bulletin 160701 (html edition)

7/25/2019 Bulletin 160701 (HTML Edition)

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RAO

BULLETIN1 July 2016

HTML Edition

THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES

! A"ti#l$ Su%&$#t

' (O( ' )

04 == DoD Whistleblowers --------------------- (Retaliation is Alive and Well)

06 == TRICARE Dental Prora! "#$% ------------------------ (&ew Contra'tor)

06 == DoD IT "0#% ---------------------- (a' The Pentaon Prora! Res*lts)

06 == Co!!issar+ ,eneri's se -- (Private .abel Prora! to /ein # CT)

01 == E2'hane nline 3hoin "06% ---------------- (Plan as &o Ti!eline)

05 == DoD Retire!ent "0$% ------------ (Civilian Phased Retire!ent Prora!)

05 == 3/P /enei'iar+ /eneits -------------------- (What The+ 3ho*ld 7now)

#0 == PW89IA Re'overies ----- (Reorted #6 thr* :0 ;& $0#6 < o*rteen)

' *A ' )

#> == ?A Ce!eteries "#4% - (*ndin /ill@s Conederate la /an Re!oved)

#> == ?A 3*i'ide Prevention ":$% ---------------- (otline nanswered Te2ts)

#1 == ?A ?I3TA "#0% ----- (Co!!er'ial ER 3+ste! Will be Rela'e!ent)

#1 == ?A 9oderniation ------------------- (Can It /e doneB < Absol*tel+ es)

#5 == ?A Disabilit+ Ratin "0#% ------- (# # Does &ot EF*al $ with the ?A)

#5 == ?A Privatiation "0>% --------- (9o*thie'e .obb+in Eorts osed)

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#G == ?A Privatiation "06% -------------------- (elena ?ets ose Proosal)

$0 == ?A ?3/ ------------- (?eterans irst Prora! R*le o Two ?iolation)

$# == ,*l War 3+ndro!e ":G% ------ (indin Eviden'e o Ph+si'al Disease)

$$ == ?A 9edi'al 3ta "0#% ----- (A9A osed to APR& tiliation Plan)

$: == De*t+ nder 3e'retar+ or ealth ------- (ow To b*ild A /etter ?A)

$6 == ?A ositals "##% ---------- (Pla+ 3a'es or 7ids Planned &ationwide)

$1 == ?et 3ervi'e Dos "#5% ---------- (?A Will &ot *rnish or PT3D Cases)

$G == ?A A''o*ntabilit+ "::% ------------ (Re!oval A*thorit+ R*les to Reset)

$G == ?A A''o*ntabilit+ ":4% --- (Wh+ .eadershi Re!oval R*les De'ision)

:0 == ?A In ?itro ertiliation "0G% ------ (a!il+ Resear'h Co*n'il Aainst)

:# == ?A Clai!s /a'lo "#>4% ------------------ (Aeals Ts*na!i .oo!in)

:$ == ?A ra*d Waste H Ab*se ------------- (Reorted #6 thr* :0 ;& $0#6)

:> == Tra*!ati' /rain In*r+ ">:% ----------- (Idle Wa'o 9obile 9RI 3+ste!)

:6 == ?A Peror!an'e "05% --------- (Areas That Enender /road Aree!ent)

:G == ?A C3 Phoeni2 "$$% ---------------------- (E!eren'+ Roo! Tro*bles)

40 == ?A /*det Plan o A'tion "0#% -------------- (Clinton8Tr*! Proosals)

' *$t, ' )

4# == ?et Charit+ Wat'h "6#% -------------------------- (WWP ,ets &ew .eader)

4: == Don@t As DonJt Tell "#4% ---- (Dis'hared ?ets En'o*raed to Aeal)

4> == ?et Parin -------------------------- (Aolo+ ,iven or Erroneo*s 3la!)

46 == ?eteransJ Preeren'e "##% -------------- (A. H ?W osed to Chane)

46 == ?et ;obs "#G0% -------------------------------------------------------- (ar!in)

45 == ?et Ce!eter+ Aransas "0$% --------- (/irdse+e < 3hortae o C*sto!ers)

4G == ?et n'lai!ed Re!ains "0#% ---------------------- (:0 onored in Denver)

>0 == WWII ?ets ### ------------------------------------------------- (7leinKenr+)

>$ == bitL That'herKDavid ;M < Doolittle Raider------------------ ($$ ;& $0#6)

>: == Retiree Are'iation Da+s ----------------------------- (As o $G;& $0#6)

>: == ?et irin airs ----------------------------------------- (# thr* :# ;. $0#6)

>4 == ?et 3tate /eneits H Dis'o*nts --------------------------- (Caliornia $0#6)

' *$t L$!i,l-tion ' )

>> == &DAA $0#1 "#4% ----------------------------------- (3M$G:$ < Passed 5>-#:)

>1 == &DAA $0#1 "#>% -------------------- (MRM4G0G 8 3M$G:$ Re'on'iliation)

>5 == DoD Aroriations A't $0#1 ------------------------ (MRM>$G: < Passed)

>5 == /RAC ">0% ------------- (MRM>>40 < A /ill to verride the C*rrent /an)

>5 == DIC "0G% ------------------ (3M:0:$ < C.A /ill Introd*'ed in the 3enate)

>G == ?ADIP "0#% -------------------- (Rea*thoriation A't o $0#6 Introd*'ed)60 == TRICARE Parti'iation ----------------- (MRM>4>5 < t-*t leislation)

60 == ?A 33& se "0#% ---------- (3M:06: < ?eteran@s ID Prote'tion A't $0#6)

6# == ?et /ills 3*b!itted to ##4th Conress ------------ (#606#6 thr* #606:0)

' MILITAR. ' )

6$ == 9*nitions Disosal "0#% -------------------- (P*eblo Deot < 9*stard ,as)

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6: == 9ilitar+ /ands "0#% ----- (3*orters P*sh /a' on .eislative Atta's)

64 == Retire!ent Cere!on+ Proto'ol ---------------- (Can N,odO be In'l*dedB)

66 == 3ele'tive 3ervi'e 3+ste! "#G% ------- (inion < 9ae Wo!en Reister)

61 == Ar!+ Retired .ist Advan'e!ent -------------------------- (ow to btain)

65 == 9ilitar+ Pro!otion Poli'+ ------------------------- (J-or-*tJ as laws)

65 == PT3D P*nitive Dis'hares "0:% ----------- (&ew &av+ Dis'iline Poli'+)

10 == Tr*! 9ilitar+ 9isstes ----------------- (IraF Re'onstr*'tion *nds )

1# == ?et$ #0# ------------ (nline Co*rse or Transitionin 3ervi'e 9e!bers)

1# == Iron Do!e ------------------------------- (Anti-Ro'et Inter'etin 3+ste!)

1: == .ateral Entr+ ------------------------- ( To E-1 or -6 A*thorit+ 3o*ht)

1> == Air or'e Photos -------------------------------------- (WR&99C Thera+)

' MILITAR. HISTOR. ' )

16 == +droen /o!b A''ident #G66 ----- (/->$ Crash w84 /o!bs nboard)

16 == Iwo ;i!a la Raisin -------------------- (ne Parti'iant 9isidentiied)

11 == 7hobar Towers --------------- ($0 ears .aterL Re!e!berin the Atta')

50 == 33 Willia! DM Porter (DD->4G) --------------- (nl*'iest WWII 3hi)5$ == 9ilitar+ Trivia --------------- (Road to To+o < inal ire /o!bin Raid)

5: == 9ilitar+ istor+ ----------------------- (9e*se-Aronne ensive < WWI)

5> == 9ilitar+ istor+ Anniversaries ----------------------------- (# thr* #> ;.)

5> == 9edal o onor Citations -------------- (/a*sell .ewis 7enneth < WWII)

' HEALTH CARE ' )

51 == Tra*!ati' /rain In*r+ ">4% ------ (3t*d+ Dete'ts 9i'ros'oi' 3'arrin)

5G == I?8AID3 "0#% --------------------------------------------- (Did o* 7now)

G0 == Coee Driners "0$% --- (W Reverses Position < It Is ,ood or o*)

G# == PT3D date $#0 ------------------- (T&-#0$ 3. Trials 3how Pro!ise)

G: == 7idne+ Disease "0>% ------------------- (DoD@s &ew Translant Prora!)

G4 == 3lee "0#% ----------------------------------------------- (Tis or I!rovin)

G> == 9osF*itos "0#% ----------- (> /est Reellents or Qia ?ir*s 9osF*itoes)

G6 == .iver Disease -------------------------- (Cirrhosis < Coee I!a't on P3C)

G1 == Tra*!a --------------------------- (.eadin Ca*se o Death nder Ae 46)

G5 == Water Cons*!tion --- (,*idelines to el Ens*re o* Drin Eno*h)

GG == Water Intae H eart Atta' ---------------------------------- (/ad Advi'e)

' FINANCES ' )

#00 == 3o'ial 3e'*rit+ *nd Deletion "##% -------------------- ($0#6 ore'asts)

#0# == 9ilitar+ Retire!ent 3+ste! "$4% ------ (A 9atter o inan'ial 3e'*rit+)

#0$ == 3o'ial 3e'*rit+ Ta2es "0#% ------ (3ho*ld ##5M> .oohole /e Closed)

#0$ == Rent To wn ------------------------------- (/*+er H 3eller Pros H Cons)

#04 == /an ees "0:% ---------------------------------- (40#7 < The Worst b+ ar)

#0> == Worla'e /eneits --------------------------- (Chanes over .ast $0-rs)

#06 == 3avin 9one+ ----------------- (/ed /ath H /e+ond < #0 Wa+s to 3ave)

#05 == Identit+ Thet < 3e'*rit+ reee ------------- (Deend ?eterans Identities)

#0G == Paer 3tate!ents ------ (Wo*ld +o* Pa+ to Contin*e Re'eivin The!B)

##0 == 3t*dent Ta2 3'a! -------------------------------------------- (ow It wors)

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### == Ta2 /*rden or Illinois Retired ?ets -------------------- (As o ;*n $0#6)

' GENERAL INTEREST ' )

##: == &otes o Interest ------------------------------------ (#6 thr* :0 ;& $0#6)

##> == Relationshis ----------------------- (ow to oster The! in #0 9in*tes)

##6 == la Da+ "0:% ------------ (#00thAnniversar+ o Wilson@s Pro'la!ation)

##1 == ,*a!----------------------------- (A!eri'a@s nsinable Air'rat Carrier)

##G == Car verheatin ----------------------- (Eiht Che's to Avoid Proble!s)

#$# == ltraso*nd Dr+er ---------------- (Esti!ated Availabilit+ Abo*t >-ears)

#$# == ood a's ---------------------------------------------------- (7it'hen Tis)

#$: == ,*n Control "0$% ---------------------- (;i! Ti'e Retirees Ater 46-+ears)

#$4 == Ad*lt 3*!!er Ca!s ----------------- (Rela2 and A't .ie s 7id Aain)

#$> == 9A3 4011 -------------------------------------------------------------- (Test)

#$6 == Rare istori'al Photos ------------------------------ (Caliornia Redwoods)

#$6 == /rain Teaser ------------------------------------------------ (Weihin 3t*)

#$6 == ave o* eardB ----------------- (Ad!iral@s Aide ;.

