For the week of January 22, 2008
1. House Approves Revised Defense Authorization Bill
2. Military Children to Benefit from New Interstate Compact
3. New Arizona Tax Law Benefits Military Families
4. TRICARE for Life Goes Digital
5. TBI Army Task Force Released Their Findings
6. Audio Books Program a Great Benefit for Military Families
7. FDA Releases Recommendations Regarding Use of Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Products
8. Congratulations Perdew Family!
1. House Approves Revised Defense Authorization Bill:
Last week, the House passed a revised National Defense Authorization
bill (H.R. 4986) replacing H.R. 1585, which President Bush vetoed in
December. The bills are identical except for changes to a provision
which allowed for litigation against the government of Iraq.
The Senate is expected to consider H.R. 4986 this week.
2. Military Children to Benefit from New Interstate Compact: Twenty-five
states are considering introducing the Interstate Compact on
Educational Opportunity for Military Children this year. Interstate
Compacts are intended to facilitate a more uniformed approach between
states on specific local and state issues. Interstate Compacts become
active when 10 or more states adopt the proposed language. This
particular compact focuses on military children transferring between
school districts and states, and recognizes that no matter how
supportive states are of military children they can only control what
happens within their borders. By joining together with other states in
the compact, each state can help ensure that children have the
educational opportunities they deserve even after they move to another
state.
States considering this important compact are: Alabama, Alaska,
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii,
Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri,
Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Several of
these states have filed bills to enact the Interstate Compact and more
are expected within the month. In addition, Committee hearings are
anticipated to be scheduled soon since many legislatures are in short
sessions. Those states not in session in 2008 are: Arizona, Montana,
North Dakota, Nevada, Oregon and Texas.
NMFA is pleased to have been a member of both the Advisory Group and
Drafting Team, and looks forward to the compact becoming law. We urge
you to help in this process by contacting your local member of the
state legislature. For more information and to track the progress of
the compact, go to: http://www.csg.org/programs/ncic/EducatingMilitaryChildrenCompact.aspx
3. New Arizona Tax Law Benefits Military Families: Residents
of Arizona can now receive a state tax credit for donations made to the
new Military Family Relief Fund. Governor Janet Napolitano signed the
new bill into law in December. Not only does it provide a dollar for
dollar credit for donations up to $200 for single tax payers and $400
for married couples; it also builds an emergency fund for families of
Arizona service members injured or killed in the line of duty. The new
law remains in effect for tax years 2008 through 2012.
(Source: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0120biz-TaxCredit0121.html)
4. TRICARE for Life Goes Digital: TRICARE
for Life (TFL) beneficiaries can now print a copy of their Explanation
of Benefits (EOB) from the convenience of their own homes. Beginning
this January, the only paper EOB's that beneficiaries will receive are
monthly summaries. The exception to this new practice is if a claim
includes services that are rejected, and those services have appeal
rights or if the EOB is mailed with a payment to the beneficiary.
In February, beneficiaries will have the option to receive an
electronic notification every time a claim processes. Beneficiaries can
then log on to the secure web site at http://www.tricare4u.com/
to view and print their EOB. Beneficiaries will have the ability to
access a copy of their benefits for any claim processed during the last
27 months. Once a beneficiary signs up for this option, they will not
receive a monthly paper summary.
All TRICARE for Life beneficiaries will receive letters notifying
them of the changes, either with their current EOB's or any other
correspondence. Beneficiaries having questions regarding the
registration process can call toll-free at 1-866-773-0404. Those
requiring a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) can call
1-866-773-0405. (Source: TRICARE Management Activity News Release; http://www.tricare.mil/)
5. TBI Army Task Force Released Their Findings:
On January 17, 2008, the U.S. Army Medical Command released the
findings of the Traumatic Brain Injury Task Force. They studied
Traumatic Brian Injury (TBI) issues for five months and completed their
work in May 2007. The group was chaired by BG Donald Bradshaw,
Commander of the Army's Southeast Regional Medical Command and
consisted of experts from all of the military services and the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They were chartered by the Army
Surgeon General to analyze and make recommendations to improve
clinical, administrative, and research processes involved with
providing health care and services to soldiers and other service
members.
