BACK

RAO Bulletin Update
15 September 2006


THIS BULLETIN UPDATE CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES:

== NDAA 2007 [11] -------------- (House Conferees Assigned)
== Tricare Pacific Registration --------- (On Line Registration)
== AF Combat Action Award ----------------- (Study Ongoing)
== Social Security Card ------ (New Assignment Rules)
== Congressional Cola 2007------------------- ($3300 Increase)
== VA Claim Denial [01] ------- (Multiple Claim Submission)
== Voter Registration --------------------------- (Make it Count)
== IRS Private Debt Collection ------- (Opposed by Congress)
== POW VA Benefits [03] -------------- (29,350 Vets Eligible)
== TRICARE Plus [01] ------------------  (Primary Care Only)
== USFHP [01] ----------------------- (TRICARE Prime option)
== Pregnancy Resource Centers ---- (Abortion Risks Misstated)
== Unified Medical Command ------------ (Jan 07 Target Date)
== Fake Heroes [01] ------------------------- (Senate passes Bill)
== AOL Advisory [07] ----------------------- (Business as Usual)
== Military Awards Review ------------------------ (All Services)
== Mobilized Reserve 13 SEP 06---------- (Increased by 6,168)
== Airline Carry-On Restrictions ----------------- (Be Prepared)
== Agent Orange Lawsuits [05] --- (Compliance Impact)
== Grandparents Day --------------------------- (Did You Know)
== VA Homeless Vets [02] --------------- (Bed Shortage in 07)
== VA Home Loan [ 06] -------------------- (Beneficial to Vets)
== Thrift Savings Program [05] --------- (Retirement Cashout)
== Military Payday Lenders ------------ (1000% Interest Rates)
== KDSM [03] --------------------------- (AF Automates Award)
== Military Housing Utility Bills ----- (Army Initiates Billing)
== VA ID Card -------------------------------- (Card Upgrading)
== Tricare Rx Drug Dispute ----------- (Mail Order vs. Retail)
== VA Chiropractic Care ----------------- (Beginning this Fall)
== Recall to Active Duty Update 02------------------ (All Vets)
== AFRH Gulfport [03] --------------- (Ready for Demolition)
== VetJobs Veteran Eagle --------------------- (Vet Job Source)
== Tricare Pacific Authorizations -- (Mental/Physical Therapy)
== VA Appeals [03] -------------------- (Dealing with Backlog)
== Military Legislation Status ---------------- (Where we stand)


NDAA 2007 UPDATE 11:  Without a negative vote, the Senate agreed 7 SEP
by a vote of 98-0 to approve the fiscal 2007 Defense appropriations
bill (NDAA). Included in the Senate approved appropriations was Senators
George Allen (R-VA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) amendment to increase
critical funding for care and research for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from
$7 to $19 million.  Now, House and Senate leaders must resolve the
differences between their respective bills in hopes of passing a final bill
before the new fiscal year starts on 1 OCT. The Senate bill is
substantially larger -- $469.7 billion vs. the $427.6 billion approved by the
House.  Some of the difference is due to organizational differences
between the House and Senate.  For example, the Senate bill covers defense
health care, while that is covered in a separate funding bill in the
House.  The Senate bill also provides about $13 billion more than the
House for replacement of worn-out military equipment and an additional $2
billion for border security.

     The House officially received the Senate version of the NDAA and
asked for a conference with the Senate to sort out differences.  In
taking this action, the following 66 House Members were appointed to the
conference committee on the bill from the Committee on Armed Services for
consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment, and
modifications committed to conference: Hunter (R-CA), Weldon (R-PA), Hefley
(R-CO), Saxton (R-NJ), McHugh (R-NY), Everett (R-AL), Barrett (R-SC),
Thornberry (R-TX), Hostettler (R-IN), Jones (R-NC), Ryun (R-KS), Gibbons
(R-NV), Hayes(R-NC), Calvert (R-CA), Simmons (R-CT), Drake (R-VA), Davis
(R-KY), Skelton (D-MO), Spratt (D-SC), Ortiz (D-TX), Taylor, (R-MS),
Abercrombie (D-HI), Meehan (D-MA), Reyes (D-TX), Snyder (D-AR), Smith
(D-WA), Sanchez (D-CA), Tauscher (D-CA), Brady (D-PA), Andrews (D-NJ), 
Hoekstra (R-MI), LaHood (R-IL), Harman (D-CA),  McKeon (R-CA), Kline
(R-MN), Miller (D-CA), Barton (R-TX), Gilmor (R-OH), Dingell (D-MI), Davis
(R-VA), Shays (R-CT), Waxman (D-CA), King (R-NY), Reichert (R-WA),
Thompson (D-MS), Hyde (R-IL), Leach (R-IA), Lantos (D-CA), Sensenbrenner
(R-WI), Coble (R-NC), Conyers (D-MI), Pombo (R-CA), Walden (R-OR),
Grijalva (D-AZ), Boehlrt (R-NY), Sodrel (R-IN), Gordon (D-TN), Manzullo
(R-IL), Kelly (R-NY), Velazquez (D-NY), Young (R-AK), LoBiondo (R-NJ),
Oberstar  (D-MN), Buyer (R-IN), Boozman (R-AR), & Herseth (D-SD).  The Chair
of the House also appointed to the conference numerous other members
from other committees on specific sections of the bill. The Senate had
previously appointed their 19 representatives to the conference Committee
who have been meeting unofficially for several weeks.  Apparently,
several items, including pharmaceutical pricing and copays, remain in
disagreement. 

     The Defense Authorization Bill (H.R. 5122) should not be confused
with the Defense Appropriations Bill (H.R. 5631). Congress considers
both bills at about the same time. The authorization bill includes the
law changes needed to authorize troop levels, weapons procurement, new
programs, and changes in pay and benefits (including pay raises, health
coverage, concurrent receipt, and survivor benefits).  The
appropriations bill, on the other hand, provides the funding to pay for the things
that are approved in the authorization bill. The final authorization
bill may be ready for congressional passage as early as next week. There
are expectations of winning a conference agreement prior to elections. 
A conference report could be filed as early as next week. [Source: NAUS
Weekly Update 8 Sep 06 ++]


TRICARE PACIFIC REGISTRATION:  Beneficiary registration on
TRICARE4u.com has gone paperless. A beneficiary is now able to log into
www.TRICARE4u.com within minutes of registering. By registering beneficiaries will
be able to check claim status, update or add Other Health Insurance
(OHI), change physical addresses, verify eligibility, check deductibles
and cost shares and retrieve duplicate Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for
themselves and any dependents under the age of 18, except in custodial
situations. Beneficiaries are also able to grant access to any
individual that is enrolled on TRICARE4u.com and DEERS under the same sponsor
number. Simply go to www.TRICARE4u.com and click on register as a
beneficiary. Follow the instructions and answer all questions. A registration
notice will be sent to your email address with log in information.  The
TRICARE Area Office-Pacific is located in Okinawa Japan. To contact
them refer to their website http://tpaoweb.oki.med.navy.mil, Email:
tpao.csc@oki10.med.navy.mil, call toll free (from CONUS): 888-777-8343
Option 4 or Commercial phone: (81) 6117-43-2036 or DSN: (315) 643-2036,
or write TRICARE Area Office-Pacific, PSC 482 Box 2749, FPO AP 96362.
The TAO-P offers assistance in TRICARE benefits, eligibility, claims
resolutions, and debt collections for all Western Pacific areas of Asia. 
[Source:  TAO-P Newsletter 1 Jun 06]


AF COMBAT ACTION AWARD:  Although soldiers, sailors and marines can
earn ribbons or devices showing they have been in ground combat, the Air
Force’s closest corollary is a gold border “combat marker” on its
Expeditionary Service Ribbon. That border signifies either that the wearer
has participated in combat or that the airman has spent at least 45
consecutive days supporting combat operations in a designated combat zone.
All this could change, depending upon results of a preliminary study by
Air Force personnel officials. Their report would include what the
award might be as well as what it would take to be eligible. [Source: Armed
Forces News 24 Aug 06]


SOCIAL SECURITY CARD:  A new law, Public Law 108-458, includes several
provisions that change rules for assigning a Social Security number and
issuing a Social Security card.  To get a Social Security number or a
replacement card, you must prove your citizenship or immigration status
and your identity. Under the new law, only certain documents can be
accepted as proof of citizenship. These include your U.S. birth
certificate, a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of
Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, different rules apply for
proving your immigration status, and those rules have not changed.  Also
under the new law, only certain documents can be accepted as proof of
identity. An acceptable document must show your name, identifying
information about you and preferably a recent photograph. For example, if you
are a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see your U.S. driver’s
license, state-issued non-driver identification card or U.S. passport
as proof of your identity. If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social
Security will ask to see your current U.S. immigration documents.
Acceptable documents include your From I-551, I-94 with your unexpired
foreign passport, or your work permit card I-766 or I-688B. 

     If you need to change your name on your Social Security card, you
must show proof of your legal name change. Documents Social Security
may accept to prove a legal name change are your marriage document,
divorce decree stating you may change your name, Certificate of
Naturalization, or a court order for a name change.  If the documents do not give
enough information to identify you, then you must also show two identity
documents. One document must show your new name, and the other must
show your old name.
Under the new changes, you are now limited to three replacement cards
in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes and other
exceptions do not count toward these limits.  For example, changes in
non-citizen status that require card updates may not count toward these
limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you
need the card to prevent a significant hardship. These rules,
prescribed by law, help ensure that only those who should receive an SSN do so.
They make SSNs less accessible to those with criminal intent and
prevent individuals from using false or stolen birth records or immigration
documents to obtain an SSN.

      Lamination of Social Security number (SSN) cards is discouraged
because lamination would prevent detection of certain security features.
To deter potential fraud and misuse involving SSNs, SSA currently
issues SSN cards that are both counterfeit-resistant and tamper-resistant. 
For example, the card contains a marbleized light blue security tint on
the front, with the words "Social Security" in white; intaglio printing
in some areas on the front of the card; and yellow, pink, and blue
planchets--small discs--on both sides.  SSA cannot guarantee the validity
of a laminated card. You may, however, cover the card with plastic or
other material if the material could be removed without damaging the
card. SSA recommends that as a security precaution, you carry your Social
Security card only when you expect to need it, for example, to show to
an employer or other third party. Otherwise, you should keep your card
in a safe place. 

