Update for October 19, 2009

Note:  If your email software garbles this message you can find the complete text on the OFNetwork website.

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Since I’ve come down with the flu and, under instructions from the spouse, am not allowed to do very much that involves activity, I get to spend even more time at the computer.  As a result, you get even more updates than usual, what a thrill!

Medicare Premiums and Deductibles

The official position as of October 16th, of the CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) regarding Medicare premiums and deductibles for 2010 can be found at the CMS website.  The Fact Sheet on this page provides a pretty good explanation of what to expect unless there is some change to current law.  There’s also information on who might be impacted by the rate increases (again, unless there’s some legislation to prevent it) found at the Medicare website.  There’s also some information for those with higher income levels (i.e., those affected by ‘IRMAA’ – ???).  All this subject to change, of course, as things get stirred in the Congressional Pot.

Military Items

The 2010 Silver Caduceus Association reunion will be in Colorado Springs, CO from August 26 to 28, 2010.  The reunion will be held at the Marriott Hotel, 5580 Tech Center Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Room rates are $79.00 (plus tax).  The Marriott has set up our reunion on-line for our members to place their room reservations now if they would like at www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cosmc or by calling 1-800-932-2151.  The reservation group is under: "SCA reunion 2010."  If members would like to stay anytime before or after the dates 26-29 Aug 2010, or if you would like to request a king or 2 double beds, or room view, they should call the Marriott directly themselves to book.

COL (Ret) Jimmie Kanaya, MSC, is one of 12 World War II veterans who will be featured in a new History Channel series, “WWII in HD.”
During World War II, COL Kanaya was the medical detachment sergeant for a regimental combat team attached to the 34th Infantry Division in Italy. He received a battlefield commission in the Medical Administrative Corps in September 1944 and was appointed the battalion surgeon’s assistant when the assistant battalion surgeon was wounded and evacuated.
Kanaya was awarded the Silver Star for his actions in Italy, and he redeployed with his regiment to southeastern France where it was attached to the 36th Infantry Division. There he was captured by the Germans in the Vosges Mountains. Initially held by the Germans in Schubin, Poland, Kanaya, along with another MAC officer, 1LT Les Brown, was forced-marched 360 miles to Nuremberg, Germany, in the winter of 1945. Kanaya, the only non-Caucasian of 1,400 POWs, kept a prohibited diary in which he described liberation by a task force from Patton’s Third Army in April 1945. He narrowly escaped being killed while a POW.
The program is scheduled to begin airing on November 15th with two episodes a night for five days (Sunday through Thursday nights). COL Kanaya will be in episodes #7 and #9, Wednesday and Thursday, and there will be still shots of him in promos. For more on this program, click on the title, above.

MG Bill Lefler, former Chief, Army Dental Corps.  Nice article about MG Lefler (some of you may know or at least remember him) published on the web.  Click HERE or on the picture.

VA-DOD Medical Records

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has completed work on the first phase of the Lifetime Electronic Record and is now preparing to put the records on a national health exchange platform.  “The record will contain information from both Department of Defense (DoD) services and VA health services.  A DoD/VA interagency office has been developing interoperability between those medical record systems since 2007. In the second phase, DoD and VA health records for about 15 million people will be made available for secure exchange with public and private organizations, including health care providers and insurers through the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN).  The NHIN is a pilot project sponsored by the Health and Human Services Department to demonstrate national-level secure exchange of health data.  The system currently is used by several federal agencies, state and local health agencies, and private providers and insurers.  Moving the data to the NHIN allows for exchange of medical information with private hospitals and doctors.  For example, if a veteran receives treatment by a private doctor, eventually that record will be included in the lifetime record.  The third and final phase for the system will be developing protocols to securely provide the DoD-VA patient’s medical information at the point of care.  For example, if a veteran who goes to a private hospital, the goal is that the hospital doctor will be able to access all, or parts of, the veteran’s health record.”

For more information, go to: Lifetime Military Medical Record.

