December 15,
DFAS Fraud Update 01
► Phony Audit Letter
Head’s Up! A retiree received the below letter in the mail and brought it the Andersen AFB Retiree Office to ask
what it meant. They contacted DFAS Cleveland and faxed them a copy. After a few hours, Carla Williams from
DFAS Cleveland called back and said that this is a fraudulent letter and anyone in receipt of it should not to respond
to it.
[Source: RAO Andersen AFB msg. | Emmet Heidemann | November 13, 2015 ++]
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Vet Unemployment
► Lowest Rate Since April 2008 | 3.9%
A concerted national effort to hire veterans, coupled with their sought-after essential skills training, likely had an
effect on making October’s veteran unemployment rate the lowest since April 2008, a Defense Department official
said Nov. 30. Susan S. Kelly, who leads DoD’s Transition to Veterans Program Office, spoke to DoD News about
the October Bureau of Labor Statistics Report published by the Labor Department, which indicated that veteran
unemployment has been lower than the rate of nonveteran unemployment for 23 consecutive weeks. In October, the
veteran unemployment rate stood at just 3.9 percent, while nonveteran unemployment was 5.4 percent. Kelly said she
believes the drop in veterans’ unemployment stems from several factors, such as the economic upturn across the
country, as well as the many layers of effort in the public and private sectors to hire veterans.
In addition, she said, employers are seeking the professional “essential skills” ingrained in every veteran.
“Employers have been telling us the last 18 months, ‘We can train them in technical skills, but the [other skills] take
years to develop,” Kelly said. Those “essential skills” include leadership, ability to handle work stress, persistence,
attention to detail, interpersonal skills, teamwork and team-building, oral and written communication, decision
making, training people, supervising, critical thinking and project planning, she said, adding that the philosophy
behind hiring veterans has evolved from the “right thing to do” to “the smart thing to do.” “The heads of corporations
say they spend millions of dollars every year teaching their managers leadership skills,” she said, and employers have
learned that veterans arrive at the workplace already equipped with these skills.
Not long ago, veteran unemployment among young veterans ranged in the double digits. When the White House’s
Joining Forces initiative began in 2011, it called on all sectors of society to hire veterans and spouses and “opened
avenues for veteran employment,” Kelly noted. At DoD, with the help of several federal agencies, Kelly led the
transformation of the Transition Assistance Program into weeklong, mandatory training for transitioning service
members, giving them the skills and knowledge necessary to secure jobs, seek education and pursue optional training,
such as how to start a business. More federal agencies, corporations and nonprofit organizations joined the hiring
effort and sought veterans for employment. For example, national retailer Wal-Mart launched the “Greenlight a Vet”
campaign to shine a light on how veterans enrich communities and to encourage hiring veterans, who are known to
take action quickly, show great leadership skills and “represent the best of America,” an organization statement noted.
Several organizations, including the Institute for Veterans and Military Families; Team Red, White and Blue; Team
Rubicon; Blue Star Families; and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes program have also joined the
effort. “Each one brings us a unique contribution to veteran unemployment,” Kelly said.
While it was understood veterans had strong work ethics and skills, Kelly said, those basics weren’t “codified”
until DoD enlisted the Rand Corp. to study the combat arms profession -- the field with the fewest technical skills
transferrable to civilian employment. Since Rand’s study this year, it has endorsed hiring veterans and illustrated how
veterans’ essential skills line up “very well” with what the Labor Department, academia and economists named as
necessary in the 21st century workforce, she said. The professional standards taught to troops are an asset to the
civilian workforce during a time when the nation is challenged to fill what Kelly calls “a gap in workforce skills.” She
said that while DoD is “delighted” with the drop in veteran unemployment, the turnaround is an ongoing effort that is
continually adapting to new lessons learned. “We look at these skills as an asset for the workforce, but our veterans
have an incredible amount of attributes that can be used in all aspects of community life,” Kelly said. “They can be
leaders, and in [those] I meet, I tell them to run for public office, because our nation needs leaders, and they have what
it takes … for the betterment of all of community life.” [Source: DoD News, Defense Media Activity | Terri Moon
Cronk | December 2, 2015 ++]
**********************************
Selective Service System Update 12
► Draft Registration for Women
With the elimination of the combat exclusion clause, the next question is whether women will now be required to
register with the Selective Service System. According to officials, stay tuned. No decision will be made until Congress
has had time to review the Defense Department report, which will include their views on whether the Military Selective
Service Act should be changed. With few exceptions, all 18 to 25-year-old American male citizens are required to
register. Failure to do so is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Selective Service
System, which is a small, independent federal agency within the Executive Branch, is on standby and prepared to act
as directed. Right now, 16 million 18 to 25-year-old American males are registered; adding women would more than
double their workload. [Source: VFW | Action Corps Weekly | December 4, 2015 ++]
**********************************
VA Vet Choice Program Update 27
► Vets Experience Appointment Delays
Ten years ago, Carlos Villarreal was serving as a Marine in Iraq when his compound was struck by mortars. He
suffered hearing loss, damage to his teeth and post-traumatic stress disorder. He now needs an MRI to diagnose the
severity of his nerve damage from the attack. But he hasn't been able to get a timely appointment at the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Chicago, despite the fact the agency last year launched the Veterans Choice
program, which is supposed to allow former service members to seek care closer to home in such instances. He's says
he's been trying since July and still hasn't been able to have the test done locally. "In the entire health care system,
veterans are the only ones who are told where they have to go for care," said Villarreal, 30, of Hobart. "The Choice
program was supposed to take care of that. It hasn't."
Last year, the VA inspector general found that many veterans were waiting months for appointments and that some
had even died on while on the wait list. The secretary of the VA resigned over the matter. In response, Congress
enacted Veterans Choice. The program is designed to enable veterans who can't see a doctor within 30 days or live
more than 40 miles from a VA facility to access a local provider. But several Northwest Indiana veterans say they've
had trouble accessing the program, being kept on hold for long periods of time and not having their calls returned.
Nationally, the number of veterans waiting more than 30 days for care has actually grown since Veterans Choice was
implemented last year.
John Jonikas, an Army veteran from Munster, recently needed an ultrasound of his abdomen but his appointment at
the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, located on Chicago's west side, was more than a month out. He was told that,
through Veterans Choice, he could have the test done at a local facility. He lives roughly a half mile from Munster
Community Hospital. But after about a dozen calls to the Choice hotline without getting an appointment, the 68-yearold gave up. He went to the Chicago VA hospital for the ultrasound, driving an hour-and-a-half each way, because of
road construction. "Every other day I was calling. You always get a different person. They want all your information
again and look it up and tell you, 'We're working on it,'" he said. "What good is this program if they don't help you?"
The VA doesn't run the Veterans Choice program but has outsourced that job to two outside vendors, including
Arlington, Va.-based Health Net Federal Services, which handles Northwest Indiana. In 2013, that company signed a
five-year, $5.1 billion contract with the federal government to coordinate community-based care for veterans. Region
vets do not make their Choice appointments directly with local hospitals but must have them scheduled through Health
Net. "We've heard veterans calling those call centers have had delays in accessing their information," said Gene
Migliaccio, deputy chief business officer for purchased care for the VA. "We're working with our vendors to ensure
we're toward our goals of appointments within 30 days, scheduled within five." He noted the program was recently
tweaked so appointment schedulers will now contact veterans after getting an authorization rather than waiting for
them to call in. He also said Veterans Choice recently expanded its eligibility requirements to include such factors as
the weather, the veterans' health status and how often they need the service in question. "We apologize for any
frustrations veterans may have had with scheduling their appointments," said Brad Kieffer, a spokesman for Health
Net. "Health Net Federal Services is committed to providing excellent service, and we are making some changes that
we expect will improve our service. These improvements include adding staff and strengthening training to improve
workflows and expedite the overall scheduling process."
U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN) are also asking the VA to consider travel
times rather than just distances when deciding program eligibility, taking into consideration traffic congestion and
transportation to and from shuttle stops. They have cited as an example Northwest Indiana veterans who have to travel
to the VA hospital in Chicago. Donnelly also sponsored a provision in the recent defense spending law that incentivizes
community providers who receive training in veteran-specific health care issues. In a statement, the senator said he's
aware some Hoosier veterans have experienced difficulties with the Choice program and is working with his
colleagues in Congress to expand community care for vets. Kevin Spicer, a spokesman for Visclosky, said veterans
unable to access the Choice program should contact the congressman's office and a caseworker will work with them
to schedule an appointment.
According to the VA, of the 1,068 authorizations so far for Veterans Choice patients at Jesse Brown, 851
appointments were scheduled, a success rate of 79 percent. Less than half of those appointments were completed.
Since it signed up for the program the middle of this year, Methodist Hospitals, which has campuses in Gary and
Merrillville, has treated only four veterans. "We've reached out the VA to try to expand our opportunities there," said
Matt Doyle, chief financial officer for Methodist Hospitals. "We've not had success."
Tom Pappas, a veteran and retired steelworker who lives in Portage, says Indiana lawmakers and health care
providers should look at this as an economic issue. He submitted a Freedom of Information Act request with the VA
and found that veterans from Northwest Indiana (Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper and Starke counties) were
spending at least $45 million annually on care in Chicago. "Let's keep the veterans here. Let's put that money back
into the local economy. Let's get back some jobs for people," said Pappas, who himself has had luck with the Veterans
Choice program; an official contacted him to let him know he was eligible. Since the Adam Benjamin Jr. Outpatient
Clinic in Crown Point is within a 40-mile drive for many Northwest Indiana veterans, they still often have to drive
there, then take a shuttle to the VA hospital in Chicago, turning a medical appointment into an all-day affair. "We
served our country. We didn't run and hide. We raised our right hands and did what our country told us to do," Pappas
said. "We should have a choice where we get our secondary care at. We should be treated like first-class citizens."
Bill Stack, a Crown Point veteran, was able to get an MRI through the Choice Program, at St. Mary Medical Center
in Hobart. But it took multiple phone calls and hours spent on hold with Health Net, he said. "It was a positive
outcome," the 70-year-old said. "The hang-up I had was when I called the Choice Program. I would talk to this person,
that person, for 80, 90 minutes."
Shawn Sherwood served with the Navy in Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011, injuring his back when his battalion
was hit with rocket fire. A few months ago, his bulging discs started acting up, to the point where he was taking days
off work and unable to get out of bed for church on Sunday. Because of claustrophobia caused by PTSD, he can't get
a traditional MRI, the only kind offered at the VA hospital in Chicago. But he was told he could do an open MRI
through the Choice Program. On the first call to Health Net, he said, he was on the line for 18.5 minutes before it was
disconnected. The second call lasted 22 minutes before he was hung up on. The third call, 32 minutes. It took four
weeks to determine his eligibility, two months to get an appointment, he said, and that happened only after he reached
out to the VA outpatient clinic in Crown Point for help. "Veterans Choice, if it was run correctly, would be a godsend
to us. It just isn't run properly," said Sherwood, 44, a South Haven teacher. "You're supposed to have a 'choice.' We
don't." [Source: Northwest Times (NWI) | Giles Bruce | December 14, 2015 ++]
********************************
VA CMOP
► Charleston, S.C | 2.3M Prescriptions per Month
In a nondescript building in North Charleston, S.C., thousands of tiny orange bottles jostle along automated conveyor
belts, jockeying for position as they traverse the interior of the 75,000 square foot Consolidated Mail Outpatient
Pharmacy (CMOP). The facility, one of only seven in the entire nation, fills, packages and distributes more than
110,000 prescriptions every day for Veterans residing in the southeast and elsewhere. The Charleston CMOP partners
with the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston to deliver millions of prescriptions to Veterans every
year, thus eliminating most of the burden on the hospital’s in-house pharmacy. “We fill about 80 percent of the
prescriptions needed by Veterans at the Charleston VA Medical Center and the Community Based Outpatient Clinics,”
said Duane Dunning, Charleston CMOP liaison pharmacist. “Often we have around a 30 hour turn-around time. It
usually only takes about two and a half days from the time the Veteran requests the refill to when it’s delivered to
their mailbox or doorstep.”
This efficiency means that Veterans are able to count on getting their necessary medications quickly and with very
little delay or hassle. Patients no longer have to sit in long lines at the hospital or clinic pharmacy to refill prescriptions
in person. The Charleston CMOP is a highly automated facility with numerous established checkpoints and tracking
systems in place that ensure patient safety. “Our goal is to deliver the right medication to the right patient every time,”
said Dunning. “We have an excellent track record too. In a typical month, we process 2.3 million prescription orders.
Of those, we usually only have two or three dispensing errors, such as the patient receiving the wrong medication, or
the wrong number of pills, or a patient receiving a medication they did not order.” “To put that in perspective, we like
to equate it to easily identifiable and sometimes comical statistics,” said CMOP Associate Director Lisa Harle. “For
instance, you have a better chance of getting struck by an asteroid, of dating a supermodel, or of being harmed by a
toilet seat than you do of getting the wrong prescription or dosage from this CMOP.”
The Charleston CMOP is also one of only two facilities in the country that can fill prescriptions for controlled
substances. The Charleston pharmacy handles orders for patients residing east of the Mississippi River, while the
CMOP in Murfreesboro, Tenn. processes those being mailed to patients west of the Mississippi, according to Dunning.
VA also has CMOPs in Chelmsford, Mass., Hines, Ill., Leavenworth, Kan., Dallas and Tucson. Patients have several
ways to request refills through the CMOP. They may call in to the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center’s automated
system at 843-577-5011, order refills online through VA’s electronic health management system, My HealtheVet, or
mail in a refill slip.
In September 2014, the CMOP added the capability to check the status of prescriptions 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week through the VA’s new online tracker system. Veterans with Advanced or Premium My HealtheVet profiles can
log in to their accounts and access shipping information, carrier tracking numbers and their prescription histories under
the pharmacy tab. While this technology allows Veteran patients to quickly find pertinent information regarding their
medications handled by the CMOP, Veterans are also still able to call in to the Charleston VA pharmacy to inquire
about the status of their refills.
Last year, the seven VA mail-order pharmacies filled and sent out 117 million prescriptions, according to Kenneth
Siehr, national director for CMOP. This year, they are on track to process 121 million orders. Additionally, the CMOPs
have recently received the highest customer satisfaction score in a J.D. Power and Associates survey for the fourth
year in a row. Veterans ranked their experience with the mail-out pharmacies higher than most civilian brick-andmortar pharmacies. “We really offer an invaluable service to Veterans,” Dunning said. “We save them time and energy
and safeguard their well-being. Automation is so much safer and is more efficient than manual distribution, which is
often riddled with human error. We are proud to do our part for our Veterans and we continue to try and streamline
the process every day – making it quicker, more cost-effective and safer for the patients.” [Source: VAntage Point |
Meredith Hagen | December 10, 2015 ++]
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VA Hepatitis C Care Update 07
► Alarming Dip in Treatments
The Veteran Service Organization (VSO) community has been pleased and even relieved to see several new drugs
come onto the market over the past two years that can now cure most veterans who were unknowingly infected with
hepatitis C virus (HCV) during the course of their military service. Congress responded quickly and generously to the
Department of Veterans Affairs’ requests for emergency supplemental appropriations to allow the department to offer
these new life-saving and long-term cost-saving treatments to veterans infected with HCV. In fact, the Senate
Appropriations Committee’s subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilConVA) provided
$200 million above and beyond the VA’s initial request for FY2015 supplemental funding for veterans’ HCV
treatments, and we remain highly optimistic that the final VA appropriation, whether as a stand-alone bill or as part
of an omnibus, will now reflect an even greater level of investment in treating and curing veterans with HCV in light
of the recent budget deal.
Throughout the course of 2015, the veteran community has been pleased to see VA patient data reflect an
increasingly aggressive approach to treating HCV within the veteran population. In fact, as we neared the end of the
fiscal year in September, the VA was treating up to 1,700 new veterans each week for HCV infection. However, as
encouraged as we were by this trend, we are equally dismayed and alarmed now by the trend we saw reflected in VA
treatment data immediately following the start of the new fiscal year. Despite the fact that Congress appropriates
VA’s medical services account a full year in advance precisely to avoid a slowdown in VA services and treatment
should there be any fiscal uncertainty with the rest of the government at the start of a new fiscal year, VA’s treatment
of veterans with HCV dropped astoundingly to less than 400 for the first week of October, and has remained
alarmingly low since then.
Congress has provided and continues to provide every dollar that VA has asked for to offer veterans infected with
HCV with the latest breakthrough medical treatments and to generously and fully fund all medical services provided
by the VA. Furthermore, until the new MilConVA appropriations bill with supplemental HCV funding for FY16 is
passed into law, VA knows that it can borrow from within its medical services account to continue its previously
aggressive pattern of treatment of veterans with HCV infections. There is, therefore, no fiscal, logical, administrative,
or other reason for VA medical providers to be halting or slowing treatment of veterans with HCV following the start
of the new fiscal year. The VA should be continuing to treat as many veterans as it is able to with the money that it
has currently available in line with established clinical guidelines.
Good stewardship of the money that Congress appropriates to the VA is of paramount concern to the VSO
community and to the veteran community writ large, and we intend to closely monitor this trend over the next few
weeks and months in order to observe and publicize, if necessary, whether the Veterans Health Administration returns
to acting good faith in aggressively treating cases of HCV. In the meantime, the VA should review its own
prescription and treatment data for HCV patients and be proactive in ensuring that as many veterans as possible with
HCV continue to receive the care and treatment that Congress intended for VA to expeditiously provide. [Source:
The Hill | Diane Zumatto | December 9, 2015 ++]
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VISN 18
► Newly Assigned director Opts Out
A Department of Veterans Affairs administrator who was assigned to lead the beleaguered Southwest regional healthcare system has opted not to take the job at the last minute. A spokeswoman for the VA Southwest Health Care
Network, known as VISN 18, said Skye McDougall elected to take a similar assignment in Mississippi just as she was
scheduled to take the helm at the regional office based in Gilbert. Last month's selection of McDougall to oversee
Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 18 drew flak from VA critics because of perceived baggage she would
carry into a region that includes Phoenix VA Medical Center, the launch point for a national controversy over the
department's management and medical care for veterans. McDougall, as director of the Desert Pacific Health Care
Network covering Southern California, testified in March before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs that Los
Angeles veterans were waiting just four days for doctor appointments. A subsequent CNN report based on VA data
and whistleblower complaints described that statement as "simply not true," and said metro-LA veterans were waiting
an average of 48 days.
