http://www.militarytimes.com en-us Copyright 2013, militarytimes.com SaxoTech Online Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:37:57 -0400 15 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130619/NEWS05/306190025 An Arizona lawmaker wants to expand veterans' access to private health care by requiring the Veterans Affairs Department to make the best interest of the patient a priority when deciding whether contracted care is appropriate. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:18:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130619/NEWS05/306190025 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130619/BENEFITS06/306190024 After years of frustration with a military body-fat measuring system that experts have said is inaccurate, one active-duty Marine is petitioning the White House to force a change. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:49:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130619/BENEFITS06/306190024 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130618/BENEFITS04/306180036 Three members of a Veterans Affairs Department advisory committee on Persian Gulf War illnesses walked out of a meeting in Washington, D.C., on Monday to protest planned changes to the board's makeup - alterations they say are designed to neuter the often outspoken panel. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:13:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130618/BENEFITS04/306180036 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130618/BENEFITS07/306180025 More than half of overseas commissaries won't have to close for furlough days, according to Defense Commissary Agency officials. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:04:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130618/BENEFITS07/306180025 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130617/BENEFITS06/306170024 A measure that would allow troops and military family members to have abortions at military hospitals if they pay for the procedures themselves has failed to pass the Senate Armed Services Committee. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:19:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130617/BENEFITS06/306170024 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130614/BENEFITS06/306140042 The Veterans Affairs hospital in Fayetteville says documents containing the personal information of nearly 1,100 veterans were found in a recycling bin two months ago. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:44:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130614/BENEFITS06/306140042 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130614/BENEFITS06/306140024 The House Appropriations Committee has taken steps to block the U.S. Special Operations Command's efforts to create separate programs for mental health, education and family resiliency. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:04:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130614/BENEFITS06/306140024 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130614/BENEFITS07/306140009 A private foundation broke ground Thursday at Fort Campbell on a new clinic to treat the signature wounds of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:20:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130614/BENEFITS07/306140009 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130613/BENEFITS02/306130030 A key Republican said Thursday he'll propose cutting cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security recipients and military and federal civilian retirees in an effort to find more money for defense programs. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:49:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130613/BENEFITS02/306130030 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130612/BENEFITS04/306120035 U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen urged members of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Wednesday to pass bills that would bring benefits equality to same-sex military couples and would enhance law school programs that provide free legal services to veterans. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:00:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130612/BENEFITS04/306120035 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130612/BENEFITS06/306120026 UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans Services has ousted its chief executive officer following the company's rocky transition in assuming management of the Tricare West Region contract two months ago. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:50:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130612/BENEFITS06/306120026 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130612/BENEFITS04/306120022 A top Veterans Affairs Department official reported Wednesday that VA may have broken the back of its claims backlog, the most vexing problem facing the department in the Post-9/11 era. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:42:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130612/BENEFITS04/306120022 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130611/BENEFITS04/306110019 Sen. Rob Portman is demanding answers from the Veterans Affairs Department following revelations that nearly half a million electronic records, including active loan files, were deleted from a VA computer system last month. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:45:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130611/BENEFITS04/306110019 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130611/BENEFITS06/306110032 The House and Senate disagree about the size of the 2014 military pay raise but are joined in opposition to yet another plan from the Defense Department to raise Tricare fees. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:15:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130611/BENEFITS06/306110032 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130611/NEWS05/306110026 The Pentagon's top leaders went to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to urge an end to the budget standoff that is likely to intensify the military's money crunch in 2014. Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:46:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130611/NEWS05/306110026 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130606/BENEFITS04/306060039 Roughly 464,000 electronic files, including active loan files, were mistakenly deleted from a Veterans Affairs Department computer system last month, Federal Times has learned. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:25:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130606/BENEFITS04/306060039 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130606/BENEFITS06/306060033 Q. I am having a baby with a medically retired Army veteran. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:04:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130606/BENEFITS06/306060033 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130606/BENEFITS04/306060003 A Lincoln man convicted of theft has been ordered to pay the Department of Veterans Affairs more than $124,000 in restitution. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 07:40:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130606/BENEFITS04/306060003 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130605/NEWS05/306050026 The House passed a bill Tuesday that could make it easier for veterans with mental health conditions related to a sexual assault that occurred during military service to get benefits from the Veterans Affairs Department. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:42:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130605/NEWS05/306050026 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130605/BENEFITS04/306050024 The Veterans Affairs Department is asking the public for input on its planned registry of service members potentially exposed to pollution from open-air burn pits and other sources in Iraq, Afghanistan and the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War. Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:31:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130605/BENEFITS04/306050024 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130603/NEWS/306030026 The Veterans Affairs Department will host mental health summits at all 152 VA medical centers from July to mid-September in an effort to improve coordination between VA and community behavioral health providers, President Obama announced today. Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:45:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130603/NEWS/306030026 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130603/BENEFITS06/306030036 About 173,000 military retirees and family members would have the option to remain in Tricare Prime in areas where the Pentagon wants to discontinue the program Oct. 1, under House legislation taking shape this week. Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:25:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130603/BENEFITS06/306030036 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130603/BENEFITS06/306030009 Medical providers in Tricare's West Region continue to be reluctant to accept military patients because UnitedHealthcare, the new regional contract manager, is slow to reimburse claims, say patients and physicians in the 21-state area. Mon, 03 Jun 2013 08:09:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130603/BENEFITS06/306030009 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130531/BENEFITS07/305310029 Commissary customers can expect their stores to start closing on Mondays as early as July 8. Fri, 31 May 2013 16:07:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130531/BENEFITS07/305310029 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130531/BENEFITS06/305310028 The Tricare Young Adult program will remain an available health coverage option for adult children of troops and military retirees under a final rule issued Wednesday by the Obama administration. Fri, 31 May 2013 15:20:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130531/BENEFITS06/305310028 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130531/BENEFITS06/305310013 Researchers at the National Institute for Aviation Research, experts on aircraft composites, are closer to branching into another field of creativity. Fri, 31 May 2013 08:10:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130531/BENEFITS06/305310013 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130530/PRIME/305300032 There is growing fear that the pain of sequestration, which takes a stronger toll each day on service members and families, could be repeated in 2014. Thu, 30 May 2013 19:55:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130530/PRIME/305300032 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130529/BENEFITS04/305290029 Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki warned Wednesday that tackling the problem of homelessness among veterans, like so many other problems vets face, is likely to get more difficult before it is solved. Wed, 29 May 2013 15:04:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130529/BENEFITS04/305290029 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130529/NEWS/305290007 A Virginia congressman wants an Army officer to be the person in charge of Arlington National Cemetery. Wed, 29 May 2013 08:25:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130529/NEWS/305290007 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130528/NEWS/305280018 A leading pediatricians' group is highlighting the plight of children in military families in a new report. Tue, 28 May 2013 10:02:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130528/NEWS/305280018 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130526/BENEFITS06/305260014 Q. I recently enlisted in the Army National Guard. I will leave for basic combat training and advanced individual training in a month. Sun, 26 May 2013 15:42:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130526/BENEFITS06/305260014 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130526/OFFDUTY03/305260013 Mission Family: Memorial Day Sun, 26 May 2013 15:42:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130526/OFFDUTY03/305260013 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130525/NEWS/305250010 One patient with a history of substance abuse and suicidal thoughts was left alone in a waiting room inside the Atlanta VA Medical Center, where he obtained drugs from a hospital visitor and later died of an overdose. Sat, 25 May 2013 15:08:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130525/NEWS/305250010 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130524/NEWS/305240025 Here are some ideas for fun this weekend that won't crush your budget: Fri, 24 May 2013 16:20:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130524/NEWS/305240025 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130524/BENEFITS06/305240024 Troops would be required to get a mental health checkup once every six months when deployed to contingency operations under a draft version of the 2014 defense bill approved by the House Armed Services Committee's personnel panel. Fri, 24 May 2013 16:17:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130524/BENEFITS06/305240024 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130524/BENEFITS06/305240017 The family of Kaitlyn Samuels, 16, and many other family memnbers with special needs were hoping Congress would pass a law requiring Tricare to cover hippotherapy - physical therapy conducted on horseback. Fri, 24 May 2013 13:01:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130524/BENEFITS06/305240017 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130524/BENEFITS06/305240014 Tricare is waiving required referrals for specialty care and emergency prescription refills for its beneficiaries in Oklahoma affected by the May 20 tornado. Fri, 24 May 2013 12:43:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130524/BENEFITS06/305240014 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130523/NEWS05/305230030 In a pre-Memorial Day push to show their concern about the backlog of veterans' disability claims, House Republicans are calling for an independent task force to recommend a solution while House Democrats pushed the idea of providing temporary benefits to Thu, 23 May 2013 16:30:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130523/NEWS05/305230030 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130523/NEWS05/305230028 The Defense Department is abandoning its plans to build a single, joint electronic health record system with the Veterans Affairs Department in favor of developing its own system using commercial software. Thu, 23 May 2013 15:44:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130523/NEWS05/305230028 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130522/BENEFITS/305220028 A Veterans Affairs Department effort to spend six months concentrating on its oldest benefits claims