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Veterans
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
“I’m pleased to once again serve as a member of the National Defense Authorization Act conference committee,” Garamendi said.
The Readiness Subcommittee that Garamendi chairs oversees one-third of the Department of Defense’s programs.
“The Readiness Subcommittee took bold steps in its subcommittee mark to address the climate crisis and provide our veterans with better quality of care through the VA,” Garamendi said. “We also provided relief to veterans and service members experiencing health issues from exposure to Agent Orange, PFAS and other toxins.”
Garamendi added, “I will fight to ensure that the strong language we secured in the House-passed NDAA remains in the final bill. I will also ensure that the support I helped secure for the missions at Travis and Beale Air Force Bases in my district are supported in the final version of the legislation that reaches the president’s desk.”
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- Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs
Research shows behavioral counseling can significantly improve one’s chances of quitting and combining counseling and medication works better than medication or counseling alone.
“VA’s counseling programs are one of most effective tools available for veterans who want to permanently stop smoking,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “The Great American Smokeout is the perfect time for veterans to connect with their health care provider and take the first step toward improving their physical and mental health —to stop smoking for good.”
VA health care providers can help veterans explore the role tobacco plays in their daily routine, including the activities or situations that trigger them to use tobacco, such as talking on the phone, drinking coffee or alcohol or feeling bored or stressed.
Providers work with veterans to develop strategies for coping with those triggers and to tailor plans for quitting that will fit into a veteran’s daily life.
In addition to counseling, VA provides other services designed to help veterans stop smoking, including prescription medications, nicotine replacement products like gum and patches, and resources such as Quit VET and SmokefreeVET.
Learn more about tobacco cessation.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
This represents an increase in video telehealth appointments of more than 2,700 percent since Jan. 1, 2020.
Video telehealth allows veterans and their caregivers to meet virtually with their VA care teams on any computer, tablet, or mobile device with an internet or data service connection.
As in-person interactions decreased in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, video telehealth has supported veterans’ abilities to continue care and remain safe at home.
“Video telehealth has been a lifeline during the COVID pandemic, allowing us to continue to care for our patients without interruption,” said Dr. Theodora Mauro, SFVAHCS’ deputy chief of staff. “We’ve built on this virtual health infrastructure to expand access to urgent care, next-day appointments through virtual visits and group psychotherapy visits. We hope to use these approaches to extend care to veterans in rural areas and student veterans, and expand our ability to facilitate specialty care to Veterans via virtual health.”
All SFVAHCS primary care and mental health professionals are capable of providing video telehealth care to veterans in their homes or other locations of their choice.
In addition, almost 62 percent of all specialty professionals are currently capable of providing video telehealth visits with more staff being trained daily.
More than 7,100 individual Veterans served by SFVAHCS have completed video telehealth visits. VA staff provide equipment training and support to assist veterans in completing their video visits.
VA is making strides to bridge the digital divide for veterans who lack the technology or broadband internet connectivity required to participate in VA telehealth services.
At the national level, over 26,000 devices have been provided to increase access to the technology that veterans need to connect with their VA health care team virtually.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
SPC Vanessa Guillen was a Houston native and a 20-year old soldier that was last seen in Fort Hood on April 22nd, 2020.
Human remains were found near Leon River in Bell County, Texas on June 30. Since then, one suspect has been apprehended by law enforcement, and the other committed suicide when he confronted.
The human remains found last week were positively identified as SPC Vanessa Guillen on July 5.
“Vanessa Guillen's death is an unimaginable tragedy, and she and her family deserve justice. I've joined 87 of my colleagues in demanding the Department of Defense Inspector General conduct a thorough and independent investigation into SPC Guillen's death to ensure the Guillen family gets justice for Vanessa and that this never happens again,” Garamendi said.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
“Serving in our nation’s uniform is a deep and honorable responsibility and each year I am delighted to help our next generation of service men and women attend our military service academies,” Thompson said. “They are some our best and brightest, reaching incredible heights in their academic success, extracurricular activities and community service. Those five accepted this year faced a rigorous preparation and interview process and we are so proud of their decision to serve our nation. Our entire district is proud of your success and cannot wait to see what you do next!”
Each year, local candidates are interviewed for a nomination to our nation’s service academies. Those nominated then must be offered an appointment by the academies. Appointees from the Fifth Congressional District were honored during a virtual ceremony earlier this Spring and biographies of each student are included below.