In an e-mail to The Arizona Republic, McDougall said the controversy played no role in her change of heart. "After
careful consideration of the position and the needs of my family, I decided to pursue other opportunities and look
forward to leading VISN 16," she wrote. VISN 18 covers Arizona, New Mexico and, until recently, a portion of west
Texas that included El Paso. The VA has announced plans to shut down the Southwest regional administration,
subsuming it into the Los Angeles network. No timeline has been announced for that change. In the meanwhile,
Kathleen Fogarty will continue as interim head of VISN 18 while also serving as director of the regional VA office
based in Kansas City, Mo. [Source: The Arizona Republic | Dennis Wagner | December 7, 2015 ++]
********************************
VA Vet Choice Program Update 26 ►
Access Changes
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced 1 DEC a number of changes to make participation in the
Veterans Choice Program easier and more convenient for Veterans who need to use it. The move, which streamlines
eligibility requirements, follows feedback from Veterans along with organizations working on their behalf. “As we
implement the Veterans Choice Program, we are learning from our stakeholders what works and what needs to be
refined,” said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald. “It is our goal to do all that we can to remove barriers that
separate Veterans from the care they deserve.” To date, more than 400,000 medical appointments have been
scheduled since the Veterans Choice Program went into effect on November 5, 2014. Under the old policy, a
Veteran was eligible for the Veterans Choice Program if he or she met the following criteria:
 Enrolled in VA health care by 8/1/14 or able to enroll as a combat Veteran to be eligible for the Veterans
Choice Program;
 Experienced unusual or excessive burden eligibility determined by geographical challenges, environmental
factors or a medical condition impacting the Veteran’s ability to travel;
 Determined eligible based on the Veteran’s current residence being more than 40 miles driving distance
from the closest VA medical facility.
Under the updated eligibility requirements, a Veteran is eligible for the Veterans Choice Program if he or she is
enrolled in the VA health care system and meets at least one of the following criteria:
 Told by his or her local VA medical facility that they will not be able to schedule an appointment for care
within 30 days of the date the Veteran’s physician determines he/she needs to be seen or within 30 days of
the date the Veteran wishes to be seen if there is no specific date from his or her physician;
 Lives more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility with a full-time primary
care physician;
 Needs to travel by air, boat or ferry to the VA medical facility closest to his/her home;
 Faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to the closest VA medical facility based on geographic
challenges, environmental factors, a medical condition, the nature or simplicity or frequency of the care
needed and whether an attendant is needed. Staff at the Veteran’s local VA medical facility will work with
him or her to determine if the Veteran is eligible for any of these reasons; or
 Lives in a State or Territory without a full-service VA medical facility which includes: Alaska, Hawaii,
New Hampshire (Note: this excludes New Hampshire Veterans who live within 20 miles of the White
River Junction VAMC) and the United States Territories (excluding Puerto Rico, which has a full service
VA medical facility).
Veterans seeking to use the Veterans Choice Program or wanting to know more about it, can call1-866-6068198 to confirm their eligibility and to schedule an appointment. For more details about the Veterans Choice
Program and VA’s progress, visit: www.va.gov/opa/choiceact .[Source: VA News Release | December 1, 2015 ++]
********************************
VA Employee Accountability
► Mismanagement/Training Problems
In the wake of backlash against the Department of Veterans Affairs for not cracking down hard enough on employee
accountability, its watchdog group released three new reports this week that demonstrate continuing problems at VA
hospitals. The VA inspector general’s office released reports on hospitals in Ohio, Maryland and Virginia that showed
evidence of mismanagement and staff training problems.

The first report, released 1 DEC, evaluated the VA medical center in Cleveland, Ohio, and found some
staff were not trained in how to issue barcode identifiers for patient files, and the hospital attributed it to
“difficulties that contract employees have ‘getting into the system’ for basic matters like background and
fingerprinting and issuance of personal identity verification badges, pagers, or lockers.” Until such
contract employees were fully integrated into the VA system, they had no access to equipment, computers
or training. In the process, “some staff shared test operator identifications and improperly entered patient
identifiers,” the IG report concluded, so the laboratory staff in the hospital were unable to match the
correct lab results with the correct patient files. Staff were also found to have not been trained in facility
policy and procedure, but were performing tests on patients.

The second report, also released 1 OCT, evaluated the mental health residential rehabilitation program at
the Baltimore VA hospital. The IG’s office found that staff at the Baltimore clinic had not been
documenting significant clinical events in patients’ electronic health records, including “pertinent facts,
findings, and observations about a patient’s health history, past and present illnesses, examinations, tests,
treatments, and outcomes,” leaving some patients with incomplete records.

The third evaluation was of the Salem, Virginia VA medical center, and the IG report found that half of
the inspected areas of the hospital “did not have medications awaiting destruction stored separately from
those available for administration.” Medication is also supposed to have an expiration date posted on the
vial, and in half of the hospital’s inspected areas, the watchdog group found that vials were labeled with
incorrect expiration dates. The hospital also had 10 independent practitioners working with patients, all
of whom had “non-allowed” information in their files. The IG also found that equipment needed replacing
— three of seven units had damaged wheelchairs — and a third of the clinics failed to properly disinfect
equipment between patients.
The VA has been criticized in recent weeks for demoting two senior executives instead of firing them for a scheme
they orchestrated to transfer to new posts. As part of this scheme, they also took nearly $400,000 in relocation bonuses
the IG’s office concluded they didn’t deserve, but the VA has not made any moves to recoup the money. On 3 DEC,
VA officials announced that they were putting the demotions on hold after a paperwork mix-up did not allow the
employees to have complete access to evidence approving the demotion and is giving them an extended appeals
process, drawing the ire of lawmakers and veteran service organizations. The beleaguered agency has been under
intense scrutiny since an IG report was released last year saying that 40 patients at a Phoenix, Arizona hospital died
while languishing on a secret waiting list manipulated by employees to make wait times seem shorter than they were.
The scandal led to former VA Secretary Eric Shinseki’s resignation and calls for reform from lawmakers in Congress.
[Source: The Washington Times | Anjali Shastry | December 4, 2015 ++]
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VA Employee Accountability Update 01
► Disciplinary Record Revelations
Some Veterans Affairs employees weren't fired despite severe cases of misconduct according to a NBC Washington
News 4 I-Team investigation. A review of agency disciplinary records shows agency leaders issued reprimands or
brief suspensions to dozens of employees who'd engaged in misconduct in recent months at Veterans Affairs (VA)
medical centers in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Martinsburg, West Virginia. Jeff Miller, the chairman of the U.S.
House Veterans Affairs Committee, said some of the discipline was too lenient and that it's an indication the agency
is failing to hold workers accountable for bad actions. "We're talking about people's lives being endangered in some
of these cases," Miller said. The I-Team also found a recent series of acts of employee misconduct at the Martinsburg
Medical Center. More than 300 employees have been disciplined at the three medical centers, according to records
obtained by the I-Team via the Freedom of Information Act. They include:
 One VA Maryland Health System employee was reprimanded for failing to treat a patient who'd suffered a
head injury in a medical center hallway.
 In another case, an employee was issued for for leaving a medicine cart unattended at the D.C. VA Medical
Center.
 Some employees had sex on the facility grounds, according to the records.
 In another case, an employee was found sleeping while on the job, beneath a blanket in a patient room.
 Another employee was investigated for being high on cocaine while on duty.
 Another worker was arrested for distribution of heroin off-the-job, but was allowed to return to work.
 In an 2013 incident, the agency suspended a Martinsburg employee for bringing a loaded gun and a knife
onto the grounds.
Miller said the I-Team's findings indicate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs fails to hold all of its employees
accountable for bad actions. In a statement, the Department of Veterans Affairs said, "Where performance or conduct
issues warrant removal, VA takes appropriate action to terminate employment." An agency spokeswoman explained
the decision to issue only a suspension to the employee found with the gun and the knife, which are strictly prohibited
on the grounds. She said the employee was a military veteran with a strong performance ranking. "The employee's
written and oral replies, lack of prior disciplinary action, performance, length of service, remorsefulness and potential
to be rehabilitated were all taken into consideration," she said. "The employee stated the firearm was in his vehicle
because it was going to be used for target practice and he forgot it was in the vehicle. He also stated he always carries
the three-and-a-half-inch knife because it is a useful tool."
Agency records do show the VA terminated more than 1,700 employees between July 2014 and July 2015. "(We)
evaluate the facts of each misconduct occurrence and utilizes a balanced disciplinary approach to ensure federal
policies are upheld, patient safety is protected and labor and workforce union agreements are honored," said a
spokesperson for the Washington, D.C. VA medical center. "The medical center offers staff counseling via the
Employee Assistance Program as part of the progressive discipline approach." Miller has introduced new legislation
to simplify the process of firing an agency employee. The bill, called the VA Accountability Act, would give the
agency secretary authority to fire any VA workers for performance problems or misconduct. "If they really want to
win, they've got to cut players who aren't performing," Miller said. The legislation would also limit the agency's ability
to terminate "whistle-blower" employees, workers who have raised concerns about problems inside the VA.
The agency is under increasing scrutiny for its treatment of whistle-blowers. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel,
which investigates retaliation complaints against whistle-blowers, said it has received hundreds of recent complaints
from VA employees. One of every three federal employees who filed retaliation complaints with the Office of Special
Counsel in 2015 was an employee of the VA, according to records obtained by the I-Team. In dozens of recent cases,
the Office of Special Counsel substantiated whistle-blowers' claims of retaliation, a spokesman said. One of those
recent retaliation cases involved Frederick, Maryland doctor Richard Hill. Hill retired from the Fort Detrick, Virginia,
medical clinic after filing complaints about shortages in clerical staff. Hill said he was retaliated against for making
those complaints. Hill told the I-Team, "People who blow whistles are a much bigger threat to administrators than
people who do really horrible things." [Source: Washington NBC 4 I-Team | Scott MacFarlane | December 11, 2015
++]
********************************
VA Employee Relocation ►
Improper/Illegal Payment | Recoupment
New legislation proposed by the chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee would allow VA officials to take
back any employee relocation payments deemed improper or illegal. The proposal would apply to past or future
payouts and comes in direct response to a decision by VA leaders not to try to recover almost $400,000 in relocation
expenses paid to a pair of department administrators who were later demoted and reassigned for abuse of power. Rep.
Jeff Miller (R-FL), the committee chairman, has criticized VA for that inaction, and publicly supported firing the two
employees instead of demoting them. "If VA is ever going to reform itself into an organization worthy of the veterans
it is charged with serving, it cannot tolerate corruption within its ranks," he said in a statement 1 DEC. "Yet that's
exactly what the department did."
Last month, VA officials removed two regional office directors — Diana Rubens in Philadelphia and Kimberly
Graves in St. Paul, Minnesota — from their posts in response to an internal investigation that found they misused their
authority to gain promotions and collect thousands of dollars in questionable moving expenses. For Rubens, that
totaled almost $275,000 for a move from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia, including losses related to the sale of her
home. For Graves, it was nearly $130,000. VA officials have suspended the home sale reimbursement program
because of concerns, even though the payouts are still available to federal workers in other departments. But they told
Miller in a letter last month that they do not plan to seek reimbursement for the disputed expenses, citing shaky legal
ground.
Miller called that absurd. "VA's handling of this matter is akin to letting bank robbers off the hook with a mere slap
on the wrist while allowing them to keep the stolen money," he said. "If, as VA officials have claimed, the department
truly lacks the legal authority to recoup the money Rubens and Graves benefited from as part of their scheme, we aim
to fix that with this bill." Miller's bill would allow the VA secretary to recoup any relocation expenses paid to any VA
employee "if the secretary deems it necessary." Employees would be able to appeal the decision to a third-party federal
arbiter. Whether the measure can become law remains to be seen. Despite support among conservatives for similar
employee punishment measures in recent years, Democratic lawmakers have been less enthusiastic, and union officials
have railed against the proposals as giving management too much unchecked power.
Lawmakers passed related legislation in summer 2014 to make it easier for VA leaders to fire senior executives for
mismanagement or malfeasance, but the move has not resulted in a significant jump in VA firing thus far. Supporters
of that measure blame VA officials for ignoring the new dismissal tools. [Source: MilitaryTimes | Leo Shane |
December 1, 2015 ++]
********************************
VA Appeals Update 14
► Never ending Process Hurts All Vets
One of the deepest questions philosophers have considered over the centuries is the sometimes conflict between the
rights and needs of society, and the rights and needs of each individual member of that society. The latest point in the
debate over fixing the Veterans Affairs Department is a microcosm of that debate. The claims backlog the Veterans
Benefits Administration has been dealing with for years is finally below 100,000, according to numbers from late
summer. The agency promoted the backlog reduction then as a sign that its management strategy was working, in
contrast to scandals inside the agency’s other main branch, the Veterans Health Administration. The timing was
unfortunate, though; whatever good publicity the VBA, and its then-leader Alison Hickey, might have gotten out of
the news was obliterated by the scandal surrounding two employees who received enormous relocation benefits after
engineering jobs for themselves outside Washington, displacing other VA officials who held those jobs.
Those numbers look different, though, in light of a Los Angeles Times article on the backlog. Given what the
Times reports, it seems unlikely the agency will ever be able to make it go away. The biggest holdup to making the
backlog disappear is the most politically unpalatable element of the claims process to do something about. The biggest
roadblock, the Times story makes it seem, is the veterans themselves. The major reason the backlog doesn’t shrink
any faster, the way the story tells it, is that vets submit appeals over and over again when they get outcomes they don’t
agree with, hoping against hope for a different outcome. The article tells the story of one vet who did indeed get a
different outcome after many tries. He’s still in the system, though – now trying to get retroactive benefits. The reason
he and the other vets do so? Because they can. “Unlike U.S. civil courts, the appeals system has no mechanism to
prevent endless challenges,” the Times’ Alan Zarembo writes. “Veterans can keep their claims alive either by
appealing or by restarting the process from scratch by submitting new evidence: service records, medical reports or
witness statements.”
The logistics of the backlog is complicated, and has lots of qualifications. The 100,000 number VA celebrated in
August was for initial claims applications that were 125 days old. Since that number was well over half a million when
the agency declared war on it two years ago, the progress looks real. The news isn’t all good, though. The Times
reports while the claims backlog has shrunk, the appeals backlog – vets who don’t like the response they get from VA
and ask to have it reviewed – has climbed from 167,412 in September 2005 to 425,480 in October 2015. “VA officials
say there are two possible solutions to the bottleneck,” Zarembo writes. Those are “money to hire more lawyers,
judges and other staff to process appeals, or a rewrite of the law by Congress.” In essence, the VA has pushed the
backlog from claims to appeals by applying its resources to claims. It appears to be playing Whac-A-Mole with the
claims/appeals process; one goes down, the other pops up.
Since more money for more staff isn’t likely, a rewrite of laws seems more possible. And that is where the
philosophical question of the needs of the many versus the needs of the individual comes in. Cutting the number of
appeals vets can file would make sense from a purely logistical perspective. Some vets appeal dozens of times – or
more – and never win. Is infinity the right number of allowable appeals? Probably not. Is one the right number of
allowable appeals? Probably not. But where in between those two is the right number? And how does Congress make
that decision, as it will inevitably have to do? Everyone in politics today wants to “support the vets.” Certainly doing
anything that appears to harm veterans individually is a ticket to political trouble; I can hear the negative ads in my
head already. But endless appeals inevitably mean endless backlogs. And the person who can make the political
argument that some limit – however big or small it turns out to be – will help vets collectively, will make a huge
difference for the rest of the vets waiting in line for their cases to be decided. [Source: GovExec.com | Francis Rose |
December 1, 2015 ++]
********************************
VA #VeteranOfTheDay
►
How to Nominate Your Special Vet
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are
special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your
Veteran and his/her service. It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as
much of the information as you can put together. Following is an overview of how to put together a great
#VeteranOfTheDay package.
Pictures: Everyone loves pictures, so the more and better quality, the better the tribute will be. Try to have a picture
of your Veteran in uniform and a picture of them today. If you only have one image of them in uniform that is still
helpful, don’t worry. Often times World War II, Korea and Vietnam Servicemembers don’t have many pictures. The
images should be larger than 200kb. If you don’t have a photo-editing program and you have the image in a digital
form, open it up in PowerPoint and try to make it bigger. If it starts to get grainy before it takes up a third of a standard
PowerPoint slide, it probably won’t work. Here is an example of a good quality image and an example of a poor
quality image.
Biography: What did your Veteran do while they were in uniform? What was their job or military occupational
specialty? Also, what work do they do now? What work did they do after they left service? This is a great way to show
your Veterans successful transition to civilian life.
Unit: What was your Veteran’s last unit? You can even use your Veteran’s favorite unit or the unit he/she deployed
with in support of combat operations. If you’re trying to surprise them, you can always look on their Facebook page
for mentions of their unit—especially patches or insignia. You can even look for groups they may belong to or old
Veteran buddies who may be able to help. You’re looking for mentions of stuff like 2-2, 5-503rd, Blue Knights, 82nd
All the Way, etc.
