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VA SECRET LIST “ABHORRENT”

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Published: 25 April 2014

REPORT SAYS AT LEAST 40 PATIENTS DIED WHILE WAITING FOR APPOINTMENTS AT PHOENIX VA MEDICAL CENTER THAT WAS HIDING INFORMATION._

WASHINGTON (April 24, 2014) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Phoenix has been keeping a secret list of patients with long-delayed appointments, a practice which has been linked to the deaths of at least 40 veterans, according to an April 23 report by CNN.

The secret list kept by the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System was part of a cover-up created by VA managers to hide the fact that more than 1,400 veterans were forced to wait many months to see a doctor, according to CNN's interview with a retired VA doctor, Sam Foote, who worked at the facility for 24 years. American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger said if the allegations are true, the secret list in Phoenix "is one of the most abhorrent acts ever committed in VA history." The American Legion is meeting with top VA Central Office officials in Washington today to discuss the issue and the department's response to it.

Dellinger is sending a team of American Legion experts to Phoenix next month to give local veterans a chance to discuss the quality of their VA health care. The team, part of the Legion's System Worth Saving Task Force, will also conduct a two-day site visit to the Phoenix medical center where they will interview administrators, medical staff and patients. Dr. Foote told CNN that the Phoenix hospital also maintains a "sham" list that it shares with VA's Central Office in Washington, which falsely indicates Phoenix has been providing timely appointments for its patients.

"If this is all true, it is a new low in a string of breakdowns at VA medical centers - Columbia, S.C.; Augusta, Ga.; Jackson, Miss.; the list goes on - that have caused the needless deaths of individuals who served this country with honor," Dellinger said.

"We're going to find out what happened in Phoenix," he added. "We are going to find out who was responsible for this secret list and if they are still working for VA. These preventable deaths keep mounting, and yet we see not a single VA manager being held accountable. The American Legion will work with Congress and the VA Central Office to find out exactly what has been happening, and why. It is not sufficient for VA to simply say it's going to try to do better next time, without holding people accountable."

The CNN report only fuels criticism about the department's reputation for a lack of accountability among senior leadership, Dellinger said.

"Preventable deaths, construction delays, cost overruns, gaming the system, over-medicating our veterans - where does it all end? This issue must be addressed at every level."

Legion Article

2014 Hiring Our Heroes Veterans Event – Birmingham AL

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Published: 16 April 2014

2014 Hiring Our Heroes Veterans Event – Birmingham AL

Birmingham CrossPlex

2331 Bessemer Rd., Birmingham, AL 35208

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

HIRING FAIR: 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOP: 8:30 a.m.

EMPLOYERS - Must register for FREE at HiringOurHeroes.org

JOB SEEKERS - Register for FREE at HiringOurHeroes.org to guarantee admission. Walk-ins welcome but space not guaranteed.

This hiring event is being conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Birmingham Business Alliance, the Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS), the Alabama Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the United States Army Reserve (USAR), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, The American Legion, Goodwill Industries International, NBC News, and other local partners.

A workshop for veterans and other military job seekers that focuses on resume writing, tips for successfully navigating hiring fairs, military skill translation, and interviewing will start at 8:30 a.m. Pre-register for the Workshop during the job seeker registration process.

For registration questions, please contact us at hiringourheroes@uschamber.com or call 202-463-5807.

Birmingham Flyer May 2014

Alabama American Legion seeking Department Adjutant

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Published: 04 April 2014

The American Legion Department of Alabama is accepting applications for the position of Department Adjutant.

The American Legion Department of Alabama is one of 55 Departments of The National American Legion, a not-for-profit organization chartered by the United States Congress under provisions of the IRS Code 501©19.

The position of Department Adjutant is an appointed office, with and considering recommendations by the Search Committee to the Department Commander and approved by the Department Executive Committee.

The Department Adjutant is a paid appointive office. The incumbent reports directly to and through the Department Commander to the Department Executive Committee. The incumbent is subject to the policies, rules and regulations/guidelines contained in the Employee Handbook, The American Legion manuals and guides, the National Constitution/By-Laws, the National Convention, the National Executive Committee, the Department Constitution/By-Laws, the Department Convention, and the Department Executive Committee. In addition, the incumbent will follow any other directives either internal or external as outlined.

Applicants must possess the following qualifications:

Undergraduate degree from an accredited US college or university. Work experience could be substituted.

Honorably discharged veteran from a branch of the US military.

Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Be a member of The American Legion in good standing or be eligible to join and be assigned a Post in Alabama.

Excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills.

Supervisory/Management experience required.

Experience in Financial Management/budgeting is desirable.

Ability to effectively work with state and federal government officials and with members of Congress and the Alabama legislature.

Excellent written and computer skills.

Knowledge of veteran’s affairs and rehabilitation, veteran’s laws, claims service, and veterans and dependents benefits is desirable.

Must submit to a criminal and FBI background check.

Knowledge of The American Legion programs and procedures is expected.

Must have a valid Alabama driver’s license, or able to get one if from out of state.

Some overnight and/or daily travel will be required.

Please send resume by April 15, 2014 to: Department Adjutant Search Committee, P.O. Box 1069, Montgomery, AL 36101. Also provide a short written essay explaining interest in the position and salary history.

VA Removes Annual Income Reporting Requirement

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Published: 25 March 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 24, 2014

VA Removes Annual Income Reporting Requirement

Eliminates Burden on Veterans, Improves Customer Service

WASHINGTON –The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is eliminating the annual requirement for most Veterans enrolled in VA’s health care system to report income information beginning in March 2014. Instead, VA will automatically match income information obtained from the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration.

“Eliminating the requirement for annual income reporting makes our health care benefits easier for Veterans to obtain,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “This change will reduce the burden on Veterans, improve customer service and make it much easier for Veterans to keep their health care eligibility up-to-date.”

Some Veterans applying for enrollment for the first time are still required to submit income information. There is no change in VA’s long-standing policy to provide no-cost care to indigent Veterans, Veterans with catastrophic medical conditions, Veterans with a disability rating of 50 percent or higher, or for conditions that are officially rated as “service-connected.”

VA encourages Veterans to continue to use the health benefits renewal form to report changes in their personal information, such as address, phone numbers, dependents, next of kin, income and health insurance.

For more information, visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/cost or call VA toll-free at 1-877-222-VETS (8387).

2014 Scholarship Application

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Published: 17 March 2014

Download the "2014 American Legion Scholarship Information" in the "Forms" tab menu item above.

IRS Bulletin

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Published: 25 February 2014

BULLETIN from the National Judge Advocate

Just this week, we learned that the IRS has a new form required for EVERY enterprise with an EIN. That means all corporations, incorporated and non incorporated posts and tax exempt organizations. Whenever there is a change of address or change in the person in charge, the new person in charge must now file the IRS Form 8822-B. This is a basic form that looks like a “Change of Address” form. What they really want to know is the NAME of the “RESPONSIBLE PARTY.” This could be the post commander or adjutant or treasurer, or whoever has a level of control over the funds. This form must be filed by MARCH 1, 2014, if you have not told the IRS the identity of the Responsible Party and then again within 60-days of whenever your Responsible Party changes.

We request that departments notify their posts.

Click on the following link to access IRS Form 8822-B

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8822b.pdf

Congratulations

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Published: 14 February 2014

Commanders and Department Leadership,

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank you all for your efforts in obtaining the membership goal. We have positioned ourselves to achieve something special this year.