1.      Baker: Accountability System Allows VA To Make Successful IT Investments.  NextGov (9/21, Sternstein) reports "several agency" chief information officers (CIOs) "say they were taking steps to hold themselves accountable to taxpayers, even before President Obama reminded them of their civic duty last week," sending them a "message requesting they boost productivity by accomplishing a set of goals federal Chief Performance Officer Jeffrey Zients outlined in a supplemental memo." After noting that goals in the supplemental memo include "cutting waste," NextGov points out that VA CIO Roger Baker "said VA's top officials...have shown an ongoing commitment to ensuring IT investments are not squandered" by instituting the project management accountability system (PMAS), which, according to NextGov, was initiated by Baker and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. In an "interview, Baker said he has metrics proving PMAS is effective that he will reveal to senators the first week of October."

2.      Measure Cleared By Senate Would Expand Access To State Vets Homes.  CQ (9/21, Lesniewski) notes that on Monday, the Senate "cleared legislation that would permit any parents of deceased military servicemembers access to state veterans homes." The measure is "not expected to have any direct cost to the federal government, since it would require parents who seek admission to state veterans homes to pay out-of-pocket or through insurance."

3.      Burr Worried About Benefits Plan For Agent Orange-Exposed Vets With Heart Disease. The AP (9/21, Baker) notes that on Monday, US Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) "said...that he also has concerns about a proposal that would spend billions of dollars on disability compensation for Vietnam veterans who get heart disease." Burr, the leading Republican on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, "added his voice to leading Democrats on the committee who have reservations about the spending and plan to discuss the issue at a Capitol Hill hearing this week. Because of concerns about the defoliant Agent Orange, the Department of Veterans Affairs wants to allow tens of thousands of Vietnam veterans to get compensation for heart disease, a common ailment for older adults.

4.      VA Doctor Authors Study On Shortcomings Of Heart Attack Risk Calculator. The New York Times (9/21, D5, Rabin, 1.01M) reports, "A new study finds that a widely used version of the ubiquitous heart attack risk calculator is flawed, misclassifying 15 percent of patients who would use it - almost six million Americans, of whom almost four million are inappropriately shifted into higher-risk groups that are more likely to be treated with medication. And while the tool is easy to use, the authors say, the original calculator on which it is based is equally user-friendly for anyone with a computer - and significantly more reliable." The senior author of the study, which was "published last month in The Journal of General Internal Medicine," is Dr. Michael Steinman, an "associate professor of medicine at San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center."

5.      US Army Spokesman Offers Details On Problems At Three Arlington Grave Sites. In continuing coverage, a front page story in the Washington Post (9/21, A1, Davenport, 605K) reports, "The mystery of missing bodies" at Arlington National Cemetery, the "nation's most hallowed military burial" ground, "keeps getting more troubling." After confirming last week that bodies had been buried in the wrong places at Arlington, US Army spokesman Gary Tallman on Monday "painted a more detailed picture of the situation affecting three grave sites at the cemetery." The Post, after noting that one site "had a headstone but no remains," one "contained a body but the wrong headstone," and one "held two sets of remains, only one of which matched the headstone," adds, "The mix-ups are the clearest evidence yet that the cemetery's record-keeping problems, which were revealed in an Army inspector general's report released in June, have led to people being buried in the wrong places."

6.      National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic Underway. The American Forces Press Service (9/21, Bates) reports, "The third annual National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic began" in San Diego on Monday, when "more than 200 disabled veterans came out to participate in a number of activities, including surfing, kayaking, cycling, and track and field events. The week-long clinic gives veterans with disabilities an opportunity for self development and promotes rehabilitation through the use of summer sporting activities." The websites for KPBS-TV San Diego, CA (9/20) and KGTV-TV San Diego, CA (9/20) also took note of the clinic.

7.      Report Criticizes VA's Oversight Of Stimulus Funding.  Federal Computer Week (9/21, Lipowicz, 90K) reports, "The Veterans Health Administration is falling short on oversight of $1 billion in economic stimulus funding for modernization, maintenance and energy projects at veterans hospitals, according to a new report" from the agency's Office of Inspector General (IG). The IG "recommended that the VA's undersecretary for health improve the contractor responsibility determinations and stimulus law clauses, and the Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction develop policies and procedures for evaluating contractors' past performance. VA management agreed with the findings and recommendations, according to the report."