Deployments: If you know when and where your Veteran served overseas, let us know! Don’t worry though, overseas
or combat operations are not required to nominate your Veteran.
Awards and Recognitions: Did your Veteran receive a Bronze Star Medal? Purple Heart? Silver Star? Medal of
Honor? Let us know! We want to make sure to recognize their accomplishments. Don’t forget about combat infantry
badges, aircrew wings, Pathfinder and Special Forces badges.
Honoring our Veterans by nominating them for #VeteranOfTheDay is a great way to say thank you and let them
know their service has not been forgotten. You can even request they be honored on certain days, such as birthdays,
anniversaries, retirements, you name it! VA cannot guarantee any specific date, but will work with you to make it
happen if they can. Want to see some of the previous Veterans that have been honored for ideas? Search on Facebook
and Twitter for the hashtag #VeteranOfTheDay (i.e. https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/Veteranoftheday and
https://twitter.com/hashtag/Veteranoftheday). [Source: VAntage Point Blog | December 2, 2015 ++]
********************************
VA Claims Processing Update 13
► Live Manual | M21-1
Every now and then via VAntage Point readers will encounter Veterans who are clearly adept at understanding the
laws and regulations that govern VA claims processing. People who know these laws and regulations also understand
how they constantly change due to updates in technology, new medical findings, new court decisions, etc., which can
add to the complexity of processing claims. For gurus, like Veterans service organizations, other Veteran advocate
groups or Veterans like you who have interest in keeping abreast with VA laws and regulations, you’re in luck! VA
recently overhauled the M21-1— the guidebook manual that dictates the policies and guidance of VA claims
processing. Now called Live Manual, this latest version of the M21-1, Adjudication Procedures Manual, is available
to everyone through the KnowVA Knowledge database.
KnowVA is an external-facing Web platform that provides you access to the same information claims processors
use to process and make decisions on benefits claims. It contains new features like the ability to conduct key word
searches, browse by topic or search by specific question. The information is always updated so you’ll never fall behind
on the most up-to-date guidance. To access Live Manual via KnowVA, visit www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov .
The creation of Live Manual
VBA employees are routinely asked what changes could be made to enhance their jobs. Many expressed the need
for a consolidated location for claims processing guidance that was housed in multiple VA intranet and Internet sites.
Live Manual was created by and for VBA employees to make information easier to find, helping employees to process
claims for compensation, pension and burial benefits accurately and timely for the benefit of Veterans and survivors.
It is user friendly – and because it is a single resource – it significantly reduces time when researching laws and
procedural guidance. The final product leverages industry best practices for knowledge management across large
dispersed organizations. Creating the Live Manual required evaluation and integration of more than 4,500 individual
pieces of published guidance as well as a thorough review of approximately 6,000 pages of existing M21-1 guidance.
Have any questions about the Live Manual? Go to http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/24373/24373/ and ask by
entering your question/s in the comments section. [Source: VAntage Point Blog | December 2, 2015 ++]
********************************
VAMC Tomah Update 13
► 100-Day Plan Released 27 NOV
The Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center says it has adopted another plan to improve patient care. The La Crosse
Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/1QMsDMZ ) that Friday's release of the "100-day plan" comes almost 11 months after
media reports that veterans at the center were prescribed excessive doses of opioid pain-killers and that employees
who spoke out faced retaliation from top officials. The plan, which follows a 30-day plan announced in May,
outlines steps for improving access to care, employee engagement and restoring trust. Among other things, it calls
for recruitment of psychiatric staff, employee forums and listening sessions, and opening an employee wellness
center. Several Tomah VA officials — including former Director Mario Desanctis and former Chief of Staff David
Houlihan — have been fired since the problems emerged early this year. [Source: Associated Press | November 28,
2015 ++]
*********************************
VAMC Loma Linda CA
► Patient Recall for TB Exposure
The veterans hospital in Loma Linda is asking hundreds of patients to get tested for tuberculosis after an employee
came down with the potentially fatal disease. The VA Loma Linda Healthcare System sent letters to patients earlier
this month saying they may have been exposed to TB while at the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center
between June 1 and Oct. 27. The letter said infection was unlikely but a free blood test was available at the medical
center. The noticed was sent to 1,727 patients, said hospital spokesperson Kristen Hall. She could not immediately
say 30NOV how many patients had been tested or if other TB cases had been found. U.S. Navy veteran Ray Bentley,
75, of Desert Hot Springs, said he didn't think much of the letter until he received a follow-up phone call last week
suggesting the hospital could help with transportation for the test. "When I got the call I thought maybe this was
serious," Bentley said.
The letter to Bentley is dated 2 NOV and postmarked 13 NOV. Along with testing, it encourages people who
believe they may have symptoms of TB to contact their primary care physician. Bentley travels to Loma Linda to see
doctors every few months. Even though he wasn't worried about his own health, he planned to have the test done. He
was more concerned about other people who may have been exposed, not just veterans but also their loved-ones who'd
been at the hospital. Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection spread through the air that typically invades a person's lungs,
making it difficult to breathe. It infects about 10,000 people a year in the United States and killed 555 in the U.S.
2013. Worldwide, it was responsible for 1.5 million deaths in 2014.
Hall said the hospital learned about the employee's diagnosis on 27 OCT and used public health guidelines to
determine testing parameters. She said the employee worked in the outpatient clinic area but she did not know the
employee's condition. Patients who received the warning letter were either in close contact with the employee or in
the same area, Hall said. Anyone who normally received transportation help from the VA could arrange the same
assistance for the TB test, she said. [Source: The Desert Sun | Barrett Newkirk | November 30, 2015 ++]
*********************************
VAMC Denver CO Update 02
► Nurse-Hostage Situation
A patient has been arrested after he used a gun to take a nurse hostage 3 DEC at the veterans hospital in Denver,
authorities say. "There was a nurse-hostage-like situation," said Nicole Alberico, spokeswoman for the hospital. A
female nurse was taken hostage on the eighth floor, Alberico said. No shots were fired, and no one was injured,
Alberico said. "The nurse is doing fine, considering," she said. The incident happened around 8:20 a.m. at 1055
Clermont St., said Raquel Lopez, Denver police spokeswoman. Within minutes, the VA police had the suspect
subdued and in custody, Alberico said. Denver police assisted VA police officers in making the arrest. Police are
seeking federal assistance with the case. "It is federal property, and the VA police are federal law enforcement,"
Alberico said. [Source: The Denver Post | Kirk Mitchell and Elizabeth Hernandez | December 3, 2015 ++]
*********************************
VA HCS Pittsburgh Update 04
► TB Alert
The Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System is alerting 400 people after a patient came down with tuberculosis.
VA officials would not identify the patient, citing confidentiality standards, but said the person is responding well to
antibiotics and isn’t hospitalized. Infection risks are low for other veterans who may have been near the person recently
at VA facilities, said Brooke Decker, the VA Pittsburgh infection prevention director. Still, she said 2 DEC, the VA
sent notifications this week to encourage such bystanders to undergo tuberculosis screening as a precaution. The VA
is offering the test at no charge to letter recipients. “This is not a disease that happens quickly. Anybody exposed to
this patient is not likely to be having any symptoms at this point,” Dr. Decker said. The VA Pittsburgh system last
saw a case of tuberculosis, a bacterial infection, in 2012. VA clinicians diagnosed the latest patient 17 NOV.
Dr. Decker said it took “a lot of legwork” to identify people who may have been exposed to that person at the VA.
The patient had visited VA facilities in Monaca and Oakland since September but probably did not pick up the bacteria
from the federal health system, she said. “There’s no indication that any of the diagnosed cases of TB that we see were
acquired in our [facilities]. Generally, these people were exposed many, many years before — even decades,” Dr.
Decker said. Doctors said tuberculosis becomes contagious only in its active, symptom-producing stage, which
generally follows a latent, or quiet, phase. Active tuberculosis can bring prolonged or painful coughing, fatigue, fevers
and night sweats, among other symptoms. The bacteria often attack the lungs but can go after any part of the body,
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “When you have a patient with active TB and coughing,
they can be highly infectious,” said Karen Hacker, the Allegheny County health director. She said the county logged
20 active cases last year and 15 in 2013. The VA is county. It’s offering a hotline at 412-360-1199 for anyone who
has concerns. [Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | Adam Smeltz | December 2, 2015 ++]
*********************************
VA HCS Pittsburgh Update 05
► Mold Forces ICU Closure
The Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System closed an intensive care unit at its University Drive campus after
finding mold in a ventilation system Saturday. Technicians found the mold in an air handler during routine
maintenance, and doctors at the hospital have not diagnosed any mold-related illnesses, said Dr. Brooke Decker, VA
Pittsburgh's director of infection prevention. The hospital is waiting on results of tests that will identify what type of
mold the workers found. Decker said high-efficiency filters between the handler and hospital rooms are designed to
keep out anything as large as a mold spore. “There's no chance that the mold in the compartment that we've found
could've gotten through those filters,” she said.
The hospital closed the general medical ICU, along with a sleep lab and administrative offices that are part of the
same ventilation system, as a precaution, she said. Hospital officials expect the ICU to reopen this week after mold
and air samples are tested and remediation is complete. Six patients who were in the unit were moved elsewhere
before the maintenance started, according to a VA news release 7 DEC. There are no specific tests for mold on patients,
but hospital staff monitor them for any sign of infection, Decker said. Decker said the hospital has been tracking mold
infection in patients since 2011 and hasn't had any cases associated with the unit the air handler serves. Earlier this
year, officials at UPMC disclosed that four patients contracted mold infections at UPMC Presbyterian and UPMC
Montefiore in Oakland. The infections happened within the past year. UPMC officials said three of the patients died,
but their deaths cannot be directly attributed to the infections. Officials are awaiting a report from the federal Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. [Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review | Wes Venteicher | December 7, 2015 ++]
*********************************
VA HCS Alexandria VA ►
Nurse’s Aide Charged with Manslaughter
Fredrick Harris, a nurse’s aide is still working at the Veterans Affairs Department hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana,
despite charges that he beat 70-year-old veteran Charles Lee Johnson to death in 2013. Though Francis Brian, Jr., the
local coroner, found that Johnson had died of blunt force trauma, an internal VA investigation found his death to be
accidental, according to The Daily Caller. In treating this as an accidental death as a result of a fight between Harris
and Johnson, the VA gave Harris paid-time-off to recover. Meanwhile, Johnson was moved to a nursing home where
he died from his injuries a few weeks after.
VA officials had no intention to punish Harris after it obtained its own ruling. Brian, however, turned the case over
to the inspector general after discovering the blunt force trauma. The pending manslaughter charge resulted from a
separate investigation from the IG’s office and local prosecutors. As a result, Harris was arrested on Dec. 10, 2013,
and held on $250,000 bond. Once charged with manslaughter instead of murder, his bail was reduced to $10,000. He
was released after paying the fee on Dec. 17, 2013. He resumed work in April. “After the incident, the employee was
treated for his injuries and was sent home to recover and returned to work in a non-patient area on March 19, 2013.
On April 5, 2013, he returned to patient care since the internal investigation did not find negligence on the employee’s
part,” VA spokesman Randall Noller told The Daily Caller. The VA has continued to employ Harris at the same
hospital, and he will be paid for his work there until the scheduled date of his trial in March 2016. [Source: Task &
Purpose | Sarah Sicard | December 10, 2015 +=]
Vet Toxic Exposure~Lejeune Update 56
► Claim Approvals Drop 66%
The approval rate for disability claims filed with the Veterans Affairs Department for illnesses related to poisonous
drinking water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, has dropped by two-thirds since VA implemented a third-party
review process to provide medical opinions on related diagnoses. The Camp Lejeune subject matter expert program
requires a VA-appointed physician to review the medical files of former troops who lived on base from 1953 to 1987
and are seeking compensation for illnesses possibly related to drinking contaminated water there. But since the
program was introduced in 2012, claims approvals have dropped from 25 percent to 8 percent, prompting critics to
question the independence and training of the VA's 22 to 30-some experts, whom the department has not identified.
Veterans advocacy groups, including Vietnam Veterans of America, the Connecticut State Council of the Vietnam
Veterans of America and The Few, the Proud, the Forgotten, have filed a Freedom of Information Act request for
records about the subject matter expert program, seeking information on the identities, training and education of those
experts. Former Marine and Yale Law School student Rory Minnis, who is helping with the FOIA process, said VA
has "largely ignored demands for basic information on the policies, procedures and qualifications of these experts."
"The subject matter expert program has been billed as a means to provide consistency of Camp Lejeune claims and to
help develop VA's institutional knowledge. What the VA did not tell the veterans is what they meant by consistency
is consistent denials," Minnis said during an announcement about the FOIA at Yale on 7 DEC.
Nearly a million people, including troops, family members and civilian employees, may have been exposed to
volatile organic compounds and other cancer-causing agents, such as benzene and vinyl chloride, in the drinking water
at the coastal Marine Corps base, starting roughly in 1953 and continuing at least until 1987, when the water treatment
facilities supplying the contaminated water were closed. The Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp
Lejeune Families Act of 2012 required VA to treat veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune and have one of 15
related illnesses at no cost. The bill required VA to reimburse affected family members for health services for the
named illnesses as well. Disability claims for exposure-related illnesses, however, are decided on a case-by-case basis.
A process is underway at VA to designate three illnesses as presumed to be connected to serving at Camp Lejeune
during the designated timeframe, including kidney cancer, angiosarcoma of the liver and acute myelogenous leukemia.
But for now, all Camp Lejeune disability claims are reviewed by subject matter experts who provide an opinion on
whether they believe the claimant's illness is related. The veteran never meets with the subject matter expert nor does
he or she receive a copy of the expert opinion.
VA officials say that the medical opinions crafted by subject matter experts are just "one piece among many of
evidence" that are considered when deciding a claim. "That is the job of the adjudicator, to review all the evidence,
determine the credibility of the evidence and the weight of the evidence," said Bradley Flohr, senior adviser for
compensation services at the Veterans Benefits Administration during a community meeting on Camp Lejeune held
in Tampa on Friday. But Jerry Ensminger, founder of the Camp Lejeune family advocacy group The Few, the Proud,
the Forgotten, said VA adjudicators placed too much weight on the subject matter experts' opinions, and VA has never
provided an example of a claims adjudicator overriding an expert opinion. "These people are refuting what the
veterans' own doctors are saying," Ensminger said. "They are making life and death decisions that affect peoples' lives.
Veterans have a right to know who these people are and what their qualifications are."
He and others also say that clinicians in the program have based their opinions on outdated or incorrect science,
including one who argued that the cleaning solvent trichloroethylene does not cause cancer. "I saw two denials for
kidney cancer written by the same so-called subject matter expert that stated he'd done a comprehensive review of two
decades of scientific studies and could find no evidence that TCE causes cancer," Ensminger said. Studies dating to
at least 2010 indicate that TCE is linked strongly to kidney cancer. More than 10,000 disability claims have been filed
at VA related to Camp Lejeune water toxicity, according to Minnis. In October, the Marine Corps sent mailings to
thousands of troops and veterans informing them of their eligibility to enroll in the Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking
Water notification database. To date, more than 230,000 troops and veterans have enrolled.
A sign is posted at an ongoing cleanup pump and treatment center operated by Shaw Corp. on lot 203 at Camp Lejeune,
N.C., Wednesday, May 9, 2007. This operation treats an underground plume of TCE that was created by a waste disposal
site on base.
This year, Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) along with Reps. Dan Benishek (R-MI) and
Mike Honda (D-CA), introduced the Toxic Exposure Research bill, S 901, to support research into the health issues
of veterans' children and grandchildren. Blumenthal said 7 DEC that veterans have a right to know the reasons claims
were denied, who contributed to the decision and what documents were used to decide. "The modern battlefield is full
of toxic substances," Blumenthal said. "Whether it is burn pits and nerve gas in Iraq or Afghanistan, depleted uranium,
Agent Orange in Vietnam, there is a need for a complete overhaul and reform of the method for assessing these claims
and determining their validity." [Source: MilitaryTimes | Patricia Kime | December 7, 2015 ++]
********************************
Vet Incarceration
► Numbers Down
The number of military veterans in the country's jails and prisons continues to drop, a new report from the Bureau of
Justice Statistics shows. It's the first government report that includes significant numbers of veterans of the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan — and the findings defy stereotypes that returning war veterans are prone to crime. The data
show that veterans are less likely to be behind bars than nonveterans. The study tracked an estimated 181,500
incarcerated veterans in 2011-2012, 99 percent of whom were male. During that period, veterans made up 8 percent
of inmates in local jails and in state and federal prisons, excluding military facilities.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics began tracking the number of incarcerated veterans after the Vietnam War. In 1978,
about 24 percent of prisoners were veterans. That number has fallen steadily since then, as the military switched from
the draft to an all-volunteer force. In 1998, veterans had nearly the same incarceration rates as those who never served,
and the number has been declining ever since. Those veterans in prisons and jails reported higher rates than civilians
of mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Less than a third of veterans behind bars actually saw
combat, but those who did also reported higher rates of mental health issues, according to the report. On average,
veterans doing time are almost 12 years older than nonveterans and are less likely to have multiple previous offenses.
