2.      American Urological Association Concerned About Urotrauma Injuries. The AP (9/28) reports that while "post-traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries are the signature wounds of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, some soldiers are also surviving with serious, debilitating injuries to the genitals or urinary system." The American Urological Association, which is "concerned that medical personnel may not be properly trained to handle" such urotrauma injuries, "wants a national commission to investigate the injuries, find better treatments and design better body armor to protect against roadside bombs." According to the AP, US Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) "has introduced a bill in Congress to create a commission."

3.      Jindal Administration Accused Of Reneging On Promise About Medal Ceremonies. In a front page story, the Baton Rouge (LA) Advocate (9/28, A1, Millhollon) reports, "Lawmakers accused the Jindal administration Monday of reneging on a promise to allow military veterans to receive a medal by mail rather than in a publicized ceremony" with the governor of Louisiana. The "issue led to a heated exchange between state Veterans Affairs Secretary Lane Carson," a "member of the governor's cabinet," and "legislators at a meeting of the Select Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs."

4.      Schwartz Named First Woman President Of State VA Directors Association. In continuing coverage, the Hartford (CT) Courant (9/28, Falcone) reports, "Linda Schwartz, commissioner of the state Department of Veterans Affairs" in Connecticut, "has been named president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans' Affairs," which is "involved in the development, analysis and implementation of state and federal legislation that relates to veterans." Schwartz is the "first woman and the first person from Connecticut to hold the position in the organization's 65-year history."

5.      Rhode Island AG Candidate Planning To Focus On Vets' Issues. The Providence (RI) Journal (9/28, Mulvaney) reports, "Peter F. Kilmartin, the Democrat running for attorney general" of Rhode Island, "says he will focus on veterans' issues, if elected. Kilmartin said in a recent announcement that he would assign 'a deputy attorney general for veterans' affairs advocacy.' The deputy's responsibilities would include protecting veterans and reservists against housing and employment discrimination; helping veterans address credit and foreclosure issues; and coordinating with other governmental and private agencies to maximize veterans' benefits."

6.      New Jersey To Develop Retained Asset Account Rules. In continuing coverage, National Underwriter Life And Health Insurance News (9/28, Bell) magazine reports, "The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance says it will be developing retained asset account (RAA) rules" that will focus on disclosure statements. Thomas Considine, the "New Jersey banking and insurance commissioner, has talked about the upcoming RAA rules in a preamble to Order Number A10-119, which relates to RAAs used by life insurers." After noting that an RAA is a "method of paying life insurance benefits through a vehicle that resembles a checking account rather than sending the beneficiary a check for the whole amount," the magazine says the US Department of Veterans Affairs "recently worked with Prudential to come up with new guidelines for use of RAAs."

7.      Wisconsin VA To Host Women Veterans Conference. The Fon Du Lac (WI) Reporter (9/28, 14K) reports, "Women veterans from all branches of service are invited to attend" the "fourth annual Wisconsin Women Veterans Conference," which is scheduled to run from October 22nd to October 24th. The "statewide conference, hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs," will include lectures on post-traumatic stress disorder, "suicide prevention and changes to women's health care through" the US VA.

8.      GAO Finds Inconsistencies In VA Efforts To Procure Medical Supplies. The Federal News Radio (9/27, Kubota) website said that while medical centers "run by Veterans Affairs are expected to follow a certain set of rules when procuring expendable and reusable medical supplies so that equipment is easily tracked and maintained," a recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) "found inconsistencies" in this area. Auditors "say that resulted in unnecessary equipment purchases and put patients at risk of infectious diseases." Dr. Debra Draper, a director of GAO's healthcare team, "said...VA is developing a new inventory management system 'that officials hope will help improve their ability to track information about expendable medical supplies and reusable medical equipment across the VA medical centers.'"

