Medical Center Director, Ms. Prachi V.
Asher, for VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.)
https://www.va.gov/butler-health-care/news-releases/visn-4-announces-new-medical-center-director/
H.R. 6543, the Restore Veterans’ Compensation Act, would
eliminate the recoupment of separation pay, special separation benefits, and
voluntary separation incentive payments from members of the Armed Forces who
subsequently receive VA disability compensation.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6543
S.3017 - Veterans Dental Care Eligibility Expansion and
Enhancement Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/3017?s=1&r=2
S.2189 - HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) Access Act of
2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2189/all-info
S.1313 - Honoring All Veterans Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1313
S.3548 - Veterans Hearing Benefits Act of 2022
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/3548
S.3397 - VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of
2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/3397
S.3304 - Patient Advocate Tracker Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/3304
Major Steven Schofield, United States Army, Retired - Feb
17, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6ZijIeeNvM
Lawmakers Balk at VA Plans to Roll Out Electronic Medical
Records System
VA Wants to Shutter More than 100 Medical Facilities But
Build Hundreds More
VA's big restructuring plans to close Philly and
Coatesville centers
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/va-hospital-philadelphia-coatesville-close-20220316.html
Veterans Affairs recommends closing Philadelphia and
Coatesville hospitals
https://whyy.org/articles/veteran-affairs-philly-coatesville-hospitals-closing/
DEBES, WALTER K., Died October
3, 2021, age 89, of Rhawnhurst, PA. Beloved husband of 50 years to the late
Adele F. Debes (Holmes). Devoted father of Walter J. (Patricia) and John A.
(Lucy). Walt was a Navy veteran of the
Korean War and a retired letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. He
was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 20. He was also a devoted
volunteer at the VA Hospital.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/inquirer/name/walter-debes-obituary?id=24723162
USS PUEBLO (AGER-2)
These 17 Medical Centers Would
Close and More Than 30 Built or Replaced Under VA Plan
VA Recommendations to the AIR
Commission
https://www.va.gov/aircommissionreport/
VA releases Asset and Infrastructure Review report
https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5774
VA Recommendations to the ASSET
AND INFRASTRUCTURE REVIEW COMMISSION. Volume I: Introduction, Approach and
Methodology, and Outcomes
https://www.va.gov/AIRCOMMISSIONREPORT/docs/VA-Report-to-AIR-Commission-Volume-I.pdf
VA Recommendations to the ASSET
AND INFRASTRUCTURE REVIEW COMMISSION. Volume
II: Market Recommendations
https://www.va.gov/AIRCOMMISSIONREPORT/Volume_II.asp
VA Recommendations to the AIR
Commission. Appendices
https://www.va.gov/AIRCOMMISSIONREPORT/Appendices.asp
H.R.1972 - Fair Care for Vietnam
Veterans Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1972/all-info
H.R.3967 - Honoring our PACT
Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3967
Senate starts negotiations on
measure to provide health care, benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits
H.R.5666 - Servicemembers and
Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5666
H.R.2281 - Dust Off Crews of
the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2281
H.R.4732 - Protecting Benefits
for Disabled Veterans Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4732/
S.2533 - Making Advances in
Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2533
H.R.4794 - Making Advances in
Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4794
H.R.3492 - Gold Star Families
Benefits Protection Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3492
H.R.1948 - VA Employee Fairness
Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1948
S.1965 - Planning for Aging
Veterans Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1965
H.R.3367 - Gold Star Children
Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3367
S.1944 - Vet Center Improvement
Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1944
S.1488 - Military Hunger
Prevention Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1488
S.1863 - Guaranteeing
Healthcare Access to Personnel Who Served Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1863
H.R.4624 - Guaranteeing
Healthcare Access to Personnel Who Served Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4624
S.1520 - Military Justice Improvement
and Increasing Prevention Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1520
H.R.3 - Elijah E. Cummings
Lower Drug Costs Now Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3
Honor Flight Network
Philadelphia
http://honorflightphiladelphia.org/
Honor Flight Application Forms
http://honorflightphiladelphia.org/application-forms/
Honoring Our Promise to Address
Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021
National Vietnam War Veterans Day is on
Tuesday, March 29, 2022. This is a day to recognize and remember the more than
8.7 million men and women who served during the Vietnam era, the 3.4 million
who served in theater, the 58,000 who paid the ultimate price, and the 1,584
who remain missing and unaccounted-for. In our nation where less than one
percent of the population currently wears the uniform and less than seven
percent has ever worn the uniform, this day is a great opportunity to say,
“Thank you for your service.”
