Release VA nursing homes data

June 20, 2018, 6:40 pm

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Private nursing homes are required by federal law to be transparent, so should taxpayer-financed veterans facilities: Our view

 
 
 
 
 
 
  Reported by USATODAY.com 48 minutes ago.

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VA: USA TODAY's article is misleading

June 20, 2018, 6:47 pm

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Veterans Affairs' nursing homes have better staff-to-resident ratio: Opposing view

 
 
 
 
 
 
  Reported by USATODAY.com 42 minutes ago.

Some Straight Talk For Younger People On Social Security (And Medicare Too) – OpEd

June 20, 2018, 7:55 pm

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Let me start out with full disclosure: I’m 69 and next April I will start collecting $30,000 a year in Social Security benefits — the amount I qualify for on the basis of both my highest 35 years of earnings as an employed and later self-employed journalist, and because I’ve waited until I hit 70, the maximum age for starting to collect benefits, before starting to receive my checks.

So it particularly galls me to read news articles about that program (and Medicare) saying things like:
New warnings about cuts to Social Security and Medicare are a reason to worry

Social Security is Running Out and Nobody Will Like the Solution

and Ryan’s Retirement Won’t End the Social Security Debate
Such ill-informed and often deliberately scare-mongering pieces make my blood boil, particularly because I know they are targeted at younger readers, where the goal is to make them believe that Social Security is not going to be there for them, and so they should stop supporting the whole program. Take, for example, the dire stories warning that the Social Security program this year has begun drawing funds from the Social Security Trust Fund. Actually, as I explain later, that was what the Trust Fund was created for! It was advanced funding for when it was predictable that more funding would be needed.

For years, the defense against a concerted drive by the right to whittle away and kill Social Security has been a solid lobby of the elderly who know how important the program is. They for years made it a “Third Rail” that politicians challenged at their risk. But now the strategy appears to be to say, “We won’t take Social Security away from current retirees or people about to retire, but younger people will have to expect something less.”

This article is addressed to those younger Americans — people just starting to work, on up to those in their 40s and early ’50s, because it’s really you who are being conned and who need to start fighting to keep what was created for all of us some 83 years ago.

Forget all the propaganda! The reality is that Social Security is not an actuarial problem of too many people living too long. It’s a socio-political problem: Do we as a people want to adequately fund the retirement of our elderly parents and of those suffering from disabilities or do we want to go back to an era where they ended up starving on the streets, or as a burden to their children? If we want a decent, secure old age, the money is there to fund it. What’s needed is the political will and power to demand it.

The same can be said of Medicare and of health care in general. Do we as a society want health care to be good for those with money, and shitty or nonexistent for those without it? It’s not that solutions don’t exist. In most of the countries of Europe, and even many in Asia, retirement is generously funded by government programs like Social Security that are not going bankrupt even though benefit amounts paid are much higher and populations are even skewed older than here in the US. Likewise, healthcare is in most modern countries seen as a right and is fully funded by some kind of state-run program, while we have a jerry-rigged system that relies primarily on for-profit systems and private insurance which, taken as a whole, costs more than double as a percentage of GDP and on a per-capita basis what it costs to deliver in other countries. And state-run systems cover everyone while ours leaves tens of millions unable to see a doctor or to get timely care in a hospital.

To those who might say we as a nation cannot afford the hundreds of billions it would cost to adequately fund these vital programs, my reply is: America is currently spending two-thirds of all federal discretionary funds each year — about $1.3 trillion a year — on the military. That’s more than the next 10 countries including China and Russia spend on their militaries. $5.5 trillion has been spent just on the so-called “War on Terror” since 2001 (during which time the amount of terrorism around the globe and the number of people committing acts of mayhem have soared which shows what a waste the whole thing has been). And then recall that President Obama ordered, and President Trump has backed a $1-trillion 10-year program to “upgrade and modernize” America’s nuclear weapons. It’s a staggeringly expensive program which serves no defensive purpose and only increases the pressure on other countries to do the same and raises the chance that we — and they — will eventually use them.

None of this spending has made the US more secure. Meanwhile, if we cut that spending in half and applied even a fraction of that vast sum, Social Security could be vastly improved and funded into the indefinite future without raising taxes. A superior national healthcare system free to all Americans could also be established, freeing us of insurance premiums, health care co-pays, and of indentured servitude to our employers for underwriting at least part of our health insurance bill. Those are things that would really provide security to Americans.

Looking back, Social Security, established in 1935, was a central element of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal attack on the Great Depression and the widespread poverty it had caused. It remains one of the most successful social programs in the history of the United States, massively reducing poverty not just among the elderly, but among the children of the elderly who no longer had to bear the dual burden of supporting a young family as well as aging parents and grandparents.

It remained that way until the late 1970s, when it became increasingly apparent that a greatly improved standard of living, thanks to social programs like Social Security, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, supplemental food programs like WIC and Food Stamps, and especially better medical care with the 1960s establishment of Medicare, Medicaid and federal health clinics, as well as advances in medical science, had combined with the advancing age of a huge population bulge known as the “Baby Boom” generation born to parents who started families after the end of World War II, to create a huge strain on the retirement system — a strain that would show up as he Boomer generation began retiring in 2007, the year that the first post-WWII babies would start turning 62.

