Top 10 Veterans Stories in Today’s News

– Shinseki Defends Agent Orange Disability Payment Proposal from attacks –

From the VA:

Top 10 Veterans Stories in Today’s News

1.      Shinseki Defends Agent Orange Disability Payment Proposal. The AP (9/24, Evans) notes that on Thursday, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki “defended an expensive proposal to extend disability payments to Vietnam veterans who get heart disease, saying studies show a significant link between the ailment and the toxic defoliant Agent Orange. Responding to concerns about the costs of a rapidly expanding program, Shinseki told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee that the law requires his agency to grant automatic benefits for diseases that are scientifically associated with Agent Orange” and that existing research “‘more than satisfies’ the law’s requirements.” The AP adds, however, that while most “lawmakers said Thursday they’ll support the plan,” several “raised concerns about covering common diseases and suggested the law be revisited.”
     Politico (9/24, Rogers, 25K) says the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee is “laying the groundwork for a second look at the landmark 1991 Agent Orange law that has governed nearly two-decades of disability claims related to the herbicide widely used in the Vietnam War.” Politico also points out that Shinseki testified at Thursday’s hearing, as does Stars And Stripes (9/24, Shane) and the American Forces Press Service (9/24, Daniel).
     The Navy Times (9/24, Maze, 54K), meanwhile, reports that Shinseki “says providing Agent Orange-related disability benefits to Vietnam veterans who have heart disease – even though there are many other reasons they might have the ailment – is a decision that errs on the side of veterans because that is the right and legal thing to do. The decision also has wide-ranging implications for current veterans because it is a sign that VA will act to provide benefits even years after a conflict is over, Shinseki says in written testimony” to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
     Meanwhile, at the end of a story on a meeting this week between US Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) and Shinseki to discuss rural vets in Alaska, the AP (9/23) noted that Begich spokeswoman Julie Hasquet “says that at the meeting Begich reiterated his support for a recent decision to add three more ailments to a list of diseases associated with exposure to…Agent Orange.”

2.      First Lady Urges Development Organizations To Utilize Vets’ Skills. The AP (9/24, Fouhy) reports, “First Lady Michelle Obama urged international development organizations to engage military veterans and spouses in their work, telling her audience Thursday at the Clinton Global Initiative that the skills of service members are ‘woefully underutilized.’ Former President Bill Clinton hosts” the Clinton Global Initiative, an “annual summit of business, government and nonprofit leaders who make financial commitments to development projects around the world.” The AP adds, “President Barack Obama introduced his wife to the group and praised her as a partner and advocate.” A separate AP (9/24, Lee) story and one by Politico (9/24, Haberman, Lee, 25K) also refer to the President’s words of praise for the First Lady.
     The President’s introduction was also noted in a report aired by NBC Nightly News (9/23, story 5, 3:15, Williams, 8.37M), which, at the end of a story focused on President Obama’s Thursday schedule, briefly mentioned Michelle Obama’s address to the Clinton Global Initiative. NBC said her pitch to the group consisted of “urging American businesses to…hire military veterans and their spouses,” a point also made by Politics Daily (9/24, Wagner).
     The Washington Post (9/24, Henderson, 605K) says that during her speech on Thursday, Michelle Obama “took time to highlight her husband’s commitment to veterans,” saying he “worked to fund a 21st-century GI Bill” and has made “veterans hiring a top priority in the Federal government.” The Post notes similar words of praise for Michelle Obama herself, coming from Patricia Shinseki, “whose husband, Eric, leads the Department of Veterans Affairs and has attended meetings with the first lady.” According to the Post, Patricia Shinseki says Michelle Obama is “very committed and genuine in her care for military families.”
     More Than A Third Of New GI Bill Payments Going To For-Profit Colleges. The new GI Bill referred to by the First Lady is the focus of a story by Bloomberg News (9/24, Golden), which reports, “Since the post-9/11 GI Bill…took effect Aug. 1, 2009, for-profit colleges have snared $618 million, or 35 percent, of the almost $1.8 billion in tuition and fees spent by US taxpayers, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs.” Bloomberg, which points out that graduation “rates for bachelors’ degrees are much lower at for-profit colleges than at other institutions of higher education,” also notes that VA says some of the top for-profit college recipients of New GI Bill money are on-line institutions. Bloomberg adds, “Psychologists who treat veterans say that attending online rather than campus-based programs can delay adjustment to civilian life.”

