Smoking Cessation Treatment for Veterans with PTSD
Washington, DC
The House Veterans Affairs (VA) Committee held a hearing on July 9, 2008, to investigate the Washington Times report that the VA is conducting a study that provides Chantix, a smoking cessation drug, to veterans diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). VA Secretary Dr. James B. Peake testified about the VA’s research programs and its absolute commitment to providing safe and effective treatment to its patients. Dr. Peake has directed four internal investigations:
A comprehensive review of the smoking cessation study within 30 days
A review of all PTSD drug protocols in the VA system within 45 days
A full review of our adverse event reporting system for pharmaceuticals within 20 days
A review of VA’s medication notification system to ensure the system’s policies support timely communications to our patients and providers within 20 days
To read more about Secretary Peake’s testimony, visit http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressre ... fm?id=1523. To read the statements of other witnesses, please visit http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hear ... newsid=270. ... Continue to Full Story
The House Veterans Affairs (VA) Committee held a hearing on July 9, 2008, to investigate the Washington Times report that the VA is conducting a study that provides Chantix, a smoking cessation drug, to veterans diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). VA Secretary Dr. James B. Peake testified about the VA’s research programs and its absolute commitment to providing safe and effective treatment to its patients. Dr. Peake has directed four internal investigations:
A comprehensive review of the smoking cessation study within 30 days
A review of all PTSD drug protocols in the VA system within 45 days
A full review of our adverse event reporting system for pharmaceuticals within 20 days
A review of VA’s medication notification system to ensure the system’s policies support timely communications to our patients and providers within 20 days
To read more about Secretary Peake’s testimony, visit http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressre ... fm?id=1523. To read the statements of other witnesses, please visit http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hear ... newsid=270. ... Continue to Full Story
MORE VA COMMUNITY BASED CLINICS
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake today announced plans to create 44 new community-based outpatient clinics to bring VA care closer to home for veterans in 21 states.
The new clinics, scheduled to be opened over the next 15 months, will increase VA's network of independent and community-based clinics to 782, an increase of more than 100 in five years.
This growth in community clinics has helped VA meet veterans' expectations for prompt, quality service. The planned sites for VA’s new outpatient clinics are:
Alabama (2) -- Marshall County, Wiregrass
Alaska -- Matanuska-Susitna Borough area
Arkansas (2) -- Ozark, White County
California -- East Bay-Alameda County area
Florida -- Summerfield
Georgia (4) -- Baldwin County, Coweta County, Glynn County, Liberty County
Indiana (2) -- Miami County, Morgan County
Iowa -- Wapello County
Louisiana (5) -- Lake Charles, Leesville, Natchitoches, St. Mary Parish, Washington Parish
Maine -- Lewiston-Auburn area
Minnesota (2) -- Douglas County, Northwest Metro
Missouri -- Franklin County
New Mexico -- Rio Rancho
North Carolina (2) -- Robeson County, Rutherford County
Dakota -- Grand Forks County
Ohio -- Gallia County
Oklahoma (4) -- Altus, Craig County, Enid, Jay
Tennessee (3) -- Giles County, Maury County, McMinn County
Texas (5) -- Katy, Lake Jackson, Richmond, Tomball, El Paso County
Virginia (3) -- Augusta County, Emporia, Wytheville
West Virginia -- Greenbrier County ... Continue to Full Story
The new clinics, scheduled to be opened over the next 15 months, will increase VA's network of independent and community-based clinics to 782, an increase of more than 100 in five years.
This growth in community clinics has helped VA meet veterans' expectations for prompt, quality service. The planned sites for VA’s new outpatient clinics are:
Alabama (2) -- Marshall County, Wiregrass
Alaska -- Matanuska-Susitna Borough area
Arkansas (2) -- Ozark, White County
California -- East Bay-Alameda County area
Florida -- Summerfield
Georgia (4) -- Baldwin County, Coweta County, Glynn County, Liberty County
Indiana (2) -- Miami County, Morgan County
Iowa -- Wapello County
Louisiana (5) -- Lake Charles, Leesville, Natchitoches, St. Mary Parish, Washington Parish
Maine -- Lewiston-Auburn area
Minnesota (2) -- Douglas County, Northwest Metro
Missouri -- Franklin County
New Mexico -- Rio Rancho
North Carolina (2) -- Robeson County, Rutherford County
Dakota -- Grand Forks County
Ohio -- Gallia County
Oklahoma (4) -- Altus, Craig County, Enid, Jay
Tennessee (3) -- Giles County, Maury County, McMinn County
Texas (5) -- Katy, Lake Jackson, Richmond, Tomball, El Paso County
Virginia (3) -- Augusta County, Emporia, Wytheville
West Virginia -- Greenbrier County ... Continue to Full Story
Medicare Rates Will be Cut 10.6 Percent on July 1
Latest News
Medicare Rates Will be Cut 10.6 Percent on July 1, as Senate Fails to Pass Fee Fix
Senate Democratic leaders fell one vote short in their effort June 26 to pass the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331). This means the 10.6 percent Medicare physician payment cut WILL go into effect on Tuesday, July 1. Some kind of fix could pass in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, CMS will implement the cut.
