Top 10 Veterans Stories in Today’s News

From The VA
Message from Cathy Rick, VA Chief Nursing Officer

National Nurses Week (May 6-12) reminds us of the important contributions made every day by VA nurses. Talented VA nurses meet Veterans’ needs with compassion and skill in a time of rapid changes in technology, knowledge, and approaches to health care. This year’s Nurses Week theme, Nurses: Caring Today for a Healthier Tomorrow describes the excellence and the mission of more than 77,000 VA nursing staff, across the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

VA nurses serve and honor our nation’s Veterans and their families by the concern and compassion they demonstrate in helping each patient become an active participant in his or her health care, rather than just a recipient of services. VA Nurses impact quality and safety initiatives for our Veterans through their astute clinical services, research efforts, informatics, and academic initiatives. VA nurses are key players in the forward-looking transformation efforts helping to shape VHA health care every day.

As we reflect upon the future of health care and for the nursing profession in this era of reform, it is inspiring to note how far we have come. VA Nursing has a noble legacy of caring for those who have served America. VA Nursing continues to provide exemplary service to our Veterans. There are many nursing roles but one VA Nursing staff…dedicated to the mission “to care for him who shall have born the battle.”

With gratitude and respect for your excellence in service, your acts of kindness, and your passion for providing the best nursing care, we honor you during National Nurses Week.

Top Veterans Stories in Today’s News

1. Unplugged VA computer affects treatment of cancer patients Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – It took officials at a Veterans Affairs Department hospital in Philadelphia more than a year to learn that a computer used to assess patient’s response to treatments for prostate cancer had been unplugged, delaying assessments, according to an inspector general report released on Monday. The computer ran an application called the VariSeed treatment planning system, which oncologists use to focus radiation treatment on cancer hotspots. But the computer was disconnected from the hospital’s network in November 2006 when a vendor and a VA information technology technician unplugged it from a jack that linked it to the main network so they could connect another piece of hardware.
2. VA updates online application for health benefits Washington, DC – Veterans will find it easier and faster to apply for their health care benefits now that the Department of Veterans Affairs has updated its online Form 10-10EZ, “Application for Health Benefits.” “VA is committed to tapping into the best that technology has to offer to ensure Veterans receive the benefits they have earned,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We continue to look for new ways to improve access to care and benefits.”
3. DOL announces $4 million grant competition for incarcerated veterans at risk of homelessness [05/05/2010] Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service today announced a $4 million competition to fund at least 12 Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program grants designed to assist eligible veterans who are currently incarcerated and/or transitioning out of the justice system who are at risk of homelessness. VETS is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to better assist our nation’s incarcerated veterans and help prevent their recidivism. “For veterans who have been incarcerated and are at risk of becoming homeless, a good job goes a long way to aid in rehabilitation,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “This program will strengthen communities by improving career prospects for veterans who have been involved with the justice system.”
4. Research for veterans’ health care growing Temple, Texas – Investigators with the Department of Veterans Affairs shared information this week about research projects, continuing a rich history of providing medical research to help veterans. Dr. William Oldendorf, a VA researcher in Los Angeles, created the prototype of the first CT scanner and others have been responsible for developing tuberculosis therapies, pacemakers and the nicotine patch.
5. Obama Signs Bill Boosting Support for Female Veterans America’s daughters have been serving in the U.S. military for centuries, and they’re being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in unprecedented numbers. But back home, they’re still not guaranteed that the bathrooms at veterans’ health care centers will be stocked with tampons. The Government Accountability Office published an audit this spring that found some of 19 health care facilities it surveyed did not always have private bathing areas, even in mixed-gender units. Such lapses in women’s health care are growing more painfully apparent as the number of females using the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system is projected to double in the next five years.
6. Saudi-funded Fox News rejects ad by veterans group arguing against Middle East oil dependence Last week, progressive veterans organization VoteVets.org released an ad arguing that “a clean energy climate plan would cut our dependence on foreign oil in half and cut oil profits for hostile nations.” The ad asserts that “every day, Iran gets $100 million richer selling oil around the world and peddling hate.”
7. Law boosts vets’ health services Honolulu, Hawaii – What U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka called “a long struggle for wounded warriors, their caregivers and others” has culminated in a new law to improve health services for veterans and families. Hawaii veterans, especially in rural areas, will reap many benefits from the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, authored by the Hawaii senator and signed into law yesterday by President Barack Obama.
8. 2010 Women of Military Service Forum set for May 14-15 at Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Pineville Pineville, Louisiana – The 2010 Women of Military Service Forum will take place May 14-15 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Pineville.The theme is Celebrating Louisiana Women Veterans and Military Personnel. The forum will include health screenings; national speakers; programs on support, education and benefits; and business and employment opportunities.
9. VA seeks more space to offer health services La Fayette, Louisiana – Health services for area veterans may be expanded within the next two years or sooner, depending upon the response to the VA’s call for more space, regional VA officials say.
10. Clinic opens to provide more dental care to veterans Maryland – In an effort to expand dental care to a larger number of service men and woman, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington D.C. has partnered with other local health organizations to open a new clinic in southern Maryland.