The House Veterans Affairs Committee held the first of several committee oversight hearings concerned with the transition of service personnel from active duty to veteran status. Although the VA health care system relies on electronic patient records, service members fresh off active duty and seeking VA health care must present paper medical records. Lawmakers have been working for 20 years to create a resource-sharing environment for DOD and VA health care. Yet, says, Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), the two departments are still operating in separate worlds.” The electronic exchange of patient data has been in the works for seven years, says Buyer, adding that the situation presents “significant cost” to taxpayers and veterans.
U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles have roared out of Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., for the last time. The 104th Fighter Wing’s last three F-15Cs departed the base Oct. 23 for the “Boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., ending the aircraft's era on the frontlines of homeland defense.
