TREA Washington Update for February 1, 2008

Oh, Joy!!! The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act was signed by President Bush this week. This is the news that many of you have been waiting for. The improvements in the benefits for many Chapter 61 Medical retirees, many Guard and Reserve members and retirees, 100% IU disabled retirees and more are included-so this is a very good week indeed.

From the Washington Office:

1) MHS Conference Is Held In Washington DC This Week

2) VA Medical Travel Allowance Increases

3) World War I Veterans

4) Army Suicides Increase Dramatically

From TREA HQ:

5) TREA Store is Back Open

6) February Issue of The Voice E-mag is Ready to Download

7) Military Reunions

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1) Military Health Service Conference Is Held In Washington DC This Week-Through Thursday of this week over 3,500 medical personnel service the MHS met in Washington to discuss Military medicine. Unlike prior years, the programs did not focus on the TRICARE programs. Rather they focused on treating the battle injured, the creation of an electronic military record and the difficulty DoD is having recruiting and retaining first rate doctors, nurses and other medical personnel. The Conference was led by the new Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Affairs and Director of TRICARE Management Activity, Dr. S. Ward Casscells. Dr Casscells is a prominent Texas Cardiologist who joined the Army Reserves after 9/11 and deployed to Iraq in 2006, as well as being mobilized to serve in the Army’s response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He took on his latest position last year.

It was interesting to see how quickly a change in leadership created a change in focus. While I was able to meet with and discuss TREA’s concerns with all the present TRICARE contractors, as well as other companies that are planning to bid on the T-3 TRICARE contracts when they are released for bidding, the session themselves were focused on Wartime Medicine: how to treat the returning warriors who are wounded in body/and or mind; how to move them smoothly through different treatment locations (and how a functioning electronic medical record would help that); and how to recruit and retain medical personnel during a protracted war.

There were other changes as well including the creation of several Awards to recognize “the dedication put forth in reaching and exceeding the goals of the Military Health System”; as well as numerous lectures and panels. Beginning February 7, for 3 months, you can see all of the Conference’s plenary session via on demand viewing and audio podcasting. Go to http://www.health.mil.   

2) VA Medical Travel Allowance Increases-Just 1 week after we wrote about the delay in the implementation of the authorized increase the VA travel allowance to receive medical treatment, Secretary Peake announced its implementation. (I rather doubt that it had anything to do with our article.) The mileage payment jumps from 11 cents a mile to 28.5 cents per mile. It goes into affect today! To read the full press release please look below:  

VA Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2008

VA Increases Travel Reimbursement for Eligible Veterans
Peake: Disabled Veterans Earned Increase

WASHINGTON – Over a million eligible veterans will see their mileage reimbursement more than double starting tomorrow, for travel to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities.

“This increase helps veterans --especially those living in rural areas --offset some of the gasoline costs as they travel to VA’s world-class health care,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “Increasing the mileage reimbursement is one more step by VA to help veterans access the health care they deserve.”

The 2008 appropriations act provided funding for VA to increase the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate from 11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile. The increase goes into effect on Feb. 1.

After little more then a month on the job, Secretary Peake used his authority to establish the first increase in the mileage reimbursement in 30 years, fulfilling a pledge he made during his Senate confirmation hearing last month.

While increasing the payment, VA, as mandated by law, also equally increased the deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements. The new deductibles are $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, with a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month. However, these deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.

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3) World War I Veterans-Below please find fascinating biographies of the 2 surviving American WWI Veterans known to the VA. If any of you know anther WWI please let us know. The Nation would like to acknowledge him.

