There has been recent confusion in the local veterans community over receiving COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. Part of it is due to the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center’s (VAMC) recent cancellation of scheduled appointments for the recommended, regular booster. That occurred because a new, bivalent versions from Pfizer and Moderna suddenly Read more…
After starting off as HR 3967, 3373 (Honoring our PACT) – and over a year’s worth of going back and forth, additions and deletions, combining of other proposed Acts, a quiet correction of a Senate procedural error, and a debate on the budget control dangers of converting discretionary funding to Read more…
Senate Reverses Itself Under Pressure Senator Schumer, Majority Leader of the Senate, with the help of other key senators, such as Tester and Moran, delivered on his goal in getting S. 3373 passed late Tuesday evening. It took the concerted actions of the true believers to get beyond the quibbles Read more…
24 Senators Turn Tail As reported July 17, we found the doings of the House strange when it sent the H.R. 3967 back to the Senate as S. 3373. Worse, on Wednesday, the Senate voted 55-42 ( U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 117th Congress – 2nd Session) — Read more…
Strange Doings — Reappears as S. 3373 Under a New Name Strange doings occurred in the House last week. The “Honoring Our PACT Act” (H.R. 3967) has undergone a metamorphosis behind the scenes since the Senate returned it to the House in mid-June. The bill reappeared in modified form as Read more…
It Seems a Thorough Review of the VA’s Proposal is not in the Cards? The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) presented in March, in response to a mandate found in the Mission Act of 2018, got the wind knocked out of it around Thursday of this Read more…
Passage Now Delayed Until After July 11 Promises, promises? Too early to tell, but an anticipated vote last week in the House did not occur, and, paradoxically — for it is a House action — Senator Toomey of Pennsylvania has been pointed out as not helping to resolve the complication, Read more…
HR 3967 has been the major veterans organizations’ primary legislative focus for the current congressional legislative season, and with good reason, for it finally brings to conclusion a number of issues related to toxic exposures, among other items, that have long haunted veterans healthcare. Finally, passed by the Senate in Read more…
Participants at the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Real Estate Outlook event on April 14 heard optimism over the continuing dream of a few to make us East Coast Warehouse Central. They also heard good news on the increased housing development which is needed to attract the younger workers needed for this valley to prosper. They did not hear about how we might solve the affordability gap for the average citizen, however. Other official reports from the area have stated or implied that it has becoming mountingly difficult for the average, hardworking citizen to live here, military servicemembers and veterans among them, with or without families, and regardless of age. (more…)
With the sometimes venal political beat-ups over decisions made past and present in regard to the recent events in Afghanistan, compounded by local reporters trying to solicit comments from any current era veterans about their thoughts over the matter for the sake of a story and the blitz of media video and pictures, it is should be no surprise that a few veterans are in a funk; or, in extreme cases, experiencing a resurfacing of post-traumatic stress.
While for the majority, a listening ear from family, friends, and associates is all that might be necessary, it is also good to know bona fide resources for more serious situations. Many of these can be found through the Answers Desk section of this website, but are re-listed here for convenience. Our thanks to Jenna Jordan of Spectrum News, Cleveland, Ohio, who actually did something useful through contacting the VA. One or two of the resources might surprise you: (more…)