"DIRECT CONNECTION" IS MADE BY MPT TO SERVE ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

JUST AHEAD ON OUR PROGRAM TONIGHT WITH VETERANS DAY COMING UP, WE'LL FIND OUT WHY OUR VETERANS MAYBE THE GROUP THAT IS MOST TARGETED BY SCAMMERS.

>>> BUT WE BEGIN TALKING ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.

JOINING US TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT DIABETES AND DIABETES PREVENTION, IS Dr. ALEXANDRA MORAN, THE DIABETES PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER.

DOCTOR, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: LET'S START WITH DEFINITIONS.

DIABETES I'M THINKING ABOUT BLOOD SUGAR, CORRECT?

>> YES.

>> Jeff: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TYPE ONE AND TYPE TWO.

>> DIABETES IS YOUR PANCREAS NOT WORKING.

TYPE ONE, THE PANCREAS IS NOT PRODUCING ANY INSULIN.

AND TYPE 2 YOU ARE NOT PRODUCING ENOUGH INSULIN.

>> Jeff: AND THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE INCIDENTS OF TYPE ONE AND TYPE TWO.

>> CORRECT.

AND TYPE ONE IS MOSTLY ASSOCIATED WITH CHILDREN.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO TYPE TWO, IS USUALLY IN ADULTS ALTHOUGH NOWADAYS WE AKEEP SEE TO GO AT YOUNGER AND YOUNGER AGE.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS PREDIABETES?

>> PREDIABETES IS WHEN YOUR BLOOD SUGAR IS HIGH, BUT NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO BE DIABETESSIC.

TO BE DIAGNOSED WITH DIABETES.

>> Jeff: TO CHECK THE BLOOD SUGAR, I GUESS OBVIOUSLY A BLOOD TEST A URINE TEST AS WELL, AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

DO YOU NEED TO BE FASTING?

YOU SHOULDN'T HEAD TO THE BASKIN AND ROBINS RIGHT BEFORE?

>> RIGHT.

NOWADAYS WE DO HAVE A COUPLE DIFFERENT TESTS.

ONE OF THEM IS FASTING GLUCOSE WHICH YOU FAST HOURS BEFORE USUALLY THE NIGHT BEFORE AND YOU GET TESTED IN THE MORNING.

BUT REALLY WHAT GIVES US A BETTER WINDOW IS THE A1C.

WHICH IS HEMOGLOBE INWHERE WHAT IT IS IT MEASURES THE COATING OF THE RED BLOOD CELLS THINK ABOUT IT LIKE A GLAZED DOUGHNUT.

DOUGHNUT IS THE RED BLOOD CELL AND THE GLAZE IS THE SUGAR AND WE MEASURE THAT AND THAT GIVES US A WINDOW LONGER THAN YOUR FASTING WHICH IS A STANDING MINUTE THAT WE'RE SEEING WHEN YOU ARE SEEING THE FASTING GLUCOSE.

A1C WE SEE AN AVERAGE BETWEEN THREE MONTHS OF HOW YOU'VE BEEN EATING.

EVEN THOUGH YOU MIGHT SKIP BASKIN AND ROBINS AND ICE CREAM AND PIZZA THE NIGHT BEFORE WE'RE GOING TO KNOW IF YOU'VE BEEN EATING PIZZA BEFORE.

>> Jeff: MY DENTAL HYGIENE ACTIVITY CAN TELL.

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THESE CONDITIONS AND DON'T KNOW IT?

>> SO IT'S LIKE 19 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE U.S., 80% DON'T KNOW IT.

IN MARYLAND SPECIFICALLY WE HAVE 12.6% THAT HAVE DIABETES.

AND ABOUT 37% HAVE PREDIABETES.

AND THESE ARE NUMBERS WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE GONE TO THURSDAY DOCTOR AND GOTTEN TESTED.

MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE THAT THEY HAVE PREDIABETIC CONDITION.

>> Jeff: AND THERE'S RISK IN THAT YOU WANT TO BE AWARE.

