Forward Observer
Forward Observer: Vet Center Counseling Now Available During Training or Drill Weekends for the Guard– BUT NOT SO MUCH IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY?
On 27 August the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it had formalized a partnership with the Department of Defense formalized a partnership on 28 June between VA’s Vet Centers and the National Guard Bureau, to provide Vet Center counseling, outreach staff and other services to members during training or drill weekends to decrease their suicide rate — a reputed problem in the Pennsylvania National Guard. (more…)
Tidbits
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
Forward Observer:Â Law Suit Filed Over Delay in Blue Water Navy Claims Processing
On 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…)
Forward Observer
Forward Observer: VA Ordered into Delayed Action on ‘Blue Water Navy’ Veterans
As a result of  Public Law 116-23, Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 signed into law on 25 June, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — having finally acknowledged its responsibility to attend to Blue Water Navy as a result of a recent court decision — has Read more…
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: VA Announces Final Community Care Regulations
On 5 June 2019, the VA finally announced the new rules of the game for three vital services under the MISSION Act of 2018: (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: Women Veterans’ Healthcare
The above, recent flyer from Lebanon VA Medical Center provides us the opportunity to remind our local women veterans that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has improved its women’s health program substantially over the last few years. It is not a perfect system, but it is an improved one. Read more…
Forward Observer
Forward Observer: How Good is the VA Healthcare System?
These 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…)
Forward Observer
Forward Observer: VA Drops Fight Against Blue Water Navy Veterans
Finally, some good news on this matter! The Secretary of the VA, Mr. Robert Wilkie, has just announced the VA will not appeal a January court ruling that ordered it to provide health care and disability benefits to our Vietnam War, “Blue Water Navy” veterans. (more…)