      Depending on your circumstances, you can take or mail your
application (SS-5) and evidentiary documents to your local Social Security
office. First-time applicants age 12 or older must apply in person at a
Social Security office while all others may mail their application
materials. People who live or receive mail in Brooklyn, N.Y., Queens, N.Y.,
or Las Vegas, Nev. must apply at one of the following Social Security
Card Centers.  These offices serve both U.S. citizens and noncitizens
applying for new or replacement Social Security cards.
- Brooklyn Social Security Card Center, 625 Fulton Street, 6/F,
Brooklyn, NY 11201 M-F 07-1630 except Thur  07-1900.
- Queens Social Security Card Center, 155-10 Jamaica Avenue, 2/F,
Jamaica, NY  11432
M-F 07-1630 except Wed 07-1900
- Las Vegas Social Security Card Center, 1250 South Buffalo Drive,
Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89117
  [Source: www.seniorjournal.com 14 Aug 06]


CONGRESSIONAL COLA 2007:   Many years ago Representatives and Senators
had to hold hearings and take a vote before they could raise their own
salaries.  Back then Congress not surprisingly had to go for long
stretches between pay raises, and on a few occasions even took a pay cut. 
Ever since 1989 they’ve been able to avoid all that. Under the system
now in place, House and Senate Members automatically get a pay raise
every year, unless Congress votes to reject it.  Since 1998 they’ve never
done so.  That year, party leaders agreed that neither side would make
or condone campaign attacks against members of the other party who
support or accept the raise. There are a few spoilsports.  Rep. Jim Matheson
(UT) has been defeated six years in a row in his attempt to seek a
straight vote on the pay hike.  Senator Russell Feingold (WI) has for
several years introduced an amendment to stop the pay raise, but each time
has seen it tabled without being debated or voted on. 

     Last year Hurricane Katrina threw a monkey wrench into things. In
October, when the public was beginning to learn the full extent of the
federal government’s disaster response failures, the Senate wisely
decided timing was bad and agreed to kill their Cost-of-Living Adjustment
(COLA) for 2006.  But prior to recessing for Thanksgiving, Congress
called a brief late-night truce during a particularly acrimonious session
to assure a raise of $3,100 for 2006.  This year the average recipient’s
Social Security COLA may only raise benefits by about $40 a month come
January 07.  However, despite record low approval ratings, House
members felt they deserved a raise which will increase their monthly salaries
by $275 or $3,300 annually. Their pay will increase to $168,500 making
it the seventh straight COLA since 1998.  The Senate is very likely to
follow suit. [Source: TSCL Social Security Advisor 26 Aug 06]


VOTER REGISTRATION:  Next NOV one-third of our Senators and all of our
Representatives will be up for election.  Veterans will then have an
opportunity to express their satisfaction with their legislators at the
ballot box.  A number of web sites provide fast and easy access to voter
registration forms, absentee ballots, and a wealth of voter educational
information on the issues.  A few important things to remember are:
• If you’ve moved since the last election, even within your current
election jurisdiction, you will need to update your registration, and
determine where you will vote.  If you moved outside of your previous
jurisdiction, you will need to reregister before the deadline in your state.
• Although state registration deadlines vary, most states require that
you register no later than the first week of October.  Check with your
state for the deadline.
• To register to vote, you can start by printing out a voter
registration form for your state at one of the web sites listed below. 
(Residents of North Dakota, Wyoming and some areas of New Hampshire are not
permitted to use these forms.)  You can also contact your local election
office by checking your phonebook for your local board of elections.
• If you have trouble writing or know someone who does, state agencies
are required to provide assistance in filling out the voter
registration form if asked.
• After you mail or hand in your registration application, you should
get a voter registration card or notice in the mail.  Hold on to that
notice. Check it for accuracy, and call your local board of elections if
it needs correcting.  Remember to take your voter registration card and
photo identification along with you to vote. 
• If you or someone you know is homebound, and cannot get to the polls
to vote, contact your local election officials for information on
absentee voting.  You may need to request an absentee ballot at least 30
days prior to the election, but check with your state for the exact
deadline.
Here are three web sites where you can print out a registration
application for your state.
- JustVote! — http://www.justvote.org/  JustVote! is one of the most
popular voter registration websites.  The web site is simple and straight
- forward.
-   Congress.org — https://ssl.capwiz.com/congressorg/e4/nvra/ In
addition to providing registration forms for your state, this web site
provides an online “Soapbox,” giving you an opportunity to raise an issue or
read issues raised by other visitors to the site.  In addition, this
web site allows you to email your concerns to your Members of Congress.
- League of Women Voters —
http://www.lwv.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
This website has a considerable amount of useful voter information.  In
addition to online registration forms, you can find deadline and
contact information, candidate information and voter guides.
[Source: TSCL Social Security Advisor 26 Aug 06]


IRS PRIVATE DEBT COLLECTION:  The Internal Revenue Service has
published guidance on an initiative to turn some tax debt collection over to
private contractors, paving the way for three companies to begin
receiving taxpayer data. Some uncollected tax debts will be assigned to three
private collection firms starting 7 SEP. The IRS said 12,500 taxpayers
will be included in the first group, with about 40,000 accounts to be
outsourced by the end of the year. The three companies were selected in
MAR 06 to perform the work. The agency plans to expand the program to 10
companies in 2008. But the initiative is facing stiff opposition. The
initiative has attracted controversy with critics including the National
Treasury Employees Union, an IRS-appointed taxpayer advocacy panel and
members of Congress arguing that:
- It costs far more for contractors to collect outstanding tax debts
than for IRS employees to do so, and,
- Outsourcing exposes taxpayers to a greater risk of identity theft and
privacy loss.


In 1996, IRS officials argued against a similar initiative in Congress,
expressing concern that taxpayer rights would be sacrificed. But in
recent statements, the agency has put a positive face on the effort. The
agency’s announcement specifies that private collection firms will work
only on cases where the amount of debt is not in dispute. They will be
authorized to make payment arrangements, but cannot use or threaten
measures such as filing liens or seizing property. Nor can they handle
cases involving bankruptcies, unusual hardship, litigation or partial
payments. Contractor employees will be subject to strict rules on how they
use taxpayer information, and taxpayers can request in writing to work
directly with the agency rather than a collection company.

     Along with the general rules, IRS last week published a tip sheet 
for taxpayers on avoiding scams that could arise in connection with the
initiative. This can be seen at
www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=161301,00.html. People should be aware that they will first be notified
directly by the IRS if their case has been turned over to a collection
agency and legitimate collection firms will never ask for cash or for
checks written to individuals. IRS spokesman Terry Lemons
said only 60 to 75 people would be working as collectors for the
companies, though he acknowledged that a greater number could have some
access to taxpayer data. Right now, these are collections cases that IRS
can’t get to so this allegedly will be getting to money that wouldn’t be
collected otherwise.

     In June, the House passed a Transportation-Treasury spending bill
H.R.5576 that would bar IRS from using 2007 funds to sign or administer
contracts under the initiative. The Senate has not passed corresponding
legislation.  A Senate Finance Committee staffer said his committee
would strongly oppose such legislation, having worked to design a program
that would protect taxpayers.  He highlighted language in the 2004 law
authorizing the IRS to outsource tax collections that allows the agency
to keep up to 25% of the amount private collectors bring in to finance
collection activities. He said the agency now will be able to increase
collections both by handing off backlogged cases to private firms and
using some of the funds they generate to hire more staff of its own.  On
28 AUG, Rep. John Olver (R-MA) sent a letter to the IRS Commissioner
saying the IRS would be “clearly disregarding the will of the House of
Representatives” if it proceeded with the plan to turn taxpayer files
over before Congress completed its 2007 appropriations work.  Whatever
happens with the provisions in the conference report and whatever happens
at the IRS, Congressman Olvert doesn’t plan to let this issue go.  
[Source: GOVEXEC.com Daily Briefing 31 Ag 06]


POW VA BENEFITS UPDATE 03:  Former American prisoners of war (POWs) are
eligible for special veterans benefits, including enrollment in
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care for treatment in VA hospitals
and clinics without copayments as well as disability compensation for
injuries and diseases that have been associated with internment.  These
benefits are in addition to regular veterans benefits and services to
which they, as veterans, are entitled. Congress has defined a prisoner
of war as a person who, while serving on active duty, was forcibly
detained by an enemy government or a hostile force, during a period of war
or in situations comparable to war. Records show that 142,246 Americans
were captured and interned during World War I, World War II, the Korean
War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Somalia and Kosovo conflicts,
and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  There were no servicemembers reported
missing in action from the Bosnia deployment nor from recent Afghanistan
operations.  Of the 125,214 Americans surviving captivity, about 29,350
were estimated to be alive at the end of 2005.

     As of AUG 06, there were 16,884 former POWs receiving compensation
benefits from the VA.  Approximately 13,000 of them are rated as
100%disabled. Studies have shown that the physical hardships and
psychological stress endured by POWs have life-long effects on health and on social
and vocational adjustment.  These studies also indicate increased
vulnerability to psychological stress.  The laws on former POW benefits
recognize that military medical records do not cover periods of captivity. 
For many diseases, unless there is evidence of some other cause, VA
disability compensation can be paid on the basis of a presumption that a
disease present today is associated with the veteran’s captivity or
internment. For POWs detained for 30 days or more, such eligibility covers
any of the following illnesses that are found at a compensable level
(at least 10% disabling): avitaminosis; beriberi; chronic dysentery;
cirrhosis of the liver; helminthiasis; irritable bowel syndrome and
malnutrition, including associated optic atrophy.  Also covered are: pellagra
and any other nutritional deficiency; peptic ulcer disease; and
peripheral neuropathy, except where directly related to infectious causes. 
Several categories of diseases are presumptively associated with
captivity without any 30-day limit:  psychosis; any anxiety state; dysthymic
disorders; cold injury; post-traumatic arthritis; strokes (new); and
common heart diseases (new).

     The rate of VA monthly compensation, according to degree of
disability, ranges from $112 to $2,393 per month.  Veterans rated as 30% or
more disabled qualify for additional benefits based upon the number of
dependents.  Dependents of those rated 100% disabled may qualify for
educational assistance. Spouses of veterans who die as a result of
service-connected disabilities are eligible for dependency and indemnity
compensation (DIC).  Spouses of former POWs who were rated 100% disabled and
who died of a condition unrelated to their service also may be
eligible, depending on the date of death and how long the veteran held the 100%
disability rating.  Those non-service-connected deaths prior to October
1999 are covered if the former POW had been 100% disabled for at least
10 years.  More recent non-service-connected deaths are covered under a
law that provides the benefit when the former POWs was 100% disabled
for a year or more.