	Frank Buckles In 1917 – more than 90-years ago --the United States entered the Great Conflict in Europe. Sixteen-year-old Frank Buckles decided he wanted in, too. He figured he could fib about his age; say he’s 18. But the Army recruiter told him, “No good: you need to be 21.” So he kept shopping around until finally, he found a recruiter who believed him when he said his home state of Missouri didn’t keep birth records when he was born; it’s back home on the farm, an entry in the family Bible. Soon, young Frank was “Over There” in England. His ultimate goal was France where the action was. It took him a while but eventually he made it, thanks to some sage advice. “An old sergeant said, if you want to get to France in a hurry, then join the ambulance service,” Frank recalls. “The French are big for ambulance service.” Of the two surviving World War One veterans in North America today, Frank Buckles is the only remaining World War I veteran who actually saw the war in Europe. “I had many different assignments,” Frank says, “and I was doing things that I thought were important... no, I didn't either: I didn't think they were important. But I found out afterwards when I read up on my history that some of the things that I did were quite important." Being an ambulance driver, Frank didn’t see combat but he saw plenty of casualties. And after the armistice, he delivered German POWs back to the Fatherland, a foreshadowing of his own fate 20 years later. After two years in the Army, Frank went out to see the world and worked for the White Star Line of Titanic fame. For the next 20-years, he lived the life of a merchant seaman. By 1941, the shipping business had taken Frank to the Philippines. On December 8th, he and millions of Filipinos experienced their own horrific version of Pearl Harbor when the Japanese invaded the islands. Ironically, although Frank served in only one world war, he suffered in two. For the next three and a half years, Frank was a prisoner of war. It was a harsh, brutal experience. Frank ended up at Los Baños, a former university campus that had been converted into an internment camp for more than 2,000 civilians. He kept himself and his fellow prisoners mentally sharp by focusing on the physical: every day, he led the group in rigorous calisthenics. Finally, in 1945, the Los Baños prisoners were rescued in a daring raid by paratroopers from the 11th Airborne Division. When Frank emerged from Los Baños, he was 100 pounds lighter than when he entered. At war’s end, Frank returned to the States. He fell in love with a California girl and she agreed to settle down with him in the beautiful northwest corner of West Virginia: the Buckles’ ancestral homeland. Frank and Audrey bought and restored a charming 18th century stone farmhouse. Fifty-three years later, he’s still there. Although Audrey passed away in 1999, their daughter Susannah and her husband now spend much of their time running the farm – with Frank. Frank was still out working the tractor at the age of 103. Today, Frank surrounds himself with family and friends, books and mementos from a life filled with journeys and adventure. In his private study is home to dozens of books about World Wars One and Two. His larger library contains more than a thousand volumes. Even now, Frank continues his life-long passion of reading. But not the reading of just anything; Frank is an unabashed student of history. He has no time for fiction. Frank says, “Why should I read something someone made up when real events are so interesting?” When asked his secret to a long life, Frank has a quick answer at the ready: “Be prepared,” he jokes. But the longer answer may lie in the independent way he’s always led his life. Frank Buckles neatly fits the profile that gerontologists point to as ideal: he’s had a life-long passion for reading and learning; an ongoing interest in foreign languages and culture; and has been physically fit his entire life. Years ago, Frank made a sentimental journey to his father’s farm in Missouri, the place of his birth. There he spotted the old bell that his father rang the day he was born in 1901. He made the current farmer an offer and bought it on the spot. Today on his farm in West Virginia –107 years later – that same bell rings loud and clear for Frank Woodruff Buckles: a National Treasure.
Harry Landis America ’s other remaining World War I veteran is also Missouri-born and celebrated his 108th birthday at his Sun City Center, Fla. home in December 2007. Harry Landis was born Dec. 12, 1899, on a family farm just outside of Hannibal, Mo. At eight years of age he went to work rounding up cows to milk. The seventh of eight children, he rode a horse into town to help conduct family business for the farm that is still owned by family members. Going to school was a break. In 1917 he graduated from high school and attended Central College, now Central Methodist University, in Fayette, Mo., where he began work on a degree.  In 1918, a year after America entered the war, Landis figured he was going to be drafted so he enlisted and stayed on campus as an Army private in the Student Army Training Corps. He said the only action he saw was his sergeant ordering him to mop up after sick recruits in the make-shift sick bay on the fourth-floor dormitory where he was supposed to be learning drilling and military instruction. Indeed, the entire region was suffering from the Spanish influenza and because of his healthy constitution, Landis stayed on as nearly all of the nurses quit. He says every morning he would wake up and go back and get the mop and bucket. About the time Landis turned 19, the war ended and he was honorably discharged. In 1941, he signed up to fight in World War II, but was rejected for being "too old." Returning to school at CMU, he finished his degree in physics and math and taught high school and coached football for three years before eventually becoming a manager at S.S. Kresge Co. (which later became K-Mart) in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and Dayton, Ohio. On his 107th birthday in 2006, a reporter asked Harry “how does it feel to be a 107?” He chuckled. “The same as it feels to be 105.”

4) Army Suicides Increase Dramatically-It was reported yesterday that the U.S. Army’s suicide rate is the highest it has been since they started keeping records in 1980. Last year 121 soldiers took their lives and approximately 2,100 soldiers injured themselves or attempted to kill themselves in 2007. In 2206 the rate reached 17.5 suicides per 100,000 active duty soldiers. The lowest suicide rate recorded for the Army was 9.8 suicides per 100,000 active duty soldiers in 2001. At the MHS Conference there was discussion on what sort of treatments need to be made available both in theater and at home.   