>> YES, BEING PREDIABETIC DOESN'T MEAN YOU WILL END UP BEING DIABETIC BUT IT GIVES YOU A WINDOW TO TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS AND PREVENT COMPLICATIONS AND YOU CAN TURN THE CORNER AND JUST LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE.

>> Jeff: LET ME REMIND OUR VIEWERS IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT DIABETES OR PREDIABETES YOU CAN CALL AT THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN.

OR SEND US AN E-MAIL RIGHT NOW TO LIVE QUESTIONS@MPT.ORG.

WHAT IS THE BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP?

>> IT'S CALLED HEALTHIER TOGETHER IT IS A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE IT'S GRANT FUNDED AND WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AND JOHNS HOPKINS WE ARE FOCUSED ON BALTIMORE CITY IN PREVENTING AND MANAGING DIABETES.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PREVENTION PART.

HOW IF SOMEBODY'S ON THIS PATH, HOW CAN YOU INTERRUPT IT?

>> THERE IS A COUPLE THINGS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PREDIABETES AND DIABETES PREVENTION.

HEALTHY EATING AND EXERCISE ARE THE KEY.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM A PROGRAM THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND WHERE WE GIVE YOU ALL THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO SUCCEED DOING THIS.

WE TEACH YOU ABOUT CARBS AND CALORIES AND READING LABELS AND HOW MUCH YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO EAT.

AND WHEN YOU CAN HAVE THAT CAKE AT A PARTY AND WHAT CAN YOU DO TO NOT SPIKE YOUR GLUCOSE.

WE REALLY DO INVEST IN THE PARTICIPANTS AND THE PATIENTS FOR A YEARLONG PROCESS.

AND WE GO WITH YOU YOU HAVE GROUP SUPPORTS AND AGAIN, WE TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO THIS.

WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU SUCCEED IN THIS PROGRAM.

SO WE HAVE WE ADDRESS THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH THAT WE HEAR A LOT WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE.

IF YOU CAN'T MAKE THE APPOINTMENT WE TRY TO HELP YOU TO GET TRANSPORTATION.

WE HAVE FOOD ACCESS.

WE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH.

SO AGAIN IT IS A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO DIABETES.

>> Jeff: HOW OFTEN ARE YOU SUCCESSFUL?

IT HAS TO BE HUMANLY REWARDING I'M THINKING ABOUT THE SOCIETAL QUEUES THAT LEAD PEOPLE TO EATING BADLY THEY MAY LIVE IN A FOOD DESERT, MAY NOT BE GREAT ACCESS TO VEGGIES AND FRUITS AND FRUIT JUICES AND EVERYTHING.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW, ALL THE FAST FOOD JOINTS ARE ADVERTISING ALL THE TIME.

>> CORRECT.

WELL, THAT IS WHAT WE LEARN IN THE PROGRAM.

WE TEACH YOU YOU HAVE TO GO TO CERTAIN FAST FOODS WHAT CHOICES YOU CAN MAKE TO REDUCE THAT CALORIE INTAKE OR TO HAVE JUST A BETTER OPTION.

AND THEN ALSO DURING ALL OF THESE CLASSES THAT WE HAVE, WE TEACH YOU ON HOW YOU CAN ACCESS ALL THIS INFORMATION, HOW YOU CAN GO TO GET FOOD THAT IS HEALTHY.

HOW TO MAKE REALLY A BEHAVIORAL CHANGE.

AND I KNOW THAT'S ASKING A LOT, BUT REALLY NOTICING THE DIFFERENCE AND HOW THIS IMPACTS THE OUTCOMES TO PREVENT DIABETES.

THERE IS A STUDY THAT FOLLOWED ABOUT 3,000 PATIENTS FOR ABOUT EIGHT YEARS IN WHICH THEY HAD A PLACEBO GROUP, A GROUP THAT THEY GAVE MEDICINE TO, AND ANOTHER GROUP WHERE THEY HAD THE CLASSES.

