This Week In Congress: A Full Slate Of Leaders For VA
The Department of Veterans Affairs has been without a Senate-confirmed leader for its benefits operations for more than six months, but that could change soon.
Pentagon Rethinking Its Decision On $65.1 Billion Tricare Management Contract
The Defense Department is reconsidering its decision to award a $65.1 billion contract to run Tricare's West Region to a different company than the one that currently manages it.
Official Overseeing VA Health Records Overhaul To Leave This Month
The top Veterans Affairs official overseeing its embattled electronic health records overhaul effort will step down at the end of the month, department leaders announced Friday.
Shortly Approaching Expiration: AFSA 2023 Total Force Survey!
The Total Force 2023 survey will expire soon on the HQAFSA.org website, just in case you missed it or haven't caught up. Please take the time to complete the survey so that our Military and Government Relations Team can best assist you. The survey this year is thorough and covers a variety of vital subjects for our members, such as an Active Component, Reserve Component, and more! Have any inquiries? Contact our M&G team by sending an email to milgov3@hqafsa.org.
DHA Deploys MHS GENESIS To More Hospitals & Clinics
By: Mark Oswell | MHS Communications
MHS GENESIS, The Department of Defense's new electronic health record, is now in use at 75% of all military hospitals and clinics.
Late last month, the Military Health System deployed MHS GENESIS to 10 more parent military medical treatment facilities (MTFs) across six states.
Throughout 2023, MHS GENESIS will complete deployment at stateside facilities and then move to installations in the European and Indo-Pacific regions.
These latest two waves – referred to as Wave DRUM and Wave PORTSMOUTH – span from New England down to the Tidewater Region of Virginia.
“Our Wave DRUM and Wave PORTSMOUTH transition to MHS GENESIS is a major step forward as we move into our final waves of MHS GENESIS deployment,” stated Air Force Brig. Gen. Norman West, director of staff for the DHA and MHS GENESIS functional lead.
“I am thoroughly impressed by the integration of the teams from the Program Executive Office for Defense Healthcare Management Systems, the Leidos Partnership for Defense Health, and the Defense Health Agency,” added Air Force Col. Thomas Cantilina, DHA chief health informatics officer, who has been on the ground for each MHS GENESIS Go-Live. Their joint precision has enabled each Go-Live to become a more seamless experience for system end users.
Wave DRUM / Wave PORTSMOUTH
These deployments include hospitals and clinics that care for West Point cadets and Air Force fighter pilots alike.
As is the case with any new technology adoption, it will take time for clinic staff to learn how to efficiently navigate this new system. This deployment will cause longer than routine wait times, lengthier patient consultation times, longer pharmacy wait times, and a reduction in available daily appointments.
“There are going to be challenges when implementing any system of this size and scope,” said Navy Capt. Shelley Perkins, director of Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia. “Fortunately, we’ve seen positive outcomes in the other markets where it’s been deployed, and we’re committed to resolving any issues patients or providers identify.”
The Military Health System recently launched new and enhanced business tools as part of the full suite of capabilities in MHS GENESIS. These new tools integrate clinical and business capabilities to provide a seamless patient experience.
The information pulled from the Revenue Cycle will allow healthcare teams to better serve beneficiaries, shape hospital or clinic services to meet future needs, and help prevent any unexpected bills.
“The full suite of revenue cycle capabilities are key components in advancing the Military Health System’s overall ability to manage resources and financially plan for future health care needs of our patients,” stated Farah Sarshar, MHS GENESIS business functional champion.
“Since the initial rollout of new and enhanced revenue cycle capabilities in April 2022, we have continued to improve the way we manage the business of health care to ensure the delivery of quality patient care is supported,” added Sarshar. “It is also important to highlight that revenue cycle capabilities impact the patient health care experience as well, enabling better collaboration and communication between patients and their health care provider team.”
Future Deployments
While Waves DRUM and PORTSMOUTH are the first MHS GENESIS deployments in 2023, they won’t be the last. Seven more waves are planned for the rest of the year, completing a five-year operational deployment plan.
“I’m incredibly proud and grateful to each of our MTF leaders for ensuring their teams were well prepared for the transition,” concluded West. “Additionally, I can’t brag enough about our MTF staff for their dedication to making this program a huge success, and continually providing on-the-ground insights on how we can make MHS GENESIS even better.”
Several historic events occurred on Tuesday, the first day the 118th Congress met. Despite being a long list, these legislation addresses a larger variety of public policy objectives that fall under the purview of the seven main emphasis groups of our legislative platform. The bills are currently being introduced, and AFSA is striving to provide more details on the following:
H.R.254 – To amend title 10 United States Code, to improve the administration of the TRICARE program in Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.
H.R.236 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate a week as “Battle Buddy Check Week” for the purpose of outreach and education concerning peer wellness checks for veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sheila Lee Jackson [D-TX-18]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.234 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide a burial allowance for certain veterans who die at home while in receipt of hospice care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Jack Bergman [R-MI-1]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.228 – To amend title 10, United States Code, to include a single comprehensive disability examination as part of the required Department of Defense physical examination for separating members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Robert J. Wittman [R-VA-1]
Committees – House Armed Services, House Veterans Affairs
H.R.226 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to promote and encourage collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning that provide administrative assistance to veterans.