     Former POWs receive special priority for VA health-care
enrollment, even if their illness has not been formally associated with their
service.  Former POWs are exempt from making means test copayments for
inpatient and outpatient medical care and medications, but they have the
same copay rules as other veterans for extended care.  They also are now
eligible for dental care without any length-of-interment requirement.
VA periodically has provided training for its medical staff about former
POWs, and an online curriculum is maintained at
http://www1.va.gov/VHI/page.cfm?pg=9.  POW coordinators are assigned to
each VA regional office and medical center and are available to provide
more information.  Former POWs may contact VA regional offices with
general benefits questions at (800) 827-1000.    Medical eligibility
questions may be directed to (877) 222-8387.  Additional information for
former POWs also is available from VA’s Web site at
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/POW/.  [Source: VA News Release
31 Aug 06 ++]


TRICARE PLUS UPDATE 01:  Tricare Plus is a primary care enrollment
program offered at selected military treatment facilities.  Only
beneficiaries eligible for care in military treatment facilities may enroll in
Plus. If you are enrolled in Tricare Prime or Medicare Advantage HMO, you
are not eligible for Plus because you already have a primary care
relationship. Plus isn’t a comprehensive health plan.  It is a primary care
enrollment program ONLY and has no effect on the enrollees’ use or
payment of civilian health care benefits. Tticare Plus enrollment is noted
on your records in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
(DEERS).

Benefits of Tricare Plus are:
1. Your primary care manager at the military treatment facility is your
principal health care provider.
2. You may still get care from civilian and/or Medicare providers. 
Tricare Standard/Extra or Medicare rules apply.  Tricare will be second
payer to Medicare for Tricare-covered services for beneficiaries who are
entitled to Medicare Part A and who have Medicare Part B coverage.
3. You are not locked into an HMO-like program.
4. There are no enrollment fees.
5. You get primary care appointments with the same access standards as
Tricare Prime enrollees.

Limitations of Tricare Plus are:
1. You get primary care appointments with the same access standards as
Tricare Prime enrollees.
2. Plus is not available at all military treatment facilities.  Local
commanders may continue or discontinue Tricare Plus at their military
treatment facilities depending on their capacities, capabilities and
missions.
3. Plus is a military treatment facility primary care access program,
not a health plan, so it has no effect on civilian provider care, and
Tricare Standard/Extra rules will apply for most enrollees.
4. Plus does not guarantee access to specialty care at the military
treatment facility where you are enrolled.
5. Plus is not a portable benefit.  Your enrollment at one facility
does not guarantee access at another facility.

Tricare Plus enrollees are encouraged to get all their non-emergency
primary care at the military treatment facility where they are enrolled. 
The local military treatment facility reviews enrollment in Tricare
Plus annually.  You can be disenrolled if capacity is no longer available. 
In times of enhanced security at military installations it may be
difficult for Tricare beneficiaries to access uniformed services hospitals
and clinics.  Tricare guidance for beneficiaries seeking emergency,
urgent and routine care at uniformed services facilities under these
conditions is:
1 Beneficiaries who believe they are experiencing a serious medical
condition that requires immediate treatment should go to the nearest
emergency room.   This is true whether or not they are enrolled in TRICARE
Prime.  TRICARE will assist in paying for the cost of their care. This
is true for beneficiaries who use Tricare Standard or Extra or who are
enrolled in Prime.
2 TRICARE beneficiaries who become ill but don’t require emergency care
as described above need urgent care.  Those enrolled in Tricare Prime
who have a primary care provider who works out of a uniformed services
facility that is inaccessible because of increased security are
encouraged to call their provider for assistance.  Providers or staff members
at military treatment facilities can inform beneficiaries of their best
options for necessary care.  In many circumstances, this may include
taking care of oneself under the advice of a provider or a change in
timing of the needed visit as appropriate.  Beneficiaries may contact their
regional Health Care Information Line for information on self-care.
3 During times of increased security, routine appointments should be
rescheduled if access to a military treatment facility is restricted.  As
with urgent care, beneficiaries should call ahead to their providers’
offices for guidance.
For more information about Tricare Plus, call 1 (888) 363-5433, or
visit the Tricare Web site www.tricare.osd.mil. [Source: TMA Fact Sheet 14
Sep 06 ++]


USFHP UPDATE 01:  The Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP) is
a TRICARE Prime option available to active duty dependents, retirees
and retiree family members through not-for-profit health care systems in
six areas of the United States.   If enrolled, you must get all care
through the USFHP network in your area. You may not use military
treatment facilities, military treatment facility pharmacies or other
TRICARE-authorized providers.  By using USFHP you get the TRICARE Prime program
benefits, plus premium advantages and features at no extra cost. If you
are eligible in DEERS and live in one of the six service areas, you may
enroll in USFHP.  The lists of eligible beneficiaries include all
active duty family members; Uniformed Services retirees and their eligible
family members, including those ages 65 and over; and qualifying
re-activated reservist family members. For more information about eligibility,
you can visit the USFHP Web site at www.usfhp.com/portal/faq.asp?s=76,
or the TRICARE Web site at www.tricare.osd.mil/faqs/Default.aspx.

      You may enroll in the USFHP at any time during the year by
completing an application for the provider in your area.  To download an
application, visit www.usfamilyhealthplan.org.  The USFHP provider contact
info for the six service areas are:
 
- Massachusetts and Rhode Island: Brighton Marine Health Center P.O.
Box 9195, Watertown, MA 02471-9195 Tel: 1 (800) 818-8589. Brighton Marine
Health Center includes a network of 28 hospitals. For a complete
listing of locations and services provided, visit
www.usfhp.org/facility/site_content.asp?s=63.
- Southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana: CHRISTUS Health P.O. Box
924708
Houston, TX 77292-4708 Tel: 1 (800) 678-7347.  A network of 150 primary
care physicians and more than 500 specialists plus CHRISTUS St. Joseph
Hospital, CHRISTUS St. Catherine's Hospital, CHRISTUS St. John's
Hospital and CHRISTUS St. Mary's Hospital.. For a complete listing of
locations and services, visit www.usfhp.com/html/providers_set.html.
- Maryland, Washington, D.C. and parts of Pennsylvania, Virginia and
West Virginia: Johns Hopkins Medical Services Corporation 6704 Curtis
Court, Glen Burnie, MD 21060 Tel: 1 (800) 808-7347. Johns Hopkins
Community Physicians includes 17 primary care practices, a network of more than
120 primary care providers and more than 2,000 specialists plus Johns
Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins Bay View Medical Center, Howard County
General Hospital and other community hospitals. For a complete listing
of locations and services, visit www.hopkinsmedicine.org/USFHP/where/
index.html.
- Maine and southern New Hampshire: Martin's Point Health Care P.O. Box
9746 Portland, ME 04104-5040 Tel: 1 (888) 241-4556. Martin's Point
Health Care includes four primary care practices and a network of more than
460 primary care providers, 19 hospitals and more than 1,600
specialists. For a complete listing of locations and services, visit
www.martinspoint.org/body.cfm?id=54&oTopID=19.
- Puget Sound area of Washington: Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed
Clinics) 1200 12th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98144-1936 Tel: 1 (888) 958-7347. A
network of seven clinics, 60 primary care physicians and more than 300
specialists. For a complete listing of locations and services, visit 
www.pacificmedicalcenters.org/usfhp.
- New York, New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and southern Connecticut:
Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers of New York (SVCMC) 450 West
33rd St., 12th Floor, New York, NY 10001Tel: 1 (800) 241-4848.  A network
of 6700 participating providers, 20 participating hospitals and more
than 100 subsidiary providers plus three USFHP Saint Vincent Catholic
Medical Center owned primary care sites. For a complete listing of
locations and services, visit  www.usfhp.net/practices_default.asp.

USFHP Services include: Outpatient surgical procedures, anesthesia and
outpatient care; Hospitalization (inpatient care);  Office visits to
all specialists with a primary carephysician referral;  Pharmacy services
and prescription medicines;  Eye exams (one person/year, including
retirees, as a self-referral to an in-network optometrist/ophthalmologist);
Maternity and infant care;  World-wide emergency services;  Urgent care
services (general health problems requiring attention but are not life
threatening);  Physical, occupational and speech therapies;  Home
health care;  Durable medical equipment;  Inpatient and outpatient mental
health care; Preventive care, including annual physicals and well-child
care. To learn more, visit the USFHP Web site at
www.usfamilyhealthplan.org.  [Source:  TMA Fact Sheet 12 Sep 06]


PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTERS:  Pregnancy Resource Centers provide
counseling to pregnant women and alternatives to abortion. They can be located
on line at www.pregnancycenters.org/advantage.asp. A new study released
by Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA-30) found that federally funded pregnancy
resource centers often mislead pregnant teens about the medical risks
of abortion, telling investigators who posed as pregnant 17-year-olds
that abortion leads to breast cancer, infertility, and mental illness.
Under the present Administration, pregnancy resource centers, which are
also called “crisis pregnancy centers,” have received over $30 million
in federal funding. The new report assesses the scientific accuracy of
the information they provide. Female investigators, who posed as
pregnant 17-year-olds seeking advice about an unintended pregnancy, telephoned
the 25 pregnancy resource centers that have received capacity-building
funds from the Department of Health and Human Services. Twenty of the
23 centers reached by the investigators (87%) provided false or
misleading information about the health effects of abortion. According to the
report false and misleading information provided by centers was the:

1.  Link between abortion and breast cancer. There is a medical
consensus that induced abortion does not cause an increased risk of breast
cancer. Despite this consensus, eight centers told the caller that having
an abortion would in fact increase her risk. One center said that “all
abortion causes an increased risk of breast cancer in later years,"
while another told the caller that an abortion would “affect the milk
developing in her breasts” and that the risk of breast cancer increased by
as much as 80% following an abortion.
2.  Effect of abortion on future fertility. Abortions in the first
trimester, using the most common abortion procedure, do not pose an
increased risk of infertility. However, seven centers told the caller that
having an abortion could hurt her chances of having children in the
future. One center said that damage from abortion could lead to “many
miscarriages” or to “permanent damage” so “you wouldn’t be able to carry,”
telling the caller that this is “common” and happens “a lot.”
3.  Mental health effects of abortion. Research shows that significant
psychological stress after an abortion is no more common than after
birth. However, thirteen centers told the caller that the psychological
effects of abortion are severe, long-lasting, and common. One center said
that the suicide rate in the year after an abortion “goes up by seven
times.” Another center said that post-abortion stress suffered by women
having abortions is “much like” that seen in soldiers returning from
Vietnam and “is something that anyone who’s had an abortion is sure to
suffer from.” [Source: Committee on Government Reform 16 Jul 06
www.democrats.reform.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1080&Issue=Public%2BHealth]


UNIFIED MEDICAL COMMAND:  The Defense Business Board met on 6 SEP
regarding the creation of a unified medical command.  The board is a group
of outside management experts that advises Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld. It unanimously recommended that Rumsfeld immediately appoint a
task force to oversee establishment of a unified medical command by 1 JAN
- a year sooner than defense officials planned. The command would take
charge of all direct-care health services of the Army, Navy and Air
Force. It would streamline medical logistics; purchasing; information
technology; research and development; facility operations; and the
education, training and assignment of medical personnel. The services would
continue to control medical care in support of front-line units and field
hospitals. But Level III operational medicine (which includes all fixed
military hospitals and clinics) would be run by the new command, which
would report directly to the defense secretary. At present the Air
Force is the only service opposed to the concept. The board endorsed the
most sweeping reorganization of military medicine in 60 years. It also
recommended that:

- The TRICARE Management Activity - which oversees the triple-option
health plan for military families and retirees - be realigned to function
alongside a unified command, with a new focus on policy and oversight.
In time, management of the TRICARE benefit would be moved to the
private sector.
- A transition team for establishing the unified command be created and
given milestones of 30, 60 and 90 days to ensure a 1 JAN startup. The
board thinks legislation isn’t required because the Department of
Defense already has authority to streamline health services.