This is because contrary to the myth perpetrated by critics of Social Security, and widely believed today by most Americans, Social Security is not a government “annuity” where you put money into the system, it grows with interest, and then you get it back in monthly payments at retirement age. Rather, while benefit amounts are calculated by a complicated calculation based upon a person’s top 35 years of work, the actual funds to pay those benefits from day one of the program have been paid by the FICA taxes forked over that year by current workers and their employers.

Once it was clear that there would simply not be enough FICA tax revenue coming in from a relatively smaller workforce to fund the benefits due to Baby Boomer generation Social Security beneficiaries (like me next April!) a plan was hatched between President Reagan and Democratic House Speaker Rep. Tip O’Neill to solve the shortfall by a combination of higher FICA taxes beginning in 1983, gradually raised from a then 5.4% for both employees and employers to the current 6.2% rate.(The Reagen-O’Neill plan raised it substantially more for the self-employed, who in the past had paid only part of what would be the employer share, but since ’83 have had to pay double what employees were paying in FICA taxes on their income.) The so-called “full retirement age” was also gradually raised from a then 65 to an eventual 67 in 2024. That’s the age at which a person who retires no longer gets penalized for continuing to work by having some share of wages deducted and paid as taxes to the IRS.

The idea was that by making those changes, Social Security would be fully funded right through the retirement years of the Baby Boomers, the last of whom will retire in 2034 (after which the Baby Boom bulge or retirees will fall rapidly as its members die off and the problem os a shortfall goes away. Meanwhile, a Trust Fund composed of the added funds paid into the system by the higher FICA tax was supposed to cover the shortfall in current workers’ FICA tax receipts.

But a combination of continually rising life-expectancy and of lower-than anticipated-birth rates brought a new challenge. The 1983 fix was not enough. The Trust Fund is now slated to run out in 2034 or 2035, but the Baby Boomer retirees will endure into the mid-2050s.

That has led to dire warnings from politicians eager to convince younger workers to give up on hopes of collecting Social Security, and incorporate media which have that same agenda plus a penchant for publishing ill-supported scare stories claiming that Social Security is going “bankrupt” or is a “ponzi scheme,” or at best that “if nothing is done” Social Security benefits will have to be cut by 23% for retirees beginning in 2034.

To that I say nonsense! Social Security was at death’s door in the early 1980s, about to run out of funds in five years, when Congress and President Reagan (who before becoming president had been an outspoken opponent of the program) passed a reform rescuing it through higher taxes. The program can be rescued again the same way, and even improved to pay benefits more like what people receive in Europe.

What could be done to better fund Social Security now? Well, as I noted above, the best solution would be to end the US policy, since the end of World War II, of endless wars and massive unprecedentedly huge military budgets and after slashing personal taxes, apply some of the rest of the tax take to better funding Social Security, and financing a conversion of Medicare into a Health Care for All insurance program that would eliminate the need for Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Health Care, Charity Care, Private Insurance Premiums, Employer health plans, etc. The savings in doing that would be extraordinary. For good measure and to help raise Social Security benefits so people wouldn’t have to bet on stock markets with IRA and 401(k) plans, we could also eliminate the cap on income subject to FICA taxation and tax all income — including investment income and a tax on short-term stock trading.

What this means is that young people — those in their 20s, 30s and 40s — need to recognize how important these programs are to their lives. Right now you young folks are seeing 6.2% taken out of each paycheck (and your employer is paying that too into the system), and you’re being warned you may get nothing for it. That’s bull! If you only vote for candidates who promise to do what is necessary (see above!) to fully fund the program, it will be there not just for your parents and grandparents, but for you and your children too. It’s a choice you have to make. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to hoodwink you into letting this system die. That’s because the Wall Street banks and investment houses that make their money handling people’s investment want it to die so they can get your hard-earned money to invest for you — for a fee. It’s a giant scam, and the contributions they make to politicians to help them pull it off are to make that scam happen.

When they and the corporate media shills try and tell you that the Baby Boom generation is living high on the FICA taxes you are paying, and you’ll be getting nothing, you know better. You know how your retired parents or grandparents live, and that’s on Social Security. Ask them. It doesn’t even get adequately adjusted for inflation, so they struggle harder each year to get by. Their benefits should be higher, not lower! And it can happen, if you team up with them and demand improved Social Security, and a secure Social Security that will be there when you need it. And by the way, if god forbid, something happened to you and you became disabled, from an accident or a disease like MS, Social Security is there for you then too. If you’re still a teenager, and a parent dies, you also get Social Security benefits. If your family has only one working parent and one stay-at-home caregiver, and the employed parent dies, that caregiver gets Social Security. Likewise, it the higher earning grandparent of yours dies, that person’s higher social security benefit check becomes the widowed spouse’s benefit. All these things are already there for you and your elders. They are all worth saving, if only because if they go away, guess who’ll have to take over support for those elders? You!

We’re in a battle that is all of us against Wall Street and the greedy politicians that Wall Street companies support with their legal bribes. It’s up to all of us to recognize the game they’re playing and to defeat them. And if there’s a political battle that we can win, this one is it, because Social Security is critical to everyone of every age, of every race, both genders, citizen and legal immigrant with working papers — anyone who works and pays FICA taxes or is married to someone who works, and to everyone already retired. It’s all of us, and all of us together can make anything happen!

