As the leading voice for the post-9/11 community, IAVA continues to create awareness on issues and topics impacting our community. Below are articles and news sources from the past week:

8/17

IAVA NEWS COVERAGE

Connecticut Mirror: As veteran suicide grows, National Guard highest in active military

By Peggy McCarthy

In a survey taken last December and January of members of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), 44% reported suicide ideation since joining the military, and 62% said they know a veteran who has died by suicide, a 22% increase since 2014. Thomas Porter, an IAVA executive vice president, called that increase “really shocking” and “huge.”

VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE

Military Times: Democratic party platform calls for better pay for troops, ending ‘forever’ wars

By Leo Shane

The Democratic Party platform expected to be approved by party leaders this week includes plans to ensure military pay keeps pace with civilian wages, provide new tax credits for caregivers of injured veterans, and “rebalance our investments” in the Defense Department to limit wasteful spending. The document also includes vows to “root out systemic racism from our military justice system” and “fight the scourge of rape and sexual assault in our military” as top national security priorities for the party for the next four years.

Stars and Stripes: Lawmakers Urge Postmaster General to Fix ‘Troubling’ Delays of Veterans’ Medication

By Nikki Wentling

USPS union officials warned that the changes have led to many mail delays, raising concerns about the viability of mail-in voting. But changes also sparked concern among veterans and lawmakers about delays for mail-order prescriptions. “We have received many troubling reports from veterans waiting weeks for their prescriptions to arrive,” a group of 31 Senate Democrats wrote to DeJoy. The Department of Veterans Affairs fills 80 percent of its prescriptions by mail — about 120 million prescriptions per year going to 330,000 veterans.

North Carolina Health News: NC outlines plans in wake of 36 COVID-related veterans deaths in state nursing homes

By Thomas Goldsmith

A statement from Cooper chief spokesman Ford Porter outlined some steps that the state government will take following the COVID-related deaths of 36 veterans in three of the homes — in Fayetteville, where 20 men died; in Salisbury, where 15 died; and in Kinston, where one died.The N.C. state-owned skilled nursing facilities have operated under the management of Norcross, Ga.-based PruittHealth since 1998 under a contract that most recently pays the company 9.25 percent of the total operating budget of the homes.

Stars and Stripes: The rise of female commanders in combat arms

By Steve Beynon

The Army has been slowly integrating women into ground combat units since the Defense Department opened all military jobs to all troops in 2015. The initiative garnered a good deal of media attention for female “firsts” throughout the force. Now, five years later, women have expanded their footprint in combat arms and are taking command of units that have been exclusively male for centuries.

Military.com: Fake News Is Wreaking Havoc on the Battlefield. Here’s What the Military’s Doing About It

By Gina Harkins

Russian disinformation efforts are a massive problem in the U.S. and other democracies. Fake news stories that originate in Russia — often on highly divisive and partisan topics — have made their way into Americans’ social media feeds. And it’s not just fake news about political candidates, gun control, race relations or other hot-button items meant to divide Americans. Earlier this year, top military leaders warned that Russia and China were both spreading lies about the global coronavirus pandemic. Now, the U.S. is struggling to control widespread outbreaks of COVID-19, the sometimes-fatal illness caused by the new virus, after issues such as mask-wearing and whether to trust leading infectious disease experts have divided swaths of the country.

8/18

VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE

Military.com: VA’s Active COVID-19 Cases Dip as Deaths Rise Steadily in August

By Patricia Kime

The number of active cases of COVID-19 at the Department of Veterans Affairs has dropped by 38% in the past month, but the case count continues to be nearly three times that of late May, before much of the country began easing stay-at-home orders. The VA reported Monday that 3,960 patients have active cases of the coronavirus, down from 6,424 four weeks ago. The decline is good news for a population considered to be at risk for serious cases of COVID-19 — an aging population with chronic health conditions related to their military service.

Connecting Vets: VA prescriptions mailed by USPS have been delayed by 25% in 2020, department tells vets

By Abbie Bennett

Veterans across the country are making contingency plans in case they run out of critical medications before they arrive in the mail after U.S. Postal Service delays kept them waiting, sometimes for weeks. Amber Torija, a retired Marine, said that most of her 12 different prescriptions typically arrive the next day, but took nearly a week. She’s still waiting on two of her prescriptions.

The Economist: War heroes no longer dominate American politics as they once did

By Editorial Board

Veterans remain over-represented in politics—they make up 7% of the adult population but nearly three times that share of Congress—but their numbers have dwindled over the years. That reflects electoral attitudes to military service that are more ambivalent than America’s valorisation of veterans might suggest. It may also have consequences for the way in which America wages and scrutinises its wars.

