February 2001
Medical
Journal Praises VA Health Care |
Hank Gotard |
The Journal
also comments on the fact that the VA health care system is providing care at more sites
to more veterans with fewer employees than five years ago while becoming a health care
services leader in areas such as patient safety, the computerization of medical records,
preventative screenings and immunizations. The VA
operates 173 medical centers, 134 nursing homes and over 600 community clinics that
treated nearly 600,000 inpatients in 2000 and provided for 36.4 million outpatient visits. Nearly 4 million veterans are enrolled in VA's
health care system. The above
said, whether a veteran spent one year or thirty on active duty, was service connected or
non-service connected for a disability and regardless of personal assets or income, this
health care is available to him/her. For details on
this important entitlement, a good resource is Carteret County Veterans Services. They can be contacted at (252) 728-8440. 2001
National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans The week of
February 11-18 has been designated as the VA’s National Salute to Hospitalized
Veterans. It is an opportunity to say thank
you to a very special group of men and women who are cared for each day in VA medical
centers, outpatient clinics, and nursing facilities. For over twenty years, in conjunction with the VA’s Salute, the
newspaper columnist, Ann Landers, has devoted a January column asking her readers to send
valentines and letters to hospitalized veterans at their nearest VA medical centers. Hundreds of thousands of cards and letters are
sent to VA patients each year during the National Salute in response to this call for
action. They surely serve as a real reminder
to those who served this great nation of ours that they are remembered and appreciated. If you would like to step forward and salute our
hospitalized veterans during this special week, the following addresses are provided: · VA Medical
Center Durham · VA Medical
Center Fayetteville · NC State
Veterans Home A note –
in the spirit and intent of the Salute, we surely cannot forget the many veterans who are
receiving medical care at Eastern North Carolina medical or extended care facilities. Some of them are alone, without family, friends or
visitors. As Ann Landers so appropriately
said, “I know of nothing you can do that would cost so little and bring so much
pleasure to the men and women who were willing to lay down their lives for us. They deserve to be remembered.” Status
of NC Tax Refund for Federal Retirees In late
December, the NC Supreme Court ruled, in a 5 to 2 decision, that the State's Attorney
General did not have "standing" to appeal Judge Thompson's award of March 24,
2000. This clears the way, according to the
Bailey Emory Patton Settlement Administration, for further decisions by Judge Thompson as
to the final amounts to be paid. Final
calculations, the printing of checks and the running of appeal periods will mean that the
second checks could be mailed as soon as March 2001, barring further appeals. The other good news is that most federal retirees
will get two to three times the amount of the first partial payment check. If you have further questions, contact the
Settlement Administration at 1-877-TAXCASE (829-2273), 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday. Cold
War Recognition Certificate Processing Delays Because of the
resounding success of this program, the processing time of requests is now at
approximately six months. The Processing Team
is working as expeditiously as possible to clear the backlog and have requested the
patience and understanding of those applicants who have yet to receive their certificates. All members of the armed forces who honorably and
faithfully served during the Cold War Period (2 September 1945 to 26 December 1991) are
eligible to receive this handsome award certificate.
If you have yet to apply for this certificate, contact Veterans Services at
(252) 728-8440. |
|