As for health care, just ask yourself why it is that every modern country in the world with the exception of the US has publicly funded health care that covers everyone, yet the US has the highest priced medical care in the world, and it leaves between a fourth and a fifth of us with no coverage, and many more with inadequate coverage, and yet for all that we spend on health, the US ranks down with Third World nations in terms of our life-expectancy, infant mortality, incidence of fully treatable diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes, etc. It’s also the only modern country where the major cause of bankruptcy is a family medical crisis. All this is because we have a system of health care based on private profit. We need to replace that outrage with a public program like they have in the UK, in France, in Italy, in Germany, and in all the countries of Scandinavia. If those countries can do it, as well as countries like Taiwan, Japan, and even Costa Rica and Cuba, so can we. But again we need to join together to make it happen. As with Social Security, this is a battle we can win, because it’s all of us against the big health insurers, drug companies, hospital companies and the rest of the medical establishment, and the politicians they buy. If we’re together in this battle, we’ll win national health care too.

Think about it. America could be a different place. Reported by Eurasia Review 1 day ago.

Suicide prevention program for veterans

June 20, 2018, 8:59 pm

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Legislation to set up a pilot program for veteran suicide prevention has cleared parliament. Reported by SBS 23 hours ago.

New homes open in Aldershot for Armed Forces veterans who have made sacrifices

June 20, 2018, 10:20 pm

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There is a wide variety of residents moving in, including a mother and her four children Reported by Surrey Mirror 22 hours ago.

Veteran Supportive Campus – Bryan University Receives Recognition

June 21, 2018, 12:02 am

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Bryan University continues tradition of supporting veteran students achieve their dreams and aspirations.

TEMPE, Ariz. (PRWEB) June 21, 2018

Bryan University (https://bryanuniversity.edu), a leader in transforming students’ lives through engaging, experiential online education, was named an Arizona Veteran Supportive Campus by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services.

A Veteran Supportive Campus (VSC) is a post-secondary institution that is already in compliance with the State Approving Agency (SAA) and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), and certified as eligible to receive GI Bill Education Benefits. Veteran supportive campuses meet the required areas of focus criteria listed in the Arizona Veteran Supportive Campus (VSC) Statute, and apply to become a certified VSC through the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS).

To qualify as a Veteran Supportive Campus, schools must meet the required areas of focus:· Connect the culture – campus survey and metrics, including a campus steering committee
· Ask the right questions – sensitivity and awareness, including orientation programs
· Respond effectively – peer mentoring and support programs, including a resource center
· Engage the military/veteran community – outreach strategies, including community collaborations

For consideration, Bryan University had to apply after the focus areas were met. The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services reviewed the application and determined the institution followed the focus areas. The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services will now list Bryan University on their website, azdvs.gov and also list them with the ACMF Military/Veteran Resource Network.

Bryan University President, Eric Evans, had this to say about the achievement:

“This award underscores Bryan University’s commitment to our men and women who have served our country and provides us a greater opportunity to serve them. We are proud of this accomplishment and look forward to a continued legacy of student success.”

Bryan University in conjunction with our strategic online partner, DeXL, provides a new and fresh perspective in online learning for all students including military veterans.

About Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services

The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS) provides direct services to veterans through the administration of 19 Veterans Benefits Offices throughout the state helping Veterans connect with their VA benefits. They provide two skilled-nursing Veterans' Home facilities in Phoenix and Tucson that offer short- and long-term care, and maintain the original Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista, as well as two new cemeteries opened in 2016 in Northern Arizona at Camp Navajo and in Southern Arizona in Marana - north of Tucson.

More information is available at https://dvs.az.gov/.

About Bryan University

We believe in challenging the boundaries of traditional education and in liberating the innate greatness in people.
Our mission is a commitment to our students, graduates, and employees. This commitment includes ensuring that students receive an educational experience that transforms their lives. As a private institution with a 78-year track record of excellence, Bryan University's commitment is achieved by providing all students, regardless of their socio-economic status, a clear pathway to achieve their dreams. Bryan graduates are prepared with the knowledge and practical, productive skills that lead directly to professional careers. They are hired by employers because they are dedicated, intelligent and immediately productive in the workplace. Bryan enjoys a position within the higher education spectrum that is unique, respected, and worthy of emulation.

Bryan University is a leader in solving complex challenges in online education and engineering transformative experiences for students. We believe that online learning can be a desired and preferred educational experience. Through a series of research-based strategies and industry partnerships, we are revolutionizing the way students learn online. All of our innovative, problem-solving initiatives are student-outcomes oriented.

To learn more, please visit our Student Experience page.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Steve Sliker
Public Relations, Social Media Manager
(315) 335-8501
Steve.Sliker(at)bryanuniversity.edu Reported by PRWeb 20 hours ago.

Taiwan passes bill to cut veterans’ pensions that sparked violent protests

June 21, 2018, 12:26 am

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Taiwan’s military veterans will see their pensions cut as soon as next month after parliament passed a controversial bill that had sparked violent demonstrations. Wednesday’s vote marks a victory for President Tsai Ing-wen, whose attempts to make sweeping pension cutbacks since she came to power two years ago have faced intense opposition. Senior veterans will see their monthly stipend cut by more than 20 per cent over the next decade, after a smaller initial drop, according to... Reported by S.China Morning Post 19 hours ago.

For VA Whistleblowers, A Culture Of Fear And Retaliation

June 21, 2018, 2:22 am

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VA employees in one Southeast district say a toxic culture of retaliation has undermined veterans' care and worker morale. There is growing skepticism among whistleblowers the VA can police itself. Reported by NPR 18 hours ago.