8.      Wilson Touts Benefits Of New GI Bill.  WOOD-TV Grand Rapids, MI (9/17, 5:17 p.m. ET) broadcast that the Department of Veterans is "spreading the word about the new GI Bill," which provides "big help" to post-9/11 veterans attending college. Keith Wilson, who is "in charge of education service" at VA, told WOOD that the new GI Bill "basically covers college costs, in their entirety. We're talking about free college."

9.      Hefner VAMC To Welcome Vets Home From Iraq, Afghanistan. The Salisbury (NC) Post (9/21, 21K) reports the Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center "is celebrating those who served" in Iraq and Afghanistan "with a welcome-home event this weekend for veterans and their families. " The event will be held "Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the social room of Building No. 6" at the hospital.

10.    St. Cloud VAMC To Host Discussion Coping With The Challenges Of War. The St. Cloud (MN) Times (9/21) says the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Medical Center "is hosting a discussion this week about coping with the challenges of war. The VA's Operations Enduring & Iraqi Freedom Program Office will host guest speaker Chaplain John Morris," who "will provide information on how military families can grow through the challenges of war and the five principles for growth. Morris will speak from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the St. Cloud Public Library's Mississippi Room."

11.    Roseburg VAMC Southern Oregon Stand Down. The Roseburg (OR) News-Review (9/21, Creighton) reports, "Vietnam veteran James Webb, 61, waited in line to get his free military surplus gear during the 19th annual Southern Oregon Stand Down event at the Roseburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center. 'It's great that people are treating us with respect for a change,' Webb said" of "event, which ended Sunday" and is "part of an outreach program aimed at helping the nation's estimated 200,000 homeless and other veterans in need. Webb was among hundreds of Oregon vets who came to get clothing, medical treatment, food and friendly conversation."

12.    VA To Co-Sponsor Assistance Event For Homeless Vets. The Alexandria (LA) Town Talk (9/21, 30K) says the Alexandria Veterans Affairs Medical Center, "in conjunction with the city of Alexandria and Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition, will sponsor the 7th annual 'Homeless Stand Down' from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23, at the Bolton Avenue Community Center, 315 Bolton Avenue in Alexandria." The event, which aims to "increase the community's awareness of the homeless and to provide services to this population," is "open to homeless and displaced persons at no cost."

13.    Hefner VAMC To Conduct Outreach Event. The Salisbury (NC) Post (9/21, 21K) reports, "The rural health program team" from the Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center "will provide former military members education and assistance on veterans' health issues this week. A new outreach initiative to provide veterans information and counseling" about VA "healthcare will take place noon-2 p.m. Wednesday at VFW Post 5464" in Monroe.

14.    VA Hospital Leading Way On Green Initiative. On its website, WTEN-TV Albany, NY (9/20) reported, "A new partnership between National Grid and the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) is helping hospitals across the state conserve energy and save money," though a $20 million initiative that "consolidates programs and brings in contractors to identify the best ways for facilities to go green." Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center is the "first hospital in the area to participate" and has "already followed through with the contractor's findings. They're spending more than a million dollars on replacing all the windows in their main building." The WRGB-TV Albany, NY (9/20) website also took note of this story.

15.    Skilled Nursing-Care Project Among Those Being Developed By VA Illiana. The Danville (IL) Commercial-News (9/21, Wicoff) reports, "The Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System can brag that it has 20/20 vision - that is, it's looking ahead to 2020 with enthusiasm and some innovative plans. While those long-range plans are still in the design phase, other immediate projects are being tackled and completed," including the "Green House model, which will give skilled nursing-care veterans a home-like atmosphere."

16.    The Wars' Continuing Toll. In an editorial, the New York Times (9/21, A30, 1.01M) says that while the US military "and the Veterans Affairs Department have been adding mental-health staffing and studying the suicide problem" among veterans, both organizations "still need to plug gaps in care for people who shun or live far away from government services."

17.    Veterans Administration Offers Help With Home Loans, Refinancing. An op-ed in the Lynchburg (VA) News & Advance (9/20, 29K) by Don Mustard, the service officer for Disabled American Veterans Chapter 8, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8184, and American Legion Post 16.

18.    For All The Right Reasons. The third item in Louis Brewster's column for the San Bernardino (CA) Sun (9/21, 53K) notes that on Monday, September 27th, American Legion Post 772 "in Fontana will host its first charity tourney...at Sierra Lakes Golf Club." According to Brewster, the event is a fundraiser for a Veterans Affairs hospital, "specifically the Golden Age Games," which "have evolved as a showcase for the rehab value that 'wellness and physical fitness provide in the lives of older Americans.'"