For the U.S. Military Academy at West Point:
Porter Brookston
Porter Brookston is a resident of Cotati, California and attended Technology High School in Rohnert Park. He is the grandson of a WWII pilot and was on Technology High School Honors Society for the 2017-2018 school year. He played varsity baseball and cross country as well as junior varsity basketball and junior varsity track. He was a delegate for Boys State and attended U.S. Military Academy’s Summer Leadership Academy and U.S. Naval Academy summer seminar. He started his own yard care business four years ago and takes flight lessons to be a pilot.
Sebastian Vance
Sebastian Vance is a resident of Napa, California and attended Vintage High School in Napa. His grandfather and his great grandfather both attended West Point and both of his parents served in the U.S. Army. He interned in Thompson’s Napa office and is an AP scholar with distinction. He has been on his school’s Honor Roll every semester since 2016. He is fluent in Spanish and French and was the recipient of the “Excellence in English” award in 2018. He was also part of the cross-country team and track and field for Vintage High.
Diego Andrade
Diego Andrade is a resident of Pinole, California and attended El Cerrito High School in El Cerrito. His dad is a police officer and both parents are immigrants from El Salvador. He is an Eagle Scout and was a Boys State Delegate in 2019. He is part of the mountain bike team which ranked second in the state. He attended the West Point Summer Leadership Experience and Summer Seminar. In addition, he has been an Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow Brotherhood since 2016.
For the U.S. Naval Academy:
Aaron Hern
Aaron Hern is from Martinez, California and attended the U.S. Naval Academy Prep School last year, after attending Alhambra Senior High School. Both his parents graduated from the Naval Academy. Aaron was injured in the bombings at the Boston Marathon and faced a long rehabilitation. He never gave up and eventually played varsity football at Alhambra.
Matthew Lewis
Matthew Lewis attended Vintage High School in Napa. At ten years of age he joined the U.S. Navy League Cadet Corps and then transferred to the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps at age 13, where he continues to serve. He was selected as a U.S. Youth Ambassador and was part of an international Exchange Program in Japan. He has a black belt and accumulated over 200 hours of community service.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
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- Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs
This increase of 1,000 percent is attributed to VA providers and veterans taking precautions against COVID-19.
“As we near the three-year anniversary of the launch of VA Video Connect, even during these challenging times, VA has and continues to maintain access to high-quality health care for veterans,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “As the service becomes more popular, VA remains committed to providing a seamless user experience to ensure veterans have access to care where and when they need it.”
VA Video Connect allows veterans and their caregivers to meet virtually with their VA care teams on any computer, tablet, or mobile device with an internet connection. It is one of the largest and most successful digital health platforms in the nation and currently enables more than 25,000 virtual appointments, including mental health appointments each day.
VA is also taking strides to bridge the digital divide for veterans who lack the technology or broadband internet connectivity required to participate in VA telehealth services.
More than 26,000 cellular-enabled tablets are currently distributed to veterans across the country.
Major wireless carriers T-Mobile, Sprint, now part of T-Mobile, SafeLink by Tracfone and Verizon are allowing veterans to access VA telehealth services without incurring data charges.
Due to increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, VA is rapidly expanding VA Video Connect, allowing more veterans and VA care teams to connect by video.
During this time, veterans using VA Video Connect with limited data plans could temporarily experience data charges.
While cellular carriers are taking measures to support veterans during this period of expansion — veterans with concerns are encouraged to contact their carrier.
Read more about VA Video Connect. For information about VA’s telehealth services visit http://connectedcare.va.gov .
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
The letter was signed by Representatives Bobby L. Rush (IL-01), Ted W. Lieu (CA-33), Don Bacon (NE-02), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Conor Lamb (PA-17), Jason Crow (CO-06), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06).
Thompson led a similar letter asking for these military installations to be renamed in August 2017. A copy of the letter is below.
June 11, 2020
The Honorable Mark T. Esper
Secretary of Defense
U.S. Department of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301
Dear Secretary Esper:
Our Nation is represented by heroes who have enriched our history, protected our democracy, and maintained our role as the world’s greatest superpower. To commemorate their contributions, many of our military installations rightfully bear their names. By selecting to honor their deeds and actions, we state our National values: equality, selflessness, bravery, and heroism.