Atta'h!ent - +droen /o!b A''ident #G66

' (o( '

(o( W/i,tl$%lo$", S R$t-li-tion i, Ali$ -nd W$ll

A biartisan ro* o law!aers is *rin a overn!ent wat'hdo to ta'le what it des'ribes as Nersistent

s+ste!i'O roble!s with the handlin o deense and intellien'e whistleblowersM &eedless dela+s and Nrerisal and

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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!is'ond*'tO were 'ited within the inse'tor eneral@s oi'e the ive law!aers said in a letter sent last wee to the

Pentaon inse'tor eneral@s oi'eM The letter was obtained b+ 9'Clat'h+ whi'h has in its reortin detailed

alleations o !ishandlin b+ the inse'tor eneral@s oi'eM The law!aers noted i!rove!ents sin'e a'tin

inse'tor eneral ,lenn ine too over in ;an*ar+M NWe believe however that there are onoin 'hallenesO the

law!aers wroteM NWe write to e2ress o*r 'on'erns reardin what aear to be ersistent s+ste!i' iss*esMO The

Pentaon inse'tor eneral@s oi'e did not resond to reF*ests or 'o!!entM

Cl-i"$ M#C-,3ill 4l$5t7 - ($8o#"-ti# ,$n-to" 5"o8 Mi,,ou"i7 &oin$d - %i9:-"ti,-n !"ou: d$8-ndin! %$tt$"

/-ndlin! o5 /i,tl$%lo$", in t/$ -"$-, o5 d$5$n,$ -nd int$lli!$n#$)

S$n) C/-"l$, G"-,,l$y7 R9Io-7 4#$nt$" ,-y, t/-t ;/i,tl$%lo$", d$,$"$ 5-i" t"$-t8$nt7 5"$$ 5"o8 "$:"i,-l7 -,

t/$ l- :"oid$,) the ,overn!ent A''o*ntabilit+ i'e said it also o*nd lon dela+s when it

anal+ed abo*t #$4 !ilitar+ whistleblower rerisal 'ases overseen b+ the Pentaon inse'tor eneral@s oi'eM The

law!aers ased ine@s oi'e to e2lain what reor!s have been *ndertaen sin'eM NRetaliation aainst

whistleblowers is alive and well at the Deense Deart!entU ,rassle+ 'hair!an o the ;*di'iar+ 'o!!ittee said b+

e!ailM UWhistleblowers deserve air treat!ent ree ro! rerisal as the law rovidesM The+ sho*ld be en'o*raed to

'o!e orward not be treated lie s*ns at a i'ni'MO "3o*r'eL 9'Clat'h+ Washinton /*rea* H 7ansas Cit+ 3tar er'ent s*r'hare b*t a rovision is !ain its wa+ thro*h the leislative

ro'ess that allows the 'o!!issar+ aen'+ to start a Nvariable ri'inO rora! to sell at ri'es dierent than the

'ost ro! the !an*a't*rer or distrib*torM Th*s the+ 'o*ld !ar * the rivate label ite!s to !ae a roitM /*t the

savins to the 'o!!issar+ aen'+ ained b+ a rivate label rora! wo*ld be less than >00000 over the #0-+ear

eriod ro! $0#1 to $0$6 a''ordin to an esti!ate ro! the Conressional /*det i'eM That esti!ate was

in'l*ded in a reort a''o!an+in the o*se-roosed version o the is'al $0#1 deense oli'+ billM The ann*al'o!!issar+ b*det is #M4 billionM Deense oi'ials have said it@s not ossible to entirel+ eli!inate the ta2a+er

*ndin b*t the+ are looin at wa+s to de'rease the ann*al sendinM

The rivate label dis'*ssion started to ain tra'tion as a wa+ to hel DeCA save ta2a+er dollars in the ever-

resent b*det 'onstraints in 9a+ $0#4 when then-?i'e Chair!an o the ;oint Chies o 3ta &av+ Ad!M ;a!es

Winneeld testiied beore the 3enate Ar!ed 3ervi'es Co!!ittee that i DeCA 'o*ld 'arr+ eneri' rod*'ts it

wo*ld be !ore ei'ient and 'o*ld oset at least a ortion o that s*bsid+M e *sed the e2a!le o ib*roen sa+in

that DeCA onl+ 'arried na!e brandsM owever the 'o!!issar+ also 'arried and does 'arr+ a val*e brand

otion that was 'heaer b*t it didn@t 'arr+ a NDeCAO brand labelM Within :0 da+s ater the ind*str+ resentations to

DeCA are inished ;*l+ $$ DeCA will send letters anno*n'in the sele'tion o one or !ore 'o!aniesM The noti'e

to the ind*str+ is not a or!al soli'itation that will res*lt in a 'ontra't b*t a N!er'handisin aree!entO whi'h is not

overned b+ the ederal A'F*isition Re*lationM "3o*r'eL 9ilitar+ Ti!es < 7aren < ;*ne #1 $0#6 %

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

E?#/-n!$ Onlin$ S/o::in! U:d-t$ 06 S l-n H-, No Ti8$lin$

A Deense Deart!ent lan that wo*ld oen online shoin at the e2'hane s+ste!s to all honorabl+ dis'hared

veterans has no ti!eline or 'o!letion oi'ials saidM UThe Ar!+ and Air or'e E2'hane 3ervi'e roosal to

e2tend e2'hane online shoin beneits to honorabl+ dis'hared veterans is bein wored and 'ontin*es to !ae

roress thro*h the Deense Deart!ent said Air or'e 9aM /en 3arisson a Deense Deart!ent soes!anM

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Uowever we are *nable to se'i+ a date when the deart!ent will !ae a de'ision on the roosalM As these

re'o!!endations are re-de'isional it wo*ld be inaroriate to sa+ an+thin !oreMU

The roosal oriinall+ s*b!itted to the DoD b+ AAE3 in srin $0#4 also has the s*ort o the 9arine

Cors and &av+ E2'hane servi'esM It wo*ld allow all honorabl+ dis'hared veterans to !ae *r'hases on the

e2'hanes websitesM It wo*ld not rant a''ess to bri'-and-!ortar e2'hane stores as stations or Class 3i2

lo'ationsM E2'hane oi'ials have said there is a stron b*siness 'ase or oenin online shoin to the abo*t #5!illion honorabl+ dis'hared M3M veteransM ,ivin the! online shoin a''ess 'o*ld rod*'e between $$6

!illion to #M#: billion in ann*al sales the $0#4 roosal sa+sM The res*lt 'o*ld be as !*'h as #05 !illion

ann*all+ in s*ort or 9WR rora!s whi'h rel+ on e2'hane dividends or the b*l o their *ndin a'ross the

servi'es it sa+sM

A Deense Deart!ent reort released earl+ this !onth sa+s that to i!le!ent the lan the Deense Deart!ent

needs to 'hane its e2'hane atronae r*lesM That eort is '*rrentl+ bein searheaded b+ the Deense Resale

/*siness ti!iation /oardM enin 'o!!issar+ shoin to honorabl+ dis'hared veterans is not in'l*ded in

the roosalM nlie the e2'hanes the Deense Co!!issar+ Aen'+ relies on a #M4 billion ann*al ta2a+er

s*bsid+ to oerateM /e'a*se oods there are sold at 'ost l*s a ive er'ent s*r'hare in'reasin the '*sto!er base

to all veterans wo*ld res*lt in hiher ta2a+er 'osts *nder the '*rrent oeratin s+ste! not lowerM "3o*r'eL

9ilitar+M'o! < A!+ /*shat < ;*ne $# $0#6 %


(o( R$ti"$8$nt U:d-t$ 02 > Ciili-n /-,$d R$ti"$8$nt "o!"-8

The Deense Deart!ent on T*esda+ anno*n'ed it will now allow eliible 'ivilian e!lo+ees to artiall+ retire

while re!ainin on the ob art-ti!e to hel better !anae its woror'e needsM The de'ision b+ the overn!ent@s

larest deart!ent to i!le!ent hased retire!ent X nearl+ o*r +ears ater Conress assed a law allowin the

ra'ti'e X 'o*ld s*r other aen'ies to roll o*t their own rora!s to tae advantae o the le2ibilit+M As o !id-

;an*ar+ less than >0 eole a'ross overn!ent had alied or the beneit a''ordin to the i'e o Personnel

9anae!entM That@s be'a*se !an+ aen'ies either haven@t inalied hased retire!ent lans +et that !eet the needs

o their !issions as well as 'olle'tive barainin aree!ents or arenJt oerin the beneit to eliible e!lo+eesM It@s

also ossible so!e ederal e!lo+ees don@t now what their otions are or *st aren@t interested8eliibleM

NParti'iation in the Phased Retire!ent Prora! is vol*ntar+ and reF*ires the !*t*al 'onsent o both the

e!lo+ee and an a*thoried DoD 'o!onent oi'ialO said the ;*ne $# !e!orand*! ro! Peter .evine a'tin

*nderse'retar+ o Deense or ersonnel and readinessM NDoD 'o!onents !a+ li!it the n*!ber o e!lo+ees

in'l*ded in the Phased Retire!ent Prora! as aroriateMO It@s the latest ersonnel-related 'hane that the

Pentaon has *nveiled in re'ent !onths as art o the deart!ent@s broader eort to re'r*it and retain 'ivilian

e!lo+ees and servi'e !e!bersM Aen'ies have broad dis'retion in de'idin how to i!le!entM "3o*r'eL

,ovE2e'M'o! < /+ 7ellie .*nne+ < ;*ne $# $0#6 %


SB B$n$5i#i-"y B$n$5it, S W/-t T/$y S/ould no

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The Deense inan'e and A''o*ntin 3ervi'e (DA3) a+s !ore than $M> !illion retired servi'e !e!bersM A lare

ortion o their '*sto!ers have ele'ted to 'over one or !ore o their loved ones with the 3*rvivor /eneit Plan

(3/P)M Altho*h the+ are willin to a+ to 'over their loved ones !an+ retirees nele't to ed*'ate their loved ones

abo*t the beneits the+ have rovided or the!M nort*natel+ this 'an 'o!li'ate or slow down the ali'ation

ro'ess to

re'eive beneits when the+ are event*all+ reF*ested b+ the a!il+ !e!berM Ever+ !e!ber sho*ld 'onsider

ed*'atin their benei'iaries to hel the! better *nderstand how 3/P worsM ere are a ew *idelines +o* 'an

'over with +o*r benei'iariesM 3*est +o* rint this arti'le share it with +o*r desinated benei'iar+ and store it

with other i!ortant do'*!entsM

T/$ N-tu"$ -nd E?t$nt o5 t/$ SB B$n$5it

3/P rovides +o*r eliible benei'iaries with a !onthl+ a+!ent nown as an ann*it+M The a!o*nt o the beneit is

a er'entae o +o*r retired a+ and it deends *on whether +o* 'hoose *ll or red*'ed 'overaeM The re'iient o

+o*r 3/P ann*it+ is reerred to as the ann*itantM

T/$ B$n$5it, (u"-tion

The 3/P entitle!ent beins *on +o*r death and ends either when +o*r ele'ted benei'iar+ be'o!es ineliible to

re'eive the ann*it+ or when +o*r benei'iar+ diesM

R$-,on, -y8$nt, M-y B$ T$8:o"-"ily Sto::$d

Ea'h +ear DA3 !ails ann*itants a Certii'ate o Eliibilit+ (CE)M DA3 *ses the inor!ation on that or! to

deter!ine an ann*itantJs 'ontin*ed eliibilit+ or !onthl+ a+!entsM I DA3 does not re'eive the CE b+ the

deadline on the or! the+ will sto all a+!ents *ntil the+ re'eive a roerl+ 'o!leted CEM I +o* have not

re'eived a CE ro! DA3 re'entl+ and eel +o* sho*ld have lease 'all their '*sto!er 'are 'enter to reF*est one

at (500) :$#-#050M

R$-,on, -y8$nt, C-n B$ Sto::$d

Ann*it+ a+!ents sto when a benei'iar+ dies or be'o!es ineliible to re'eive the ann*it+M or e2a!le a+!ents

to'hildren nor!all+ sto when the+ rea'h ae #5M Pa+!ents sto or so*ses i the+ re!arr+ beore ae >>M

Continuin! C/ild"$n, B$n$5it, -5t$" A!$ 1

Pa+!ents t+i'all+ sto or 'hildren 'overed *nder 3/P when the+ rea'h ae #5M I an *n!arried 'hild attendss'hool in a *ll ti!e stat*s at an a''redited 'ollee or *niversit+ the a+!ents will 'ontin*e *ntil the+ rea'h ae $$M

Ea'h se!ester DA3 !ails a Child Ann*itantJs 3'hool Certii'ation or! to veri+ the 'hild is still enrolledM I

DA3 does not re'eive the or! b+ the deadline listed the+ will sto all a+!ents *ntil the+ re'eive a roerl+

'o!leted or!M The 3/P ann*it+ will ter!inate at an+ ti!e i the 'hild !arriesM I +o* have not re'eived a 3'hool

Certii'ation re'entl+ and eel +o* sho*ld have lease 'all the DA3 '*sto!er 'are 'enter to reF*est one at (500)

:$#-#050M Children who be'a!e in'aa'itated while still eliible 3/P benei'iaries 'o*ld re'eive a+!ents or lie

i the 'onditions are er!anentM

E55$#t, o5 R$8-""i-!$ on -n Annuity

I the ann*itant re!arries beore ae >> ann*it+ a+!ents will stoM owever i the ann*itantJs !arriae later ends

or an+ reason the ann*it+ a+!ent will restart ro! the date the !arriae endsM The ann*itant is resonsible or

noti+in DA3 o an+ 'hanes to their !arital stat*sMB$n$5it, 5"o8 t/$ ($:-"t8$nt o5 *$t$"-n, A55-i", 4*A

Deenden'+ and Inde!nit+ Co!ensation (DIC) is an award beneit oered b+ the ?AM ederal law revents

ann*itants ro! re'eivin both 3/P and DIC 'on'*rrentl+M When DA3 is inor!ed that an ann*itant is eliible to

re'eive DIC ro! the ?A DA3 will ded*'t the a!o*nt o DIC re'eived ro! the a!o*nt o 3/PM or e2a!le a

s*rvivin so*se is eliible or a !onthl+ ann*it+ o #>00 ro! DA3 and a !onthl+ DIC award o #$>4M#G ro!

the ?A DA3 will ded*'t the #$>4M#G DIC ro! the #>00 3/P and a+ the re!ainin $4>M5# to the ann*itantM

I the 3/P is reater than the DIC award DA3 will artiall+ re*nd the re!i*!s aid into the rora! d*rin the

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10/132

servi'e !e!berJs retire!ent or the ortion o the 3/P that is osetM I the DIC is reater than the 3/P a+!ent