AND THE PEOPLE THAT HAD THE CLASSES FOR THE DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM REDUCED THEIR RISK BY 51% COMPARED TO THE MEDICATION GROUP WHICH WAS 30.

EVEN IF YOU DO HAVE DIABETES AND TAKE MEDICATION, REALLY WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE THE MOST IMPACT IS THE BEHAVIORAL CHANGE.

>> Jeff: A PHONE CALL FROM BALTIMORE CITY.

THIS IS MARK.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

GO AHEAD.

>> HI, MY QUESTION IS ABOUT COFFEE.

I WILL SAY I'M NOT A DIABETESSIC NOW OWE DIABETIC NOW BUT THERE'S DIABETES IN MY FAMILY.

MY GRANDMOTHER HAD TYPE TWO AND LIVED WITH IT FOR 30 YEARS.

SO I'M WONDERING ABOUT COFFEE.

I'VE UNDERSTOOD THAT COFFEE SORT OF TAMPS DOWN OR LOWERS YOUR BLOOD SUGAR BUT CAFFEINE AS OTHER EFFECTS THAT ARE NEGATIVE.

>> Jeff: MARK, THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

COFFEE?

>> CAFFEINE AFFECTS YOUR SLEEP AND BY AFFECTING YOUR SLEEP YOU AFFECT DIFFERENT HORMONES LIKE CORTISOL WHICH DO INCREASE YOUR INSULIN AND THE WHOLE ARRAY OF WHAT IT IS DIABETIC.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR COFFEE IF YOU TAKE IT WITH CREAM OR SUGAR OR BLACK, THAT IS WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO FOCUS ON.

AND I SAY IF THAT'S YOUR TREAT FOR THE DAY, HAVE IT.

BUT THEN MAKE SURE THAT YOU EAT RIGHT THE REST OF THE DAY.

>> Jeff: CAN YOU REVERSE DIABETES IF SOMEBODY HAS TYPE TWO OR ALMOST TYPE TWO AND YOU DO ALL THESE THINGS, HAVE YOU SEEN A REMISSION?

IS THAT A THING?

>> WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED IT'S NOT LIKE YOU CAN REVERSE THE DIAGNOSIS BUT YOU CAN REVERT TO BEING COMPLETELY UNDER CONTROL.

SO YOU CAN DEFINITELY CONTROL IT.

AND LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE WITHOUT MEDICATION.

YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KEEP CHECKING YOUR GLUCOSE OR A1C.

>> Jeff: WHEN THE BLOOD TEST COMES BACK, WHAT LINE DO YOU LOOK AT TO SEE IF YOU HAVE A DIABETES PROBLEM?

>> YOUR GLUCOSE AND YOUR A1C RESULTS.

YOU WANT TO STAY BETWEEN WHEN PREDIABETIC YOU ARE BETWEEN 100-125.

AND A1C YOU WANT TO STAY WITHIN BELOW 5.6.

>> Jeff: SOMEBODY WROTE IN WITH THE SIMILAR NUMBERS CAN YOUR PAIN CREPANCREAS BE DAMAGED I'M PREDIABETIC DUE TO THE STATINS I TAKE FOR CLES ROLL.

>> CHOLESTEROL.

THAT IS A PARTICULAR QUESTION THAT YOU SHOULD GO BACK TO YOUR PHYSICIAN YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN TO ADDRESS.

BUT, YES, THERE IS DIABETES CAUSED BY CERTAIN MEDICATION.

BUT YOU CAN CONTROL IT AND YOUR PANCREAS, AGAIN, IF YOU PUT IT TO OVERWORK BY NOT EATING HEALTHY, BY BEING SEDENTARY AND NOT WORKING OUT YOU ARE NOT HELPING YOUR PANCREAS.

EVEN IF YOU HAVE A MEDICATION THAT IS AFFECTING IT YOU WANT TO PUT IT AT EASE BY EATING CORRECTLY AND EXERCISING TO HELP IT OUT.