Tech Stuff

FireFox Plugins – How to Keep Them Up To Date.  I don’t use Firefox as my preferred browser (please don’t try to convert me) but I do open it once in a while.  For those who use it frequently, here’s an extract of an article I came across about how to keep your plugins up to date.  For the complete article, click HERE.

“What about Plugins, which make it possible to open PDFs right in your browser, view Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight videos, update your Google applications, and the like? Firefox doesn’t do automatic update checks for Plugins, but thanks to a new Mozilla site, you can run a check yourself.  It’s called Plugin Check, and using it is as simple as visiting the site. In just a few seconds you’ll see the results for all your Plugins. Hopefully they’re all green, meaning "up to date," but you may see some that are yellow, meaning an update is required.  No worries: Just click the corresponding Update button to download and install it. If the checker can’t determine a particular Plugin’s status, you’ll get a gray Research button you can click to run a Google search. That’s not particularly handy, but at least you can find your way to the Plugin creator’s Web site.”

©PCWorld.com and The Washington Post

Windows 7 Comes Out on Thursday, October 22nd.  I ordered copies for all three computers last June from Amazon.com and hopefully they’ll be delivered by Friday.  There’s certainly lots of literature, pro and con, about this new product.  I’ll document some of my personal findings in future updates as I proceed with the updates to the household computers.  I plan to start with my XP laptop (it used to be my wife’s but she has taken ‘my’ Vista laptop as her own because she claimed the XP laptop was “…nothing but problems…”) as it’s the least ‘critical’ of the computers in the house.  I came across this comment about upgrading an XP computer in a recent review of Windows 7: “But upgrading an older machine from XP to 7 is a recipe for pain even if the computer meets 7’s hardware requirements. Your first warning should be a flyer in the 7 box that begins "Please read these instructions carefully and completely . . ." — as if it were the manual for a new circular saw.”  So, I can hardly wait.

 Fake Security Software (from Yahoo Tech).  “Tens of millions of U.S. computers are loaded with scam security software that their owners may have paid for but which only makes the machines more vulnerable, according to a new Symantec report on cybercrime.  Cyberthieves are increasingly planting fake security alerts that pop up when computer users access a legitimate website.  The "alert" warns them of a virus and offers security software, sometimes for free and sometimes for a fee.  "Lots of times, in fact they’re a conduit for attackers to take over your machine," said Vincent Weafer, Symantec’s vice president for security response.”

Click on the link to read more about this problem.

More Health News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today launched a Web page for consumers with information on how to dispose of certain drugs, including several high-potency opioids and other selected controlled substances.  The FDA recommends that these medicines be disposed of by flushing down the sink or toilet. Since these medicines have the potential to be harmful, even deadly, in a single dose if taken by someone other than the intended person. The goal is to keep them away from children and others who could be harmed by taking them accidentally.  Medicines not listed should be thrown away in the household trash after mixing them with some unpalatable substance, such as coffee grounds, and sealing them in a bag or other container. Another option is to dispose of them through drug take back programs, if federal and state law permit.  All medicines listed have disposal instructions in their professional prescribing information; however, this information is targeted to health care professionals. The Web page provides clear instructions for consumers on whether a medicine should be flushed or disposed of in the trash.  The FDA worked with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to develop the first consumer guidance for proper disposal of prescription drugs. The ONDCP federal guidelines were first issued in February 2007.

Things to Do with WD-40

(From the WD-40 “Tip of the Week” email)  It’s fall, and that means that leaves are everywhere and there’s probably plenty of yard work to be done. WD-40® can help make outdoor chores a breeze. Use it to:

• Keep grass from sticking to lawnmower blades (Never spray WD-40 while operating any equipment)
• Prevent rust from forming on rakes, hoes and other gardening tools
• Drive moisture from tools and accessories left out in the rain (Be sure to unplug any electrical tools before spraying WD-40)
• Dissolve sap and stubborn garden messes from pruning shears (Never spray WD-40 while operating any equipment)

Check out more uses at wd40.com/uses-tips!