The Defense Business Board is an advisory panel, governed by sunshine
laws, so the 6 SEP meeting was open. Held in a small Pentagon conference
room, it offered a rare public look at this hotly contested issue among
the services. A consensus is building toward a unified command or a
similar organization to merge service medical systems.  Air Force surgeon
Lt. Gen. James Roudebush said his service opposed a unified command and
would take control only of the direct-care system.  He noted  that the
Air force has seen only modest cost growth in recent years pointing out
that it was the expansion of the Tricare benefit that has driven costs
upwards at a very alarming rate. He argued that service missions and
cultures are different, and those differences justify having separate
medical staffs and resources. Also, that the services are responsible
under Title X of the U.S. Code to provide a fit and healthy force. A
unified command begins to move that away from the purview of the services.

     The Navy’s top medical officer Vice Adm. Donald Arthur challenged
the Air Force arguments. He was joined by members of the business
board, as well as a two-star admiral on the Joint Staff and a two-star Army
general who’s deputy director of Tricare. Arthur said the services
separately recruited, trained and assigned medical staff, as well as
operated three separate systems for logistics, purchasing of supplies and
equipment, budgeting and quality assurance. As a result according to the
Center for Naval Analyses (CNA), they waste up to $500 million annually.
A board member, who led its medical task force, said the CNA figure was
probably much too low. Arthur said at present the services were not
interoperable, interchangeable or even interdependent. The problems this
creates aren’t obvious when operating separate hospitals in peacetime.
But they arise in war zones like Iraq and Afghanistan when the medical
services learn that they can’t interchange people, equipment, supplies
or doctrine. Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger said he saw such difficulties
firsthand while a senior medical commander and surgeon in Iraq. For
lack of compatible gear Army medical staff couldn’t communicate with Air
Force colleagues regarding the wounded arriving in medical evacuations.
Also, because patient ventilators weren’t interoperable patients had to
be taken off ventilators for brief periods during transport home.  At
the conclusion of the meeting the chairman indicated SECDEF Rumsfeld
would be briefed on the board’s recommendations as soon as possible.
[Source: Tom Philpott Military Update article 10 Sep 06 ++]


FAKE HEROES UPDATE 01:  The Senate has passed a bipartisan bill S.1998
making it illegal to falsely claim to be a decorated veteran. Called
the Stolen Valor Act, the bill expands on current criminal penalties for
being a false military hero. Under current law, it is a crime to wear a
Medal of Honor that a person did not receive but it is not a crime to
claim to have a Medal of Honor.  Similarly, it is a crime to wear a
distinguished service medal from any of the services, such as the Navy
Cross, Air Force Cross or Distinguished Service Cross but it is not a crime
to claim to have received one of the awards. The Senate passed the bill
on 7 SEP and it was referred to the House Judiciary Committee where a
similar bill H.R.3352 has been sitting since JUL 05. Supporters hope
Senate passage spurs the House committee to act.

     The Senate bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit
wearing, manufacturing or selling military decorations or medals without
legal authorization. It bans purchasing, soliciting, mailing, shipping,
importing, exporting, producing blank certificates of receipt for,
advertising or exchanging such decorations or medals without authorization.
Fines and up to a year in prison are the possible penalties. One reason
for passing the bill is that it has become very easy to make a fake
certificate indicating the receipt of an award even if a person does not
posses the actual medal. The Stolen Valor Act, sponsored by Sen. Kent
Conrad (D-ND) in the Senate and by Rep. John Salazar (D-CO) in the House,
covers fraudulent claims for receiving any medal or decoration,
including medals for valor and the Purple Heart, awarded by either the armed
forces or Congress.  Salazar, an Army veteran and member of the House
Veterans’ Affairs Committee said, “Senate passage of the bill is a huge
success for our veterans and for those of us who are fighting to protect
their honor.  It is our job in Congress to protect the honor and
integrity of our veterans, to make sure the memory of their heroism is not
tarnished” Conrad said, “The medals earned by genuine American veterans
recognize their courage, honor, and sacrifice. I will not let imposters
diminish the honor of America’s veterans. It is disgraceful that there
are imposters claiming to have received medals they did not earn.”
[Source: NavyTimes Staff writer Rick Maze article 11 Sep 06]


AOL ADVISORY 07:  Privacy watchdogs have slapped a health warning on
the latest version of AOL's client software, AOL 9.0.  StopBadware.org,
an academic project supported by Sun and Google that aims to establish a
neighborhood watch-style scheme to put pressure on purveyors of
unsavory programs, has taken the unusual step of classifying AOL's software as
potentially damaging “badware”. AOL's inclusion of bundled software
apps and lack of transparency over additional installed components earned
it the negative label. John Palfrey, co-director of StopBadware.org, in
a posting on StopBadware.org's blog noted that AOL has a long and
storied history of being a leader in the fight against badware. Although AOL
plainly does not belong in the same category as the all-too-prevalent
garden variety badware providers their free version of AOL 9.0 that they
tested did not, in that organization’s view, live up to AOL’s rich
legacy.  StopBadware.org wants AOL to be more upfront about the software
components its client installs. It also wants the internet giant to
provide an easier way of declining to install these components or of
removing them once they are installed. [Source: The Register
/www.theregister.co.uk 29 Aug 06]
Editor’ Note: AOL’s Big Brother legacy of not granting their users
choice in declining AOL’s attempts to regulate control of customer’s
computers appears to continue.  AOL presently will not allow the majority of
their customers to receive the Bulletin which they have programmed
their filters to block as spam.  Nor have they responded to hundreds of
requests to stop doing this or at least allow their user’s personal choice
in declining or accepting receipt of this email newsletter.  This has
led to the deletion of over 12,000 AOL users from the Bulletin
directory.  AOL’s policies have also led to the loss of over 6 million users in
the last 4 years.


MILITARY AWARDS REVIEW:  The Department of Defense has begun a
comprehensive review of military awards and decorations in order to ensure
policies are consistent with the evolving nature of warfare. This
comprehensive review will lead to an administrative revision of the Department
of Defense Instruction 1348.33-M, the Manual of Military Decorations and
Awards. A working group consisting of representatives from each
Service, the Joint Staff and the Institute of Heraldry will form the core of
the comprehensive review effort. This review is expected to continue
over the next six to eight months and will involve but not be limited to
the following:
• Honor and Valor awards with particular focus on clarity of criteria
and processes.
• The “V” device and the Purple Heart medals in eliminating disparate
qualification criteria among the military services.
• Expeditionary medals in regard to how the theatre of operations is
defined.
• Iraqi and Afghanistan campaign medals with regard to subsequent
awards of these campaign medals, with a goal of appropriately recognizing
service over multiple tours in those theatres of operations.

David Chu, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness
comments on the review were, “The evolving nature of warfare demands that we
review policies; for example, in the case of expeditionary medals, we
must review how we define the operating box - whether it is the theater
of direct action, or whether is might extend far beyond” said. “For
example, we must consider whether air support originating at great
distances or different continents indeed represents expeditionary service for
purposes of those awards … When it comes to valor awards, we must
clarify criteria, including a review of boundaries that increasingly extend
far beyond a particular combat zone, yet involve direct threats to
American lives. [Source: DoD News Release 8 Sep 06]


MOBILIZED RESERVE 13 SEP 06:  THIS week, the Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marine Corps and Coast Guard announced an increase in the number of
reservists on active duty in support of the partial mobilization. The net
collective result is 6,168 more reservists mobilized than last reported
for 6 JUL 06. Total number currently on active duty in support of the
partial mobilization for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is
88,323; Navy Reserve, 6,981; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve,
7,137; Marine Corps Reserve, 7,363; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 317.  This
brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel, who have been
mobilized, to 110,120, including both units and individual augmentees. At
any given time, services may mobilize some units and individuals while
demobilizing others, making it possible for these figures to either
increase or decrease. A cumulative roster of all National Guard and
Reserve personnel, who are currently mobilized, can be found at
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2006/d20060913ngr.pdf .  [Source:
DoD News Release 6 Jul 06]


AIRLINE CARRY-ON RESTRICTIONS:  Confused over what you can take in
personal, carry-on, and checked baggage for your next flight.  The
Transportation Security Administration has provided the following guidance:

1.  Allowed in carry-on baggage or personal items:
- Makeup & Personal Items: Cigar Cutter; Corkscrews; Cuticle Cutters;
Nail Clippers; Nail Files; Tweezers; Plastic or metal Scissors  with
blunt tips; Metal scissors with pointed tips and blades shorter than four
inches in length; Eyeglass Repair Tools; Screwdrivers, wrenches and
pliers seven inches or less in length; Eyelash Curlers; Safety Razors
including disposable razors; Toy Weapons if not realistic replicas and Toy
Transformer Robots; Deodorants made of gel or aerosol; Hair styling
gels and spray of all kinds including aerosol; Hair straightener or
detangler; Knitting and Crochet Needles; Umbrellas and Walking Canes they
have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed;
Gel-filled bras and similar prosthetics; and shoes constructed with gel
heels.
- Less than 4 oz of: Eye drops; Essential non-prescription liquid
medications; Non-prescription liquid or gel medicines like cough syrup and
gel cap type pills; Personal lubricants; Saline solution.
- Baby formula and food, breast milk and other baby items. However, you
must be traveling with a baby or toddler. All items including formula
or breast milk will be inspected. Learn more on traveling with children
at www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm.
- Medication & Special Needs Devices: All medications must be properly
labeled with a professionally printed label identifying the medication
and manufacturer's name or pharmaceutical label. The prescription
medicine must match the name on the passenger's ticket.): Braille
Note-Taker, Slate and Stylus, Augmentation Devices; Up to 5 oz. (148ml) liquid or
gel low blood sugar treatments, including juice for Diabetes; Insulin
dispensing products; jet injectors; pens; infusers; and an unlimited
number of unused syringes, when accompanied by insulin; lancets; blood
glucose meters; blood glucose meter test strips; insulin pumps; and
insulin pump supplies. These items must be inspected to ensure prohibited
items are not concealed; Nitroglycerine pills if properly marked with a
professionally printed label identifying the medication and
manufacturer's name or pharmaceutical label; Nitroglycerine sprays less than 4 oz.;
Ostomy Scissors with blades four inches or less; Prosthetic Device
Tools and Appliances  including drills and drill bits, Allen wrenches, pull
sleeves used to put on or remove prosthetic devices, if carried by the
individual with the prosthetic device or his or her companion; and
wheelchairs with gel cushioned seats/pads. For more information on what to
expect during security screening check visit
www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm .
- Electronic Devices:  Camcorders; Camera Equipment; Laptop Computers;
Mobile Phones; Personal Data Assistants (PDA's); and Pagers. NOTE:
Check with your airline or travel agent for restrictions on the use of
these and other electronic items during your flight.