3/P will be 'o!letel+ oset and DA3 will re*nd all basi' so*se re!i*!s aid into the rora! d*rin the

servi'e !e!berJs retire!entM

W/-t initi-t$, t/$ SB %$n$5it -nd /-t ill 8y %$n$5i#i-"y /-$ to do

o*r desinated benei'iar+ be'o!es eliible to re'eive 3/P beneits on the da+ ater +o*r deathM The irst ste a

benei'iar+ !*st tae to re'eive beneits is to reort +o*r death to DA3M 3ee ae $0 or DA3 'onta'tinor!ationM

W/-t /-::$n, i5 t/$"$ i, - d$l-y in "$:o"tin! - "$ti"$$, d$-t/

.ate notii'ation o a retireeJs death !a+ res*lt in b*rdenso!e 'onseF*en'es in'l*din dela+s in inaliin a

!e!berJs

a''o*nt a+!ent o arrears o a+ and the establish!ent o an 3/P ann*it+M A retireeJs entitle!ent to retired a+

ends on the date he or she diesM Thereore dela+ed reortin o a retireeJs death !a+ res*lt in an overa+!ent o

retired a+ that will be 'olle'ted ro! a inan'ial instit*tion the !e!berJs estate or ro! the ann*itant i the

ann*itant is re'eivin retired a+M

"3o*r'eL Ar!+ E'hoes < ;& - 3EP $0#6 %

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

OWMIA R$#o$"i$, > R$:o"t$d 16 t/"u +0 JUN 2016 T$l$

U7eein the Pro!iseU U*lill their Tr*stU and U&o one let behindU are several o !an+ !ottos that reer to the

eorts o the Deart!ent o Deense to re'over those who be'a!e !issin while servin o*r nationM The n*!ber

o A!eri'ans who re!ain !issin ro! 'onli'ts in this 'ent*r+ areL World War II (1:>#>) 7orean War (154#)

Cold War (#$6) ?ietna! War (#6$1) #GG# ,*l War (>) and .ib+a (#)M ver 600 Deense Deart!ent !en and

wo!en -- both !ilitar+ and 'ivilian -- wor in oraniations aro*nd the world as art o DoDJs ersonnel re'over+

and ersonnel a''o*ntin 'o!!*nitiesM The+ are all dedi'ated to the sinle !ission o indin and brinin o*r

!issin ersonnel ho!eM or a listin o all ersonnel a''o*nted or sin'e $001 reer to httL88wwwMdaaM!il8and

'li' on Y*r 9issin@M I +o* wish to rovide inor!ation abo*t an A!eri'an !issin in a'tion ro! an+ 'onli't orhave an inF*ir+ abo*t 9IAs 'onta'tL

9ailL P*bli' Aairs i'e $:00 Deense Pentaon Washinton DMCM $0:0#-$:00 AttnL E2ternal Aairs

CallL PhoneL (10:) 6GG-#4$0

9essaeL ill o*t or! on httL88wwwMdaaM!il8Conta't8Conta'tsMas2

a!il+ !e!bers seein !ore inor!ation abo*t !issin loved ones !a+ also 'all the ollowin 3ervi'e

Cas*alt+ i'esL M3M Air or'e (500) >:#->>0# M3M Ar!+ (500) 5G$-$4G0 M3M 9arine Cors (500) 541-#>G1

M3M &av+ (500) 44:-G$G5 or M3M Deart!ent o 3tate ($0$) 641->410M The re!ains o the ollowin 9IA8PW@s

have been re'overed identiied and s'hed*led or b*rial sin'e the *bli'ation o the last RA /*lletinL

Pae 10o 1+2
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11/132


12/132

The !efense "#$%&'( (ccounting (genc) announced the identification of remains and burial updates of one *.+.

serviceman who had been previousl) listed as missing in action from /ietnam. -eturning home for burial with full

militar) honors is

-- Ar!+ 3tM #st Class Al-n L) Boy$" $$ o Chi'ao will be b*ried ;*ne $$ in Arlinton &ational Ce!eter+ near

Washinton DMCM n 9ar'h $5 #G65 /o+er was a !e!ber o 3ie Tea! As an ##-!an re'onnaissan'e tea!

assined to 9ilitar+ Assistan'e Co!!and ?ietna! - 3t*dies and bservations ,ro* (9AC?-3,) 'ond*'tin a'lassiied re'onnaissan'e !ission in 3avannahet Provin'e .aos when the+ were atta'ed b+ ene!+ or'es and

reF*ested e2tra'tionM D*e to the r*ed terrain the M3M Air or'e C-: e2tra'tion heli'oter was or'ed to *se a

ladder in an atte!t to re'over the tea!M The heli'oter 'a!e *nder heav+ ire and ater re'overin seven o the

?ietna!ese tea! !e!bers bean *llin awa+M Reorts indi'ated that /o+er bean 'li!bin the ladder whi'h

broe as the heli'oter *lled awa+ sendin hi! allin to the ro*ndM The other two A!eri'ans on the tea! and the

re!ainin ?ietna!ese 'o!!ando while at one oint were last seen on the ro*nd !a+ also have started 'li!bin

the ladder when it broeM n Aril # #G65 a sear'h tea! was inserted into the area b*t o*nd no eviden'e o the

!issin tea! !e!bersM

n 'tM :0 #GG$ a oint M3M8.ao Peole@s De!o'rati' Re*bli' tea! traveled to 3avannahet Provin'e to

investiate the 'aseM Two lo'al .aotians reorted seein three !en all ro! a heli'oter in #G65 when the roe

ladder broe as the+ were 'li!binM The .aotians reorted that lo'al !ilitia b*ried the bodies in raves near where

the+ were o*nd b*t the !en were *nable to inoint a se'ii' lo'ationM 9*ltile s*bseF*ent investiations and

three e2'avations o reorted b*rial areas ailed to +ield the re!ains o /o+erM The Deense PW89issin Personnel

oi'e re'eived re!ains ro! an A!eri'an 'itien who 'lai!ed to have re'eived the! ro! several *nna!ed .ao

e!iresM ne o the re!ains was deter!ined to be that o /o+erM To identi+ /o+er@s re!ains s'ientists ro! DPAAand the Ar!ed or'es D&A Identii'ation .aborator+ *sed !ito'hondrial D&A anal+sis whi'h !at'hed his !other

and sisterM

Wo"ld W-" II

The !efense "#$%&'( (ccounting (genc) announced the identification of remains and burial updates of none *.+.

servicemen who had been previousl) listed as missing in action from $orld $ar ''. -eturning home for burial with

full militar) honors are

-- 9arine PvtM -l8$" S) H-"-ld,on :# o .in'oln &ebrasa will be b*ried ;*ne $$ in tM Dode IowaM In

&ove!ber #G4: araldson was assined to Co!an+ C #st /attalion 6th 9arines $nd 9arine Division whi'h

landed aainst sti ;aanese resistan'e on the s!all island o /etio in the Tarawa Atoll o the ,ilbert Islands in an

atte!t to se'*re the islandM ver several da+s o intense ihtin at Tarawa aro2i!atel+ #000 9arines and3ailors were illed and !ore than $000 were wo*nded b*t the ;aanese were virt*all+ annihilatedM araldson died

so!eti!e on the third da+ o battle &ovM $$ #G4:M The battle o Tarawa was a h*e vi'tor+ or the M3M !ilitar+

be'a*se the ,ilbert Islands rovided the M3M &av+ Pa'ii' leet a lator! ro! whi'h to la*n'h assa*lts on the

9arshall and Caroline Islands to advan'e their Central Pa'ii' Ca!ain aainst ;aanM

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13/132

-l8$" S) H-"-ld,on Jo/n F) "in#$

9arine P'M Jo/n F) "in#$ #G o &ew or will be b*ried ;*ne #1 in Calverton &ew orM In &ove!ber #G4:

Prin'e was assined to Co!an+ $nd /attalion 5th 9arine Rei!ent $nd 9arine Division whi'h landed aainst

sti ;aanese resistan'e on the s!all island o /etio in the Tarawa Atoll o the ,ilbert Islands in an atte!t to

se'*re the islandM ver several da+s o intense ihtin at Tarawa aro2i!atel+ #000 9arines and 3ailors were

illed and !ore than $000 were wo*nded b*t the ;aanese were virt*all+ annihilatedM Prin'e died on the irst da+

o the battle &ovM $0 #G4:M Desite the heav+ 'as*alties s*ered b+ M3M or'es !ilitar+ s*''ess in the battle o

Tarawa was a h*e vi'tor+ or the M3M !ilitar+ be'a*se the ,ilbert Islands rovided the M3M &av+ Pa'ii' leet a

lator! ro! whi'h to la*n'h assa*lts on the 9arshall and Caroline Islands to advan'e their Central Pa'ii'

Ca!ain aainst ;aanM

In the i!!ediate ater!ath o the ihtin on Tarawa M3M servi'e !e!bers who died in the battle were b*ried in

a n*!ber o battleield 'e!eteries on the islandM In #G46 and #G41 the 604th Z*arter!aster ,raves Reistration

Co!an+ 'ond*'ted re!ains re'over+ oerations on /etio Island b*t araldson@s and Prin'e@s re!ains were not

re'overedM n ebM $5 #G4G a !ilitar+ review board de'lared araldson@s and Prin'e@s re!ains non-re'overableM In

;*ne $0#> a nonovern!ental oraniation istor+ liht In'M notiied DPAA that the+ dis'overed a b*rial site on

/etio Island and re'overed the re!ains o what the+ believed were :> M3M 9arines who o*ht d*rin the battle in

&ove!ber #G4:M The re!ains were t*rned over to DPAA in ;*l+ $0#>M To identi+ araldson@s re!ains s'ientists

ro! DPAA *sed laborator+ anal+sis in'l*din dental and anthrooloi'al 'o!arison anal+sis whi'h !at'hed

araldson@s and Prin'e@s re'ords as well as 'ir'*!stantial and !aterial eviden'eM DPAA is rate*l to istor+

liht In'M or this re'over+ !issionM

9o9o9O9o9o9

-- Ar!+ ClM F"$d$"i#3 G) Collin, J")7ro! Caliornia died in a ;aanese PW 'a! in the Philiines on &ovM

#G #G4$M e was assined to the $6:rd Z*arter!aster Co!an+ Z*arter!aster CorsM /*rial details to 'o!eM

9o9o9O9o9o9

-- 9arine P'M Rol-nd E) S#/-$d$ $$ o 9a+wood IllM In &ove!ber #G4: 3'haede was assined to Co!an+ 9

:rd /attalion 5th 9arines $nd 9arine Division whi'h landed aainst sti ;aanese resistan'e on the s!all island

o /etio in the Tarawa Atoll o the ,ilbert IslandsM 3'haede reortedl+ died on the irst da+ o the battle &ovM $0

#G4:M /*rial details to 'o!eM9o9o9O9o9o9

-- Ar!+ ClM G$o"!$ G) Si88on, $> o a!ilton 9ontana will be b*ried ;*ne #5 in Corvallis 9ontanaM nDe'M 5 #G4# while 3i!!ons was assined to /atter+ 60th Coast Artiller+ Rei!ent on the Philiine Island o

Correidor ;aanese or'es invaded the PhiliinesM 3i!!ons and his *nit enaed in intense ihtin *ntil 9a+ 6

#G4$ when the M3M ortress o Correidor ellM Tho*sands o A!eri'an and iliino servi'e !e!bers were taen

risoner in'l*din 3i!!ons who was taen b+ shi to 9anila then b+ train and event*all+ on oot to the

Cabanat*an PW 'a!M 9ore than $500 PWs erished in this 'a! d*rin the re!ainin +ears o the warM n

&ovM #G #G4$ #4 A!eri'ans in'l*din 3i!!ons were reorted to have died and were b*ried b+ their ellow

risoners in Co!!on ,rave 1#1 in Cabanat*an Ca! [: Ce!eter+M

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14/132

ollowin the war A!eri'an ,raves Reistration 3ervi'e (A,R3) ersonnel e2h*!ed those b*ried at the

Cabanat*an 'e!eter+ and relo'ated the re!ains to a te!orar+ M3M !ilitar+ 'e!eter+ near 9anilaM In late #G41 the

A,R3 aain e2h*!ed the re!ains at the 9anila 'e!eter+ in an atte!t to identi+ the!M D*e to the 'ir'*!stan'es

o the PW deaths and b*rials the e2tensive 'o!!inlin and the li!ited identii'ation te'hnoloies o the ti!e

all o the re!ains 'o*ld not be individ*all+ identiiedM The *nidentiied re!ains were reb*ried as *nnowns in the

9anila A!eri'an Ce!eter+ and 9e!orial a er!anent A!eri'an /attle 9on*!ents Co!!ission 'e!eter+ in the

PhiliinesM In $0#4 the 3e'retar+ o the Ar!+ ranted er!ission to e2h*!e the ten raves asso'iated with

Cabanat*an Co!!on ,rave 1#1 where 3i!!ons was believed to have been b*riedM The re!ains were a''essioned

into the DPAA laborator+ on A*M $5 $0#4M To identi+ 3i!!ons@ re!ains s'ientists ro! DPAA and the Ar!ed

or'es D&A Identii'ation .aborator+ *sed orensi' identii'ation tools in'l*din !ito'hondrial D&A and -

'hro!oso!e 3hort Tande! Reeat D&A anal+sis whi'h !at'hed the D&A sa!les rovided b+ two 'o*sins

anthrooloi'al anal+sis as well as histori'al and 'ir'*!stantial eviden'eM

9o9o9O9o9o9

-- Ar!+ ClM G$o"!$ ) G"i55o"d #5 o ,rosse Pointe ar!s 9i'hM will be b*ried ;*ne $1 in Arlinton &ational

Ce!eter+M n &ovM :0 #G>0 ,riord was a !e!ber o the :1th ield Artiller+ /attalion $nd Inantr+ Division

when his *nit was atta'ed b+ ene!+ or'es near 7*n*-ri &orth 7oreaM e was reorted !issin in a'tion ater the

battleMIn #G>: the Chinese reorted that ,riord died ebM 6 #G># while bein held risoner in &orth 7oreaM

/ased on this inor!ation a !ilitar+ review board a!ended his stat*s to de'easedM In #G>4 nited &ations and

'o!!*nist or'es e2'haned the re!ains o war dead in what 'a!e to be 'alled Neration ,lor+MO All re!ains

re'overed in eration ,lor+ were t*rned over to the Ar!+@s Central Identii'ation nit or anal+sisM The re!ains

the+ were *nable to identi+ were interred as *nnowns at the &ational 9e!orial Ce!eter+ o the Pa'ii' in awaii

nown as the NP*n'hbowlMO In #GGG d*e to advan'es in te'hnolo+ the Deart!ent o Deense bean to re-e2a!ine

re'ords and 'on'l*ded that the ossibilit+ or identii'ation o so!e o these *nnowns now e2istedM The re!ains

desinated -#40$G were e2h*!ed on ebM $> $0#> so *rther anal+sis 'o*ld be 'ond*'tedM To identi+ ,riord@s

re!ains s'ientists ro! DPAA *sed 'ir'*!stantial eviden'e dental anal+sis and 'hest radiorahs whi'h !at'hed

,riord@s re'ordsM

9o9o9O9o9o9

-- 9arine P'M J-8$, F) M-n,5i$ld #G o Pl+!o*th 9assM was assined to Co!an+ 7 :rd /attalion 5th

9arines $nd 9arine Division whi'h landed aainst sti ;aanese resistan'e on the s!all island o /etio in the

Tarawa Atoll o the ,ilbert IslandsM e reortedl+ died on the irst da+ o the battle &ovM $0 #G4:M /*rial details to

'o!eM

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9o9o9O9o9o9

-- 9arine PvtM H-""y ) Ty$$0 o ,allaher WM?aM was assined to Co!an+ E $nd /attalion 5th 9arines $nd

9arine Division whi'h landed aainst sti ;aanese resistan'e on the s!all island o /etio in the Tarawa Atoll o

the ,ilbert IslandsM e reortedl+ died on the irst da+ o the battle &ovM $0 #G4:M /*rial details to 'o!eM

o9o9O9o9o9

-- Ar!+ Air or'es liht i'er Jud,on B) B-,3$tt $6 o arris Co*nt+ Te2as went !issin on &ovM $5 #G46while ilotin a C-41/ Daota air'rat with two other 'rew!en over 9ala+siaM e was assined to the #:0>th Ar!+

Air /ase nitM /*rial details to 'o!eM

"3o*r'eL httL88wwwMdaaM!il< ;*ne $0#6 %

' *A '

*A C$8$t$"i$, U:d-t$ 1 > Fundin! Bill, Con5$d$"-t$ Fl-! B-n R$8o$d

A !eas*re to bar 'onederate las ro! 'e!eteries r*n b+ the Deart!ent o ?eterans Aairs was re!oved ro!

leislation assed b+ the o*se earl+ $: ;&M The la ban was added to the ?A *ndin bill in 9a+ b+ a vote o

$6>-#>G with !ost Re*bli'ans votin aainst the banM /*t 3eaer Pa*l R+an (R-WisM) and 9aorit+ .eader 7evin

9'Carth+ (R-CaliM) both s*orted the !eas*reM R+an was 'o!!ended or allowin a vote on the 'ontroversial

!eas*re b*t has sin'e li!ited what a!end!ents 'an be oered on the loorM In neotiations to re'on'ile the o*se

*ndin !eas*re with the 3enate bill the 'onederate la rovision was droedM The bill assed the o*se $:G-

#1#M the eiht o*se Re*bli'ans R+an aointed to the 'oneren'e 'o!!ittee that *lti!atel+ stried the

!eas*re o*r had voted aainst the ban on the loorM A ,P aide de'lined to 'o!!ent on the internal deliberations

that led to the re!oval o the banM "3o*r'eL Politi'o < 9atthew &*ssba*! < ;*ne $: $0#6 %

Pae 1=o 1+2
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16/132

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

*A Sui#id$ "$$ntion U:d-t$ +2 > Hotlin$ Un-n,$"$d T$?t,

Al!ost :0 er'ent o te2t !essaes sent as a test to a 'risis hotline or s*i'idal veterans went *nanswered a''ordin

to a ,overn!ent A''o*ntabilit+ i'e (,A) reort released $1 ;&M N*r tests o te2t !essaes revealed a

otential area o 'on'ernO the reort readsM The ,A reort ollows a s'athin inse'tor eneral reort ro!

ebr*ar+ that o*nd so!e 'alls to the hotline were oin to voi'e!ail or didn@t re'eive i!!ediate attentionM The

inse'tor eneral reort ro!ted ba'lash in Conress and the Deart!ent o ?eterans Aairs (?A) in t*rnro!ised to i2 iss*es in answerin 'alls to the hotlineM The ,A reort also addressed the wait ti!e or 'allers and

noted that the ?A is worin on its resonse ti!es to those 'allin the hotlineM /*t no si!ilar attention has been

la'ed on resondin to te2t !essaes it addedM

The hotline re'eived abo*t #:000 te2ts in $0#4 and #6000 in $0#> and ?A oi'ials told the ,A that 51

er'ent re'eived a resonse within two !in*tes in both +earsM As art o its reort the aen'+ sent #4 test te2t

!essaes to the hotlineM those o*r went *nanswered or a rate o $5M6 er'ent o te2ts *nanswered tho*h the

,A se'iied its sa!le is NnoneneraliableMO the rest o the te2ts eiht ot resonses within two !in*tes and

two ot resonses within ive !in*tesM The te2ts sent b+ the aen'+ were si!le reetins s*'h as NiO or NelloMO

That !iht have 'ontrib*ted to the slow resonses the ,A said be'a*se hotline worers tr+ to resond irst to

ones that indi'ate a 'risisM

As to wh+ so!e werenJt answered at all the hotline@s te2t !essain servi'e rovider oered ive ossiblereasonsL in'o!atibilities between devi'es sendin the te2ts !essaes and the sotware the ?A *ses to ro'ess the

!essaes sotware !al*n'tions that reee the hotline@s te2t !essain intera'e ina*dible a*dio ro!ts *sed to

alert resonders o in'o!in te2ts atte!ts to overload the s+ste! with a lare n*!ber o te2ts and

in'o!atibilities between the web browsers *sed b+ the 'all 'enter and the te2t !essain sotwareM The ?A told the

,A it relies on its te2t !essain servi'e rovider to !onitor and test the te2t !essain s+ste! the reort sa+sM

/*t the rovider said it doesn@t 'ond*'t an+ ro*tine testinM NWitho*t ro*tinel+ testin its te2t !essain s+ste! or

ens*rin that its rovider tests the s+ste! ?A 'annot ens*re that it is identi+in li!itations with its te2t !essain

servi'e and resolvin the! to rovide 'onsistent reliable servi'e to veteransO the ,A saidM

The ,A re'o!!ended the ?A test the hotline te2t !essain s+ste! and the ?A areedM In a written resonse

to the reort the ?A said it lans to have a s+ste! to test the te2t !essain servi'e in la'e b+ ;*l+M NThe abilit+ toroa'tive identi+ and 'orre't errors with the ?eterans Crisis .ine (?.C) te2t !essain s+ste! will rovide reater

ass*ran'e that veterans in 'risis are able to rea'h a trained ?C. resonse in a ti!el+ ashionO ,ina arrisee de*t+

'hie o sta at the ?A wrote in a resonse in'l*ded in the reortM N?C. are'iates ,A@s identi+in areas o

'on'ern in o*r te2t !essain s+ste! and intends on *tiliin these indins to !ae i!rove!entsMO In an e!ailed

state!ent 9onda+ the ?A reiterated that it is worin to i!rove the hotlineM UIt is i!ortant or veterans and o*r

e+ staeholders to now that ?A has alread+ roressed orward in several i!rove!ents to ?C. oerations over

the ast two +earsU the state!ent saidM UThe oal o that roress is to !ae the ?C. nothin short o a world 'lass

'risis resonse 'enterMU

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The state!ent later addedL UThe ,A reort o*nd and we 'on'*r that we have areas that we 'an i!rove in

and we are doin that nowMU The ?A also en'o*raed veterans in 'risis or havin tho*hts o s*i'ide or those who

now a veteran who is to 'all the ?eterans Crisis .ine at #-500-$1:-5$>> and Press # or te2t to 5:5$>> or 'hat

online athttsL88wwwMveterans'risislineMnet8ChatTer!s3ervi'eMas2M "3o*r'eL The ill < Rebe''a 7heel < ;*ne $1

$0#6 %


*A *ISTA U:d-t$ 10 S Co88$"#i-l EHR Sy,t$8 Will %$ R$:l-#$8$nt

At a 3enate ?eteransJ Aairs Co!!ittee hearin last wee oi'ials ro! the Deart!ent o ?eterans Aairs (?A)

that the+ intend to *r'hase a 'o!!er'ial ele'troni' health re'ord s+ste! rather than b*ildin one the!selves to

rela'e the 40-+ear-old ?istA s+ste! that the+ '*rrentl+ *seM The head o the ?eteransJ ealth Ad!inistration

(?A) ?A nder 3e'retar+ or ealth David 3h*lin testiied that ?A oi'ials have rea'hed a 'onsens*s that

Nlooin at a 'o!!er'ial rod*'t is robabl+ the wa+ to oO and he added N/*t we need to do this in a wa+ that

in'ororates o*r abilit+ to interate with 'o!!*nit+ roviders and *niF*e needs o veteransO a''ordin to

health'are-inor!ati'sM'o!M

0The digital health platform will be a s)stem of s)stems0 !r. !avid +hulkin wrote in his 2une 33 testimon). 0't is not

dependent on an) particular [electronic health record] and /( can integrate new or e4isting resources into the

s)stem without sacrificing data interoperabilit). #ne of the digital health platform5s defining features will be s)stem6

wide cloud integration a marked improvement over the more than 178 instances of /ist( that we have toda).0

Conress re!ains 'on'erned abo*t the stat*s o eorts *nderwa+ at the Deart!ent o ?eterans Aairs to

!odernie their ele'troni' health re'ord s+ste! the ?eterans ealth Inor!ation 3+ste!s and Te'hnolo+

Ar'hite't*re (?istA)M The hearin o'*sed on e2a!inin roress and 'hallenes with !oderniin IT at the ?AM

Aarentl+ !an+ o the the IT s+ste!s the ?A *ses are 40 to >0 +ears old and ?A CI .a?erne Co*n'il

a'nowleded that with reard to sotware develo!ent lie'+'le N40 to >0 +ears is an'ient in the world o ITMO n

the iss*e o interoerabilit+ with DoDJs Ele'troni' ealth Re'ord (ER) initiative 3h*lin ointed o*t the ?A@s

oint lea'+ viewer '*rrentl+ has #:5000 ?A *sers with !ore than 4M6 !illion veteran re'ords available thro*h itM

3h*lin stressed in his testi!on+ that the >#0 !illion in IT develo!ent *nds iven to ?istA sin'e $0#4 will

not have one to waste sin'e it has not +et been sent Ureardless o whether o*r ath orward is to 'ontin*e with

?istA a shit to a 'o!!er'ial ER lator! as DoD is doin or so!e 'o!bination o bothM e added UWe are

looin at a transition lan that brins ?A into a *t*re state o where all o health'are is oin to need to be and

that@s this iss*e o interoerabilit+ with 'o!!*nit+ roviders the ?A and DDMU "3o*r'eL TREA date < ;*ne $

$0#6 %


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*A Mod$"ni-tion > C-n It B$ don$ A%,olut$ly7 .$,)

3e'retar+ /ob 9'Donald soe at the /rooins Instit*te on $0 ;&M The F*estion headlinin the event was NCan

the Deart!ent o ?eterans Aairs be !oderniedBO 9'Donald@s irst 'o!!ent was NAbsol*tel+ +esMO