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Taiwan passes controversial bill cutting veterans' pension; President Tsai Ing-wen says reform will help avoid bankruptcy by 2020

June 21, 2018, 2:05 am

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Taiwan passes a bill cutting military veterans and civil servants pension. President Tsai Ing-wen, in spite of facing criticism in the last two years over pension reform, said that an unreformed system could be bankrupt by 2020. Reported by Firstpost 18 hours ago.

StoneGate Senior Living Hosts 2nd Annual “Music Drive” for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Residents

June 21, 2018, 3:03 am

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The Lewisville, Texas-based transitional health care and senior living company kicks off the fundraiser on June 21, 2018 in honor of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.

DALLAS (PRWEB) June 21, 2018

StoneGate Senior Living, a leading provider of senior care, is holding the 2nd annual “Music Drive” to help Texas residents in need. Organizers are seeking community donations from June 21 through July 20, 2018 at eight participating locations to benefit seniors enrolled in the MUSIC & MEMORY program.

MUSIC & MEMORY℠ is a non-profit organization that provides personalized music to those in nursing homes and other care organizations who suffer from a wide range of cognitive and physical challenges. Research proves that music helps trigger memories and improve quality of life in those deal with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

“Our inaugural Music Drive last year was a huge success, and we were able to provide a personal device loaded with music to our residents. But we are still restricted in how many residents we can enroll due to our device limitations,” says Angela Norris, StoneGate Senior Living’s Senior Vice President of Business Development. “We’d love to provide each resident with a personal device loaded with their favorite music and spread the contributions to our fellow neighbors who also offer the Music and Memory program.”

When: June 21 to July 20
What: Music Drive to collect:· New and used devices (example: iPods or MP3 players in working condition)
· Device chargers
· New over-the-ear headphones
· iTunes gift cards
· Monetary contributions

Drop-Off/Collection Locations:
1.    Pathways Memory Care– Houston, TX
2.    Briarcliff Healthcare Center – Carthage, TX
3.    Colonial Pines Healthcare Center – San Augustine, TX
4.    South Place Nursing Center – Athens, TX
5.    Settlers Ridge Care Center – Celina, TX
6.    Villages on MacArthur – Irving, TX
7.    Williamsburg Village Healthcare Campus – DeSoto, TX
8.    The Plaza at Richardson - Richardson, TX

The “Music Drive” will kick-off on the Alzheimer’s Associations “The Longest Day,” a campaign encouraging people to do activities they love and raise funds and awareness for care and support while advancing research.

“Each facility will be hosting an event for The Longest Day, and that will be the start of our 2018 Music Drive,” says Norris. “Everyone loves music. Why not help improve the quality of someone’s life by donating the gift of music to a resident in need?”

For more information, please visit http://www.stonegatesl.com.

About StoneGate Senior Living, LLC:
StoneGate Senior Living, LLC provides support services to senior living and care properties that offer skilled health care, assisted living, memory support and independent living locations in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Founded and led by a team of senior living industry veterans, StoneGate understands that careful attention to customer expectations is vital to the success of a senior living and care community. Learn more at http://www.StonegateSL.com.

About Lifetime Wellness:
Lifetime Wellness, LTD. provides quality comprehensive wellness programs to all our partners. Our customized approach affords us the opportunity to improve the quality of lives of all those we touch. Our goal is to ensure that every client we assist is provided with all the tools necessary to achieve success.  Our clients include Independent Living, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing and Rehab, and Memory Care Facilities. Learn more at http://www.LifetimeWellness.us. Reported by PRWeb 17 hours ago.

NHL draft predictions: Who could be traded, wild cards, more

June 21, 2018, 6:01 am

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Our panel checks in on the prospects they most want to see in the NHL, veterans who could be traded, best picks of the past five years and more. Reported by ESPN 14 hours ago.

Charles & Colvard Launches Strategic Partnership with Jewelry-as-a-Service Platform Flont

June 21, 2018, 6:20 am

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Strengthens Co-Promotional Partnerships with Organizations Doing Business for Good

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., June 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (Nasdaq:CTHR), the original and leading worldwide source of created moissanite, today announced its strategic partnership with Flont, a pioneer in borrowed jewelry, allowing access to high-end designer jewelry through monthly memberships and 4-day jewelry rentals. This "jewelry as a service" concept allows members to regularly refresh their jewelry box, while mixing and matching for any occasion in their life - from work to weddings.“Jewelry sharing promotes sustainability and brand awareness, giving consumers an easier path to develop an appreciation for fine, quality jewelry,” said Cormac Kinney, founder and CEO of Flont. “We’re thrilled to introduce our customers to Charles & Colvard and give them the opportunity to experience the brilliance of moissanite for themselves.”

Founded in 2017, Flont is a leader in fine jewelry rental that has been featured in various business, fashion and industry publications including Entrepreneur, Bustle, The Business of Fashion, Forbes and Vogue. With three monthly subscription options, customers can borrow jewels for any occasion valued up to $2,500 with Flont Demi, up to $8,000 through Flont Fine and up to $300,000 with Flont Privé. Additionally, Flont members receive exclusive access to private sales and special pricing, should a customer decide to keep a piece of borrowed jewelry.