Sponsor: Robert J. Wittman [R-VA-1]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.221 – To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand eligibility for participation in the Federal Pell Grant program to certain trade schools.
Sponsor: Robert J. Wittman [R-VA-1]
Committees – Education and Labor
H.R.214 – To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide eligibility for TRICARE selected for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Gregory W. Steube [R-FL-17]
Committees – House Armed Services, House Veterans Affairs
H.R.196 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to modify the information technology systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide for the automatic processing of claims for certain temporary disability ratings, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Matthew M. Rosendale Sr. [R-MT-2]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.129 – To require the Secretary of Defense to ensure drop boxes are maintained on military installations for the deposit of unused prescription drugs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Vern Buchanan [R-FL-16]
Committees – House Armed Services
H.R.105 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to veterans with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sponsor: Andy Biggs [R-AZ-5]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.104 – To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to formally recognize caregivers of veterans, notify veterans and caregivers of clinical determinations relating to eligibility for caregiver programs, temporarily extend benefits for veterans who are determined ineligible for the family caregiver program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Andy Biggs [R-AZ-5]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.41 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure the timely scheduling of appointments for health care at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: James R. Baird [R-IN-4]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
If you have any additional questions on this specific issue, please e-mail our Military and Government Relations team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.
This edition features Port Mortuary and America’s Missing Heroes, Living with Bipolar Disorder in the Military, Fly-By Wire Defense and AFSA’s American Award Recipient – Don Ward. Read, download, print and share: https://www.hqafsa.org/fallmagazine.html
Greetings AFSA Division and Chapter Leadership,
We are pleased to share the AFSA Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay procedures and marketing materials to help share the process with our members, your membership and potential new recruits.
The Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay program creates an opportunity to JOIN AFSA or RENEW a membership by making a $36 once-a-year/every-year auto payment, or a $4-each-month/every- month auto payment. The $36 once-a-year option is set at $36, and the $4-a-month option includes a bank processing fee of $1 each month.
Review the two ways to enroll, the benefits to using the auto-pay option, and the marketing materials to help share the details of this program and ensure its success.
For questions, please contact AFSAHQ Member & Field team at 800-638-0594 x 288.
Please Update Your Contact Information Today!
Dear Air Force Sergeants Association Member,
In order for the AFSA to effectively communicate with our members, it is essential to ensure we have your current and / or valid e-mail address. We are in the process of updating our records and need your help! Please take a moment to ensure that we have your most current mail and email address (no .mil's); and accurate membership listing information.
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We thank you in advance for your support and prompt updates.
In sum, The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee will hold a confirmation hearing this week for Joshua Jacobs to take over as the department's new under secretary for benefits. Although he has been carrying out the job's responsibilities since last July, he may formally accept the title following a vote by the entire Senate in the coming weeks.
The action is significant because it might be the first time in more than six years that VA's top leadership positions are held by a senatorially confirmed official. Veterans' rights supporters claim that having confirmed executives hold those positions enables the government to plan and steer more effectively in the long term. This week, there are no scheduled House hearings on Capitol Hill. Until February 27, the chamber is in recess.
In addition, On Monday, representatives of Health Net Federal Services informed Military.com that they had learned "good news" that the DoD was reconsidering its decision to grant TriWest Health Alliance the next-generation Tricare West Region contract. The DoD's local healthcare system is presently managed by Health Net Federal Services.
They claimed to have been informed on February 6 that the DoD had decided to reconsider its December announcement about TriWest and make a "new award decision."
It is unknown how the delay will influence the new contracts' start date of 2024 or whether it will have an impact on Humana Military Services' $70.8 billion contract win for the East Region, which was also made public in December.
And lastly, according to a memo sent to staff members by VA Deputy Secretary Donald Remy, Dr. Terry Adirim, head of the VA's Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office, will leave on February 25 to "pursue other possibilities" outside the agency. That position has been hers since December 2021.
FedScoop broke the news of Adirim's leaving first earlier on Friday. A permanent successor for her has not been disclosed by the authorities. Until a candidate is found, Dr. Neil Evans, senior adviser for the Office of Information and Technology, will act as program director, Remy stated in his statement.
The decision was made in the midst of intense scrutiny and controversy surrounding the records modernization program, a $16 billion, 10-year project that has angered lawmakers and some VA employees in recent months.
The project started in 2018, and it has already cost $4 billion. However, in October 2018, VA officials declared that all upcoming Millennium records platform rollouts will be postponed until at least June 2023 "to fix system difficulties and ensure it is operating effectively for veterans and VA health care workers."
And that's the way it is for Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
Stay tuned for our next M&G-B, where we will continue to keep you in the loop on all things pertinent to the coronavirus, veterans, active-duty members, guards and reservists, and military family members. Stay happy, and stay healthy!
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