A Message from Your President
Working to Mend the Scars of War
Since the deployments of the Maine National Guard began, men and women
returning from Iraq and Afghanistan thought they were putting their
deployments behind them. For many, however, the deployment wasn’t
left behind; it continues to shadow their lives.
As the result of a recent collaboration between the Community
Counseling Center, the University of Southern Maine, and the Maine
National Guard, returning veterans were surveyed to determine the
readjustment issues they faced. Not surprisingly, about 30
percent reported readjustment difficulties with 13-14 percent falling
into the clinical category of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD). While these numbers did not surprise us, they confirmed
what we had suspected: battles leave scars both physically and
emotionally.
To deal with these issues, Chaplain Andy Gibson began meeting with
representatives of the Veterans Administration, Vet Centers and
community-based mental health professionals to coordinate a program to
help our men and women deal with stress and stress related
issues. The idea was to assist them in adjusting from deployments
and thus the names of the program became the Military Adjustment
Program or MAP.
The typical MAP training session consists of three parts: training on
stress and stress management; instruction by mental health
professionals on Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and; small group
sessions in which groups of 6-10 veterans talk together, as a group,
about stresses they are dealing with, facilitated by a MAP team
member. The goal of the MAP training is to help veterans gain
Dr. David H. Howes, M.D., the President of Martin's Point Health Care, May Luncheon Speaker
Our May speaker was no stranger to many of our members in
attendance at the May Quarterly Luncheon held at the Portland Country
Club, especially those members who are enrolled in the US Family Health
Plan (USFHP) at Martin’s Point. Dr. David H. Howes, has been the
President and CEO of Martin’s Point Health Care for the past 4 years,
overseeing a rapid period of growth for Martin’s Point. As of
May, there were over 25,500 members enrolled in four states (780 new
members in the first four months of 2007
alone).
Dr. Howes stated that Martin’s Point consists of three health care
centers in Portland and Brunswick, ME, and Portsmouth, NH. It is
a broad network consisting of 15,000 Primary Care Physicians, 3,500
specialists, and over 400 employees using leading edge information
technology. The role of Martin’s Point is to deliver care through
the US Family Health Plan. They have incorporated new techniques
learned from advances in military health care on the battlefield (Iraq
and Afghanistan). The key objectives of health care include
processes that are patient-centered, safe, efficient, and
effective. Their delivery systems use the highest standards of
quality, which are applied consistently. Customer service is a
priority and is continually improving. From surveys Martin’s
Point has learned that beneficiaries are satisfied with their health
care experiences.
Dr. Howes illustrated one of the key improvements currently underway at
Martin’s Point, the shift from written medical records to electronic
records for active duty and retired military personnel and their
families. The challenging transition is designed to ensure
patient safety. The new system produces legible, efficient,
accurate, complete and interoperable and private records.
Dr. Howes stressed that Martin’s Point is a patient-focused health care
organization. Patient advocacy issues are addressed by on-site
personnel who strive to solve problems as quickly and efficiently as
possible. They employ a number of military outreach specialists
who work to educate members on the benefits and available opportunities
found within the USFHP system. They offer coordinators to assist
members find the network specialists who can address a patient’s
medical problem(s).
Our August Breakfast Speaker Will Be CAPT James E. Rendon, Commander, Sector Northern New England
Our featured speaker for the August Breakfast at the Woodlands Club
will be CAPT James E. Rendon, the new Commander, Sector Northern New
England, based in South Portland, Maine. This will be an
excellent opportunity to meet Jim in person and welcome him and his
family into our community. Be sure to mark your calendars and
return your reservation form today!
CAPT Rendon assumed command of Sector Northern New England in June
2007. He is a surface operations specialist with a diverse list
of assignments over his 24-year Coast Guard career. Most recently
he served as Chief of Response, Fifth Coast Guard District, in
Portsmouth, VA, where he managed multi-mission response operations
along the coast and inland waterways of New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Virginia, and North
Carolina.
CAPT Rendon is a cutterman with afloat tours as Deck Watch Officer
aboard DURABLE, a 210-foot cutter home-ported in Brownsville, TX;
Executive Officer aboard the Patrol Boat OCRACOKE, in Roosevelt Roads,
PR; and Commanding Officer of the Surface Effect Ship PETREL, in Key
West, FL. His operational ashore assignments consist of staff-adviser,
Seventh Coast Guard District Intelligence and Law Enforcement Branch in
Miami, FL, Operations Officer, Group Key West, as well as Commander,
Coast Guard Group Mayport, FL.
Support for the Maine N.G. Youth Camp
Southern Maine Chapter, MOAA, has been supporting the Maine
National Guard Family Readiness Program for a number of
years. Now in its seventh year, the Youth Camp specifically
developed for Maine National Guard children, will run two one-week
sessions during August. The goal, as always, is to provide
children of the Maine Air and Army Guard with an enjoyable and exciting
outdoor experience. During their week at camp, kids meet other
kids in the same age group and share experiences. They build
strong friendships that will support them during family
deployments. The camp focuses on patriotism, leadership,
confidence building, self-esteem development, crafts, outdoor
activities, water sports, etc. The camp has proved to be a true
gift to the families of Maine National members in our state. The
first priority is to send those children whose parent is currently
deployed.