Military.com: The VA Is Using AI to Shorten its Mail Processing Time on Claims Intake

By Bing Xao

The VA announced Aug. 13 that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), which administers programs that provide financial and other benefits to veterans, their dependents and survivors, has shortened its mail processing time for claims intake from 10 days to one. New artificial intelligence software scans incoming mail and automatically routes it to the right employees in the next step of the claims process, leading to faster claims processing, according to a release from the VA.

POLITICO: Esper eyes $2.2 billion cut to military health care

By Dan Diamond

The proposed cut to the military health system over the next five years is part of a sweeping effort Esper initiated last year to eliminate inefficiencies within the Pentagon’s coffers. But two senior defense officials say the effort has been rushed and driven by an arbitrary cost-savings goal, and argue that the cuts to the system will imperil the health care of millions of military personnel and their families as the nation grapples with Covid-19.

Stars and Stripes: Disabled veterans urge Congress, Trump to fund USPS

By Nikki Wentling

Vietnam War veteran Richard Valdez requested four mail-order medications from the Department of Veterans Affairs on July 25. Twenty-three days later, he’s still waiting on three of them. Valdez, 73, receives monthly prescriptions from the VA to manage his symptoms of traumatic brain injury which he suffered in a mortar blast in Vietnam. The ex-Marine typically receives them three to four days after calling in for refills, and he’s never seen a delay like what he’s experiencing now.

Connecting Vets: Veterans Affairs hospitals preparing for ‘boomerang’ of COVID-19 this fall, Secretary says

By Abbie Bennett

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie says his agency, tasked with serving as a last line of defense for American healthcare during emergencies, is preparing for another possible surge of the coronavirus this fall. “We are preparing in the event this boomerangs on the country in the fall and in the winter,” Wilkie said in a recent interview…”We are preparing for the eventuality of flu and COVID coming together.” It’s not the first time Wilkie has said the department was working to prepare for the fall and winter, anticipating more veteran patients in need of care but also non-veterans, through VA’s Fourth Mission. Wilkie and Veterans Health Administration chief Dr. Richard Stone told members of Congress in recent months they were working under the assumption there may be a resurgence of the virus, coupled with the flu, and stocking up on supplies accordingly

RiverBender: Bost Introduces Bill To Combat Veteran Suicide Crisis

U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today introduced the Access to Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act, a bipartisan bill to expand access to VA Suicide Prevention Coordinators for veterans. The bill would require every VA Medical Center to have at least one Suicide Prevention Coordinator on staff and available to help local veterans.

Lawton Constitution: DHS confirms investigation into VA Center abuse allegations

By Chris Wilson

The investigation stems from images posted on social media allegedly showing the mistreatment of veterans in the Lawton-Fort Sill Veterans Center. Allegations also were made claiming the Veterans Center was understaffed.

New Jersey Spotlight: Families of Veterans: COVID Death Count Higher Than Reported

By Brenda Flanagan

Kimberly Peck says her dad, Vietnam veteran Vernon Peck, died of COVID-19 at JFK Medical Center on Easter morning. The 74-year-old, who was disabled by a stroke, had lived for nine years at the Menlo Park Veterans Home, where the virus killed 62 residents officially. But Kimberly Peck doesn’t trust that death toll. “I don’t know if my dad is even counted in that number because he got tested at JFK. They did not test him at Menlo Park. They tested him at JFK and he died at JFK which means he was off their census for 24 hours,” Peck said.

8/19

VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE

Military.com: VA Disputes Charges of Major Delays in Mail Delivery of Veterans’ Prescriptions

By Richard Sisk

The Department of Veterans Affairs has disputed mounting charges of major delays this year in the delivery of prescription drugs for veterans by the U.S. Postal Service. “Currently, VA prescriptions delivered via USPS orders are averaging less than three days’ delivery time, and more than 95% percent of VA prescriptions delivered via [United Parcel Service] next-day service have been on time,” a VA spokeswoman said via email Monday.

Connecting Vets: USPS leader suspends changes that delayed some veterans’ prescriptions

By Abbie Bennett

The leader of the U.S. Postal Service announced Tuesday he would suspend changes that delayed some veterans’ mail-order prescriptions and caused other issues, until after the November election.  Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said “long standing operational initiatives,” which he said “predate” his arrival at USPS, have been “raised as areas of concern as the nation prepares to hold an election in the midst of a devastating pandemic.”

