Could you please explain Ionization Radiation.

Thanks
Kwack

I will try to explain in basic terms Ionization Radiation.
It is exposure to radiation from ignited plutonium or uranium. Many veterans were used by our military/naval forces during testing of nuclear weapons. All of these veterans are classified as Atomic Veterans and have their own association which works fervently to assist the veterans and survivors.
There were human experiments with injected plutonium, 204 unannounced underground nuclear tests in Nevada, an estimated 300 to 700 pounds of plutonium in the ductwork of the Rocky Flats plutonium plant in west Denver. These situations were hidden from the public for over 40 years.
There have been devastating diseases as a result of these veterans exposure to ionized particles of radiation.
A noted authority on this subject in a report as stated by K. Z. Morgan who pointed out (Amer. Indusl Hyg. Assn. J., Aug. 1975, 567-575) that the present maximum permissible body burden of 239Pu "should be reduced at least by a factor of 200," thus from 40 nCi to 0.2 nCi or less. Plutonium cancer risks appear to be far more serious than Morgan suggests because of the substantially enhanced tumor incidence for protracted exposure and thus for chronic exposure to internal alpha emitters and other high-LET radiation (Upton, Hlth. Phys. 55, 605-614, 1988; Muller et al., Hlth. Plays. 35, 33-55, 1978). These considerations suggest serious cancer risks for chronic exposure to as little as tens of picocuries of insoluble 239PuO2 particles and other insoluble alpha particle-emitting radionuclides. The ICRP and DOE have failed to consider this evidence and to adopt conservative standards for occupational and public exposure to plutonium. It is evident that conservative standards would limit body burdens and organ burdens of plutonium to levels well below the sensitivity of external scintillation detectors. On this basis plutonium processing would require automation, at prohibitive costs.
The VA has well trained environmental physicians who monitor the Atomic Veterans. There are many health problems that are service connected by the VA.
Thanks for the question!
Dave Barker

I request your opinion
A new website was created for me by the sister (Maria) of my old friend from Columbus Mike Morrow. Mike is a great veterans advocate in Indiana.
Please give it a try and let me know what you think:
web page
To prevent my embarrasement, please e-mail me at
dave.barker@med.VA.gov
Thanks,
Dave Barker

Thanks for taking the time to respond to respond to my question. Email in regards to the website is on the way. No need to worry about embarassment.

Kwack Out

Try it, you will like it!

http://www.geocities.com/michaelwmorrow/

Mike's page is great.

Dave Barker top rating

Turn your speakers on!
www.geocities.com/mwmorrow1950/
It's a goodie!
Dave Barker

New co-pays are to be installed in the VA computer soon....
Today I talked to one of my VA sources, who informed me the $15.00 per 30 supply of medication charge is in the computer awaiting the signal for implementation.
The source also advised me with co-pays moving up the regulation for determining the threshold was not adjusted. So with a 200% increase over the 350% increase earlier watch out. The hungry veteran is about to choose food or medicine. The new co-pay is higher than my AMVETS group insurance co-pay of $7.00 per 90 day supply.
Anybody out there care?
Today a service connected 40% veteran, who is blind (not service connected) has total income of less than $15,000 per year. He has qualified for a Medicaid card. The VA will not accept Medicaid as Medicaid does not pay the required rate. This veteran has his Social Security check reduced by the government by 15% for his non service connected medications. He is currently billed by the VA for the additional medications above the SS deductions. He sent me a copy of his new bill due the VA: $300.00. If he does not pay the $300.00 the VA will take it from his compensation check.
Please do his math and tell me all of the reasons he should go find a job for a blind man, that pays more than his disability Social Security and VA compensation.
Since I have made so many posts in a row, I am somewhat embarrassed. I feel very foolish on this thread and with no response I will drop the issue.
Dave Barker

PLEASE SEE MY TUE 11MAR03 03:14 POST...I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT TAKES, SHORT OF A PERSONAL INVOLEMENT...

You are absolutely correct!
Thanks,
Dave Barker

Please don't let this go. RONCO's right; so many people don't care because it doesn't affect them or anyone that they know or love. Reading the material you sent me made me angry and sad at the same time. I also feel helpless to do much about it. Hang in here and I give you my word I'll stay with you. Sometimes I feel the same way on the "Veterans" and "Troops" threads.

Thanks for the responses!
In order for the group insurance company to keep our excellent medical coverage, we have a $150 annual deductible. When I think of the VA annual enrollment fee (deductible in fact) of $250, it's not so bad.
Question of the day: If what Mr. Secretary Principi said is accurate. The VA is fully funded, why are Priority Group 8 veterans unable to register for VA healthcare and why is there a $250 annual enrollment fee soon to be applied? Is that better than my $150 deductible? Oops that was 3 questions in two sentences.
Sorry 'bout that!
Dave Barker

I don't have the VA book you sent me handy at the moment. But isn't there a cut-off date for the Group 8 vets? Also, is it true that Champus goes away when 20 year retired vets become eligible for Medicare?