The Task Force visited military, VA, and civilian health care
facilities; interviewed soldiers, family members, caregivers, and
subject matter experts; and reviewed pertinent documents. Several of
their recommendations have been implemented:
- Standardization of the definition of TBI,
- Utilization of a
cognitive assessment tool, Automated Neuropsychological Assessment
Metrics (ANAM) as part of soldiers readiness processing, - Establishment of TBI Program Site Certification guidelines, and
- Development of a standardized template to document Military Acute Concussion Evaluation (MACE) in theater.
Some of the challenges identified were: coordination; incident data
recording; inconsistent treatment and documentation; education for
service members, families, combat units, providers, and communities;
and the ability to understand, diagnose, and treat mild TBI. The report
stated the Army has aggressively sought to prevent, diagnose, and treat
TBI, but much more remains to be accomplished to better understand and
respond to these injuries.
(Source: http://www.armymedicine.army.mil/news/reports/TBITaskForceReportJanuary2008.pdf)
6. Audio Books Program a Great Benefit for Military Families: Military
spouses and families are encouraged to take advantage of their access
to free audio books, movies, and music now available through the Navy's
audio books program.
Popular titles, foreign language
lessons, and even children's movies are available for download through
Navy Knowledge Online by all active-duty, retired, reserve, and
dependent members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
Currently, the online library houses over 8,000 audio books, 400
eBooks, 600 videos and 1,400 albums. Educational materials such as
foreign language books and manuals, and books on the Chief of Naval
Operation's Navy Professional Reading list are also available for
download.
To access the audio books program, log into http://www.nko.navy.mil/
click on the link to "Navy Library Econtent" on the right side of the
page under the "reference" section. Next, click on the banner that
reads "Download eBooks, audio books, music, and video," to access the
myriad of titles available. A user account must be established to check
out materials.
Over 400 titles were selected specifically for
children. New titles are added to the library regularly, in categories
ranging from classic literature and juvenile fiction to business and
finance or comic and graphic books.
There are several guidelines for using of the library. Titles are
served through the Overdrive Media Console, and cannot be downloaded to
Navy computers, or used on iPods, Macs or Zunes. While these
restrictions may make it difficult for a Sailor at sea to access the
library, the families of military personnel can always take advantage
of the program. Items may be downloaded to personal computers, non-iPod
listening devices or even CD's.
Five items may be downloaded at
a time. Due to high customer demand, all audio books and music titles
are available to the user for 10 days, and video titles may be checked
out for five days; after that period, the title must be checked out
again.
For more information or to establish an account, visit Navy Knowledge Online at
http://www.nko.navy.mil/.
(Source: http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34316)
7. FDA Releases Recommendations Regarding Use of Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Products:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Public Health
Advisory for parents and caregivers, recommending that over-the-counter
(OTC) cough and cold products not be used to treat infants and children
less than 2 years of age because serious and potentially
life-threatening side effects can occur. OTC cough and cold products
include decongestants, expectorants, antihistamines, and antitussives
(cough suppressants) for the treatment of colds.
There is a wide variety of rare, serious adverse events reported
with cough and cold products. They include death, convulsions, rapid
heart rates, and decreased levels of consciousness.
The announcement does not include the FDA's final recommendation
about use of OTC cough and cold medicines in children ages 2 to 11
years. The agency's review of data for 2-to-11-year-olds is continuing.
The FDA said it is committed to making a timely and comprehensive
review of the safety of OTC cough and cold medicines in children. The
agency plans to issue its recommendations on use of the products in
children ages 2 to 11 years to the public as soon as the review is
complete. (Source: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01778.html)
8. Congratulations Perdew Family! Jessica
Perdew, Deputy Director of Government Relations for NMFA, gave birth to
a healthy baby boy, Andrew, on Tuesday, January 15th. Mother and baby
are doing fine. NMFA joins the Perdew Family in welcoming their newest
addition.