Military.com: More Veterans and Troops Injured in Service Could Get Cash Under Expanded Program

By Jim Absher

A proposed rule change would expand insurance benefits to troops suffering from a swath of service-connected injuries, including most traumatic brain injuries (TBI), heatstroke and cold weather injuries, according to a notice recently published by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

NorthJersey.com: VFW head calls for criminal investigation into NJ veterans homes devastated by COVID-19

By Scott Fallon and Lindy Washburn

The head of one of the largest veterans organizations in New Jersey has called for a criminal investigation into the more than 140 deaths from COVID-19 at the state-run veterans homes in Paramus and Menlo Park. The statement by Brian Wiener, state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, comes after stories by NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey and a recent legislative hearing documented how the virus likely spread rapidly through the facilities due to some disturbing practices and questionable decisions.

ArmyTimes: Soldier killed while trying to help others following a traffic accident in Texas

By Kyle Rempfer

Fort Hood officials on Tuesday released the name of a soldier who died Aug. 12 from injuries suffered while providing assistance at the scene of an accident on Interstate 14 in Killeen, Texas. Spc. Cole Jakob Aton, 22, was killed when a vehicle driving past the accident was unable to avoid him, Texas officials said.

The Bakersfield Californian: First headstones for veterans’ unmarked graves slated to arrive next month

By Steven Mayer

U.S. military veterans who have been laid to rest in cemeteries across Kern County number in the tens of thousands. More than 500 of those graves — and likely hundreds more — have never been graced by a headstone or marker. Instead, these anonymous veterans rest with no name or identification, no date of birth or death, just a blank patch of grass. Jim La Mar, president of Greenlawn Funeral Homes and Cemeteries, is doing something about it — with help from others. And the plan is about to bear fruit.

8/20

IAVA NEWS COVERAGE

Military Times: IAVA and the Leadership Conference on the US Postal Service

By Vanita Gupta and Jeremy Butler

Both of us have committed our lives to defending the Constitution. In two very different capacities — as the CEO of a leading national veterans organization and the president of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights coalition — we have worked for a stronger, fairer America. And right now, we are sounding alarms because our democracy is on fire. The administration’s war on the post office to curb mail-in voting is antithetical to who we are — and we have serious questions for U.S. Postmaster Louis DeJoy about what the future holds for this critical service.

Stars and Stripes: DOD investigates two soldiers who appeared in uniform as part of the Democratic National Convention

By Steve Beynon

Paul Rieckhoff, who founded Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a nonprofit veterans-advocacy group, called using troops as a backdrop a “failure of leadership,” and the soldiers are likely to face serious consequences.

VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE

Military.com: Bypassing Pentagon Pleas, Lawmakers Say Military Health System Reforms Will ‘Stay the Course’

By Patricia Kime

Texas Rep. Mac Thornberry, the senior Republican on the House Armed Services Committee who chaired the panel during development of the reforms, said the factors that led to the measures “have not changed.” “Service-based health care systems remain frustrating and inefficient for the service member and taxpayer alike. … If the services have technical challenges on the path to consolidation, Congress is ready to work together to overcome them,” Thornberry told Military.com. A spokesperson for Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee also said the transformation should continue moving forward.

FOX News: US military personnel, veterans lost nearly $400 million to scammers since 2015, study shows

By Hollie McKay

U.S. active-duty military personnel and veterans have lost a combined $379.6 million to an assortment of financial scams ranging from government impersonation to phony sweepstakes since 2015, a new study found. According to an Atlas VPN investigation released Wednesday, veterans and military retirees have been the hardest hit with monetary losses making up 57%, or $217.2 million, of total losses. The report also noted that military consumers filed more than 680,000 complaints to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) pertaining to identity theft, fraud and other related matters. “Veterans and retirees sent out 417,560 complaints. In other words, 61% of complaints in the last 5 years have been sent by veterans and military retirees,” the report stated.

Spectrum News: MHM: VA Telehealth Appointments Increase 1000% During Pandemic

By Camalot Todd

“Even during these challenging times, VA has and continues to maintain access to high-quality health care for veterans,” Robert Wilkie, VA secretary, said. While one in five Americans will suffer from a mental health condition this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, certain populations like vets have unique behavioral health needs like Traumatic Brain Injuries, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Military Sexual Trauma.

Business Insider: Democrats clearly made a mistake by having US soldiers in a convention video. But there’s a compelling reason behind it.

By David Choi

A video of the Democratic National Convention’s televised roll call vote on Tuesday attracted scrutiny after two uniformed troops appeared behind American Samoa delegates as they cast their votes for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. But the recent controversy also highlights the differences exclusively experienced by US nationals, and the often overlooked service from military veterans who hail from the US territories, such as American Samoa. A US Army recruiting station located in American Samoa was ranked first place in producing recruits, beating over 880 other stations throughout the US in 2014. More Samoans have also suffered casualties from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars per capita than any state or territory.