3.      Shinseki Touts Veterans Relationship Management Initiative. In continuing coverage, HealthLeaders Media (9/24, Commins) reports, “The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a multi-year initiative called Veterans Relationship Management to improve veterans’ access to healthcare and benefits information using technology. ‘VRM will transform veterans’ interactions with VA by using innovative 21st century technologies,’ said” VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, who added, “Veterans will have a better experience when they contact VA for assistance, and our employees will be able to quickly convey accurate, up-to-date information through call centers and the Internet.”

 4.      Carillon Tower Dedicated At Vets Cemetery In Louisiana. In continuing coverage, the Shreveport (LA) Times (9/24, Prime) reports, “Dozens of peals, hymns and patriotic songs rang out from the new carillon tower at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery near Keithville on Thursday during its formal dedication.” The event was “attended by state and national veterans group leaders, elected officials and veterans.”

5.      Internet Data-Sharing Leads VA To “Potentially Significant” Alzheimer’s Breakthrough. In a story on “new developments in the field of biomedical research,” the PBS (9/23) website noted that at the “San Francisco Veterans Administration, an Alzheimer’s brain imaging project uses a novel data-sharing approach” that involves putting such data on the Internet. The researchers “all had instant access to the same data, and worked collaboratively to figure out a way to detect Alzheimer’s early on, a potentially significant breakthrough.”

6.      VA Boston To Conduct Returning Veterans Employment, Education Expo. According to the Melrose (MA) Free Press (9/23, 6K), the “Veteran Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System is holding a Returning Veterans Employment and Education Expo on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.” The goal of the event is to “assist veterans with information about public service opportunities in the civilian world. Veterans will have an opportunity to meet representatives from many different government agencies (federal, state, and local), to learn about employment opportunities, hiring practices, and strategies for getting hired.”

7.      NASCAR Drivers Visit Walter Reed, Meet With Wounded Soldiers. The AP (9/24) says a group of drivers with the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) visited “members of the US Military on Thursday at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.” The group “walked through the hospital wards to meet…wounded soldiers, sign autographs, take pictures and swap stories.”
     The Bolling Aviator (DC) (9/24) reports, “While on their way to the Dover International Speedway for Sunday’s 1 p.m. AAA 400, NASCAR drivers and officials made their annual pit stop at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to thank wounded warriors, staff and their families.” Thursday’s “stop included a display of the high-powered NASCAR vehicles…and a catered dinner.”

8.      Pentagon’s Top Brain Injury Treatment Officer Reassigned. The AP (9/24, Flaherty, Lardner) reports, “The Army officer in charge of overseeing treatment for troops suffering from brain injuries and psychological trauma has been reassigned until an internal investigation into his management of the office is completed, a senior Pentagon official said Thursday. Col. Robert Saum is being replaced as acting director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, the official said.” Saum, who “had been acting director of the Defense Centers of Excellence since late” June, “replaced Army Brig. Gen. Loree Sutton,” after Sutton “abruptly resigned amid heavy criticism on Capitol Hill that the office had not moved quickly enough to improve care for troops.” NextGov (9/23, Brewin) also took note of the investigation of Saum’s management.

9.      Vet Center To Provide Outreach At Colorado Workforce Center. The Delta County (CO) Independent (9/23, 8K) reported, “Combat veterans who are trying to readjust back into society will find the help they need Thursday, Sept. 30, at the Colorado Workforce Center, 206 Ute Street, Delta,” where the “Grand Junction Vet Center will provide outreach from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A counselor can talk about the services available, including individual, group and family counseling, alcohol/drug assessment, referrals and counseling, benefits assistance and referrals, employment counseling and guidance, and community education.”

10.    VA Planning To Open Clinic In Western Iowa. The AP (9/24) says the US Department of Veterans Affairs “plans to open a clinic in the city of Carroll in western Iowa, bringing about 20 jobs to the area.” On Thursday, officials “with St. Anthony Regional Hospital announced the new VA clinic.” After noting that officials “say the primary-care outpatient clinic will open on the medical campus in early 2011,” the AP adds, “The Daily Times Herald in Carroll reports the announcement comes after eight years of negotiations.” KIMT-TV Rochester, MN (9/23, 4:03 p.m. ET) aired a report that took note of VA’s plans.