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The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Aug. 31 the one millionth patient has registered for the Blue Ribbon to access and download their Personal Health Record information. Since President Obama announced the availability of Blue Ribbon two years ago, the VA has worked with its sister agencies to make online access to personal health records convenient, reliable and safe.
The Blue Ribbon enables patients to assemble and download personal health information into a single, portable file that can be used inside a growing number of private health care electronic records, as well as those in the VA, Department of Defense, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and private sector partners. The VA Blue Ribbon PHR includes prescription history, the ability to review past appointments and medical history details, wellness reminders, and emergency contact information. Because it is web based, the information is available anywhere, any time. Its security measures are identical to those employed by retail websites that accept credit cards.
The VA believes that patients are entitled to access their health information. The simplicity of Blue Ribbon makes it easy also for other public agencies and Federal Employee Health Program carriers to participate. Getting one million registered users so quickly is great validation for the program.
The Blue Ribbon will see even wider use as more non-profit organizations and health care industry partners, such as Kaiser Permanente and Aetna adopt it as an integral part of their customer health records. One of the most recent Blue Ribbon partners is United Health Group. Blue Ribbon has become the model of data liberation throughout the Federal Government. Blue Ribbon is an example of what people can do once given the liberty to access their personal data, safely and privately. For more information on Blue Ribbon, go to www.va.gov/blueribbon.
The Office of Survivors Assistance is a VA program designed to provide dedicated and comprehensive support to survivors and dependents of deceased veterans and members of the Armed Forces. The Office of Survivors Assistance was established by Public Law 110-389, Title ll , Section 272, in October 2008, to serve as a resource regarding all benefits and services furnished by the department to veterans. OSA serves as a principal advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and promotes the use of VA benefits, programs and services to survivors.
In the course of pursuing their website, OSA hopes that survivors and dependents, veterans, their families, caregivers and others, will become more knowledgeable about the benefits and services offered by the VA. OSA will continuously improve the design, content and types of communications on their website as they move forward. OSA also welcomes any help or suggestions that might modify the site further. Any questions and concerns can be reviewed or addressed at www.officeofsurvivors@va.gov.
AMVETS Post 133 welcomes new members, Richard Calandrini, Shawn Molitor and Kevin Sewell.
Reach Jim Vines at jim.helpingveterans@gmail.com.
Viewpoints
COLUMN: Veteran's Corner
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Guest opinion: Campaign with honor
All politics is local and personal! I hope that you and your family have a wonderful summer, filled with relationship building experiences and times of relaxation. As you do all the things that re-charge us for the next round at work and involvement in community and political activities, let’s reflect on the 2013 local elections for a moment.
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TISCIONE: Woe for calling evil good
You don’t often see “woe” used in an article. It’s a word that has fallen out of usage in our day. But it’s a word that ought to be understood and taken seriously.
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Letters to the Editor – May 17, 2013
As mercury pollution threatens our waterways and carbon pollution-fueled climate change worsens extreme weather, we need someone in Washington who knows how to get things done.
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Letters to the Editor – May 15, 2013
I just wanted to express my heartfelt thanks to the slobs, idiots and inconsiderate people who continually decorate the beautiful Texas landscape with their trash. I guess it’s really a form of art with beer bottles and cans, boxes, plastic drink containers, food packaging and just about anything else you can think of. It just doesn’t appeal to me. Thank you.
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NOW HEAR THIS: Not by the hairs of my chinny chin chin
I had never really considered this possibility, but every one of the Three Little Pigs was almost certainly a guy. I know that assumption is not particularly popular from an equal opportunity standpoint, but the fact is fairly certain. How do I know? They all three had hair on their chinny chin chins.
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ESTES: Securing a bright future for Texas
Texas businesses have created more than 500,000 jobs since November 2011. Our economy is growing nearly 50 percent faster than the rest of the country and our cost of living remains low.
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TISCIONE: ‘It’s not about me’
“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night.”
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NOTES FROM THE JOURNEY: A Mother’s Day memory
A sight that always catches my eye when we’re out to eat is a mother and her young son eating alone. Carole sometimes has to touch my arm to regain my attention. Discretely, I observe the interaction between them and wonder what their story is.
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Letters to the Editor – May 10, 2013
Parker County Health Foundation would like to thank the lady who visited our office last week and made a donation to the Foundation. Although your name is unknown, your kindness is greatly appreciated.
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Letters to the Editor – May 8, 2013
As a lifelong resident of Weatherford, I attended our public schools as did my wife, son, daughter and granddaughters. I have been in business here for many years and paid my school taxes without complaint. However, I do plan to vote no on the upcoming WISD bond election for the following reasons:
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