Scott Ellis Government Relations Director of MAPVA
When Dashing Through the Snow, Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
By Michael M. Gleeson
TRICARE Management Acivity January 06, 2010
Winter is here, and with the colder weather comes a different set of challenges
for those who enjoy spending time out-of-doors. Being adequately prepared for cool or colder weather can help TRICARE
beneficiaries avoid some potentially dangerous situations. Listed below are a few serious health conditions that can
occur during the winter months, the symptoms of each and information about what to do.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia develops when body temperature falls below normal due to exposure to
cold. In the winter months, this condition often occurs during prolonged periods outdoors, either in wet clothes or
without proper layering. Signs of hypothermia include: a decline in body temperature, shivering and increasingly
lethargic or clumsy speech. If any of these signs are detected, call 911 immediately, remove any wet clothing, wrap up
in a dry blanket if possible and get indoors.
Frostbite
Frostbite is the freezing of the skin and body’s outer tissues. The condition
happens most often on the body’s extremities: fingers, toes, ears and nose. Individuals with frostbite will feel a
burning or numb sensation and the affected area will become pale, gray and blistered. If frostbite occurs, do not rub
the affected area. Place the affected body part in warm, but not hot, water. Continue this treatment for five minutes.
Seek medical help if normal feeling and color do not return promptly after home treatment for mild frostbite.
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body does not have as much water and fluids as it
should, and can be brought on by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or fluids, or both. The condition is
most closely associated with exposure to extreme heat, but during the winter it can be an often overlooked danger. The
symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, headache and dark urine. If these symptoms are detected, drinking fluids is
usually sufficient. It is better to have frequent, small amounts of fluid (using a teaspoon or syringe for an infant or
child) rather than trying to force large amounts of fluid at one time. For more serious cases of dehydration,
intravenous fluids and hospitalization may be necessary.
Sunburns
Many people associate sunburns with long days on the beach, but the sun’s rays can still cause sunburn during winter, especially when reflected off snow. To prevent sunburn, cover exposed skin and wear sunscreen. Being aware of and prepared for the current and forecasted weather during the winter can help prevent illness and injury from cold weather. For more information about winter weather and cold-weather safety go to http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter.
Tricare Dental Fee to Increase:
The TRICARE Dental Program’s 1.9 million enrollees will see a slight increase in their monthly premiums, beginning Feb. 1, 2010. The monthly premium for an active duty family member single plan will increase from $12.12 to $12.69 and the monthly family plan premium will increase from $30.29 to $31.72. The National Guard and Reserve monthly sponsor premium will increase from $12.12 to $12.69. The monthly single premium rate for an Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) sponsor plan and the separate IRR single family member plan will increase from $30.29 to $31.72. To learn more about TRICARE dental options and premium rates, visit the TRICARE Dental Program website.
Helpful Links for Veterans:
Appeals: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch05.doc
Board of Veteran’s Appeals: http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/
CARES Commission: http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/
CARES Draft National Plan: http://www1.va.gov/cares/page.cfm?pg=105
Center for Minority Veterans: http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/
Center for Veterans Enterprise: http://www.vetbiz.gov/default2.htm
Center for Women Veterans: http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/
Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War Veterans: http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000016.html
Classified Records - American Gulf War Veterans Assoc.: http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000011.html
Compensation for Disabilities Associated with the Gulf War Service: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6/ch07.doc
Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm
Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page: http://www.va.gov/
Directory of Veterans Service Organizations: http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view
Disability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm
Due Process: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch02.doc
Duty to Assist: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch01.doc
See next issue for a continuation of links or call the Chapter office for the list.
From the Washington Update PVA National Publication:
The appropriations bill provides funding levels that essentially match the request of the Administration provided earlier this year. Specifically, the bill provides nearly $56.0 billion in budget authority for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This includes approximately $53.0 billion in discretionary funding and approximately $3.0 billion in medical care collections. This amount exceeds the recommendation of The Independent Budget—$54.6 billion—for the second year in a row.
For Medical Care, the appropriations bill would provide $44.5 billion discretionary funding and nearly $3.0 billion in medical care collections. The bill also includes a significant investment in Medical and Prosthetic Research—$581 million.
We are also pleased that the appropriations bill targets increased funding for the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to hire an additional 1,200 claims personnel. Overall, the bill provides nearly $1.7 billion for VBA.
Importantly, the bill also includes approximately $48.2 billion in advance appropriations for VA medical care accounts—Medical Services, Medical Support and Compliance, and Medical Facilities—for FY 2011. This marks a major accomplishment for the VA and the veterans’ community as the Appropriations Committee supported with its actions the number one priority for all veterans’ service organizations this year.
Current Legislation:
On December 2, 2009, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing to review how the VA determines its resource needs and budgeting for providing medical care for veterans at the local VA medical centers. The hearing specifically focused on how VA Central Office appropriates funding and ensures federal dollars reach the various programs at the local VA medical centers.
In recent years Congress has significantly increased appropriations for VA medical care from approximately $29 billion in fiscal year 2006 to more than $40 billion in fiscal year 2009. Even though this is a significant increase, there are still concerns that local VA medical centers are not receiving adequate funding.