Military.com: Georgia Veteran Who Faked Military Honors Gets Max Jail Time

By Tim Darnell (AJC)

A veteran who collected federal benefits after faking a mental health condition and who falsely claimed to have earned two military honors was sentenced to a year in prison. Gregg Ramsdell, 61, of Columbus was also sentenced to three years supervised release and ordered to pay $76,000 to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

WHSU Radio: Schumer Joins Military Vets In Decrying Postal Service Cuts

By Desiree D’Orio

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer joined military veterans on Long Island to denounce funding gaps and changes to the Postal Service. A recent slowdown of mail delivery has impacted veterans who rely on the post office to deliver much-needed prescription drugs. Long Island has one of the largest military veteran populations in the state. Schumer said at least 50,000 of them depend on critical medications that the VA sends through the mail.

Military.com: Is Boycotting Service the Right Response to the Military’s Sexual Assault Problem?

By Amanda Huffman

The Justice for Vanessa effort is working to change laws within the military to help protect women. In July it grew into a movement calling out Vanessa’s chain of command; contacting politicians to demand change; spreading a petition to shut down Fort Hood, Texas, where her murder occurred; and asking women to boycott enlisting in the military. When women boycott military service, the military misses out on an important group that can make positive changes. The military needs women more than it realizes, even as women break down barriers and open doors for those who follow in their footsteps.

Connecting Vets: Burn Pit exposure conference set to go virtual this month

By Julia LeDoux

A virtual conference will advocate for better health care benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits during their military service. Grunt Style and Burn Pits 360 will host the Military Toxic Exposure Virtual Conference on Aug. 28 beginning at 6 p.m. CST.

8/21

IAVA NEWS COVERAGE

Fox Memphis: Telehealth services for vets ramped up during pandemic

By Samantha Manning

“I think the telehealth access is a big success story coming out of the pandemic,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). Butler said the virtual medical visits have been especially helpful for vets seeking mental health care services. “If you could take that first step from home, with the comfort or maybe help from your family, a spouse or something like that around you, have a telehealth appointment and say this isn’t so bad maybe this is helping,” Butler said. But Butler said more still needs to be done to make sure vets aren’t being left behind when it comes to mental health care.

VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE

The Augusta Chronicle: COVID exacerbates job woes for veterans, military spouses

By Damon Cline

The unemployment rate for veterans was 2.9% when 2019 came to a close. Now – as the COVID-19 pandemic upends the U.S. economy – that figure has more than tripled, leaving nearly 800,000 veterans searching for work.

Associated Press: Another lawsuit filed over deaths at West Virginia VA hospital

By John Raby

A sixth lawsuit has been filed involving the sudden deaths of patients at a West Virginia veterans hospital where a former nursing assistant admitted to intentionally killing seven people with fatal doses of insulin.

WUSF News: Pandemic Poses Challenges For Veterans Treatment Courts

By Stephanie Colombini

The coronavirus pandemic is making it harder for the more than 460 veterans treatment courts in the U.S. to function. These courts seek to rehabilitate veterans charged with misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies, rather than put them behind bars.

San Marcos Corridor News: VA to award more than $400 million in grants to end veteran homelessness

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will begin awarding more than $400 million in grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program (SSVF) to 266 nonprofit organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Oct. 1 of this year. SSVF funding provides thousands of low income veteran families around the nation with access to case management and other assistance to rapidly re-house veterans who become homeless or prevent Veterans from becoming homeless.

ABC Bakersfield: Rep. TJ Cox introduces Ensuring Veterans Access Act

By Makayla Hewerdine

Representative TJ Cox (D-CA-21) and Representative Chip Roy (R-TX-21) introduced the Ensuring Veterans Access Act to Ensure Transparency in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Last week, the representatives introduced the Ensuring Veterans Access Act, to improve transparency for veterans attempting to access their claims file (C-File).

mHealth Intelligence: Lawmakers Eye Telehealth Pilot for Veterans Needing Mental Health Services

By Eric Wicklund

The Veterans Access to Online Treatment Act, introduced earlier this month by US Reps Jared Golden (D-ME) and Jim Banks (R-IN), would have the VA launch the two-year pilot program in three diverse locations across the country. The programs would use connected health platforms to administer cognitive behavioral therapy to veterans living with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma or substance abuse disorder.

AL.com: Man pleads guilty to defrauding VA facilities in Alabama, South Dakota

By Associated Press

A Massachusetts man contracted by several U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities to inspect medical gas systems pleaded guilty Thursday to billing for inspections that neither he nor his company performed, federal prosecutors said.