The Last Words

Traffic is something every driver despises.  Whether in the morning or evening rush hours or any other time, it’s frustrating and headache-inducing — and oh, so slow.  However, there’s a simple fix for traffic nightmares: honking!  Simply honk your car horn and watch your frustrations give way to smiles as you zip along to your destination.  The results will truly surprise you!  Play the video

And, finally, are the Obama’s really out of touch? The Onion reports, you decide!  Play the video!

 

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If you’ve found this update useful, please share it with others.  If you received this as an email from another person, you can subscribe to your own copy at: www.ofnetwork.wordpress.com.  Contact the OFMeister at ofnetwork (at) sbcglobal (dot) net with any questions or comments.

Disclaimer

This newsletter and blog is solely for the enjoyment of its readers.  None of the information contained in this newsletter or on the blog is to be considered as legal or financial advice as the author is neither a lawyer or financial advisor.  In so far as it is possible to determine the material is correct but has not necessarily been fully researched or verified; here’s the bottom line – you use it at your own risk.  Wherever possible the source of the information for a particular article is displayed  as a reference.

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Update for October 16, 2009 – Part Deux

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Medicare Reimbursement Rate Increase Information – S1776

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the update under the Medicare physician fee schedule for years beginning with 2010 and to sunset the application of the sustainable growth rate formula has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Debbie Stabenow.  It was introduced on October 13th, reported to Committee on the 14th and is now headed (presumably) for a full Senate vote.  Although, this could all change.

As I read it, and it’s being reported, this bill would end the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) recalculation for physician payment by fixing that calculation at 0% starting with 2010 and ending the entire SGR process after 2008.  It seems simple but, as with all things Congressional, it could be far more complex.

If you are interested in this legislation and want to say something about it, write your senators and congresspeople ASAP!  Here’s the information I received in an email from the AMA Patient’s Action Network (they may be biased).  Note: to use their email link you’ll have to register with them (free).

We’re going to need your help three times during the next few days:

1. We expect the Senate to vote on beginning the debate late Monday (October 19) afternoon. This bill would not only stop the upcoming Medicare cuts, it also would help to make sure that doctors can continue caring for Medicare patients. You can also send your senators an e-mail and tell them to support S. 1776.

2. A couple days later, there will be another procedural vote in the Senate on S. 1776. When the time comes, we will need you to contact your senators again and ask them to vote YES (don’t worry, we’ll remind you!).

3. When the bill itself is up for a final vote, probably next Thursday or Friday, we will need one last phone call to your senators asking them to vote YES on S. 1776.

In my humble opinion, this is a good thing as it separates the Medicare Rate increases from all the other yada-yada-yada going on over the so-called “Healthcare (Insurance) Reform”  By the way, I found it interesting that MSNBC this morning questioned an democratic congressperson about the fact that none of the bills under consideration do anything to reform healthcare and healthcare delivery.  Even the liberals are beginning to catch on.

Social Security for 2010

This should come as no surprise but in case you missed the news, it looks as if us seniors will be “stimulated” again to the tune of $250.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the September inflation figure this week and confirmed that there won’t be any Social Security, retired pay, VA disability pay, or SBP COLA for 2010.  Because inflation for the full fiscal year actually declined by 2.1%, that means we’ll start 2.1% in the hole in counting down the COLA for the January 2011 COLA, too. (As I understand it, that means inflation will have to go up by more than 2.1% in order to see any COLA.)  My wife went ballistic when she heard that there had been no inflation this past year.  Of course she buys the groceries and other day-to-day consumables and sees the increases. 

This week President Obama called for legislation to renew for 2010 the “massive” $250 economic stimulus payment that Social Security annuitants and VA disability compensation recipients received earlier this year.  White House officials said the $250 payment should not be viewed as a "substitute COLA,” thankfully as this would mean that it would impact Medicare premium increases – still another issue out there.