>> Jeff: WE MENTIONED FAMILY BEFORE.

HOW OFTEN IS THERE A GENETIC COMPONENT TO IT?

>> IT'S VERY STRONG AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN DEFINITELY AVOID.

MEANING THAT EXOR EXAMPLE EVERYBODY ON MY DAD'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY EVERYONE HAS DIABETES.

SO I HAVE A VERY STRONG GENETIC PREDISPOSITION TO GET IT.

IT DOESN'T MEAN I WILL END UP THERE.

IT MEANS I NEED TO TAKE CONTROL AND TAKE THE CLASSES AND I NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT I DON'T I STAY ACTIVE AND I EAT HEALTHY AND I DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO END UP BECOMING A DIABETIC.

IT'S UP TO ME.

>> Jeff: WHY THIS JOB APPEALS TO YOU?

>> YES, YES.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT TREATMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIABETES EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT INSULIN.

WHAT'S CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS WITH THE ABILITY TO TIGHTLY CONTROL SOMEBODY'S BLOOD SUGAR?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT TOOLS NOW THAT WE HAVE.

WE HAVE THE MONITORS THAT YOU CAN KEEP MORE CLOSE LOOK INTO WHAT YOU'RE EATING.

HOW YOUR GLUCOSE SPIKES, HOW INSULIN IS DISPENSED BEFORE YOU USED TO STICK YOURSELF EVERYDAY.

NOW YOU HAVE A ATTACHED DISPENSER IN YOUR BODY.

BUT THEN AGAIN, IT HAS A VERY BIG COMPONENT ON HOW YOU EAT AND AGAIN EXERCISE.

I KNOW I KEEP GOING BACK TO THAT.

SO WE HAVE A DSMT, DIABETES SELF MANAGEMENT TRAINING WHICH WE TEACH YOU SPECIFICALLY THAT WHEN YOU HAVE DIABETES, HOW TO MANAGE IT.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE DIABETES, YOU DON'T WANT TO GET THE COMPLICATIONS.

YOU DON'T WANT TO END BACK IN OUR ER.

YOU WANT IT STAY HOME, EAT HEALTHY, EXERCISE AND CONTROL IT.

AND YOU CAN ALWAYS GO BACK TO NOT HAVING TO NEED MEDICATION.

>> Jeff: WE SHOULD FOCUS ON THE COMPLICATIONS THAT CAN HAPPEN WITH UNCONTROLLED DIABETES OR EVEN PARTIALLY CONTROLLED DIABETES OVER TIME.

WHAT DO YOU MOST WORRY ABOUT?

>> THERE IS A COUPLE OF THINGS.

I ALWAYS SAY THAT DIABETES IS A SILENT KILLER, BECAUSE YOU DON'T REALLY FEEL NECESSARILY COMPLETELY BAD.

AND ESPECIALLY WHICH HE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PREDIABETES YOU DON'T HAVE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.

WHEN YOU ARE DIABETIC, YOU DON'T FEEL AWFUL.

YOU HAVE DIABETES AND YOU GO ABOUT YOUR LIFE.

BUT DIABETES IS THERE.

IT'S THERE MAKING DAMAGE.

SO WHEN YOU HAVE DAMAGE THAT HAS BEEN DONE FOR 10, 20 YEARS, THEN IS WHEN YOU SEE THE COMPLICATIONS LIKE COMPLICATIONS RENAL FAILURE, YOUR LIVER, YOUR NERVES, YOUR ARTERIES, YOU START LOSING SIGHT, AMPUTATIONS THOSE ARE COMPLICATIONS LONG-TERM, THOUGH.

>> Jeff: CRITICAL THINGS TO AVOID IF YOU CAN.

IT'S GETTING SOMEBODY FOCUSED ON THAT AT A YOUNGER AGE.

WHAT AGE RANGES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> NOWADAYS IT IS STARTS SO YOUNG WE KEEP SEEING IT JUNGER AND YOUNGER.

DIABETES HAS BEEN AN EPIDEMIC SINCE 1994.

