Author Archives: Laura

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About Laura

NW Vermont.

Update on Minot-area HCV outbreak: From 3 cases to 40 cases from an unknown common source

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Laura

This October I wrote about the North Dakota cluster of acute (recently infected) cases of genetically linked HCV from the same geographical region. It can’t happen in Ward County? Well, it did yet North Dakotan journalists must find the subject boring even though … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest authors, HCV Health, HCV Risks (documented), Medical News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DIY Dental Plan Worksheet to see if VA-sponsored plans offer value

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Laura

In case you missed this post, the VA has partnered with Delta Dental and Met Life to offer dental plans to veterans beginning January 1, 2014.  The most expensive Met Life plan offers the best coverage but it costs almost as … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest authors, HCV Health, VA Health Care | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

News Flash!!! NEW VA Dental Insurance Plans for veterans with Delta or Met Life!

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Laura

Gee, the day is starting out good.  I emailed my DH’s dentist to find out much it would cost to pay cash for a cleaning and exam.  The answer: $245 with 3 x-rays if needed.  So back to dental insurance … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest authors, HCV Health, Medical News, vA news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Speaking of direct mail and Medicare insurance plans

Posted on November 17, 2013 by Laura

Every big MN insurance company knows that I’m going to get Medicare benefits next year because my mailbox has been full with their enticements for months.  I am reading them because I don’t understand the Part D donut hole trap. … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest authors, Medical News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

DIY veterans service organizations

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Laura

We’ve been reading Nod’s posts about the veteran scam organizations and high salaries of those who feel entitled to pay themselves well for their efforts to help veterans.  It’s hard not to be distrustful of most of them. Do you … Continue reading →

Posted in Food for thought, Guest authors, Tips and Tricks, VSOs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response

Posted on November 9, 2013 by Laura

A member of ASKNOD has submitted a New York Times article to inform us of an increase in reported military sexual assaults and of reforms being proposed by some in Congress.  Sexual violence is a distressing topic but it behooves citizens to … Continue reading →

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“Veterans Affairs Research Supports CDC Recommendation to Screen Baby Boomers for Hepatitis C”

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Laura

The “Liver Meeting 2013” conference in DC ends tomorrow. The sponsor of the meeting, the American Association of the Study of Liver Diseases(AASLD), released a press release (11/3/13) on the research of Lisa Backus, M.D., Ph.d. from the VA. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest authors, HCV Health, HCV Risks (documented) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Hepatitis C replication increased during pregnancy according to recent study

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Laura

 An abstract of a study just published in Nature signals   that mainstream medical associations, like the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), should become proactive by screening for HCV routinely rather than by known risk-factors.  “Loss of immune escape mutations during persistent … Continue reading →

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Apps for veterans (# 1): Twitter

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Laura

The VA is using Twitter. To follow their micro-posts, sign up for a free account.  (Check out ASKNOD’s Twitter feed too.)  Information on how to use Twitter is on the HELP page.  Official VA Twitter accounts: Department: https://twitter.com/DeptVetAffairs (122+K followers) Administration: VBA:  https://twitter.com/VAVetBenefits (24+K followers) … Continue reading →

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National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition (NVLMCC)

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Laura

Pro se veterans might find this competition interesting. Hosts: THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS BAR ASSOCIATION THE GEORGE WASHINGTON LAW SCHOOL THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS Using cases that look real, and with “dummy” … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest authors, VA Health Care, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments