AT EASE!

THE NEWSLETTER OF VVA CHAPTER 103

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010

VVA Chapter 103 Meeting Minutes

January 21, 2010

President Gordon Lane called meeting to order at 1930.

Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer were offered for the safety of all those in harms way tonight.

We had 13 members present -- all regulars.

Mike Haven gave the Chapter Finance Report: thanks to a special grant from our foundation, we have a sufficient balance to continue forward. As well, we can further promote the Diversionary Program that Gordy and Pete have so diligently made ready for the VA and interested law enforcement agencies. Mike reported we have 240 members, but he pointed out that only about 5% of them (us) bother to attend meetings. Unless members decide to show up and once in awhile, offer to help set up or work an event, the same burned out guys end up holding the chapter together. Are we going to just let the Chapter die?

Gordy Lane reported on false statements about VVA 103 contained in a newspaper article this week involving a NY State Attorney General lawsuit against telephone fund raisers. One of those fund raisers was used by our foundation. The Chapter and the foundation are clear of any wrongdoing. It appears that our fund raiser did not always adhere to the agreed upon script provided him when he made telephone calls on behalf of our foundation. Instead, the fund raiser juiced it up as he saw fit to ensure they got either a contribution or a larger one.

Our VA Hospital has begun an awareness campaign to educate everyone about expensive brand name drugs versus those on the National VA formulary (a list of medications available through the VA pharmacy to treat a broad range of medical conditions). Formulary drugs provide the same benefit as the much overpriced brand name drugs. Your primary care physician may well discuss this with you on your next visit if you are using one of these brand names drugs. Our hospital can save upwards of 5 million dollars next year if patients will convert from the brand name to a drug on the formulary list. Some members complained that the VA is just looking to help themselves by doing this. Maybe so, but in the end we all stand to benefit if the savings are used to support other programs at the hospital that need extra funding.

Web Tech note: One can check current prescriptions against the VA Formulary here: http://www.visn2.va.gov/apps/formulary/formulary.asp

Rest assured, your primary care team will work with you. If it turns out you cannot take the formulary drug, the team will put you back on the brand name. Two points to remember: first, the money saved by our hospital making these switches stays here in the Syracuse VAMC. The money saved will be used for other Syracuse VAMC programs.

Second, it is a voluntary thing on your part to make the switch. Outside insurers most often make you accept the generic or they nail you with higher co-pay for that item if you refuse. Think about this: if both drugs do the same thing, why make the VA pay the drug companies a premium price to reward them for their research 8 or 9 years ago? They made their money back years ago.

As many of us know, when you are an inpatient at our hospital there is not any private place you can go to with your family or visitors when you do not have a private room. During business hours, if you are ambulatory you can go to the cafe or store on the ground floor. After hours and on weekends, there is no place available. It is not possible to get a fresh cup of coffee. The Foundation and Chapter are exploring ways this situation can be improved. We will keep members advised of this situation as it develops via the meeting minutes posted on our web site.

Some feel that that the VA is stalling when it comes to Agent Orange. Those veterans need to call or see Christine Jones at the hospital. Ms Jones is the contact person for A.O.

The new addition to the parking garage has been completed; however, the VA engineers have not signed off with contractor because some contractor oversights were found (nothing safety related). Until the contractor corrects those oversights, the VA will not accept the parking garage.

Gordy plans to set up a special meeting with Congressman Maffei in March where we can have a private audience with him to air our complaints about the VA or the treatment of Veterans by Washington etc. More on this as it develops.

We received a solicitation for an ad along, with two free passes for three people each, to attend the annual Tet Celebration hosted by the Vietnamese Community on Saturday Feb. 13, from 2 through 6 PM at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, 923 North McBride St. Dick Madden made a motion we send $50.00 for a half page ad in their program book, seconded by Pete Bronstad. A friendly amendment was made to increase it to $100.00 for a full-page ad, and it was accepted. We have six members who want to attend this celebration, most of them for the first time.

VVA Chapter 103 elections are fast approaching in March. We must have people come forward to fill the officer ranks for next year. None of the current officers want to continue. We need new blood and new ideas to keep the Chapter alive and moving. We have heard all this before, but to a man, none of current leaders want to continue. Think about this situation and spread the word.

Our annual Installation and awards dinner will be held Saturday April 10, 2010 at the Spinning Wheel. We will start with a social hour at 5:30 and serve dinner shortly after 6:30. We have been promised some improvements over last year; for example, a P.A. system that works the full evening so we all can hear.

Guest Speaker is John Rowan, President of VVA National. Bring your questions, as Mr. Rowan is the main man.

The Installation Dinner, the Watchfire and all too soon the State Fair are on the calendar: time to step up!

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Dixon

Recording Secretary

Edited by Ron Fairbank