Federal VA - Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Blog

healthcare

New Regulation Decreases Cost of Outpatient Medication Copay for Most Veterans

Washington – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulation on copayments for Veterans’ outpatient medications for non-service connected conditions. VA currently charges non-exempt Veterans either $8 or $9 for each 30-day or less supply of outpatient medication, and under current regulations, a calculation based on the medication of the Medical Consumer Price Index (CPI-P) would be used to determine the copayment amount in future years. “Switching to a tiered system continues to

December 13, 2016 1:25 pm

VA study confirms high cure rates with use of new hepatitis C drugs

A VA database study shows that new drug regimens for hepatitis C have resulted in “remarkably high” cure rates among patients in VA’s national health care system.

Of the more than 17,000 Veterans in the study, all chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus at baseline, 75 percent to 93 percent had no detectable levels of the disease in their blood for 12 or more weeks after the end of treatment. The therapy regimens lasted

December 13, 2016 11:24 am

burial

Wreaths Across America: Holiday wreaths to honor Veterans at VA national cemeteries

Volunteers will place holiday wreaths to honor and remember our nation’s Veterans at many of VA’s national cemeteries this Saturday, Dec. 17 during this year’s national Wreaths Across America event.

The Worcester Wreath Company, through a campaign called Wreaths Across America, began donating holiday wreaths in tribute to Veterans laid to rest at VA’s national cemeteries and state Veterans cemeteries in 2006. This is the 11th year of Wreaths Across America events at VA national cemeteries

December 12, 2016 10:56 am

healthcare

MyVA: Putting Veterans First by increasing same-day access to care

Did you know that by the end of this year, more than 160 VA facilities will offer same-day access to care? Together, we’ve emerged from the 2014 wait list crisis to create the most accessible health care system in the country.

Learn what VA is doing every day to ensure that Veterans and their family members receive the care they need when and where they need it — a top priority of the MyVA

December 12, 2016 9:50 am

WWII veterans

This Week at VA #8: Alfred Rodrigues – Navy Veteran, Pearl Harbor Survivor

Episode eight brings us Navy Veteran Alfred Rodrigues. He’s affectionately called “Uncle Al” around the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Uncle Al was in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on December 7th, 1941. We caught up with Uncle Al and talked to him about his service.

Covered in Episode Eight:

WWII Navy Vet finds friend Interview with Navy Veteran Alfred Rodrigues Al’s decision to join the military. Pearl Harbor attacks Serving during

December 9, 2016 3:30 am

burial

VA national cemeteries now offering pre-need eligibility determinations

VA announced today that it now provides eligibility determinations for interment in a VA national cemetery prior to the time of need. Through the Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility Program, upon request, individuals can learn if they are eligible for burial or memorialization in a VA national cemetery.

“MyVA is about looking at VA from the Veterans’ perspective, and then doing everything we can to make the Veteran Experience effective and seamless,” said VA Secretary Bob McDonald. “This

December 8, 2016 11:12 am

disability compensation

Vets.gov adds disability compensation claim status feature

There’s a common misperception that VA-and-DoD’s eBenefits web portal is singularly synonymous with “checking your claim.” Although claim status is one of several dozen features on eBenefits, it’s also one whose implementation many Vets felt could be improved.

Enter vets.gov, the VA’ transaction-based website. Yes, you will now be able to track the progress of your disability compensation claim online at Vets.gov.

Let’s back up, though, to address on question: Why?

What I mean to

December 6, 2016 8:07 am

healthcare

Bob Woodruff Foundation establishes fund for injured Veteran IVF services

In a continued effort to further assist the estimated 1,500 to 2,000 service members who sustained genitourinary injuries that may affect fertility, the Bob Woodruff Foundation established a financial assistance fund to help cover the costs associated with needed reproductive treatments to help our service men and women start or grow their own families. Merck, Ferring Pharmaceuticals and EMD Serono made this possible through funding provided by independent grants.

While Congress recently approved fertility coverage

December 1, 2016 11:04 am

healthcare

We have a lot to be thankful for

Thanksgiving is almost upon us, so as we prepare to celebrate we’d like to take this time to express our unwavering appreciation for those we serve, America’s Veterans. Each and every day as we work closely with them, we’re reminded of how grateful we are for their service, as they’ve protected the freedoms needed to live life to the fullest. And we’re helping them do the same by pursuing our vision to provide them with

November 24, 2016 4:23 am

education

Obama Administration Marks Five Years of the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act

President Barack Obama shakes the hand of Donald E. Larson, National President of the Fleet Reserve Association, after delivering remarks during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, Nov. 11, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Five years ago today, President Obama signed into law the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, which brought about major changes to help

November 21, 2016 7:06 am

education

Transition Assistance Program improvements ease path from Servicemember to Veteran

Five years ago today, President Obama signed into law the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, which brought about major changes to help transitioning Servicemembers acquire the training and skills they need to seamlessly integrate into the civilian economy.

President Obama greets members of the audience following his remarks on Veterans at Fire Station 5 in Arlington, Va., Feb. 3, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

On the

November 21, 2016 6:00 am

emergency assistance

VA transitional housing program to better serve Veterans experiencing homelessness

VA’s largest transitional housing program — the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program — is transforming so that VA and its community partners can more effectively serve Veterans. The transformation involves implementing a competitive, time-limited grant process that will require currently funded community providers to reapply for funding.

The GPD program provides nonprofit organizations, state and local government agencies and tribal governments with the resources they need to develop and sustain supportive programs and/or

November 18, 2016 6:48 am

Category: Federal VA