9'Donald@s !essae reiterated ?A@s riorities and des'ribed the deart!ent@s athwa+ to s*''essM e re!inded the

in-erson and online a*dien'e o ?A@s e2ansion and rowthM 3in'e he too oi'e ?A has added o*r !illion sF*areeet o h+si'al sa'e #$00 new do'torsM $:00 new n*rses e2tended evenin ho*rs and !ore weeend ho*rsM N&ot

onl+ 'an it be !oderniedit@s alread+ bein !odernied and we@re alread+ seein the res*ltsO he saidM The

transor!ation is haenin in vario*s wa+sM 3o!e o the notable i!rove!ents in'l*deL

A !obile a allowin ?eterans to s'hed*le res'hed*le or 'an'el aoint!ents on their s!arthoneM It is

'*rrentl+ bein ield tested and is e2e'ted to be *ll+ available later this +earM

?eterans will be able to enroll or health 'are online or over the hone beinnin this s*!!erM

?A is trainin e!lo+ees on advan'ed b*siness te'hniF*es lie .ean 3i2 3i!a red*'in waste within the

oraniationM

E!lo+ees are invited to identi+ and s*b!it ideas or best ra'ti'es to be eval*ated and i!le!ented

where the+@re needed !ostM

A*to!ated ioss atherin eedba' ro! the ?eterans reardin their e2erien'eM

The !oderniation see!s to be worinM This ast 9ar'h ?A set a new re'ord or 'o!leted aoint!ents or

one !onthL >M: !illion inside ?AM That@s 1:0000 !ore aoint!ents than in 9ar'h $0#4M .ast is'al +ear ?A

'o!leted al!ost >1 !illion aoint!ents inside ?A and over $# !illion in the 'o!!*nit+ whi'h is nearl+ >

!illion !ore aoint!ents than in the revio*s is'al +earM In addition re'ent s*rve+s taen at o*r a'ilities have

shown nearl+ G0 er'ent o ?eterans are Nsatisied or 'o!letel+ *nsatisiedMO N3o the idea that ?A 'an@t be i2ed or

that we@re not i2in it is *st nonsenseM We are i2in itM We@re *st not inished +etMO To hear his resonse reer to

httsL88+o*t*Mbe8!1R20ihT'I "3o*r'eL ?Antae Point < ;*ne $# $0#6 %


*A (i,-%ility R-tin! U:d-t$ 01 > 1 1 (o$, Not EKu-l 2 Wit/ t/$ *A

When it 'o!es to servi'e 'onne'ted 'o!ensation 'lai!s the ?A taes the view that it sho*ld not add whole

n*!bers toether to et +o*r ratin b*t instead the ?A taes er'entaes o er'entaesM It is as i the ?A sa+s i

+o* are #0\ disabled then +o* are G0\ health+M Thereore the ne2t ratin is not added b*t is *sed to tae a

er'entae o the Yhealth+@ G0\M 3o or a veteran with two #0 ratins the irst ten er'ent ratin wo*ld be #0\ o

#00 whi'h is #0\M The se'ond ten er'ent ratin wo*ld be #0\ o the G0\ (aain the Yhealth+@ er'ent o the

veteran) whi'h is G\M 3o the 'o!bined ratin wo*ld be #G\M The er'entaes are all ro*nded * or down to the

nearest ten er'entM ere the ratin wo*ld be ro*nded to $0\M

The 'o!bined ratin s+ste! starts to wor aainst a veteran when he ets 'loser to #00\M It ets harder and

harder to et that hiher ratin ese'iall+ on'e a veteran is over >0\M or instan'e i a veteran has two ratins o>0\ and two o $0\ the 'o!bined ratin is 50\M 3o even tho*h >0>0$0$0 eF*als #40 in real !ath it is onl+

50 in ?A !athM The dieren'e that it leads to in 'o!ensation is h*eM A''ordin to the ?A 'o!ensation ratin

table a veteran with no deendents rated at 50\ wo*ld re'eive #>>#M45 er !onthM A sinle veteran rated at

#00\ on the other hand wo*ld re'eive $G0:M5: er !onthM This veteran re'eivin a ratin o #00\ whi'h is

onl+ $0\ reater than the 50\ ratin ets al!ost #00\ !ore !one+ a !onth]

There are other a'tors that !ae the ratins 'hane tooM or e2a!le i a veteran has a ratin on ea'h le or

ea'h ar! then those ratins are 'o!bined toether and ive the overall 'o!bined ratin an e2tra boostM Also i a

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19/132

veteran has too !an+ ratins on one ar! or le then ?A stos 'o*ntin those ratinsM *rther a veteran 'an ste *

to #00\ thro*h total disabilit+ d*e to individ*al *ne!lo+abilit+M That veteran !*st show that he 'annot wor and

that he !eets a 'ertain ratinM "3o*r'eL ?eteran &ews &ow < 9att ill < ;*ne #1 $0#6 %


*A "i-ti-tion U:d-t$ 0= > Mout/:i$#$ Lo%%yin! E55o"t, O::o,$d

3o!e o the 'o*ntr+Js leadin veteransJ servi'e oraniations are ressin law!aers to de+ lobb+in eorts and

leislation that the+ sa+ will da!ae veteransJ health 'areM In a letter to Conress $0 ;& The A!eri'an .eion*red law!aers not to listen to veteransJ ro*s that are !erel+ U!o*thie'esU or oraniations intent on

rivatiin Deart!ent o ?eterans Aairs health 'are a !ove that it sa+s will sawn Ua host o billion-dollar

ederal 'ontra'tors rivate !edi'al enterrises and 'ottae-ind*str+ oort*nistsMU

Tho*h the .eion does not identi+ the U!o*thie'esU it aears to be tain ai! at Con'erned ?eterans or

A!eri'a a 7o'h brothers-lined ro* that wo*ld have the ?A overseen b+ a non-roit overn!ent oraniation

while !ovin !ore veteransJ health 'are to the rivate se'torM Those re'o!!endations it'hed b+ C?A last +ear are

in'l*ded in drat leislation that ro!ted the ?eterans o orein Wars to iss*e an a'tion alert last wee warnin

!e!bers that UPoliti'ians *ndits and oliti'all+-!otivated oraniations are *sin the national 'risis in a''ess to

'are at the Deart!ent o ?eterans Aairs as *stii'ation to dis!antle and rivatie the ?A health 'are s+ste! with

so!e even roosin that veterans be 'hared or their servi'e-'onne'ted 'areM The ?W sa+s no]U

The alert drew !ore than 6000 resonses over the weeend a''ordin to the ?W whi'h oined with o*r other

veterans ro*s on $0 ;& to reF*est a !eetin with ReM Cath+ 9'9orris Roders (R-WA) sonsor o the drat

bill the Carin or *r eroes in the $#st Cent*r+ A'tM UWe wo*ld lie the oort*nit+ to e2lain wh+ we believe

ena't!ent o the leislation wo*ld have sinii'ant neative 'onseF*en'es or !illions o veterans who 'hoose

need or rel+ on ?A or !ost or all o their health 'areU reresentatives o the ?W The A!eri'an .eion IraF and

Ahanistan ?eterans o A!eri'a and Paral+ed ?eterans o A!eri'a said in the letter to RodersM

In an e!ail to 9ilitar+M'o! Con'erned ?eterans or A!eri'a deended its ositions on ?A health 'areM

UCon'erned ?eterans or A!eri'a has develoed a biartisan and 'o!rehensive set o reor!s to the ?A that wo*ld

oer all eliible veterans the abilit+ to 'hoose where the+ et their health 'are and whi'h wo*ld ive the e2istin

?A health 'are s+ste! the tools to better resond to the 'hanin needs o the veteran 'o!!*nit+ in order to better

serve those who have sa'rii'ed or o*r 'o*ntr+U C?A ?i'e President Dan Caldwell saidM We have a !ade rob*st

eort to wor with all !aor veteran oraniations in advan'in !eanin*l reor! to the ?A -- in'l*din ones that

are now s!earin *s and others who s*ort !eanin*l reor!s to the ?A with alse and deb*ned a''*sationsU he

saidM

?eterans ro*s are loathe to 'riti'ie ea'h other *bli'l+ reardless o what the+ disaree on as eviden'ed b+

the .eionJs letter whi'h never na!es C?A b*t !aes 'lear it is 'riti'iin a veterans oraniation that endorsed

in'reasin the role o the rivate se'tor in ?A health 'are has oliti'al and ind*str+ ties and has a''*sed other

veteransJ ro*s o bein UinsidersMU Earlier this !onth C?A went ater the Paral+ed ?eterans o A!eri'a a''*sin

it o !is'hara'teriin RodersJ roosed billM U"P?AJs% DMCM insider-leadershi has !ade 'lear that not onl+ will it

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deend the ?A and its own la'e in the Washinton establish!ent at all 'osts b*t also that it is willin to lie and

!islead veterans abo*t the sol*tions bein roosed to deliver !ore ti!el+ 'are to veteransU C?A said in a ress

state!entM

The .eion in its letter on 9onda+ said that Uto s*est that the nationJs larest veterans servi'e oraniation or

an+ other !aor ?3 s*orts a stron and rob*st ?A be'a*se we are so!ehow JinsidersJ or *ninor!ed is ins*ltin

and 'o*nterrod*'tiveMU ,arr+ A**stine e2e'*tive dire'tor o Disabled A!eri'an ?eterans said he is in aree!entwith the .eionJs letterM UWeJve been ver+ vo'al alon with o*r ellow !aor ?3s in s*ortin and i2in the ?AU

he saidM UWeJve !ade it ver+ 'lear we need to i2 the ?A b*t we are s*ortive o the ?A health 'are s+ste!MU The

?W at httL88'awiM'o!8vw8iss*es8alert8Balertid=1$G$>6$6 has rovided a reor!atted editable !essae or

vets to send to their leislators on the s*be'tM It is an eas+ and si!le wa+ or vets to 'onta't their 9e!bers o

Conress and let the! now that ?A health 'are reor! !*st be based on the needs and reeren'es o veterans not

oliti'al rhetori'M "3o*r'eL 9ilitar+M'o! < /r+ant ;ordan < ;*ne $0 $0#6 %


*A "i-ti-tion U:d-t$ 06 > H$l$n- *$t, O::o,$ "o:o,-l

Protesters on $0 ;& stood alon E*'lid Aven*e in elena to de!onstrate their aner and r*stration over a ederal

roosal to rivatie health 'are within the ?eterans Aairs s+ste!M 3tandin near the roadwa+ and 'l*t'hin sins

that read N?eterans or a 3tron ?AO and N3ta the ?AO nearl+ a doen rotesters in the event oranied b+ the

A!eri'an ederation o ,overn!ent E!lo+ees heard a stead+ 'hor*s o 'ar horns honin in s*ortM ,err+

3wane A,E national vi'e resident or Distri't ## said the rotest was in resonse to the Co!!ission on Care

Reort whi'h is looin at alterin the '*rrent str*'t*re o the ?A and rivatiinM

3wane said res*!tive ,P residential 'andidate Donald Tr*! has 'alled or 'losin down ?A a'ilities

altoether and allowin veterans to be treated thro*h other !edi'al servi'esM owever ?A hositals se'ialie in

rovidin 'are *niF*e to veteransM NIt@s the onl+ la'e where the+ 'an o to tal to ea'h otherO he saidM In Aril

so!e !e!bers o the ?A Co!!ission on Care roosed drasti' 'hanes to the ?A s+ste! in'l*din rivatiin o

so!e servi'esM 3wane said it divided not onl+ the 'o!!ittee b*t the entire veterans@ 'o!!*nit+M

The Co!!ission on Care was established ater the $0#4 ?eterans A''ess Choi'e and A''o*ntabilit+ A'tM It is

e2a!inin veterans@ a''ess to Deart!ent o ?eterans Aairs health 'are and how best to oranie the ?eterans

ealth Ad!inistration ind health reso*r'es and deliver health 'are to veterans d*rin the ne2t $0 +earsM It reorts to

the resident thro*h the se'retar+ o ?eterans AairsM 3wane said veterans ro*s oose roosals to rivatie

health 'are and he said b*sinesses that s*rro*nd ?A a'ilities will also noti'e a downt*rn in b*sinesses sho*ld ?A

a'ilities be 'losedM NIt@s wron to sa+ Ysh*t it down@ *st be'a*se it@s broenO 3wane said addin eorts sho*ld be

!ade to i2 itM

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3hawn N9ieO ,ar'ia *bli' aairs oi'er with the ?A at ort arrison said oi'ials there are 'o!!*ni'atin

with *nion leadershi and will 'ontin*e to do soM NThere is no hiher riorit+ or the ?A 9ontana ealth Care

3+ste! than ens*rin that veterans a''ess the hih F*alit+ 'are the+ have earned and deserveO ,ar'ia said via

e!ailM N?A 9ontana rese'ts the *nion and shares their 'o!!it!ent to ederal worersMO e added it is their

'onstit*tional riht to rotest as lon the+ do so in *bli' sa'esM Al Eblad e2e'*tive se'retar+ o the 9ontana

3tate A.-CI was a!on those e2er'isin that rihtM NI thin ever veteran in the 'o*ntr+ sho*ld be alar!edO he

saidM Pat Collins a veteran with $6 +ears in the servi'e 'alled it Na travest+ to sa+ rivatiation is the answerMO