SO NOW WITH THE WHOLE LIFESTYLE WE DO, FAST FOOD, WORKING SO MUCH AND BEING ON A DESK INSTEAD OF BEING ACTIVE, THE AGE REALLY STARTS TO COME DOWN TO TEENAGERS EVEN.

SO IT'S EVERYWHERE FROM TEENAGERS TO 60.

THE RISK IS OVER 42.

YOU ARE AT MORE RISK IF YOU ARE OBESE, IF YOU HAVE GENETIC PREDISPOSITION IF YOU ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC OR LATINO.

>> Jeff: VIEWER WRITES TO ASK PLEASE SUGGEST A DIET FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAS BORDERLINE BLOOD SUGAR BUT NOT YET DIABETIC.

>> PREDIABETES.

A DIET IS NOT NECESSARILY SOMETHING I LOVE TO RECOMMEND.

BECAUSE WHAT WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE IS NOT FOR YOU TO DO A TRENDY DIET FOR A MONTH OR TWO.

LOSE THE WEIGHT AND GAIN IT BACK UP.

WE WANT YOU TO MAKE BEHAVIORAL CHANGES.

CHANGES IN YOUR LIFE.

WE TEACH YOU ON MAYBE REDUCE A LITTLE BIT OF CARBS.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE CAKE AND WANT TO HAVE PIZZA, IT'S OK. MAKE SURE YOU EXERCISE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A LIGHTER LUNCH OR LIGHTER DINNER.

THAT IS WHAT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON, NOT A FAD DIET.

>> Jeff: SPEAKING OF FADS, WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS ARE IN THE NEWS.

>> A LOT.

>> Jeff: DO THEY FIGURE INTO YOUR PRACTICE?

>> YES AND NO.

WHEN IT -- IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE PATIENT IF THEY WANT TO GO THAT ROUTE, I ENCOURAGE IT IF YOU ARE UP FOR IT AND YOU WANT TO TAKE THE NEEDLE FOR I THINK IT IS A GOOD CARE.

I THINK IT IS A PARALLEL.

IT'S NOT GOING TO FIX.

ONCE YOU STOP TAKING IT YOU WILL GO BACK.

IF YOU DON'T MAKE THOSE BEHAVIORAL CHANGES IF YOU DON'T MAKE THE LASTING CHANGES YOU WILL FALL BACK INTO IT.

>> Jeff: HOW ABOUT THE IMPACT SPEAKING OF DRUGS OF INSULIN ITSELF, THE PRICE CAP THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS WORKED OUT.

DOES IT MAKE THAT MORE, TREATMENT MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE?

>> DEFINITELY WILL MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE.

BUT WE HAVE SUCH A VAST FACTORS AND DEMANDS AND EVERYTHING BUT IT WILL MAKE IT MORE AVAILABLE.

>> Jeff: GESTATIONAL DIABETES IS THAT RELATED TO TYPE ONE, TYPE TWO?

>> YES.

GESTATIONAL DIABETES IS A RISK.

ONCE YOU HAD IT YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET IT DOWN THE ROAD AND BECOME DIABETIC DOWN THE ROAD THAT IS ONE OF THE RISK FACTORS WE TAKE INTO CONVERSATION.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS THE TAKEAWAY FOR OUR VIEWERS?

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE MAYBE THEY HAVE A RELATIVE WHO HAS IT.

THEY'VE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT MUCH.

WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO DO?

>> FIRST, I WANT YOU TO FAMILIARIZE WITH THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE TO PREVENT DIABETES.

YOU GO TO HEALTHIER TOGETHER.ORG AND WE EXPLAIN WHAT THE PROGRAMS WE OFFER AND WHAT YOU NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR.

AND ONCE YOU CALL US WE'LL GUIDE YOU THROUGH IF WE CAN SEE THE RESULTS YOU HAVE WE'LL LET YOU KNOW YOU ARE AT RISK OR YOU ARE NOT AT RISK.

