Americans with health coverage – including those who buy it through government insurance exchanges and Medicare beneficiaries – are likely to pay more out-of-pocket next year for so-called “specialty drugs,” which treat complex conditions, according to two studies from consulting firm Avalere Health.
taken from a Hawaii National Guard press release
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii – More than 40 members of the Hawaii Air National Guard’s (HIANG) 154th Security Forces Squadron are deploying to the U.S. Central Command’s Area of Responsibility (CENTCOM AOR) for a six month deployment. The majority of the deploying airmen departed Hawaii last night. The CENTCOM AOR encompasses the area of Southwest Asia and most of the Middle East. Due to operational security reasons and host nation sensitivities, the Hawaii National Guard is not disclosing the country where the airmen will be deployed.
The HIANG airmen will provide base and perimeter security as well as fly-away security teams during the deployment.
For several of the HIANG airmen, this will be their sixth deployment since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. Although this is the fifth unit mobilization for the 154th Security Forces Squadron since 9-11, there have been small teams of HIANG security personnel deploying to the CENTCOM AOR every year since 2002.
The 154th Security Forces Squadron is part of the 154th Wing, the largest Air National Guard wing in the nation. The 154th Wing flies and maintains F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft, KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft and C-17 Globemaster III transports. The Hawaii Air National Guard is comprised of approximately 2,500 airmen whose federal mission is to be trained and available for active duty operational missions. Its state mission is to be trained and available for domestic operations at home, including relief and recovery operations following a natural disaster.
It’s no secret that American waistlines are getting bigger and bigger. But did you know some everyday items are getting larger to match?
The technological revolution in modern warfare isn’t just about airborne drones silently scouting the battlefield from 30,000 feet. We’ve already looked at some developments in the works, but more technologies are on the way from the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), working with defense contractors and other private companies. Though some of these blueprints look like they’re right out of a futuristic summer blockbuster movie, most are just a few years away from deployment. Some have the potential to save combat soldiers’ lives. They all will change the face of war.
Pasha Hawaii, the official ocean transport company for the Sony Open, is proud to be a sponsor of the 2015 Sony Open in support of Friends of Hawaii Charities. Pasha is equally honored to return for the seventh year as host of the Birdies for the Brave Patriots’ Outpost.
“At the 2014 Sony Open, we welcomed over 1,600 military members and their families to our Military Appreciation Tent,” said George Pasha, IV, President and CEO. “This annual event provides our staff an outstanding opportunity to mingle with these courageous men and women who do so much to keep our country safe, and to recognize our veterans.”
The hospitality tent, located on the 18th fairway, will be open to active duty and retired military service members, veterans, reserves and their families from Thursday, January 15 through Sunday, January 18. Complimentary food and beverages will be provided.
Free admission to the Sony Open is extended to active duty and retired military service members, reserves and dependents who present a valid military ID. Free admission is also extended to veterans with tickets issued through the Veteran Tickets Foundation.
About Pasha Hawaii
Pasha Hawaii offers roll-on/roll-off transport between the West Coast and Hawaii for vehicles, yachts, heavy machinery, oversize cargo and containers. The M/V Jean Anne has a stern ramp that can handle heavy equipment up to 120 tons. Three of the vessel’s ten fully enclosed decks provide over 120,000 square feet configured for oversize cargo and up to fifty 40-foot standard containers per voyage.
In many ways, retirement planning is like trying to shoot a moving target in the wind. Each and every year new legislation, court cases, and market conditions impact retirement planning.
One-and-a-half million Veterans have a vision threatening eye disease, including 285,000 with glaucoma, which usually starts without any symptoms. Get tested now — it’s quick and painless.
When a magnitude 7.0 earthquake shook Haiti on January 12, 2010, hundreds of thousands of people were killed, and nearly 1 million Haitians were rendered homeless in a matter of moments. Powerful images of the aftermath, the tent cities, the overflowing medical clinics and the food lines were broadcast across the world.
Fortunately relief efforts were fast and numerous. But two former Marine Corps sergeants, Jake Wood and William McNulty, felt particularly compelled to help. Wood and McNulty canvassed relief organizations to find a way to get to Haiti, but the aid groups repeatedly suggested that the pair simply make a donation and leave the onsite assistance to people who “know what they are doing.”
Betty Ann N. Ishizaki, 71, of Mililani, a retired secretary for the Hawai‘i Army National Guard and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard employee, passed away on December 20, 2014. She was born in ‘Ewa.
She is survived by husband 1SG (Ret) Miles, sons Brian Bonite and Ryan Ishizaki, daughter Krislyn, brothers Robert and Ronald Nagamine, and two grandchildren.
Visitation: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Services: 6:30 p.m. Inurnment: Wednesday at Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. Flowers welcome.
The Office of Veterans Affairs shared this with Retiree News.
The PGA TOUR is gearing up once again for the Sony Open in Hawaii, taking place at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, HI, featuring a full field of the world’s best PGA TOUR professionals.
On behalf of the PGA TOUR and the Birdies for the Brave military outreach initiative, we are proud to offer complimentary tickets for all active duty and Reserve military members, National Guard, military retirees, and veterans from Wednesday, January 14 – Sunday, January 18, 2015.
To obtain these complimentary tickets, please visit the link below to verify your military status and to print your ticket voucher, which may be exchanged for a tournament ticket at the gate.
https://birdiesforthebrave.sheerid.com/SonyOpen2015/
In addition, I have attached a flyer that outlines this unique offer. Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you think may be interested in this opportunity. Thanks for your support, we look forward to seeing you at the tournament!
Governor David Ige pinned Hawaii’s Adjutant General Arthur “Joe” Logan, to the rank of Brigadier General in a ceremony at the capitol yesterday afternoon. This marks a historic occasion in the history of Hawai‘i’s National Guard and marks another milestone in General Logan’s service to the country, Hawai‘i, the United States Army, and the National Guard.
The Pentagon is bracing for one of its biggest political battles in years as a blue-ribbon commission on military compensation and retirement nears the end of its two-year study and moves closer to releasing its proposals for change by Febuary 1.
This posting and linked references reveals the facts behind three of the most common disaster preparedness myths.
Disasters can happen at any time and with little to no warning; that’s why being prepared is so important! Some people may rely on old preparedness myths in response to certain disasters, which can prove dangerous. When it comes to disaster preparedness, can you separate fact from fiction? Test your knowledge with a few popular myths:
– Standing inside a doorway is the best way to stay safe during an earthquake? According to FEMA, the current protective action to take during an earthquake is to drop, cover, and hold on. Download the America’s PrepareAthon! How to Prepare for an Earthquake Guide to learn earthquake basics and how to protect yourself during tremors. You can also check out the animated video, “When The Earth Shakes,” to see how to stay safe.
– Duct taping your windows is a quick, easy way to protect your home’s windows before a hurricane. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection against storm winds. Window coverings can help prevent debris from blowing into your home. Flying debris from strong winds causes most fatalities and injuries.
– First responders will be able to help everyone during disasters. Emergency responders do a great job keeping people safe, but they can’t do it alone. It may also be several days before they can reach your area. As such, we must all embrace our personal responsibility to be prepared.
Remember, being prepared for disasters is a shared responsibility. It takes the whole community working together to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and other emergencies.
Taken from the December 18, 2014 issue of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual and Community Preparedness e-Brief.