Officials said it would take three or four months to issue the $250 checks once Congress clears and the president signs the legislation. Assuming Congress acts before the end of the year, eligibles could see the $250 checks in April or May.  The eligibility would be for one $250 payment. People who are eligible for both Social Security and VA disability compensation would receive a separate $250 check from each of those agencies, but won’t get to keep the full $500. They’d have to pay back the extra $250 when they file their tax return the following spring.

On the other hand, there’s a House bill (HR3557) that would give a percentage increase rather than a simple stimulus payment.  Not sure how far this is going to get as it’s been in committee for a month and the impact of Medicare premiums (notwithstanding the item below) would have to be addressed.  Just for grins, here is the language of the bill, in its entirety.  As you can see it is as clear as…well, you use the most descriptive, appropriate term in your vocabulary.

SECTION 1. EMERGENCY COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR 2010.

Notwithstanding any provision of section 215(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)) to the contrary–

(1) for purposes of such section 215(i), the applicable increase percentage (as defined in section 215(i)(1)(C) of such Act) with respect to the base quarter (as defined in section 215(i)(1)(A)(i) of such Act) in 2009 shall be deemed to be equal to the average of the 10 applicable increase percentages (as so defined) with respect to the base quarters (as so defined) in the 10 calendar years preceding 2009 (rounded to the nearest one-tenth of 1 percent); and

(2) for purposes of such section 215(i) (and any provision of law cross-referring to such section 215(i) or otherwise providing for increases based on increases occurring under such section 215(i)), the increase under section 215(i)(2)(A)(ii) of such Act resulting from the application of this section shall be deemed to be an increase under such section 215(i) and not a general benefit increase.

Speaking of Medicare Premiums

We weren’t but I thought I’d check on HR3631, the “Medicare Premium Fairness Act” which passed the House of Representatives in late September.  The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance (yes, the same one that’s been working on “Health (Insurance) Reform.”  It appears to be sitting there although I’m sure some staffer(s) have it on their ‘to-do’ list in some priority.

For those who cannot remember, this bill Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled) premium for 2010 and makes such premium, and the related monthly actuarial rate, the same as those for 2009.  This essentially says that Medicare premiums will not go up for anyone in 2010.

VA “Aid and Attendance” Payments – Little Used Program

"Aid and Attendance" is an underutilized special monthly pension benefit offered by the Veterans Administration for veterans and surviving spouses who require in-home care or live in nursing homes.

What are Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits?  Source: “Veteran’s Pension Program” on the VA website – see question 7.

• Aid and Attendance (A&A) is a benefit paid in addition to monthly pension.  This benefit may not be paid without eligibility to pension.   A veteran may be eligible for A&A when:
  1. The veteran requires the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting himself/herself from the hazards of his/her daily environment, OR,
  2. The veteran is bedridden, in that his/her disability or disabilities requires that he/she remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment, OR,
  3. The veteran is a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, OR,
  4. The veteran is blind, or so nearly blind as to have corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.
• Housebound is paid in addition to monthly pension.  Like A&A, Housebound benefits may not be paid without eligibility to pension.   A veteran may be eligible for Housebound benefits when:
  1. The veteran has a single permanent disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling AND, due to such disability, he/she is permanently and substantially confined to his/her immediate premises, OR,
  2. The veteran has a single permanent disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling AND, another disability, or disabilities, evaluated as 60 percent or more disabling.

A veteran cannot receive both Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits at the same time.

How to Apply for Aid and Attendance and Housebound:

• You may apply for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits by writing to the VA regional office having jurisdiction of the claim.   That would be the office where you filed a claim for pension benefits.  If the regional office of jurisdiction is not known, you may file the request with any VA regional office.
• You should include copies of any evidence, preferably a report from an attending physician validating the need for Aid and Attendance or Housebound type care.
• The report should be in sufficient detail to determine whether there is disease or injury producing physical or mental impairment, loss of coordination, or conditions affecting the ability to dress and undress, to feed oneself, to attend to sanitary needs, and to keep oneself ordinarily clean and presentable.
• In addition, it is necessary to determine whether the claimant is confined to the home or immediate premises.
• Whether the claim is for Aid and Attendance or Housebound, the report should indicate how well the individual gets around, where the individual goes, and what he or she is able to do during a typical day.