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From an Army Media Roundtable today
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
ARMY SUICIDE PREVENTION INFORMATION

The Army takes suicide prevention very seriously. We are honor bound to ensure we do everything possible to minimize potential risks. We will never leave a fallen comrade.

It is crucial for our personnel to know that it is okay to ask for help during times of distress and personal crisis.

Seeking help is a positive step towards protecting yourself and others from the permanent consequences that can arise when extreme stress reactions occur.

Our leaders are keenly aware of the stresses facing our Soldiers both on deployment and at home station, and have moved to address these issues on several fronts.

In 2001, the Army Suicide Prevention Program launched a prevention campaign including new strategies and a revised Suicide Prevention model. Each year, the Army reviews its program and strives to improve its strategies based on the current environment and lessons learned.

To minimize suicidal behavior, one of the strategies focuses on training Soldiers, leaders, and Family members to recognize signs of suicidal behavior, understand the risks of suicide, intervention strategies, and how to refer individuals for follow-on support and care.

Program strategies focus on: developing life-coping skills, encouraging help-seeking behavior and eliminating stigma of seeking mental health care, buddy aid, maintaining constant vigilance, integrating and synchronizing unit and community programs, and maintaining surveillance of suicidal behaviors through the Army Suicide Event Report.

Suicide awareness training includes recognizing the verbal and nonverbal signs and symptoms, identifies behavioral and situational predictors, and Army installation and community support systems that help individuals in times of distress.

Failed relationships, legal and financial problems, and occupational and operational issues are consistently cited as the main stressors/risk factors that lead to suicide.

The 2005 suicide rate for the Army was 12.8 deaths per 100,000 Soldiers according to the Army G-1, Suicide Prevention Office. The rate for 2006 is 17.5 per 100K Active Army Soldiers.

It is crucial for our Soldiers to recognize that seeking help during times of stress is a sign of strength, not weakness. Leadership involvement is key to create healthy environments where Soldiers are encouraged to seek help.

The Army has instituted numerous programs and resources to provide for Soldiers and families in need. For example:

The Deployment Cycle Support Process is an initiative to provide a tool for Active Army and Reserve Component Soldiers, their Family members and DA Civilians to synchronize services available to deal with the stress associated throughout the deployment cycle.  

In March 2007, the Army Medical Department stood up the AMEDD Suicide Prevention Office, which is committed to translating the results of surveillance and intervention into prevention and treatment programs.

It launched a web-site, http://www.behavioralhealth.army.mil/, which is intended to be a comprehensive venue for Soldiers and family members to get information on a variety of mental and behavioral health issues and resources available.

Installations and units continue to implement local intervention programs with the assistance of the Community Health Promotion Council, Suicide Prevention Task Force, or Suicide Prevention Coordinators.

Soldiers and Family members in need have ready access to existing and new services; all they need to do is ask their chain of command, chaplain, leader, buddy, or person trained in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) or Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) for help.

Based on all of these things, it is time to re-charge and re-invigorate internal communications in support of the Army's current efforts to change our culture regarding attitudes towards mental health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, and other forms of personal distress.

QUESTION(s):

 --1) Can you please provide me a reaction to what appears to be the continuing increase in suicides?

ANSWER:

The loss of any member of the Army family is a tragedy and suicide prevention is a top priority for the U.S. Army. The Army Suicide Prevention Program has been in place since 1986. We are continuously improving and adapting our training, intervention and support programs.

The Army recognizes the importance of suicide prevention and is taking numerous steps to decrease those risks that may contribute to suicidal behavior. Our prevention efforts do help soldiers and their families deal with the challenges they face every day.  The Army continues to implement new policies; programs and strategies that help mitigate risk for our Soldiers and Families.  The Army applies a holistic approach to take care of all Soldiers and Families regardless of the cause of death. We closely evaluate the circumstances around each loss and make changes to our programs and initiatives. Plans include increased training for intervention, awareness, chaplaincy and unit ministry teams, as well as BATTLEMIND training, and Army Strong Bonds training programs.

The Army recently has sent suicide-prevention assistance teams to the battlefield in October 2007 and to local installations. The teams consist of behavioral health providers, chaplains and other experts, as needed. We have studied cases of both suicides and suicide attempts, and reviewed a number of areas. These include: awareness, education, training, treatment, help-seeking behavior, unit climate, surveillance and post-suicide actions. Specific concrete recommendations are being implemented. Other recent major initiatives include a nationwide Army "chain-teaching" program for all Soldiers on Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, stress and brain injury awareness; suicide screening of Warrior Transition Unit Soldiers; increased training for health care providers to identify and treat PTSD and substance abuse; updating training and intervention programs; time-specific (deployment cycle) and unit-specific suicide-prevention training; as well as increases in behavioral health staffing (including drug & alcohol counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers). Each year, the Army reviews its program and strives to improve its strategies based on the current environment and lessons learned.

