OCTOBER 20, 2009

First Lady To Visit VA.

  The third item in the Washington Post's (10/20, Franke-Ruta) "What to Watch" column says First Lady Michelle Obama "continues her tour" of Federal agencies on Tuesday, "visiting the Department of Veterans Affairs in the late morning. VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki also attends."

VA STAFF: First Lady Michelle Obama’s visit to VA Central Office today at 11 a.m. EDT will be broadcast live (11-11:30 EDT) on all VA Knowledge Network Channels for viewing at VA facilities tied into the Employee Education System satellite network.  Employees can view a recording of her visit via VAKN replay and on the Content Delivery Network through the week.
Impact: Michelle Obama visit to VACO 

Obama To Honor Vietnam Vets.

  On the front page of its Metro section, the Washington Post (10/20, B1, Ruane) reports, "Tuesday in the White House Rose Garden," President Barack Obama "is scheduled to pay tribute" to Pasqual Gutierrez and "about 80 other Vietnam veterans who fought" in a "savage, unnamed battle" on March 26, 1970. The veterans' efforts "resulted in the rescue of a company of trapped fellow soldiers." According to the Post, "Gutierrez's outfit -- Alpha Troop, First Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment -- has been awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for its 'extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry' in the fight." The lead item in the Washington Post's (10/20, Franke-Ruta) "What to Watch" column also notes Tuesday's Rose Garden event.
Impact: President Obama, Vietnam honors

Speeding Eligibility Claims.

In a Federal Times (10/20) op-ed, Jim Borland, the "special adviser for health IT at the Social Security Administration," and Greg Pace, the agency's deputy chief information officer, note that the SSA has "worked with the Veterans Health Administration for many years to speed the flow of their electronic medical records to our disability examiners." The authors add, "We have learned in our successful use of health IT that targeted investments in technology, consensus standards, strong partnerships and results-oriented goals can produce measurable success. When you extend that formula to a $19 billion investment," as the President and Congress have done with Recovery Act funds, "substantial improvements" in US health and healthcare "become achievable."
Impact: Eligibility claims, editorial