The Trump administration has introduced a new policy that complicates health care access for male veterans diagnosed with breast cancer. This change, detailed in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) memo, does not rely on new scientific findings but instead references a presidential order from Trump's first day in office. The order, titled "Defending Women from Gend...
Sleep problems are common in people with spinal cord injuries. These issues can make daily life harder. Two main problems are sleep-disordered breathing and trouble falling asleep. Both can lower the quality of life. People with spinal cord injuries often have trouble breathing while they sleep. This is called sleep-disordered breathing. It can make them feel tired ...
Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia Theater often return home with new breathing issues. However, standard lung function tests usually show normal results for most of these veterans. These veterans are often referred to as having preserved spirometry. This means their breathing tests look normal, even though they might feel symptoms. The connection between ...
The likelihood of developing dementia varies greatly depending on where you live in the US. The Southeast region, which includes states like Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, has the highest risk. People in this area are 25% more likely to develop dementia compared to the Mid-Atlantic region, which has the lowest rates. This is a significant differenc...
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently attempted to slash hundreds of contracts for veterans' health care services. Initially, a list of 875 contracts was set for termination, causing an uproar among Veterans Health Administration employees. These employees argued that many of the cuts would jeopardize patient safety and the overall quality of care a...
Getting healthcare as a veteran can feel like navigating a confusing maze. But don't worry, the Spokane VA team is there to help you find your way. They support veterans from both Washington and Idaho. You can give them a call at 509-434-7504. Ever thought about having someone who's got your back in the healthcare system? If you're an Idaho veteran using the Spokane...
Identifying mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in veterans can be tricky. Two different systems, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the LIMBIC-CENC research project, were compared to see how well they found these injuries. The LIMBIC-CENC study uses detailed interviews to find all possible concussive events (PCEs) and diagnose mild TBI. The VHA, on the ot...
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N. Y. ) has openly criticized certain cost-saving measures suggested by the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE). In a recent social media post, she highlighted how these proposals might negatively impact veterans, seniors, and the disabled. Ocasio-Cortez was responding to a separate post from Elon Musk, which sugges...
A year after a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, the family of the gunman is advocating for greater awareness and research into traumatic brain injuries among military members. The shooting occurred on October 25, 2023, at a bowling alley and a bar, leaving 18 people dead. The gunman's family initially considered staying quiet but decided to go public to prevent simi...
VA hospitals have once again defied the odds by topping the charts in care quality and patient satisfaction, leaving their non-VA counterparts in their dust. But what's behind this remarkable achievement? Is it a result of their unwavering commitment to serving veterans? Or are there other factors at play? VA hospitals have consistently demonstrated a deeper unders...