https://www.vfw.org/actioncorpsweekly
The Center for Women Veterans’
(CWV) mission is to monitor and coordinate VA’s administration of health care,
benefits, services, and programs for women Veterans. We serve as an advocate
for cultural transformation and to raise awareness of the responsibility to
treat women Veterans with dignity and respect to #BringWomenVeteransHome2VA.
S.2102 - Dr. Kate Hendricks
Thomas Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans In Combat Environments (SERVICE)
Act of 2021. This bill would require VA
to provide mammography screenings to veterans who served in known toxic
exposure locations. 06/17/2021 – Senate Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 03/24/2022 – Passed in Senate with an amendment
by Voice Vote. 03/28/2022 - Received in the House. This is a VFW-supported
bill.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2102
S. 2533 - Making Advances in
Mammography and Medical Options (MAMMO) for Veterans Act. The MAMMO Act would
require VA to carry out a mammography telescreening pilot program, upgrade VA
mammography suites to 3-D digital screening, and develop a breast imaging
strategic plan for veterans. 07/29/2021 –
Senate Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
03/23/2022 – Passed in Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. 3/24/2022 -
Received in the House. This is a VFW-supported bill.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2533
H.R. 7144 - Military Housing
Transparency and Accountability Act.
This legislation will direct the Secretary of Defense to develop a
centralized Military Housing Feedback Tool for members of the U.S. Armed Forces
and their families to identify, rate, and compare housing. 03/17/2022 -
Introduced in House and Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/7144
VA, VFW open ATLAS telehealth
access in rural Pennsylvania. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Erie VA Medical Center
Director John Gennaro visited the ATLAS site at VFW Post 7842 in Linesville,
Pennsylvania . This location offers the convenience of telehealth appointments
and eliminates the need to drive to the Erie VA Medical Center for
appointments, providing relief from travel in treacherous winter weather
conditions. VFW Post 2487 in Los Banos, California, is featured in a VA video
to demonstrate the functionality of the ALTAS site, and includes many of the
local veterans who use it.
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/85109/va-vfw-open-atlas-telehealth-access-rural-pennsylvania/
The Defense
POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that returning home for burial with full military
honors is Navy Fireman 2nd Class Hal J. Allison, 21, of
Paducah, Kentucky, who was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was
moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese
aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits,
which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the
deaths of 429 crewmen, including Allison. He will be buried in his hometown on
April 8, 2022.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that
returning home for burial with full military honors is Navy Coxswain Paul L.
Boemer, 21, of St. Louis, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma,
which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by
Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo
hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in
the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Boemer. He will be buried in his hometown
on May 3, 2022.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that
returning home for burial with full military honors is Army Cpl. Donald L.
Menken, 21, of Whitesburg, Kentucky, was assigned to Company K, 3rd
Battalion,15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He was reported
missing in action after being wounded on June 10, 1953, while his unit was
guarding Outpost Harry on the main road to Seoul. Following the battle, Menken
could not be located and no remains were recovered. He will be buried in
Ermine, Kentucky, on May 14, 2022.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that
returning home for burial with full military honors is Army Air Forces 2nd
Lt. Eugene P. Shauvin, 25, of Spokane, Washington, was assigned to the
95th Troop Carrier Squadron, 440th Troop Carrier Group. On Sep. 17, 1944, the
C-47 Skytrain aircraft he was piloting was shot down over Belgium. The
four-person crew, including Shauvin, and five paratroopers died in the crash.
