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	Kilduff-Wirtanen Legion Post 74 • 38 Main Street • PO Box 761 Brookline, NH 03033-0671
December 2007 – January 2008 Newsletter Kilduff-Wirtanen American Legion Post 74, Brookline, NH meets the 4^th Thursday of the month* at 38 Main Street Brookline. Meetings begin at 1900 hours (7PM). *Nov meeting held 3^rd Thursday. If you wish to join or have questions about the American Legion, please call one of the Post Officers.
Commander	Ruth H. Wrigley	14 McIntosh Rd	Brookline, NH 03033	603 672-7895	rhwrigley@aol.com
1^st. Vice Commander	Bill Graham	37 Averill Rd	Brookline, NH 03033	603 673 0881	bibst@charter.net
2^nd Vice Commander	Grover Farwell	107 Old Milford Rd	Brookline, NH 03033	603 673 4282	lfarwell@peoplepc.com
Adjutant	Bill Graham	37 Averill Rd	Brookline, NH 03033	603.673.0881	bibst@charter.net
Treasurer	Ben Perreault Jr.	5 Smith Rd	Brookline, NH 03033	603.672.7667	bperreau@charter.net
Sergeant at Arms	George Farwell	37 Mason Rd	Brookline, NH 03033	603 673 4990
Chaplain	Ed Zadravec	14 Potanipo Hill Rd	Brookline, NH 03033	603 672 6132	ezgiants@charter.net
Historian	Del Porter	PO Box 17	Brookline, NH 03033	603 673 4287	Delro033@aol.com

Next Meeting:

24 January at 7:00 PM

October & November Meeting Minutes

Commander’s Comments

Greetings and a Very Happy New Year!

Mr. Francis (Nick) Perricone of Hollis NH is Post 74's Sr. Oratorical candidate. Nick is currently going to Hollis-Brookline High School. Nick is currently working on his oration to be given in District 2 competition on the 16th of January at 7:00 PM at Hollis-Brookline High School. Best of Luck Nick from all of Post 74.

Post 74 is currently at 100% renewal of membership. We need more veterans to join our Great Post.

In March we will look for a new slate of Officers for Post 74. I am requesting the Post look for a new Commander as I can not continue due to my job requirements. I will continue to support the Post but I can not continue in the role of Commander. Please let me know if you would consider running for Commander. My new phone number is: CELL 603 732-2455.

I will be absent from the Post from 4 Feb to 14 February. The Post's 1st Vice will be Commander in my absence. Mr. Bill Graham will be acting Commander phone: 603 673 0881.

Always

Ruth Wrigley

Do You Have An E-mail Address?

E-mailing the newsletter saves mailing costs. If you have e-mail access, send a message to Greg, at Gdarbo6844@aol.com. Addresses are for the exclusive use of the members to pass information and not to be sold or freely passed to others outside the Post without formal consent of the member. No funds solicitation is authorized via e-mail.

Do You Have An E-mail Address?

News For & From Members

Not certain my earlier e-mail went through on my status. I've just come back from Disneyworld with Cheryl enjoying some leave before I head back to the sandbox. I've volunteered to extend a year in Iraq, so I'll head back there. I'll still be at the same position (I was asked to extend) - so you can still reach me at: Col Jeffry Smith, MNF-I C2/CIOC ITFC, Unit 42002, APO AE 09342-2002

Best to all in NH this Veteran's day, thanks to all of you and all of our other veterans who committed to protecting our rights, and especially to all those who gave there all in defending our rights. My thoughts are with their families especially this Veterans Day.

As mentioned by the Commander in her Commander’s Comments, the Post elections are coming up soon. We need volunteers for the various positions in the Post. Without folks stepping forward, the Post will not run itself. We have been fortunate to have Commander Wrigley for these past few years and many others who have supported the Post. Now, please take some time to consider if you can contribute to running the Post. Without your help, the Post could cease to function. If you don’t think you have enough time, please remember that “Many hands make the burden light!” Please consider volunteering for a position. Our eligibility was earned many years ago when we joined the military. Let’s keep up that sense of duty by doing something for the Post that will help your fellow Veterans.

