Month: June 2015
VA Secretary Wants to Use Choice Program Funds for Budget Shortfall
The Department of Veterans Affairs is facing a $2.6 billion financial shortfall that it says is caused by increased veteran demand for healthcare. Deputy VA Secretary Sloan Gibson plans to ask Congress for permission to use money from the Veterans Choice program to cover the funding gap, a measure that could hurt veterans with mesothelioma who seek treatment at a non-VA care facility.
The Veterans Choice program is the centerpiece of a $16.3 billion VA reform law approved by Congress last year in response to a VA scandal over long patient wait times and falsified records. Of the $16.3 billion, $10 billion was put into a fund that allows veterans who are unable to secure an appointment at a VA medical facility within 30 days or who live more than 40 miles from the nearest VA facility to seek care at a private hospital.
More recently Congress amended the legislation to define the 40-mile rule as actual driving distance, not “as the crow flies” distance. And the House is currently considering another amendment to the Choice program that would allow veterans living within 40 miles of a VA facility to seek care at a private facility if their local VA hospital does not offer the specific services they require, such as mental health or cancer treatment services. This would be very beneficial to veterans with mesothelioma who are only able to receive the specialized care they need at a handful of VA mesothelioma centers as well as those unable to get an appointment with a VA oncologist within 30 days.
Secretary Gibson, according to The Columbus Dispatch, says that the program got off to a rocky start, but has expanded significantly in recent months and is likely to expand even more. The ability of the program to meet the health needs of veterans with private care, however, whether they live in rural areas or simply cannot secure a timely appointment, would be hampered by the appropriation of $2.6 billion to other VA health care costs.
That’s more than one-quarter of the entire budget of the Choice program, which runs through August 2017 or until the $10 billion is used up. Using up $2.6 billion of that budget to adjust for what some are calling yet another example of VA mismanagement doesn’t add up for veterans helped by the Choice program.
While Gibson attributes the budget shortfall to increased demand at VA medical facilities—which he says has increased by 7 million appointments in the past year—others have been more critical of the VA.
“The VA’s problem isn’t funding—it’s outright failure,” said House Speaker John Boehner at a news conference. “Absolute failure to take care of our veterans.”
Wait times longer than 30 days for VA appointments have gone up by 50 percent in the last year, a clear sign that, whether due to bureaucratic missteps or more veterans seeking care, the Choice program is needed now more than ever.
Rep. Jeff Miller, chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, says that he is prepared to give the VA Choice program funds to pay for daily health care expenses, according to Stars and Stripes, but in return will demand changes to the way the VA manages its finances.
Veterans who need help paying for mesothelioma medical services at a non-VA facility are encouraged to contact Belluck & Fox for a free case review. A lawsuit against the companies responsible for your asbestos exposure could provide funds for medical care, lost wages and other expenses related to your illness.
Veterans may also be available for monthly compensation from the VA. Use our VA Benefit Tool to find out whether you qualify.
Sources
- The Columbus Dispatch
https://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/national_world/2015/06/25/0625-va-budget-shortfall.html - Stars and Stripes
https://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/house-panel-supports-closing-va-s-2-6-billion-funding-gap-1.354590
Holding Dad Close to My Heart on Father’s Day
Father’s day is just around the corner, and this year’s is especially bittersweet for me. As I continue to mourn the loss of my own Dad, this year marks the first as a father for my husband. As hard as it is to balance these emotions, it is important to continue to celebrate those who are still with us and remember those we have said goodbye to.
2013 was the last Father’s day I got to spend with my Dad. He was in New York City with my Mom, staying at the Hope Lodge. He was nearing the end of his radiation treatment at Mount Sinai Hospital, and we had planned to drive in that Monday and bring him back home Tuesday. After a long, almost seven week, stay there, Dad was feeling the effects of the treatment and missing home terribly. On Father’s Day morning, my husband and I drove into the city and surprised him. I will never forget the look on his face.
When he came down to the family area of the Hope Lodge, he was surprised and happy to see us. You could see in his eyes the love that he had for us, coupled with weakness and fatigue. The residual effects of the radiation were written on his face, hidden behind the joy of being with his family on such a special day.
Dad didn’t feel up to going out that day, so we spent it together playing games, talking about going home, and ordering burgers in. It was a precious time for us all. Knowing that Dad’s treatment was almost over gave us a renewed hope, but we were all worse for wear. Dad from the treatment itself, Mom from being a full time caregiver, and Mike and I from making bi-weekly trips to NYC to be with them. Those trips were worth every second.
I always felt that my Dad deserved to have Father’s day every day. He was selfless, loving, faithful, and kind; I see these traits embodied in my husband as I watch him with our baby daughter. I know that Dad would be so proud of him and want to celebrate him as well. While my family shares this beautiful day together, I will remember my Dad and all that he was, and still is, to me. The beautiful bond between father and child cannot be undone; I will always love my Dad and forever be his little girl.
Know more about Mesothelioma and how you can deal with it.
Respect and Kindness Lessen the Discomfort of Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Certain subjects can make us uncomfortable. Hearing of someone diagnosed with cancer is one of them. What do you say? Do you ask questions? Do you acknowledge the diagnosis? Coming up with the answers can be challenging, especially when the diagnosis is mesothelioma. Unlike some cancer patients who lose their hair during treatments, often, the mesothelioma patient looks the same as always.