Collins 65 who served in the 9arines and then the &av+ said he was NaalledO the 'onressional deleation

wo*ld even 'onsider rivatiin these servi'esM NWhen I enlisted art o the !essae was YWe@ll rovide +o* with

health 'areM@O "3o*r'eL ,reat lls Trib*ne < Phil Drae < ;*ne $0 $0#6 %


*A *OSB > *$t$"-n, Fi",t "o!"-8 Rul$ o5 To *iol-tion

The Deart!ent o ?eterans Aairs (?A) ro!otes the !a2i!*! *tiliation o ?eteran wned 3!all /*siness

(?3/) as ra'ti'ableM nder the ?eterans irst rora! ?A 'ontra't se'ialists 'ond*'t !aret resear'h in an

eort to see o*t ?3/ ir!s to !eet their needsM ?A is the onl+ aen'+ whi'h sets a oal and whi'h tra'sarti'iation o ?3/sM Additional inor!ation !a+ be o*nd atwwwM?et/iMovand wwwMvaMov8osdb*M

.ast wee the 3*re!e Co*rt handed down a *nani!o*s de'ision that said the Deart!ent o ?eterans Aairs

was violatin the lain lan*ae o the law whi'h said that the ?A !*st set aside !ore 'ontra'ts to be illed b+

veteran-owned s!all b*sinessesM The law stated that 'o!etition or 'ontra'ts sho*ld be li!ited to veteran-owned

s!all b*sinesses when the 'ontra'tin oi'er 'on'l*des that at least two s*'h b*sinesses wo*ld bid on the 'ontra't

and Nthe award 'an be !ade at a air and reasonable ri'e that oers best val*e to the nited 3tatesMO This is nown

as the NR*le o TwoMO

In 7indo!ware vM nited 3tates a s!all veteran-owned b*siness 'alled 7indo!ware Te'hnoloies was denied

the abilit+ to bid on a 'ontra't to rovide a servi'e that sent e!eren'+ inor!ation to ersonnel at o*r ?A !edi'al

'entersM The Co*rt o ederal Clai!s dis!issed the s*it and a divided anel o the M3M Co*rt o Aeals or the

ederal Cir'*it air!ed the de'isionM /oth 'o*rts elt that ?A si!l+ had to !eet its oal o awardin #$ er'ent o

all 'ontra'ts to veteran-owned b*sinesses and that ater that the+ were ree to inore the NR*le o TwoMO

The 3*re!e Co*rt was *nani!o*s that the deart!ent has not *lilled its obliation to steer !ore b*siness to

s!all 'o!anies owned b+ veterans or servi'e-disabled veterans si!l+ b+ !eetin its ann*al oal X it was reF*ired

b+ law to *se the NR*le o TwoO at all ti!esM ;*sti'e Claren'e Tho!as wrote that the law sa+s the deart!ent shall

award 'ontra'ts to the veteran b*sinesses *nder the R*le o Two ro'essM Nnlie the word Y!a+@ whi'h i!lies

dis'retion the word Yshall@ *s*all+ 'onnotes a reF*ire!entO he wroteM The de'ision is liel+ to hel !ore veteran-

owned b*sinesses 'o!ete or the billions o dollars in 'ontra'ts the deart!ent awardsM "3o*r'eL TREA

Washinton date < ;*ne $$ $0#6 %


Gul5 W-" Synd"o8$ U:d-t$ +D > Findin! Eid$n#$ o5 /y,i#-l (i,$-,$

A sinle 'a*se or ,*l War illnesses !a+ never be o*nd b*t resear'h is indin eviden'e o h+si'al disease that

'o*ld lead to better treat!ents !edi'al e2erts said d*rin a or*! in Washinton on eration Desert 3tor!

e2os*res #6 ;&M Ro*hl+ a F*arter o the nearl+ 100000 troos who delo+ed or the #GG0-G# IraF 'onli't have

ill-deined 'hroni' s+!to!s s*'h as oint ain astrointestinal disorders ati*e heada'hes inso!nia and

!e!or+ roble!sM

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22/132

DrM ;a!es /arani* an asso'iate roessor at ,eoretown niversit+ who 'ond*'ts i!ain resear'h on veterans

with ,*l War illnesses said his wor and other st*dies are eroin in on bioloi'al eviden'e or bio!arers in the

brain that rovide roo o da!ae and 'o*ld lead to i!roved treat!entM NWhat is oin on with the brains o the

,*l War veterans o*r ne*roto2i' e2osed veteransB This resear'h has the ossibilit+ to brin 'los*reO /arani*

said d*rin a s+!osi*! hosted b+ the Center or $#st Cent*r+ 3e'*rit+ and Intellien'e at /rooins and

,eoretown niversit+M A''ordin to /arani* the resear'h 'o*ld have ali'ations or *nderstandin non-'o!bat-related diseases lie Alhei!erJs 'hroni' ati*e s+ndro!e and ibro!+aliaM

In !an+ 'ases the 'a*ses o ,*l War illnesses are *nnownM An indeter!inate n*!ber o troos were e2osed

to 'he!i'al weaons when 'oalition or'es destro+ed a storae a'ilit+ at 7ha!isi+a IraF in 9ar'h #GG#M ther

troos were iven anthra2 va''ines 'ontainin an additive sF*alene that !a+ have 'a*sed a rea'tionM 3o!e resear'h

indi'ates that so!e troos had bad rea'tions to the anti-nerve aent +ridosti!ine bro!ide or the antibioti'

'irolo2a'in whi'h also was ad!inisteredM

At the or*! resear'hers veterans and ?eterans Aairs !edi'al leadershi dis'*ssed how ill veterans are arin

and what is bein done to hel the!M DrM Carol+n Clan'+ ?A de*t+ *nderse'retar+ or health or oraniational

e2'ellen'e said ?A whi'h !aintains a reistr+ o ,*l War veterans 'ontin*es to s*ort resear'h on *ne2lained

'hroni' !*ltis+!to! illnesses o'*sin on se'ialied 'are or veteransM A''ordin to Clan'+ ?A rovides

'o!rehensive h+si'al e2a!s to all Persian ,*l War veterans on reF*est and is 'ond*'tin resear'h on dianosis

and treat!entM 3he said the ?A whi'h sent #4 !illion on ,*l War illnesses resear'h in $0#> !*st strie a

balan'e between indin a 'a*se and resear'hin treat!entsM NIt@s 'learl+ not a s+'holoi'al 'ondition whi'h

doesn@t !ean that it doesn@t have s+'holoi'al i!a'tO Clan'+ saidM NWe are 'o!!itted to ens*rin o*r 'lini'al

resear'h eorts tae into a''o*nt h+si'al s+'holoi'al and so'ial health a'torsMO

Re'ent dis'overies at ?A have led to i!roved treat!ent or inso!nia +ieldin better overall health o*t'o!es

or these veterans and i!roved *nderstandin o the astrointestinal s+!to!s she addedM /arani* said ?A

needed to ens*re that its !edi'al ersonnel *nderstood ,*l War illnesses as a h+si'al disease and also needed to

i!rove its tra'in o these veterans as the+ aeM N3o!e o these veterans have l*n 'an'ers brain 'an'ers and +et

there are no statisti's on deathsM It see!s lie with a ro* that is in a reistr+ there sho*ld be a wa+ o tra'in

eoleU he saidM

ReM 9ie Co!an R-ColoM a Desert 3tor! veteran who served with a 9arine Cors liht ar!ored

re'onnaissan'e *nit and now sits on the o*se ?eteransJ Aairs Co!!ittee said he believes ,*l War veterans are a

orotten ro* that deserves 'ontin*ed attentionM NThe resear'h has been inaroriatel+ dire'ted to s+'hoso!ati'

'a*ses and it@s been o F*estionable F*alit+ ^ and there have been F*estionable de'isions on disabilit+ 'lai!s at

?AU Co!an saidM NWe have a lon wa+s to oM The a't that $> +ears have elased and we are havin this

dis'*ssion toda+ is not oodMO "3o*r'eL 9ilitar+ Ti!es < Patri'ia 7i!e < ;*ne #1 $0#6%

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23/132


*A M$di#-l St-55 U:d-t$ 01 > AMA O::o,$d to ARN Utili-tion l-n

The Deart!ent o ?eterans Aairs (?A) sho*ld solve its a''ess-to-'are 'risis b+ tain stes to et !ore

h+si'ians to ra'ti'e in the ?A rather than ivin !ore a*thorit+ to its advan'e-ra'ti'e n*rses the A!eri'an

9edi'al Asso'iation said #> ;&M Une thin I do thin we need to do is !ae it a !ore viable 'hoi'e or do'tors to

enter ra'ti'e in the ?A s+ste!U said A!eri'an A'ade!+ o Pediatri'ians deleate 9elissa ;M ,arretson 9D o

ort Worth Te2as at the A9AJs ann*al !eetin hereM U9+ answer to s'oe e2ansion "or ?A n*rses% is Jell noJ

b*t the se'ond answer is hereJs how we 'an !ae it so !ore h+si'ians are leadin the 'are tea!s and ivin

veterans the best 'are the+ 'anM ThatJs what this resol*tion was reall+ abo*tMU The resol*tion ass

The A9A to wor with the ?A to Uenhan'e its loan oriveness eorts to *rther in'entivie h+si'ian

re'r*itin and retention and i!rove atient a''ess in ?A a'ilitiesMU

The A9A to U'all or an i!!ediate 'hane in the P*bli' 3ervi'e .oan oriveness Prora! to allow

h+si'ians to re'eive i!!ediate loan oriveness when the+ ra'ti'e in a ?A a'ilit+MU

An additional art o the resol*tion -- roosed b+ C+ndi a-oward 9D o &ales laM a

der!atoloist and deleate ro! the A!eri'an A'ade!+ o Der!atolo+ and aroved b+ the o*se o

Deleates -- 'alled on the A9A to wor with the ?A to !ini!ie ad!inistrative barriers that Udis'o*rae or

revent non-?A h+si'ians witho*t 'o!ensation ro! vol*nteerin their ti!e to 'are or o*r veteransMU

oward detailed her own dii'*lties tr+in to vol*nteer her ti!e in an advan'ed lasti' s*rer+ 'lini' or

the ?AM UI had to tae two tests et inerrinted have a h+si'al e2a! et bloodwor o thro*h a inal

vettin ro'ess and travel "$ #8$ ho*rs ea'h wa+% ba' and orth !*ltile ti!es beore -- # +ear later -- I

'o*ld see !+ irst atientU oward said notin that the 'lini' has sin'e been 'losed or vario*s reasonsM

The A9A to Uadvo'ate that the ?A be *nded to a+ h+si'ians at or above the revailin rate in their

'o!!*nitiesU This was was reerred to the A9A /oard o Tr*stees or a reort ba'M

The ?A has roosed ivin advan'ed-ra'ti'e ?A n*rses indeendent ra'ti'es to address roble!s with a''ess

to 'are in the ?A s+ste!M That roosal has drawn a lot o 'riti'is! ro! h+si'ians and an A9A roosed

resol*tion deno*n'in the ?AJs !ove was the s*be't o heated dis'*ssion at an A9A reeren'e 'o!!ittee !eetin

on #$ ;&M UWith the ossible e2'etion o !aintenan'e o 'ertii'ation there is no !ore i!ortant resol*tion

beore this ho*seU said 9i'hael ,reene 9D a a!il+ h+si'ian in 9a'on ,aM and a !e!ber o the ,eoria

deleationM UIt wo*ld 'o!letel+ 'hane the lands'ae o !edi'ine oin orward i the+ instit*te itM I the+ do I 'an

*arantee +o* there will be eole with it'hors at the doors o stateho*ses sa+in JI itJs ood eno*h or the ?A

itJs ood eno*h or +o* we want indeendent ra'ti'eMJ This has ot to have a stae driven into its heartMU "3o*r'eL

PIA &ews Release < 9a+ $G $0#6 %


($:uty Und$" S$#"$t-"y 5o" H$-lt/ > Ho To %uild A B$tt$" *A

!r. -ichard +tone knows a thing or two about massive reorgani9ations of government health care s)stems. (s

former !irector of the :ealth ;are #perations at the !epartment of !efense +tone helped oversee the transition

from the &ilitar) :ealth +)stem to the new !efense :ealth (genc) which manages the medical care for the nations

entire militar). Now as the !epartment of /eterans (ffairs new "rincipal !eput) *nder +ecretar) for :ealth +tone

is again in a position of overseeing an organi9ation e4periencing massive changes. +tone talked to +enior -eporter

;arten ;ordell about the challenge of building a health s)stem that can meet the need of the nations veterans.