TRICARE and Martin’s Point Military Advisory Council
The US Family Health Plan (USFHP) of Martin's Point held its
quarterly Military Advisory Council meeting on June 12, 2007. The
Southern Maine Chapter, MOAA, was represented by Col Douglas Scott and
Maj Vaughn Twaddel. The meeting was led by Col Bill Hall, our
Chapter 2nd Vice President, assisted by other Martin’s Point
staff.
Bill Hall presented an update of Generations Advantage, the new
Medicare program for seniors NOT eligible for US Family Health Plan
(USFHP) and TRICARE. Martin’s Point will expand availability of
this program beyond the original six counties to eight counties in
Maine.
Dan Wasneechak of Martin’s Point gave an update of the work of the Task
Force on the Future of Military Health Care. This task force was
authorized by Congress in the FY07 authorization bill in response to
the Department of Defense’s legislative proposals to raise fees and
co-payments for military retirees. The Defense Department’s
legislative proposals were not accepted by Congress for either FY07 or
FY08. Congress created the task force to study this issue.
With regard to the issue on fees, the task force, in its interim
report, made two recommendations:
1. Increase beneficiary cost sharing to
a level below that of the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan or of
“generous private-sector plans” but at or below the level in effect on
1996.
2. Phase in cost-sharing increases over
three to five years. Congress might want to consider a one-time
increase in military retired pay to offset part or all of the increase.
The task force also recommended that enrollment fees, deductibles, and
co-payments should be tiered to account for differences on retiree’s
pay grades. The task force intends to continue meeting through
the summer and into the fall, approximately twice a month. The
final report will be issued in December.
Bill Hall announced that the Martin’s Point Pharmacy will conduct a
survey this August on customer satisfaction with the pharmacy. He
also mentioned that the network expansion continues in all areas of
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and upstate New York. Overall
membership is up by over 1000 members in the first five months of this
year. Dan Wasneechak noted that Martin’s Point is now the largest
of the original six USFHP sites in the country and that contract
renewal with the Department of Defense was imminent.
(Col Douglas Scott)
1ST ANNUAL
MILITARY SCHOLARSHIP
GOLF CLASSIC
The first Annual Military Scholarship Golf Classic will be held at
Sable Oaks Golf Club in South Portland, Maine, at 0700 on Thursday,
September 13, 2007.
The tournament proceeds will be used as seed money for a scholarship
program being established by the Southern Maine Chapter of the Military
Officers Association of America. Martin’s Point Health Care will
be the tournament’s primary sponsor. The tournament will be a
four-person scramble format with shotgun start at 0800. There
will be a buffet lunch and awards ceremony immediately following the
tournament. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and
third-place teams, as well as longest drive and closest-to-the-pin for
both ladies and men.
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(President's msg cont.)
stress coping skills, to discover that fellow veterans are dealing with
many of the same issues, and to find out where to get support or
counseling should they need it.
As the program matured, we looked for opportunities to improve the
process and have added a significant component to MAP, one-on-one
counseling.
The idea here is to require each returnee to see a trained counselor,
providing an opportunity for that individual to share any difficulties
they may be experiencing and to get linked up with follow-on care
should it be appropriate. The mandatory one-on-one counseling is
designed to keep “stigma” from being a factor in a returning veteran
getting whatever mental health care might be in order. The
thought process was, if everybody “has to” see a mental health
professional as part of the mandatory MAP process, it is less likely
that peer pressure or stigma will be a factor in keeping them from
seeking help.
The men and women of the Maine National Guard are its most important
asset. They have endured amazing sacrifices for their country and
the very least we can do is to ensure that they get whatever assistance
they need in their readjustment back into civilian life.
The Military Adjustment Program, to include one-on-one counseling, is the start of that readjustment process.
John W. Libby
MG, USA
President
(May speaker cont.)
Outreach and education are vital services for Martin’s Point, beginning
with new member orientations. Newsletters highlight new services,
changes, and programs available to USFHP members. Martin’s Point
is working to build relationships with the Reserve community (National
Guard Family Program, Marine Reserve, etc.). New efforts include
outreach education, weight control programs, disease management
programs, patient care coordination, referral management, health
coaching, and group visits.
This year has been designated the “Year of the Military Family” by
USFHP. Special events have been planned to honor veterans as well
as others who serve veterans and their families. Martin’s Point
has a number of community outreach programs designed to support and
partner with the military community.
Dr. Howes described the annual survey administered to a sample of USFHP
members conducted by the Myers Group. Questions were based on
consumer assessment of health care providers and systems offered by
USFHP. The survey measured member satisfaction with health care,
personal doctors, and specialists. It focused on getting needed
care, and how quickly; doctor communications; courtesy of office staff
and customer service; and claims handling. They also addressed
flu shots and smoking cessation programs.