The decline in the veterans prison population tracks national demographics. Across the country, the number of
veterans is shrinking fast as the millions of vets from World War II and Korea reach their 80s and 90s, and Vietnam
vets reach their 70s. Advocates for veterans also credit the lower incarceration rate partly to increased services for
returning veterans. For example, most states now have "veterans courts," where veterans can get treatment for PTSD
and drug abuse in lieu of jail time for certain crimes. [Source: NPR | December 7, 2015 ++]
********************************
Vet Employment/Education/Healthcare Update 01
► Worsened Since 1992
Congress has been debating changes to the types of retirement benefits that veterans receive, including a switch to a
corporate 401(k)-style plan. According to researchers, however, reforms should consider the economic and health
realities of veterans approaching retirement now. Alan Gustman and Nahid Tabatabai of Dartmouth, along with
Thomas Steinmeier of Texas Tech, broke down the economic and health outcomes for veterans age 51 to 56 in 1992,
1998, 2004, and 2010, measuring how the government's services have helped over time. The study said:
 Among those 51 to 56 in 1992, veterans were better educated, healthier, wealthier, and more likely to be
working than nonveterans (https://www.nber.org/papers/w21736).
 By the 2010 cohort, 51- to 56-year-old veterans had lost their educational advantage over nonveterans, were
less healthy, less wealthy and less likely to be working."
Using data from the "Health and Retirement Study," the researchers tracked outcomes, adjusting for rank, years of
service, and a variety of other factors. (The findings were limited to male veterans, because female veterans in the
data did not have a large enough sample to be reliable.) In terms of service, the researchers pointed out that only the
2010 cohort had been a part of the All-Volunteer Military, instead of the Korean and Vietnam War drafts of the earlier
cohorts. This meant that a much lower number of the total population served (16% of the total male population in
2010 versus 50% in 1992) and a higher percent serving more than 10 years (13% in 2010 versus 8% in 1992). In the
outcomes for veterans over the age groups, a number of trends appear.
Education and health outcomes have worsened
In terms of education, the mean number of years in school has stayed the same for veterans (13.2 in 1992 to 13.4
in 2010), while the years for nonveterans has caught up (12.2 to 13.5). The percentage of veterans going to some
college has also stayed fairly consistent (51% to 57%, with a peak in 2004 at 67%), while nonvets have again caught
up (39% to 58%, with a peak in 2004 at 65%). While nonveterans have caught up in education, they have lapped
veterans in many other categories. The percent of veterans who saw combat is the same between the 1992 and 2010
cohorts (18%), and leaped up for the 1998 and 2004 cohorts (34% and 33%, respectively), but the percentage of
veterans on disability or with a health problem that limits work has steadily grown. "While in the original HRS cohort,
veterans were healthier than nonveterans, between the oldest and youngest cohorts, the health status of veterans age
51 to 56 deteriorated sharply relative to nonveterans," said the study.
Health status for the 1992, 1998, 2004, and 2010 cohorts by percentage of the total veteran population.
Veterans are now much less prepared for retirement
Additionally, in light of the recent moves by Congress to address the military's retirement benefits, the researchers
looked at wealth and savings for veterans as they approached retirement age. Not only did the researchers find that
younger veterans receive about half the amount in pensions from the military than their older counterparts, but there
was also a reversal in veteran household wealth as compared to nonveterans.
Total wealth of veterans and nonveterans by HRS cohort.
So while newer retirement-age veterans have all been volunteers with roughly similar service demographics, they
have worse health and wealth outcomes compared to older veteran peers and even nonveterans of their age group. In
the end, the researchers said they could not fully identify the reasons for the decline in positive outcomes for veterans,
especially compared to nonveterans, and that these conclusions should factor into future policy decisions. "Our
findings suggest that policies meant to increase the benefits of veterans who are already retired should be designed
differently and targeted separately for members of different cohorts," they concluded. "Veterans from the two oldest
HRS cohorts are better prepared for retirement than nonveterans from those cohorts, and there is no difference when
covariates are included in the regression. The problem arises for the youngest HRS cohort." [Source: Business Insider
| Bob Bryant | November 23, 2015 ++
*********************************
Vet Jobs Update 181
► Hire 500,000 Heroes Foundation
A U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation called “Hire 500,000 Heroes” has collected promises from more than 2,000
businesses to hire at least 200,000 more veterans or their spouses. Wal-Mart alone says that it has met its goal of hiring
100,000 military veterans and has upped its commitment to 250,000. A coalition of more than 200 other companies
has vowed this month to make a million hires. All of this veteran hiring is taking place in an economy where veterans
have an overall unemployment rate of just 3.9% as of October. The most recent unemployment rate for veterans who
served after 9/11 was 4.6% — essentially the same as the rate for civilians, which is at 5.0% overall. In addition to the
corporate hiring campaigns, the White House has an initiative known as Joining Forces announced this year that it
had secured new commitments from the private sector to hire or train 90,000 veterans and military spouses, in addition
to 100,000 already brought on board.
The employment situation has changed sharply from five years ago, when the country was in the grips of recession,
U.S. troops were still immersed in Afghanistan and Iraq, and being a recent veteran seemed to be a disadvantage in
the job market. Many employers hesitated to hire reservists, who could be deployed at any time. The stigma of posttraumatic stress disorder is also thought to have hurt job prospects. The youngest veterans fared worst, with
unemployment rates in some months that were double those of other workers their age. But the latest data show that
among 18- to 24-year-olds, unemployment rates for veterans and civilians were statistically equal, at just over 10%.
While it unclear exactly how many veterans have been positively impacted by corporate American and government
hiring pledges, the most important contribution of the hiring campaigns may be their underlying message: veterans
are not the damaged people that many Americans imagine but valuable members of the workforce. And as long as
people are hiring veterans, which is the first and most important step towards reintegrating them back into society
after they leave the service. If you have a job, you have a chance. And that is all anyone can ask for. [Source: TREA
Washington Update | December 7, 2015 ++]
*********************************
Legislation of Interest Update 22
► VA Pain Management & Patient Abuse
There is legislation moving in Congress that would change how VA medical centers handle patient pain management
and prescription pain killer distribution. The bill is called the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act, in honor of the Stevens
Point veteran that died after receiving a toxic cocktail of pain medications through the Tomah VA Medical Center a
year ago. The legislation is getting support from Democrats and Republicans in both the House and Senate.
Representative Ron Kind of La Crosse says the investigations centered around the Tomah VA have led to this piece
of legislation. "We're trying to keep the focus on the quality and outcome of care that all of our veterans need and
deserve, and through that, through better education, better "best practices" and more training, more resources,
hopefully we can start getting a grip on this opiate over-prescription problem and overall pain management problem
that we have in the VA system, and quite frankly, throughout the entire health care system."
America may not be at war right now, but Kind says we still have many veterans that have returned home and
many more veterans coming back in the next several months, and America needs to keep its promise to take care of
them. "Two million of our veterans now coming home from deployments in Iraq, & Afghanistan. Most of them are
bringing home with them a lot of physical and mental needs. Some care and attention (is needed), that our nation needs
to step up and address. We've got to do this in a bipartisan fashion, and just keep the focus on the best possible care
and treatment for all of our veterans." The Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act has companion legislation in the U.S.
Senate. Both bills are in committee now. The legislation also has the support of veterans groups including the Disabled
American Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.
The Veterans Administration in Tomah just released it's 100-Day Plan27 NOV, which is their next step in making
improvements at the local health campuses. Since the investigation began, there have been some meetings to get input
from staff and the community. Kind is glad to hear more of these meetings are coming up. "I applaud the VA for
reaching out to the community and getting feedback on a pretty regular basis, and that, too, is going to lead to the
improvement and what needs to occur." Kind's bill focuses on updating pain management guidelines, strengthening
provider education and training, improving patient advocacy, and authorizing a new commission to examine
alternative treatments.
There is also a Senate bill introduced by Illinois Republican Mark Kirk called the VA Patient Protection Act. It is
designed to force the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address reports of abuse of veteran patients and to
punish VA managers who ignore, intimidate and retaliate against whistleblowers. Both of Wisconsin's Senators, Ron
Johnson and Tammy Baldwin, have signed on to that bill. [Source: WHBL | Jerry Bader | November 30, 2015 ++]
*********************************
VA Prescription Policy Update 05
► H.R.4063/S.1641 | Opioid Over-Use
Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Representative Gus Bilirakis of Florida have introduced similar bills to
address a worrisome problem identified in the practices of some VA prescribers on the over-use of opioids and
benzodiazepine, especially for veterans challenged by mental illness. The bills, S. 1641 and H.R. 4063, are omnibus
measures that deal not only with new procedures for prescribers but also establish new programs for complementary
and alternative approaches to dealing with chronic non-cancerous pain. Finally, the bills would establish new controls
and reporting requirements for VA physicians who make medical errors and mistakes. Readers are urged to contact
their elected officials and urge them to cosponsor and support passage of these bills during the 114th Congress.
Veterans in VA health care should not be exposed to over-prescribing with dangerous and addictive substances. These
bills would advance standardized protections for veterans. To facilitate contacting your elected officials the DAV has
prepared an editable preformatted message that can be automatically sent via email to your legislators. Simply click
the following link https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/SnlSHX7RwdHaYkYY7x9J4w to log in and send the
message which reads:
As your constituent, I write to urge your support for passage of H.R. 4063, a bill introduced by Representative Gus
Bilirakis, in response to reported incidents of over-prescribing of dangerous drugs for veterans by VA practitioners.
Veterans in VA health care should not be exposed to over-prescribing with dangerous and addictive substances. This
bill would put in place mechanisms to protect veterans from inappropriate practices and would promote patient safety
and improve care. Please advise me of the actions you intend to take with respect to this bill.
[Source: DAV | Moses McIntosh | December 4, 2015++]
*********************************
SBP Changes After Retirement Update 02
► NDAA Reverses DFAS Policy
A new law will prevent military retirees from losing Survivor Benefit Plan benefits when their ex-spouse dies before
they do, by allowing the benefit to be transferred to a current or future spouse. The 2016 National Defense
Authorization Act provision will help an unknown number of people like retired Air Force Lt. Col. Harold Brown,
who paid tens of thousands of dollars into his Survivor Benefit Plan for his ex-wife. Retirees agree to pay a portion of
their retirement pay into their SBP so that, when they die, the program will pay an annuity to their surviving beneficiary
based on a portion of the retiree’s pay.
Brown, one of World War II’s famed Tuskegee Airmen, who survived being shot down near Austria and taken as
a prisoner of war, has been in a battle with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service since 2013, when his ex-wife
died of cancer. At the time, he asked to transfer his SBP benefit to his current wife. Unbeknownst to him and a number
of other retirees, DFAS had changed its interpretation of the law in May 2013 — and refused to allow him to transfer
the benefit. That new interpretation affected situations in which SBP was awarded to an ex-spouse as part of a divorce
settlement. DFAS said that, because the benefit would henceforth be considered part of the ex-spouse’s property, the
benefit "expired" if the ex-spouse died. The new provision, which took effect on 25 NOV, fixes that problem for future
retirees. It also applies retroactively to retirees who were previously unable to transfer their benefits after their exspouse died.
“I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting," said Brown, 90. "When I got the news, I was quite delighted. This
was just a terrible wrong.” Brown, who hired an attorney to help him pursue the issue, said that he's also happy for
other affected retirees. "There are others who are in much worse [financial] shape. ... It will make a tremendous
difference to them,” he said. The new law allows:


A military retiree who was married at the time of an ex-spouse's death, or who later remarries, to elect to
provide SBP coverage to his or her current spouse. The request must be received by DFAS within one year
after the date of the ex-spouse's death. For retirees who remarry after an ex-spouse’s death, the request must
be received within one year after the date of the marriage.
A military retiree whose ex-spouse died before the effective date of the new law to elect coverage for his or
her current spouse, regardless of whether the remarriage happened before or after the ex-spouse's death. The
request must be received within one year of the law's Nov. 25, 2015, enactment.
Information was not immediately available on whether or when DFAS will have revised procedures in place to
implement the new law, or whether retirees will simply be able to submit a standard DD Form 2656-6, as they did
before May 2013. Phil Odom, deputy director of government relations for the Military Officers Association of
America, said that DFAS had allowed SBP transfers after the death of a former spouse from the time SBP was created
in 1972 until the agency changed its interpretation of the law more than 2½ years ago. Odom said the fact that DFAS
made no public notice of the policy change rankled retirees, advocacy groups and some lawmakers. “The remedy was
essentially painless and did not threaten former spouses,” he noted. Brown did not hesitate to name his first wife as
his beneficiary when they divorced in 1991. “It seemed to me the only honorable thing to do,” he said in an interview
in March. “I would have done it even if it hadn’t been for the court order. She was the mother of my two children.
How was I to know cancer would catch up with her and she would die before me?”
If Brown had died before his ex-wife, the SBP would have paid a monthly annuity to her equal to 55 percent of his
monthly retirement pay. But after his ex-wife died, he said he simply wanted to name his new spouse, whom he
married in 2010, as his SBP beneficiary. With the passage of the new law, he said, “a terrible wrong has now been
corrected. I would like to thank any and all people who played a role in the passage of this law.” The request for the
change originally came from defense officials, said Dustin Walker, spokesman for the Senate Armed Services
Committee. “We thought it was common sense to ensure service members are able to pass their benefits on to their
loved ones,” Walker said. In April, a DFAS official told Military Times that the agency had drafted potential
legislation and provided a copy to defense personnel officials. Odom said that MOAA had brought the matter to the
attention of defense officials and staff members of House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The Military
Coalition also adopted the issue as a goal to be remedied in fiscal 2016, Odom said. [Source: MilitaryTimes | Karen
Jowers | December 9, 20152015 ++]
*********************************
GI Bill Update 196
► GI Bill Fairness Act S.602/H.R.1141
The bipartisan GI Bill Fairness Act would ensure that servicemembers of the Guard or Reserve who are wounded in
combat are eligible for the same GI Bill benefits as active-duty members of the military. Currently, wounded Guard
or Reserve members are often given orders under 10 USC 12301(h) for their recovery, treatment and rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, federal law does not recognize such orders as eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill education assistance,
meaning that unlike other members of the military, these members of the Guard and Reserve actually lose benefits for
being injured in the line of duty. “There’s no reason that Guard and Reserve members who are wounded in battle
shouldn’t receive the same benefits as other active duty members,” Wyden said. “Our bipartisan solution that passed
the committee today will make sure these brave Americans get the benefits they’ve earned.” "This is a step forward
to ensuring equal treatment for our members of the Guard and Reserve who are injured during their service to our
nation. I was proud to support this legislation in committee and will continue to encourage my colleagues to support
this commonsense measure on the Senate floor,” Boozman, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee,
said. [Source: Oregon KTVZ.com | December 10, 2015 ++]
********************************
VA Suicide Prevention Update 28
► Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act
Representative Julia Brownley introduced H.R. 2915, the Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act. If enacted, this bill
would identify mental health and suicide prevention programs that are the most effective with the best outcomes
among women veterans at risk. The bill would require VA to report the results of this analysis to the Congressional
Veterans' Committees. Recent data reveals the suicide rate of women veterans is nearly six times higher than women
in general; for women ages 18-29, the risk is even higher, at nearly 12 times the rate of women in general. These
findings have prompted clinicians and policy makers at VA to develop a number of outreach initiatives and clinical
approaches to enable VA to better deal with this health care crisis. VA experts are examining the many reasons suicide
rates among women veterans are higher. According to VA's suicide prevention office, a history of military sexual
assault may be a major contributing factor.
Enactment of Mrs. Brownley's bill would improve VA's evaluative efforts in this challenging area. The DAV is
asking Americans to write their Representatives today to urge co-sponsorship and passage of H.R. 2915. To facilitate
this, at https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/aT8hDthSTlMYs3SK4v8JxA DAV has provided a preformatted
editable message that will be automatically forwarded to our congressman once your identifying data is included.
[Source: DAV National CDR | Moses A. McIntosh | December 9, 2015 ++]
*********************************
SVAC Update 14
► Committee Advances Key Bills | S.525 & S.290
On 9 DEC, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a markup to amend and advance several pieces of legislation
that the VFW strongly supports. The Veterans Homeless Programs, Caregiver Services and Other Improvements
Act of 2015 (S.425) served as an omnibus, including the language from bills that would expand the VA comprehensive
caregiver support program to veterans of all eras, make it easier for survivors to apply for benefits, allow Fry
Scholarship participants to participate in the Yellow Ribbon program, expand the definition of a homeless veteran to
include those fleeing domestic violence, and restore GI Bill benefits to veterans affected by unexpected school
closures, among other things. The committee also advanced S.290, the Increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs
Accountability to Veterans Act of 2015, which would eliminate pensions for senior VA employees convicted of
serious crimes. These bills now head to the full Senate for consideration. Stay tuned to the Action Corps Weekly for
future updates. To watch a webcast of the markup, visit: http://www.veterans.senate.gov/hearings/business-meetingmarkup-12092015 . [Source: VFW Action Corps Weekly | December 11, 2015 ++]
*********************************
Vet Bills Submitted to 114th Congress
► 151201 thru 151215
Refer to this Bulletin’s “House & Senate Veteran Legislation” attachment for a listing of Congressional bills of
interest to the veteran community introduced in the 114 th Congress. The list contains the bill’s number and name,
what it is intended to do, it’s sponsor, any related bills, and the committees it has been assigned to. 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 to become law. A good indication of that likelihood is the number of cosponsors who have signed
onto the bill. Any number of members may cosponsor a bill in the House or Senate. At https://beta.congress.gov you
can review a copy of each bill’s content, determine its current status, the committee it has been assigned to, and if
your legislator is a sponsor or cosponsor of it by entering the bill number in the site’s search engine. To determine
what bills, amendments your representative/senator has sponsored, cosponsored, or dropped sponsorship on go to:
https://beta.congress.gov/search?q=%7B%22source%22%3A%5B%22legislation%22%5D%7D,
Select
the
‘Sponsor’ tab, and click on your congress person’s name. You can also go to http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php.