The Last Word

OK – here’s one of many different places you can use to help locate you senators and congresspeoples and, thru their own websites, contact them on issues you think of import:  TSCL Elected Representatives Page – so, unless you have something better, bookmark this one!

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If you’ve found this update useful, please share it with others.  If you received this as an email from another person, you can subscribe to your own copy at: www.ofnetwork.wordpress.com.  Contact the OFMeister at ofnetwork (at) sbcglobal (dot) net with any questions or comments.

Disclaimer

This newsletter and blog is solely for the enjoyment of its readers.  None of the information contained in this newsletter or on the blog is to be considered as legal or financial advice as the author is neither a lawyer or financial advisor.  In so far as it is possible to determine the material is correct but has not necessarily been fully researched or verified; here’s the bottom line – you use it at your own risk.  Wherever possible the source of the information for a particular article is displayed  as a reference.

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Update for October 16, 2009

Note:  If your email software garbles this message you can find the complete text on the OFNetwork website.

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Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) System for Medicare

If you are not familiar with this term, it’s the basis of the physician payment cost adjustments for Medicare (and, because they are related, TRICARE).  Because various Congresses have chosen not to address the formula for these adjustments but have put them off for several years, the adjustment for January 1, 2010 is to be –21.5% (yes, that’s a minus).  According to an email I received on October 9th, the Baucus bill has failed to address this problem, only kicked the can down the road until 2011. 

You can read the American Medical Association (AMA) position paper on this at the AMA’s Health System Reform Resources website.  Look under “Resources for Physicians” and download the paper on “Repealing Medicare’s Sustainable Growth Rate System.”  Granted, the AMA may not be the most objective organization on this issue.

Free Food!

Golden Corral and the Disabled American Veterans are partnering for another “Military Appreciation Monday” on November 16, 2009 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  On that day, Golden Corral invites veterans and active duty military to have free buffet dinner and drink.  Of course they’d like you to bring your families and friends; their meals are not free, by the way.

By the way, come hungry – we eat at Golden Corral about once a month with a group from church and the food is good and plentiful.

Fall Colors

If you are interested in the status of fall colors (the leaves on the trees) look at the US Forest Service’s website Fall Colors for 2009.

VA Adds New Illnesses to Agent Orange List – News Release, October 13, 2009

Parkinson’s Disease, Two Other Illnesses Recognized (click here for original article)

WASHINGTON – Relying on an independent study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki decided to establish a service-connection for Vietnam Veterans with three specific illnesses based on the latest evidence of an association with the herbicides referred to Agent Orange.

The illnesses affected by the recent decision are B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease.

Used in Vietnam to defoliate trees and remove concealment for the enemy, Agent Orange left a legacy of suffering and disability that continues to the present.  Between January 1965 and April 1970, an estimated 2.6 million military personnel who served in Vietnam were potentially exposed to sprayed Agent Orange.

In practical terms, Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a “presumed” illness don’t have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military service.  This “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits.

The Secretary’s decision brings to 15 the number of presumed illnesses recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

“We must do better reviews of illnesses that may be connected to service, and we will,” Shinseki added. “Veterans who endure health problems deserve timely decisions based on solid evidence.”

Other illnesses previously recognized under VA’s “presumption” rule as being caused by exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War are:

·         Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy

·         Chloracne

·         Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

·         Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)

·         Hodgkin’s Disease

·         Multiple Myeloma

·         Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

·         Porphyria Cutanea Tarda

·         Prostate Cancer

·         Respiratory Cancers, and

·         Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)

Additional information about Agent Orange and VA’s services and programs for Veterans exposed to the chemical are available at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.