Following the war, his remains could not be identified. He will be buried in
his hometown in July 2022.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that returning
home for burial with full military honors is Navy Water Tender 1st Class
Milo E. Phillips, 26, of Pierce, Colorado, was assigned to the
battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when
the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma
sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack
on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Phillips. He will
be buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in
Honolulu, on Aug. 4, 2022.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that
returning home for burial with full military honors is Army Pvt. Pearl F. Barrow, 36, of Wichita, Kansas, was
assigned to Company F, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. He was
reported killed in action on Nov. 20, 1944, when his unit was engaged in battle
with German forces near Hürtgen, Germany. Following the battle, his remains could
not be recovered. Barrow will be buried in his hometown on a date yet to be
determined.
H.R.5819 - Autonomy for
Disabled Veterans Act. This bill
increases the maximum amount authorized under the Home Improvements and
Structural Alterations (HISA) grant program to $10,000 for veterans with a
service-connected disability and $5,000 for those with disabilities that are
not service-connected. The HISA grant program provides medically necessary
improvements and structural alterations to veterans' (or service members')
primary residence for specified purposes (e.g., allowing for entrance to their
home). The bill requires the Department
of Veterans Affairs to increase the dollar amount of the grant in accordance
with inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5819
7th FRC, Charles Davis, Jr.,
Delivered
https://chuckhillscgblog.net/2013/08/20/7th-frc-charles-davis-jr-delivered/
Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations Legislative Hearing - Started streaming Mar 30, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjTx-4oPloI
Philadelphia Psychiatrist to
Pay $3 Million to Resolve Allegations of False Workers’ Compensation Claims
Ten Texas Doctors and a
Healthcare Executive Agree to Pay over $1.68 Million to Settle Kickback
Allegations
Newaygo Woman Sentenced For
Defrauding Social Security And Veterans Programs Of Over $650,000
https://www.justice.gov/Usao-wdmi/pr/2022_0322_Christian
Defendant Who Stole Money from
Veterans and Social Security Beneficiaries Headed to Federal Prison
Rhode Island Woman Charged with
Falsifying Military Service; Fraudulently Collecting Hundreds of Thousands of
Dollars in Charitable Contributions Earmarked for Wounded and Other Veterans
Flying Through Life: From
Fighter Pilot to Peace Activist
https://bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com/flying-through-life-from-fighter-pilot-to-peace-activist/
Vietnam War mass grave found
thanks to US veteran tip-off
VA Asks for 22% Increase in
Spending on Medical Care as Part of Record $301 Billion Budget
Veterans unemployment drops to
lowest level in three years
Veterans groups, community
leaders need to play a key role in countering extremism, experts warn
Defense's Dark Waters Town Hall
with Mark Ruffalo, Rob Bilott & Vietnam Veterans of America - May 19,
2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiRgnoORskc
Is Your Medical Facility
Closing? DoD Restarts ‘Modified’ Realignment Plans
Tipping Point for Bill Helping
Combat-Injured Veterans: Make Your Voice Heard
H.R.1282 - Major Richard Star
Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1282
S.344 - Major Richard Star Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/344
How VA’s Budget Matches Up With
MOAA’s Priority List
Obituary for Samuel C Cottrell, member of Seabee Team 0511 in
Vietnam in 1967-1968
https://www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net/memorials/samuel-cottrell/4895123/index.php
Watch Live: 2022 Blessing of
the Fleet
https://navymemorial.swoogo.com/2022-botf
2021 Blessing of the Fleet -
Apr 13, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaz9i9_4ANE
Mental Health Visits Up,
Suicidal Behavior Down for Vets Given iPads During Pandemic, Study Finds
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