Grassroots lobbying is the most effective way to let your Congressional representatives know your wants and
dislikes. If you are not sure who is your Congressman go to https://beta.congress.gov/members. Members of Congress
are receptive and open to suggestions from their constituents. The key to increasing cosponsorship support on veteran
related bills and subsequent passage into law is letting legislators know of veteran’s feelings on issues. You can reach
their Washington office via the Capital Operator direct at (866) 272-6622, (800) 828-0498, or (866) 340-9281 to
express your views. Otherwise, you can locate their phone number, mailing address, or email/website to communicate
with a message or letter of your own making at either:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
http://www.house.gov/representatives
FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF VETERAN RELATED LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN THE
HOUSE SINCE THE LAST BULLETIN WAS PUBLISHED







H.R.4125 : Veteran Medical Facility Access in Densely Populated Communities. A bill to direct the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the feasibility of the Secretary entering into publicprivate partnerships to improve the access of veterans to medical facilities in densely populated
communities and rural communities.
H.R.4129 : Jumpstart VA Construction Act. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry
out a program under which the Secretary enters into partnership agreements with non-Federal entities for
the construction of major construction projects authorized by law, and for other purposes.
H.R.4134 : Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement Act. A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to carry out a program to increase efficiency in the recruitment and hiring by the Department of
Veterans Affairs of health care workers that are undergoing separation from the Armed Forces, to create
uniform credentialing standards for certain health care professionals of the Department, and for other
purposes.
H.R.4138 : VA Relocation Expense Recoupment. To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
recoup relocation expenses paid to or on behalf of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
H.R.4144 : Seniors And Veterans Emergency (SAVE) Benefits Act. A bill to provide for a
supplementary payment to Social Security beneficiaries, supplemental security income beneficiaries, and
recipients of veterans benefits, and for other purposes.
H.R.4150 : Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention
Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to allow the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to modify the
hours of employment of physicians and physician assistants employed on a full-time basis by the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
H.R.4159 : Access to Military Service Records Act of 2015. A bill to limit the fees charged by the
National Archives and Records Administration to veterans for military service records, and for other
purposes.
FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF VETERAN RELATED LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN THE
SENATE SINCE THE LAST BULLETIN WAS PUBLISHED

S.2357 : Foreclosure Relief and Extension for Servicemembers Act of 2015. A bill to extend
temporarily the extended period of protection for members of uniformed services relating to mortgages,
mortgage foreclosure, and eviction, and for other purposes.
[Source: https://beta.congress.gov & http: //www.govtrack.us/congress/bills December 14, 2015 ++]
Army Service-Related Documents
► Tips to Obtain
Army veterans and retirees who served on active duty or in the reserves and their family members are eligible to
receive a variety of service-related documents for free. It's just a matter of knowing how. Records and other documents
are available from Human Resources Command, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Archives and other official
sources. Because such documents are provided free to those qualified to receive them, there is no reason to get them
from commercial firms that charge fees, according to Army officials.
A good first stop for information on how to get Army veteran service documents is HRC’s Human Resource Service
Center toll-free by phone at 1-888-276-9472 or DIN 983-9500, or email at ask-hrc@us.army.mil. Phones are staffed
weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Service center officials can provide specific information and
addresses for submitting document requests to HRC, the VA, National Archives and Records Administration and other
government agencies. Most requests should be submitted on Standard Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military
Records). The form can be downloaded for printing at www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf. Here
are tips to get five commonly requested documents and services:
DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
 Requests can be submitted on a dated and signed letter, but preferably on a SF Form 180 that provides details
about what items a veteran believes are in error. If available, copies of supporting documents (divorce
decrees, court orders, birth certificates, etc) should be included with the request.
 Corrections typically involve the veteran’s name, Social Security number, date of birth, place of birth and
beginning and end dates of military service. Any corrections will be reflected on a DD Form 215 (Correction
to DD Form 214).
 Veterans can receive a copy of a lost DD Form 214 by submitting a request on a SF Form 180. Veterans who
were never issued a DD Form 214 can request an issuance, provided there is enough information on file.
 If there is not enough information in the record, HRC will issue a Transcript of Military Records (DA Form
1569) or a Statement of Service (AHRC Form 2496-E). Both documents are authorized replacements for
DD Form 214.
Statement of Military Service
 Requests should be submitted on a SF Form 180. Statements will be a compilation of a veteran’s service,
from date of entry into the military to date of discharge or retirement.
 The statement will include all promotions, grade reductions (if appropriate), dates of rank, character of
service, reason for separation and all retirement points earned during a career.
Lost or missing military awards and decorations
 Inquiries and requests for replacement medals should be submitted on a signed and dated letter or SF Form
180. Supporting documents, such as a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, will facilitate the process.
 Requests should be submitted to the National Archives and Records Administration, 1 Archives Drive, St.
Louis, MO 63138-1002. Call (314) 801-0800.
College credits for military schooling - Many colleges and universities award credits for military training and
education. Veterans can request HRC to provide a transcript of their military schooling, which can then be used by
colleges for determining education credits.
Veteran benefits
 While the Army and HRC can verify a veteran’s military service, requests for veteran benefits eligibility
should be directed to a local Veterans Benefits Administration office, or the Department of Veteran Affairs.


One of the most popular benefits is the VA Home Loan. To qualify, veterans must provide proof of service
to the VA with such documents as the DD Form 214, a Chronological Statement of Retirement Points (AHRC
Forms 249-E or DARP 249) or the National Guard Bureau Retirement Credits Record (NGB Form 23).
Officials recommend that requests for proof of service be submitted to HRC at the same time a veteran
contacts a mortgage company. Processing can take 30 to 45 days. Requests should be submitted on a SF 180
or a signed and dated letter.
[Source: SrmyTimes | Jim Tice | December 6, 2015 ++]
*********************************
Women in Combat Update 03 ►
Why Carter Overruled Marine Arguments
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter ruled 3 DEC that women will be allowed to serve in all combat jobs in the U.S.
military. “As long as they qualify and meet the standards, women will now be able to contribute to our mission in
ways they could not before,” he said. “Even more importantly, our military will be better able to harness the skills and
perspectives that talented women have to offer.” The Marines, alone among the services, had argued that women
should be barred from the corps’ ranks of infantry, machine-gunners and fire-support reconnaissance units. Carter’s
bottom line echoes what advocates of opening up front-line combat jobs to women have long argued: that while the
average female soldier or Marine may be weaker and slower than her male counterpart, outstanding women can outperform average male military personnel. The defense secretary, who never served in uniform, relied on the advice of
former Navy officer and current Navy Secretary Ray Mabus—who is the Marines’ civilian overseer—for cover in
steamrolling the Marines’ recommendation against women serving in such combat assignments.
That could cause trouble on Capitol Hill. Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California Republican who served as a Marine in
both Afghanistan and Iraq, called for Mabus’ resignation after word leaked out that he was over-ruling the corps’
brass. “He insulted the competency of Marines by disregarding their professional judgment, their combat experience
and their quality of leadership,” Hunter, a member of the armed services committee, said in a September letter to
Carter. The Republican chairmen of the armed services committees said in a statement following Carter’s
announcement that they looked forward to reviewing “the 1,000-page Marine Integrated Task Force report”that
buttressed the corps’ request to keep women off the Marines’ front lines. Other lawmakers hailed Carter’s action.
“We know from all the quality data that women are just as capable and lethal on the battlefield, and so many women
are already serving their country with pride and distinction,” said Rep Jackie Speier (D-CA) also a member of the
armed services panel. “It is long past time that we let them fight in every capacity.”
The Marines’ recommendation had come from General Joseph Dunford, who was serving as commandant—the
Marines’ top officer—when the corps relayed its recommendation to Carter. But since 1 OCT, Dunford has served as
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the principal military adviser to the President. Nonetheless, Carter noted that
Dunford “recommended that if we were to integrate women into combat positions, then implementation should be
done in a combined manner by all the services working together.” Excerpts from internal Marine studies provided to
Carter included evidence that all-male units performed better than mixed-gender units:
The Marines argued that male Marines were better shots:
And the corps said its studies showed that females were more likely to be injured in training than males:
But Carter wasn’t swayed. The corps’ arguments were “just not definitive, not determinative,” Carter said. In his
three-page order opening all combat slots to women, for example, he acknowledged the differences in injury rates.
“Both the Army and Marine Corps studies found that women participating in ground combat training sustained injuries
at higher rates than men, particularly in occupational fields requiring load-bearing,” he wrote. “These studies also
revealed concrete ways to help mitigate this injury rate and the impact to individuals and the teams in which they
operate.” Careful implementation should smooth the path of women into all combat units, including the Marines,
Carter said. “I believe that the issues raised, including by the Marine Corps, could be addressed successfully in
implementation,” he added, echoing a theme he cited several times at the press conference where he made his decision
public. Dunford, the nation’s highest military officer, was conspicuously MIA as Carter made history. Reporters
wondered why. “General Dunford and I have discussed this many, many times,” Carter responded. “And he will be a
full part of implementation.” [Source: TIME | Mark Thompson | December 3, 2015 ++]
*********************************
NATO Medal
► Operation Resolute Support Participants
The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under
the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It is manufactured by Eekelers-Centini Intl, of
Hemiksem, Belgium. There are currently thirteen versions of the NATO Medal in existence, for service in Yugoslavia,
Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, two for service during Article 5 operations (Eagle Assist, Active Endeavour),
and seven for Non-Article 5 NATO operations (ISAF, Balkans, NTM-Iraq, Africa, AMIS, OUP-Libya, and Pakistan).
In addition, there are corresponding clasps for operations such as ISAF, Kosovo, Yugoslavia, NTM-Iraq and clasps
designating Article 5, and Non-Article 5 designations. There is also a NATO Meritorious Service Medal, with a
"Meritorious Service" clasp as well.
The NATO Medal has been approved for acceptance and wear by soldiers and other U.S. military members who
have participated in Operation Resolute Support, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization mission in Afghanistan that
began 1 JAN 2015. To qualify for the decoration, which is officially designated the "NATO non-Article 5 Medal,"
soldiers must have been awarded the medal by NATO headquarters, or a NATO theater commander who has been
delegated award authority by the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe.
As provided by a NATO representative, the medal may include a ribbon clasp denoting the specific operation for
which the award was made. Soldiers are authorized to accept and retain the ribbon clasp, but they are not allowed to
wear the device. Soldiers are only allowed to wear the basic medal and service ribbon. A bronze service star should
be affixed to the NATO Medal suspension ribbon and service ribbon to recognize participation in subsequent Defense
Department approved NATO operations. In accordance with the Army's military awards regulation, AR 600-8-22, the
NATO Medal should be worn immediately after the United Nations Medal, and before the Multinational Force and
Observers Medal.
The Defense Department has authorized U.S. military members and civilians to accept and wear the NATO Medal
for participation in the following international missions:
 Operations in the former Yugoslavia, Nov. 14, 1995 – Oct.12, 1998.
 Operations related to Kosovo, Oct. 13, 1998 – Dec. 2, 2002.
 Operation Eagle Assist (airspace of North America), Oct. 12, 2001 – May 16, 2002.
 Operation Active Endeavor (Mediterranean Sea), Oct. 26, 2001 – TBD.
 International Security Assistance Force-Afghanistan, June 1, 2003 - Dec. 31, 2014.
 Operations in the Balkans, Jan. 1, 2003 – TBD.
 NATO Training Implementation Mission-Iraq, Aug. 18, 2004 – Dec. 31, 2011.
 NATO Training Mission-Iraq, Aug. 18, 2004 – Dec. 31, 2011
 Operations Allied Provider, Allied Protector and Ocean Shield, Jan. 2008 – TBD.
 Operation Resolute Support-Afghanistan, Jan. 1, 2015 – TBD.
[Source: ArmyTimes | Jim Tice | December 7, 2015 ++]
*********************************
Military Enlistment Standards 2015 Update 08
► Drug/Alcohol Involvement
The United States Military does not condone the illegal or improper use of drugs or alcohol. It is DOD's stated
contention that illegal drug use and abuse of alcohol is:
1. Is against the law.
2. Violates the high standards of behavior and performance expected of a member of the United States Armed
Forces.
3. Is damaging to physical, mental, and psychological health.
4. Jeopardizes the safety of the individual and others.
5. Is fundamentally wrong, destructive to organizational effectiveness, and totally incompatible with service as
a member of the U.S. Military.
6. Is likely to result in criminal prosecution and discharge under other than honorable conditions.
All applicants are carefully screened concerning drug and alcohol involvement. As a minimum, you can expect the
recruiter to ask:
a) "Have you ever used drugs?"
b) "Have you been charged with or convicted of a drug or drug related offense?"
c) "Have you ever been psychologically or physically dependent upon any drug or alcohol?"
d) "Have you ever trafficked, sold, or traded in illegal drugs for profit?"
If the answer to the last two questions is "yes," then you can expect to be ineligible for enlistment. If the answer to
the first two questions is yes, then you can expect to have to complete a drug abuse screening form, detailing the
specific circumstances of your drug usage. The military service will then make a determination as to whether or not
your previous drug usage is a bar to service in that particular branch of the military. In most cases, a person who
experimented with "non-hard" drugs in the past will be allowed to enlist. Anything more than experimentation may
very well be a bar to enlistment. An "experimenter" is defined as:
.."one who has illegally, wrongfully, or improperly used any narcotic substance, marijuana, or dangerous drug, for
reasons of curiosity, peer pressure, or other similar reason. The exact number of times drugs were used, is not
necessarily as important as determining the category of use and the impact of the drug use on the user's lifestyle, the
intent of the user, the circumstances of use, and the psychological makeup of the user. An individual whose drug
experimentation/use has resulted in some form of medical, psychiatric, or psychological treatment; a conviction or
adverse juvenile adjudication; or loss of employment does not fall within the limits of this category. For administrative
purposes, determination of the category should be within the judgment of either the district or recruiting station
commanding officer, aided by medical, legal, and moral advice, with information as available from investigative
sources."
While not a "hard and fast" rule, one can expect that any admitted use of marijuana over 15 or so times, or any
admitted use of "hard drugs," will be disqualifying, and require a waiver. In any case:
1) Dependency on illegal drugs is disqualifying.
2) Any history of drug use is potentially disqualifying.
3) Any history of dependency on alcohol is disqualifying.
Even if enlistment is authorized, many sensitive military jobs will be closed to individuals who have any past
association with illegal drug or alcohol use. In the Air force anyone who admits to smoking marijuana less than 15
times does not require a waiver. More than 15 times, but less than 25 requires a Drug Eligibility Determination
(basically, a trained Drug & Alcohol Specialist will examine the exact circumstances of the use). An approved Drug
Eligibility Determination is not the same thing as a "waiver," in that it will not preclude enlistment in most Air Force
Jobs. 25 or more uses of Marijuana in a lifetime is disqualifying, and requires a waiver. As a minimum, recruits will
undergo a urinalysis test, when at the Military Entrance Processing Station, (MEPs) for their initial processing, and
again when reporting for basic training. [Source: About.com Newsletter | Rod Powers | June 02, 2015 ++]
*********************************
Remember the 80’s Navy Update 02
► Things that No Longer Exist

Having a “discussion” with the chief in the fan room - A little attitude adjustment never hurt anybody.
The next day you were best buds, and you never told a soul where you got that black eye.

Getting paid in cash - Nothing better than armed guards standing by for payday on the mess decks and
having a pocket full of $20s every 2 weeks.

Our only enemy was the Reds - Ivans and Oscars and Bears, Oh My!

Communicating with flags - Just what are those guys waving around semaphore flags saying to each
other?

Navigating before GPS - Quartermaster get a sextant and tell me where we are!
[Source: BY Military.Com | Jim Absher | August 19, 2015 ++]
*********************************
Military Trivia 116
►
Vet Stats off the Vietnam Memorial Wall
There are 58,267 names now listed on that polished black wall, including those added in 2010. The names are arranged
in the order in which they were taken from us by date and within each date the names are alphabetized. It has been 59
years since the first casualty. Beginning at the apex on panel 1E and going out to the end of the East wall, appearing
to recede into the earth (numbered 70E - May 25, 1968), then resuming at the end of the West wall, as the wall emerges
from the earth (numbered 70W - continuing May 25, 1968) and ending with a date in 1975. Thus the war's beginning
and end meet. The war is complete, coming full circle, yet broken by the earth that bounds the angle's open side and
contained within the earth itself.
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The first known casualty was Richard B. Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth, Mass. Listed by the U.S.
Department of Defense as having been killed on June 8, 1956. His name is listed on the Wall with that of his
son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III, who was killed on Sept. 7, 1965.
There are three sets of fathers and sons on the Wall.
39,996 on the Wall were just 22 or younger.
8,283 were just 19 years old.
The largest age group, 33,103 were 18 years old.
12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old.
5 soldiers on the Wall were 16 years old.
One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old.
997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam.
1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam.
31 sets of brothers are on the Wall.
Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons.
54 soldiers attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia.
8 Women are on the Wall, Nursing the wounded.
244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; 153 of them are on the Wall.
Beallsville, Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons.
West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation. There are 711 West Virginians on the
Wall.
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The Marines of Morenci - They led some of the scrappiest high school football and basketball teams that the
little Arizona copper town of Morenci (pop. 5,058) had ever known and cheered. They enjoyed roaring beer
busts. In quieter moments, they rode horses along the Coronado Trail, stalked deer in the Apache National
Forest. And in the patriotic camaraderie typical of Morenci's mining families, the nine graduates of Morenci
High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on Independence Day,1966. Only 3
returned home.
The Buddies of Midvale - LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, Tom Gonzales were all boyhood friends and
lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues. They lived only a
few yards apart. They played ball at the adjacent sand lot ball field. And they all went to Vietnam. In a span
of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. LeRoy was killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth
anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later on Thanksgiving Day.
Tom was shot dead assaulting the enemy on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
The most casualty deaths for a single day was on January 31, 1968 ~ 245 deaths.