On November 19, the Senate voted 98 to 0 to approve S. 1963, the "Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009," comprehensive legislation that improves mental health programs, health-care services directed at women veterans, and personnel policies and procedures administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
PVA strongly supports this legislation that will provide support to family caregivers of severely disabled veterans. The legislation would also eliminate co-payments that Priority Group 4 catastrophically disabled veterans are currently required to pay. This has been a major legislative initiative of PVA for many years and has been supported in the past by Democrats and Republicans as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs. This legislation will eliminate the financial burden that many PVA non-service connected members face.
While passage by the Senate is a big step, the legislation must still be worked out with several bills in the House of Representatives, in particular H.R. 3155, the "Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act," which was passed by the House on July 27, 2009. This legislation was introduced by Congressman Mike Michaud (D-ME), Chairman of the House Veterans’ Subcommittee on Health. While many portions of the bill are similar, it will have to be merged with other House legislation and then worked out in a conference committee to develop a final version agreeable to both the House and Senate.
PVA continues to monitor the movement of this legislation which is critical to many PVA members as well as other disabled veterans with service and non-service connected disabilities.
House VA Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Reviews Specially Adapted Housing Grant Program
On November 19, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held an oversight hearing to discuss the Specially Adapted
Housing (SAH) grant available for service connected veterans to modify housing for accessibility. PVA was invited to testify for this hearing since many of PVA’s members qualify for this important benefit.
PVA testified that the VA programs being discussed at this hearing are very important to the members of PVA and other seriously disabled veterans. For many years the co-authors of The Independent Budget –AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Veterans of Foreign Wars have emphasized the need for adequate increases in the Specially Adapted Housing grant (SAH) and the Special Housing Adaptation grant (SHA) programs.
PVA expressed its thanks for the significant increases in the Specially Adapted Housing grant programs and Special Housing Adaptation grant programs that were enacted in the 110th Congress. The increases in the value of these grants, along with the yearly index adjustment for inflation received the support of the Subcommittee and the full House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The enacted legislation raised the total of the SAH grant to $60,000. This year with the annual adjustment, the total increased to $63,780. These needed improvements were included in P.L.110-289, the
"Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008."PVA has long supported increases in these programs as they directly help to improve the lives of our members and other disabled veterans. However, we explained that although the current total of $63,780 is a significant amount for renovating a home, it still will not totally pay for needed renovation to many veterans’ homes. In most cases the veteran pays the extra cost from their savings, or takes out a loan for these needed modifications for accessibility. PVA emphasized that the disabled veteran should never have to pay for making their home accessible out of their pocket.
CLASS Act to stay in Health Care Reform
On Friday, December 4, the Senate managed to keep a new insurance plan for people who become disabled in the health care overhaul bill. An amendment offered by Sen. John Thune (R-SD) would have stripped a provision to create the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program. The vote was 51-47; because of an agreement among Senate leaders, all votes on the bill require 60 votes to succeed, and Sen. Thune withdrew his amendment.
The CLASS program is to be a voluntary insurance plan that helps purchase personal assistance and supports for people who become disabled. Workers would buy coverage through their employers, which would deduct amounts from their paycheck. If a worker becomes disabled, the premiums paid would cover the needed assistance.
The Congressional Budget Office has estimated the CLASS program would save $1.6 billion for Medicaid during the first four years after a five year vesting period. The bill requires that the Secretary of Health and Human Services ensures the program’s solvency for 75 years, based on an amendment in committee offered by Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH)
Scholarships Available
for Members & Dependents
Mid-America Chapter Scholarships available March 1st
Paralyzed Veterans of America Scholarships Full-time and part-time available April 1st
Through the Looking Glass Scholarship available now, deadline is March 1st
Veteran’s Council Scholarships available after March 1st
Contact the Chapter office for more scholarship information that might be available.
2010 THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT
Through the Looking Glass and its National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families are
pleased to announce new scholarships specifically for high school seniors and college students who have parents with
disabilities. A total of ten $1000 scholarships will be given out Fall 2010. These scholarships are part of Through the
Looking Glass’ National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families. Please note that the 2010 awards have
different application procedures than previous years. There are separate scholarship awards for high school seniors and
for college students, and each has separate eligibility requirements:
1. High School Seniors. To be eligible, a student must be a high school graduate (or graduating senior) by Summer 2010,
planning to attend a two-year or four-year college in Fall 2010 in pursuit of an AA, BA or BS degree, and have at least
one parent with a disability.
2. College Students. To be eligible, a student must be currently enrolled in a two-year or four-year college in Fall
2010 in pursuit of an AA, BA or BS degree, be 21 years of age or younger as of March 1, 2010, and have at least one
parent with a disability.
All application materials must be postmarked by
Selection criteria for all scholarships include academic performance, community activities and service, letter of recommendation and an essay describing the experience of growing up with a parent with a disability.
Please go to our website: http://www.lookingglass.org for more information, including the application form, complete application directions and an FAQ page that answers many common questions as well as offers helpful suggestions.
Through the Looking Glass
2198 Sixth Street, Suite 100
Berkeley, CA 94710
(800) 644-2666
(800) 804-1616 (TTY)
www.lookingglass.org
scholarships@lookingglass.org