AND TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR, GET TESTED, GET YOUR FLU KOS CHECK -- GLUCOSE CHECKED AND YOUR A1C TESTED, MAKE SURE YOU JOIN A PROGRAM WHERE YOU CAN PREVENT IT.

>> Jeff: AND YOU SERVE THE BALTIMORE AREA?

>> CORRECT.

>> Jeff: ELSEWHERE START WITH YOUR PRIMARY CARE?

>> YES.

YES.

START WITH THE PRIMARY CARE.

>> Jeff: Dr. ALEXANDRA MORAN DIABETES PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: JOINING US NOW FOR THE AARP CONSUMER ALERT IS KAREN MORGAN, MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF AARP MARYLAND.

KAREN, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US, JEFF.

>> Jeff: I WAS SURPRISED TO READ THAT VETERANS OF THE ARMED FORCES ARE AMONG THE MOST TARGETED GROUPS FOR SCAMS.

WHY IS THAT?

>> WELL, BECAUSE THEY ARE MOVING AROUND A LOT.

SO THEY HAVE TO CREATE NEW RENTALS, FOR THEIR FAMILY, THEY HAVE TO APPLY FOR DIFFERENT THINGS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

AND THEY HAVE ACCESS TO A LOT OF BENEFITS THAT THE AVERAGE AMERICAN DOESN'T HAVE.

ESPECIALLY ON THE MEDICAL SIDE.

>> Jeff: SO ONE IN SIX VETERANS SURVEYED BY AARP SAID THEY GOT A CALL FROM SOMEBODY CLAIMING TO BE FROM THE V.A.

>> YES.

>> Jeff: AND LIKE THE I.R.S., THE V.A.

IS NOT ACTIVELY CALLING PEOPLE TO SOLICIT STUFF?

>> RIGHT.

IF SOMEONE CALLS AND SAYS I'M FROM THE V.A.

AND I WANT TO HELP YOU FILE FOR YOUR BENEFITS THAT IS A SCAM, HANG UP AND REPORT THE CRIMINAL.

BECAUSE THEY ARE CRIMINALS.

>> Jeff: MOST PEOPLE WOULD ACCEPT THAT CALL AS WOW THIS IS A GREAT SERVICE?

>> YES.

BUT IT'S NOT.

IT'S SCAMMERS TRYING TO GET YOUR PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION IF YOU ARE IN THE MILITARY, MAYBE YOU HAVE ACCESS TO MEDICAL BENEFITS THAT THE AVERAGE AMERICAN DOESN'T HAVE OR MAYBE YOU HAVE ACCESS TO HOME MORTGAGE LOANS.

THERE'S THE V.A.

MORTGAGE THAT YOU CAN GET THAT THE AVERAGE AMERICAN CAN'T GET.

THAT'S PRETTY LUCRATIVE.

SO THEY ARE LOOKING TO GET THAT PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION SO AT THAT TIME THEY CAN GET ACCESS TO THAT STUFF, TOO.

>> Jeff: SOMETHING CALLED THE PACT ACT.

WHICH HAS OPENED UP SOME OF THESE POTENTIAL AVENUES FOR SCAMMERSISM YES.

THE PACT ACT WAS ENACTED IN 2022 AND THE IDEA WAS TO FOR THOSE VETERANS WHO WERE SUBJECTED TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES BECAUSE OF THEIR SERVICE IN THE PERSIAN OR EVEN GOING AS FAR BACK AS THE VIETNAM WARS OR ANY OTHER MILITARY ACTIONS WE HAVE BEEN IN SINCE 9/11, NOW, THEY CAN GET MEDICAL HELP FOR THAT EXPOSURE TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES.

BUT SCAMMERS ARE TELLING PEOPLE, OH, WELL, I CAN HELP YOU GET YOUR PACT ACT BENEFITS FASTER JUST WORK WITH ME AND I WILL GET IT FOR YOU.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PAY THIS FEE OR YOU NEED YOUR MILITARY RECORDS SO I CAN HELP YOU GET THEM FOR X AMOUNT OF MONEY.