Senate Democrats were joined by Republicans Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, Olympia Snowe of Maine, Gordon Smith of Oregon, Pat Roberts of Kansas, Norm Coleman of Minnesota, Susan Collins of Maine, Ted Stevens of Alaska, George Voinovich of Ohio and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. The final vote was 58 to 40, with 60 votes needed to pass this legislation. Senate majority leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., changed his vote to no for procedural reasons. Reid stated that the Senate will vote again on H.R. 6331 after Sen. Edward Kenne ... Continue to Full Story
Medicare Rates Will be Cut 10.6 Percent on July 1, as Senate Fails to Pass Fee Fix
Senate Democratic leaders fell one vote short in their effort June 26 to pass the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331). This means the 10.6 percent Medicare physician payment cut WILL go into effect on Tuesday, July 1. Some kind of fix could pass in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, CMS will implement the cut.
Senate Democrats were joined by Republicans Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, Olympia Snowe of Maine, Gordon Smith of Oregon, Pat Roberts of Kansas, Norm Coleman of Minnesota, Susan Collins of Maine, Ted Stevens of Alaska, George Voinovich of Ohio and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. The final vote was 58 to 40, with 60 votes needed to pass this legislation. Senate majority leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., changed his vote to no for procedural reasons. Reid stated that the Senate will vote again on H.R. 6331 after Sen. Edward Kenne ... Continue to Full Story
NAVAPD President meets with Secretary Peake
Washington, DC June 1, 2008
Dr. Samuel Spagnolo met recently with the Honorable James B. Peake, M.D., Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The meeting took place in VA Central Office and Dr. Spagnolo was accompanied by NAVAPD member Dr. Gregory Trachiotis, Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Washington, DC VAMC.
Dr. Spagnolo briefed the Secretary on the long history of NAVAPD as well as various quality of care issues that continue to be of interest and concern to members. Dr. Peake, a thoracic surgeon is particularly interested in cardiovascular surgical services throughout the VHA and anticipates visiting as many facilities as his schedule allows. The Secretary continues to be supportive of NAVAPD's publication regarding physician and dentist retirement regulations and options and offered the assistance of the VA Human Resources staff to assist with the next edition. Dr. Spagnolo thanked the Secretary for his ti ... Continue to Full Story
Dr. Samuel Spagnolo met recently with the Honorable James B. Peake, M.D., Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The meeting took place in VA Central Office and Dr. Spagnolo was accompanied by NAVAPD member Dr. Gregory Trachiotis, Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Washington, DC VAMC.
Dr. Spagnolo briefed the Secretary on the long history of NAVAPD as well as various quality of care issues that continue to be of interest and concern to members. Dr. Peake, a thoracic surgeon is particularly interested in cardiovascular surgical services throughout the VHA and anticipates visiting as many facilities as his schedule allows. The Secretary continues to be supportive of NAVAPD's publication regarding physician and dentist retirement regulations and options and offered the assistance of the VA Human Resources staff to assist with the next edition. Dr. Spagnolo thanked the Secretary for his ti ... Continue to Full Story
VA Retains Facilities at Four Boston Campuses
Washington, DC May 5, 2008
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will continue to provide services at its four Boston-area campuses—Bedford, Brockton, Jamaica Plain, and West Roxbury. In 2006, former VA Secretary James Nicholson rejected consolidation of all Boston health care services at one location, but selected for further study the possibility that Bedford’s services could be moved to the Brockton campus and that VA’s Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury might be consolidated.
These options were investigated thoroughly, along with another more limited transfer of Bedford’s services to Brockton that would have retained nursing home and outpatient services at the Bedford campus. VA’s review of these options found there was no convincing data that consolidations would significantly improve quality of care, access, or achieve significant financial savings at this time. For additional information see: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressre ... fm?id=1498 ... Continue to Full Story
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will continue to provide services at its four Boston-area campuses—Bedford, Brockton, Jamaica Plain, and West Roxbury. In 2006, former VA Secretary James Nicholson rejected consolidation of all Boston health care services at one location, but selected for further study the possibility that Bedford’s services could be moved to the Brockton campus and that VA’s Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury might be consolidated.
These options were investigated thoroughly, along with another more limited transfer of Bedford’s services to Brockton that would have retained nursing home and outpatient services at the Bedford campus. VA’s review of these options found there was no convincing data that consolidations would significantly improve quality of care, access, or achieve significant financial savings at this time. For additional information see: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressre ... fm?id=1498 ... Continue to Full Story
by sspagnolo | Friday, July 11, 2008 at 11:51 AM
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