Sometimes I think it might be preferable to reduce benefits to survivors and dependents (if the budget HAS to be cut) in order to take care of the vets themselves. Even then, ONLY if it was absolutely certain that the money would be channelled back into benefits for vets and didn't simply disappear from the VA budget.

Obviously you did not take classes in Nuclear Physics and had poor Dave do the research for you.

As far as the Priority Group 8 cut off goes, it depends on who wins the slashing argument. Currently the Priority Group 8 is supposed to be restored near the end of 2004.
Some people feel the enrollment freeze will most likely end near the end of October 2004. Now I can't quite figure this out. Is there something in the first week of November 2004 that may have an impact? We all know our politicians would never use this as an issue for votes.
CHAMPUS has a successor, it is TriCare and TriCare For Life. When Medicare kicks in TriCare For Life is there just waiting to serve you.
The following is a quote which makes good sense:
"Sometimes I think it might be preferable to reduce benefits to survivors and dependents (if the budget HAS to be cut) in order to take care of the vets themselves. Even then, ONLY if it was absolutely certain that the money would be channeled back into benefits for vets and didn't simply disappear from the VA budget. "
What is strange, is the fact of who could receive VA healthcare, if she married a Permanently and Totally service connected disabled veteran? Anyone including Jane Fonda. Yet veterans who served Honorably are denied healthcare.
Dave Barker

Did I detect a note of sarcasm? No, certainly our elected officials would never do such a thing.

Maybe we could marry Jane off, then hook her up with a lobotomy with some of those benefits.

Did you say a note of sarcasm? How about a symphony of sarcasm!
As far as a lobotomy on Jane. Wow, what an idea I wish I'da thunk it
Today we had a meeting of our new AMVETS Post 5293 in Ironton Ohio. A very good turnout and a total commitment to write both Ohio Senators and Congressman on these issues of Concurrent Receipt and VA Healthcare To make matters even better. Our Post 5293 was Chartered in March and received a personal letter from the Programs Chairman advising the Post that the two front page stories on the Memorial Day and Flag day events put the Ironton post at the head of the line for "Flags Across America"
Hey folks it's time we veterans and veteran supporters become heard by the politicians, loud and very long
Dave Barker

Good work in Ironton. There's a veterans colony in Talihina, Oklahoma (app. 50 miles from where I live) I'm considering showing up on their doorstep to try to get them involved and vocal.

I can see it now: This woman is some crazy Veterans groupie!

Lisa:
That is a great idea! We need to get more veterans involved in the issues. Just scan these electronic pages. There is not nearly enough veterans on the subjects that mean survival for those who served.
Even though we have disagreement on these threads at least we have discussion. If those of us veterans and veteran advocates do not preach the message those now on active duty will suffer most. When the nearly 200,000 come home next year or the year after, how ill they be provided care?
I like RONCO's motto: "watch what they do, not what they say!" It is up to those vocal folks on this Forum and others similar to keep greasing the squeaky wheel. When you have such an overwhelming number of politicians who have never served in the military/naval forces the veterans have a problem. They have NEVER: day after day, been rolled out of their bunk/rack before light every morning, being yelled at while getting out, pushed to rush, to clean up when there is five to every sink, including perfect shaving, run to chow, physical training and then being screamed at for being to slow? Then falling in formation to say HERE! when their name was called. This before the day is officially started.
Think about it.
I remember when working on deck all day long, getting boats in order, issuing paint, clean up, going on watch, then wanting to eat, then General Quarters being sounded, going to Battle Stations for hours on end, thinking about not eating because I was to slow?
Then watching men die, because politicians can not make up their minds, on what we are going to do!
Then to top it all off, we have two thirds of VA employees who are NOT veterans.
Lisa, please run to that colony, please do not walk, RUN!
Dave Barker

I HAVE MET THE ENEMY...AND HE IS US!!

It's all of that and more. For all the years that my father served, the hardships I know he endured and the death and destruction he must have seen, he rarely spoke of it to us or my mother. Even when he did, it was some amusing anecdote or something making light of hardships. I never heard him complain once about the career he'd chosen. I see so much of this in my son in law now. A little good natured b****ing, but mostly pride in serving his country.

In the last months of my father's life, he did talk some to my brother in law (another career soldier), primarily about WWII and Korea. Because of his rank, I doubt that he saw much in the way of combat in Vietnam, only its aftermath. One comment I happened to overhear was about politicians making up their minds... to do the WRONG thing, contrary to solid military advice.

They give so much, by CHOICE, and are given so little in return. Officers have a better lot; it's the line soldiers and NCOs who are the backbone and are overlooked the most.