Author Archives: ron

On June 27, 2017 VA Secretery Dr. DAvid Shulkin released finalized plans that lay the framework for providing emergency mental health coverage to former service members with “Other than Honorable” administrative discharges.. Effective July 5, 2017 all VA medical health … Continue reading →

Previously, Secretary Shulkin made it a point to let everyone know that he was pulling the individual unemployability plan from his proposed budget but he forgot to tell the public that he has reversed his decision. VA Secretary Dr. David … Continue reading →

In 1979, Jan C.Scruggs, a Vietnam veteran, conceived the idea of building the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., as a tribute to all who served during one of the longest wars in American history. He felt a memorial would … Continue reading →

This bill will allow all of America’s veterans to have a permanent ID card that proves their military service. It now goes to the president’s desk for his signature. This sounds like one of those things that should exist already. … Continue reading →

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has launched the Physician Ambassadoe Progeam in an effort to recruit volunteer medical providers, at the more than 1,700 VA health-care facilities across the nation. The physician and clinician “ambassadors” are … Continue reading →

According to a June 1 Military Times article by Leo Shane III, the President’s long-promised hotline for veteran complaints was officially launched on June 1. The phone line—live now at 855-948-2311—is designed to “collect, process, and respond to the complaints … Continue reading →

Like many of you, I have heard of the Governor’s veterans pilot program but I have heard very little as to what it entails. Governor Mary Fallin announced efforts to inform Oklahoma veterans about the Oklahoma Veterans Pilot Program, a … Continue reading →

Congress is in the early stages of considering a mandate for service members to pay into the GI Bill – The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs gave veterans groups a draft last week of legislation that would deduct $100 from … Continue reading →

While drug and alcohol problems are associated with a higher risk of suicide among veterans, the increased danger is particularly high with opioid abuse, a U.S. study suggests. Overall, male veterans with drug or alcohol problems are more than twice … Continue reading →

Eight Democrats in the Senate are seeking more details from the Department of Veterans Affairs about an announcement last week that the VA would provide urgent mental health care to veterans with other-than-honorable discharges. In a letter to VA Secretary … Continue reading →