The Peace Prize – Another View

I found “A Prize for Hope” by Michael Reagan to be a worthwhile read.  Here are the introductory paragraphs; you can read the entire article by clicking on the title.

Making Sense, by Michael Reagan

So much has already been said and written concerning President Obama’s startling receipt of a Nobel Peace Prize this past Friday that I don’t want to bore you with a regurgitated version of yesterday’s news.

But with so many commentators and pundits, on both the left and right, raising understandable questions about the validity of conferring such an award on an American president who has been in office for less than a year and really accomplished so little.well, it’s gotten me thinking. As a country, we have had many successful past American presidents who have had such a significant, positive impact on the course of global affairs — too many of whom are no longer seen relevant or historically noteworthy, but from whom we must learn.

According to Alfred Nobel’s will, the prize for peace was to be awarded to the person who “shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding of peace congresses.” Given that, we can only assume that Mr. Nobel intended the award be given to those who have achieved tangible accomplishments and invested considerable effort, not merely talked of the goals of peace.

©2009 Mike Reagan. (continued by clicking on link above)

Do You Have a Citibank Credit Card – Well, You Might Want to See If It’s Still Good!

I logged onto the Citibank credit card website on Friday morning, October 16th and there was a big red message about a merchant database being “compromised” and that they were sending me new credit cards.  I called (not the number on the website message, but the number on the back of the card, which is my practice) and the person who answered confirmed there was a problem and that new cards were on the way. 

I guess the message here is that if you have a Citibank credit card you might be in the same situation.  You can call them (using the number on the back of the card) and check.  If you do have to get a new card, you’ll have to adjust any automatic payments that come from the old number after you receive the new number (truly a pain in the but, but I guess doing this is less of a problem than trying to resolve illicit charges to the account).

Tidbits

• Sun Protection – Wear Red or Blue! (from Medline Plus on-line)

Deep blue and red cotton fabrics are better than yellow at protecting skin against damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, according to Spanish scientists.  The researchers said their findings could lead to clothing fabrics that offer improved sun protection.  The color of fabric is one of the most critical factors in determining how well clothing protects people against UV radiation. (click on link for complete article)

• H1N1 Flu Causes Damage to Lungs (from Medline Plus on-line)

The new pandemic H1N1 flu may cause blood clots and other unusual damage in the lungs and doctors need to be on the lookout, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.  Two studies published in the American Journal of Roentgenology show the need to check X-rays and CT scans for unusual features, and also point out swine flu can be tricky to diagnose in some of the sickest patients.  (click on link for complete article)

USS Missouri in Drydock

For those not aware, the battleship USS Missouri, which is located at the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, HI, has been moved from her mooring to drydock for refitting and refurbishment.  There are a couple of interesting videos that show her movement as well as a description of the work to be done.  If the video does not display below, you can see it at:  Missouri to Drydock .

Tech Stuff

Well, Microsoft’s ‘Patch Tuesday’ has come and gone with more than 20 updates downloaded and installed on each of the household’s 3 computers (2 XP, 1 Vista).  If you’ve not installed these updates you need to get on it.  Thus far I’ve seen no problems with them.

In addition, there’s a new version of Adobe Acrobat (paid version) / Adobe Acrobat Reader (free version) that should be installed that apparently contains a number of security updates.  I did the ‘check for updates’ thing on the Reader on the first computer and downloaded and installed the update without a problem.  However, my update checker, Secunia PSI Personal, told me that I still had unpatched software and a potential security problem.  Basically, is appears that the old version of the reader is not completely deleted prior to the installation of the newer version and it then still shows up as a potential problem.  So, to avoid these warning messages in the future, I decided to completely delete the Reader (using my favorite, Revo Uninstaller) and do a fresh install from the Adobe website.  I did this on all 3 computers and have not experienced any problems since; but it was a pain in the butt.

 

Afghanistan Videos

Patrol Near Qatar Kala

Welcome to Baylough

The Last Word

Monty Python anyone?

