Safe Driving Program Revs Up
NASCAR driver Richard Petty joined VA Secretary James B. Peake and officials from the departments of defense and transportation to launch a safe driving awareness program for combat veterans on Jan. 12. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of deaths among combat veterans during the first years after their return home. The safe–driving initiative will try to increase awareness among veterans of the importance of safe driving, seatbelt and helmet usage, and other measures. (more)
Health Care Enrollment
VA plans to re–open enrollment in its health care system by July 2009 to about 265,000 veterans whose incomes exceed established income levels by 10 percent or less. In 2003, VA stopped enrolling veterans with incomes above a set limit who were not being compensated for a military–related disability –– Priority 8 veterans –– because the tremendous growth in the number of veterans seeking enrollment at that time prevented VA from providing all enrolled veterans with timely health care services. (more)
VA Salutes Ross Perot
VA Secretary James B. Peake presented business leader, veteran and veterans’ advocate Ross Perot a special award on Jan. 7 in appreciation for Perot’s decades of support for America’s military service members, veterans, their families and survivors. In presenting the award, Peake said of Perot, “In a lifetime of behind–the–scenes service to care for those who have defended our nation, he has redefined the term veterans advocate.” (more)