NONE OF THAT IS TRUE.

VETERANS NEVER HAVE TO PAY FOR ACCESS TO THEIR MILITARY RECORDS.

THEY NEED TO GO TO THE V.A.

THEY NEVER HAVE TO PAY FOR FILING ASSISTANCE FOR ANY BENEFITS INCLUDING THE PACT ACT.

IN FACT, THERE ARE CERTIFIED ASSISTANT ORGANIZATIONS THEY ARE VETERAN-CERTIFIED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE THERE TO HELP VETERANS GET THESE BENEFITS FREE OF CHARGE.

>> Jeff: SOMEBODY WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE BENEFITS, WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?

HOW DO THEY AFFIRMATIVELY FIND OUT WHAT THEY MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR?

>> THEY NEED TO TALK TO A CERTIFIED VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION.

THEY NEED TO TALK TO THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION.

I MEAN, THAT'S WHERE YOU GO.

YOU GO TO THAT SOURCE.

DON'T GO TO THIRD PARTIES ASKING THEM FOR INFORMATION.

>> Jeff: WHAT ABOUT IF YOU SEE ON TELEVISION OR IN MAGAZINE AN AD FOR A LAW FIRM THAT IS TRYING TO SIGN PEOPLE UP?

>> YES, I WOULD REGARD THAT WITH A GREAT DEAL OF SUSPICION THEY WERE DOING THAT TO GET MONEY.

>> Jeff: AS A FORMER PRACTICING LAWYER.

>> SORRY TO OUT.

I WOULD REGARD THAT WITH SIS PETITION THEY ARE DOING IT FOR MONEY.

VETERANS HAVE GIVEN ENOUGH IN THE WAY OF SERVICE AND THE V.A.

IS TO HELP THEM TO GET THE BENEFITS THAT THEY DESERVE.

SO WHY PAY FOR THAT?

DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

UNLESS YOU ARE A SCAMMER.

>> Jeff: AND AT THE SAME TIME REALLY GOOD ADVICE TO NEVER SIGN A BLANK FORM, DON'T SIGN A BLANK CHECK SAME IDEA?

>> EXACTLY.

DON'T DO ANY OF THAT AND ANY LAW FIRM ASKING YOU TO DO THAT, YOU NEED A NEW LAWYER.

BECAUSE NO REPUTABLE LAWYER WILL ASK YOU TO DO THAT.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE GOOD RESOURCES FOR VETERANS WHO MAY BE CONCERNED ABOUT SOMETHING THAT THEY'VE BEEN PITCHED OR PHONE CALL THAT THEY'VE GOTTEN?

>> WELL, IF YOU WANT HELP WITH PACT ACT CLAIMS THERE IS A NUMBER YOU CAN CALL THAT IS 1-800-698-2411 THAT IS SPECIFICALLY FOR ASSISTANCE WITH PACT ACT CLAIMS.

IF SOMEONE CALLS FROM THE V.A., YOU SHOULD AND THEY CLAIM TO BE FROM THE V.A., HANG UP IMMEDIATELY AND REPORT THAT FRAUD AND YOU CAN CONTACT THE V.A.

DIRECTLY BY CALLING 1-800-827-1000.

SO THAT'S A VERY EASY THING TO DO.

AND I THINK I ALSO WANT TO MENTION, TOO, JEFF, THERE'S SO MANY VETERANS THAT DON'T KNOW THEY CAN GET HELP FILING FOR CLAIMS FOR FREE.

THEY THINK THEY HAVE TO PAY.

THAT IS NOT TRUE.

THEY CAN GET THE ASSISTANCE FOR FREE AND THEY SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> Jeff: KAREN MORGAN MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF AARP MARYLAND APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND ADVICE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: AND NOW WITH OUR SALUTE TO VETERANS HERE IS NANCY AMATT ATTA.

>> I'M CYNTHIA AND I WILL BE YOUR UBER DRIVER FOR THE DAY.

