Scott Berkeley Chapter #131

Updated August 17, 2009

AFA: Don't Change TRICARE Commitment
The Air Force Association urged that TRICARE be fully preserved, and kept separate from any national public option health care plan.

"TRICARE is an important earned benefit for members of the Armed Forces and retirees, not just another health care insurance plan," said Joe Sutter, Chairman of the Board for AFA. "TRICARE coverage should not be diminished in any way by changes to Medicare or a national health care program."

"Under no circumstances should TRICARE benefits be taxed," said Mike Dunn, President of AFA. "TRICARE is part of the special national commitment we make to those that are serving and have served. It is an earned benefit, and should not be folded into any national public option plan."

AFA strongly believes that TRICARE should not be in any way taxed, as it is part of a national commitment to health care for those who serve. Regardless of any public national plan, veterans should be able to count on the unique health care plan that they have earned as a result of their sacrifices to our country. Any changes to Medicare should not impact TRICARE for Life - originally designed to supplement Medicare coverage.

Airman Missing 40 Years is Laid to Rest
Kenneth Adam, father of CMSgt Quincy Adam, waits for his son's burial service to begin July 27 at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery in Kansas City, Kan. Chief Adam is a Vietnam War veteran who was missing in action for more than 40 years. Chief Adam's remains were discovered in Southeast Asia, and he was finally brought home to be laid to rest. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Kenny Holston).  Click here for story.

Post 9/11 GI Bill Transferability Begins
President Obama addresses the audience where national leaders and the VA celebrated the beginning of implementation of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. This bill, through its Yellow Ribbon Programs and partnerships with colleges and universities throughout the nation, will provide servicemembers with the most generous educational benefits package since the original GI Bill of 1944.  Click here for more information on the Post 9/11 GI Bill. 
 
Back to School Savings for Members at Dell and Apple
AFA Members get 7% off Dell Promotions and discounts. Visit www.dell.com/afa   to get your deals on Dell Systems.  The AFA discount code is #DS25076139.  Apple provides AFA members up to 17% off the latest Apple and third-party products.  Visit www.apple.com/eppstore/airforce for your AFA Member pricing.  Your Apple AFA discount code is 212920.  If you're a student, teacher or school faculty member, get a free iPod touch when you buy a new Mac.  If it's your first visit to either of these sites, you may need to click to accept the terms and conditions.  AFA discounts often fall within government discount areas, so just click "accept" to move on to the next page.

National Resource Directory for Wounded, Ill Injured Servicemembers
The National Resource Directory is an online resource for wounded, ill and injured servicemembers, veterans, their families and those who support them. The directory provides information on, and access to, medical and non-medical services and resources across the country which will help them reach their personal and professional goals as they successfully transition from recovery to community living. Topics include benefits and compensation; education, training and employment; family and caregiver support; health; housing and transportation; and services and resources. Click here for the National Resource Directory.

AFA Awards Grants to Civil Air Patrol Units
AFA provided grants to 20 more Civil Air Patrol squadrons who promote aerospace education to youth. The grants are awarded to the squadrons for use in any Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) activity or materials that promote aerospace education.  Click here for more information.

AFA's 2009 Ferretti Scholarship
AFA is pleased to announce that Amelia Tracy of Enosburg Falls, Vermont, is the recipient of the 2009 Lt. Col. (Ret.) Romeo and Josephine Bass Ferretti Scholarship for $2,500.  This endowment was established through a bequest of the late Lt Col Ferretti of Bourne, Mass., and a personal gift from his wife.   Click here for more information on the scholarship and the 2009 recipient.   Click here for information on ways to contribute to AFA's educational programs. 

New Active Duty Dental Plan Launched August 1
A new Active Duty Dental Program becomes the dental care plan for active duty service members assigned to locations with no access to a military dental facility. It is also for service members referred by their dental treatment facility to the civilian network for specialty care. TRICARE Prime Remote enrollees as well as Reserve and National Guard members activated for more than 30 consecutive days on federal orders and who live more than 50 miles from a military dental facility are also eligible.  Click here for more information from the TRICARE website.

New AMC Website Offers Space-Available Travel Info
Air Mobility Command recently unveiled its first official, command-level AMC Travel website. People planning to travel the AMC military travel system can now point their Web browsers to www.amc.af.mil/amctravel/index.asp for the latest in AMC travel information. The site, which officially went live July 24, offers prospective space-available travelers a wealth of information, including an updated AMC passenger terminal contact list (complete with phone, e-mail and Web links), and more than a dozen travel documents, example letters and brochures.  Click here for more information. 

Medical Air Services Program
If you travel a lot, live in a rural area or have chronic medical conditions, you probably have legitimate concerns about how you'll get to proper medical care in the event of an emergency.  Plan now to be prepared in the event of an emergency. AFAVBA has partnered with the Medical Air Services Association (MASA) to provide memberships to our Members and Donors at 30% off MASA's public pricing.  MASA will also waive the $60 enrollment fee for AFA.  Joining MASA is essentially purchasing prepaid emergency medical air services.  AFA and AFAVBA Members can join MASA for $190 per year ($275 for the Family Plan), and rest assured that if you have a medical emergency, emergency transportation services are covered, fully paid up, with no copayments, claim forms, deductibles or medical underwriting.  MASA memberships include:

• Emergency Air Transportation (includes transportation to a VA Hospital)
• Ground Ambulance Transportation
• Organ Retrieval
• Organ Recipient Transportation
• Repatriation/Recuperation
• Return Transportation
• Escort Transportation
• Non-Injury Transportation
• Minor Children/Grandchildren Return
• Vehicle Return
• Mortal Remains Return

Visit www.masaassist.com/afa for more information or call 1-800-423-3226 and tell them you're an AFA or AFAVBA Member.

Click here to view and order AFA Holiday Cards

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The DENTALPLANS.COM website is administered by DENTALPLANS.COM, INC., a licensed Florida Discount Medical Plan Organization, 8100 SW 10th Street, Suite 2000, Plantation, FL 33324. Plans and Programs offered by DentalPlans.com are not health insurance policies. Plans and Programs offered by DentalPlans.com provide discounts at certain health care providers for medical services. Plans and Programs offered by DentalPlans.com do not make payments directly to the providers of medical services. The Plan or Program member is obligated to pay for all health care services but will receive a discount from those health care providers who have contracted with the Plan, Program or discount plan organization.