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Veterans
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The 2010 budget request is a significant step toward realizing a vision shared by the president and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki to transform VA into an organization that is people-centric, results-driven and forward-looking.
"Our success must encompass cost-effectiveness," Shinseki said. "We are stewards of taxpayer dollars, and we will include appropriate metrics to accurately gauge the quality of our care and the effectiveness of our management processes."
If accepted by Congress, the president's budget proposal would increase VA's budget from $97.7 billion this fiscal year to $112.8 billion for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. This is in addition to the $1.4 billion provided for VA projects in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The 2010 budget represents the first step toward increasing discretionary funding for VA efforts by $25 billion over the next five years. The gradual expansion in health care enrollment that this would support will open hospital and clinic doors to more than 500,000 veterans by 2013 who have been regrettably excluded from VA medical care benefits since 2003.
The 2010 budget request provides the resources to achieve this level of service while maintaining high quality and timely care for lower-income and service-disabled Veterans who currently rely on VA medical care.
The new budget provides greater benefits for veterans who are medically retired from active duty, allowing for the first time all military retirees to keep their full VA disability compensation along with their retired pay.
The president's budget request also provides the resources for effective implementation of the post-9/11 GI Bill – providing unprecedented levels of educational support to the men and women who have served our country through active military duty.
The new budget will support additional specialty care in such areas as prosthetics, vision and spinal cord injury, aging, and women's health. New VA Centers of Excellence will focus on improving these critical services.
The proposed fiscal year 2010 budget also addresses the tragic fact of homelessness among veterans. It expands VA's current services through a collaborative pilot program with nonprofit organizations that is aimed at maintaining stable housing for vulnerable veterans at risk of homelessness, while providing them with supportive services to help them get back on their feet through job training, preventive care, and other critical services.
Finally, the president's budget request provides the necessary investments to carry VA services to rural communities that are too often unable to access VA care. The president's budget expands VA mental
health screening and treatment with a focus on reaching veterans in rural areas in part through an increase in vet centers and mobile health clinics. New outreach funding will help rural veterans and their families stay informed of these resources and encourage them to pursue needed care.
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SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Andrew J. Hurd has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, core values, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate in applied science degree relating through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Larry and Mayerelia Hurd of Hidden Valley Lake.
Hurd is a 2005 graduate of Middletown High School.
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Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. at the American Legion Post, located on Second and Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville.
The requested donation is $7 per person.
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LAKEPORT – Friends, family and fellow veterans paid tribute to Barnett Hoffman at a Feb. 12 service.
Hoffman, who died Jan. 30 at age 62, was a Vietnam veteran, a founding member of Lake County's Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 951 and a member in good standing of several other local veterans organizations, and a local businessman.
His family and friends came together to remember him at the Feb. 12 memorial service, held at St. Mary's Catholic Church Parish Hall, the location of VVA's monthly meetings. The service was conducted by a rabbi in honor of Hoffman's Jewish faith.
Hoffman will be remembered by those who knew him for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was his powerful character, love of family and passion for riding his silver and black trike.
A tribute page has been set up for Hoffman at www.vva951.org/BARNETT/.
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During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
She is the daughter of Francis Martinez of Clearlake.
Martinez is a 2008 graduate of Silver Springs High School, Grass Valley.
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- Written by: Ginny Craven
LAKEPORT – Boogie Shooz, Sacramento’s No. 1-rated dance band, will be entertaining at the Party Hearty on Saturday, Feb. 14.
The event is a fundraiser for local troop support group Operation Tango Mike. Members of the Boogie Shooz band are quite enthused about the opportunity not only to perform in Lake County, but to support the troops.
Dan Langford said, “First off, let me just say that what you are doing for our troops is truly a great service. I wholeheartedly applaud your efforts!”
He added, “I can also speak on behalf of the band in stating that everyone one of us feels that Operation Tango Mike is, most definitely, a worthy cause.”