Monty Python Radio, a 24/7 limited-run channel devoted to, and hosted by, the iconic British comedy troupe will premiere Friday, October 16, the channel will run for ten full days on SIRIUS Ch. 105 and XM Ch. 151 featuring classic Python sketches, skits and, songs; fans calling in with requests; fans and celebrities telling favorite sketches and Python memories; and various members of the original Python troupe reminiscing and talking of new projects.

…and finally: The Office of Stupid (Military) Rules

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If you’ve found this update useful, please share it with others.  If you received this as an email from another person, you can subscribe to your own copy at: www.ofnetwork.wordpress.com.  Contact the OFMeister at ofnetwork (at) sbcglobal (dot) net with any questions or comments.

Disclaimer

This newsletter and blog is solely for the enjoyment of its readers.  None of the information contained in this newsletter or on the blog is to be considered as legal or financial advice as the author is neither a lawyer or financial advisor.  In so far as it is possible to determine the material is correct but has not necessarily been fully researched or verified; here’s the bottom line – you use it at your own risk.  Wherever possible the source of the information for a particular article is displayed  as a reference.

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More Updates – October 9, 2009

Note:  If your email software garbles this message you can find the complete text on the OFNetwork website.

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Cash for Clunkers Update

I was asked the other day if the “Cash for Clunkers” payment / voucher / credit was considered as taxable income.  The answer is “maybe.”

In summary, it’s not taxable on your Federal Income Tax Return but may be on your state return.  Here’s an item on the FactCheck website on this topic.

Tech Stuff

Patch Tuesday is Coming!  Microsoft has issued a Security Bulletin Advance Notification indicating that its October release cycle will contain thirteen bulletins, eight of which will have a severity rating of Critical. The notification states that these Critical bulletins are for Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, Office, Silverlight, SQL Server, Developer Tools, and Forefront. There will also be five important bulletins for Microsoft Windows. Release of these bulletins is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13.

My suggestion is to run Windows Update / Microsoft Update prior to Tuesday to make sure you have the latest downloads (both critical and recommended) and then set your security so that the updates on Tuesday are either downloaded and installed or downloaded with the option for you to install them at your leisure (my choice).

I was helping a friend with her Vista computer last night and she had more than 6 updates which needed to be run, at least one dating back to June 2009.  Most of these updates are for security purposes.

Windows 7.  Windows 7 will be released on October 22nd.  There are lots of good computer buys right now as retailers try to get rid of Windows Vista machines before that date.  Personally, I’m waiting until after the 22nd to get a system with Windows 7 already installed and will probably wait until a bit closer to Christmas hoping the prices get lower by then.  If you have a .edu email address you can check one of my earlier post to see the discounts that are available for Windows 7 and MS Office 2007 for college students.  If you have access to the military PX/BX you can get MS Office 2007 there for $49 still (at least the last time I checked about a week ago).

Be sure to run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor before you plan to upgrade an existing computer running XP or Vista.  You can find this on the Microsoft Windows 7 website.

Adobe Acrobat Security Problem.  Adobe has released a security bulletin to alert users of a critical vulnerability in Adobe Reader and Acrobat. Adobe indicates that it has received reports of active exploitation of this vulnerability. Release of an update for this vulnerability is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13. 

You can take the following actions to help mitigate the risks:  Disable JavaScript in Adobe Reader and Acrobat.  Acrobat JavaScript can be disabled in the General preferences dialog (Edit, Preferences, JavaScript, and un-check "Enable Acrobat JavaScript").

You should also make sure you are running the most current version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader to have the most up-to-date security: Version 9.1.3.  You can check to see if there are updates by opening Acrobat Reader and then click “Help”and “Check for Updates.”  If you are running a version prior to version 9, you should probably uninstall it then go to the Adobe website (www.adobe.com) and download and install the latest version of the reader.

More on Taxes

It’s time to start thinking about doing your income taxes and possible ways to reduce your tax liability.  Here’s an article from the financial magazine Kiplinger on “10 Ways to Lower Your Taxes.”  There are some good links contained within the article that you might want to check.

