Potential New Clients

Two potential new clients today for myself and WebMaine.Net. Exciting to possibly see some growth in 2006!

More Than 260,000 Can't Get VA Health Care

WASHINGTON - More than a quarter-million veterans considered to have higher incomes could not sign up for health care with the Veterans Affairs Department during the last fiscal year because of a cost-cutting move.

Those locked out - totaling 263,257 in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 - have no illnesses or injuries attributable to their service in the military and earn more than the average wage in their community.

The VA suspended enrollment of such veterans beginning in January 2003 after then-VA Secretary Anthony Principi said the agency was struggling to provide adequate health care to the rapidly rising number of veterans seeking it.

That year the VA population was about 6.8 million. About 7.5 million are enrolled today, with more than 5 million treated.

"There is no reason for the VA to give the cold shoulder to veterans who have served our country honorably," said Rep. Lane Evans of Illinois, ranking Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

VA spokesman Matt Burns said VA provides world-class health care to veterans, "particularly our newly returning veterans, those with low incomes and those who have sustained service-related injuries or illnesses."

Iraq veterans are guaranteed health care if they enroll within two years of leaving the military.

Under the Bush administration, there has been debate about providing veterans health care. President Bush's budgets have included proposals to require some veterans to pay a portion of their care with co-payments, but Congress has repeatedly rejected that idea.

Although Congress has increased VA's budget in recent years, the agency found itself with a gaping budget hole last year and had to ask Congress for emergency funding. Veterans groups and some lawmakers say the agency's increases have been inadequate, but others say the agency has to set priorities on who gets care.

"Our first priority is to care for veterans who were hurt or disabled in service and who need our help. We are doing that," said Jeff Phillips, communications director for Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., and House VA Committee chairman.

When it suspended enrollments, VA estimated that about 522,000 veterans would not enroll for health care because of the suspension through September 2005, saving the agency about $780 million. Numbers for fiscal year 2004 were not immediately available.

In 1996 Congress ordered the agency to open health care to nearly all veterans. However, lawmakers also gave authority to the VA secretary to suspend enrollments as needed.

VA calculated the fiscal year 2005 total by counting veterans whose applications to enroll were rejected because they fell into the so-called "Priority 8" category. The number includes veterans in all states as well as Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and 793 veterans listed as other or unknown territory.

Evans' office said the number of such veterans who have not been able to sign up for health care could be higher because some may not bother to apply knowing they do not qualify.

Congress provided about $23.3 billion for VA medical services for this fiscal year, above Bush's request, with about $1.2 billion set aside for when VA declares the money is needed for an emergency.

According to the numbers provided by Evans, Florida had the highest number of veterans rejected, 27,465, followed by Texas with 19,204, California with 17,378 and Pennsylvania with 13,262.

Does Anyone Fall For This Crap?

Of the thousands of e-mails they blindly send out, I wonder how many responses they get?!

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Dear Friend,

I am Mrs. Monica Maxwell from Libya. I am married to Late Jamil Maxwell of blessed memory who is an oil explorer in Libya and Kuwait for twelve years; before he died in the year 2001. We were married for twelve years without a child. My husband died after a brief illness that lasted for only four nights. Since his death I too have been battling with both Cancer and fibroid problems. When my late Husband was alive he deposited a substantial amount of money in millions of dollars with a Finance Firm oversea.

Recently, my doctor told me that I have only six months to live in this world due to cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to either a charity/orphanage home or devoted God fearing individual/company that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want this organization or individual to use this money in all sincerity to fund charity homes (motherless homes), orphanages, and widows.

Although, I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are into radical organization and I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an unholy manner. Hence the reasons for this bold decision.

Please, pray for me to recover as your prayers will go a long way in uplifting my spirit. I don't need any telephone communication in this regard, because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me always and my doctor has advised me not to speak on phone because of my health.

I don't want them to know about this development. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you further directives on what to do and how to go about actualizing this project. I will also issue a letter of authorization to the Finance Company authorizing them that the said fund has being willed to you and a copy of such authorization will be forwarded to you. I want you to always pray for me. However, any delay in your reply will give room in sourcing for an organization or a devoted Individual for this same purpose.

Until I hear from you by email; in my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders. Please reply ****************

Remain Blessed.

Mrs. Monica Maxwell

My Steelers are Super Bowl Bound

I'm excited - the Pittsburgh Steelers are heading back to the Super Bowl!

Bill Cowher came out with a great game plan to silence the strong Denver Broncos offense and defense in their own stadium. Considering the Broncos were undefeated at home this year, that was quite an accomplishment!

I only wish that Jake Plummer was 100% healthy so that the nay-sayers won't be able to use that as an excuse.

Now its time to bring the Lombardi Trophy back home to Pittsburgh!!

Road to the Super Bowl

Less then 24-hours from now and I'll know if my Steelers are going back to the Super Bowl for the first time since their loss to Dallas in 1996. I think Bill Cowher will have his team more then ready for the Denver Broncos. It should prove to be a very exciting afternoon of football tomorrow.

Steelers vs Broncos

Uh oh! My two favorite NFL teams are set to face off next weekend for the AFC Championship! Since I've been a Steelers fan as far back as I can remember, I will pledge my support to them. Either way, one of my favorite teams is going to the Super Bowl!

Zero Gravity

Zero Gravity?

When NASA first started sending up astronauts, they quickly discovered that ball-point pens would not work in zero gravity. To combat this problem, NASA scientists spent a decade and $12 billion developing a pen that writes in zero gravity, upside-down, on almost any surface including glass and at temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 300 C.

The Russians used a pencil.

Your taxes are due again--enjoy paying them!

Thanks John for sending this to me.

Back to School

Started back to school yesterday for my last semester! I'm very excited for May 13th to get here where I'll be recognized as an official college graduate.

Hopefully, with a combination of my experience and education, I'll be able to land the perfect job.