VFW MS Post 2618 - Brookhaven

VFW Joins in Haiti Humanitarian Effort

Posted at 07:16 PM on Friday, January 15, 2010 by post2618

Kansas City, MO., Jan. 15, 2010 -The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is assisting in humanitarian efforts in Haiti by providing U.S. service members — with relatives currently located in Haiti — with the funds necessary to purchase airline tickets to the devastated island, so that they may locate, assist or make burial arrangements for relatives affected by the recent earthquake. Funds also may be used to help provide sustenance or other necessities to sustain life.

The veterans' organization donation will be used to assist U.S. service members currently on active duty, in the Reserves or in National Guard units.

VFW National Commander Tommy J. Tradewell Sr., has asked VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary members to come to the aid of victims of the recent natural disaster by individually donating what they can to the VFW National Military Services program (NMS), either online [Donate now online], text [text "VFW" to 90999 - standard text messaging rates apply], or mail directly to VFW National Military Services, 406 W. 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111.

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VFW CheckPoint Magazine Jan/Feb 2010

Posted at 01:07 PM on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 by post2618

VFW CheckPoint Magazine Jan/Feb 2010 -

VFW Washington Weekly - January 8, 2010

Posted at 04:57 PM on Friday, January 8, 2010 by post2618

In This Issue:

1. VA to Delay Increase in Prescription Copayments

2. TRICARE for Gray Area Reserve Retirees

3. Congress on Recess

 

1. VA to Delay Increase in Prescription Copayments: VA officials this week announced they are delaying an increase in veterans' out-of-pocket payments for pharmaceuticals until June 30.  The scheduled $1 increase-from $8 to $9 per 30-day supply of medicine for nonservice-connected conditions-will be reevaluated so that VA can consider how the increases are calculated.  During this period, VA will also keep $960 as the maximum annual out-of-pocket payment for pharmaceuticals for nonservice-related conditions.  The $960 cap will not apply to veterans in priority groups seven and eight.  The yearly maximum out-of-pocket payment was scheduled to increase to $1,080.  There are no copayments associated with the treatment of conditions related to military service.  The freeze is considered temporary.  Some increases may take affect this summer unless a new way of calculating co-payments is found and implemented.

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60 Minutes Segment on VA Backlog

Posted at 08:14 AM on Monday, January 4, 2010 by post2618

(Airdate: January 3, 2010)

TRICARE Returns to Zero Copay on OTC Meds

Posted at 03:57 PM on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 by post2618

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Positive feedback and cost savings means TRICARE's over-the-counter medication demonstration continues without copayments. The demonstration allows TRICARE beneficiaries to substitute over-the-counter versions for selected prescription drugs.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications available through the program include allergy medications cetirizine and loratadine, and heartburn medications (proton-pump inhibitors) Prilosec OTC and its generic form omeprazole.
 
The two-year OTC demonstration did not require a copay for covered OTC medications when it began at TRICARE retail pharmacies in October 2007. When the demonstration was extended in November 2009, it coincided with the start of a new pharmacy contract. A $3 copay was required until systems changes could be made and that work is now complete.
 
"This is a very positive program and we're excited to return to a zero copay," said Rear Adm. Thomas McGinnis, chief of the TRICARE Pharmaceutical Operations Directorate. "This is one way we are working hard to keep costs lower - for our beneficiaries and for the Department of Defense."
 
OTC medications are generally less expensive than their prescription versions, by as much as 400 percent in some cases.
          
To receive covered OTC medications with no out-of-pocket costs, beneficiaries still need a prescription from their health care provider specifically for the OTC drug. After submitting the prescription at any TRICARE retail network pharmacy or the TRICARE mail-order pharmacy, the prescription for the OTC medication is filled at no cost.

For more information about the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, go to http://www.tricare.mil/pharmacy.

Merry Christmas

Posted at 08:16 AM on Thursday, December 24, 2009 by post2618

VFW Washington Weekly - December 18, 2009

Posted at 10:43 AM on Monday, December 21, 2009 by post2618

In This Issue:

1. First Session Wrap Up
2. VA Appropriations Update
3. Secure Your Luggage

1. First Session Wrap-Up: As the 111th Congress wraps up its first
session, now is a great time to review our successes and what's ahead in
2010.  Our number one priority goal, Advanced Funding for VA Health
Care, was signed into law in October (PL 111-81).  VA will now know its
medical care funding a year in advance, making it possible to plan ahead
and provide the best care for all veterans.  Several other critical
bills which have now been rolled into larger omnibus packages have
passed the House and Senate and are in conference committee.  These
bills are:

*         S. 1963, The Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services
Act of 2009, includes six VFW-supported bills that would provide
caregiver support for family members taking care of severely injured
veterans, child services for veterans seeking treatment at VA,
improvements for women veterans including mental health services and
studies on access to care.  The bill would also provide programs to
reduce homelessness among veterans, allow catastrophically disabled
veterans to use emergency care outside VA, and expands care in rural
areas.

*         S.728, The Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009,
includes a host of other VFW-supported bills that would improve veteran
insurance programs, update burial plot allowances, increase housing,
automobile and adaptive grant programs, enhance disability compensation
for disabled veterans  having difficulties with prosthetics and those
suffering from TBI, and clarify certain provisions under USERRA.

The VFW Washington Office could not have accomplished these improvements
without your legislative advocacy in your communities and states!  We
look forward to working with you in the New Year as we continue to fight
for America's veterans, servicemembers and their families.  For a list
of bills and our 2010 priority goals, visit the VFW website and click on
the National Legislative Service link at
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=caphill.levelc&cid=3692&tok=1.

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