News of Interest to Veterans

CLAREMONT
50 Opera House Square, Claremont, NH 03743
(603) 542-4872
FAX (603) 542-6582

MANCHESTER
1589 Elm Street, Suite 3, Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 647-7500
FAX (603) 647-9352

PORTSMOUTH
One New Hampshire Avenue, Suite 120, Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 430-9560
FAX (603) 430-0058

WASHINGTON, DC
111 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2841
FAX (202) 228-4131

Senator Gregg: http://gregg.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm

WASHINGTON, DC
393 Russell Senate Office Bldg, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3324 FAX: (202) 224 - 4952

WASHINGTON, DC
506 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5206 Fax: (202) 225-2946
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm

CONCORD
114 North Main Street, Second Floor, Concord, NH. 03303
Phone: (603) 223-9814 Fax: (603) 223-9819
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm

NASHUA
147 Main Street, Nashua, NH. 03060
Phone: (603) 579-6913 Fax: (603) 579-6919
Hours: Monday through Wednesday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 11am to 7pm, Friday 1pm to 5pm

KEENE
29 Center Street, Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (603) 358-1023 Fax: (603) 358-1025
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm

LITTLETON
32 Main Street, Room 110, Littleton, NH 03561
Phone: (603) 444-7705
Hours: Monday 8am to 1pm and Thurs 1pm to 5pm and by appointment

BERLIN
80 Main Street, Berlin, NH 03570
Phone: (603) 752-4680
Hours: By Appointment

MANCHESTER
33 Lowell Street, Manchester, NH 03101
Phone: (603) 641-9536
Fax: (603) 641-9561

DOVER
104 Washington Street, Dover, NH 03820
Phone: (603) 743-4813
Fax: (603) 743-5956

View a pictorial display of New England soldiers, bring items to send in support of our troops

BARTLETT, NH (Winter 2007-08) – Attitash in Bartlett, New Hampshire will honor our nation’s defenders and their families through a pictorial display of patriotism and courage of New England representatives who are serving or have served our nation in The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). Over the weekend of March 8, 2008 one hundred soldiers’* stories will be exhibited across the resort’s lodges for guests to view. Guests will also be encouraged to write in individual journals that will be available for each soldier represented and then sent to the respective soldiers.

“The weekend is all about raising awareness of the sacrifices our troops and their families make every day. These brave men and women volunteer to put their lives on the line so that we can stay safe at home. The sacrifices that those in uniform and their families make should not be taken for granted and should be honored. This is our small way of saying ‘thank you’,” said Robin Graham, V.P. of Administration at Attitash.

In addition to the pictorial display all active duty, National Guard and reserve soldiers, and retired military personnel as well as any U.S. military veteran can receive a free lift ticket on Saturday, March 8, 2008 when they present a valid military I.D. at the ticket window.

On that day guests can receive $10 off the price of their lift ticket when they bring any three items (from a qualifying list**) that will be sent to the soldiers currently stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Season Passholders are also invited to bring items. All guests skiing at the resort that day will receive an American flag lapel pin.

Attitash is requesting that anyone interested in having a soldier represented to send details*** attention Krissy Fraser, Attitash, Rte. 302, Bartlett, NH 03812 or Kfraser@Attitash.com by November 15th, 2007. One hundred of the submitted soldiers’ names (with complete information) will be drawn through a random selection process. After a verification process is complete, the soldier’s representative will be notified and provided additional information.

***Information required for selection process: Soldiers Name, Date of Birth, Where Born, Hometown, State, Military Branch, Military Base, Years Served, Current Location, Mailing address (APO/FPO) (where journal will be sent).

The materials used for the pictorial display were generously donated by Minuteman Press International Inc. and Staples, both North Conway, N.H locations.

Attitash is part of Peak Resorts, owner and operators of 11 ski areas and 2 golf courses in 6 states. Peak Resorts Inc. is committed to building an enhanced resort experience at each of their properties. More information is available on the company’s website www.peakresorts.com.

Evaluation to Provide Smoother Transition to Disability Benefits and Compensation

Washington (November 29, 2007) – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) this week began a pilot program to test a new single disability evaluation system for wounded warriors at the three major military medical facilities in the Washington D.C. area.