2.  Not allowed in carry-on but allowed in checked baggage:
- Makeup & Personal Items - Aerosol spray bottles and cans; All creams
and lotions including Neosporin or first-aid creams and ointments;
topical or rash creams and ointments; Suntan lotions, moisturizers, etc.;
Bubble bath balls, bath oils or moisturizers; Liquid bubble bath
including gel or liquid filled; Bug and mosquito sprays and repellents; Knives
- except for plastic or round bladed butter knives; Lip gels such as
Carmex or Blistex; Liquid lip glosses or other liquids for lips; Liquid
mascara; Liquid foundations; Liquid, gel or spray perfumes and colognes;
Liquid sanitizers; Soaps, shampoos and conditioners;Toothpaste; Make up
removers or facial cleansers; Nail polish and removers; and Mouthwash. 
NOTE: Some personal care items containing aerosol are regulated as
hazardous materials. The FAA regulates hazardous materials. This
information is summarized at www.faa.gov.
- Edibles: All Beverages; Canned or jarred goods such as soup, sauces,
peanut butter, fruits, vegetables and jellies; Cheese in pressurized
containers; Duty free alcohol and other items; Gel based sports
supplements; Jell-O's; Pudding; Whipped cream; Yogurt or gel like food
substances.
- Sharp Objects: Tools other than  screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers
seven inches or less in length;  Razor-Type Blades such as box cutters,
utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety
razors; Sabers and Swords.  NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage
should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage
handlers and inspectors.
- Other: Martial Arts & Self Defense Items; Sporting equipment
regardless of type; Guns regardless of type, associated equipment  and
ammunition; Gun Powder including black powder and percussion caps; Gel-type
candles; Gel shoe inserts but shoes constructed with gel heels are allowed
and must be removed and screened.
[Source:  GOVEXEC.Com Daily Briefing 13 Sep 06]


AGENT ORANGE LAWSUITS UPDATE 05:  The Veterans Benefits Administration
held a meeting 7 SEP to brief VSO/MSO organizations on their ongoing
information security upgrades and improvements. They also brought the
attendees up to date on VBA’s reaction to the recent Agent Orange (Haas v.
Nicholson) decision by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Affairs.  This
decision opens Agent Orange presumptive conditions to all personnel who
were recipients of the Vietnam Service Medal and includes those
personnel aboard ships and vessels who were off the coast and did not actually
set foot “in-country.”  VBA is currently working with the Department of
Justice to perfect their appeal of this decision.  They claim that if
this decision is allowed to stand then VBA will have to hire an
additional 230 full time employees to review approximately 500,000 cases. They
also stated that they would expect approximately 86,000 new
applications for the benefits and 14,000 DIC claims. It would also cost in excess
of $3 billion, as many of the claims would be retroactive which would
be very costly.

    The VBA will accept and acknowledge any new claims based upon the
“Haas” decision with letters stating that they have received the claim
but any decision on that particular issue will be delayed pending
further instructions from VA Headquarters. Current guidance requires each RO
to control these claims with a discreet control number (end product)
for tracking and control purposes. VA will continue working on any new
claims made that are from other medical issues. The briefer also stated
that the Haas decision, if allowed, will totally paralyze VA and nothing
else would get done.  The question arises that if this would have such
a detrimental impact on VA’s ability to perform why can’t they go to
Congress and request additional funding to comply with the court’s
mandate. [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 8 Sep 06 ++]


GRANDPARENTS DAY: Grandparents Day is celebrated each year on the first
Sunday after Labor Day. The specific date changes year-to-year. Because
it is tied to Labor Day Grandparents Day is never earlier than
September 7 or later than September 13. National Grandparents Day was created
in 1978 by a federal proclamation, passed by Congress and signed by
President Jimmy Carter. In honor of National Grandparent’s Day, the U.S.
Census Bureau offers these interesting statistics about grandparents:

- About 56 million grandparents reside in the United States of which
only 1.7 million are married.
- 5.7 million grandparents have grandchildren under age 18 living with
them.
- 2.4 million or about 42% of grandparents are responsible for most of
the basic needs (food, clothing, shelter) of one or more of the
grandchildren who live with them. Of these caregiver grandparents, 1.5 million
are grandmothers and 880,000 are grandfathers.
- 1.4 million grandparents are in the labor force and provide for most
of the basic needs of their grandchildren.
- 920,000 grandparents are responsible for caring for their
grandchildren for at least five years. Of those grandparent caregivers, 55% were
over age 60.
- 460,000 grandparents whose income is below the poverty level are
caring for their grandchildren.
- 700,000 grandparents with a disability are caring for their
grandchildren.
- 320,000 foreign-born grandparents are responsible for caring for
their grandchildren.
- 270,000grandparents who speak English less than “very well” are
responsible for caring for their grandchildren.
- 28% of preschoolers with employed mothers are regularly cared for by
their grandparent during the hours their mom spends employed outside
the home.
- 6.1 million, or 8% of all children in the United States live with a
grandparent in the home. Of these children, 4.1 million lived in a
grandparent’s home and 1.9 million lived in a parent’s home.
- 2.2 million children reside with both a grandmother and a
grandfather.
- About 80% of grandparents in the U.S. have either visited or spoken
with their grandchildren by phone in the past month.
- About 3 million grandparents receive Grandparents Day cards,
nationwide, each year.  Did yours?
[Source:  About Senior Living 12 Sep 06 ++]


VA HOMELESS VETS UPDATE 02:   DVA officials hope to add more than 2,000
new beds for homeless veterans for its outreach efforts if Congress
reauthorizes a transitional housing program later this year. A report
released 11 SEP by the Government Accountability Office praised the VA for
its homeless programs, but noted that the department is about 9,600
beds short of the 45,000 transitional beds it expects it will need next
year. According to the VA an estimated 194,000 veterans were homeless in
2005.  Pete Doherty, director of homeless programs for the VA, said the
majority of those homeless are middle-aged and served during the
Vietnam War. Of the more than 16,000 veterans served through the grant and
per diem program last year, about 2,500 reported serving in the Middle
East an only a few hundred of those are troops who served in the current
conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
     The grant and per diem program, which allots funding to non-VA
homeless assistance facilities with veterans, provides services such as
temporary housing, job training and rehabilitation counseling. The number
of beds under the grant program alone had grown from 2,000 six years
ago to more than 8,000 this year, with a cost of about $67 million.
Congress is scheduled to re-examine the program later this month and decide
whether to approve funding for next year. Doherty said if the money is
reauthorized, officials plan to make 2,200 more beds available through
the program. That should assist nearly 5,000 more veterans in 2007
alone, because veterans typically spend only a few months at the facilities
before moving on. GAO researchers said the VA needs to improve
communication about the funding available and the limits on how long veterans
can spend in transitional housing.  That began earlier this year, with
the department adding more liaison staff and holding more regional
meetings with service providers to explain the grant programs rules and
regulations.  [Source: Stars and Stripes 13 Sep 06]


VA HOME LOAN UPDATE 06:  The Department of Veterans Affairs home loan
program came about in 1944 through the original Servicemen’s
Readjustment Act, aka the GI Bill of Rights.  The law, signed by President
Franklin Roosevelt, offered veterans a federally guaranteed home loan with no
down payment, making the dream of home ownership a reality for millions
of veterans. From 1944, when VA began helping veterans purchase homes,
through JAN 06 about 17.9 million VA home loan guarantees have been
issued with a total value of $915 billion.  VA began 2005 with 2.5 million
active home loans reflecting an amortized $223.2 billion. In that year,
VA guaranteed about 550,000 loans worth $78 billion. VA’s programs for
specially adapted housing helped about 600 disabled veterans with
grants totaling more than $32 million.

     Until recently, the housing market was at an all-time high in some
areas of the country.  The Commerce Department reported that home
prices nationally have risen 30% in the past four years, well above
inflation. Buying a first home after years of moving and living in rented or
government housing could be an economic challenge. But with dual incomes,
longer assignments and mortgage-rate fluctuation, many service members
have bought homes on active duty using the VA home loan.  Today, more
than 29 million veterans and service members are eligible for VA home
loan financing at attractive rates. Vets are eligible if they have a
discharge other than dishonorable after a minimum of 90 days of service
during wartime or a minimum of 181 continuous days during peacetime. There
is a two-year requirement if the veteran enlisted and began service
after 7 SEP 80, or was an officer and began service after 16 OCT 81.
Reserve and National Guard members have a six-year service requirement, and
there are rules concerning the eligibility of surviving spouses.

     VA guarantees a percentage of the home loan amount. This is
generally, the reasonable value of the property or the purchase price,
whichever is less, plus the funding fee of 2% (2.75% for reservists) of the
loan amount that may be borrowed. VA-guaranteed loans are made to
eligible veterans by private lenders such as banks, savings and loan
associations or mortgage companies to buy a home for their own personal
occupancy.  The lender is protected against loss if you or a later owner fails
to repay the loan.  This makes a down payment unnecessary and allows
vets to obtain favorable financing terms. Once you decide where you want
to retire, your next call should be to VA. Service officers are trained
professionals who can assist vets with the home loan program.  They are
not real estate agents or mortgage loan officers, but they understand
the process, and their services helpful. If you are in the market to buy
a home and are eligible to use the VA home loan program it would be
beneficial to do so. VA’s online application system is at
www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov or call (800) 827-1000. [Source: NavyTimes Alex Keenan
article 18 Sep 06 ++]


TSP UPDATE 05:  The Thrift Savings Plan can provide military members
with a supplemental source of retirement income in addition to their
uniformed services retired pay. Contributions and earnings can be kept even
upon separation before retirement. If you leave the uniformed services
and enter the Federal civilian service, you will be able to continue
contributing to the TSP. You can also combine your uniformed services
account with your civilian account. Contributions can be as little as 1%
of your basic pay each pay period. Even small savings add up over time.
If you put in only $40 from your pay each month and it earns 7%, after
20 years your TSP account could total almost $21,000. If you are
thinking about cashing out your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) when you leave the
uniformed service, think twice. You might be about to forsake a
financially secure retirement. When you switch jobs before retirement, you
usually can choose among several things to do with your TSP nest egg:
- Leave the money in the plan.
- Roll over the money to your new employer’s plan, if the plan accepts
transfers.
- Roll over the money into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
- Take the cash value of your account.

