This Friday, Oct. 18, the Crawford County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division will be hosting a Wills For Heroes Program for Pennsylvania first responders, military veterans, and their spouses or significant others. Volunteer lawyers will be hosting this free event. Bring proof of affiliation. Veterans, bring a copy of discharge papers DD214, or updated (DD215). It will be held at Acting Aging,1034 Park Ave., Meadville, from 1-7 pm.
Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2019 Now Law
Last Monday, the president signed the VFW-supported Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2019 into law. The new law provides cost of living increases equal to the same increase granted for Social Security benefits. The increase will be for wartime disability compensation, compensation for dependents, clothing allowance, and dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses and children. These increases will take effect on Dec. 1, 2019. The VFW thanks Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.) for introducing this legislation, and for her continued efforts to expand benefits for veterans and their families.
Weekday Walk in Flu Shot Clinics
Walk in flu clinics will be available for Veterans eligible for VA Health Care every Monday through Friday starting Tuesday, Oct. 15.
- Erie VA: 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
- Ashtabula & Meadville VA: CBOC’s on the hour from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Bradford, Warren and Venango: CBOC’s from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19.
TRICARE Drug Costs Increasing for 2020
As a result of skyrocketing prescription drug costs in recent years, TRICARE was mandated by Congress, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, to bring their prescription costs compatible with actual costs of prescription drugs in the civilian medical domain. Starting on Jan. 1, 2020, TRICARE prescription drug costs for beneficiaries are set to rise as much as 42 percent. However, prescriptions filled on base will continue to be free. Copayments for Express Scripts mail-order pharmacy prescriptions will increase for generic drugs, brand name drugs, and non-formulary drugs for a 90-day supply. Cost at retail pharmacies for prescriptions will increase as well for generic drugs, brand-name drugs, and non-formulary drugs for a 30-day supply.
POW/MIA Update
Marine Corps Pfc. Louis Wiesehan, Jr., was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Pfc. Robert J. Hatch was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. John R. Bayens was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Island. Interment services are pending.
Marine Corps Reserve 1st Lt. Justin G. Mills was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Island. Mills was killed on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