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) .ou$ o%iou,ly %$$n :-"t o5 %i! !o$"n8$nt t"-n,ition, in ,$ttin! u: (HA) Co8in! into t/i, :o,ition7

/-t #/-ll$n!$, did you ,$$ t/-t 8-d$ it -tt"-#ti$

A) 3o when I retired ro! the Deart!ent o Deense we had *st inished all the b*siness ro'ess reenineerin

and the b*siness 'ase anal+sis that drove the stand-* o the Deense ealth Aen'+M And as we stood * the

Deense ealth Aen'+ it was 'lear to !e at that oint that ver+ lare 'o!le2 oraniations 'an !ove orward in

a ver+ s+ste!ati' !anner in drivin toward *niied ro'essesM 3hared servi'es is what we 'all the!M The oort*nit+

here at ?A is this is a reall+ ver+ ood s+ste! ro! a F*alit+ standoint b*t itJs hihl+ de'entralied in its oerationM

There are #40 searate oeratin sites that do a reat ob b*t the+Jre oeratin indeendentl+M Thereore there is

tre!endo*s varian'e in what weJre deliverinM And the oort*nit+ here is to reall+ drive toward sinlestandardiationM ItJs what we 'all the oeratin 'o!an+ !odel !ovin ro! this ver+ de'entralied to a !ore

'entralied aroa'hM &ow that doesnJt !ean thereJs not 'reativit+ and innovation in the worla'e +o* still have

thoseM o* need that in !edi'ine to !ove orwardM /*t the real oort*nit+ the real 'hallene here is 'an +o* brin

this toether as a *ll+ interated health 'are s+ste! deliverin hih-F*alit+ servi'es and !eetin the needs o o*r

veteran o*lationM

The other 'hallene here is sheer rowthM This is one o the ew health 'are s+ste!s thatJs rowin a!ainl+

raidl+ artl+ be'a*se o the ain o o*r veteran o*lationM *r ?ietna! veterans are ettin olderM /e'a*se o

the war thatJs been oin on or all these +ears weJve had a tre!endo*s in'rease !ore than two and a hal !illion

additional veterans that are now seein 'are ro! *sM And those veterans have reall+ 'o!le2 health 'are roble!sM

The averae veteran who is on disabilit+ has nine to #: disablin 'onditionsM 3o these are ver+ 'o!le2 atients an

in'reasin n*!ber o atients 'hallenin a s+ste!M

) Wit/ *i,tA7 t/$ *A, $l$#t"oni# /$-lt/ "$#o"d, ,y,t$87 /-t i, t/$ #/-ll$n!$ o5 d$,i!nin! it to 8$$t u,$",

n$$d,

A) 3o the ?istA s+ste! was one o the oriinal i not the oriinal ele'troni' !edi'al re'ordM The visionaries ba'

in the #G50s and late #G10s that stood * the ?istA s+ste! reall+ were ahead o the rest o A!eri'an !edi'ine and

develoed this ele'troni' !edi'al re'ords s+ste! that reall+ has served *s so well or these 40 +earsM /*t as +o* are

aware ro! +o*r own 'o!*ter the 'hanes are haenin so F*i'l+ that we reall+ are beinnin to o*trow the

?istA s+ste!M And it is tain a air a!o*nt o assets to ee that old s+ste! r*nnin and to reall+ *date it to the

level we needM It needs to be *dated in '+berse'*rit+M It needs to be *dated in o*r abilit+ to s'hed*le aoint!ents

or atientsM

It@s one o the str*les weJre havin be'a*se we do #60000 atients and visits a da+M We have *st released orare a'tivel+ releasin the ?istA s'hed*lin enhan'e!ent or ?3EM That enhan'e!ent will hel o*r $>000 s'hed*lers

wor !ore ei'ientl+ in s'hed*lin veterans@ needsM &ow thereJs been lots o dis'*ssion *on whether that lator!

the ?istA lator! 'o*ld lead *s into the *t*reM ThatJs a de'ision that we have not !ade +et b*t is one that we are

tain a ver+ serio*s loo atL What does this loo lieB What reall+ intri*es *s is sho*ld !edi'al 'are be !ovin to

a lator! in whi'h we 'an download asB And !a+be instead o #40 or a tho*sand dierent ieldins o a !edi'al

re'ord s+ste! we 'o*ld have an a that is downloadedM ranl+ ind*str+ is not there +etM I +o* loo at !ost o the

!aor vendors o ele'troni' !edi'al re'ords the+@re in !ore o a traditional viewointM

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We are a'tivel+ in dis'*ssions stratei'all+ here as well as looin o*t at ind*str+ tr+in to see where this is

oinM And I thin within the ne2t ew !onths +o*Jll bein to see so!e de'isions and dialo*e o''*rrinM I thin

so!e o that dialo*e o''*rred in testi!on+ "on Aril#4% beore the "o*se ?eterans Aairs health s*b'o!!ittee%

where the honorable .a?erne Co*n'il a't*all+ had so!e dis'*ssion o the a't that we 'ontin*e to loo to tr+ and

!ae the riht de'isionM

) S:$-3in! o5 M,) Coun#il7 ,/$ 8$ntion$d t/-t *i,tA /-d -#/i$$d int$"o:$"-%ility it/ (o(, ($5$n,$H$-lt/#-"$ M-n-!$8$nt Sy,t$8, Mod$"ni-tion 4(HMSM in A:"il7 /i#/ -, - %i! !o-l) Gi$n t/-t t/$

in5o"8-tion i, "$-d9only7 %ut it i, ,/-"$-%l$7 /-t -"$ t/$ n$?t ,t$:, 5o" t/$ d$$lo:8$nt o5 t/$ to ,y,t$8,

A) 3o loo we need to 'elebrate *st a bit and be ver+ ro*d o the a't that or the irst ti!e in A!eri'an !edi'ine

weJve been able to et !aor oraniations to show their data to ea'h otherM And thatJs to the beneit o o*r a'tive-

d*t+ servi'e !e!bers as well as o*r veteransM As we o thro*h that ro'ess the abilit+ to see ea'h otherJs data is

a''eleratin at an e2traordinar+ rateM Well over a !illion re'ords between the two deart!ents have been a''essed

and eole are worin thro*h b*t thatJs assive seein o dataM 3o I 'an loo ba' at +o*r last ive visits in

Deart!ent o DeenseM I 'an see what was doneM It hels !e not reeat thins hels !e *nderstand what +o*r

histor+ is b*t itJs not live interoerabilit+M

We have a lieti!e 'o!!it!ent to o*r veteransM The+ !oveM 3o whether the+Jre bein 'ared or in .on Island or

in Phoeni2 or 3an Dieo or lorida o*r abilit+ to see those re'ords is one o the 'hallenes that weJve had even

within o*r own s+ste!M 3o the ne2t thin we wo*ld lie to do is +o* !iht be travelin in Phoeni2 and need health

'areM Wo*ldnJt it be reat i +o* 'o*ld 'all +o*r rovider or intera't in so!e !anner with +o*r rovider ba' in

.on IslandB And the+ 'o*ld then intera't with the re'ords s+ste! in this other siteM o* as abo*t whatJs the ne2t

hase o interoerabilit+B ItJs a live intera'tion to a'ilitate health 'areM ItJs not *st assive viewinM Tr*e

interoerabilit+ !eans that wherever +o*Jre at +o* 'an et 'are ro! +o*r rovider re!otel+M

) .ou 8$ntion$d t/$ n$?t ,t$:,7 t/$ S$n-t$ -::"o:"i-tion, #o88itt$$ &u,t -::"o$d 5undin! on A:"il 1+

5o" ,$"i#$, not only "$l-t$d to EHR7 %ut t/$n -l,o t$l$/$-lt/ ,$"i#$, -, $ll) T/i, i, o%iou,ly ,o8$t/in!

t/-t, !oin! to %$ - %i! %$n$5it in t/$ d$$lo:8$nt o5 t/o,$ :"o#$du"$,)

A) It is be'a*se there are areas o the 'o*ntr+ where we have tro*ble re'r*itin vario*s roessionalsM .et !e ive

+o* the e2a!le o eatitis CM eatitis C is a hihl+ 'o!le2 disease to treat and thereJs too ew heatitis e2ertsin this 'o*ntr+M Thereore o*r abilit+ to *se tele!edi'ine tele'ons*ltation with a ri!ar+ 'are do'tor in one art o

the 'o*ntr+ with a eatitis e2ert or another is so!ethin we need to be able to doM

Toda+ weJre doin over $ !illion tele!edi'ine 'ons*ltations a +earM And so itJs an e2traordinar+ advan'e and

brins +o* the abilit+ that i +o*r oto!etrist is seein so!ethin in the retina o +o*r e+e the abilit+ to trans!it the

i!ae o the retina to a retina se'ialist in another art o the 'o*ntr+ is the advantae o a s+ste! lie o*rsM That we

'an et +o* a 'ons*ltation while +o*Jre sittin riht in the 'hair with the oto!etristM 3o tele-ohthal!olo+ tele-

IC servi'es where we 'an 'ons*lt with the vario*s *l!onar+ and 'riti'al 'are se'ialists even when +o*Jre in a

s!all hosital re!otel+ are thins that we 'an do that ranl+ is one o the reasons I 'a!e to the ?AM We have the

abilit+ to do thins that no one else 'an doM

) Int$"o:$"-%ility it/ t/$ (o( i, - %i! /u"dl$ to /-$ &u8:$d) I, int$"o:$"-%ility it/ :"i-t$ n$to"3,

t/$ n$?t #/-ll$n!$

A) It is and thereJs a thereJs a roe't 'alled the 3eF*oia Proe't that has bro*ht h*ndreds o hositals toetherM We

toda+ have a''ess to abo*t $> er'ent o A!eri'a@s 'o!!er'ial hositals and we will raise that to abo*t >0 er'ent

so that i +o* et a ortion o +o*r 'are o*t in the 'o!!er'ial sa'e and a ortion o +o*r 'are inside the ?A "+o*

have% the abilit+ to interate and see that in real ti!e and not wait or reortsM

o* now in !+ :0-l*s +ears o !edi'al ra'ti'e I wo*ld send so!ebod+ to a se'ialist b*t then IJd have to

wait so!eti!es wees to et a reort ba'M r I wo*ld have to et on the hone and 'all and sa+ NWell what did +o*

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seeBO And then it was si!l+ telehoni'M There was no lab reorts with it and no sort o or!al reort that I 'o*ld

reall+ wor ro!M The abilit+ to see in real ti!e is so!ethin that we have to be able to rea'h into the 'o!!er'ial

sa'e to doM And we thin that the+Jll be a balan'e between the Deart!ent o Deense o*r a'ade!i' artners in the

'o!!er'ial hositals the r*ral hositals in A!eri'a as well as o*r #40 hositals and #000 o*tatient 'lini'sM

) C-n you t-l3 -%out /y t/$ to ,y,t$8, -"$ %$tt$" t/-n on$7 -nd /-t -d-nt-!$, t/$ *i,tA ,y,t$8

o"3in! it/ (HMSM ,y,t$8 :"oid$

A) 3o I 'anJt tell +o* wh+ the+Jre better than oneM And I wo*ld sa+ to +o* that what we tr+ to do is over'o!e the

short'o!ins o havin one oraniation oin one road and another oraniation oin anotherM /*t thatJs not

dissi!ilar to the a't that we deal with eiht or #0 dierent !edi'al re'ord s+ste!s o*t in the 'o!!er'ial sa'eM

And we donJt e2e't there to be a sinle ederal s+ste! that ever+bod+ has to be on the sa!eM

The ";oint .ea'+ ?iewer% thatJs what weJre able to see all these dierent re'ord s+ste!s inM Co!!er'ial sa'e

DoDJs s+ste! and o*r ?istA s+ste! are on a sinle viewerM &ow weJre a't*all+ enhan'in that we have an advan'ed

s+ste! 'alled the "Enterrise ealth 9anae!ent Prora!% s+ste!M And that enhan'ed viewer will bein to allow

*s to !ove to that intera'tion I taled abo*t earlierM What o*r tho*ht is is that weJll never brin ever+bod+ toether

in A!eri'a into a sinle s+ste!M We !*st overla+ that with a viewer that !aes it eas+ or o*r rovidersM *r

roviders haen to be ver+ ha+ with the ?istA s+ste!M The+Jve rown * with that the+Jve been *sin itM *r

s'hed*lers are not so e2'itedM /*t o*r abilit+ to *se that s+ste! is ood b*t weJre tr+in to overla+ it with the t+e

o viewer that we thin !a+ be the !odel or the rest o A!eri'a so that itJs al!ost transarent to o*r roviders

whatever ele'troni' re'ord s+ste! we@re onM

&ow the ele'troni' re'ord s+ste! ro! a te'hni'al standoint has to be '+ber-se'*reM It has to oerate in the

!anner that I taled abo*t earlier with o*r abilit+ to download as and reall+ !ove to a lator!-based !odelM /*t

I thin i we !ae it transarent to o*r roviders weJll 'ontin*e to i!rove their satisa'tion with *sin these toolsM

) O%iou,ly7 t/$"$, - lot o5 #oo:$"-tion %$t$$n *A -nd (o( -nd -l,o t/$ ($:-"t8$nt o5 H$-lt/ -nd

Hu8-n S$"i#$, in d$5inin! t/-t int$"o:$"-%ility -nd o"3in! t/o,$ :i$#$, to!$t/$")