This initiative is designed to eliminate the duplicative and often confusing elements of the current disability processes of the two departments. Key features of the disability evaluation system (DES) pilot include one medical examination and a single-sourced disability rating.

The single disability examination pilot is another improvement as a result of the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors (Dole/Shalala) and is aimed to simplify health care and rehabilitation for injured service members and veterans.

This pilot program will seek to ease the transition of wounded service members through the disability evaluation system to reentry into the civilian community with more efficient delivery of disability compensation at the time they leave military service.

VA is providing the medical professionals performing the examinations. The pilot is being conducted for service members at the Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and the Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and will run for one year. Throughout the pilot, VA and DoD officials will monitor progress to determine potential expansion into other locations.

The pilot includes all non-clinical care and administrative activities, such as case management and counseling requirements associated with disability case processing from the service member’s initial referral to a Military Department Medical Evaluation Board to VA’s compensation and benefits program.

Washington (December 3, 2007) – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it has dramatically improved its ability to process applications for GI Bill education benefits from veterans and servicemembers.

“Our processing time is good, and it’s going to continue to get better,” said Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield. “These improvements come despite a 40 percent increase in applications for GI Bill benefits since 2001.”

For first-time recipients of educational benefits, the average processing time decreased from 40 days in 2006 to 32 days in 2007. Claims from veterans reenrolling for subsequent school terms or additional training programs were processed in an average of 13 days, down from 20 days in 2006.

As an example, VA created a temporary call center in late 2006 to respond to customer service calls, freeing additional employees to process education claims. The center’s success led VA to develop plans for a permanent call center, scheduled to open in early 2008 at VA’s Regional Processing Office in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

VA has also developed programs that promote self-service among GI Bill users. Services that once demanded the attention of VA employees -- from enrolling in direct deposit to updating contact information -- can now be performed online. In October 2007 alone, veterans and servicemembers completed more than 10,000 self-service transactions.

VA has also expanded its self-servicing approach to school officials, many of whom now submit veterans’ enrollment information electronically. VA uses this electronically submitted data to process automatically more than 100,000 of the more than 1.5 million education claims received in fiscal year 2007.

While these accomplishments are significant, VA remains committed to continued improvement in the delivery of education benefits. The Department’s performance goals are aggressive, calling for 20 percent reductions in processing time during the next year.

“VA is on the right track, as demonstrated by processing times last month of 26 days for initial applications and 10 days for reenrollments,” said Keith Wilson, Director of VA’s Education Service. “There are a lot of folks who share in our success, none more central than the hardworking employees at our Regional Processing Offices.”

In 2007, 524,000 veterans and beneficiaries received approximately $21 billion dollars of education assistance. Since 1944, more than 21.4 million veterans and their beneficiaries have received GI Bill benefits.

VA education benefits include Montgomery GI Bill for active duty personnel, Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves, the Reservist Education Assistance Program and educational assistance for survivors and dependents.

For more information on VA education benefits, go to VA’s education Web site at: www.GIbill.va.gov.

Washington (December 6, 2007) – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced it will provide nearly $4.7 million for “caregiver assistance pilot programs” to expand and improve health care education and provide needed training and resources for caregivers who assist disabled and aging veterans in their homes.

“This funding will enhance support and training for the family members and other caregivers who sacrifice to care for disabled and aging veterans,” said Acting VA Secretary Gordon H. Mansfield. “At VA, we’re committed to looking after caregivers who dedicate their own time and well-being to take care of loved ones who are veterans.”

The pilot programs will support eight caregiver projects across the country. In addition, VA provides support and assistance through a variety of programs such as care management, social work service, care coordination, geriatrics and extended care, and through its nationwide volunteer programs.

Among the key services provided to caregivers are transportation, respite care, case management and service coordination, assistance with personal care (bathing and grooming), social and emotional support, and home safety evaluations.

Education programs teach caregivers how to obtain community resources such as legal assistance, financial support, housing assistance, home delivered meals and spiritual support. In addition, caregivers are taught skills such as time management techniques, medication management, communication skills with the medical staff and the veteran, and ways to take better care of themselves.