 9.      VHA Developing Programs To Improve Abnormal Lab Result Follow-Ups. In its "The Informed Patient" column, the Wall Street Journal (9/28, D1, Landro, 2.09M) notes that medical insurers and healthcare providers are analyzing malpractice cases in order to develop programs that will avert future mistakes. According to the Journal, studies by the Department of Veterans Affairs have found that doctors are often overwhelmed by test result alerts and may not follow up on them. The Journal adds, however, that the Veterans Health Administration, is developing programs to help doctors more closely follow up on abnormal lab results.

10.    VA Doctor Co-Authors Study On Wider Use Of Statins.  Science Daily (9/28) reports, "A new analysis suggests that broader statin use among adult patients may be a cost-effective way to prevent heart attack and stroke." The study, "published online Sept. 27 in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association," was co-authored by Dr. Douglas Owens, an "investigator at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System."

11.    Thousands Of Vietnam Vets Waiting To See If Agent Orange Illnesses List Will Be Expanded. According to the Milford (MA) Daily News (9/28, Studley, 8K), Vietnam vet and Massachusetts resident George Ferguson, along with "thousands of Vietnam veterans across the country," is "waiting to see if the Department of Veterans Affairs will officially recognize" ischemic heart disease, "B Cell leukemia...and Parkinson's disease" as conditions that are "presumed to be the result of exposure to Agent Orange." After noting that the "conditions were officially published in the VA's Federal Registrar last month, and are subject to congressional review until Oct. 31," the Daily News adds, "A spokesman for the Department of Veterans Services regional office said...VA is prepared to process several hundred claims come November."

12.    VA Plaque At Cemetery Honors Civil War Vet. The AP (9/28) reports, "A black Union soldier" named Alan Bobson, "who died at a Civil War field hospital" in Lynchburg, Virginia, is "being remembered by the local Sons of Union Veterans. Pvt. Alan Bobson of the Ohio-based 27th Regiment, United States Colored Troops Infantry, died in 1863 in Crumpton's Tobacco Factory, which served as a field hospital. The News & Advance reports that Bobson was honored Sunday at a dedication of a Veterans Administration plaque at Old City Cemetery." The WTVR-TV Richmond, VA (9/27) website published the same story that appeared in the News & Advance.

13.    Vets Hospital Negotiating With Florida National Guard For New VA Clinic. The WUSF-TV Tampa, FL (9/27, O'Brien) website said, "Officials at Tampa's James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital want to use a West Tampa historic building to build a new outpatient clinic and ease overcrowding at the main facility." After noting that "Haley administrators are negotiating with the Florida National Guard about renting Fort Homer Hesterly Armory for a clinic offering routine check-ups and other outpatient care," the website pointed out that US Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), "who learned of the hospital's plan in her regular briefing" with administrators, "said the neighborhood seems supportive of any potential changes and the clinic."

14.    Canandaigua VAMC Center To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle (9/28) notes that on Wednesday, the Canandaigua Veterans Affairs Medical Center "will mark Hispanic Heritage Month with a celebration starting at 1:30 p.m.," in the "Building 5 auditorium. The speaker, Juan Valdez, will discuss" his VA "career...and his recent attendance at the League of United Latin American Citizens Conference." The free program will "also...feature a salsa dance demonstration and the music of Trio Los Claveles."

15.    Fish & Game Club Hosts Event For Disabled Vets From Brockton VA. The Sandwich (MA) Broadsider (9/28, Colantuono) notes that on Thursday, September 23rd, the "Shawme Fish & Game Club hosted an adaptive shooting event for disabled veterans from the Brockton Veterans Administration." The "visit to Shawme Fish & Game is part of...VA's range of programs available to veterans."

16.    Lifespan, Brown Medical School Agree To Work Together. The Providence (RI) Journal (9/28, Freyer) reports, "The Lifespan hospital group and Brown University's" Warren Alpert Medical School, which is affiliated with the Veterans Affairs hospital in Providence, "plan to work together more closely than ever before in planning medical programs, recruiting new physician leaders and raising the profile of Rhode Island Hospital." On Monday, leaders "of the two institutions announced... that they have strengthened their ties under new amendments to their affiliation agreement."

