Director's Message August 12, 2022
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 has been signed into law.
This historic new law expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances and it empowers VA to provide generations of Veterans – and their survivors – with the care and benefits they have earned.
I know you and your families will have questions about the PACT Act and what benefits and health care you may now be eligible for. Visit www.va.gov/PACT to learn more.
Medic Alert Awareness Month
August is Medical Alert Awareness Month. These tags that are often worn as a bracelet or necklace were first introduced in the 1950’s. At that time, they all looked like dog tags, and were engraved with as much information as could be fit on the surface. Today, these IDs are still used to warn medical personnel of any conditions or allergies that a patient has.
Veterans who have chronic conditions like diabetes should wear a bracelet or necklace to let medical staff know in case the Veteran is brought to a hospital while unconscious. If medical staff is aware of a chronic condition, such as diabetes, they can better assist the Veteran. It’s also important to wear one if you have an allergy to a common medication such as doxycycline or lidocaine. This way, medical staff will not give medicine that could cause more harm than good.
If you have allergies to medications, or if you have chronic conditions, please talk to your doctor about getting a medical alert bracelet or necklace to wear. VA staff can help you to order one that will be appropriate for you. Call 1-800-214-1306 to make an appointment.
New Care Option on Hilo
Many Veterans already take advantage of digital options to connect with their doctors. Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) is the newest component of VA’s digital outreach. VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) got our first ATLAS booth in Hawaii this month, and it’s another step towards our mission of providing the best care possible as close to home as possible for our Veterans.
The booth is in a rural area on the Big Island inside the Oceanview Community Center at 92-8924 Leliani Pkwy, Captain Cook, HI 96704. Veterans on the Big Island sometimes find it a hardship to get to the Kona and Hilo Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) because of the long drive. Having an ATLAS booth at the Oceanview Community Center will allow Veterans in the Volcano National Park area a choice for care that is closer to where they live.
ATLAS could end up being a wonderful option for some of the more rural parts of VAPIHCS. Veterans without internet on Rota don’t have a VA option where they live right now. They must take a boat or plane to Saipan to access VA care. Having an ATLAS booth on some of the more rural islands in coverage area could help reduce the need for travel, which can be very hard on Veterans who are disabled and who are used to family support on hand. Call 1-800-214-1306 to schedule an appointment.
One Team, One Ohana!
Adam M. Robinson, Jr., MD, MBA, CPE
Director, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
VADM, MC, USN, (RET)
36th Surgeon General, USN
Website: hawaii.va.gov – submit your email to get our updates
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAPacificIslands/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/va_pacific_islands/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PAOOffice1
Weekly Radio VA Updates:
Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. on AM830,KHVH with Rick Hamada