Many of the projects use technology, including computers, Web-based training, video conferencing and teleconferencing to support the needs of caregivers who often cannot leave their homes to participate in support activities.

· At the Memphis (Tenn.) and Palo Alto (Calif.) VA medical centers, a project will provide education, support and skills-building to help caregivers manage both patient behaviors and their own stress. This intervention will be provided in 14 Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) programs across the country and also to caregivers in non-HBPC settings at the Palo Alto VAMC.

· At the VA medical center in Gainesville, Fla., caregivers will take part in a Transition Assistance Program to provide skills training, education and supportive problem solving using videophone technology.

· At the VA Healthcare System of Ohio, headquartered in Cincinnati, caregiver advocates will be available around the clock to coordinate between VA and community services.

· At the VA Desert Pacific Network and the VA Sierra Nevada Healthcare System, VA will work with a community coalition to provide education, skills training and resources for caregivers of veterans with traumatic brain injury using computer-based telehealth, including Web, telephone and videoconferencing.

· At the VA medical center in Albany, N.Y., a pilot project will convert a three-hour workshop developed by the National Family Caregivers Association called “Communicating Effectively with Health Care Professionals” into a cost-effective multimedia format.

· At the Atlanta VA Medical Center, use of computer-based technology will provide instrumental help and emotional support to caregivers who live in remote areas or to those who cannot leave a patient alone.

· The Tampa VA Medical Center and the Miami VA Healthcare System are working on a collaborative project. In the Tampa area, the current program will be expanded to provide 24-hour in-home respite care to temporarily relieve caregivers up to 14 days a year. In Miami, the program will coordinate comprehensive community-based care services, including respite, home companions, adult day care and use of emergency response system.

· The VA Pacific Islands Health Care System will use the “medical foster home” model of care, in which caregivers in the community take veterans into their homes and provide 24-hour supervision. This program will take place on the islands of Kauai, Hawaii, Maui and rural areas of Oahu.

Washington (December 20, 2007) – In a ceremony today Dr. James B. Peake, a combat veteran of the Vietnam War and former Army Surgeon General, was sworn in by President George W. Bush as the nation’s sixth Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

“Dr. Peake takes office at a critical moment in the history of this Department,” said President Bush. “Our nation is at war – and many new veterans are leaving the battlefield and entering the VA system. This system provides our veterans with the finest care – but the bureaucracy can be difficult to navigate.”

Secretary Peake stressed his commitment to easing the transition of our current generation of returning, combat experienced men and women and of “the opportunity to look to the future of this newest generation of combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan – getting it right for them and for their families.”

Peake, who retired in 2004 as a three-star general, is a board-certified thoracic surgeon. His commands included the U.S. Army Medical Command, headquartered at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas; Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash.; the 44th Medical Brigade at Fort Bragg, N.C.; and the 18th Medical Command in Seoul, South Korea.

Secretary Peake told those assembled, “You need to know that I believe deeply in the mission; and that I believe in you. I know quite a number of you already. I’ve seen the ethic, the caring, the compassion, and the technical skills.”

A native of St. Louis and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Peake attended medical school after serving in Vietnam, where he earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

As Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Peake assumes leadership of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the second largest cabinet department, with about 250,000 employees and a budget last year exceeding $82 billion.

More than 5.5 million veterans are expected to receive care this year in VA’s 153 hospitals and 900 clinics. VA also provides disability compensation and pensions to 3.5 million veterans and family members, and operates 125 national cemeteries.

Excerpts from Remarks of Secretary James B. Peake For His Swearing In December 20, 2007 -- Washington, D.C.

Mr. President, I know how strongly you feel about doing right by our veterans. Your visit here at our headquarters today speaks volumes to that. I am deeply appreciative of your confidence and I pledge to you, sir, that I will do my very best to live up to that confidence.

As part of the process of confirmation, in addition to the hearing, there were a series of written questions from the Senate. One of them was: If given the chance, what would you say to all of the people of the VA? So they've sort of prepped me for today for you. What I told them then is what I tell you now: first, just how privileged I feel to be joining this team. I know of your commitment to veterans. I know that many of you have dedicated your lives to taking care of veterans, and that many of you are veterans yourselves.