Soldiers who are in crisis should talk to their chaplain or chain of command immediately. The may also call Military OneSource:

1-800-342-9647. Two other crisis services are available at National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE. We also remind fellow Soldiers and Families of our ACE of hearts card, please see ATTACHED.

To decrease suicidal behavior, part of the strategies focus on training Soldiers, leaders and Family members to recognize signs of suicidal behavior, understand the risks of suicide, intervention strategies, and how to refer individuals for follow-on support and care. Others initiatives focus on: developing life-coping skills, encouraging help-seeking behavior and eliminating stigma of seeking mental health care, buddy aid, maintaining constant vigilance, integrating and synchronizing unit and community programs, and maintaining surveillance of suicidal behaviors through the Army Suicide Event Report.

Suicide awareness training includes recognizing the verbal and nonverbal signs and symptoms, identifies behavioral and situational predictors, and Army installation and community support systems that help individuals in times of distress.

The Army pioneered a mental-health awareness and education program called the BATTLEMIND Training System that helps to prepare active and Reserve-component Soldiers as well as their Families for the stressors of war, and also assists with the detection of possible mental health issues before and after deployment. It informs them about the common signs and symptoms they may experience when readjusting after a combat deployment.

In 2006, the Army incorporated into the Deployment Cycle Support program a new training program called "BATTLEMIND" training. It is a strengths-based approach that highlights the skills that helped Warriors survive in combat instead of focusing on the negative effects of combat.

The Army's efforts to address behavioral health continued in 2007 as we expanded BATTLEMIND training with modules for pre-deployment training and for spouses.

The goals of post-deployment Spouse BATTLEMIND training are to:

*      identify common areas of deployment-related concern or conflict

that military Spouses and Soldiers experience

*      provide strategies to enhance your and your Family's resilience

after deployment

*      identify cues for when to seek help and available resources for yourself and your Family

The acronym "BATTLEMIND" identifies 10 combat skills that, if adapted, will facilitate the transition home. An example is the concept of how Soldiers who have high tactical and situational awareness in the operational environment may experience hypervigilence when they get home. The post-deployment BATTLEMIND training has been incorporated into the Army Deployment Cycle Support Program, and is being used at Department of Veterans' Affairs Vet Centers and other settings.  The program's acronym addresses:

• Bonds (Social Support)

• Adding/Subtracting Family Roles

• Taking Control

• Talking it Out

• Loyalty and Commitment

• Emotional Balance

• Mental Health and Readiness

• Independence

• Navigating the Army System

• Denial of Self (Self-Sacrifice)

For the future, the Army will continue multidisciplinary task forces to integrate and synchronize efforts; continue increasing the number of behavioral health caregivers in those units deployed for more than six months; emphasizing continued leadership involvement to create healthy environments where Soldiers are encouraged to seek help, using the battle-buddy system, and continuing programs that enrich and develop lasting relationships for both married and single Soldiers through relationship-building seminars and workshops. We will keep emphasizing the use of Community Health Promotion Councils, Installation Suicide Prevention Task Forces and Suicide Prevention Coordinators to identify trends, actively coordinate with efforts of major subordinate units and to adopt key Army strategies for suicide prevention.

Dedicated web sites on these topics:

• www.battlemind.org

• www.behavioralhealth.army.mil

• http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/dhpw/Readiness/suicide.aspx

• www.myarmylifetoo.com

• www.armyfrg.org

--2) Can you please provide me with a round number of activated soldiers this year (active duty plus activated guard and reserve) so that I can have a denominator to ascertain an accurate per-100,000 rate of suicide?

ANSWER. The final FY07 active duty rate will be released in March 2008.

The active duty rate for FY05 was 12.8 per 100K; and the active duty rate for FY06 was 17.5 per 100K.

--3) Can you please provide a more current 2007 number for the total Army suicides, both confirmed and suspected (or pending)?

ANSWER. To date, there have been 89 confirmed suicides in CY07.

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From TREA HQ:

5) TREA Store is Back Open - The Company that hosted our TREA Store abruptly stopped services, and failed to notify us. The TREA Store has now reopened at www.trea.org - Click on TREA Store.

6) February Issue of The Voice E-mag is Ready to Download - The February The Voice e-mag is now ready to download. Go to www.trea.org/TheVOICE.html

7) Military Reunions - Have you checked out our Reunion Page?  Go to www.trea.org, and click on Reunion/Buddies. There you can search for military reunions, submit a reunion, or download the reunion poster to post in your city wherever military veterans are.

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