Director's Message October 28, 2022
VAPIHCS Veterans, From October 24- 26, 2022, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) held a “Community Call” Veteran Event in response to a need for Guam Veterans to get vaccines and screenings. Over 30 employees from Oahu VAPIHCS locations flew to Guam and provided care to Veterans.
“We saw a huge turnout,” said Associate Director Devin Woods. “However, we recognize that we still have work to do.”
During the event, many services were provided, including vaccinations and immunizations, and health screenings -and in some cases- a need for immediate care was identified and addressed. Additionally, VAPIHCS tested for diseases like Hepatis C and HIV, cleared clinical reminders, and signed up Veterans for care under the PACT Act. Representatives from various VAPIHCS programs, Human Resources, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), TriWest, and local Veteran Services Organizations were available to answer questions and provided much needed resources.
This success will not be an isolated event. VAPIHCS leadership takes the needs of all Veterans seriously, and there are plans to do similar events in the Hawaiian Islands, American Samoa, and eventually in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI).
PACT Act Update
You’ve likely already heard about how the PACT Act could impact your care and benefits, but did you know it also expands health care eligibility for many Veterans?
When President Biden signed the PACT Act Aug. 10, 2022, it initiated one of the largest expansions of VA benefits in history. This includes extended VA health care enrollment eligibility to Vietnam-era, Gulf War-era and Post-9/11 Veterans.
You can help spread the word about expanded eligibility to enroll in VA health care for your Veteran friends who have not previously enrolled.
Remember: Applying for new benefits under the PACT Act will not affect your current benefits.
Apply For Medical Debt Relief
Veterans can now apply online for medical debt relief via the new online debt access webpage. Veterans may also continue to apply for medical debt relief either through a Facility Revenue Office or by calling the Health Resource Center (HRC). Objective income threshold criteria are now be used for the processing and consideration of debt relief, and supplemental documents to support requests are no longer be recommended for submission of applications. For questions, contact Alysse Mengason, Alysse.mengason@va.gov or 801-258-1656.
Closing Gaps in Benefits for LGBTQ+ Veterans and Survivors
VA is closing a gap in survivor benefits for certain survivors of LGBTQ+ Veterans. VA announced on October 13, 2022, that it is extending survivor benefits (effective immediately) for those who were unable to wed until the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision, and who, therefore, were not married to their now-deceased Veteran spouses for long enough to qualify for survivor benefits. This wrongly precluded many survivors of those LGBTQ+ Veterans from becoming eligible for survivor benefits because their Veteran spouse died before the marriage met VA’s length-of-marriage requirements. VA is committed to delivering world-class care and benefits to LGBTQ+ Veterans. As a part of this effort, last year, VA began providing benefits to Veterans who were given “Other Than Honorable” discharges due to their sexual orientation. VA is committed to equality, and though the work is not yet done, every step we take in the right direction helps more Veterans and their families to gain the rights that they earned and deserve.
Women’s Health October Focus: Chronic Pain
Every October, VHA focuses on a health topic. This month, it’s women’s health and chronic pain. During October, the VA Office of Women’s Health is encouraging women Veterans to seek care for chronic pain at VA. Women’s Health communications throughout the month will feature content and materials designed to educate Veterans about the complexities of chronic pain, outline the pain management options available at VA, and provide hope to Veterans regarding their quality of life once they begin managing their chronic pain at VA. With help, they will be able to do more of what they love, one step at a time. Don’t forget to ask your doctor about Whole Health offerings that compliment traditional treatments for pain.
Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles
I came across a popular story of a great orchestra that had gathered to rehearse with a celebrated conductor. As the music reached a crescendo, every instrument was being played – except for one. Distracted, the piccolo player had momentarily lost his place on the page of music. He hoped his instrument wouldn’t be missed. Suddenly, the conductor brought down his arm and silenced the orchestra. “Where’s the piccolo?” he inquired. To a skilled conductor, every part of the system is crucial – even those a person may think are not.
Like the orchestra, we all work as part of a system. And like every system, the various interconnecting parts all work together to accomplish a common purpose. Like the orchestra, when the sound of one instrument is missing, it affects the entire musical piece, someway, somehow. There are no non-essentials. Everything everyone does contributes to our overall purpose – providing excellent care to our Veterans.
Continue to provide the great service that you provide. You may not always directly see how your contributions matter, but it certainly makes a difference.
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
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
Podcast: https://vapihcspao.podbean.com/
Weekly Radio VA Updates:
Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. on AM830,KHVH with Rick Hamada