I know many of the advances -- for example, leading in health care innovation -- that have been because of you. You touch lives all across this great nation, from enabling veterans to have a home, sometimes a special home; to getting an education; to having rehabilitation that enables a productive and proud citizen. Secretary Chao, I look forward to working with you, particularly in that regard. You need to know that I deeply believe in this mission, and that I believe in you.

I know quite a number of you already, and I have had emails from across the field of people that I have known over the many years. I've seen the ethic, I've seen the caring and the compassion and the technical skills, and I truly appreciate the quality of the leadership team, Gordon, that you've assembled.

I want you to get to know me. You've heard my background: 38 years in the military, with a chance to do lots of different things. But I also have had a rather long association with the VA: 10 years on the Special Medical Advisory Group for the VHA; this last year working with the VBA, and even experience with the VA cemetery when I was commanding general at Fort Sam Houston. I'm not a total newcomer.

With this great team in place, I aim to hit the ground running. And as I review the history, I cannot think of a recent time with more focus on our veterans or more in-depth looks coming together to allow us to chart a course forward, and the opportunity that provides to look to the future with this newest generation of combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, simultaneously honoring our nation's commitment to that generation of World War II and Korean veterans, and addressing the needs of the men and women of the Vietnam era, my generation, who are now finding more and more needs of our services.

The Dole-Shalala report that the President commissioned has given us a powerful blueprint to move forward. Already in partnership with DOD, recommendations are being implemented to better serve our wounded warriors. I do look forward to working closely with Congress and with our veterans' service organizations and our military service organizations -- and many, I am delighted to see, are represented here today -- to make meaningful progress where legislation is needed.

Secretary Gates, General Cody, Dr. Casscells, thank you for coming today. Our partnership in this quest is really important to move forward. I don't want "seamlessness" to be a buzzword -- I want it to be our way of doing business. I know we can do that together.

Admiral Allen, Commandant of the Coast Guard, is here today, and we not only take care of your veterans, but your presence highlights the VA's role in readiness and homeland security, and I appreciate you being here.

Finally, I told the Senate that I would commit to each of you in the VA my dedication to the mission, to you, and to creating the environment for your success as together, we serve the needs of veterans. Well, I do that now with all of my heart and all of my energy. We have a special mission, and I am delighted to be on this VA team. I'll see you on the high ground.

Washington (December 18, 2007) – Again this year, the national cemetery system of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has received the highest rating in customer satisfaction for any federal agency or private corporation surveyed, according to a prestigious, independent survey of customer satisfaction.

"This survey highlights the outstanding service employees at VA’s 125 national cemeteries provide to our nation’s veterans and their families,” said Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield. “It is our honor to care the for the nation’s heroes in perpetuity, meeting the highest standards for professionalism and compassion.”

More than 200 companies and most of the federal sector take part in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey, conducted by the University of Michigan Business School every three years.

“VA should be commended for continuing to provide such a high level of service to America’s veterans’ families,” said John Cioffi, senior consultant with CFI Group USA, one of the survey’s sponsors. “VA serves as an excellent example of how government should provide services to its citizens.”

This year’s survey is the third consecutive one in which VA’s cemetery system received the top rating in the nation. For 2007, VA’s cemetery system earned a customer satisfaction rating of 95 out of a possible 100 points. The national cemeteries also ranked number one in customer satisfaction in 2001 and 2004.

The ACSI survey polled next of kin or other people who had arranged for the interment of a loved one in a VA national cemetery within the past six months to one year. Three thousand people received the survey and nearly 600 responded, which is a high response rate for a mail survey.

ACSI’s index for “user trust” produced a rating of 96 out of a possible 100 points for the VA-run cemetery system, which indicates that respondents are exceptionally willing to say positive things about VA’s national cemeteries.

Since 1994, ACSI has been a national indicator of customer evaluations of the quality of goods and services available to U.S. residents. It is the only uniform measure of customer satisfaction for government and industry. ACSI allows benchmarking between the public and private sectors and between one year's results and the next.

