Director's Message December 16, 2022
VAPIHCS Veterans, The PACT Act is a historic new law that will help VA deliver care and benefits to millions of Veterans, and survivors, affected by burn pits and other toxic exposures.
VAPIHCS will hold a PACT Act enrollment event at Ke’ehi Lagoon Memorial Park tomorrow, December 17, 2022. The event will be from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 2685 N. Nimitz Highway in Honolulu. This event is not just for people who are already enrolled with the Veterans Administration. Many Veterans who were not previously eligible for care will be eligible now under the PACT Act if they have any service history of toxic exposure. Anyone who would like to speak with a representative about possible eligibility should come to the event.
In addition to PACT Act enrollment, other services will be available. Vaccines, blood pressure checks, health screenings, and diabetic foot checks will all be offered. Additionally, people who have questions can come speak to a benefits advisor. For more information, please call 1-800-214-1306.
Volunteer or Donate to Help a Vet
During the holidays, many people turn their attention to opportunities for charity and volunteering. With that in mind, I’d like to tell you about the Ohana Food Drop taking place December 19, 2022, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Wheeler Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) will be passing out food to active duty and Veteran families in need. They are accepting donations for this food drop right now, as well as volunteers to work the event. You can contact them at 808-624-5645 or find them on social media @ASTMCAHAWAII.
Closer to home, VAPIHCS offers several volunteer opportunities with us. From national programs like the Compassionate Contact Corps and the Red Coat Ambassadors to more specific needs like an administrative professional volunteer at the West Oahu Veterans Center, there are many ways that you can make a difference. We also accept donations which are then distributed through our social workers and through VA programs to low-income and homeless Veterans. If you would like to volunteer or make a donation or personal care supplies or clothing, please contact Chief of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement Schoen Safotu at 808-433-7725 or Schoen.Safotu@va.gov.
Phone Number Changed
The Department of Veterans Affairs established 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) in 2020 to help Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors understand and access the broad spectrum of VA benefits and services.
VA’s previous information number, 1-844-MyVA311, was retired at that time in 2020. Since that transition, MyVA311 has been repurposed by a non-federal entity claiming to be a medical equipment provider. Veterans may try to call VA using the MyVA311 number and unintentionally divulge personal information.
Veterans are advised to update their phones, because 1-800-MyVA411 is the appropriate number to call for information about COVID-19 updates, health care eligibility and enrollment, VA benefits, the nearest VA center, as well as debt and payment options. Remember that you can always contact our Call Center at 1-800-214-1306 and let the helpful folks there refer you to the right department, so that you don’t have to keep track of a lot of different phone numbers.
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
Stay Informed
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