It may be tempting to choose the last option and use the money to buy a
new television, take a cruise or even pay off a debt. And you would not
be alone in thinking that way: A recent Hewitt Associates study of
large-company retirement savings plans indicates that 45% of employees cash
out their plans when they change jobs. But cashing out before you turn
age 59 ½ can cost you dearly, both immediately and in the long run: If
you do not transfer your money to an IRA or your new employer’s plan
within 60 days of receiving it, your current employer is required to
withhold 20 percent of your account balance to prepay federal taxes.   If
you keep the money, you must pay federal income tax on your entire
withdrawal. In addition, you may also owe state tax on your distribution.   
Plus, the IRS will consider your payout an early distribution, meaning
you could owe a 10% early withdrawal penalty on top of combined
federal, state and local taxes.  When all is said and done, you could end up
with a little more than half of your original TSP savings! In addition,
you will owe tax annually on any future earnings your lump sum
generates.

     The repercussions of cashing out of your TSP could be enormous.
For example, assuming you are 30 years old and have a TSP balance of
$20,000 and you leave that money in your TSP account or put it in an IRA,
and your account averages a 6% rate of return over the next 32 years,
your balance at retirement will total $129,068, even if you do not make
any additional contributions during that time. Even if you have a
shorter time horizon, you will forgo significant savings opportunities by
cashing out your TSP. For example, if you are 45, your $20,000 would grow
to $53,855 in 17 years. Keep in mind that even if you really need the
money, you may be better off borrowing from your TSP account. You may be
able to borrow at a lower rate from your account than you could from a
bank or other lender, especially if you have a low credit score. You
must be in pay status to obtain a loan, because your regular monthly loan
payments are made through payroll deductions.

     To learn more about TSP loans, click the TSP Features/Uniformed
Services button at the TSP website www.tsp.gov, then go to the TSP Loan
Program link. When you leave military service, consider examining the
short- and long-term consequences before cashing out of your TSP account.
After all, when talking about tax-deferred savings plans, time is
money. For additional information on saving for retirement, read “Smart
401(k) Investing” on the NASD Investor Education Foundation’s new website
www.saveandinvest.org for members of the military and their families.
[Source: Military.com 8 Sep 06]


MILITARY PAYDAY LENDERS:  Predatory payday lenders will continue to
gouge soldiers, sailors and aviators in California with more than 400%
interest on loans thanks to the payday-lending industry’s intense lobbying
of state legislators. High-ranking Navy and Marine officers, consumer
groups and their allies in the legislature tried to ban this sort of
predatory lending, but it looks like they will fall short as the
legislative session ends this week. Payday lenders make borrowers sign a
postdated check for, say, $300 to borrow $255 for two weeks. When borrowers
can’t repay the principal, they roll the loan over for another two
weeks—and another $45 in interest. In California, the average payday borrower
winds up paying $660 on a $255 loan. These predators cluster around the
nation’s military bases seeking to hook young, cash-strapped,
financially inexperienced soldiers and sailors on this expensive kind of debt.
Military people are three or four times more likely to be victims of
payday lenders, the Pentagon says. And as the industry grows fat on loans
to soldiers and sailors with interest rates as high as 1000% in other
states, the problem gets worse.

     Fed up with these predations, the Pentagon issued a report earlier
this month saying these predators bankrupt and ruin young soldiers.
Payday lenders are hurting the military’s ability to defend the country.
The report said, “Predatory lending undermines military readiness, harms
the morale of troops and their families, and adds to the cost of
fielding an all volunteer fighting force.” It called for a 36% ceiling on
interest on payday loans to members of the military. This is the same cap
many states impose in their usury laws to ban loan sharks. In
California Assemblyman Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) added the 36% cap to a bill he
introduced that had already passed the lower house of the legislature. The
bill was about to go to the floor of the Senate for a vote when the
banking committee called it back and stripped the 36-percent interest-rate
cap. The military, hoping to get at least some protection for service
members in California, is supporting the watered-down bill, but still
wants the 36% cap.

    It may get that, instead, from Congress. U.S. Senators Jim Talent
(R-MO) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) got the 36% cap passed in an amendment to
the 2007 National Defense authorization Act. While the payday lobbyists
stalk Capitol Hill, the amendment awaits its fate in a House-Senate
conference committee. The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) in
California is hoping Congress will stand up to the payday industry if
California legislators will not. For more information about this issue or the
CRL contact Michael Flagg at (202) 349-1862 or
mike.flagg@responsiblelending.org; or Sharon Reussat (919) 313-8527 or
sharon.reuss@responsiblelending.org. The CRL www.responsiblelending.org
is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated
to protecting homeownership and family wealth by working to eliminate
abusive financial practices. CRL is affiliated with Self-Help
(http://www.self-help.org), one of the nation’s largest community
development financial institutions. [Source: Military.com 8 Sep 06 ++]


KOREAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL UPDATE 03: The Air Force has added the
Korean Defense Service Medal to its list of personnel processes to be
automatically updated in the Military Personnel Data System. The system
will update Airmen’s records for those who served in Korea on
permanent-change-of-station status for 30 or more consecutive days, while
commanders’ support staffs will update records for those who serve for 30
consecutive days on temporary duty. CSS members also will update records for
Airmen who serve in Korea for less than 30 consecutive days, but who
qualify for the KDSM by serving more than 60 nonconsecutive days of TDY.
Airmen should review their medals and ribbons on the awards and
decorations page at the Virtual Military Personnel Flight on the AFPC Web site
http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/  to ensure they are updated. Updates
should appear 30 days after an Airman’s qualification date.  [Source:
Armed Forces News 1 Sep 06]


MILITARY HOUSING UTILITY BILLS:  In conformance with a Defense
Department requirement for troops living in privatized military housing to pay
for their utilities, the Army planned to begin the process 1 SEP 06.
DoD’s Residential Communities Initiatives (RCI) began charging for
electricity at five installations where a yearlong mock billing program was
recently completed. Soldiers living in privatized family housing at Fort
Carson, Colo.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; Fort Meade, Md.; Fort Hood, Texas;
and Fort Lewis, Wash., can expect their first bills for payment shortly
after 1 OCT. Air Force families in privatized housing at Robins Air
Force Base, Ga.; Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.; and Dyess Air Force Base,
Texas, already are paying for their utilities. At Elmendorf Air Force
Base, Alaska; Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.; and Moody Air Force Base,
Ga., families and developers are sharing utility costs, although tenants
eventually will be charged the full amounts. Neither the Navy nor the
Marine Corps has started billing their families living in privatized
family housing. However, eventually all military branches will require
residents living in privatized housing to be responsible for their energy
use. Under the RCI program, more than 72,000 family housing units at 33
Army installations have been turned over to private developers.[Source:
Armed Forces News 1 Sep 06 ++]


VA ID CARD:  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that
VA health care facilities are beginning an aggressive campaign to
assure that enrolled veterans with old versions of its ID cards are issued
the new Veterans Identification Card (VIC). VA decided to initiate the
mass replacement to reduce veteran vulnerability to identity theft and
to demonstrate VA's commitment to securing the confidential personal
information of all enrolled veterans. VA indicates that prior versions of
its identification cards display sensitive information such as social
security number and date of birth on the front of the card. The new VIC
removed the sensitive information from the face of the card. Since the
new VIC was introduced in MAR 04, approximately 2.4 million enrolled
veterans have been issued the new VIC. Estimates are that between 3 and 4
million enrolled veterans have not yet been issued a new VIC. VA hopes
to complete the massive replacement program within the next 12 months.
For more information about the new VIC card, contact your Medical
Center's Eligibility & Enrollment Office or visit the VA's Eligibility Web
site at www.va.gov/healtheligibility.  [Source: USDR 4 Sep 06 message]


TRICARE Rx DRUG DISPUTE:  A fight over how much members of the military
and their families pay for their prescription drugs is pitting the
Pentagon and the pharmacies against the drug industry, while members of
Congress attempt to resolve the controversial issue. The debate comes at a
time when the cash-strapped Pentagon is trying to reduce its growing
prescription drug costs. Even though Pentagon officials asked Congress
for help earlier this year, they stopped short of offering up a specific
proposal.  And now the plans that have emerged from the Senate and
House armed services committees are headed on a collision course. The issue
will likely have to be solved at the Big Four level (the chairmen and
ranking members of the armed services committees), but leadership
officials could play a role.

     The Department of Defense in the past six years has had to contend
with the rising cost of drugs sold by retail drug stores as part of the
military’s healthcare system. Some manufacturers of brand-name drugs
have declined to give discounts for medicine sold in drug stores, even
though critics argue that the so-called 1992 Veterans Healthcare Act
extends the discounts to retail pharmacies for DoD,  VA, the Coast Guard
and the Public Health Service. The manufacturers do allow discounts for
medication sold by mail order.
Lawyers for the DoD and the VA are at odds with big pharmaceutical
companies, which last year filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Federal Court of
Appeals arguing that the rebates do not apply to the retail program under
Tricare.  Without a legislative proposal from the Pentagon,
congressional defense authorizers stepped in with their solutions to ease the
costs. The Senate passed legislation that would mandate the use of mail
order for those in the Tricare system effectively removing access to local
pharmacies. The House sought to get rid of co-payments on drugs ordered
by mail and raised the co-payments for those picked up at a retail drug
store. The Senate version of the 2007 defense authorization bill also
seeks to clarify the 1992 Veterans Healthcare Act to make sure that
discounts are extended to retail pharmacies and not only to the mail-order
providers.

     Forty Democrats wrote to the House Armed Services Committee in a
Dear Colleague letter to urge them not to include the Senate measure
mandating mail order of drugs in the conference report. The letter also
alleged that most drug manufacturers refused to follow the Veterans
Healthcare Act.  The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
(PhRMA) reacted to the letter saying it was not only erroneous and
misleading, it also misstated current law.  PhRMA says the lawmakers erred
when suggesting that the 1992 act imposes price control on all medicines
for those in the Tricare network.  The National Association of Chain
Drug Stores (NACD) and the National Community Pharmacists Association
(NCPA) have been lobbying Congress and the Pentagon to try and get rid of
the mail-order provision. They contend that the critical issue in this
debate is choice for our military families who should be able to choose
where they receive their prescription medication.  Also, that the
Pentagon should have the same negotiating power over medicine sold in retail
drug stores as they do for those sold by mail order. The Congressional
Budget Office estimated that the Pentagon could save $1.5 billion from
2007 to 2016 if the mail-order-pharmacy option was signed into law. 