Washington (January 8, 2008) – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is providing hospice and palliative care to a growing number of veterans throughout the country as the need continues to rise for care and comfort at the end of life.

VA provides palliative care consultation services at each of its medical centers and inpatient hospice care in many of its nursing homes throughout the country. VA contracts with community-based hospice programs to enhance VA’s ability to provide this critical service when and where needed.

“Wherever veterans receive their health care, VA has a system in place to address their hospice and palliative care needs,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “We are dedicated to providing compassionate care and personal assistance to the thousands of veterans and their families who face terminal illnesses.”

Nearly 9,000 veterans were treated in designated hospice beds at VA facilities in 2007, and thousands of other veterans were referred to community hospices to receive care in their homes.

The number of veterans treated in VA’s inpatient hospice beds increased by 21 percent in 2007. In addition, the average daily number of veterans receiving hospice care in their homes paid for by VA increased by 30 percent this past year.

Because of the large number of World War II and Korean era veterans and a tripling of the number of veterans over the age of 85 from 2000 to 2010, the increase in the need for hospice care is expected to continue. The proportion of Vietnam-era veterans over the age of 65 will continue to increase through 2014, when Vietnam veterans will account for nearly 60 percent of all veterans in that age group.

VA’s expansion of its hospice and palliative care capabilities came about through a collaboration with community-care providers. In 2001, the National Hospice-Veteran Partnership Initiative began to build partnerships between VA facilities and community hospice providers, funded in part by the VA and by nonprofit groups such as the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Advanced Illness Care Coordination Center.

To date, VA has partnered with community hospice programs in 35 states to promote hospice services that are not provided directly by VA staff. These partnerships help veterans transition from VA hospitals to their homes in the community.

Palliative care adds a focus on quality of life and comfort to veterans with life-limiting illness, and their families. Palliative care consultation teams include physicians, nurses, social workers and chaplains. Additional support may be provided by pharmacists, rehabilitation therapists, recreation therapists, mental health professionals and other specialists.

VA provides palliative care consultation teams at all of its hospitals nationwide, although such services are provided at only about one-fourth of all American hospitals. Nearly half of all veterans who died in VA facilities received care from a palliative care team prior to their deaths.

“VA is committed to helping veterans spend their final days with dignity and comfort, in the setting that best fits their needs and wishes,” Peake said.

Washington (January 9, 2008) – The health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) received a highly favorable review in an interim report recently published by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The report credits organizational restructuring and management systems, performance measurement and information technology (IT) as contributors to VA's success. It also outlines ways in which VA can continue serving as a model for other health care systems.

“It is gratifying to receive such a positive appraisal from CBO,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “It is a tribute to the men and women of VA who have worked hard to ensure America’s veterans receive world-class health care.”

The interim report is featured on CBO's Web site at www.cbo.gov. The final report, expected in early 2008, will address the potential for other public and private health care systems to apply similar approaches and other issues.

The report, completed at the request of the chairmen of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the House Committee on Appropriations, reviews the quality of VA’s health care, examines VA’s achievements and looks at lessons learned from both its management initiatives and application of information technology.

Key factors cited in the report included VA’s restructuring efforts to permit more shared decision making between VA’s central office, regional managers and facility directors; measuring performance, process and outcomes; and system-wide use of health information technology.

The improvement in VA’s health care quality in recent years has been well-documented in a number of independent studies including those by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). VA’s accomplishments are all the more noteworthy as they came during a period of increased demand for services.

From 1999 through 2007, enrollment in the VA health care system, mandated by the Veterans’ Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, swelled from just over three million to nearly eight million veterans. Consequently, the number of veteran patients treated each year increased from approximately 3.2 million to more than five million.

The CBO report pointed to VA’s structure as an integrated health care system that allows the use of two important tools: incentives given to managers and providers to meet quality of care and practice guideline targets; and health IT systems that provide reminders about tests and treatments recommended by the practice guidelines. It also examined the low cost of care for veterans as an incentive for seeking care.

