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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 5412 - BURKE, VA
WELCOME: Active Duty and Honorably Discharged Vets!
BURKE VFW POST 5412
JULY 2008 NEWSLETTER
COMMANDER'S LETTER:
4 items -
1) New member Jerry Kaffka, USAF (Ret), Texas, sworn in at June Meeting—Welcome!
2) Scott Logan, QM, reports -
a. Fund raising 195% increase over 2007!
b. National Hdqtrs lost our shipment of "Buddy Poppies" causing hiccup, Scott looking into.
3) June cook-out delicious and bountiful!! Thank you cooks!!! Especially Renate & Terry (Chef), Trinket, Sandy, Tom! (No post could wish for better!)
4) July meeting (Wed 7/16). Guest demonstrator Dwayne Dwyer, USGA teacher. Object: "How to use irons."
Win the Day!
Dave Meyers
Commander
SERVICE OFFICER REPORT. VA DENTAL TREATMENT UPDATE 03: Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would provide veterans and their dependents with access to dental insurance. The bills would allow the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) to establish a dental program for the 7.9 million veterans, surviving spouses, and certain dependent children enrolled in VA health care system. The program, which is completely voluntary, would give them the benefit of VA's buying power in order to get lower premiums on dental insurance coverage. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) said, "Healthy teeth are an important part of overall health, and our veterans should have access to affordable dental care. This legislation would provide veterans with access to group insurance rates they may not otherwise be able to get on their own."ť The legislation calls for an annual enrollment period with the ability to cancel insurance once a year or if a person is prevented by a serious medical condition from receiving any dental benefits or moves to a place where dental insurance cannot be used, such as overseas. Rep. Steve Buyer introduced his bill on 17 JUN. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) introduced his version on 23 JUN. The only significant difference between Buyer's House bill, HR 6277, Richard Burr (R-NC) bill, S 3178, is that Buyer would authorize, but not require, VA to create the insurance program, while Burr would mandate its creation. In a statement, Buyer described the idea as similar to the Tricare Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) for retirees created in 1997 that now covers about 800,000 people, including military retirees, National Guard and reserve members and families.
VA provides such care to veterans with service-connected dental disabilities, those who are 100% disabled for any condition, and those who were prisoners of war for 90 days or longer. Additionally, veterans newly separated from active duty can receive one-time dental treatment from VA if their discharge records show they were receiving dental treatment that was not completed before they were discharged. The bills would not replace any dental services provided by VA. While Buyer talked about the military's Tricare Reserve Dental Program as a success, military retirees have complained about that program's cost and the fact that the government does not subsidize the insurance. As a result, dental premiums are higher for some military retirees than their premiums for health care. Premiums for military retirees vary by region, with family coverage costing $90.57 a month in Arkansas, $121.39 in the District of Columbia and $138.66 in California. In addition to the monthly premiums, an annual deductible must be met before any dental expenses are covered. The insurance plan also does not fully cover all costs. For example, it covers only 60% of the cost of a tooth extraction and only 80% of the cost of a filling. New enrollees also sometimes must wait for a year before they are eligible for some coverage, such as dentures and orthodontics. [Source: Marine Corps Times Rick Maze article 26 Jun 08 ++ and RAO Bulletin Update 01 July 2008]
READY REFERENCE PHONE NUMBERS:
Air Force Retired Affairs 800-531-7502
Arlington National Cemetery 703-695-3250 / 703-695-3255
Army Retired Affairs 800-336-4909
Coast Guard Retired Affairs 800-772-8724
Marine Corps Retired Affairs 800-336-4649
National Personnel Records Center 314-538-4141
Naval Reserve Personnel Center (Records) 800-535-2699
Navy Retired Activities Office 800-255-8950
Social Security Administration 800-772-1213
TRICARE Headquarters 303-676-3526
TRICARE Senior Pharmacy Program 877-363-6337
VA National Service Life Insurance (NSL) 800-669-8477
VA Regional Office 800-827-1000
VA Service Department Burial Benefits 800-697-6947
Veteran's Group Life Insurance (VGLI) 800-419-1473
2008-2009 POST OFFICERS.
Commander Dave Meyers 703-978-1548 david.meyers(at)mris.com
Senior Vice Commander Gerhard Liebegott: gerhard.liebegott(at)us.army.mil
Junior Vice Commander Todd Sipe: toddrsipe(at)yahoo.com
Quartermaster Scott Logan: sslogan(at)verizon.net
Adjutant Brian Engler: bengler(at)cox.net
Surgeon Maxine Engler: mengler(at)cox.net
1 Yr. Trustee Brian Engler: bengler(at)cox.net
2 Yr. Trustee Dave Courter: davecourter(at)msn.com
3 Yr. Trustee Tom Troy: ttrltroy(at)aol.com
FUTURE POST MEETINGS.
July 16, 2008 7:30 PM Post Meeting, Ponds Community Center, Burke
August 20, 2008 7:30 PM Post Meeting, Ponds Community Center, Burke
September 17, 2008 7:30 PM Post Meeting, Ponds Community Center, Burke
***Welcome new recruits from Burke Centre Fall Festival!***
October 15, 2008 7:30 PM Post Meeting, Ponds Community Center, Burke
UPDATED 30 JUNE 2008
VFW National
VFW Department of Virginia
VFW District 10 Virginia
VFW at Work!
Survivors and Eligible Dependents VA Benefits
Operation Uplink--Support Our Troops!
Send E-Mail to: bengler@cox.net
Copyright © 2008 Brian Engler, Post Adjutant. All Rights Reserved