     Meanwhile, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which
represents pharmacy benefit managers, hailed the Senate mail-order
provision as an important step forward in trying to lower the cost of
prescriptions for Tricare beneficiaries.  This is because Mail-service
pharmacies provide deeper discounts than retail pharmacies on maintenance
medications for the chronically ill, improve safety and compliance and
have the convenience of home delivery.  The current lack of discounts in
retail pharmacies means the Defense Department pays drug companies about
$100 more per prescription for drugs distributed through retail
facilities. Ironically, the Administration's Office of Management and Budget
has opposed the retail drug discounts, which could save the Defense
Department $400 million a year or more in drug costs.  On 7 SEP the House
voted 374-30 in favor of a non-binding motion by Rep. Chet Edwards
(D-TX) that instructs House conferees to accept the Senate provision to the
NDAA that requires pharmaceutical companies to extend Defense
Department drug discounts to the Tricare retail pharmacy program. The House
instruction also suggests that the conference agree to the Senate provision
to maintain current copays on pharmaceutical at $3 generic drugs and $9
for brand name drugs.  Without conference agreement on this matter,
2007 drug copays could jump as high as $6 for generic and $16 for brand
name, as the House version of the NDAA recommends. [Source: The Hill
Roxana Tiron article 6 Sep 06 ++]


VA CHIROPRACTIC CARE:  Good news to those veterans who are suffering
from back pain caused by neuromusculoskeletal conditions. The VA will
begin providing Chiropractic Care at 26 selected Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) facilities beginning this fall. They VA plan to hire or
contract chiropractic Doctors to provide the care. In consultation with VA
primary care providers, chiropractors will offer patient evaluations
and chiropractic care for neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Care will be
provided in the following locations: Sacramento & Los Angeles CA, West
Haven & Newington CT,  Togus ME, Tampa & Miami FL, Augusta GA, Danville
IL, Kansas City KS, Iron Mountain MI, Fort Harrison MT, Albuquerque NM, 
Buffalo & the Bronx NY, Jackson MS, Columbus OH Butler PA,  Mountain
Home TN,  San Antonio, Temple, & Dallas TX,  Columbia SC,  Sioux Falls
SD,  Seattle WA, and Martinsburg WV. Eligible veterans in areas remote to
these locations will be able to receive chiropractic care through VA's
outpatient program after being referred by their primary care provider,
and receiving authorization by the department. [Source: Military.com 28
Aug 06]


RECALL TO ACTIVE DUTY UPDATE 02:  In an event where Congress declares a
state of war or national emergency, the Secretary of Defense can
authorize the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to recall retired
military personnel. Retirees may be recalled up to age 64 for general
officers, age 62 for Warrant Officers, and age 60 for all others.
Retirees are placed into one of three categories for recall purposes.
Category I (usually called first) includes retired servicemembers who
meet the age and grade criteria, were not retired for permanent
disability, have a US address, and have been retired fewer than five years.
Category II (usually called after Category I) includes servicemembers
with the same qualifications as the first category, but retired for more
than five years.
Category III includes all other retired servicemembers, including
permanently disqualified disability retired servicemembers. Category III
will generally not be recalled. A member of the Retired Reserve who
returns to active duty may only receive one type of payment. Presently, there
has been no indication that recall of military retirees is even being
considered 
[Source: Military.com 5 Sep 06]


AFRH GULFPORT UPDATE 03:  The date has been set for the end of an era
in Gulfport. On 3 NOV 3, the last 18 employees of the Armed Forces
Retirement Home will officially stop working. Shortly after the closing
Robert Locke, acting director of the AFRH and AFRH Gulfport spokeswoman
Mary Kay Gominger said, the tower probably will be destroyed and the
grounds prepared for a new version of the place hundreds of veterans had
called home for nearly 40 years. The reconstruction of the home has been
turned over to the General Services Administration, the procurement,
real estate-management and administrative arm of the federal government. A
spokesman for the GSA did not respond to a request for comment in time
for this report. A total of $221 million has been provided since
Hurricane Katrina through appropriations by the federal government for the
complete reconstruction of the facility. Though no official word has been
released on the destruction of the tower, the language of the
appropriations package includes money to destroy the Coast landmark. It says ‘to
replace existing facilities’.  The remaining crew have been preparing
for that for over a year, with the help of the Seabees. It is now about
95% cleared out. Most of the residents’ rooms still have old, outdated
furniture.  Though Locke said he was skeptical of the GSA's timetable
of reopening the home in three to five years, he felt grateful for what
the federal government did after Hurricane Katrina for much of the crew
by giving their staff the opportunity to continue to work. Former
residents continue to stay involved in the AFRH, despite being scattered to
25 states as well as the AFRH in Washington.  The home continues to
receive phone calls, notes, and email from them for which most responses
are related to rumor control.  [Source: Gulfport SunHerald.com article 3
Sep 06 ++]


VETJOBS VETERAN EAGLE:  VetJobs is the leading Internet niche job board
for reaching the 14 million military veterans currently in the work
force, as well as the 250 thousand active duty military personnel who
transition each year, and their family members. It is a source for veterans
seeking employment in information technology, program and project
management, sales, linguists, logistics, transportation, human resources,
manufacturing, engineering, finance, healthcare, accounting and senior
executives and is recognized in the industry as the leading recruitment
site to reach the military market. It offers employers candidates (i.e.
veterans) with diversity, leadership skills, technical skills, security
clearances and who have verifiable work backgrounds.

     VetJobs is owned and operated by veterans for veterans. In JAN 00,
the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States exclusively endorsed
and purchased 10% of the company.  Since then the company has garnered
numerous other veteran service organization endorsements. VetJobs is
for ALL uniformed personnel, enlisted and officer, who have served in one
of the military branches of the United States. They also assist the
family members of anyone who had served in the military. The military
definition includes: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Merchant
Marine, Navy, National Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Public Health Service and the Reserves.  VetJobs publishes a
monthly newsletter for veterans, transitioning military, and their family
members called the Veteran Eagle which can be read at or subscribed to
at http://63.243.14.115/newsVetLetter.htm. The newsletter has
information about employment and the market, as well as topics of interest to
people who have been associated with the military.  Among other things it
lists upcoming military related job fairs by state monthly.   For the
remainder of SEP these are:

GA: 9/17-18, Bradley-Morris Hiring Conference, Atlanta GA. Register
online at www.Bradley-Morris.com
IL: 9/17-18, Bradley-Morris Hiring Conference, Chicago IL. Register
online at www.Bradley-Morris.com
CA, 9/17-18, Bradley-Morris Hiring Conference, San Diego CA. Register
online at www.Bradley-Morris.com
DC: 9/18-19, Orion International Military Hiring Conference, Washington
DC. Register online at www.orioninternational.com
IL: 9/18-19, Orion International Military Hiring Conference, Chicago,
IL. Register online at www.orioninternational.com
NJ: 9/19, ACS Employment Readiness Program Job Fair, Gibbs Hall, Fort
Monmouth Officer's Club, Fort Monmouth NJ 1000 AM to 1500.
TX: 9/20, San Antonio Military Community Job Fair, Oak Civic Center,
8101 Pat Booker Rd, Live Oak TX 0900 to 1500.
VA: 9/19-20, TECHEXPO/IBM Open House, Arlington, VA
CA: 9/20, Job Fair, MCAS 29 Palms, CA, for additional information call
760-830-4030
SC: 9/21, Job Fair, Redbank Club, NWS Charleston SC 0900 to 1400.
CA: 9/21, Job Fair, MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA, for additional information
call 760-725-4737
MD: 9/21, Intelligence Careers Career Fair, Ramada Inn, 3400 Ft. Meade
Rd, Rte 198, Laurel MD 1000 to 1500
VA: 9/21, Regional Armed Forces Job Fair, Chesapeake Conference Center
900 Greenbrier Circle, Chesapeake VA 0900 to 1500.
GA: 9/22, MilitaryStars Southeast Regional Career Expo, at the Sheraton
Gateway Hotel, Atlanta Airport, 1900 Sullivan Road, Atlanta GA 1200 to
1700.
VA: 9/22, Corporate Gray Job Fair, Northern Virginia Community College,
8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale VA 1000 to 1400.
MD: 9/22, NSA Dahlgren Job Fair, Citizen Center Bldg, 9076 Kings Hwy,
King George, VA, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
GA: 9/22, MilitaryStars Southeast Regional Career Expo, Sheraton
Gateway Hotel Atlanta Airport, 1900 Sullivan Road, Atlanta, GA, Noon to 5:00
PM
NE: 9/22-23, Union Pacific Hiring Fair, Mid-Plains Community College,
1101 Halligan Dr., North Platte NE 1500 to 2000 and 1000 to 1500.
VA: 9/17-18, Bradley-Morris Hiring Conference, Norfolk, VA, Register
online at www.Bradley-Morris.com
CA: 9/27, ACAP-ACS Job Fair, Leaders Club (Reggie's), Fort Irwin, CA
1000 to 1300.
TX: 9/28, Eisemann Center for Performing Arts, 2351 Performance Drive,
Dallas TX 1100 to 1500.
[Source: www.vetjobs.com 2 Sep 06 ++]


TRICARE PACIFIC AUTHORIZATIONS:  Some physical therapy and mental
health care require prior Tricare authorization. For Physical Therapy
TRICARE Standard beneficiaries must receive authorizations for the 13th and
subsequent Physical therapy visit. For Mental Health Care TRICARE
Standard beneficiaries must receive authorization inpatient mental health
care. Authorization is also required for outpatient mental health care for
the 9th and subsequent visit (the first 8 visits do not require
authorization). For information on mental health or physical therapy referrals
in the Pacific, contact the TRICARE Area Office-Pacific at (81)
6117-43-2036 or by email at tpao.csc@Oki10.med.navy.mil. [Source:  TAO-P
Newsletter 1 Jun 06]


VA APPEALS UPDATE 03:  Chief Judge William Greene, Jr., of the U.S.
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, has called up two retired federal
judges to help the court deal with an unprecedented number of pending
appeals. Just two years ago there were about 2,700 cases pending and the
court was taking in less than 200 new cases per month. But the court is
now taking in over 300 new cases per month and the number of pending
cases has grown to over 5,800. The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims is in the judicial branch of government and reviews decisions
rendered by VA’s Board of Veterans’ Appeals, which is in the executive
branch of the federal government. Most of the court’s decisions deal with
disability compensation. The two judges being recalled are John J. Farly,
III, and Donald Ivers.  They will serve a minimum of 90 days reviewing
cases and rendering decisions. In addition to the two judges who have
been called back into action, there are presently seven full time judges
on the court. [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 8 Sep 06]


MILITARY LEGISLATION STATUS UPDATE:  Following is current status on
some Congressional bills of interest to the military community.  Support
of these bills through cosponsorship by other legislators is critical if
they are ever going to move through the legislative process for a floor
vote. At http://thomas.loc.gov you can determine the current status of
each bill and if your legislator is a sponsor of the bill you are
concerned with. The key to increasing cosponsorship is letting your
representative know of your feelings on these issues.  At the end of most of
the below listed bills is a web link that can be used to do that:

H.R.303:  The ‘Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2005’ To amend title 10,
United States Code, to permit certain additional retired members of the
Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive both
disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their
disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military
service or Combat-Related Special Compensation and to eliminate the
phase-in period under current law with respect to such concurrent receipt. 
Rep Charles Dent [PA-15] & Rep Carolyn Maloney [NY-14] have signed on
to support the bill giving it a total of 239 sponsors. There are no
related bills.  To support this bill and/or contact your Representative
refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7728776. 