AND WE'RE GOING TO X-RAY BUT WE'RE GOING BY WAY OF THE HORSESHOE.

>> Reporter: SIN SHI'A DAVIS GRETS EVERY PATIENT AT THE V.A.

MEDICAL CENTER WITH HUMOR AND GOOD CHEER AS A VOLUNTEER ESCORT FOR VETERANS PATIENTS WHO NEED TO GO FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.

SHE MAKES IT A POINT TO BE LIGHT HEARTED BUT SHE TAKES HER JOB SERIOUSLY.

>> MY THING IS THAT I LIKE TO SERVE THE VETERANS THAT HAVE SERVED US.

BECAUSE I HAD TWO BROTHERS THAT SERVED IN THE ARMY AND ONE WAS IN VIETNAM AND CAME BACK WITH AGENT ORANGE.

AND THEN THINGS TOOK A TURN FOR THE WORSE.

BECAUSE MY BROTHER BECAME A DRUG ADDICT.

>> DAVIS SAYS THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION TOOK CARE OF HER BROTHER AND IT INSPIRED HER TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER.

10 YEARS AND MORE THAN 1500 HOURS LATER, THE 74-YEAR-OLD RETIREE WAS NAMED THE V.A.

'S NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S FEMALE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF HER JOB?

>> LISTENING AND LET THEM TALK.

YOU FIND AMAZING STORIES OF THE TIMES THAT THEY HAD AND THE SERVICE AND YOU KNOW UP UNTIL NOW, AND THEN YOU HAVE SOME VETERANS THAT DON'T HAVE ANY FAMILY.

AND SO IT'S A COMFORT OF BEING THERE FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE ANY FAMILY AT ALL.

>> FOR PATIENTS?

>> IT HELPS US A LOT TO SEE A SMILING FACE AND SOMEONE TO MAKE YOU FEEL AT EASE.

>> VOLUNTEERS HAVE A WAY OF REACHING THE HARDENED OF HEARTS.

>> SOMETIMES WE GET ONE THAT IS GRUMPY BUT IF YOU KEEP SMILING YOU CAN REALLY WORK IT AROUND.

AND THEN THEY WILL START SMILING AND THEN THEY FEEL LIKE HEY, SHE IS LISTENING AND CARES.

>> SHE DOES.

>> HE IS GOING TO X-RAY AND HE IS GOING BY WHEELCHAIR.

>> IN ADDITION TO ANSWERING PHONES AND ESCORTING PATIENTS TO THEIR ROOMS OVER THE YEARS, DAVIS HAS ALSO SAT WITH DYING VETERANS AT HOSPICE.

>> IT MAKES THE FAMILY FEEL LIKE THEIR LOVED ONE WAS LOVED.

LIKE SOMEBODY CARED.

>> AND OVER COVID DAVIS CHECKED IN ON VETERANS TO MAKE SURE THEY KNEW THEY WERE NOT ALONE.

>> WE'RE FREE BECAUSE OF THE THINGS THEY DID.

AND NONE OF US KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING TO FALL IN LIFE.

SO YOU WOULD WANT SOMEONE TO TAKE CARE AND GIVE YOU THAT KIND OF RESPECT.

>> Reporter: FOR THOSE WHO FEEL INSPIRED TO JOIN DAVIS.

>> WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS AND WE HAVE POSITIONS ALL THROUGH THE HOSPITAL.

FROM DRIVING VETERANS AROUND, TO WORKING AS A GREETER.

I LIKE TO DO PLACEMENTS WHERE YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING YOU ENJOY AND HELPING OUR VETERANS BECAUSE IT IS A WIN-WIN THAT WAY.

>> Jeff: NANCY THANK YOU.

AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK.

WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" AND THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS.

JOIN US FOR THAT FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. YOU CAN FIND PAST EDITIONS OF OUR PROGRAMS AT VIDEO.MPT.TV AND FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT MPT NEWS.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "DIRECT CONNECTION" AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.