The most casualty deaths for a single month was May 1968 - 2,415 casualties were incurred.
[Source: http://www.vetshome.com/vietnam_veterans_statistics.html May 2015 ++]
********************************
Phantom Pain
►
Relief Through Mirror Therapy
It’s a problem that in one way isn’t really there, but to those it hits, it’s very real. Phantom limb pain is a condition
that affects those with amputations. Military medical researchers are working to better understand the phenomenon,
and they have found an effective treatment. “The majority of individuals with acquired limb loss (as opposed to those
born with missing limbs) experience sensations from their missing hand or foot, and often these sensations are
painful,” said Dr. Paul Pasquina, chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Uniformed Services University
of the Health Sciences (USU) in Bethesda, Maryland. Pasquina said phantom limb pain is not fully understood, but
it probably has to do with the brain’s plasticity – the ability for other parts of the brain to take over functions or grow
into areas where a function has been removed, such as the feeling sensation for an amputated hand. In turn, the new
areas adopt what was previously processed by the section of the brain that used to handle that function. Thus, while
the limb is not there, the brain continues to sense that it is, and the result can be quite troubling to the patient.
A patient at Walter Reed receives mirror therapy under the supervision of a physician.
A new type of therapy is helping alleviate phantom pain. Dr. Jack Tsao is a professor of neurology and physical
medicine and rehabilitation at USU and is a professor of neurology at the University of Tennessee Health Science
Center. He has been conducting clinical studies using mirror therapy, originally discovered by researchers at the
University of California, San Diego. The treatment puts a mirror in between the intact limb and where the missing one
would be. Tsao said basically, it allows the brain to “see” the missing limb, intact and undamaged, and by moving
both intact and phantom limbs, leads to pain relief. “The reason we think this works is because movements are driven
mainly by vision,” he said. “We’re giving the person a visual target, and somehow mirror therapy is re-wiring the
brain to eliminate the phantom pain.”
Tsao said with the surge in amputations during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, there were more patients with
phantom pain. Working with Pasquina, the two doctors conducted a controlled clinical study. The results were pretty
astonishing. “Most service members using mirror therapy improved over a four-week period,” said Tsao. “We ended
up with a 93 percent success rate.” Tsao said once a patient is cured of the phantom pain, it’s pretty much permanent
and doesn’t typically require more mirror therapy. In addition, the therapy is inexpensive and patients can self-treat in
the privacy of their own homes. That opens more possibilities for the civilian world, particularly in developing
countries where health care might be limited. While Tsao admitted mirror therapy doesn’t work for everyone, the
results are very encouraging. “For me, as a physician, it’s gratifying to see people getting better.” Tsao and Pasquina
are also quick to point out mirror therapy is just part of a larger continuum of care for those with amputations. “There
are still huge challenges many of our injured service members and their families face,” said Pasquina. “The
Department of Defense is making a great deal of investments into advancing trauma care, medical care, and even
rehabilitative and prosthetics care. If we don’t have solutions today, hopefully we’ll have solutions tomorrow.”
[Source: Health.mil/News | December 1, 2015 ++]
*********************************
Tricare Pharmacy Copay Update 15
► New Maintenance Drug Rule
This December, TRICARE beneficiaries can take action to avoid paying more for some prescription drugs mandated
by the new rules. If you fill a prescription for a select brand name maintenance drug (refer to
http://www.health.mil/selectdruglist) at a retail pharmacy, you may need to move your prescription to either a military
pharmacy or TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery. If not, you may have to pay full cost of your prescription.
Beneficiaries can move their prescriptions by contacting the TRICARE pharmacy contactor, Express Scripts (ESI) at
1-877-363-1303 or by using ESI’s secure online portal (https://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE/index.shtml).
This does not apply to you if you are an active duty service member, live overseas, or if you have other prescription
drug coverage, and can continue using retail pharmacies with no changes to your current copays.
The new rule began October 1, 2015, but allows you to get two 30-day refills of an affected drug from a retail
pharmacy. For many, those two refills will run out in December and their next prescription refill needs to be through
Home Delivery or at a military pharmacy. If you’re taking an affected drug, you should have received several
notifications from ESI. You can also check by calling ESI at 1-877-363-1303. TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery
is a safe, convenient and low cost option to get maintenance drugs. You’ll save up to $176 a year for each brand name
drug you switch from retail to Home Delivery. If you want to use a military pharmacy (refer to
http://www.tricare.mil/mtf.aspx for locations), make sure to check first to see if they carry your prescription. For more
information about this change to TRICARE’s pharmacy benefit, visit www.tricare.mil/RxNewRules. [Source:
TRICARE News Release | December 1, 2015 ++]
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Flu Shots Update 07
► No-Cost Shots at Walgreens for VA Enrolled Vets
This time of the year can be very special with festive holidays, fresh memories with families and delicious food. But
amid all these festivities, we are more likely to catch the flu. According to the Center for Disease Control,
approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu-related complications each year. These exposures can
happen during travel, a trip to the grocery store, or during family or office gatherings. This year, it is easier than ever
to protect yourself by receiving a no-cost flu shot at Walgreens. They have joined forces with the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide enrolled VA patients flu shots at no cost. These flu shots are available through
March 31, 2016, while supplies last. However, doctors advise that the sooner you get the flu shot, the better your
chances are of protecting yourself throughout the season.
The vaccines, of course, are subject to availability and there may be state, age or health restrictions. Only veterans
enrolled in the VA health-care system are eligible – neither family members nor TRICARE members are eligible.
This program makes it easier and more convenient for veterans to avoid the flu, especially those who may live a long
distance from the nearest VA facility. Visit your neighborhood Walgreens or go to www.Walgreens.com/FindAStore
to find the nearest location. Walgreens will even send the record of your flu shot to VA as part of the eHealth exchange
to ensure that your VA health records are up to date. Once you find a nearby Walgreens, download the form at
https://www.walgreens.com/images/pdfs/IN-2225/WAG_VAR_Form_EDIT_10172013_v1.pdf. Then bring it, along
with a photo ID and your VA ID card, to Walgreens. Visit www.ehealth.va.gov/Immunization.asp for more
information regarding this program. [Source: American Legion Nat Cdr | Dale Barnet | November 30 2015 ++]
*********************************
TRICARE Hip Surgery
► Benefit Expands to Cover FAL Surgery
Starting in January 2016, TRICARE beneficiaries with a diagnosis and referral will be eligible for surgical treatment
of a hip condition called femoroacetabular impingement, or FAI, according to a TRICARE news release issued 4
DEC. The FAI surgery is the first treatment to be evaluated and approved under the 2015 National Defense
Authorization Act's provisional coverage program, which allows TRICARE to provide coverage for emerging
treatments and technologies, the release said. The hip condition can occur when the bones of the hip are abnormally
shaped and therefore rub against each other and cause damage to the joint, the release said. Symptoms include pain in
the hip or groin area, which limits or hinders mobility, the release added. Starting on Jan. 1, 2016, eligible beneficiaries
with FAI will be able to get the surgery from any TRICARE-authorized orthopedic surgeon. Costs will vary by plan,
the release said, but will be lower when using network providers. The surgery must be pre-authorized by the
beneficiary's regional contractor, which lets providers present additional information for review by TRICARE and its
contract partners. There is no retroactive preauthorization or coverage prior to Jan. 1, 2016.
The release referenced information from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, which explained
that some people may have FAI their entire lives and never have any problems. However, if symptoms develop, the
TRICARE release said, it usually means there is damage to the cartilage, and the condition is likely to worsen.
“TRICARE can now review emerging health care products and services that are not currently covered under the
TRICARE program but may provide a benefit to patients under a provisional coverage status,” Dr. James Black,
medical director for the clinical support division of the Defense Health Agency, said in the release. “We will evaluate
other emerging treatments and technologies for consideration and make public announcements when additional ones
are approved.” [Source: DoD News | Defense Media Activity | December 4, 2015 ++]
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TRICARE Help
► Q&A 151215
Have a question on how TRICARE applies to your personal situation? Write to Tricare Help, Times News Service,
6883 Commercial Drive, Springfield, VA 22159; or tricarehelp@militarytimes.com. In e-mail, include the word
“Tricare” in the subject line and do not attach files. Information on all Tricare options, to include links to Handbooks
for the various options, can be found on the official Tricare website, at this web address:
http://www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans.aspx or you can your regional contractor. Following are some of the issues
addressed in recent weeks by these sources:
(Q) My dad, 88, and mom, 84, are covered by Medicare/Tricare for Life. Mom needs care 24/7. Dad doesn’t want
her to go to a skilled nursing facility, so we’re trying to keep her at home as long as possible. We use an in-home
health service to offset some of the family caregiving. But it’s becoming a financial burden for my father. Does
Tricare cover any in-home health services?
A. Yes, Tricare does cover home health care services — to a point. Basic in-home care authorized under Tricare
includes part-time and intermittent skilled nursing care; home health aide services; physical, speech and occupational
therapy; and medical social services — in essence, the same in-home services covered under Medicare. But obtaining
prior authorization from Tricare is a must for in-home health care, and beneficiaries may be charged separately for
certain types of equipment and medications required in connection with that care. Bottom line, your dad quite likely
does not have to cover all the expenses exclusively out of pocket. Get all the details from the Tricare for Life
contractor, Wisconsin Physician Services, at 866-773-0404.
-o-o-O-o-o(Q) My husband is retired from the military, and we have our two kids still living with us. My daughter is 20 and
fresh out of school, with no job and no income or health plan of her own. My son is 19 and will also be out of school
in a few months, and likely will be in a similar situation. Are they still considered dependents with full Tricare benefits?
A. Yes, both children are eligible for Tricare until they reach age 21 regardless of their employment or income status,
with the somewhat large caveat that they must remain unmarried. They may stay covered under Tricare until age 23
if they are full-time college students at the time they turn 21. What’s more, upon reaching age 21 (or age 23 if fulltime college students), your kids may well be eligible for extended coverage under the Tricare Young Adult program,
although that option requires enrollment and payment of monthly premiums, and also requires that the child remains
single. There are some other requirements as well. TYA coverage may last until age 26. More details on Tricare for
dependent children can be found at http://www.tricare.mil/Plans/ Eligibility/Children.aspx . Specific information on
Tricare Young Adult is here: http://www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans/TYA.aspx .
-o-o-O-o-oHave a question for the TRICARE Help column. Send it to tricarehelp@militarytimes.com and include the word
“Tricare” in the subject line. Do not attach files. [Source: MilitaryTimes | 1 thru 15 Dec, 2015 ++]
Store Credit Cards
► Pros & Cons
At checkout registers in department stores across the country, you can expect to receive a smile and a sales pitch.
Well, at least a sales pitch. Store credit cards are moneymakers for businesses, and you can expect clerks to dangle a
nice discount in front of you in the hope you’ll apply. The discount on store merchandise and other rewards are often
tempting — and many of us take the bait — but are store credit cards a good deal?
Pros of store credit cards
Store credit cards aren’t all bad. In fact, they can come with some nice benefits. There are four major pros for getting
a store credit card.
 Discounts: Not only do you get an initial 10 percent to 20 percent discount when you sign up, you may also
be in line to receive extra discounts all year long. Store credit card holders may be the first to receive special
coupons or gain access to exclusive sales events as a reward for their loyalty.
 Flexibility: Some, but not all, store credit cards are affiliated with one of the major credit card companies.
That means your department store card can also be used for purchases elsewhere as a regular Visa,
MasterCard or American Express card. As a bonus, depending on the retailer’s program, you may even earn
rewards points to be redeemed as future discounts at the store.
 Credit benefits: If your credit score could use some polishing, a store credit card may be able to help.
Consistently using and paying off the card will help establish a pattern of good credit habits that can, in turn,
boost your score.
 Financing options: Finally, some store credit cards can be used to obtain zero percent financing offers. Stores
may give you 18 months or more interest-free to pay off a major purchase made with their credit card.
Cons of store credit cards
While there are definitely some nice perks attached to store credit cards, all is not rosy. Here’s a look at some of the
negatives attached to these accounts.
 High interest: By far, the biggest negative associated with store credit cards is their interest rate. A recent
CreditCards.com survey showed the average APR on America’s biggest retail-branded credit cards had
increased to 23.43 percent, far higher than the average for all credit cards (15 percent). Some have APRs
climbing to almost 30 percent. And remember that zero percent financing? If you don’t pay off your purchase
within the allotted time, many store cards go back and apply the interest retroactively. So let’s say you had
18 months to pay off a $2,000 purchase, but you still had a $200 balance at the end of the financing period.
The store will then tack on 18 months’ worth of interest to your balance. Yikes!
 Limited use: Some store cards may offer the same flexibility as a regular credit card, but others can only be
used at that particular retailer. In addition, you may have a very low spending limit. Both make it questionable
whether the cards are a good deal, particularly when you consider the ding to your credit score that we’re
going to talk about next.
 Credit damage: Your credit score gets dinged slightly every time you have it pulled for a card application,
and your score will also suffer if your card balances are too high. The damage can be felt in other ways.
When reviewing loan applications, creditors not only consider how much debt you have but also how much
existing credit is available to you. If you already have enough credit to go on a $20,000 spending bender,
lenders might be hesitant to give you access to more cash.
 Temptation to spend: Another negative we see with store cards is the temptation to buy more. Stores aren’t
giving out cards and coupons to be nice; it’s a strategic business decision. They hope that by giving you a
few perks, you’ll come to their store and blow your budget once you see all the great things they have for
sale.
 Better deals elsewhere: There are credit cards offering sign-up bonuses good for a free plane ticket, a reward
that could be a better deal than 15 percent off one day’s purchases. So when you’re offering up your signature,
be sure you’re getting as much for it as possible. (Check out: “How to Play the Credit Card Rewards Game,
and Win” at http://www.moneytalksnews.com/how-play-and-win-the-credit-card-rewards-game).
The bottom line
So back to the original question: Should you apply for a store credit card? In the past, we’ve told you the answer is
no. However, if you there’s a store you shop at regularly and a card gets you an extra discount, it may make sense.
Still, you might want to check out the other credit cards on the market to see if you can find one that offers better
rewards with a lower interest rate. Either way be sure you follow these two rules:
 Buy only what you would purchase if you didn’t have the card. No extra trips just because there is a
“cardmember only” sale.
 Pay off your balance each month.
[Source: MoneyTalksNews | By Maryalene LaPonsie on November 20, 2015 ++]
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SBP DIC Offset Update 42 ►
Advocates Hopeful for Congressional Fix
Advocacy groups still have hope that Congress can fix a longstanding problem with survivor payouts to some military
families, despite the fact that it rejected the newest proposal circulating on Capitol Hill as "no solution at all" earlier
this week. On 11 DEC, members of The Military Coalition, an umbrella group of defense and veterans advocacy
groups, lobbied members of the House Armed Services Committee to end the offset in the Defense Department's
Survivor Benefit Plan payouts and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation program. It's the latest round in a nearly three-decade fight by the groups over what they see as a
fundamental unfairness in the two programs designed to help survivors of deceased veterans who thought their families
would not face financial woes. "Our widows are already suffering," said Chris Kinnard, co-chair of the Government
Relations Committee for Gold Star Wives of America. "We need to have the offset repealed or adjusted."
Survivors of veterans or troops who die of service-related causes are eligible to receive DIC payouts of around
$15,000 a year, designed to help cover the costs related to an unexpected loss. Families of military retirees who enroll
in the SBP can receive up to 55 percent of their loved ones' retirement pay upon their death. The life insurance-type
payouts are subsidized by DoD, but require enrollees to pay-in 6.5 percent of their retirement benefit. But under federal
rules, when a deceased veteran (or active-duty service member, in certain cases) qualifies for both programs, for every
dollar paid out in DIC, payouts under SBP are reduced by one dollar. The result: A loss of up to $15,000 for families
already dealing with the loss of a spouse or parent. "This offset exists to save the government money, which is perhaps
the ultimate insult our government can inflict on surviving spouses," said Joe Davis, spokesman for the Veterans of
Foreign Wars. "The two payments are mutually exclusive and paid for two different reasons by two different
departments."
But eliminating the offset has proved remarkably difficult. The issue affects roughly 63,000 military families, and
scrapping the offset completely would create a deficit of over $1 billion for the federal government. Lawmakers in
both parties have floated possible solutions, but only minor corrections have been adopted thus far. Earlier this year,
officials from the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission recommended creating new
SBP offerings that would get around the offset — by charging higher premiums to retirees. Lawmakers have been
reviewing the idea, but advocates have come out swinging against it. "To us, that is no solution at all," said Steve
Strobridge, director of government relations for the Military Officers Association of America. "It puts the member in
the position of having to guess if they'll die of a service-connected cause." Instead, advocates are still hopeful that a
full repeal can be put in place. Kinnard said that some military families have found workarounds for the offset,
including transferring family assets to minor children and other complicated tax maneuvers. None of them should be
necessary, she argued. "Why are they taking our widows' money away?" she said. "It's wrong, it's just wrong."
[Source: MilitaryTimes | Leo Shane | December 10, 2015 ++]
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Debt Statute of Limitations Update 01
► Do Unpaid Bills Expire?
Sometimes a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. For example, many people probably assume that because of the
statute of limitations, after a certain period of time, they no longer owe a debt. Debts don’t expire. What does expire,
however, are the legal remedies to collect them. In other words, while there’s no time limit when it comes to trying to
get you to pay, there is a time limit for using a court to force you to pay. Companies you owe can do lots of things to
try to collect a debt. They can damage your credit, send a collection agency after you and sue you in court. But legal
remedies don’t last forever. Nearly all transgressions in our society have a legal limit beyond which you can’t be
successfully sued or convicted in court. It’s called the statute of limitations. There are a few offenses not limited by
statute — murder, for example — but most criminal and civil issues have a time limit.