H.R.602:  The ‘Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act’ to
restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed
services and their eligible dependents. House version of  S.407.  Rep Harold
Ford [TN-09] has signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 250
sponsors.

H.R.808:  The ‘Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act’ to amend title
10, United States Code, to repeal the offset from surviving spouse
annuities under the military Survivor Benefit Plan for amounts paid by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs as dependency and indemnity compensation
(DIC).  A motion was filed to discharge the Rules Committee from
consideration of H.RES 271 on 16 NOV 05.  This resolution provides for the
consideration of H.R.808 and requires 218 signatures for further action.
Rep Barbara Cubin [WY] & Rep James Clyburn [SC-6] have signed on to
support the bill giving it a total of 209 sponsors. There are no related
bills.  To support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7683586
To support the discharge petition and/or contact your Representative
refer to
http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/alert/?alertid=8248891&type=CO

H.R.916: The ‘Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2005’
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare
outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps. Referred to the House
Subcommittee on Health 14 MAR 05. House version of  S.438. Rep Louie Gohmert
[TX-01] has signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 258
sponsors. To support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=7103976 &
http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=7103896.

H.R.968: To amend title 10, United States Code, to change the effective
date for paid-up coverage under the military Survivor Benefit Plan from
October 1, 2008, to October 1, 2005. Rep Robert Cramer [AL-5], Rep Dan
Boren [OK-2] & Rep Rob Simmons [CT-2] have signed on to support the
bill giving it a total of 146 sponsors. There are no related bills.  To
support this bill and/or contact your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7683511

H.R.994:  To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal
civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a
pretax basis and to allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums. 
Rep Solomon Ortiz [TX-27], Rep Deborah Pryce [OH-15] & Rep J.D.
Hayworth [AZ-5] have signed on to support the bill giving it a total of 338
sponsors. This is the House version of S.484. To support this bill and/or
send a message to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7761876

H.R.995: The ‘Combat Military Medically Retired Veteran's Fairness Act
of 2005’ to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the
payment of Combat-Related Special Compensation under that title to members
of the Armed Forces retired for disability with less than 20 years of
active military service who were awarded the Purple Heart. No new
sponsors were added to this bill which has a total of 31. There are no
related bills.  To support this bill and/or send a message to your
Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7683281

H.R.1366:  The Combat-Related Special Compensation Act of 2005 to amend
title 10, United States Code, to expand eligibility for Combat-Related
Special Compensation paid by the uniformed services in order to permit
certain additional retired members who have a service-connected
disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of
Veterans Affairs for that disability and Combat-Related Special
Compensation by reason of that disability.  No new sponsors were added to this
bill which has a total of 51.  S.2385 is a related bill.  To support this
bill send a message to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7718711
To support Sen. Reid’s amendment to the 2007 NDAA bill S.2766 send a
message to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=8371516&type=ML

H.R.2076: The ‘Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2005’ To amend title 10,
United States Code, to permit certain retired members of the uniformed
services who have a service-connected disability to receive both
disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their
disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military
service or Combat-Related Special Compensation.  No new sponsors were
added to this bill which has a total of 28. Related bills are H.R.303,
S.558, S.845. To support this bill and/or send a message to your
Representative refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7728776

H.R.2356:  The ‘Preserving Patient Access to Physicians Act of 2005’ to
amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reform the Medicare
physician payment update system through repeal of the sustainable growth
rate (SGR) payment update system. Rep Rush Holt [NJ-12] & Rep Katherine
Harris [FL-13] have signed on to support the bill giving it a total of
175 sponsors..  S.1081is a related bill. To support this bill and/or
send a message to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7742321

H.R.2962: The ‘Atomic Veterans Relief Act’ to amend title 38, United
States Code, to revise the eligibility criteria for presumption of
service-connection of certain diseases and disabilities for veterans exposed
to ionizing radiation during military service, and for other purposes. 
Rep Nick Rahal [WV-3] has signed on to support the bill giving it a
total of 53 sponsors.  There are no other related bills. To support this
bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7784066

H.R.4259: The ‘Veterans right to Know Act’ to establish a Commission to
investigate chemical or biological warfare tests or projects,
especially such projects carried out between 1954 and 1973, placing particular
emphasis on actions or conditions associated with such projects that
could have contributed to health risks or been harmful to any United
States civilian personnel or member of the United States Armed Forces who
participated in such a project or who was otherwise potentially exposed
to any biological or chemical agent, simulant, tracer, decontaminant, or
herbicide as a result of such projects; and to submit a report to
Congress of its findings and recommendations. Rep Henry Waxman [CA-30], Rep
Robert Wexler [FL-19]  & Rep Lynn Woolsey [CA-6] have signed on to
support the bill giving it a total of 43 sponsors. There are no other
related bills. Referred to the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel 30
NOV 05.

H.R.4914: The ‘Veterans' Choice of Representation Act’ to amend title
38, United States Code, to remove certain limitations on attorney
representation of claimants for veterans benefits in administrative
proceedings before the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 
No new sponsors were added to this bill which has a total of 8. There
are no other related bills.  To support this bill and/or send a message
to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=8835676

H.R.4949: The ‘Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act’ to amend
title 10, United States Code, to prohibit increases in fees for military
health care.  Rep Rush Holt [NJ-12] has signed on to support the bill
giving it a total of 161 sponsors. There are no other related bills.  To
support this bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=8591231

H.R.4992: The ‘Veterans Medicare Assistance Act of 2006’ to provide for
Medicare reimbursement for health care services provided to
Medicare-eligible veterans in facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Rep Mark Souder [IN-3] & Rep Frank LoBiondo [NJ-2] have signed on to
support the bill giving it a total of 22 sponsors. There are no other
related bills.  To support this bill and/or send a message to your
Representative refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/index_frame.dbq?url=http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=8670886

H.R.5881: The ‘Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act’ to amend title
10, United States Code, to eliminate the offset between military retired
pay and veterans service-connected disability compensation for certain
retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected
disability, and for other purposes. Introduced 26 JUL 06 by Rep Marshall, Jim
(GA-03) the bill has no cosponsors. There are no other related bills.
To support this bill and/or send a message to your Representative refer
to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/index_frame.dbq?url=http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=8969606&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]


S.185:  The ‘Military Retiree Survivor Benefit Equity Act of 2005’ to
amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal the requirement for the
reduction of certain Survivor Benefit Plan annuities by the amount of
dependency and indemnity compensation and to modify the effective date for
paid-up coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan. No new sponsors were
added to this bill which has a total of 35. There are no other related
bills.  To support this bill and/or send a message to your Senator
refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7709421
 
S.407:  The ‘Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act’ to
restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services
and their eligible dependents. Sen Robert Menendez [NJ] has signed on
to support the bill giving it a total of 15. A related bill is H.R.602. 
To support this bill and/or send a message to your Senator refer to
http://mrgrg-ms.org/fax-it.html

S.484: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal
civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax
basis and to allow a deduction for Tricare supplemental premiums. No
new sponsors were added to this bill which has a total of 63. A related
bill is H.R.994. To support this bill and/or send a message to your
Senator refer to http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=7787396

S.2147: The ‘Multiple Sclerosis’ bill to extend the 7 year time period
during which a veteran's multiple sclerosis is to be considered to have
been incurred in, or aggravated by, military service during a period of
war. Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs 20 DEC 05. 
The bill has no cosponsors and there is no related legislation in the
House.  

S.2617: The ‘Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act’ to amend
title 10, United States Code, to limit increases in the costs to retired
members of the Armed Forces of health care services under the TRICARE
program, and for other purposes.  No new sponsors were added to this bill
which has a total of 9. There are no other related bills. To support
this bill and/or send a message to your Senator refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=8675066&type=CO

S.2658:  The ‘National Defense Enhancement and National Guard
Empowerment Act of 2006’ to amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the
national defense through empowerment of the Chief of the National Guard
Bureau and the enhancement of the functions of the National Guard
Bureau, and for other purposes. No new sponsors were added to this bill
which has a total of 39. A related bill is H.R.5200.  To support this bill
send a preformatted or edited message to your Senator by using the
“Write to Congress” feature refer to www.ngaus.org.

S.2694:  The ‘Veterans' Choice of Representation and Benefits
Enhancement Act of 2006’ to amend title 38, United States Code, to remove
certain limitation on attorney representation of claimants for veterans’
benefits in administrative proceedings before the DVA, and for other
purposes.  This bill was passed/agreed to in Senate 3 AUG 06 by unanimous
consent and referred to House Committee after being Received from Senate. 
To support this bill and/or send a message to your Senator refer to
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/bills/?bill=8835631

Note:  Congress is back in session.  There are only 53 days until
Election Day.  Be sure you are registered to vote and make your vote count.
. [Source: http://thomas.loc.gov & USDR Action Alerts 1-15 Sep 06 ++]


Lt. James “EMO” Tichacek, USN (Ret)
Director, Retiree Assistance Office, U.S. Embassy Warden & VITA Baguio
City RP
PSC 517 Box RCB, FPO AP 96517
Tel: (760) 839-9003 or FAX 1(801) 760-2430; When in RP: (74) 442-7135
or FAX 1(801) 760-2430
Email: raoemo@sbcglobal.net.  When in Philippines raoemo@mozcom.com
Web: http://post_119_gulfport_ms.tripod.com/rao1.html
AL/AMVETS/DAV/FRA/NAUS/NCOA/MOAA/USDR/VFW/VVA/CG33/DD890/AD37 member
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