March 30, 2004

Following a meeting with Senator Hilary Clinton, and Representatives McCarthy, King, Bishop, and Israel the Sec of the Navy agreed to maintain the clinic, navy exchange, commissary and base housing for 250 families at Mitchel Field and Mitchel Manor. My thanks to all the veterans who contacted their representatives and special thanks to Chris Chaffee of Carolyn McCarthy office and Resi Cooper of Sen. Clinton's office who did vital research on this project. Sen. Clinton is the first New York State Senator on the Armed Forces Committee and we should not be reluctant to ask her for help when it involves our active duty military family.

The President proposes many improvements to the VA budget including eliminating pharmacy co pays for all categories except 7 & 8, and paying for emergency room or urgent care for enrolled veterans in non - VA hospitals. The $67.7 billion budget however also requires a $250 annual user fee for category 7 & 8 veterans and an increase to $15 for prescriptions for these same veterans. According to the Fleet Reserve Association, " the White House budget seeks a 1.8 % increase in discretionary spending for veterans health care, a funding level that will not even match the rate of inflation."

The Defense authorization Act of 2003 has extended Tri-care coverage for demobilized reservists and separated active duty members. These veterans are welcome to call the Veterans service Agency for details. (There are 11,500 reservists in the metropolitan area.).

WLIW 21is conducting a membership campaign on Saturday March 6, 2004 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM featuring "Entertainment for the Troops". Music and entertainment familiar to veterans of World War II and the Korean War will be featured. Veterans wearing their distinctive service caps are asked to volunteer to staff the telephones at the Plainview studio. Please contact Margaret Bilardello at 516-367-2100 x 8450 to volunteer. Volunteers are asked to be at the studio at 5:00 PM for training. Refreshments will be served.

Robert Schuster, Director VAMC Northport reported that our veterans hospital received excellent marks from the Joint Commission on Accreditation. The Hospital Accreditation Program score was 97. Home-based primary care received a 97. Behavioral Health received a 98 and Extended Care received a 95. The Director also noted that the Northport Cares plan calls for increased specialty care at Northport and increasing the number of out-patient clinics.

In a change that Northport hopes will improve the delivery of services to veterans the emergency room will no longer treat veterans who come in for prescription refills or non-emergent care. Beginning February 1, 2004 all non-emergent patients reporting to the Emergency Room will be referred to primary care, where they will be seen either that day or when it is medically appropriate.

Mary O'Sullivan, Chief Voluntary Service at VAMC Northport is coordinating a program called "There Is No Place Like Home" To obtain information about this program that provides volunteers as companionship to house bound veterans and relief for the care giver call Mary at 631-261-4400 ext.7181 or 7183.

United Veterans Beacon House has announced the opening of a residence for senior veterans with disabilities in Nassau County. Established in 1996, The United Veterans Beacon House offers shelter, clothing and employment assistance to veterans of all eras and all services. This newest home has five residents with a capacity for one more. Unlike the Salvation Army's Veterans residence in Northport this facility offers long-term stays. Contact the Veterans Service Agency or Beacon House at 631-665-1571.

An article in the Washington Post, January 28, 2004 reports that according to the Marine Corps an estimated 50,000 marines and their families lived in an area of Camp Jejune, North Carolina whose water supply was from contaminated wells. The wells closed in 1985 were reported to have up to 280 times the safe amount of pollutants in the water. " Already more than 270 tort claims have been filed with the navy's judge advocate general's office by former residents, who are required by law to file claims with the military before proceeding with any possible action in civilian courts." According to the article.

The VA has launched a new web Site on Hepatitis C. www.hepatitis.va.gov/. The VA cares for more hepatitis C patients than any other medical system, with more than 200,000 patients since 1996 and maintains the largest screening, testing and care program in the nation.

According to the Army Times the Korea Defense Service Medal available to veterans and active duty service members who served in Korea after July28, 1954 will be available after May 2004. Applicants should make their request to the National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Ave. St Louis, MO 63132-5100. Supporting documents indicating service in Korea after July 28, 1954 must accompany your request.