17.    Program Offers Hope For Treating Brain Injuries. The American Forces Press Service (9/28, Miles) profiles the "little-known" National Naval Medical Center's "psychological health and traumatic brain injury team," which was formed in Bethesda, Maryland, "about two years ago to address the complexities of brain and mental-health injuries."

18.    When Soldiers Come Home, Battle Scars Come With Them. The Fayetteville (NC) Observer (9/27, Ramsey, 56K).

19.    War Veteran Can't Escape The Nightmares. The Fayetteville (NC) Observer (9/27, Calhoun, 56K).

20.    Vets With PTSD Learn To Fly Fish. The KCPQ-TV Seattle, WA (9/27, Rebik) website.

21.    Veterans Successful In Local Hunt. The Ludington (MI) Daily News (9/28) reports, "Veterans from the Veterans Administration home in Grand Rapids got a thrill Saturday when the Ruby Creek area hosted them for the fourth annual Disabled American Veterans Hunt." Ruby Creek Tavern "owner Jerry Welcome, the chief organizer" of the event, has dedicated a "new flag at the tavern in the name of the hunters."

22.    Vet Shows Support For Troops. The Danville (IL) Commercial News (9/28, Sweikar, 12K) reports, "If you spot a man Thursday walking through Danville - who is wearing a fluorescent vest and pushing a mountain bike with a 3-foot by 5-foot American flag on the back - you just might want to give him a salute or a wave." The man is "65-year-old retired Army veteran Rob Siedenburg of Champaign, who has spent the last month on a 250-mile journey across Illinois to show his support for American troops, both living and dead, and their families." The "veteran's trek through Danville will begin at 8 a.m. Thursday at the Victory World War I Memorial."

23.    Sweeney Influences Visit To Wounded Veterans. The Delaware County (PA) Daily Times (9/27, 40K) noted that on Monday, members of the Philadelphia Phillies, a Major League Baseball franchise, were to visit "Walter Reed Hospital, where active and retired military are treated." According to the Daily Times, "reserve first baseman" named Mike Sweeney "helped round up some teammates" the trip.

24.    Medal Winner Tells Of Foiling Attack. The AP (9/28, Hall).

25.    Iraqi Women Embrace American Mothers Of War Dead. The AP (9/27, Barzanji).

26.    1,000 Attend W. Richland's Time Of Remembrance. The Kennewick, Washington-based Tri-City Herald (9/28, O'Neal) reports, "Families, friends and American patriots gathered Sunday" in West Richland, Washington, to "pay homage to the fallen soldiers of the current Middle East conflicts."

27.    Veterans Step In To Honor Soldier Killed In Shooting. The Tucson-based Arizona Daily Star (9/28, Alaimo, 116K).

28.    'The Wire' Writer David Simon Among MacArthur Genius Grant Winners. The Washington Post (9/28, Zak, 605K) notes that on Monday, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced that television writer David Simon is "one of 23 fellows" that has "been awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as a 'genius grant.'" Nicholas Benson, a "third-generation stone carver," also has been awarded one of the grants. Among other things, the Post notes, Benson "personally hand-carved about 1,000 letters on the World War II memorial."

29.    For 68 Aging Warriors, Their Final Mission. The Sarasota (FL) Herald Tribune (9/28, Witz, 92K).

30.    Raritan Borough Annual Parade Honors Hometown WWII Hero John Basilone. The Somerville (NJ) Courier News (9/28, Reed, 242K, 32K).

31.    Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish Hopes To Right Old Wrong. The Portland-based Oregonian (9/28, Bingham, 271K) notes that Nick Fish, the Portland city commissioner, is attempting to get a Medal of Honor for World War I veteran Lincoln Johnson, who served in the "369th Infantry Regiment, the first regiment of black men in the war."