“With Flont’s monthly memberships and jewelry rental service, and the world’s most brilliant gem from Charles & Colvard, we are perfectly partnered to give consumers a way to touch, feel and see the beauty of moissanite for themselves,” said Charles & Colvard President and CEO, Suzanne Miglucci. “This model builds great brand awareness and loyalty for luxury and designer jewelry that anyone can obtain for job interviews and weddings to red carpet events and runways.”

Charles & Colvard believes in using business as a force for good and continually works to find ways to support causes that resonate with customers, including reducing environmental impacts. Flont promotes sustainability through jewelry sharing and the use of recycled materials in both jewelry pieces and packaging, as well as fair trade for artisan designers with unique financing. In addition to Flont, the Company has launched several other new co-promotional partnerships that provide access to an expanded range of target customers. In order to engage the consumer where they socialize and shop, Charles & Colvard has recently formed relationships with companies including Leading Points Corporation, She Should Run, Fond and Cartera. These organizations were strategically identified as important to the Company’s audience after extensive buyer persona research and development. Charles & Colvard is proud to work with these dynamic sites and brands to provide unique product selections and value to their networks.

*Additional New Partnerships*

· Leading Points Corporation provides programs for retailers to show appreciation and give back to over 30 million active and retired military personnel. Through the Brilliant Service program, Charles & Colvard honors their service and sacrifice with a special discount for all members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans and military families.  
· She Should Run is a non-partisan organization whose mission is to expand the talent pool of women running for office, with a goal of readying 250,000 women to run by 2030. Through a hand-selected assortment of personalized and fashion items that reflect individuality, Charles & Colvard donates 10 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of these products to She Should Run so they can reach, educate, and empower even more women.
· Fond is an employee recognition platform for rewarding achievements and milestones. Select Charles & Colvard products will be made available to employees for purchase through the premium discount program.
· Cartera Commerce partners with leading companies who offer their customers loyalty programs, such as airlines and banks. They then give their customers a chance to earn even more of the miles, points, or cash-back they want by shopping with over 900 online stores they know and love, including Charles & Colvard.

For more information on Charles & Colvard’s strategic partners, please visit: https://www.charlesandcolvard.com/paying-it-forward

*About Charles & Colvard, Ltd. *

Charles & Colvard (Nasdaq:CTHR) believes luxury can be beautiful and conscientious. As an e-commerce-driven business, the Company uses innovative technology and sustainable practices to lead a revolution in the jewelry industry. As the original pioneer of lab-created moissanite, a rare gemstone formed from silicon carbide, Charles & Colvard delivers a brilliant product at a revolutionary value that meets the needs of today’s discerning customer. Jewelry consumers seek Charles & Colvard products because of their exceptional quality as well as their environmental and social responsibility. Charles & Colvard was founded in 1995 and is based in the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.charlesandcolvard.com.

*Media Contact:*
LaRue PR
732.667.7777 Reported by GlobeNewswire 14 hours ago.

DSS, Inc. Supports Nationwide Rollout of the Logistics & Prosthetics Suite with the VA

June 21, 2018, 6:33 am

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2016 IDIQ Contract for Logistics and Prosthetics Graphical User Interface (GUI) Overlay Software Licenses and Maintenance Implemented at All VA Medical Centers

JUNO BEACH, Fla. (PRWEB) June 21, 2018

Document Storage Systems, Inc. (DSS), a leading provider of health information technology (HIT) solutions for federal, has implemented a rapid, nationwide roll out of the Logistics and Prosthetics Graphical User Interface (GUI) at all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers (VAMC) to support the VA Supply Chain Transformation Program.

As a part of the contract, DSS implemented the Above PAR, Advanced Prosthetics Acquisition Tool (APAT) and Enterprise Reporting to modernize the general consumables, equipment and prosthetics inventory systems as well as engineering work orders, improve workflow efficiency and interoperability and enhance reporting with near real-time data.

Based on the 2016 Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for the Logistics and Prosthetics Graphical User Interface (GUI) overlay Software Licenses and Maintenance with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), DSS was able to rollout this nationwide implementation of both products in only nine months – with it being fully completed ahead of schedule in July 2017.

The new GUIs for Logistics & Prosthetics now offer user-friendly interfaces that makes it easier to apply new national, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) and VAMC management, purchasing and inventory standards for supply and prosthetics purchases and tracking. The VA has also reported that both GUIs have significantly improved data quality and user efficiency.

“This rapid implementation is an example of how the VA can quickly and effectively modernize aspects of VistA in ways that improve efficiencies and enhance the quality of care for Veterans,” said Mark Byers, CEO of DSS, Inc. “This highly intuitive GUI has helped streamline everything from training to purchasing to data sharing and reporting, which helps the VA to overcome some significant supply chain management challenges.”

The contract offers a suite of modernized VistA integrated GUI applications. APAT allows VAMC’s to electronically store and manage prosthetics documentation and procurement processes to ensure that Veterans receive implants, wheelchairs, orthotics and sensory aides in a timely manner. The suite includes Above PAR, a GUI application to manage and track equipment and expendable inventory as well as audit and report data for ongoing maintenance and improvements.

In addition, this contract also allows every VAMC to:· Streamline the process of creating requests for prosthetics quotes, purchase orders and orthotic work orders through single-screen data entry;
· Access complete and real-time visibility into inventory demand, supply and cost/fulfillment measures and trends to standardize practices and mitigate costs;
· Reduce errors in managing inventory and identify duplicative transactions to increase efficiency; and
· Provides easy access to data to manage supply and promote national data sharing to improve reporting.

