LVMAC Tidbit: New VA Veteran and Caregiver “Combined” App

App combines telehealth tools for faster service

By now everyone should know that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in love with telehealth; moreover, telehealth apps.  One end result is a multiplicity of them.  On 13 August, the VA announced it had recently launched a new mobile application to save veterans and caregivers time online. It claims the VA Launchpad for Veterans simplifies and organizes several existing tools and resources at one convenient location — to help manage health care needs. (more…)

Forward Observer: Law Suit Filed Over Delay in Blue Water Navy Claims Processing

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 22 July, the Military-Veterans Advocacy, a nonprofit legal organization which had a major role in overturning the VA’s decision not to process Blue Water Navy veterans’ Agent Orange claims through a remarkable legal action (Procopio vs. Wilkie), is now asking a federal judge to rescind a stay on Blue Water Navy claims processing imposed by Secretary Wilkie, aided and abetted by the U.S. Congress for good or ill. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit: Bethany United Methodist Is Doing a Very Special Veterans Project

Bethany United Methodist Church, a member organization, after a fundraising effort, is about conduct a special, community build to improve the quality of life for “Bud” (a 101st Airborne Division, Purple Heart survivor of the Battle of Hamburger Hill) and his wife (a double amputee).  This family was featured at both the Ride for Freedom and the Tribute to Our Freedom in May.

Here is their call to action for volunteers: (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit: Park Service Offers Free Lifetime Access Passes to Disabled Veterans

Veterans with a service-connected disability rating can enter federal parks for free with a Lifetime National Parks Access Pass, which is not not hard to get.  Those with a disability rating of 10 per cent or higher are eligible.  Good for entry into over 400 national parks and  2,000 recreation sites across the country, the Lifetime Access Pass is the National Park Service’s  way of saying thank you to our veterans for their service and sacrifices. (more…)

Forward Observer: How Good is the VA Healthcare System?

LVMAC Poster Art 2005These days many people are attacking the VA for its quality of care, especially those seeking to privatize the system entirely, as opposed to those wanting to improve staffing and access to care (which involves contracting out also).  Most healthcare systems in our vicinity would be found as wanting if held to the same level of scrutiny.  In many instances the problems are furthered by the competition for resources in short supply (e.g. medical professionals) versus the sharing of them — which is typical of other businesses.  Yet, not infrequently the quality of care provided by the VA (socialized medicine, incidentally) is superior; and the reportage on that quality (transparency) is currently unrivaled, frankly. (more…)