Improvements in veterans care

Looking from the perspective of Kansas City, Mary Sanchez notes that there are new clinics and new technology being used to help veterans as the VA gears up for an 'expansion of veterans receiving benefits.' [Kansas City Star]

Recreation managers learn how to help wounded veterans

A seminar was held, one of 12, to assist civilian managers  of recreation who work on from military bases to learn how to help wounded veterans.

In the past wounded never lived long enough for it to matter. Now with the evacuation procedures, veterans are living longer but finding that many older bases are not handicapped or wounded-accessable.

The seminar is called of “Inclusive Recreation for Wounded Warriors."

[Centre Daily Times]

Hospitals face helping wounded and sick and... budgets

The VA takes a great deal of animosity but part of it can be shared. As the article points out Congress has neglected to 'approve a VA spending bill' 19 out of the last 22 years. Without knowing what they can spend, the VA can't hire nurses, subsidize housing and other important needs.

A new piece of legislation, 'The2009 Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act would require Congress to approve the 2011 veterans health care budget by Oct. 1 when it also passes the 2010 budget.'

This might help all around. [Federal Times]

Article on Army Emergency Relief riles veterans

The Associated Press released an article dealing with the Army Emergency Relief  which said 'that it has been packing more money into reserves than it has spent on aid during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.' This has frustrated many who say it has not helped enough current soldiers with their problems. [Houston Chronicle]

Madigan Army post and hospital vow to better help veterans

In Washington State, Madigan Army Medical Center and the Post have signed a covenant to better care for veterans. 'It comes as about 10,000 soldiers at Fort Lewis are preparing to deploy to combat in Afghanistan and Iraq this spring and summer.' 

It was also signed on the 2nd anniversary of the Washington Post's series on Walter Reed and the care there. [The Olympian]

'Step Up' - safety call for March

The VA is going to have a new "Step Up" safety training campaign aimed at medical personnel at VA hospitals for March 8 to March 14. It was triggered by the discovery of incorrectly installed equipment in Tennessee and Georgia. [The News Leader]

Louisiana tops in homeless veterans

This article says that Louisiana has the largest number of homeless veterans. Specifically this article is about homeless women veterans and a new center that is opening to help them in Baton Rouge. [The News Star]

Philippine veterans thankful for Filvets bill

As part of the Economic Stimulus bill, there was a small thank you to Filipino veterans of World War 2.

The provision granted 'recognition and lump sum benefits' which 'authorized the release of $198-M to make a one-time lump sum pay of $15,000 to each of the Filipino World War II veterans who are United States citizens and $9,000 to each of the veterans, who are not US citizens and are mostly living in the Philippines. The law also protects eligibility for benefits currently received by veterans.'[GMANews.TV]

Alaskan veteran gets run around

Everyone agrees that Richard Creary, an Air Force Veteran, needs rehabilitation therapy. When he had a stroke, and was identified as a veteran, they sent him to a good hospital.

But no one wants to pay for his therapy. [Penisula Clarion (Kenau, Alaska)

Cyber-learning curve at VA

As the government heads into a more computer-based future, esp. with computerizing medical records, there are still doctors and office workers who have no idea of how to work with computers. While many of the younger doctors are computer-literate and prefer it, many older doctors have difficulty adjusting. However, since there will be money allocated to shift to electronic records, these doctors will have to learn quickly. [Computerworld]