is having some success, but lawmakers are concerned that the improvements might be temporary. Wed, 22 May 2013 16:40:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130522/BENEFITS/305220028 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130522/NEWS/305210044 A key House panel rejected the idea that budget cuts must mean pain for service members, retirees and their families. Wed, 22 May 2013 16:19:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130522/NEWS/305210044 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130522/EDU02/305220025 Student veterans applying to use GI Bill benefits would be better served by the Veterans Affairs Department if they were warned of how long it might take to receive those benefits, according to a new congressional report. Wed, 22 May 2013 15:43:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130522/EDU02/305220025 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130522/NEWS/305220015 A U.S. official says the Pentagon has decided to buy a new computerized health records system that will allow the department to better share and merge its data with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Wed, 22 May 2013 12:39:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130522/NEWS/305220015 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130521/NEWS/305210022 Thousands of Minnesota soldiers are returning from war with chronic pain from injuries that leave many of them impaired and even disabled, and there's been a steep increase in such injuries over the past decade. Wed, 22 May 2013 08:45:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130521/NEWS/305210022 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130521/NEWS/305210040 Annual cost-of-living adjustments in veterans' disability and survivor benefits would become automatic - just like Social Security - beginning in 2014 under a bill passed by the House on Tuesday. Tue, 21 May 2013 16:13:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130521/NEWS/305210040 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130521/NEWS/305210042 The Veterans Affairs Department is 240 people shy of meeting a goal to hire 1,600 new mental health professionals by June 30, VA officials said Tuesday. Tue, 21 May 2013 15:53:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130521/NEWS/305210042 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130521/BENEFITS04/305210024 The Veterans Affairs Department's latest initiative to try to reduce the backlog of compensation claims is a partnership with the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans to help veterans make sure their file has all the essential information. Tue, 21 May 2013 13:46:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130521/BENEFITS04/305210024 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130521/NEWS/305210013 The Small Business Administration says it has lined up pledges from more than 120 banks to increase lending to veterans. Tue, 21 May 2013 08:40:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130521/NEWS/305210013 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130520/BENEFITS/305200031 Tricare Prime beneficiaries in the West region are still facing delays in obtaining specialty care, prompting Pentagon officials to extend the waiver period for getting treatment without a referral through June 18. Mon, 20 May 2013 16:07:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130520/BENEFITS/305200031 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130520/NEWS/305200016 More than 85,000 veterans were treated last year for injuries or illness stemming from sexual abuse in the military, and 4,000 sought disability benefits, underscoring the staggering long-term impact of a crisis that has roiled the Pentagon and been conde Mon, 20 May 2013 14:13:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130520/NEWS/305200016 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130517/BENEFITS07/305170008 Concerned that teenage obesity has dramatically reduced the number of people eligible for military service, Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., has introduced legislation to create an education program about healthy lifestyles. Fri, 17 May 2013 10:30:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130517/BENEFITS07/305170008 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130516/BENEFITS/305100012 New technology is helping active-duty troops, family members and veterans take advantage of more discounts. Thu, 16 May 2013 15:42:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130516/BENEFITS/305100012 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130516/BENEFITS06/305160015 Q. I am a retired Marine with Tricare Prime for myself and my family. My daughter, 19 and a full-time student, is pregnant by her boyfriend, also a full-time student. Thu, 16 May 2013 15:30:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130516/BENEFITS06/305160015 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130516/NEWS/305160008 In an expanding effort to eliminate the benefits claims backlog, the Veterans Affairs Department announced Wednesday it is putting its claims processing staff on mandatory overtime through the end of the fiscal year. Thu, 16 May 2013 10:20:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130516/NEWS/305160008 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130515/NEWS/305150020 The Defense Department could run out of health care money in August, with a risk of disruption in Tricare coverage, according to a new congressional report that looks at the governmentwide impact of sequestration. Wed, 15 May 2013 14:36:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130515/NEWS/305150020 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130515/BENEFITS06/305150019 Two Republican lawmakers introduced a bill Tuesday that would require the Defense Department to offer the Tricare Prime managed health care option in places where the department plans to discontinue the program on Oct 1. Wed, 15 May 2013 14:29:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130515/BENEFITS06/305150019 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130515/NEWS/305150002 Liquor producer Brown-Forman Corp. and Fort Knox are mixing two Kentucky traditions - bourbon and the military - at the famed Army post. Wed, 15 May 2013 07:36:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130515/NEWS/305150002 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130514/BENEFITS06/305140016 Fully electronic veterans' benefits claims, a necessary ingredient for the Obama administration to fulfill its pledge to eliminate the claims backlog by the end of 2015, is showing only modest results in initial stages. Wed, 15 May 2013 08:53:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130514/BENEFITS06/305140016 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130514/NEWS/305140019 Nearly 8,800 civilians working in the Defense Department's medical community - including mental health specialists - will not have to take the mandatory 11-day furlough announced today by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Tue, 14 May 2013 17:35:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130514/NEWS/305140019 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130514/NEWS05/305140017 Military child care centers and schools for military children will get some relief from the Defense Department's civilian furloughs. Tue, 14 May 2013 16:51:00 -0400 http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130514/NEWS05/305140017