Drinking Among Active Duty Personnel

Startling Numbers Of Active-Military Personnel Engaging In Frequent Binge Drinking 02/14/09. Binge drinking is common among active-duty military personnel and is strongly associated with many health and social problems, including problems with job performance and alcohol-impaired driving, according to a new study released by the University of Minnesota and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). University of Minnesota via Medical News Today

Widespread Contamination Possible at VA Clinics

VA clinic warns of possible contaminant exposure 02/13/09. Thousands of patients at a Veterans Administration clinic in Tennessee may have been exposed to the infectious body fluids of other patients when they had colonoscopies in recent years, and now VA medical facilities all over the U.S. are reviewing their own procedures. AP

News From the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs News:

• Press Release published on: February 12, 2009LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO SECURE TIMELY FUNDING FOR VETERANS’ HEALTH CARE
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, was joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers in reintroducing legislation today to secure timely funding for veterans’ health care through the advance appropriations process. Chairman Akaka joined House Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), other members of Congress, leaders from military and veteran organizations, and a former VA executive in calling for prompt consideration of the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009.
• Press Release published on: February 11, 2009 AKAKA INTRODUCES VETERANS’ EMERGENCY CARE FAIRNESS BILL
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced the Veterans’ Emergency Fairness Act of 2009. This bill would enable the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse veterans enrolled with VA for the remaining costs of emergency treatment received outside of VA’s health care system if the veteran has outside insurance that only covers part of the cost.
• Press Release published on: February 11, 2009AKAKA & BURR CALL FOR PROMPT TOP LEVEL DOD/VA MEETING ON SOLDIER SUICIDES
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, and Senator Richard M. Burr (R-NC), Ranking Member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, called on the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the current acting Co-Chairmen of the DoD/VA Senior Oversight Committee (SOC), to convene a meeting to address the alarming rise in soldier suicides.
• Press Release published on: February 11, 2009AKAKA CHAIRS HEARING ON IMPROVING THE APPEALS PROCESS FOR VETERANS’ DISABILITY CLAIMS
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, held a hearing today on improving the appeals process of the veterans’ disability compensation system.
• Press Release published on: February 11, 2009AKAKA INTRODUCES COST-OF-LIVING-INCREASE FOR DISABLED VETERANS WITH UNANIMOUS COMMITTEE SUPPORT
  
  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced legislation yesterday to increase veterans’ compensation through a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

Future Demands for Veterans Care

Gauging Future Demand for Veterans’ Health Care 02/11/09. The RAND evaluation addressed three main questions:

• Does the modeling approach support long-term budget planning and policy analysis?
• Does it accurately project VA service demand and costs?
• Is the design and operation of the model transparent to users and outside parties?

Rand Corporation

Artifical Upper Extremity Advances

New surgical technique shows promise for improving function of artificial arms 02/10/09. A surgical technique known as targeted muscle reinnervation appears to enable patients with arm amputations to have improved control of functions with an artificial arm, according to a study in the Feb. 11 issue of JAMA. JAMA and Archives Journals via Eurekalert!

Suicidal Thoughts in Army Vets

Suicidal Thoughts In Army Vets 'Under The Radar,' Says Specialist 02/09/09. University at Buffalo researcher John Violanti, Ph.D., a specialist in suicide among police officers, is preparing to conduct a study on suicide risk among returning veterans. The U.S. Army yesterday reported a "stunning spike" in the number of soldiers taking their own lives. The University at Buffalo via Medical News Today

VA News

VA Implementing National Safety “Step-Up” 02/09/09. The Department of Veterans Affairs is calling for a special training campaign on safety – called a “Step-Up” – from March 8 to 14 at all medical centers and outpatient clinics to ensure VA staff follow the highest standards for patient safety. VA

VA Suicide Prevention Hotline Credited with 2,600 “Saves” 02/09/09. As the military deals with a record number of suicides among active-duty forces, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki reminded Veterans and their families that the Department of Veterans Affairs has an extensive array of services to help Veterans in distress. VA