TRICARE Inpatient Co-Pay Hike Appears to be Dead!!

(Source: MOAA Health Care Happenings Blog) 

Last week, the Pentagon announced that the TRICARE Standard inpatient co-pay for retirees and survivors under 65 and their families would be increased $110 a day — from $535 to $645.

MOAA viewed that as violating the Secretary of Defense’s pledge earlier this year not to propose any TRICARE fee increases.  After MOAA protested to Secretary Gates, some contended that the Pentagon had no choice under the wording of current law.   So MOAA sent letters to Congressional leaders and generated a grass-roots alert to urge a legislative fix.

We’re pleased to report today’s late-breaking news that Congress  has, in fact, included a provision prohibiting the proposed co-pay hike in the FY2010 Defense Authorization Act, which could be coming up for a final vote as early as this week.

(My thoughts:  this does not mean the issue is yet dead.  A letter to your Congressperson cannot hurt even at this late date.  Something like this could even result in a Presidential veto.)

News You Might Be Able to Use

FBI Chief Barred from Online Banking by Wife – The head of the FBI fell for a phishing email!

The National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2647) House/Senate Conference report has been issued.  You can find the entire bill, the conference report summary and other information on the House Armed Services Committee website.   (I remember when we had to pour through the paper Congressional Record to find out all this information.)

Health Care (Insurance) Reform.  If you missed the news, the Congressional Budget Office has issued its report on the Senate’s so-called “Baucus Bill.”  If you want to read it (it’s only 27 pages) you can download it in PDF format here. 

I’m still convinced this, and all the other so-called “Health Reform” bills do little to actually reform the delivery of healthcare in this country, they only propose to “fix” the ability of people to obtain healthcare at a reasonable cost (reasonable is used subjectively here).  They do almost nothing to increase the ‘supply’ of healthcare and, in fact, the more people who have the ability to pay will actually cause a backlog in ‘access.’ 

DFAS Information

In case you do not subscribe to the Defense Finance and Accounting (DFAS) emails, this came out recently:

“Coming later this fall, DFAS will implement new myPay access requirements to increase the security of user information. This change will require you to establish a new user name (login ID) and password.  Customized login IDs and passwords will allow you more flexibility and opportunities to increase the security of your personal information.

When logging into myPay the first time following implementation of the new security enhancements, you will be allowed to use your existing login ID and PIN and will be prompted to change your login credentials.

New login IDs will require six to 129 alphanumeric characters that will be unique to one user only. If you attempt to create a login ID that has already been established you will be prompted to create a different login ID. Help screens will contain the login ID requirements.  You will be required to establish a password to accompany your customized login ID. Passwords must be no less than eight and no more than 15 characters. Help screens will contain the password requirements.

If you have established a Restricted Access PIN, you will also be prompted to establish a limited access login ID and password using the same requirements.

Use of the myPay interactive voice response system, which allows telephone access to certain pay information, may still be entered using the Social Security number and myPay PIN.

While this security enhancement is intended to help keep your information secure and prevent unauthorized access to pay accounts, DFAS encourages you to take appropriate actions to keep your login IDs and passwords private. This can include storing them in a lockable and secure place, memorizing them and destroying any written record, and not sharing them with anyone.

Questions regarding this myPay change may be directed to the Centralized Customer Support Unit toll free at 1-888-DFAS411 or 1-888-332-7411, commercial (216) 522-5096, Defense Switching Network (DSN) 580-5096 (7:00 A.M – 6:30 P.M. / Eastern time).”

 

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Disclaimer

This newsletter and blog is solely for the enjoyment of its readers.  None of the information contained in this newsletter or on the blog is to be considered as legal or financial advice as the author is neither a lawyer or financial advisor.  In so far as it is possible to determine the material is correct but has not necessarily been fully researched or verified; here’s the bottom line – you use it at your own risk.  Wherever possible the source of the information for a particular article is displayed  as a reference.

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