A) There is b*t +o* now this whole entire ind*str+ the health 'are ind*str+ is a lon wa+ ro! what +o* and I are

*sed to in lie the banin ind*str+M o* now the banin ind*str+ areed on 'o!!on wa+s o storin dataM 3o

+o* 'an now wal into +o*r as station wal * to a little ortal and t+e in a ew n*!bers with +o*r 'ard anda't*all+ 'onne't to +o*r banM 3o or !an+ o *s we never end * oin into a ban an+!ore be'a*se we do it

ele'troni'all+M

ealth 'are in A!eri'a has not rea'hed the oint o even a 'o!!on atient identiierM And so weJre a lon wa+ ro!

where so!e other ind*stries are in 'o!!on data storae and *tiliation o dataM And as lon as +o* have that +o*Jre

oin to have to overla+ it was so!ethin elseM &ow a lot o eole wo*ld lie to thin that DoD and ?A will solve

all o their roble!s b+ bein on a 'o!!on lator!M /*t I said to +o* earlier that we b*+ 60000 visits a da+ o*t in

the 'o!!er'ial sa'e or the beneit o o*r veteransM We have to be able to see that dataM It wonJt be over'o!e even

i DoD and we aree and we !a+ in the *t*reM We have not !ade that de'ision +etM

"3o*r'eL ederal Ti!es < Carten Cordell < ;*ne #1 $0#6 %


*A Ho,:it-l, U:d-t$ 11 S l-y S:-#$, 5o" id, l-nn$d N-tionid$

The ?A has artnered with the nonroit oraniation U7a/9]U in an eort to 'reate la+ sa'es or +o*n

'hildren visitin a!il+ !e!bers at ?A hositalsM The initiative will have 7a/9] rovide la+ sa'es to

hositals a'ross the 'o*ntr+M UWhen veterans are dealin with a serio*s illness or in*r+ it 'an be in'redibl+ stress*l

or their a!ilies ese'iall+ those with +o*n 'hildrenU said 3e'retar+ o ?eterans Aairs Robert 9'DonaldM U*r

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artnershi with 7a/9] will enable *s to *se the si!le art o la+ to hel ee the 'hildren and a!ilies o

veterans ha+ and health+MU

The ?A has been the 'enter o several 'ontroversial iss*es over the last two +ears in'l*din the !ani*lation o

data showin how lon veterans are waitin or 'are the inabilit+ to ire 'orr*t and nelient oi'ials and

h*ndreds o !illions o dollars on 'onstr*'tion 'ontra'tsM owever the ?A said the la+ro*nd initiative is bein

sonsored b+ Car9a2 whi'h has !ade a U!*lti-!illion dollar 'o!!it!entU to b*ild o*r *ll-s'ale la+ro*nds

and rovide :0 rants or 7a/9]Js UI!aination Pla+ro*ndsU a'ross the 'o*ntr+M Toether the ro*s will

deter!ine whi'h ?A sites have the reatest need or la+ areas and the+ have alread+ identiied ?A 9edi'al Centers

and ?A isher o*ses as ideal otential lo'ationsM UThro*h o*r artnershi ?A toether we are honorin and

showin 'o!!it!ent to ?eterans and !ilitar+ a!ilies b+ en'o*rain la+ arti'*larl+ or ids who need it !ostU

said 7a/9] CE ;a!es 3iealM "3o*r'eL Washinton E2a!iner < ,abriella Ci*etelli < 68#48#6 %


*$t S$"i#$ (o!, U:d-t$ 1 > *A Will Not Fu"ni,/ 5o" TS( C-,$,

Desite s*'h ane'dotal eviden'e - and resear'h that shows how dos hel veterans 'oe with ost-tra*!ati' stress -the ?eterans ealth Ad!inistration does not 'over the tho*sands o dollars it 'osts to et and train a servi'e doM

Criti's bla!e the aen'+@s b*rea*'ra'+ and a b*nled st*d+M As a res*lt hel is *naordable to !an+ desite

overn!ent esti!ates that $$ veterans ill the!selves ever+ da+ and resear'h that 'onne'ts tho*hts o s*i'ide with

the ost-tra*!ati' stress s*ered b+ nearl+ a third o veterans whoJve served sin'e 3etM ## $00#M

In a $0#0 b*det bill Conress dire'ted the Deart!ent o ?eterans Aairs to st*d+ the *se o servi'e dosM The

st*d+ was s*osed to have been inished in $0#4 b*t it was s*sended when dos the aen'+ ot ro! a 'ontra'tor

had behavior roble!s and bit two 'hildrenM The aen'+ redesined the #$ !illion st*d+ whi'h is not e2e'ted to

be inished *ntil ne2t +ear DrM 9i'hael allon the ?A@s 'hie veterinarian told a o*se 'o!!ittee in ArilM A

de'ision on 'overin 'osts o dos or veterans with !ental disorders wonJt be !ade *ntil at least the ollowin +earM

The ?A now hels a+ or so!e servi'e dos b*t onl+ those *sed b+ veterans with vision and other h+si'al

roble!sM

Criti's o the aen'+ in'l*din ReM Ron De3antis (R-.) 'hair!an o the o*se Co!!ittee on versiht and

,overn!ent Reor!@s national se'*rit+ s*b'o!!ittee sa+ itJs wastin ti!eM N?eterans 'annot wait *ntil $0#5M The

roble! o veteran s*i'ides is too *rentO De3antis a lie*tenant 'o!!ander in the M3M &aval Reserve said d*rin

the Aril hearinM De3antis has introd*'ed the P*ies Assistin Wo*nded 3ervi'e 9e!bers A't the UPAW3 A'tU

to 'reate a #0 !illion roe't settin aside * to $1000 er do or veterans dianosed with the !ost severe or!s

o PT3DM 9one+ wo*ld 'o!e o*t o a ?eterans Aairs b*det or thins lie 'onvention lannin and oi'e de'orM

The o*se ?eterans Aairs 'o!!ittee is s'hed*led to hear the bill ne2t weeM The roe't will Nens*re o*r veterans

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have a''ess to the otentiall+ lie-savin treat!ent o a servi'e do as well as 'o!!issionin a st*d+ to eval*ate

the ee'tiveness o servi'e dos in treatin ost-tra*!ati' stressO said 7ate Rosario a soeswo!an or ReM 7eith

Roth*s (R-PA) in an e!ailM Roth*s is 'o-sonsorin the billM

Ror+ Dia!ond e2e'*tive dire'tor o 7Gs or Warriors a lorida nonroit that rovides #G$ veterans a +ear with

servi'e dos said his ro* has heled veterans red*'e !edi'ations handle an2iet+ and a'e ewer niht terrors or

tho*hts o s*i'ideM NRiht now is the ti!e to a't - not ater the ?A ets its a't toether b*t riht nowO Dia!ond

saidM

Resear'h also shows the dosJ *se*lnessM Earl+ indins o a st*d+ b+ the Center or the *!an-Ani!al /ond at

P*rd*e niversit+ show servi'e dos red*'e the severit+ o PT3D a!on veterans in'l*din the reF*en'+ o niht

terrors and an2iet+ atta'sM E!!an*el /ernadin said the do N/roneO he ot thro*h 7Gs or Warriors doesnJt

!ae PT3D o awa+ b*t hels hi! 'oeM /ernadin has had s*i'idal tho*hts ive or si2 ti!es on'e while still

servin in Ahanistan and the rest as he@s tried to deal with what he went thro*h thereM /rone - as in /rone

!edal - oes with the El Paso Te2as !an wherever he oesM e said the ren'h !asti is so essential to his 'oin

with eelins o *ilt and aner at ti!es heJs 'hosen to be ho!eless in order to aord its oodM

The !e!or+ o one in'ident ro! $0## !aes hi! brea downM /ernadin whoJd enlisted in the M3M &av+ b*t

vol*nteered to serve in the Ar!+ *nder a rora! to bolster or'es in Ahanistan was assined to relieve an oi'er

at another 'a! who was oin on leaveM e 'a*ht a transort earlier than s'hed*led to et there earl+ and learn

how the other *nit did thinsM is oriinal ride - the tr*' he was s*osed to be on - was blown *M Ever+one on it

was illedM /ernadin said he still wonders abo*t the soldier was iven his seatM n'e b*o+ed b+ a sense o *rose

and Uihtin or reedo!U in Ahanistan /ernadin who is Ari'an A!eri'an ret*rned ho!e to *ne!lo+!ent and

ra'ial strie over the illins o Tra+von 9artin b+ a neihborhood wat'h vol*nteer in lorida and Eri' ,arner b+

oli'e in 3taten Island &ew orM is !arriae endedM Co-worers !o'ed hi! or hittin the ro*nd when air

'onditioners !ade lo*d noisesM

/ernadin said he re'alled videos shown to servi'e !e!bers beore their dis'hare warnin o oioid ab*se and

ho!elessnessM The+ see!ed lie visions o his *t*reM Rather than indin a ?A !edi'al s+ste! that honored his

servi'e he en'o*ntered lon waits and so!e sta who didn@t see! to 'areM In a hone interview his voi'e rose a!id

the so*nd o his o*ndin in the ba'ro*nd as he des'ribed ?A sta who tried to tae awa+ his do d*rin one

aoint!ent be'a*se the do'tor was alleri'M Tellin the stor+ he event*all+ broe down in tearsM /ernadin said/rone hels hi! et o*t o the ho*se and *n'tionM .ie other dos trained b+ 7Gs or Warriors it resonds to a

'o!!and to sit a'in behind hi! -- NWe sa+ Je@s ot !+ si2JO -- while he *ses an AT9M /rone saves hi! the

an2iet+ o havin so!eone wal * ro! behindM Witho*t /rone /ernadin said he wo*ld have illed hi!selM 3o

wo*ld a lot o other veterans witho*t their dosM NThere@d be a lot !ore veterans on their ba'sO he saidM "3o*r'eL

C&I Washinton Reorter < 7er+ 9*raa!i < ;*n #> $0#6 %


Pae 2o 1+2


29/132

*A A##ount-%ility U:d-t$ ++ > R$8o-l Aut/o"ity Rul$, to R$,$t

?eterans Aairs oi'ials will sto *sin strea!lined dis'ilinar+ owers to *nish senior deart!ent e2e'*tives

ater another leal 'hallene to the 'onressionall+ ba'ed ro'ess Caitol ill oi'ials said #1 ;&M The !ove

all b*t resets ?A a''o*ntabilit+ r*les to two +ears ao when the e2edited re!oval a*thorit+ was aroved b+

law!aers in the wae o the deart!ent@s wait ti!es s'andalM It also rovides new *ren'+ or a series o ?A-

related a''o*ntabilit+ bills stalled in Conress iven ele'ted oi'ialsJ belie that deart!ent leaders have not been

aressive eno*h in dealin with !isbehavior and ossible 'ri!inal a'tivit+ a!on ?A e!lo+eesM /*t 'riti's see

the !ove as a betra+al b+ ?A oi'ials o their ro!ise to 'lean * the deart!entM

3enate ?eterans@ Aairs Co!!ittee Chair!an ;ohnn+ Isason R-,A) 'alled the deart!ent@s de'ision

in*riatinM NIt is o*traeo*s and *n'ons'ionable that the ?A is 'hoosin to blatantl+ inore all o the

a''o*ntabilit+ reor!s set in la'e b+ the ?eterans Choi'e A'tO he saidM NTwo +ears ao veterans were

or'ed to wait ar too lon or 'are be'a*se o in'o!etent e2e'*tivesM 3in'e then we@ve seen s'andal ater

s'andal e!ere at the deart!entM NWhile so!e roress has been !ade to hold bad a'tors a''o*ntable

there is still a lon wa+ to o and 'hoosin to inore these e+ reor!s is a sla in the a'e to o*r veteransMO

NEver+one nows ?A isn@t ver+ ood at dis'ilinin e!lo+ees b*t this de'ision 'alls into F*estion

whether deart!ent leaders are even interested in doin soO o*se ?eterans@ Aairs Co!!ittee Chair!an

;e 9iller R-laM said in a state!entM N?A is a la'e where ereio*s e!lo+ee behavior s*'h as ar!ed

robber+ arti'iation and wait-ti!e !ani*lation is ro*tinel+ toleratedM This de'ision *nders'ores the

*rent need or 'ivil-servi'e reor! a'ross the ederal overn!entMO

3enM ;ohn 9'Cain (R-AQ) 'hair!an o the 3enate Ar!ed 3ervi'es Co!!ittee atta'ed ?A leaders or

N*nilaterall+ re*sin to enor'e e+ ele!entsO o 'onressionall+ ba'ed reor!sM

?A leaders have lon 'o!lained abo*t the val*e o the new dis'ilinar+ owers notin that as written the+

al+ onl+ to a s!all se!ent o deart!ent e!lo+ees senior e2e'*tives and 'reate roble!ati' leal

F*estions abo*t aealsM nl+ a ew individ*als have been dis'ilined *nder the r*les and the 9erit 3+ste!s

Prote'tion /oard has overt*rned roosed *

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