VA To Offer Health Care to Previously Ineligible Priority ( 8 ) Veterans

The VA has announced plans to re-open enrollment in its health care system by July 2009 to about 265,000 veterans whose incomes exceed current limits.

The change affects veterans whose incomes exceed the current VA means test and geographic means test income thresholds by 10 percent or less. Congress provided funds in VA’s fiscal year 2009 budget to support the new enrollment.

The coming changes which should be complete when the rule takes effect by June 30, 2009. Veterans with questions on this issue can contact VA’s Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit the VA health eligibility website: http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/

VA Increases Travel Reimbursement Rate, Effective Nov. 17, 2008

On Monday, the VA announced that Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake would use his authority to raise the mileage reimbursement from the 28.5 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile for all eligible veterans to receive for travel to VA facilities for medical care.

Congress, which mandates such increases, recently provided funding to VA to increase the reimbursement rate, which went into effect on Nov. 17, 2008. Service connected veterans, veterans receiving VA pensions, and veterans with low incomes are eligible for the reimbursement.

While increasing the payment, the current deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements will remain frozen at $7.77 for a one-way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, and capped at a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month. On Jan. 9, 2009, these deductibles will decrease to $3 for a one-way trip, $6 for a round trip, with a maximum of $16 per calendar month. Deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.

http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1617

Wal-Mart Expands Low Cost Prescription Plan

Check Out Our Website For The Updated Listing

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced Monday it would expand its discounted prescription drug program to offer 90-day supplies for $10 and add several women's medications at a discount. It also said it would lower the price of more than 1,000 over-the-counter drugs.

The move marks the third phase of a company program that began in 2006 to provide a 30-day supply of generic prescription drugs for $4. With the expansion, the company began filling prescriptions Monday for up to 350 generic medications at $10 for a 90-day supply at Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Market and Sam's Club pharmacies in the U.S. Almost all the prescription generics in the company's $4 program were included in the expanded $10 offer.

In addition, the company will add several women's medications to its list of prescriptions available for $9, including drugs to treat breast cancer and hormone deficiency.
For instance, alendronate, the generic version of osteoporosis medication Fosamax, will be added to the list. Company pharmacies will fill 30-day prescriptions of alendronate for $9 and a 90-day supply for $24 at a comparison of $54 and $102, respectively, that women previously paid for the same amounts, the company said.
Tamoxifen, used to treat breast cancer, will be offered for $9 for a 30-day supply, as well as combination estrogen/methyltestosterone tablets, prescribed for menopause and hormone deficiency.

Wal-Mart also will lower the prices of more than 1,000 over-the-counter medications to $4 or less in its pharmacies. The over-the-counter medication price rollbacks represent about one-third of the retailer's over-the-counter medicines. They include Wal-Mart's Equate versions of popular drugs, including Zantac, Pepcid and Claritin, and Wal-Mart's Spring Valley prenatal vitamins.

Names of all NYCPD killed in LOD

The names of all New York City police officers killed in the line of duty can be found on the NYPD web site:
Click on link for photos and a short biography:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/pr/pr_2008_015.shtml

Police Memorial Day was established by Congress in 1962 and proclaimed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, designating May 15 of each year Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of the Federal, State, and municipal officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty; and the week in which it occurs Police Week, in recognition of the service given by the men and women who, "night and day, stand guard in our midst to protect us through enforcement of our laws."

CITY HONORS 11 POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

Press Release | No. 2008-015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today presided over a Police Memorial Day ceremony commemorating 11 New York City Police officers who were killed in the line of duty last year or died of illnesses developed as a result of rescue, recovery and clean-up work they performed at the World Trade Center Site after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Among Fallen are Detective Russel Timoshenko, Eight Who Succumbed to 9-11 Related Illness and Two Auxiliary Police Officers

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today presided over a Police Memorial Day ceremony commemorating 11 New York City Police officers who were killed in the line of duty last year or died of illnesses developed as a result of rescue, recovery and clean-up work they performed at the World Trade Center Site after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The names of Detective Kevin Hawkins, Detective Russel Timoshenko, Detective Robert Williamson, Detective John Young, Detective James Zadroga, Police Officer Thomas Brophy, Police Officer James Godbee, Police Officer Ronald Weintraub, Police Officer Angelo Peluso, Auxiliary Police Officer Eugene Marshalik, and Auxiliary Police Officer Nicholas Pekearo were added to those of other fallen officers whose sacrifices are commemorated on plaques in the Police Memorial Lobby inside Police Headquarters.

Click on link for photos and a short biography:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/pr/pr_2008_015.shtml

Retirees, Disabled Vets still can file for 2008 stimulus payments

WASHINGTON (AFRNS) -- Even though April 15 has passed, the Internal Revenue Service is reminding retirees, disabled veterans and others who normally do not file a tax return that there is still time to submit a 2007 form to receive an economic stimulus payment.

People who have no tax filing requirement but have at least $3,000 in qualifying income should file a simple Form 1040A. Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income, nontaxable combat pay as well as certain payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and railroad retirement.

“Don’t worry if you did not file a return by April 15. If you meet the criteria, you are still eligible for a stimulus payment. The quicker you file, the quicker you’ll get your payment,” said Doug Shulman, IRS commissioner.

People must file a return by Oct. 15 to receive an economic stimulus payment this year.

People not otherwise required to file an income tax return must file a simple Form 1040A with basic information to ensure that they receive the economic stimulus payment. This information includes their name; address; dependents, if any; amount of their qualifying income (which must be $3,000 or more); direct deposit information and their signatures. Forms 1040A and instructions are available at www.irs.gov

Castleberry Chili Products & French Cut Green Beans (Botulism) Recall

Castleberry Chili Products
(Includes Canned Chili, Stew, Hash, BBQ, Gravy, and Pet Food Products)

http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/castleberry.html

FDA Warns of Potential Botulism Risk from Canned French Cut Green Beans
Product Marketed Under a Variety of Brand Names

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01676.html

http://www.fda.gov/