Tammy, one of the group’s vocalists, said, “I am proud to be involved in helping Operation Tango Mike. Times are hard on everyone these days. However, freedom is not free and the soldiers and their families make many sacrifices for our security, safety and freedom. So, please come out and support this great cause.”
Tony Coppinger, Boogie Shooz drummer, wrote in a message to Operation Tango Mike, “I am not a veteran, but I was an Air Force brat growing up. I remember the National Anthem playing over the loud speakers every day at Noon with an F-4 squadron fly-over. My brother went into Para Rescue in the Air Force and later into the Navy as a SEAL. I have always had great admiration for our armed forces and the great character and bravery of our men and women protecting our country and way of life. When our band Boogie Shooz got the opportunity to be part of this fundraiser supporting our troops, we jumped at it! I think all of us owe a debt of gratitude to the troops (past and present). It is a great honor to be part of such a worthy cause. Our soldiers endure things that many of us can’t imagine. If we can brighten the day of some of our soldiers by sending a bit of American cheer and support while they are putting their lives on the line, it is the least we can do to support such an effort! Our troops deserve full support back home. Thank you Operation Tango Mike for your mission and for allowing us to be part of the effort.”
Everyone is invited to the “Party Hearty” on Feb. 14 at the Big Valley Grange, 1510 Big Valley Road in Finley.
Advance tickets are $12 and are available at Umpqua Bank in Lakeport and Kelseyville, Polestar Computers in Kelseyville, Wild About Books in Clearlake or by calling 349-2838. Tickets at the door will be $15.
There will be raffle prizes galore, silent auction items and the debut of the “Liberty Stars” handmade quilt.
Big Valley Grange will provide a no host bar, complete with nonalcoholic beverages.
Boogie Shooz will entertain with a mix of hits from the 70’s, pop, funk, disco and ballads too. There is ample seating for those who want to enjoy the entertainment and a dance floor for those who want to move and groove. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and Boogie Shooz will get you groovin’ at 8 p.m.
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Although there is no evidence that any patient information was disclosed as a result of the violation, VA has suspended the contractor from receiving any sensitive information from the Department until the
contractor guarantees compliance with VA's standards for information technology (IT) security.
"VA insists that contractors, as well as our own personnel, adhere to the highest standards for protecting personal information," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "When we detect a problem, as happened in this case, we will quickly fix it, and we will ensure such problems are not happening elsewhere."
The issue involves a contractor whose employees create written transcripts of recordings made by health care professionals while performing physical examinations, reporting on surgeries and taking
patients' histories.
VA officials found the contractor's employees used computers that do not adhere to government policy on security.
Based on this incident, the secretary has launched an intensive examination of all VA's contracts to ensure all contractors properly safeguard information about VA patients, veterans and employees.
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“The safety of our patients is our foremost concern at VA,” said Dr. Michael J. Kussman, VA's under secretary for health. “Therefore, I am ordering all of our centers and clinics to re-examine their procedures and safeguards so we know that Veterans will not be put at risk by the people they have come to trust.”
The nationwide step-up is the culmination of a VA education program to implement stronger procedures and better accountability at VA health care facilities. The training was triggered by VA inspections that found reprocessing of endoscopic equipment did not follow the manufacturer's exact instructions at two VA medical centers. The facilities – located in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Augusta, Ga. – have already taken corrective action.
VA officials are not aware of any patients having been harmed by improperly reprocessed equipment. Although risks are small, the department is being very conservative and notifying patients who might have been treated by the affected equipment.
Normal activities will continue during the Step-Up at all VA facilities, but with extra emphasis on safety and proper processing protocols.
Specific efforts will include retraining on reprocessing endoscopes, establishment of easily-tracked accountability for instrument processing, and training on standard operating procedures by facility leadership.
Patient appointments should not be affected, but individual facilities will notify patients if schedule changes are necessary.
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During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
He is the son of Walter Erwin of American Canyon and Donna Erwin of Clearlake.
Erwin is a 2006 graduate of Calvary Baptist Christian Academy in American Canyon.
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