When it comes to debts, bills that can no longer be collected through the court system are called time-barred. While
there’s nothing preventing a company from attempting to collect forever, statutes of limitation, unique to each state,
establish the time when legal remedies expire. To find the statute of limitations in your state, check out the charts at
http://credit.about.com/od/statuteoflimitations/a/entirestatesol.htm and http://www.creditcards.com/credit-cardnews/credit-card-state-statute-limitations-1282.php. You can also do a search online for “statute of limitations on
debt [your state].” In Florida, for example, a creditor has four years to collect a debt for open accounts, the category
that includes most bills, including credit card debt. After that time, the statute of limitations will be a successful
defense against collection.
Note that in most states, the statute of limitations doesn’t wipe out a debt. If you borrowed money, you still owe it.
So a creditor can still call you, send you letters, or otherwise try to get you to pay. In fact, this is quite common.
Collection agencies and law firms routinely buy old debts for pennies on the dollar and attempt to collect. And they’ve
been known to say or do just about anything to get you back on the hook. They shouldn’t, however, threaten to sue
you over a debt that’s time-barred. Also note that while the statute of limitations is an effective defense if you’re sued,
it’s typically not automatic. If you don’t show up and use it as a defense, it can be waived. In other words, while a
collection agency shouldn’t sue you for a time-barred debt, it can happen. If it does, you need to be there when your
court date rolls around. As with any criminal or civil proceeding, to win you need to appear and prove your case.
The laws regarding debt collection are tricky. For example, there are states that allow otherwise legally
uncollectible debts to be reinstated if the consumer makes a payment — or even acknowledges the debt. Remember,
except in Wisconsin and Mississippi, the statute of limitations doesn’t wipe out a debt, it just eliminates the legal
remedies available to collect it. So if you find yourself in this situation, and the bill in question is large enough to
warrant it, the smart move is to call a consumer attorney (you can find one at the National Association of Consumer
Advocates’ website http://www.consumeradvocates.org ) and ask them what to do. Do this before responding to any
collection notice or other contact from a collection agency. Otherwise, you might inadvertently make yourself liable
for what was a time-barred debt.
What shows up on your credit report is determined by federal, not state, law. The credit reporting agencies
(Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) have to remove most negative information after seven years. Bankruptcies can
remain on your report for up to 10 years, and there are some other, less common debts, like unpaid taxes and child
support, that can remain on your report indefinitely. The seven-year period normally begins 180 days after the debt
becomes delinquent — the day you first missed a payment. But if you start once again making payments, the debt
could reappear.
If you plan on not paying and using the statute of limitations as a defense, do more research. Start with the FTC’s
page on time-barred debt at http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0117-time-barred-debts. But no matter how much
you read and think you understand, it’s still advisable to talk to, if not hire, an attorney. The more money at stake, the
more important this becomes. Debt collection is a complex topic, and reading simple stuff online probably won’t
answer all your questions or completely put you at ease. Talking to someone who does this for a living, however, will.
If you agree to pay a delinquent bill that’s adversely affecting your credit history, don’t pay it without attempting to
use your payment as leverage to have bad marks removed. If you’re paying the creditor who originally reported the
delinquency to credit reporting agencies, they have the ability to have the delinquent payments removed from your
credit reports. Try to negotiate the removal of the bad marks in exchange for payment. If you’re successful, get it in
writing before sending the money. This way you’ll get something additional for your payment: a better credit history
and score. [Source: MoneyTalksNews | Stacy Johnson | December 8, 2015 ++]
*********************************
Cola 2016 Update 13
► Emergency Payment Legislation | 3.9%
Retired federal employees should receive at least as much of a raise next year as private sector CEOs, according a
bicameral group of Democratic lawmakers, which has proposed providing an “emergency payment” to make up for
the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment in 2016. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced on 1 DEC the Seniors and
Veterans Emergency (SAVE) Benefits Act, joining a group of more than 20 senators who have signed on to matching
legislation in the upper chamber that would give federal retirees a lump sum payment of 3.9 percent of their annuities.
The rate would equal the average raise CEOs at the top 350 American companies received last year, lawmakers said.
The typical retiree would receive about $580. The bill would apply to 70 million Americans who receive benefits from
Social Security, veterans payments and other programs. The lawmakers proposed the measure after data from the
Bureau of Labor and Statistics confirmed no COLA would be applied in 2016, as the Consumer Price Index for Urban
Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) did not tick up in 2015.
The SAVE Benefits Act would offset the one-time payment to retirees by prohibiting corporations from writing
off executive bonuses as business expenses for tax purposes. “If we do nothing, on 1 JAN, more than 70 million
seniors, veterans, and other Americans won't get an extra dime in much-needed Social Security and other benefits,”
said Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) who introduced the bill in the Senate. “And while Congress sits on its hands and
pretends that there's nothing we can do, taxpayers will keep right on subsidizing billions of dollars' worth of bonuses
for highly paid CEOs.” Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), a longtime federal employee advocate who will herself retire
when her term expires in 2016, said the bill would enable retirees to pay for basic necessities like food and housing.
“This legislation will help 1.1 million seniors, veterans of Social Security age and federal employee retirees in
Maryland so they aren’t left out in the cold when it comes to the Social Security benefits they’ve earned and deserve,”
Mikulski said. “I will continue to fight so that seniors, veterans and federal employees have a government on their
side.”
Among the senators on board are presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Other
federal employee and retiree advocates have denounced the lack of annuity adjustment, saying it would lead to a
decline in living standards for former feds. A 3.9 percent increase would far outpace recent COLAs. The 2015
adjustment was 1.7 percent, and the 2014 increase was 1.5 percent. Retirees did receive a 3.6 percent boost in 2012.
Richard Thissen, president of the National Active and Retired Federal Employee Association, said the formula
determining COLAs requires fundamental reform, but still supported the bill. "Absent a permanent fix in the
methodology," Thissen said, "Sen. Warren’s bill is a good step forward in providing our nation’s seniors and veterans
some much-needed relief in offsetting their rising health care costs.”
The Warren-Duckworth bill goes farther than one proposed by Rep. Alan Grayson (R-FL) which would grant
retirees a 2.9 percent COLA next year. Both Grayson, who has since backed a companion the SAVE Benefits Act of
his own, and Duckworth are running for the Senate in 2016. [Source: GovExec.com | Eric Katz | December 2, 2015
++]
*********************************
Saving Money
► Batteries
When it comes to powering our toys, cameras and flashlights, we face an array of battery choices — and ring up
quite a bill. What choices will help us defray the estimated $14 billion we spend, collectively, on batteries each
year? Do we choose alkaline or nonalkaline? Will a name-brand battery outlast a cheaper generic or house brand?
When does it make sense to depart from disposables and put money down on rechargeables? Here’s the skinny,
starting with disposables:
1. Nonalkaline vs. alkaline. These days, many stores carry only alkaline, or mostly alkaline batteries, though
discount stores still have a lot of nonalkaline products on the shelves, usually at a lower price. What makes more
sense? Rhett Allain, physics professor from Southeastern Louisiana University, found out. He says that tests show
name-brand, disposable alkaline batteries beat cheap, dollar-store nonalkalines. “If you buy the cheaper
(nonalkaline) batteries, you’re paying a little bit now, and then you’ll pay a little bit later,” Allain says. “It’s thinking
more short-term. If you buy the more expensive batteries, you pay more upfront but they last longer. In the end
there’s not that big a difference, it’s the same amount of energy per price.” But arguably, if you opt for the alkaline
product, you will save on the hassle of swapping out batteries frequently and on trips to the store for new batteries.
2. Alkaline batteries: Generic vs. name brand. Generics are proven ways to save 20-50 percent on many of the
things we buy, from groceries to medicine, says Money Talks News financial expert Stacy Johnson. So suppose you
decide to buy alkaline batteries, and there you are at the store facing a shelf of similar products — some sold under
brand names and others with generic packaging. Turns out that when choosing between generic and name-brand
batteries, there’s no significant difference in performance, according to bargain-spotting website DealNews. “Our
exclusive test results gathered by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute show that in terms of power over time, there’s
no discernible difference between expensive, name-brand batteries and cheaper generic ones.” But DealNews
http://dealnews.com/features/Test-Results-That-Will-Change-the-Way-You-Buy-Batteries-Forever/449005.html
found one notable exception: The Energizer Advanced Lithium battery pushed out far more initial voltage than the
others in a test — and when it finally corrected down to the expected 1.5 volts, it kept going and going and going.
This product also weighs one-third less than standard alkaline batteries, Energizer says.
3. Can you extend battery lifespan? Some battery makers say their products have a shelf life of 10 years, though it
never seems that way when you dig out a stored flashlight or battery-powered toy to find that it has a dead battery. It
turns out that there’s no need to store batteries in the fridge, like your grandparents did, in an effort to extend their
life; it won’t make any difference. But a new product, Batteriser (http://www.batteriser.com), claims it can make your
disposable battery last eight times longer by tapping into unused power, even though the battery appears to be dead.
Most new batteries contain 1.5 volts of energy. Many devices stop functioning once the battery falls to around the 1.3
volts, it says. Batteriser is a thin (0.01 mm) sleevelike sheet of stainless steel crafted to slip into devices’ battery
compartments alongside the used batteries. A four-pack will cost less than $10, the company says.
4. To get a deal, go by cost per unit. Finding the best price on batteries can be tricky, but it’s easier if you boil it
down to unit price. A 100-pack of Duracell alkaline AAs were listed recently on Amazon for $34.80, or 34.8 cents per
battery. At the same time, Walgreens offered its house-brand alkaline Supercell AAs in packages of 24 each for $14.49
as a buy one get one free, meaning 48 batteries for 30.1 cents apiece. At discounter Big Lots, heavy-duty AA Rayovac
batteries (carbon, nonalkaline) were offered in four-packs for $1.95, almost 49 cents each, while a 20-pack of Sunbeam
AA heavy-duty (carbon, nonalkaline) batteries was $3, or 15 cents each.
5. Choose the most suitable disposable battery. What type of battery is best for you? It depends on how you plan
to use it. Battery makers, Consumer Reports and retailers such as REI offer these suggestions:
 Lithium: For high-drain devices such as cameras, wireless gaming accessories and hand-held games.
 Alkaline: The most common, for low-drain devices such as remote controls, flashlights, calculators, clocks
and radios, LED headlamps, portable electronics and wireless mice and keyboards.
 Zinc chloride (heavy-duty) or zinc carbon (general purpose): Use these for clocks and other low-drain
devices.
6. When to opt for rechargeables. If you’re going through a lot of disposable batteries, you may want to consider
rechargeables. They cost more upfront, but depending on the device, they can pay for themselves over time:
 Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH): Good for high-drain devices such as digital cameras and flash units or devices
that experience prolonged use, such as GPS receivers.
 Nickel Cadmium (NiCd): Recommended for power tools, two-way radios and high-temperature situations.
[Source: MoneyTalksNews | Jim Gold | June 10, 2015 ++]
*********************************
iPhone 7 Testing Scam
► How it Works
Test the upcoming iPhone 7 and get a free iPhone 6 at the same time! If this sounds too good to be true, that's because
it is. Scammers are using Apple's popularity to phish for credit card information.
How the Scam Works:
 You receive an email or spot a social media post claiming that Apple is looking for people to test it's upcoming
iPhone 7. You've been "randomly selected" to try out the new device. To sign up as a tester, all you need to
do is complete a short survey. Then, as a thank you for your participation, Apple will send you a free iPhone
6.
 You click to the website, and the survey seems official. It has basic questions such as, "Do you currently own
any Apple products?" However, when you get to the end of the survey, the site prompts you to enter your
credit card information. It claims that "Apple" just needs to charge you shipping costs for the free iPhone 6.
 Don't do it! There is no free iPhone, and Apple is not looking for iPhone 7 testers. Sharing your credit card
number and personal information with scammers opens you up to fraudulent charges and, identity theft.
Tips to Spot a Fake Survey Scam: Many businesses offer discounts or free products in exchange for customer
feedback and information on shopping preferences. It can be hard to tell a real offer from a fake one, but here are some
pointers:
 Look up the website on WhoIs. Right click on the link and select "Copy Link Address." Then, paste this
destination URL into the WhoIs.net directory. This directory will tell you when and to whom a domain is
registered. If the URL is brand new, or if the ownership is masked by a proxy service, consider it a big
warning sign of a scam.
 Watch out for look-alike URLs. Scammers pick URLs that look similar to those of legitimate sites. Be wary
of sites that have the brand name as a subdomain of another URL (i.e. brandname.scamwebsite.com), part of
a longer URL (i.e.companynamebooking.com) or use an unconventional top level domain (the TLD is the
part of the name after the dot).
 Legitimate businesses do not ask for credit card numbers or banking information on customer surveys. If
they do ask for personal information, like an address or email, be sure there's a link to their privacy policy.
 Watch out for a reward that's too good to be true. If the survey is real, you may be entered in a drawing to
win a gift card or receive a small discount off your next purchase. Few businesses give away gifts worth
hundreds of dollars just for answering a few questions.
To find out more about other scams, check out BBB Scam Stopper (bbb.org/scam). To report a scam, go to BBB
Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker). [Source: BBB Scam Alert | October 9, 2015 ++]
********************************
Chip Card Scam
► How it Works
Many banks are issuing new debit and credit cards with an embedded chip for additional security. The new chips are
meant to reduce fraud, but the hype around the new cards is having an unintended side effect... fodder for scams.
How the Scam Works:
 You receive an email saying that your new credit or debit card with the chip is on the way. But first you need
to update your account. The message seems to be from your bank or credit card issuer. It may have the
company's logo and even the reply email address.
 All you need to do, claims the message, is reply and confirm your personal and banking information. Or, in
another version, the message instructs you to click on a link to continue the process.
 Don't do it! If you share personal information, the scammer can use it to commit identity theft. If you click
on the link, you may download malware to your device. Scammers use malware to steal your personal
information, send spam and commit fraud.
Tips to Spot a Phishing Scam:
 Be wary of unexpected emails that contain links or attachments. Do not click on links or open files in
unfamiliar emails.
 Consider how the company normally contacts you. If a company usually contacts you by phone, be suspicious
if you suddenly start receiving emails or text messages without ever opting in to the new communications.
Banks and credit card issuers have secure communications channels that require you to log into your account
before you can read the message.
 Don't believe what you see. Just because an email looks real, doesn't mean it is. Scammers can fake anything
from a company logo to the "Sent" email address.


Check the company's website or call them. If something sounds suspicious, confirm it by checking with the
bank or credit card issuer. The customer service phone number will be on the back of the card. If you want
to look on the company's website, look for the URL on your statement or do a web search. DON'T click on
any links in the message you suspect is a scam.
Be cautious of generic emails. Scammers try to cast a wide net by including little or no specific information
in their fake emails. Always be wary of messages that don't contain your name, last digits of your account
number or other personalizing information.
To learn more about this scam and the new credit and debit cards, check out this article on the Federal Trade
Commission's website http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/what-know-about-new-credit-and-debit-chip-cards. To find
out more about other scams, check out BBB Scam Stopper (bbb.org/scam). To report a scam, go to BBB Scam Tracker
(bbb.org/scamtracker). [Source: BBB Scam Alert | October 26, 2015 ++]
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Notes of Interest
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► 01 thru 15 Dec 2015
Prostitution Deterrent. Los Angeles City Council voted to have the city attorney investigate ways to
implement such a plan for the city use license-plate readers in a plan to send letters to owners of vehicles that
drive through known areas of prostitution as a way to discourage them from returning?
Tampa Airport Parking. Disabled veterans will not have to wait for the Legislature to pass a new law to
get free parking at Tampa International Airport. Airport officials have already changed their policies to now
allow any driver with a special disabled veterans license plate issued by the state to park for free up to a week.
Health. If you’re trying to increase your muscle mass, whether you’re just starting a program or recovering
from an injury, lifting lighter weights (with more repetitions) can be a useful way to minimize the risks
associated with heavy weightlifting while still building muscle.
GI Bill. Congress closed a loophole many vets were taking advantage of. The new NDAA law prohibits the
receipt of unemployment benefits while receiving the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Free tuition at school, a housing
allowance to pay all their housing costs, and $1,000 a year book stipend is provided under the bill.
Your Birthday Song. If you would like to hear the song that was #1 on the day you were born check out
http://playback.fm/birthday-song.
Your Birthday Movie. If you would like to view the movie trailer of the #1 movie on the day you were born
check out http://playback.fm/birthday-movie. The site also provides a link to purchase it from Amazon.
Top Songs by Year. To hear the top songs from any year go to http://playback.fm/year/0000/ and change
the last four digits to the year you are interested in.
How’s He Do It: Check out https://www.youtube.com/embed/DRmD5l37Q7k and see if you can figure out
how it was done.
Safe Driving. How much sleep deprivation is too much before motorists no longer can drive safely? That’s
essentially the question the nonprofit National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recently set out to answer by
convening a panel of scientists from multiple disciplines, including medicine and transportation. Their
consensus? People who have slept for two hours or less in the prior 24 hours are unfit to drive.
Dog Tags. Soldiers' Social Security numbers will no longer be part of their dog tags, the Army announced
8 DEC.The change, which some have argued is long overdue, is the first update to the ubiquitous
identification tags in more than 40 years.
MCAS Futenma. Ginowan city, Okinawa wants to develop Marine Corps Air Station Futenma as a Disney
resort when U.S. forces relocate and the land returns to Japanese control.
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Nuclear Age. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says his country has developed a hydrogen bomb, state
media reported 10 DEC.
Xmas Poop. Check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9TTz3R5SmI to see the milk and cookie
impact on Santa.