19.    VA May Loosen Policy On Physician Use Of Commercial E-Tools.  Government Health IT (9/21, Mosquera).

20.    VA Reports Stolen Laptops, BlackBerries And Hints At Health Data Policy Changes.  Fierce Government IT (9/20, Walker).

21.    VA Wrestles With Portable Medical Data Storage. The Federal News Radio (9/20, Cacas) website.

22.    VA Clinic Opens In Marketplace Mall. The Winston-Salem (NC) Journal (9/20, Daniel).

23.    VA To Host Women's Retreat. The Rapid City (SD) Journal (9/21).

24.    Special Court To Keep Veterans Out Of Jail. The Cincinnati Enquirer (9/21, Perry).

25.    Pittsburgh Police Searching For Man Missing Since Saturday From Veterans Hospital. In continuing coverage, the AP (9/21) reports, "Pittsburgh police are trying to find" 65-year-old Robert Lee Holt, who has "been missing from a Veterans Affairs hospital since Friday." Police "say...Holt is black, about 6-foot-2 and about 170 pounds," and "say he was last seen...at the VA hospital in the city's East Liberty section."

26.    UW Women's Hockey Coach Brings Story To Tomah. In a profile of University of Wisconsin women's hockey coach Mark Johnson, the Tomah (WI) Journal (9/20, Rundio, 4K) said Johnson "has created a powerhouse...program." The coach "shared his hockey experiences Friday and was the guest speaker for the POW/MIA Day at the Tomah Veterans  

Administration Hospital." Johnson "welcomed the chance to speak," stating, "As you walk around this facility, you really get a sense of what it is to be an American and what a sacrifice some individuals make for our freedom."

27.    Survey Of Homeless Conducted In Downtown SD. The KGTV-TV San Diego, CA (9/20) website reported, "More than 200 volunteers on Monday began a three-day effort to survey the estimated 800 homeless people in downtown San Diego. The goal is to create a registry of the downtown homeless and get the most vulnerable into the estimated 125 beds available in area shelters." Officials "with the Centre City Development Corporation, United Way, County of San Diego, Veterans Administration and San Diego Housing Commission are...involved in the project."

28.    Local Doctor: Physicians Need To Curb Prescriptions. The Lancaster OH) Eagle (9/21, Day) reports, "It's becoming clear in Fairfield County that giving in to pushy patients is feeding the county's opiate-addiction problem, said Dr. Michele DeCoste, medical director of the emergency department at Fairfield Medical Center," who advocates not giving in to such patients. The Eagle adds, "Pharmaceutical companies might have a hand in the push to sell opiates, said Dr. Phillip Prior, director of Addiction Treatment Services" at the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

29.    After Plant's Closure, Illinois Town Takes Care Of Itself.  USA Today (9/21, Keen, 1.83M) reports, "Within hours of the news" in 2006 that Herrin, Illinois, would lose a plant run by Maytag, the city's biggest employer, "city leaders, area colleges and universities and Man-Tra-Con Corp., a not-for-profit group that administers state and federal job-search and career-development programs, created a transition committee to help workers," including 44-year-old Stephen Turner, who, "enrolled in a tool-and-die-making course." In July, Turned was hired by the Veterans Affairs "hospital in nearby Marion, where he works in the housekeeping department."

30.    Molokai Vets File Suit Over Planned Center. The Honolulu Star Advertiser (9/20, Kakesako, 113K).

31.    Horses For Heroes Come To Manatee. The Bradenton (FL) Herald (9/21, Jones, 43K).

32.    Soldier Turns Brush With Death Into Message of Hope. The American Forces Press Service (9/21, Wilson).

33.    Iraq Veterans Return To Academic Routine. The University of South Florida's Oracle (9/21, Kumar).

34.    Civil War Veteran And Wife Interred. The Moberly (MO) Monitor-Index (9/21, Herrold, 5K).

35.    Ceremony Honors POWs, MIAs. The Herkimer (NY) Evening Telegram (9/21) and the Little Falls (NY) Evening Times (9/21, 4K).

36.    Honor Flight Will Carry 4 Vets On Emotional Trip. The Cheyenne-based Wyoming Tribune Eagle (9/21, Dynes, 15K).