To learn more about DSS, visit http://www.dssinc.com/products/dss-vista-integrated-administrative-products.

About Document Storage Systems, Inc. (DSS, Inc.)
DSS is a leading software and services company that creates and delivers advanced health information technology (HIT) solutions. For 25 years, healthcare organizations have benefited from our technical and service integration expertise. DSS has extensive experience working with federal, private and public healthcare facilities to modernize their legacy systems and to improve efficiencies for clinical and administrative users through breakthrough technology. For more information about DSS, visit http://www.dssinc.com. Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.

Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) Announces Nine New Members Join Organization

June 21, 2018, 8:06 am

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LAS VEGAS, June 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the membership applications of nine new companies, bringing the trade group comprised of the world’s leading gaming suppliers to a total of 166.The new AGEM members are:

· Ace Systems, based in Monterrey, Mexico, specializes in casino management systems approved and utilized by the Mexican tax authority (SAT) for reporting accuracy.
· BDO USA, based in Chicago with an office in Las Vegas, is the world’s fifth-largest accounting firm and serves gaming manufacturers around the world.
· Capco, based in Washington D.C., is a global consulting firm specializing in business, digital and technology consulting services for the financial services and casino industries.
· Deloitte LLP, based in Las Vegas, provides audit and assurance, consulting, tax, and risk and financial advisory services to many of the world’s most-admired brands.
· Nanoptix, based in Dieppe, Canada, is a leading global provider of thermal direct printers.
· PDS Gaming, based in Las Vegas, is a financing and lease company that specializes in capital-needs solutions.
· Plus Studios, based in Las Vegas, was founded in 2013 by a collective group of trade show industry veterans committed to their clients.
· The United States Playing Card Company, based in Erlanger, Kentucky, is a leader in the production and distribution of premier playing cards and dealing shoes.
· Weike Gaming Technology, established in 1998 and based in Singapore, supplies slot gaming machines, electronic table games, gaming management systems and jackpot links.

AGEM is a non-profit international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of electronic gaming devices, lotteries, systems, table games, online technology, key components and support products and services for the gaming industry. AGEM works to further the interests of gaming equipment suppliers throughout the world. Through political action, regulatory influence, trade show partnerships, educational alliances, information dissemination and good corporate citizenship, the members of AGEM work together to create benefits for every company within the organization. Together, AGEM has assisted regulatory agencies and participated in the legislative process to solve problems and create a business environment where AGEM members can prosper while providing a strong level of support to education and responsible gaming initiatives. For more information, visit www.AGEM.org.

The current AGEM membership roster, 166 companies strong based in 22 countries, is a who’s who of the supplier segment of the global gaming industry: *AGEM Gold Members: *AGS, Ainsworth Game Technology, Aristocrat Technologies, Everi, International Game Technology (IGT), Konami Gaming, Merkur Gaming, NOVOMATIC Group, Scientific Games and Sega Sammy Creation. *AGEM Silver Members: *Action Gaming, Aruze Gaming America, Betson Enterprises, Casino Technology, Crane Payment Innovations (CPI), Gaming Partners International (GPI), Inspired Gaming, JCM Global, Ortiz Gaming, Quixant PLC, Suzo-Happ Group, TCSJohnHuxley, TransAct Technologies and Zitro. *AGEM Bronze Members: *Abbiati Casino Equipment, Ace Systems, Alfastreet, Amatic Industries, APEX gaming, Astro Corp., BetConstruct, Bingotimes Digital Technology, Cammegh Limited, Century Gaming Technologies, Ceronix / GETT, CG Technology (CGT), Cole Kepro International, DR Gaming Technology (DRGT), Euro Games Technology (EGT), Exacta Systems, FBM, Galaxy Gaming, Gamblit Gaming, GameCo, Gaming Arts, Gaming Support, Glory Global Solutions, Grand Vision Gaming, Incredible Technologies, Interblock USA, Jackpot Digital, Jumbo Technology, Matsui Gaming Machine Co., Metronia, PariMAX, Patriot Gaming & Electronics, PDS Gaming, RCT Gaming, Spintec, Table Trac, Vantiv Entertainment Solutions, Weike Gaming Technology, Wells-Gardner Technologies and Win Systems. *AGEM Associate Members: *3M Touch Systems, Adlink Technology, Advantech-Innocore, Agilysys, AMD, ArdentSky, Arrow International, Asimex Global, Atrient, Automated Cashless Systems, Automated Systems America, Inc. (ASAI), Axiomtek, BDO USA, British Group Interactive (BGI), Capco, CardConnect, Carmanah Signs, Casino Screens, Catapult Global, CDC Gaming Reports, CMC Trading Engineering (International) Ltd, Comer Holdings, Comtrade Gaming, Cooper Levenson, Deloitte LLP, Digital Instinct, DiTronics Financial Services, Dominode, Duane Morris LLP, E4 Gaming, EFCOtec Corporation, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, Elite Gaming Technology, Fantini Research, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, Fox Rothschild, G2 Game Design, Gambling Compliance, Gamesman, Gaming Capital Group, Gaming Specialized Logistics, GAN, Ganlot, Gary Platt Manufacturing, Gasser Chair Company, Genesis Interactive Technologies, GET IN Global, Global Gaming Business (GGB) Magazine, Global Gaming Group (G3), Greenberg Traurig, House Advantage, Howard & Howard, Impact Display Solutions, Intel, IPS, James Industries, James Industry Research Group, Jones Walker, JP Morgan Chase, KEY-BAK, Kiron Interactive, Kontron, Lazcano Sámano, Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, Lightstone Solutions, Majestic Realty, Millennial Esports, NanoLumens, Nanoptix, Olsen Gaming / Spectronix, Outpost Creative, Patir Casino Seating, Plus Studios, Portilla Ruy-Díaz y Aguilar, Proforma GPS, Regulatory Management Counselors (RMC), Rising Digital, RMMC, RSM US LLP, SAP, SCA Gaming, Shenzhen General Lottery Technology Co., Sightline Payments, Skilled Game Development, Slot Constructor, Southco, Southwest Manufacturing Services, Spin Games, StylGame USA, Taft Stettinius & Hollister, Talent Associates, The Bright Group, The United States Playing Card Company, Touch Dynamic, Tournament One, TOVIS, TraffGen USA, Veridocs, Wells Fargo, Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) and Zebra Technologies.CONTACT: Media contacts:

Tom Nieman
AGEM President
(702) 651-0000
Tom.Nieman@JCMGlobal.com

Marcus Prater
AGEM Executive Director
(702) 812-6932
AGEM.org@cox.net Reported by GlobeNewswire 12 hours ago.

Prince William and Theresa May visit Leicestershire to unveil new facility for Armed Forces veterans

June 21, 2018, 9:04 am

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They joined hundreds of people at the event Reported by Leicester Mercury 11 hours ago.

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Sound Royalties CEO Alex Heiche Will Address "The Rise of the Digital Market" at the Los Angeles Digital Content Marketplace Conference on Friday, June 22

June 21, 2018, 10:38 am

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Alex Heiche, CEO of music industry finance firm Sound Royalties, will participate in a panel discussion on "The Rise of the Digital Market" at the upcoming Los Angeles Digital Content Marketplace (L.A.DCM). The event will take place this Friday, June 22 from 5-8 p.m. at YouTube Spaces Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) June 21, 2018

Sound Royalties announced today that its Founder and CEO, Alex Heiche, will speak at the inaugural Los Angeles Digital Content Marketplace (L.A.DCM) event this Friday June 22, 2018. A music industry expert and advocate, Heiche will participate in a panel entitled "The Rise of the Digital Market" at L.A.DCM, which runs from 5-8 p.m. and will be held at YouTube Spaces Los Angeles.

The panel will discuss timely topics such as the rise of the digital market and on-demand content, and what these industry changes mean for record labels, artists and other music professionals. With the decline in physical record sales and the rise of streaming media, this hot-topic panel will discuss new ways to engage music streaming consumers globally. Moderated by actor Darris Love, Heiche will be accompanied on the panel by Urban/Pop music industry insider Tuff Morgan.

"I'm looking forward to participating in L.A.DCM and having some dynamic conversations about the future of music and Sound Royalties' role in the shifting music finance industry," said Heiche. "I am a strong advocate for songwriters and creatives. I thoughtfully built this business with the belief that creatives at all levels should have the ability to share their music with the world and that they shouldn't have to give up their rights when accessing funding. The Sound Royalties team is always ready to share our insights with up-and-coming music professionals to help them succeed in this complex and ever-evolving business."

Jason Robinson, Founder of L.A.DCM added: "We look forward to bringing together the seasoned, industry veterans and the impressive, upcoming talents that encompass this new vibrant, digital ecosystem. We hope to encourage new relationships and facilitate substantive discussions through this exclusive event."

Hosted by Dream Scenario Productions, L.A.DCM is an independently organized event that will bring together industry leaders to share their knowledge with those interested in learning how to build their network, talent and understanding of the music and entertainment business. The event will include multiple industry panels, live performances, tasting mixers and more.

This event is open to all industry professionals, and music lovers are encouraged to log on, subscribe and sign-up for private invitations to live stream events.

For more information, please go to LADCM.org. The event will be live-streamed on both YouTube and Gone Viral Live.

About Sound Royalties

Founded by CEO Alex Heiche, Sound Royalties, LLC is a privately-owned specialty finance firm that helps music industry professionals fund personal and professional projects while allowing them to retain the rights to their music and royalties. The company's core business is offering royalty advances of anywhere from $5,000 to $10 million, while preserving all rights to the artist's music. It does this by advancing artist, producer and songwriter royalties paid through music labels, distributers, publishers and PROs, and performance royalties paid through Sound Exchange. To date, Sound Royalties, LLC has worked with a wide range of leading music industry professionals, including Grammy Award winners, platinum recording artists and notable music industry executives in every genre. Learn more at https://www.soundroyalties.com. Reported by PRWeb 9 hours ago.

So who's behind this black-owned firm tapped to find city's missing millions? | Jenice Armstrong

June 21, 2018, 12:28 pm

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The city has hired Horsey, Buckner & Heffler, run by two Philly area natives and industry veterans, Michael G. Horsey and Kia D. Buckner. Reported by philly.com 7 hours ago.

Tractor Supply Company Announces Fourth of July Discount for Veterans and Active Military Members

June 21, 2018, 11:00 am

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BRENTWOOD, Tenn., June 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As recognition and appreciation of the military community for their service, Tractor Supply Company, the nation’s largest rural lifestyle retailer, will offer a 15 percent discount to veterans and active military personnel and their dependents on Wednesday, July 4, 2018.On Wednesday, July 4, customers with a valid military ID or other proof of service will receive 15 percent off their entire purchase.

