Federal contract fair
could help veterans

Answer: The U.S. General Services Administration will hold a three-day event that will cover government contracting opportunities for all small businesses, including service- disabled veteran and veteran-owned businesses, Dec. 6 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Conference fees are $95 for general attendees and $50 for all veterans. Topics will include service disabled veteran-owned industry partners speaking on doing business with the federal government; information on how to locate federal contracts and obtain federal security clearances; subcontracting issues, certification, becoming a GSA federal supply schedule holder; and doing business with the Department of Homeland Security. To register or view the proposed agenda, visit the Web site at www.gsa.gov/vetevent or contact the VA at 433-1000.

Q: Does the Department of Veterans Affairs recognize advance directives?

A: Each patient has a right to complete a form known as an advance directive, a written statement that the patient completes in advance of serious illness, indicating which medical decisions the veteran wants made if he or she can no longer make his or her wishes known. The two most common forms of advance directives are a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care. You will be asked about your wishes regarding an advance directive at admission. This document, if you choose to create one, will be maintained as part of your medical record and will be reviewed periodically with you or your surrogate decision maker.

The guardian, next of kin, or legally authorized responsible person representing the patient has the right to exercise, to the extent permitted by law, the rights delineated on behalf of the patient if the patient has been adjudicated incompetent in accordance with the law, is found by his/her physician to be medically incapable of understanding the proposed treatment or procedures, or is unable to communicate his/her wishes regarding treatment. For more information, contact the VA Medical Center at 433-0600.