Judge Jeanine. Whether you agree with what she said or not you should be aware of her 6 DEC Fox News
opening statement on Muslim terrorism at http://video.foxnews.com/v/4648609336001/judge-jeanine-timeto-batten-down-the-hatches/?intcmp=hpvid1#sp=show-clips.
[Source: Various | December 15, 2015 ++]
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Easy Ways to Stay Warm
► 7 Tips
Reverse your ceiling fan - When chilly temps set in, you probably aren’t thinking about turning on your ceiling fan.
But the appliance actually boasts year-round benefits. Heat rises. Therefore, reversing the direction of the blades —
so they spin in a clockwise motion– will draw the cool air up toward the ceiling while forcing the warm air back down
to heat your space. Choose the lowest setting and remember to adjust your thermostat accordingly — you might even
see significant savings on your next electric bill. The University of Arkansas cites research showing that wintertime
use of ceiling fans can lower heating costs by 20 to 30 percent.
Pitch a tent or assemble a blanket fort - Setting up camp in your living room or bedroom can actually help you
warm up this winter. According to Lifehack: Any type of tent will do; all you need to do is put a blanket over your
face to trap the air (although not so close as to suffocate you). There’s a reason canopy beds were designed, and it’s
not just for decorative purposes. These work well to keep the heat in your bed while you sleep.
Get physical - Don’t use frigid temps as an excuse to hang around the house all day like an icicle. Get your heart
pumping and generate some body heat with a little physical activity. If you have a home gym, put your treadmill or
stationary bike to good use. Remember to close the door to seal in the room’s warm air. Even if you don’t have athome exercise equipment, there are still many easy exercises you can perform. They range from jogging in place and
jumping jacks to simply organizing your kitchen. Not only does exercise warm you up, but the National Institutes of
Health says such an increase in body temperature helps immune system cells circulate more rapidly and may help
prevent bacteria from growing inside the body.
Get steamed up - Ever visit Florida during the summer? Then you can say with 100 percent certainty that humidity
makes air feel warmer. Bring a little of the Sunshine State into your home this winter by using a humidifier to add
moisture to bone-dry winter air. If you don’t have a humidifier, you’ll need to improvise a bit. Keep the bathroom
door open while you enjoy a long, hot shower and let the steam work its wonders throughout your space.
Put your mind over matter - Meditation is another great way to keep the cold at bay this winter. Lifehack says that
even though you can feel the cold on your skin, you also can train your mind to better accept such sensations.
According to Lifehack: If you think you’re cold, you’ll tense up and start to shiver, but if you actively concentrate on
changing your perception of that same feeling you’re experiencing, you’ll begin to relax and gain control over your
body.
Cook up a storm - Your grandparents and great-grandparents knew a thing or two about staying warm in winter that
can still pay dividends today. According to Wise Bread: Generations ago, our heating system was our cooking system.
The wood-burning oven, coal stove or fireplace served the dual purpose of feeding the family and keeping them warm.
Wise Bread suggests lowering the heat whenever you cook. Also, try to cook when everyone is home and “can enjoy
the added warmth.” One caveat: Although it may be tempting, using an empty oven to generate heat is inefficient and
may pose serious safety risks, ranging from burns to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Chill out — literally - Finally, if all of these methods fail to make you feel warm, it may be time to simply chill out
— literally. Although it may seem counterintuitive, embracing the chilly weather can actually help you stay warm
during sweater season. People who spend a lot of time in the cold can actually acclimatize their bodies to deal better
with the chill, according to an article posted at Live Science. The way this happens is not fully understood, but may
have to do with a type of body fat called brown fat. While regular white body fat stores calories, brown fat consumes
calories and releases the energy as heat.
[Source: MoneyTalksNews | Melissa Neiman | December 8, 2015 ++]
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NORAD Santa Tracking Update 04
► 60th Anniversary
The North American Aerospace Defense Command is celebrating the 60th anniversary of tracking Santa’s Yuletide
journey. The NORAD Tracks Santa website http://www.noradsanta.org/, which launched 7 DEC, features Santa’s
North Pole Village, which includes a holiday countdown, games, activities, and more. The website is available in eight
languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Chinese. Official NORAD Tracks
Santa apps also are available in the Windows, Apple and Google Play stores, so parents and children can count down
the days until Santa’s launch on their smartphones and tablets. Tracking opportunities also are offered on Facebook,
Twitter, YouTube, and Google Plus. Santa followers simply need to type “@noradsanta” into each search engine to
get started. This year, the website features the NORAD headquarters in the North Pole Village and highlights of the
program over the past 60 years.
Starting at 12:01 a.m. MST (2:01 a.m. EST) Dec. 24, website visitors can watch Santa make preparations for his
flight. NORAD’s “Santa Cams” will stream videos on the website as Santa makes his way over various locations.
Then, at 4 a.m. MST (6 a.m. EST), trackers worldwide can speak with a live phone operator to inquire as to Santa’s
whereabouts by dialing the toll-free number 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) or by sending an email to
noradtrackssanta@outlook.com. Any time on Dec. 24, Windows Phone users can ask Cortana for Santa’s location,
and OnStar subscribers can press the OnStar button in their vehicles to locate Santa. NORAD Tracks Santa is possible,
in large part, to the efforts and services of numerous program contributors, NORAD officials said. [Source: North
American Aerospace Defense Command News Release | December 7, 2015 ++]
*********************************
Travel Packing Tips Update 01
► Fundamental Packing Strategies
Packing is pivotal. Forget an essential item and you're left disappointed and scrambling to find the nearest store in
your destination. Pack too much and you end up disorganized, burdened with heavy bags, and hemorrhaging money
to pay for pricey airline baggage fees. Here are 10 fundamental packing strategies that every traveler should learn plus
a few other thing you might want to consider.
1. Roll, don't fold. Many travel experts—including backpackers, who must stuff months' worth of clothing into a
pack the size of a box of wine—agree that rolling is superior to folding. Tightly rolled clothes take up less space than
folded ones. Plus, they're less prone to getting deep wrinkles from fold creases.
2. Make a packing list. When it comes to packing, procrastinators fall short. Start your packing process days or even
weeks ahead of your departure date; this gives you time to craft a complete list, plus purchase any additional items
you might need for your vacation. Creating a packing list is a fail-safe way to ensure that you never, ever forget to
bring something important.
3. Know your airline's baggage-fee policy. Figuring out the airlines' tricky and befuddling baggage-fee policies is
key to any budget-minded packing strategy. While most airlines permit travelers to check at least one bag on
international flights, the majority of U.S. carriers charge big bucks for bags checked on domestic flights. Spirit
Airlines—that notoriously customer-unfriendly discounter—even charges as much as $100 for carry-on bags. Before
you begin packing, take a peek at your airline's website and read its baggage policy. This is something you might even
want to do prior to buying your plane ticket, especially if you're set on bringing a checked bag or two. Consider flying
on Southwest or JetBlue, both of which permit at least one free checked bag on domestic flights.
4. Follow the 3-1-1 rule. What happens if you don't follow the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) 3-11 rule for carry-on luggage? Attempt to bring a large bottle of shampoo or a full-size gel deodorant through the security
line and the TSA will likely confiscate your stuff, holding you up in line in the process. So get familiar with the
agency's rules: All liquids brought onto planes must be in 3.4-ounce bottles or smaller and inside a single, clear, quartsize zip-top bag. It also helps to know which items are, according to the TSA, considered liquids or gels and thereby
subject to the 3-1-1 rule. This isn't as simple as it sounds. Foods such as peanut butter, pudding, mashed potatoes, and
icing are classified as gels. Mascara, lip gloss, and aerosol items are also classified as liquids or gels. But keep in mind
that liquid prescription medication is exempt. (Read more on that on The TSA Blog.) See a more complete list of
liquids and gels that are not permitted in carry-on luggage in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces here.
5. Use your personal item wisely. It's standard for airlines to permit each traveler to bring one carry-on bag and one
personal item onboard planes. This personal item is subject to specific size requirements (these vary by airline), but
something like a purse, laptop bag, or backpack is generally acceptable. In Five Tips for Fitting it All in a Carry-on
Bag, Caroline Morse advises travelers to leverage their personal-item allowance, suggesting, "Forget wasting my
personal-item allowance with a tiny purse. I'll bring a larger tote bag that I can stash under the seat but will still give
me extra storage space. This will come in handy for keeping all of the things I'll need to be on hand during the flight
within arms' reach as well."
6. Wash your clothes on the road. If you know your accommodations will have free laundry facilities, you're
golden. You can wash and wear just a handful of outfits for the duration of even very long trips. If you're staying in a
hotel, call in advance to see if laundry services are available and how much they cost. Travelers staying in properties
without laundry facilities or taking cruises—cruise lines are notorious for charging an arm and a pant leg for laundry
services—can wash clothes in sinks and hang them to dry. Make sure to pack a travel-size packet of laundry detergent
and a sink stopper to clean clothes on the road. Portable laundry-drying lines that attach to showers via suction cups
are also a good choice; you can find them at many travel-supply stores.
7. Pack dual-purpose garments. If it's two-in-one, it's one less thing to pack. Dual-purpose items, such as pants that
turn into shorts or a jacket that turns into a travel pillow are worth their weight in airline baggage fees.
8. Layer. This advice is twofold: Wear layers and pack in layers. First, your on-the-road wardrobe should feature
plenty of layers, which will help you jetset through multiple climates in style and comfort. Second, the items in your
bag should be packed in neat layers for easy screening. According to the TSA, "Pack items in layers (shoes one layer,
clothes one layer, electronics one layer, etc.)" so that the security agent screening your bag can get a clear picture of
what's inside. The faster the TSA agent can screen your stuff, the faster you'll get through the security line.
9. Never check essential items. It's terribly important to keep your valuable and essential belongings in your carryon bag, not in your checked luggage. Your passport, identification, money, credit cards, jewelry, electronics, and other
valuables should always be brought onto the plane with you. If the airline loses your luggage (or if a TSA agent gets
sticky fingers), you'll regret stowing your expensive watch in a checked bag.
10. Use packing aids. Eagle Creek Compression Sacs can be used to shrivel your clothes into a vacuum-packed, tiny,
tight bundle that takes up minimal suitcase space. Other packing aids that can help you organize better and fit more
into your bag include packing envelopes and packing cubes.
11. A couple of other things you may want to consider:
a. Make room for some duct tape and a few binder clips. You never know when you’ll need a makeshift
clothesline, shampoo lid, purse handle, sandal strap, curtain rod, lint brush, hemming solution… ”
b. Use your phone’s camera to take photos of all your emergency contact information. In the event your wallet
or passport is stolen, you’ll have all the information at your fingertips. Snap your passport, the backs of credit
cards for phone numbers, driver license details, health insurance cards, travel documents, etc. In an
emergency, you’ll be able to verify your identity, show proof of travel, and get in touch with people at a
moment’s notice.”
c. Always carry a pen when you take an international flight. You will probably be asked to fill out a customs
form, and they often don’t have pens on the plane or in the airport.
d. In your carry-on: water, snack, clean undies. No matter what form of transportation you are using to go from
point A to B, you’ll get thirsty and hungry. If you end up getting diverted to another airport, you can sit
around for hours and may have to return without deplaneing.
e. Peppermint essential oil is perfect for calming nerves for jittery fliers and great for headaches or potential
colds that may be coming (rub some on your temples and under the nose). It's also great for upset stomachs
that come with constant travel and eating new foods.
f. Sign up for a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service. It's cheap and easy and means that you can use public
WiFi on your own computer or phone for secure transactions such as banking and booking hotels online with
your credit card.
g. Bring fiber pills with you; it isn't always easy to make healthy food choices when traveling, so it's always
good to have backup . . . in case you're, you know, backed up.
[Source: USA Today | Caroline Costello| December 12, 2012 ++]
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Great Lakes
► Things You Never Knew About the Lakes
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Lake Superior is actually not a lake at all, but an inland sea.
All of the four other Great Lakes, plus three more the size of Lake Erie, would fit inside of Lake Superior.
Isle Royale is a massive island surrounded by Lake Superior. Within this island are several smaller lakes.
Yes, that’s a lake on a lake.
Despite its massive size, Lake Superior is an extremely young formation by Earth’s standards (only 10,000
years old).
There is enough water in Lake Superior to submerge all of North and South America in 1 foot of water.
Lake Superior contains 3 quadrillion gallon of water (3,000,000,000,000,000). All five of the Great Lakes
combined contain 6 quadrillion gallons.
Contained within Lake Superior is a whopping 10% of the world’s fresh surface water.
It’s estimated there are about 100 million lake trout in Lake Superior. That’s nearly one-fifth of the human
population of North America!
There are small outlets through which water leaves Lake Superior. It takes two centuries for all the water in
the lake to replace itself.
Lake Erie is the fourth-largest Great Lake in surface area, and the smallest in depth. It’s the 11th largest lake
on the planet.
There is alleged to be a 30- to 40-foot-long “monster” in Lake Erie named Bessie. The earliest recorded
sighting goes back as early as 1793.
Water in Lake Erie replaces itself in only 2.6 years, which is notable considering the water in Lake Superior
takes two centuries.
The original publication of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax contained the line, “I hear things are just as bad up in Lake
Erie.” Fourteen years later, the Ohio Sea Grant Program wrote to Seuss to make the case that conditions had
improved. He removed the line.
Not only is Lake Erie the smallest Great Lake when it comes to volume, but it’s surrounded by the most
industry. Seventeen metropolitan areas, each with populations of more than 50,000, border the Lake Erie
basin.
During the War of 1812, the U.S. beat the British in a naval battle called the Battle of Lake Erie, forcing them
to abandon Detroit.
The shoreline of all the Great Lakes combined equals nearly 44% of the circumference of the planet.
If not for the Straits of Mackinac, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron might be considered one lake.
Hydrologically speaking, they have the same mean water level and are considered one lake.
The Keystone State was one of the largest and most luxurious wooden steamships running during the Civil
War. In 1861, it disappeared. In 2013, it was found 30 miles northeast of Harrisville under 175 feet of water.
Goderich Mine is the largest salt mine in the world. Part of it runs underneath Lake Huron, more than 500
meters underground.
Below Lake Huron, there are 9,000-year-old animal-herding structure used by prehistoric people from when
the water levels were significantly lower.
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There are massive sinkholes in Lake Huron that have high amounts of sulfur and low amounts of oxygen,
almost replicating the conditions of Earth’s ancient oceans 3 million years ago. Unique ecosystems are
contained within them.
 Lake Huron is the second largest among the Great Lakes, and the fifth largest in the world.
 In size, Lake Michigan ranks third among the Great Lakes, and sixth among all freshwater lakes in the world.
 Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is entirely within the borders of the United States.
 The largest fresh water sand dunes in the world line the shores of Lake Michigan.
 Because water enters and exits Lake Michigan through the same path, it takes 77 years longer for the water
to replace itself than in Huron, despite their similarity in size and depth. (Lake Michigan: 99 years, Lake
Huron: 22 years)
 Within Lake Michigan there is a “triangle” with a similar reputation to the Bermuda Triangle, where a large
amount of “strange disappearances” have occurred. There have also been alleged UFO sightings.
 Singapore, is a ghost town on the shores of Lake Michigan that was buried under sand in 1871. Because of
severe weather conditions and a lack of resources due to the need to rebuild after the great Chicago fire, the
town was lost completely.
 In the mid-19th century, Lake Michigan had a pirate problem. Their booty: timber. In fact, the demise of
Singapore is due in large part to the rapidly deforested area surrounding the town.
 Jim Dreyer swam across Lake Michigan in 1998 (65 miles), and then in 2003, he swam the length of Lake
Michigan (422 miles).
 Lake Michigan was the location of the first recorded “Big Great Lakes disaster,” in which a steamer carrying
600 people collided with a schooner delivering timber to Chicago. Four hundred and fifty people died.
 Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes in surface area, and second smallest in depth. It’s the 14th
largest lake on the planet.
 The province Ontario was named after the lake, and not vice versa.
 In 1804, a Canadian warship, His Majesty’s Ship Speedy, sank in Lake Ontario. In 1990, wreck hunter Ed
Burtt manage to find it. Only, he isn’t allowed to recover any artifacts until a government-approved site to
exhibit them is found. He’s still waiting.
 Babe Ruth hit his first major league home run at Hanlan’s Point Stadium in Toronto. It landed in Lake Ontario
and is believed to still be there.
 A lake on Saturn’s moon Titan is named after Lake Ontario. It’s called “Ontario Lacus.”
[Source: BuzzFeed | Andrew Ziegler |August 2015 ++]
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Have You Heard?
► Baby’s First Medical Exam
A woman and a baby were in the doctor's examining room, waiting for the doctor to come in for the baby's first
exam. The doctor arrived, and examined the baby, checked his weight, and being a little concerned, asked if the
baby was breast-fed or bottle-fed
'Breast-fed,' she replied..
'Well, strip down to your waist,' the doctor ordered.
She did. He pinched her nipples, pressed, kneaded, and rubbed both breasts for a while in a very professional and
detailed examination. Motioning to her to get dressed, the doctor said, 'No wonder this baby is underweight. You
don't have any milk.'
“I know”, she said, “I'm his Grandma, but I’m glad I came.”
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Have You Heard?
► Keep off the grass
A nurse was on duty in the Emergency Room when a young woman with purple hair styled into a punk rocker
Mohawk, sporting a variety of tattoos, and wearing strange clothing, Entered . . .
It was quickly determined that the patient had acute appendicitis, so she was scheduled for immediate surgery.
When she was completely disrobed on the operating table, the staff noticed that her pubic hair had been dyed green
and above it there was a Tattoo that read . . .' Keep off the grass.'
Once the surgery was completed, the surgeon wrote a short note on the patient's dressing, which said “Sorry . . . Had
to mow the lawn.”
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Help!!!
► Things that might make you say it (02)
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