The survey reflected a 99th percentile satisfaction with customer
service; getting needed care (90%); getting care quickly (93%); how
well doctors communicate (96%); courteous and helpful office staff
(99%); customer service (87%); claims processing (96%); rating a
personal doctor (85%); rating a specialist (87%); rating of health care
(90%); flu shots (55%); advising smokers to quit (84%); smoking
cessation-medication (54%); smoking cessation-strategies (65%).
Dr. Howes summarized that safety, quality, service and satisfaction are
critical to health care. The USFHP is transforming the Military
Health System by providing safe and effective patient care; strong
customer service; and the highest levels of satisfaction in the country.
(Capt Rendon cont.)
Jim served as Aide de Camp to the 20th Commandant of the Coast
Guard. He also completed a Congressional Fellowship in our
Nation’s Capitol, where he worked for the House of Representatives,
Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and
Human Resources, followed by a 2-year assignment as Drug Policy Advisor
to the Speaker of the House.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (5), the
Coast Guard Commendation Medal (3), the Coast Guard Achievement Medal,
and a variety of other unit awards and service ribbons. He is
authorized to wear the Cutterman’s Insignia and the Boat Force
Operations Insignia.
A graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1983, CAPT
Rendon holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering and a
Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois. He also
completed study at the National War College, Class of 2005, where he
earned a Master’s Degree in National Security Strategy.
CAPT Rendon is one of four family member officers in the Coast
Guard. He is married to the former Felicitas Trevino of
Rockville, Maryland. They have two daughters, Kristina Marie and
Katherine Nicole.
(N.G. Youth Camp cont.)
Our youth need this kind of healthful activity in a
time of uncertainty such as this. The National Guard provides
facilities and staffing. Funds for food, T-shirts, and supplies
are raised through donations from Maine companies, organizations like
our Chapter, and generous individuals. The Southern Maine Chapter
donated $500 this year to support the camp. Many of our members
also have generously donated. Any donation that you could make
would be greatly appreciated. Checks may be sent to:
Maine National Guard Youth Camp Fund
c/o Linda Newbegin
P.O. Box 121, Standish, ME 04084
A Report on LD 529
RADM Richard I. Rybacki, USCG (Ret.)
President, Maine Military Coalition
On 21 June LD 529, “An Act to Encourage Newly Retired Veterans to
Reside in Maine," was left to die in the State Senate. It had
been solidly supported by the Taxation Committee and in the
House. LD 529 is the last in a long series of initiatives by
Maine Veterans to provide tax relief for those receiving military
retired pay and to provide an incentive to attract military retirees to
Maine. The decision facing the Military Coalition and our MOAA
Chapter is whether to continue to pursue this initiative.
These efforts started long before the Military Coalition came into
being in 2001 and its initial legislation LD 1010, “An Act to Exempt
Military Retired Pensions from State Income Tax.” LD 1010 did not
pass and LD 972 and now LD 529 suffered a similar fate. There are
many reasons for yet another unsuccessful effort of your MOAA Chapter
members, working in conjunction with the Maine Military Coalition, to
get passage of this legislation. The next several months will
provide an opportunity to reflect on them.
One constant during all of this time has been the hard work of so many
members of the Military Coalition and the principal sponsors of our
Bills and the apparent support from many of the leaders of the State
Legislature. Representatives Jane Eberle and Thomas Watson were
our principal sponsors of the last two Bills. We owe them a debt
of gratitude for their leadership and extensive work on our
behalf. Their legislative skill and total support of our efforts
brought us very close to winning approval.
We also have many members of the Military Coalition to thank for their
years of effort to make Maine a more attractive place for Military
Retirees to live. The work of COL Ed Chase of the Pine Tree MOAA
Chapter was a pioneering effort. And the relentless pursuit by
1LT Jack Berman to insure continuous communications with the military
community and the key legislators has been a truly professional and
outstanding effort.
With the closure of Brunswick Naval Air Station this was the year to
approve this legislation. LD 529 wouldn’t give all that we had
hoped to achieve when we introduced LD 1010, but it fit a specific need
that was doable if the will existed in the State. The testimony
by retiring Navy personnel at the committee hearings as to the
importance of this legislation to their retirement location plans was
loud and clear.
The reasons to attract retired military personnel to the State of Maine
are many. Our message was not persuasive enough. We have
also heard our Governor and Legislators talk about support for our
troops. A tangible step, beyond hollow words, could have been
taken with passage of LD 529 during this session of the
legislature. But it wasn’t.
We can quit at this point or press on and build on the work that has
been done in the past…that is a decision to ponder as we prepare for
the next session of the legislature.
(Scholarship Golf Classic cont.)
Automobiles from Lexus of Portland and Bill Dodge Auto Group will be
the prizes for anyone fortunate enough to score a hole-in-one on
designated holes. Entry fee is $200 per four-person team ($50 per
player). Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available, as
shown in the registration form. This is a great opportunity to
show your support and promote your company. Cut-off for registration
is August 31, 2007.
Click here for Registration Form.
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