Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country
March 16, 2010 by Bob Higgins · 2 Comments
The New York Times (3/16, A14, Schwartz, 1.09M) reports, “Many veterans…have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq burdened by post-traumatic stress, drug dependency and other problems.
Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country
March 15, 2010 by Bob Higgins · 1 Comment
VA-purchased equipment is flying down the slopes and gliding across the ice at the 2010 Winter Paralympics Games in Vancouver this week. Five Veterans are competing in Vancouver and the adaptive sports equipment they will use to compete and for day-to-day mobility (wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs) were provided by VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS). This is the first Paralympics Winter Games in which athletes will be competing with equipment provided by VA.
Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country
March 13, 2010 by Bob Higgins · 1 Comment
Veteran Homelessness Fell 18% Last Year. The online version of the Gloucester County (NJ) Times (3/13) hails “Good news out of the national Department of Veterans Affairs this week as the VA announced that the number of veterans out on the streets on a typical night dropped 18 percent. The VA is entering the second year of its initiative to eliminate homelessness among those who have served within the next five years.
Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country
March 12, 2010 by Bob Higgins · 1 Comment
VA Planning To Expedite Agent Orange Claims Process. In continuing coverage, Government Technology (3/12, Wilkinson) reports, “In what’s being touted as a major step to better serve Vietnam veterans,” the US Department of Veterans Affairs “is planning to expedite the claims process for those with illnesses due to Agent Orange exposure.”
Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country
March 11, 2010 by Bob Higgins · Leave a Comment
In continuing coverage, NextGov (3/11, Brewin) reports, “Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki told a House panel on Wednesday that he could cut $2 billion from the department’s $15 billion annual procurement budget through management reforms, including the development of a centralized acquisition infrastructure.
Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country
March 9, 2010 by Bob Higgins · Leave a Comment
VA Planning To Fully Automate Agent Orange Claims Process.USA Today (3/9, Zoroya, 2.11M) notes that on Tuesday, the Department of Veterans Affairs “plans to announce…it will fully automate how it pays claims for illnesses related to exposure to the chemical Agent Orange to keep an overburdened system from collapse.”
Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country
March 5, 2010 by Bob Higgins · 1 Comment
The AP (3/4) reported that Sen. Daniel Akaka and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki agree “that reforming the VA disability claims system must be a top priority,” and in a release, Akaka said “that he is encouraged by the administration’s commitment to add thousands of staff to process veterans’ disability claims.” However, the senator also believed “the situation will get worse before it gets better, because it will take years and significant resources to fully train new VA claims staff.”
Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country
March 4, 2010 by Bob Higgins · 4 Comments
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Over $41 Million To Improve Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center.
American Legion Travels To DC, Advocates “Ambitious Agenda.”
Doctors Seeing Neck, Back, Joint Pain In Returning Veterans.
VA Psychologist Interviewed.
Veterans, Their Families Deal With PTSD.
VA Requests Information On PC Contract.
Administration’s IT Head [...]
Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country
March 3, 2010 by Bob Higgins · Leave a Comment
“We polled many Whispers associates and sources, and they were quick to size up the top five Obama cabinet members.” Fifth on the list, according to Bedard, “is Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, who has turned an agency that is at the bottom of lists in past administrations into an example of how to bring federal services to the troops, injured veterans, and even homeless vets. He’s showing that the VA has a heart.”
Regional Veterans’ News 3/1/10
March 1, 2010 by Bob Higgins · Leave a Comment
Regional stories on veterans’ health, education and other benefits and issues today from
Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country
February 26, 2010 by Bob Higgins · Leave a Comment
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Find out What’s Inside Today’s Local News for Veterans
Shinseki To Attend Senate Budget Hearing Today.
VA Preparing To Re-Examine Gulf War Vets’ Disability Claims.
Institute Of Medicine Panel Investigating Links Between Burn Pits, Illnesses For VA.
Baker To Congress: PMAS Saved VA $54 Million.
For Soldiers, Single Motherhood Becomes Another Battlefield.
Military Spouses Outraged [...]
KHALIL NOURI: AFGHANISTAN: AN INEVITABLE KARZAI DYNASTY RULING
February 25, 2010 by Khalil Nouri · 15 Comments
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By: Khalil Nouri STAFF WRITER FOR VETERANS TODAY
AN INEVITABLE KARZAI DYNASTY RULING
Subsequent to Hamed Karzai shamelessly stealing the Afghan re-election; he agreed that his achievements and standards would be higher – and the Obama administration vowed that he [...]
Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country
February 25, 2010 by Bob Higgins · Leave a Comment
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki speak about his goals to improve the quality of life for veterans at the El Paso VA Health Care System facility.” During his visit, Shinseki, who “was hosted” by US Reps. Silvestre Reyes, Ciro Rodriguez, and Harry Teague, “toured the VA facility and the Fort Bliss National Cemetery, and he participated in a veterans roundtable before addressing the public on the purpose of his visit. In his speech, he addressed three specific goals targeting programs affecting the nation’s veterans: reducing the growing backlog of claims, improving the quality of VA healthcare facilities and reducing homelessness among all veterans.”
Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country
February 24, 2010 by Bob Higgins · Leave a Comment
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Find out What’s Inside Today’s Local News for Veterans
VA Announces Expansion Of IT Program Management, Accountability System.
Shinseki Among Those Asked To Choose Official For Healthcare IT Task Force.
Hiring to expand veterans’ services: Q&A with W. Scott Gould, Deputy Sec of VA
Committees Praised For Helping To Pass Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act.
[...]
Top 10 Veterans News From Around The Country
February 23, 2010 by Bob Higgins · 4 Comments
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Shinseki “Fighting To Reduce” Red Tape For Vets Seeking Benefits.
Lawmakers Urge VA Support For New Fisher House In Colorado.
White House Calls For Health IT “Task Force.”
Homeless Vets Facility In Texas Could Soon Begin Accepting Residents.
Stimulus Funds To Pay For Upgrades At Several [...]
Top 10 Veterans News From Around The Country
February 22, 2010 by Bob Higgins · 2 Comments
The AP (2/22, Hefling) notes that during a recent interview, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki “said he’s making it a top priority this year to tackle the backlog of disability claims that has veterans waiting months – even years – to get financial compensation for their injuries.” Shinseki, “a former Army chief of staff who had part of a foot blown off when he was a young officer in Vietnam, was unapologetic about a decision he made in October to make it easier for potentially 200,000 sick Vietnam veterans who were exposed to the Agent Orange herbicide to receive service-connected compensation.” Shinseki “said he’s looking ahead to make sure Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries don’t have similar problems getting financial compensation.”
Top 10 Veterans News From Around the Country
February 19, 2010 by Bob Higgins · 2 Comments
In continuing coverage, Modern Healthcare (2/19, Lubell, 72K) reports, “Robert Petzel has been sworn in as undersecretary for health at the Veterans Affairs Department, the agency announced. Petzel will be heading the Veterans Health Administration, the 262,000-employee component of the VA that is composed of 153 hospitals, more than 800 geographically separate outpatient clinics or mobile clinics, and 232 readjustment counseling vet centers.” Modern Healthcare notes that in a written statement, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said Petzel’s “commitment to outstanding medical quality and access for veterans will be critical to leading VA in its 21st century transformation.”
Top 10 Veterans News From Around the Country
February 16, 2010 by Bob Higgins · 2 Comments
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Find out What’s Inside Today’s Local News for Veterans
Filing Deadline Arrives For Filipino WW II Vets.
Woman Lobbying For Gold Star Mothers Monument.
Some Asking States, Cities For Vietnam Veterans Day.
Black Hills VA Healthcare Hosts Women’s Retreat On PTSD.
Connecticut Lawmakers Concerned About Tuition Waiver Program.
Virtual Reality Experience May Help Reduce Wounded Vets’ Pain Levels.
Specialists Look To [...]
Top 10 Veterans News Around the Country 2/12/10
February 12, 2010 by Bob Higgins · 1 Comment
VA is known for its commitment to innovative quality and safety programs and for the transparency of results they achieve. In 2008, VA issued its first comprehensive facility-level report of quality and safety data, reporting on care provided in inpatient and outpatient settings, quality of care within specific patient populations, and patient satisfaction and outcomes. Improved and re-issued in 2009, the report is a comprehensive snapshot of the quality of care VA provides.
Top 10 Veterans News From Around the Country
February 11, 2010 by Bob Higgins · 3 Comments
Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall Headed To Batavia VA This Summer. The Batavia (NY) Daily News (2/10, Baker, 13K) reports, “Those who served and are serving the nation will be honored in a special way this summer” at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Batavia. Plans are “‘under way for bringing the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall to the Batavia VA grounds June 24-28,’ said Royce Calhoun, assistant medical center director, VA Western New York Healthcare System.” The wall is a “half-sized replica of the actual Vietnam War Memorial Wall” in Washington, DC.
