Director's Message July 28, 2023

It’s very important that you know this deadline is not related to your access to health care. VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) is committed to providing you safe, compassionate, quality care -and we don’t put deadlines on that.

In addition to health coverage, the PACT Act toxic exposure legislation also provides for cash payments to eligible Veterans who had toxic exposure during their military service, and who developed health conditions as a result. This isn’t just for service members. Surviving spouses and dependents are also eligible to apply for financial compensation. The deadline coming up is August 9, 2023, and it is related to these cash payments. If you apply before the deadline, you may qualify for retroactive payments going back to when the legislation was signed. If you apply after the deadline, you will still qualify for the cash payments, but they won’t be retroactive.

Veterans need to note that the presumptive health care coverage and the cash payments must be applied for in person. You can call 1-800-214-1306 to schedule an appointment. We will also be holding an event at the Ala Moana Hotel on August 6, 2023, and anyone can come and speak with a benefits counselor at this event. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be located in the Garden Lanai Ballroom. Parking validation will be provided.

In addition to the new PACT Act legislation, there is also a burn pit registry that you can enroll in. This isn’t tied to health benefits or compensation. It was developed to help improve the health screening process. Veterans who have a history of toxic exposure get on the list, and then VA staff know to screen them for any new cancer or illness that has been linked to certain chemical exposures. This is a way to help yourself and your fellow Veterans, because better screening procedures help us catch health issues sooner, leading to increased care options. I encourage everyone with a history of toxic exposure to sign up, but it is not mandatory.

Caregiver Support Expansion

Caregivers often make the difference between a Veteran having the ability to stay in their home, and a Veteran having to move into a care facility. For those who are no longer mobile, who have advanced Alzheimer’s or Dementia, or those with serious chronic illnesses such as Lou Gehrig’s Disease or Multiple Sclerosis, having a full-time caregiver means that they can stay in a familiar environment surrounded by their possessions and in a place that they love, even when they can no longer feed or bathe themselves.

Under previous legislation, only Veterans from certain eras were eligible to have a caregiver. The guidance has been expanded. Eligible Veterans from all eras are now able to apply for a caregiver who will be financially compensated by VA. Other guidelines have not been changed. A clear need for caregiving must still be established. However, there is no longer a requirement that a Veteran have served during a specific period of years.

Caregiver support offers many wonderful services beyond simply paying for someone to care for the men and women who have worn the cloth of our nation. The program can also help you with tips for care by diagnosis, support videos, resources, and general help. Even when you are completely devoted to providing the best care, you can still have questions or need support. When you need anything, call the caregiver support line at 1-855-260-3274, or visit their website for guidance.

Veteran Peer Specialists

Veterans now have the opportunity to transform their military service and journey of mental health recovery into a rewarding career as a VA peer specialist. Should you apply, you’ll have the opportunity to help recovering Veterans navigate their health care and develop positive health habits by bonding over lived experiences. In turn, you’ll receive comprehensive benefits and ample time off to enjoy the life that you fought for.

No medical training or education? No problem: Veterans that have received mental health services for at least one year already meet basic qualifications. Obtaining a peer specialist certification is the next step toward a fulfilling career with us. Search for peer specialist positions near you or in a location you might like to live on USAJOBS and see how we give Veterans an edge in getting hired that you won’t find anywhere else.

Nominate a Deserving Nurse

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program started in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Pat’s family experienced first-hand the difference that a caring nurse can make, and they started the award in his honor. Any nurse can receive a DAISY award; they only need to be nominated by a grateful family.

If there is a nurse that you feel has made a difference in your care or gone out of their way to be helpful to you, please consider nominating them. It only takes a moment to fill out the form online. Nominations are always open, and awardees are chosen every quarter. This is a great way to thank a nurse who has gone the extra mile for you, your loved one, or someone you know!

Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles

The changing seasons hold invaluable wisdom and life lessons that can illuminate our own personal journeys. Although we may experience nature’s seasons differently than in most parts of mainland United States, there is some profound wisdom that can be gleaned from reflecting on the phenomena of seasons.

Embracing Change: The seasons remind us that change is a natural part of life - a law interwoven into nature’s very fabric. Just as the earth transitions from spring to summer, autumn to winter, we too experience seasons of change in our lives. Perhaps one of the most difficult words in the English language is the word “accept”. However, when we can learn to accept what is outside of our control, we can instead focus our limited energies to devote to what we can control.

Letting Go and Renewal: Autumn displays the beauty of letting go as trees shed their leaves. Seasons remind us that letting go of the past is essential for new growth and renewal. Some are perpetually looking to the past, fixated on prior mistakes, regrets, and bad decisions. While others bask in the glory days, to the point that present opportunities are overlooked and unappreciated. But being able to move forward creates space for fresh experiences, ideas, and relationships to flourish.

Balance: The cycles of seasons exemplify the importance of balance and harmony. Just as nature finds equilibrium, we should strive to create balance in our lives. Nurturing a balance between work and play, solitude and social interaction, cultivates our overall well-being.

Change requires change: The same way we cannot adjust nature’s thermostat, we cannot always control all that life throws our way. However, we can learn to adjust and adapt in order to thrive in new and different ways. The same way one does not wear winter coats in the summer, different circumstances require new approaches. When we embrace the reality of change in our lives, we can be better positioned to thrive in various seasons of life.

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

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