In this issue:
SASC-P Hearing on Personnel Issues
FRA Urges SecDef to Re-consider Changes to USCG Childcare Centers 
VA Notice on Novel Coronavirus 


SASC-P has Hearing on Personnel Issues
The Senate Armed Services, Personnel Subcommittee held a hearing on personnel issues and had Pentagon officials testify. The FRA submitted a written statement for the record regarding issues of concern to Shipmates. The FRA statement includes the association’s opposition to scheduled annual pharmacy and treatment co-pay increases, restricting retirees and military dependents from selected Military Treatment Facilities and proposed drastic cuts to military medical staff. In addition, the FRA statement urged the subcommittee to expand concurrent receipt and increase Congressional oversight of the Defense Department’s suicide prevention program. 

Among the many topics discussed, Pentagon officials spoke of “rightsizing” the Military Health System (MHS) with a focus on readiness. The DoD officials assured members of the subcommittee that the agency will continue to closely monitor MTFs and make any necessary adjustments. Members can go the FRA Action Center to weigh in on expanding concurrent receipt and expressing opposition to restricting retirees and military dependents from obtaining health care services at select MTFs. 


FRA Urges SecDef to Re-consider Changes to DoD Childcare Centers for USCG families
The FRA has dispatched a letter to the secretary of defense urging him to re-consider his decision to restrict attendance at child development centers for kids from U.S. Coast Guard families. Press reports indicate that one of the unintended consequences in this changed policy is that as many as 1,000 children of active-duty Coast Guard families could lose their spots at base child development centers.  The association believes it is important to provide adequate childcare at all military installations. The FRA advocates that the DoD should increase funding for child development centers rather than restrict usage. The association also wants to ensure funding parity with the DoD on pay, benefits and housing for Coast Guard personnel. At a recent House Appropriations Committee hearing, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz expressed serious concerns about the changed DoD CDC policy. 


VA Notice on Novel Coronavirus 
The Department of Veterans Affairs has issued  a statement that the Veterans Health Administration is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies to monitor and respond to the current outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. The VHA is operating in accordance with CDC guidance and is actively participating in response efforts in local communities to address the outbreak. 

The VHA has a comprehensive plan in place to protect the health of everyone who visits or works at VA facilities.  The Emergency Management Coordination Cell has been activated and is responding to this rapidly changing situation. Supply chain measures are in place, negative airflow beds are available across VHA facilities, and COVID-19 testing kits are available. The VHA is reinforcing adherence to the standard, contact, and airborne precautions, which include the use of personal protective equipment. Healthcare personnel evaluating or treating a patient suspected or confirmed to have a COVID-19 infection have been directed to use these precautions.

The VHA is constantly communicating with employees about the importance of common-sense behaviors for reducing the spread of illness, such as washing hands for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching their faces, covering coughs and sneezes, getting vaccinated against the flu, avoiding other people who are sick and encouraging employees to stay home if they are sick. 

In addition, the VHA is heavily encouraging veterans to call their local medical center before they visit the facility and telling them to consider using VA telehealth. The VA’s telehealth providers can evaluate patient’s symptoms to make a diagnosis and provide comprehensive care from a telephone. For more information on telehealth go online.     

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