By Douglas Holtz-Eakin
The young drop coverage to avoid higher premiums
Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis announced Wednesday that she will leave the administration — a surprise resignation that adds to what is turning into a major shake-up among President Obama's team.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: I need to renew my dependent ID and would like to know if there is somewhere near Harrison, Ark., we can go.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: I have a question for you: Why is it that the VA does not negotiate with pharmaceutical companies on a nationwide basis as opposed to regional negotiations? I am unable to get some meds for my service-connected disability because the VA won't come into the 21st century or negotiate on the national level. I am fortunate that my disability compensation currently covers the expense of buying the needed meds. It just seems wrong that I should have to pay for a service-connected disability to some degree.
President Obama observed Veterans Day on Sunday by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery and promising the post-9/11 generation of veterans and their families that America will care for them "as long as they walk this Earth."
Dear Sgt. Shaft: I know that you are very interested in the safety of visually impaired veterans when taking their prescriptions. You understand all too well the danger of not reading prescription labels and the possibility of making a tragic mistake. As you know, the ScripTalk Talking Prescription System is now installed in all VA Medical Centers in U.S.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: I need help and advice, I am three months in remission and have had chemo with Rituxan five times since my diagnose of ischemic heart disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 2001. I was not in Vietnam but in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1973 and the U.S. Air Force from 1973 to 1979. I was stationed at U.S. Army Fort Dix in N.J., U.S. Air Force Base Mather in California and Keesler AFB Biloxi in Miss. I have uncovered that these three military sites were exposed to Agent Orange as well as other chemicals. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Two Republican lawmakers have called on Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki to fire his chief of staff for approving two training conferences that led to $762,000 in questionable spending.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: Where can I find this Supreme Court ruling stating that taxes aren't supposed to be taken out of separation pay?
Dear Sgt. Shaft: I currently have three dog tags that I would be willing to ship to the respective families if I could ever find them. They were stored with the WWII medals of my great uncle who passed, and I would venture to say that they must have been friends at some time.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: My husband is buried at the RIverside National Cemetery. He died on April 25, 1987, and was interred May 12, 1987. What are the requirements for spouse burial? Due to his alcoholism and abuse, we were separated at the time of his death but not divorced. Thanks to his lack of financial support for his family and his alcoholic expenditures, retirement savings were impossible. I live on my Social Security and am concerned about final expenses.
Dear Sgt. Shaft: My mother is 85 years old and hasn't received anything from the government. They even took her ID card at Camp Lejeune. Her husband served in World War II and the Korean War. He retired in 1967 from the Marine Corps with 25 years active service and five in the reserves. She has just gotten her ID card back. Nobody can explain why she has not received any benefits all these years, or why they took her card in the first place. He passed away in 1973 and my mother has been without benefits all these years. She has never remarried. Should she not be entitled to something?
Dear Sgt. Shaft: In April of 2011 I was re-evaluated by mental health at the VA hospital for an increase in my PTSD claim. As of today I have not had any word concerning my claim. Who can I contact about this?
Members of Congress expressed doubts Tuesday on plans by the Department of Veterans Affairs' to hire 1,900 additional workers to improve access to mental health care.
Dear Sgt Shaft: I'm a retired Navy vet, and I understand that spouses may be buried in the same plot at a national cemetery. If my spouse predeceases me, can she still be interred until I pass on?
Dear Sgt Shaft: How do I begin to get an exemption/dispute from the 20/20/20 rule? They do happen per individual Dates of Service and Regulation Changes. I was married for 30 years. My husband was on active duty for 22 years. Only 17½ not 20 were overlapping years. I understand that the rules have changed. I was told that if I was married for 20 years with 20 years active duty that I would qualify for former spouse if divorced. How do I start a case requesting Former Spouse Benefits exempting the 20-20-20 requirement?
He told a House subcommittee on Thursday, April 18, 2013, that the agency is making progress.
