Veterans that are enrolled into the VA Health Care System, did you know there is help with issues you might have at a VA Hospital or one of the many CBOCs? They are called Service Level Patient Advocates. They are there to assist you with whatever issues you might have, may it be billing, appointment scheduling, pharmacy, radiology, compensation and pension, just to name a few. Every department has an advocate.
Hearing On Expansion Of Emergency Mental Health Options
Last Wednesday, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing to talk about emergency mental health care options in VA. At the hearing, Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introduced a bill that would allow veterans in need of emergency mental health care services to receive them free of charge through VA or civilian providers. The bill also contains language that significantly expands the population of veterans who are eligible to receive emergency mental health care. The VFW will work with members of the committee and their staffs to make sure veterans who need care are not left without aid but that veterans who are currently eligible maintain priority access to VA services.
TRICARE Expands Coverage for Breast Cancer Screenings
To improve preventive health care services for women, on Jan. 1, 2020, TRICARE expanded coverage for breast cancer screenings to include 3-D mammography (also known as digital breast tomosynthesis). TRICARE will cover 3-D mammography as a population-based, preventive health care service through the provisional coverage program, which requires pre-authorization. TRICARE covers annual screenings for all female beneficiaries ages 40 and older and those age 30–39 who are high-risk and have either a 15 percent or greater lifetime risk of breast cancer as determined by a screening instrument or who meet a risk factor. In a 3-D mammogram, an X-ray source moves over the breast to obtain cross-sectional images of the tissue and this has the potential to improve accuracy in detecting abnormalities and reduce imaging problems due to overlapping tissue and dense breast tissue.
Update Your Information on the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry
Service members and veterans who have already signed up for the registry should make sure that their contact information is up-to-date. Participation in the registry is very important as it will allow VA to track burn pit exposure and possibly draw inferences regarding adverse health effects.
POW/MIA Update
U.S. Army Cpl. Arthur C. Ramirez, 19, of Pima, Arizona, was a member of Battery B, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 6, 1950, when enemy forces attacked his unit near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Ramirez will be buried March 19, 2020, in Marana, Arizona.
U.S. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Cecil H. Thornton, 21, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Thornton. Interment services are pending.
U.S. Navy Seaman 1st Class Warren C. Gillette, 21, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
U.S. Navy Fireman 2nd Class Martin D. Young, 21, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
U.S. Navy Fireman 2nd Class Joseph W. Carroll, 20, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
U.S. Navy Fireman 1st Class Dan E. Reagan, 20, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
U.S. Seaman 1st Class Joe R. Nightingale, 20, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