Expressing concern might not seem like enough, but often it is the kindness that is remembered. Sometimes it is not the words that help a patient, it is just being present and listening to what the patient is going through that is helpful. Although you might want to reassure the patient, saying something like “everything will be ok, because my neighbor had the same cancer and is fine, ” resist the impulse to minimize what the patient is going through. Although your intentions are good, the fact is that everyone’s cancer is different, and your neighbor might have a different type of the same cancer which has a totally different treatment plan. Listen more to what the patient is going through.
I heard this week about a patient who had gone through chemotherapy and had lost her hair. Not wanting to be intrusive, but wanting to express concern, an acquaintance said, “ Whatever you are battling it looks like you are winning. Keep it up!” This approach expressed concern, acknowledged that something was going on, but did not intrude on the patient’s space. It left it up to the patient to share more or not. It struck me as a very kind, positive way to approach anyone who has cancer.
Depending on your relationship, humor can also help. Another patient was telling some good friends that when she saw them next she would not have hair, as she was starting chemotherapy. One friend said to her, “You are long overdue for a new hair style anyway.” The patient repeated the statement, always with a smile, many times to ease others’ discomfort with her temporary hairlessness.
There is no way that is right or wrong. In the words of Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel.”
Acknowledge with respect and kindness, and you will soon forget that you were not comfortable talking about cancer.
Tread Lightly When Offering Your Opinion on a Friend’s Mesothelioma Treatment Plan
Everyone deals with challenging times in different ways. All you can do is pray and trust in God that you will make the right decisions on how to handle them. A mesothelioma diagnosis is an earth shattering event and it can make you question everything you thought you knew.
When my Dad was diagnosed, we immediately went into panic mode, but quickly realized that we needed to remain focused on the task at hand; this task was coming up with and implementing a treatment plan, and finding the right people to help us figure out what exactly that was. Through God’s Divine intervention, we truly believe that we took the best course of action that we possibly could.
When Dad passed away, I was at peace knowing that he had fought hard and that together as a family, we had done our best every step of the way. Then the doubt started to creep in; the catalyst being people openly questioning our decisions. You get asked things like, “Do you think if he had done a different treatment he would have made it?” “Do you think you should have done something differently?” And then, the worst, “If it were me, I would have…”
To these questions, I reply that we did the best we could with the information and treatment options available at the time. We truly feel that our course was where we were supposed to be. And then, I pray that it’s never you or someone you care about.
I understand that it’s human nature to want to voice your opinion; it’s something that each of us is entitled to do. The tough part about these opinions in personal situations is just that, it’s personal. No matter how hard I try to let comments roll off of my back, it’s almost impossible for me. I am fiercely protective of my family and the memory of my father. Someone implying that we didn’t do everything possible to save him breaks my heart.
Mesothelioma is a thief. It deprives you of air, it takes away your energy, and in some cases, lives are lost to it. Meso stole my father from me. It stole my mother’s husband. It kept my daughter from ever even meeting her grandfather.
Any implication of being lackadaisical in taking care of someone you love so much is painful. Everyone handles their life’s situations in different ways. Even though they may not choose the same course that you would, respect their decisions.
Mother Theresa said, “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; the third is to be kind.” Use words to lift people up, not to tear them down. Do your best to be understanding of other’s pain; show them kindness instead of doubt or disdain. The mesothelioma community has already been dealt with a devastating blow; be a support to them, don’t tear them down.
Nurse Helps Define Recovery for Mesothelioma Patients
When diagnosed with mesothelioma and undergoing treatment, patients often ask, “Is this the best I am ever going to feel?” Or they want to know, “Will I ever recover and feel good again?” Let’s look at what recovery looks like for mesothelioma patients.
The definition of recovery is: “a return to a normal state of health, mind or strength.” But, how long does it take to recover from mesothelioma? Recovery can be different for everyone, and it depends on the type of treatment the patients receive for their mesothelioma. Although that may sound like a non-answer, it comes down to the simple fact that everyone reacts differently to treatment. When it comes to managing mesothelioma, all patients are faced with a new reality; a new normal.
Unfortunately, there is no cut and dry answer for length of recovery. Some people say they feel better immediately, especially in regards to their breathing. When the benefits of chemotherapy and radiation kick in, people say their breathing is different. Although that is good, some patients are impacted by the side effects and may be plagued by fatigue.
Often times, patients feel better just starting to do something to battle the disease. Mentally, they feel stronger and more powerful because they are actively doing something. While surgery is a strong step in fighting the cancer, it is rarely a quick recovery. It takes time, sometimes a long time. But, the question you could ask yourself is: “Am I better at some point during my recovery than I was before I started treatment?”
I think it is a good idea to jot down any improvements you see or feel on a weekly basis, and reflect on the positive changes that you may slowly be realizing. Writing it down helps you focus on the positive. It may be baby steps, but it is progress.
Recently, I was asked about recovery by a 65 year old man who had undergone pleurectomy surgery just three weeks before, and his improvements were slow. He had complications, and needed time to regain his strength. The days can be long when you are recovering away from home, and you don’t know what the future holds. I am happy to report that after one more week at rehab, he went home to recuperate and was feeling much better. “Normal” is how he described how he felt.
Sometimes you just need to keep in mind that you will get better, and things will get back to normal for you. It will be a new normal, and that can take some getting used to, but each victory is a step in the right direction!
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