Gordon: VA To Pay For Treating Vets Exposed To Unclean Equipment.   The Murfreesboro (TN) Daily News Journal (7/10) reports the US Department of Veterans Affairs "has agreed to cover costs associated with treatment and follow-up testing for infected veterans in the wake of the endoscopy problems" at the Alvin C. York Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The agreement "came in response" to a letter sent in June by US Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN), who requested that the VA "give infected veterans the benefit of the doubt and pay in full for the care they need. 'This is not only a good decision, it is the right decision,' said Gordon," who added, "At the end of the day, determining if a veteran's infection was the result of the York VA's endoscopy mishaps was going to be very difficult, if not impossible. Paying for the treatment costs is one step in the right direction of rebuilding confidence that veterans have in the Murfreesboro VA.'" The Daily News Journal notes that Gordon "received the letter on July 8 from John R. Gingrich, Chief of Staff to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki." The Tennessean (7/10, 152K) runs the same story.
The WSMV-TV Nashville, TN (7/10) website said "32 veterans affected by the recent endoscopy problems" at the York VAMC "will get free follow-up service." During "congressional hearings with the Veteran Affairs Committee last month," Rep. Gordon "asked VA officials if treatment would be taken care of by the VA. At that time, they hadn't decided, so Gordon sent a letter the next day calling for them to pay for care." Gordon "recently heard back from VA officials, saying they agree to give any affected veteran the full care, free of charge, that they need." WFXG-TV Augusta, GA (7/9, 10:24 p.m. ET), WZTV-TV Nashville, TN (7/9, 9:22 p.m. CT) WTVF-TV Nashville, TN (7/9, 6:32 p.m. CT), and WKRN-TV Nashville, TN (7/9, 4:11 p.m. CT) aired similar reports.
Some Advocates Concerned VA Will Not Do Enough For Exposed Vets.   The AP (7/10, Poovey) says a VA "letter pledges free medical care and treatment for former patients who have tested positive for HIV or hepatitis since being exposed to endoscopic cleaning mistakes at three VA hospitals in the Southeast," but "advocates for veterans contend the VA should also be quickly pledging disability and damage payouts for some of the former patients and their families. National Organization of Veterans' Advocates President Richard Cohen said the VA pledge of no-cost medical care -- included in a letter received Wednesday" by Gordon, "promises nothing 'that the VA wouldn't do if these veterans were not subjected to unsanitary devices.'" But some "other veterans' advocates agreed with a statement by Gordon" that the "letter...was 'one step in the right direction.'"
Impact: Endoscopy issue

Gates Urged To Ban Tobacco Use By US Soldiers.   USA Today (7/10, Zoroya, 2.29M) reports, "Pentagon health experts are urging Defense Secretary Robert Gates to ban the use of tobacco" by US "troops and end its sale on military property, a change that could dramatically alter a culture intertwined with smoking. Jack Smith, head of the Pentagon's office of clinical and program policy, says he will recommend that Gates adopt proposals" by a Federal "study that cites rising tobacco use and higher costs for the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs as reasons for the ban. The study by the Institute of Medicine, requested by the VA and Pentagon, calls for a phased-in ban over a period of years, perhaps up to 20." Also, "the report said, troops worn out by repeated deployments often rely on cigarettes as a 'stress reliever.' The study found that tobacco use in the military increased after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began."
Impact: Push for smoking ban by military 

Washington State VA Awarded Grants To Assist Homeless Vets.   The Walla Walla (WA) Union-Bulletin (7/10) reports, "The Washington state Department of Veterans Affairs has been awarded a competitive grant and a renewal grant" from the US Department of Labor "to provide assistance to homeless veterans seeking employment and a fresh start. The agency has been awarded $200,000 for its Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project to help funnel homeless veterans into jobs in several counties, including Walla Walla. In addition, the state VA will receive $300,000 for the second year to continue the project in other counties." The Union-Bulletin adds, "The state agency works in conjunction with the Federal VA Supportive Employment Program, administered through the VA Healthcare System in Spokane and Walla Walla."
Impact: Washington state, homeless assistance