SPANISH HEALTH CARE BENEFIT APPLICATION AVAILABLE
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently released the Spanish version of the application for health benefits, as part of VA’s effort to simplify and improve the health care enrollment process for veterans.
The new language version implements the VA Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans’ recommendation to provide Spanish versions of the application and instructions.
“Our veteran population is made up of an increasingly diverse group of people,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Our nation appreciates the service and sacrifice of all veterans, including Hispanic and Latino veterans. It’s our duty to expand the ways we communicate with all veterans, so they’re properly informed about the benefits they’ve earned.”
Nearly 1.5 million living veterans identify as Hispanic or Latino as of Sept. 30, 2017, according to the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics. More than half a million veterans already enrolled in the VA health care system self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.
The form is available at VA medical facilities and online at https://vaww.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/10-10EZ_Spanish.pdf.
Veterans can apply for VA health care benefits online at https://www.vets.gov/health-care/apply/; by calling 877-222-8387 8 a.m.-8 p.m. (EST) Monday-Friday; at a VA health care facility; or by completing a hard copy of the form and mailing it to Health Eligibility Center, 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200, Atlanta, Georgia 30329-1647.
VA HOSTS COUPLES WORKSHOP
Tennessee Valley Healthcare System will host a couples workshop for veterans and their intimate partners Sept. 15 at the Veterans Recovery Center, 260 Glenis Drive, Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
The workshop will focus on improving communication to build stronger bonds and is appropriate for couples who have been in a relationship for at least six months.
“Every couple can learn something about communication to build a stronger relationship,” said Landra Orr, TVHS social worker and event organizer. “This workshop will give veterans and their partners ideas for doing that, no matter how long they’ve been together.”
Workshop topics will include recognizing strengths, managing and appreciating individual differences, handling emotional sensitivities from the past and managing stress as a team.
Check-in will begin at 8 a.m. and the workshop should conclude by 5 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Seating is limited for this free event. Register at http://bit.ly/tvhscouples before Sept. 13.
TVHS is an integrated tertiary health care system comprised of two hospitals, the Alvin C. York Campus in Murfreesboro and the Nashville Campus, as well as more than a dozen community-based outpatient clinics located in Tennessee and Kentucky. TVHS provides ambulatory care, primary care, and secondary care in acute medicine and surgery, specialized tertiary care, transplant services, spinal cord injury outpatient care, and a full range of extended care and mental health services.
Veterans tee up for golf tourney
More than 200 veterans with visual impairments, severe illness or injury are set to tee up for the 2018 National Disabled Veterans Training, Exposure and Experience Tournament, Sept. 9-14 near Iowa City, Iowa.
Made possible by strategic corporate partnerships, nonprofit organizations and individual donors, the six-day event is co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Disabled American Veterans.
“The fact that this important event has been around for a quarter century says a lot about its positive impact on many disabled veterans each year,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “It’s a great event, and VA is proud to partner with DAV and many other corporate and individual donors to make it happen once again for our nation’s heroes.”
In addition to golfing at several courses in Iowa City, veterans will participate in adaptive cycling, fishing, bowling, kayaking, scuba diving, disc golf, marksmanship and rock wall climbing.
For more information, visit www.tee.va.gov.