Newsbytes January 24, 2025 

In this Issue:
Trump Inauguration 
Closing of TRICARE Patient Portal
Doug Collins' Confirmation Hearing for VA Secretary 
VA Volunteer Programs Jeopardized

Trump's Inauguration: Focus on Military through Executive Orders 
On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, with JD Vance assuming the role of Vice President. The inauguration ceremony took place inside the Capitol Rotunda due to freezing weather and security concerns. Following the ceremony, Trump signed a series of executive orders prioritizing military issues. These orders focused on reinstating dismissed personnel, enhancing border security, and redefining military policy. 

One executive order reinstated military personnel dismissed over COVID-19 vaccine mandates, granting them full back pay. The administration described the mandate as unjust and framed this action as restoring fairness and morale while addressing operational needs by returning experienced personnel to active duty. 

Another order emphasized the military’s role in securing U.S. borders, directing resources to combat drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and related threats. This move aligned with Trump’s broader immigration policies and underscored the administration’s commitment to national security. 

Trump also issued an order to end what he called “radical political theories and social experiments” in the armed forces. This directive aimed to refocus on combat readiness and defense. While supporters viewed this as a return to traditional military values, critics raised concerns about its impact on diversity and inclusion initiatives. 

Finally, Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, enabling the deployment of military forces to assist in border security and designating cartels as terrorist organizations. This measure introduced a stricter legal framework for addressing cross-border crime. 

In a notable gesture towards unity, Trump's inauguration included the presence of all living former U.S. Presidents, showcasing a bipartisan commitment to the peaceful transition of power and the shared values of American democracy. This moment was highlighted by President Trump in his address, emphasizing the importance of national unity and respect for the office of the presidency across political divides. 

Closing of TRICARE Online Patient Portal 
The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced that the TRICARE Online (TOL) Patient Portal will be decommissioned on April 1, 2025, as part of the transition to the new electronic health record system, MHS GENESIS. Beneficiaries are advised to download their legacy health records from the TOL Patient Portal before this date to ensure continued personal access. 

Key Actions to Take: 

Download Your Health Records: 

1. Visit www.TRICAREOnline.com.
2. Log in: Sign in using your DS Logon, CAC, or DFAS myPay credentials. If you don’t have a DS Logon, you’ll need to create one by clicking “Need An Account.”
3. Access: On the TOL homepage, click the blue “Health Record” button to view your personal health data.
4. Find data: Select “Download My Data.” You’ll see several data categories.
5. Customize: Choose the person, data types, date range, and format for the records you want to download.
6. Download: You can choose to download your records in portable document format (.pdf) or as a (.xml) continuity of care document. The CCD format allows you to share your data with family, caregivers, providers, and healthcare systems, or to document data in your preferred personal health record.
7. Save: After downloading, you can either open the file or save it securely for future use. You can also print your records and store them in a safe place.

Understand Provider Access: 

Healthcare providers will continue to have access to your complete health records through MHS GENESIS. 

Request Physical Copies (If Needed): 

After April 1, if you require your legacy health records, you can request a physical copy from your military hospital or clinic's records management office. This process involves completing a request form in person and returning at a later time to collect the records. 

Important Considerations: 

Record Transfer: Your records from the TOL Patient Portal will not automatically transfer to MHS GENESIS. 

Data Coverage: TOL health records reflect periods when your military hospital or clinic used TOL. If you've moved between facilities that used different systems, there may be gaps in your records within MHS GENESIS. Ensure you download these "gap" records from TOL. 

Data Protection: Once downloaded or printed, it is your responsibility to protect your personal health information. Use secure storage methods and avoid saving sensitive data on unsecured devices or platforms. 

For more information, visit the TRICARE Newsroom. 

Doug Collins' Confirmation Hearing for VA Secretary 
On January 21, 2025, Doug Collins, a former U.S. Representative from Georgia, appeared before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee for his confirmation hearing to become the next Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Collins, nominated by President Donald Trump, responded to a range of questions related to veterans' health care, VA management, and overall welfare. The hearing concluded with a largely bipartisan committee vote advancing his nomination. 

Key Issues: A major focus of the hearing was veterans' health care access. Collins reiterated his commitment to expanding the VA's community care program, ensuring veterans could receive medical treatment close to home without unnecessary bureaucracy. He promised to prioritize veterans' needs, aiming to reduce wait times and improve the efficiency of health care delivery. 

Another significant topic was the VA's electronic health record modernization, a project that has faced delays and technical problems. Collins acknowledged the challenges, pledging to use his legal and legislative background to streamline the system’s integration and enhance service quality for veterans. Additionally, the backlog of veterans’ disability claims was a critical issue. Collins laid out plans to reduce wait times and enhance claims processing efficiency, ensuring veterans received their benefits in a timely manner. 

Addressing Staffing and Mental Health: Collins addressed concerns about the ongoing federal hiring freeze and its impact on VA staffing. He committed to advocating for exceptions for critical VA roles to ensure the department remains adequately staffed. Mental health and veteran suicide prevention were also prominent in the hearing, with Collins highlighting his intent to expand mental health services and improve crisis intervention resources for veterans. 

Bipartisan Leadership: Collins' ability to work across the aisle was scrutinized by committee members, who noted his legislative track record, including work on veterans' issues and copyright law, as evidence of his bipartisan capabilities. His leadership style and willingness to collaborate on pressing issues were highlighted as positive aspects of his candidacy. 

Bipartisan Committee Vote: Following the hearing, the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee voted 18-1 to advance Collins' nomination to the full Senate. The lone dissenting vote came from Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), who voiced concerns about Collins' priorities. However, bipartisan support was clear, with Senators such as Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) praising Collins' commitment to serving veterans. The committee’s vote reflected general confidence in Collins’ ability to lead the VA despite some disagreements. 

Collins' hearing showcased his policy positions and received broad support, setting the stage for the full Senate's consideration. As his nomination moves forward, attention will remain on his approach to addressing the challenges within the VA and improving the services provided to America's veterans. 

Federal Hiring Freeze: The Unexpected Impact on VA Volunteer Programs 
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump reinstated a federal hiring freeze aimed at reducing government size through efficiency and attrition. While critical health care positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) were exempt, the freeze unexpectedly impacted its volunteer programs, preventing new non-compensated volunteers from joining and disrupting vital services for veterans. 

A memo from the VA’s Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) confirmed the freeze on new volunteer recruitment. Volunteers play a crucial role in providing transportation, companionship, and administrative support for veterans. With no new recruits, existing staff faced increased strain, risking declines in the quality of care and community engagement. 

Although the VA exempted health care roles from the freeze, volunteer programs were initially overlooked, sparking criticism from veterans' groups and lawmakers. Senator Richard Blumenthal and others have called for exemptions for the volunteer program, emphasizing its importance to veterans’ well-being and urging the administration to adjust its policy. 

The freeze’s impact has drawn widespread concern from communities and advocacy organizations. Many are mobilizing alternative support initiatives to compensate for the loss of new volunteers. Lawmakers have urged the administration to review the policy, suggesting targeted exemptions to ensure critical services for veterans continue uninterrupted. 

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) reached out to the CDCE leadership to offer assistance in addressing the impact of the hiring freeze on volunteers. The FRA expressed concern over how the freeze might affect the ability of volunteers to support veterans and sought ways to help alleviate the situation. In response, CDCE leadership acknowledged the issue and reassured the FRA that it was being addressed through the appropriate channels for resolution.