Check out our recent press release: Veterans’ Claims Go Unheeded as VA Officials Rake in Massive Bonuses

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The backlog of veterans’ disability claims has been the center of a heated debate in Washington, where President Obama has called on Congress to reduce the number of claims which have been held up.

Writing, speaking or even alluding to death is a pretty touchy situation in any case. The re-emergence of the so-called “Death Book”, titled “Your Life, Your Choices”, is no different. It’s a guide provided by the VA to veterans on end of life planning. Distribution of the book was halted by the Bush administration but recently started again under the Obama administration.

My first glimpse at end of life planning was sitting on board the USS Spartanburg County (LST-1192) in Little Creek, Virginia, preparing to depart for Desert Storm. The galley of our naval ship was filled with legal counselors and sailors. I was a young petty officer at the time – with a wife and son worried about what would happen next.

These days, healthcare reform is on the mind of most Americans and the issue didn’t escape attention at the recent National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Phoenix, where President Barack Obama was the keynote speaker.

Though Obama touched on a variety of subjects during his 33-minute speech to about 2,000 mostly-older veterans, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, healthcare for veterans was a major issue during the dissertation. “Whether you've left the service in 2009 or 1949, we will fulfill our responsibility to deliver the benefits and care that you earned,” Obama said as he entered into the portion of his speech that centered on improvement of care for veterans of all ages. “We're dramatically increasing funding for veterans health care. This includes hundreds of millions of dollars to serve veterans in rural areas, as well as the unique needs of our growing number of women veterans. We're restoring access to VA healthcare for a half-million veterans who lost their eligibility in recent years...”

With the country in a frenzy about what might happen to the healthcare industry, changes to veterans haven’t been discussed too much. It appears that current veterans may have some protection and additional options under the proposed bill. As for future Veterans, the jury is still out.

In the proposed bill, 102 (a)(1)(A), “Protecting The Choice to Keep Current Insurance” has been confirmed to cover Veterans who utilize VHA benefits. Veterans need not change their benefits under this bill.

As a follow-up to our recent post highlighting acupuncturist Elizabeth Peterson of Acupuncture for Soldiers, I wanted to share a video about acupuncture and the military community. This video highlights the benefits of acupuncture for servicemen and women.

Military Medical Acupuncture

As a veteran myself, I can tell you that there is an unexplainable and unbreakable bond between veterans. This bond is present no matter what branch of the military you served in: Navy vets feel a connection to former Marines; those who served in the Army have a bond with Air Force Vets, and so on. Veterans are always willing to help out a fellow vet, no matter what.

This generous spirit and willingness to assist fellow veterans is embodied by a Texas-based acupuncturist and Army veteran named Elizabeth Peterson. Elizabeth started Acupuncture for Soldiers with a goal: to “provide affordable alternative health care to soldiers, veterans, and their families.” I had an opportunity to interview Elizabeth via email, and I am encouraged by her giving spirit, and humbled by her dedication to her fellow veterans and members of the military community.