“Many of our customers and team members have a connection to the military—whether they are veterans themselves or have a family member who has served,” said Colin Yankee, former U.S. Army captain and senior vice president of supply chain at Tractor Supply Company. “On Independence Day and through our year-round work with military and veteran groups, we are able to offer a way to say thank you to our servicemen and women who have given so much for us.”

For example, Tractor Supply recently honored 50 veterans nationwide during an Armed Forces Day shopping event in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC). The rural retailer donated $50,000 in awards through FVC’s Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund, a grant program that offers assistance to veterans in the early stages of their farming operations, culminating in the one-day shopping event across the country.

“Tractor Supply is honored to recognize our military and their families and is proud to be a longstanding supporter of the military community,” said Yankee.

The Fourth of July discount will be available at all Tractor Supply locations. For updates on the Fourth of July and Tractor Supply’s partnership with military groups, follow Tractor Supply on Facebook and Instagram.

*About Tractor Supply Company*
Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO) is in its 80th year of operation and, since being founded in 1938, has grown to become the largest rural lifestyle retail store chain in the United States. With more than 28,000 team members, over 1,700 stores in 49 states and an e-commerce website, Tractor Supply is passionate about serving its unique niche, as a one-stop shop for recreational farmers, ranchers and all those who enjoy living the rural lifestyle. Tractor Supply offers an extensive mix of products necessary to care for home, land, pets and animals with a focus on product localization, exclusive brands and legendary customer service that addresses the needs of the Out Here lifestyle. The Company leverages its physical store assets with digital capabilities to offer customers the convenience of purchasing products they need anytime, anywhere and any way they choose at the everyday prices they deserve. At March 31, 2018, the Company operated 1,700 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and an e-commerce website at www.tractorsupply.com. 

Tractor Supply Company also owns and operates Petsense, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer focused on meeting the needs of pet owners, primarily in small and mid-size communities, and offering a variety of pet products and services. At March 31, 2018, the Company operated 172 Petsense stores in 27 states. For more information on Petsense, visit www.petsense.com.

*Media Contact: *
Lauren McKirgan, GS&F
(615) 385-1100 x2408
lmckirgan@gsandf.com Reported by GlobeNewswire 9 hours ago.

RoadVantage Wins #1 Diamond Dealers’ Choice Award for the Second Year in a Row

June 21, 2018, 12:21 pm

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RoadVantage has won Diamond in the 2018 Dealers’ Choice Awards in the F and I Products category, marking the second consecutive year the company has been voted the top F and I products provider by dealerships nationwide.

AUSTIN, Texas (PRWEB) June 21, 2018

RoadVantage has won Diamond in the 2018 Dealers’ Choice Awards in the F&I Products category, marking the second consecutive year the company has been voted the top F&I products provider by dealerships nationwide. This makes the fourth year in a row that RoadVantage has won an award in this category. RoadVantage has also been recognized with a GOLD Award in the category of F&I Product Training.

“We want to thank dealers nationwide for voting once more for RoadVantage! It is an incredible honor to be recognized by dealers as their #1 choice for F&I products for the second year in a row,” said Garret Lacour, CEO of RoadVantage. "We also want to acknowledge our RoadVantage team members, who provide the best customer service possible every day.”

Elected exclusively by automotive dealers and dealership personnel, the Dealers’ Choice Awards recognize the industry’s best providers. RoadVantage also won a Gold Dealers’ Choice Award in 2015, a Platinum Dealers’ Choice Award in 2016, and a Diamond Dealers’ Choice Award in 2017.

Providers were rated in four areas: the product/service provided, customer support and service, overall value, and whether the dealer would recommend the provider. To win an award, a company must be among the topmost scores in each category.

“Everyone on the RoadVantage team helped us earn this award,” said Randy Ross, President of Sales for RoadVantage. “We believe our team’s dedication to providing a better customer experience is the reason for our fourth win and our second Diamond Award in a row, and this honor signifies to us that our approach is working.”

See more about the RoadVantage Dealers’ Choice Award here:
http://roadvantage.com/2018-diamond-award-winner/

See the announcement article in F&I and Showroom:
http://www.fi-magazine.com/channel/dps-office/news/story/2018/06/adt-announces-winners-of-2018-dealers-choice-awards.aspx

About RoadVantage

Fueled by innovation, led by industry veterans, and powered by passion to create a better customer experience, RoadVantage is the fastest growing F&I provider in the industry. With a team that leverages technology and a streamlined approach, RoadVantage is setting new standards for performance, with exclusionary programs providing the most comprehensive coverages available anywhere in the industry today. RoadVantage’s industry leading service levels result in 98% of claims approved in seven minutes or less, and 99% of claims paid within 1 hour of receipt of the signed invoice. RoadVantage offers a full portfolio of ancillary products through certified agents and is headquartered in Austin, TX with regional offices in Boston, MA; Dallas, TX; Phoenix, AZ; Miami and St. Augustine, FL. For more information, visit http://www.roadvantage.com. Reported by PRWeb 8 hours ago.

Veterans facing new obstacle after appeal is denied in burn pit case

June 21, 2018, 2:19 pm

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In a crushing blow to tens of thousands of veterans who say they were made ill by the use of open burn pits, dozens of lawsuits against a military contractor in charge of the waste disposal method will not move forward following an appellate court ruling. Reported by FOXNews.com 6 hours ago.