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War-torn Troops Soothed
by Horses’ Spirit
(zootoo.com)
MIAMI -- The science of the
human-animal bond is proving very effective in a
new arena: on the home front of a new war.
Returning veterans are finding help, as well as
healing in therapy that involves a saddle and a
set of reins.
"It feels pretty good. I feel
tall," said U.S. Marine Gene Calonge, who
recently returned from his deployment. Learning
to ride again is strengthening the bodies and
minds of young vets here at the South Florida
Veterans Multi-Purpose Center in Davie, Fla.
The last time Calonge mounted
a horse, was his service with the Marine Corps.
This time around it's Sam, a 4-year-old Arabian,
giving him a much-needed boost.
"It's different bonding with
an animal, you feel like you're not going to be
judged so much about anything so ... you and him
just have a good time,” said Calonge.
VETERANS MULTI-PURPOSE CENTER’S NEW EQUINE
ASSISTED THERAPY PROGRAM SET TO OPEN IN CENTRAL
FLORIDA
The Veterans Multi-Purpose Center will soon be
expanding its Equine Assisted Therapy Program to
a ten acre horse ranch in Central Florida.
Our
new site will provide a true nature setting that
will provide holistic healing and a tranquil
setting for veterans who are recovering from
PTSD and Substance use disorders.
We plan to be up and fully operational by
May, 2010 and ready to begin serving veterans
from the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital
located at Tampa, New Port Richey, and three
community-based outpatient clinics in
Zephyrhills, Lakeland and Brooksville, and four
counties in Central Florida including the new VA
Hospital that will be located in the Lake Nona
area of Orlando, FL.
The new $656 million dollar VA project
includes a hospital, community living center and
outpatient clinic in the Lake Nona area. The new
VA Medical Center will eventually join the
University of Central Florida’s new medical
school and the Burnham Institute.
The Veterans Multi-Purpose Center will
continue to provide services to veterans here in
South Florida.
Eligibility for VA health care not automatic
for all Veterans
Eligibility for VA health care benefits depends
solely on active military service in the Army,
Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. Most
of the nation’s 24 million veterans are eligible
for some aspect of VA’s health care services if
they choose to enroll. Enrolled veterans are
assigned to one of eight priority levels (P1
through P8) based on their service-connected
disabilities, income levels, and other factors.
Under this priority system, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs decides each year whether VA’s
medical budget is adequate to serve veterans in
all priority groups who seek care.
There are over 9.5 million U.S. veterans who
are over 65 years of age. Many are eligible for
both VA health care and Medicare. Currently,
veterans who are enrolled in both Medicare and
VA health must choose either Medicare or VA to
pay for services each time they need care. And
while Medicare-eligible veterans are unable to
use Medicare coverage at VA hospitals and
facilities, Medicare can help pay for some
co-payments charged by the VA.
PRESIDENT SIGNS VETERANS' EMERGENCY CARE
FAIRNESS ACT
Chairman Akaka introduced Senate bill to cover
gaps in emergency care for veterans with limited
insurance.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Veterans’
Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka
(D-HI) today praised President Barack Obama’s
signing of the Veterans’ Emergency Care Fairness
Act of 2009.
“For veterans with limited insurance, a trip
to the emergency room should not result in
financial ruin,” said Chairman Akaka, who
introduced the bill in the Senate last year.
“With this new law, VA will be positioned to
help veterans who are enrolled in VA care whose
insurance does not cover the full cost of
emergency treatment.” The Veterans’ Emergency
Care Fairness Act, signed into law by President
Obama last night, will enable the Department of
Veterans Affairs to reimburse veterans enrolled
in VA health care for the remaining cost of
emergency treatment if the veteran has outside
insurance that only covers part of the cost.
Previously, VA could reimburse veterans or pay
outside hospitals directly only if a veteran has
no outside health insurance.
In addition to reimbursing veterans for
emergency care in the future, the bill allows
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide
retroactive reimbursements for care received
prior to the passage of this bill. Akaka has
received correspondence from veterans who were
unable to receive financial assistance under the
previous rules, and plans to share their
information with Secretary Shinseki.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates
that this legislation will cover approximately
700 future claims per year and as many as 2,000
veterans retroactively.