Unfortunately, several of our installations bear the name of figures who fought against our Nation as part of the Confederacy. These designations only serve to promote a dark and divisive time in our history and do not uphold the best of our country.
We are encouraged by the Army’s recent statement that you and Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy are open to a discussion on renaming the service’s 10 bases and facilities named after Confederate leaders. In your role as Secretary, we ask that you begin a process to reevaluate the naming of these installations and develop a plan to rename them to better honor the true spirit of our Nation. We commit to work with you to ensure you have any resources necessary.
Like you, we are saddened by the death of George Floyd and countless others. And each of us is examining how we can do more and do better to end longstanding, systemic inequities. Together, we can take this one step to ensure that we, as a Nation, in no way endorse hate or divisiveness.
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- Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs
VA national cemeteries will contact families who were unable to hold a committal service due to the COVID-19 pandemic to arrange memorial services for their loved ones beginning in July.
"During the last 10 weeks VA national cemeteries have continued performing our essential mission — to inter veterans and eligible family members," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. "We believe we have a robust set of measures in place that will allow us to conduct committal and memorial services while protecting the health and safety of Veterans, their families and our team members who serve them."
While VA is eager to resume normal operations, the department’s national cemeteries have remained open for interments and visitation throughout the pandemic.
However, as a matter of health and safety, committal services and military funeral honors have been deferred since March 23.
Interments scheduled on or after June 9, will be offered the option of a committal service at the time of interment.
At Calverton and Long Island national cemeteries, that option will be available starting June 22, provided state and local guidance permit.
Military funeral honors, customarily provided by the Department of Defense and volunteer honor guards, will be based on local availability.
VA national cemeteries will continue adherence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by limiting the number of individuals attending committal services, practicing physical distancing between individuals not from the same household, ensuring all attendees and employees wear face coverings, encouraging frequent use of hand sanitizer and asking sick individuals to stay home.
The number of permitted attendees will vary based on state and local guidelines for gathering sizes provided the facility can accommodate increased attendees while maintaining physical distancing.
Families may continue to choose direct interment and opt for a memorial service later when all restrictions have been lifted.
Memorial services for veterans and eligible family members who were interred without a committal service between March 23 and June 8 will commence in July.
For more information, visit the National Cemetery Adminstration. To make burial arrangements at any VA national cemetery contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.
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- Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs
In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, VA scientists will compare the drug degarelix (trade name Firmagon) to a placebo for improving the clinical outcomes of nearly 200 veterans who have been hospitalized with COVID-19.
“Veterans who have contracted this virus are in need of immediate care,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “This trial is an important step in advancing knowledge of a potential treatment for those infected with COVID-19. We are here to do everything in our power to preserve and protect life.”
Degarelix is often used to treat advanced cases of prostate cancer. It works by rapidly, but temporarily, suppressing the body’s production of male hormones. These hormones can fuel the growth of prostate cancer.
Scientists are testing degarelix because lab evidence suggests male hormones trigger the production of a protein called TMPRSS2 on lung tissue. The virus that causes COVID-19 relies on TMPRSS2 to enter lung tissues.
Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Columbia University applied advanced artificial intelligence and computational genomics techniques and used that lab evidence for this COVID-19 data. The researchers collaborated with VA to plan the new trial.
Potential side effects of degarelix are typically linked to long-term treatment. In the trial, patients will be administered only one dose of the drug that will last 28 days. Any side effects of degarelix are thus expected to be temporary.
By temporarily lowering male hormone levels, researchers believe they can reduce the production of TMPRSS2 in lung tissue and thus prevent the virus from penetrating lung cells. Hormone levels will return to normal at the end of treatment.
The study is not suitable for female veterans. Existing evidence shows degarelix may have the opposite effect in the female body by increasing TMPRSS2 production, thus worsening the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.
The West Los Angeles VA Medical Center is leading the trial. The study also involves VA medical centers in New York (Brooklyn and Manhattan) and Washington state (Puget Sound), leveraging the Prostate Cancer Foundation/VA network of centers of excellence. The University of California, Los Angeles is involved in the analysis of research specimens, but not the clinical element of the study.
VA researchers expect to complete the trial in about four months.
For more information, visit http://research.va.gov .