VA has an electronic health record for every patient, which provides up-to-date information about a patient at the point of care, including his or her history, allergies, and medications. It also consists of relevant diagnoses and laboratory tests, enabling providers to avoid duplicate tests and adverse drug interactions. Research indicates that computer reminders and prompts can significantly improve adherence to clinical guidelines, particularly for preventive care.

The CBO said that VA’s integrated structure and appropriated funding may have helped VA focus on providing the best quality care for a given amount of funds as contrasted to fee-for-service incentives toward billable services and procedures. These and other issues will be addressed in the final report.

VA is the second largest cabinet department, with about 250,000 employees, a health care budget last year of $32 billion and an overall budget exceeding $82 billion. VA will provide care to more than 5.8 million veterans this year in its 153 hospitals and nearly 900 clinics. VA also provides disability compensation and pensions to 3.5 million veterans and family members, and operates 125 national cemeteries.

Points To Ponder

The views expressed in the following article were deemed interesting enough by me to include in the newsletter. I take full responsibility and the content does not reflect the opinion of the members of the Post. Please contact me if these articles offend you. – Greg d’Arbonne

"At Georgia Southern, we don't cheat. That costs money and we don't have any." Erik Russell, Georgia Southern.

"Football is only a game. Spiritual things are eternal. Nevertheless, Beat Texas." Seen on a church sign in Arkansas prior to the 1969 game.

"After you retire, there's only one big event left....and I ain't ready for that." Bobby Bowden, Florida State

"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it." Lou Holtz, Arkansas

"Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated." Lou Holtz, Arkansas

"If you want to walk the heavenly streets of gold, you gotta know the password, "Roll, tide, roll!" Bear Bryant, Alabama

"A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall." Frank Leahy, Notre Dame

"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you." Woody Hayes, Ohio State

"I don't expect to win enough games to be put on NCAA probation. I Just want to win enough to warrant an investigation." Bob Devaney, Nebraska

"In Alabama, an atheist is someone who doesn't believe in Bear Bryant." Wally Butts, Georgia

"You can learn more character on the two-yard line than anywhere else in life." Paul Dietzel, LSU

"No, but you can see it from here." Lou Holtz, Arkansas ...When Asked if Fayetteville was the end of the world.

"I make my practices real hard because if a player is a quitter, I want him to quit in practice, not in a game." Bear Bryant, Alabama

"There's one sure way to stop us from scoring-give us the ball near the goal line." Matty Bell, SMU

"Lads, you're not to miss practice unless your parents died or you died." Frank Leahy, Notre Dame

"I never graduated from Iowa, but I was only there for two terms - Truman's and Eisenhower's." Alex Karras, Iowa

"My advice to defensive players: Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in a bad humor." Bowden Wyatt, Tennessee

"I could have been a Rhodes Scholar, except for my grades." Duffy Daugherty, Michigan State

"Always remember..... Goliath was a 40-point favorite over David." Shug Jordan, Auburn

"They cut us up like boarding house pie. And that's real small pieces." Darrell Royal, Texas

"Show me a good and gracious loser, and I'll show you a failure." Knute Rockne, Notre Dame

"I asked Darrell Royal, the coach of the Texas Longhorns, why he didn't recruit me and he said: "Well, Walt, we took a look at you and you weren't any good." Walt Garrison, Oklahoma State

"Son, you've got a good engine, but your hands aren't on the steering wheel." Bobby Bowden, Florida State

"Football is not a contact sport-it is a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport." Duffy Daugherty. Michigan State

After USC lost 51-0 to Notre Dame, his post game message to his team: "All those who need showers, take them." John McKay, USC

"If lessons are learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." Murray Warmath, Minnesota

"The only qualifications for a lineman are to be big and dumb. To be a back, you only have to be dumb." Knute Rockne, Notre Dame

"Oh, we played about like three tons of buzzard puke this afternoon." Spike Dykes, Texas Tech

"It isn't necessary to see a good tackle. You can hear it." Knute Rockne, Notre Dame

"We didn't tackle well today but we made up for it by not blocking." John McKay, USC

"Three things can happen when you throw the ball, and two of them are bad." Darrell Royal, University of Texas

"I've found that prayers work best when you have big players." Knute Rockne, Notre Dame

"Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman