Mervyn Percy Bloom - December 17, 1953 - November 29, 2020
It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Mervyn Bloom on Sunday, November 29th.  Mervyn is survived by his children Craig, Bradley, and Kira.

He brought joy, positivity, and light to everyone that knew him. May his memory always be a source of blessing. A true supporter of our SAPD Family and all first responders. Many of us went for our eye exam at his office. 
 
Shiva will be held on December 1, 2, 3, and 5 at 5:30 pm at the Bloom home. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, masks will be required and attendance will be limited.
Shiva will be by RSVP only. 

Private funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 1st.  
Services handled by Porter Loring North

Joan Harlow (Wife of Retired SAPD Duke Harlow) 
Well, it’s all over. My Darlin’ Joan left this world this morning just after midnight! She died at home under hospice care. She had been mostly unresponsive for 11 days.  She had dealt with Dementia for many years and this end.
She is in much better place! We had been married 63 years and 5 months (actually, 23,167 days)!
Joan & I had 3 kids (Billy Jack, Bobby Joe & Maribeth) and seven grand kids.  She has two Brothers(Bill & Tim)& 1 sister, Luvena who all live in her home state of Georgia.  Joan went to Harlandale High but graduated from North Highlands High in Sacramento, Calif. She got her BS degree at Texas State University and Taught at Nimitz Middle School and MacArthur High before retiring in 1989. She had many friends and relatives, in-laws, and had a beautiful singing voice ! She will be greatly missed.
I do want to mention My good friend,Tom Preston, who has always been “there”.  I don’t know how long this emptiness will last, but my prayers must comfort me. I might add that my daughter, Maribeth has been my strength!

Attn: All Benevolent Fund Members 
James Anderson Memorial Park COVID Restrictions Lifted
November 2020
 
Attn: All Benevolent Fund Members,
 
Following the rules and guidelines set in place by our local, state, and national elected officials, the San Antonio Police Benevolent Fund is now lifting all COVID-related restrictions previously implemented by the Board.
 
Lifting of the restrictions the size of groups allowed reverts to what is stated in the Park rules, which is 15 persons per campsite and 30 persons at the large pavilion. The playground is also now open for use.
 
The San Antonio Benevolent Fund continues to strongly recommend the following:
 
• Members and/or guests having any symptoms, or a positive test result
   should not come to the Park.
 
• Before coming to the Park members and guests should:


 Take their temperatures before coming to the Park. Ensure their
          response to all COVID related questions is “No”
 
• While at the Park, members and guest should continue to:

          Practice social distancing of 6 feet between all persons while within
          the Park. This includes on the boat dock, swim platforms, in the
          water, and the restrooms.


           Wear masks when social distancing is not possible. Wash hands
           frequently and use hand sanitizer.  Cover your mouth and nose when
           coughing or sneezing. Members should not encroach on other’s
           campsites or surrounding areas.
 
           Members should continue to disinfect all surfaces at the picnic sites
           before use, as well as prior to leaving.
 
• Members are responsible for their actions and that of their guests.


          Please remember, we are still all in this together, so we ask all our
          members and guests to follow the above recommendations to help us
          keep everyone safe and healthy.


For any additional questions or concerns please contact one of the Board members or you can contact Officer Travis Reich at (210) 428-0380.
 
Thank you,
 
PAUL BIASIOLLI, CAPTAIN
CHAIRMAN / BENEVOLENT FUND

 Annual Harris/Dailey Wells SAPOA Blue Santa Golf Tournament

Date: November 22, 2019 | Location: TPC Golf Club

Still On Schedule
 
By registering and participating in the event, everyone who attends helps to support Blue Cares and SAPOA’s community outreach programs. Blue Cares programs provide year-round services and assistance to underprivileged, low-income, at risk children and their families.
 
Through Blue Cares, SAPOA members help these families by volunteering their time and resources.
We also ask community members like you for support to help us continue to assist these families.

Subject: 2021 Retiree Qualifications 

Here are the dates for the 2021 retiree qualifications to be printed in the Centurion. 
There will be a morning qualification at 0900 and an afternoon qualification at 1400 for each date.
All 2021 dates will be on MONDAY.
 
If you have any questions or need any additional information.  210-207-6231
Please Note: Retirees may be required to qualify every year. Contact Range Master for more details.
  
2021 Retiree Qualification Schedule
(Monday) :

January 25
February 22
March 29
April 26

May 24
June 28
July 26
August 30

September 27
October 25
November 29
December 20

 

EVENT CANCELATIONS
Update for some of the newer Newsletter Members

Out of concern for the health and well-being of participants, organizers, and the community,
The difficult decision has been made to cancel THE FOLLOWING EVENTS FOR THIS YEAR:



- The SAPOA Bowling Turkey Shoot, in November, CANCELLED.

- The SAPOA Christmas Dance in December, CANCELLED

- The SAPD Benevolent Fund Christmas Party (Old Timers), CANCELLED

- The SA Hispanic Police Officers Org. Christmas Party, CANCELLED

From: Henry Trevino -  Retirees Health Benefit Trustee
Subject: Treatment at the Emergency Room
Attached above is a an article written by one of our Retiree health trustees. 
Problems after visiting a hospital ER for treatment.
Article Attached
FELLOW AND FUTURE MEMBERS                                 
 
This article will discuss the tremendous financial burden people suffer when they go to the hospital for emergency treatment.

             When a person receives care at an in-network hospital, he generally assumes that the attending physicians and specialists are also in-network.  They are mightily surprised when they receive a bill from the attending providers that are not in net-work.

             Many physicians working in hospital’s E.R’s are contract workers that are not directly employed by hospitals.  Many of these contract physicians that provide care in hospital’s E.R’s might not be in net-work.  
             Knowing whether a doctor in or out of net-work is generally not known until weeks later when a bill is delivered to the patient.  The bill is the difference between what the insurance paid and the out-of-network costs.  The bill balance is now the responsibility of the patient.  The amounts can vary from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. 

             This very unfair method of billing blindsides patients that are most vulnerable. This unfair practice of billing is disproportionately tied to emergency room care. 

             State representatives should have the courage to confront and fix this problem as other states have done.  It is suggested that if patients go to in-network hospitals they should receive in-network billing.  The medical provider and the insurers should settle out the difference.  

             Florida, New York and California have tackled the problem by requiring in-network billing when patients go to in-network hospitals and other facilities.  Two Texas Lawmakers, state Representatives John Smithee, R-Amarillo, and state Senator Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood have said that they would consider such legislation.
 
             Unfortunately the Fire and Police Health Fund cannot intercede for our members when they are hit with not in-network billing. Furthermore, the Fund cannot determine whether a physician is or is not in-network in an emergency situation.  It is the responsibility of the member to determine whether the doctor is or is not in-network. 
  
             If emergency care is necessary, a relative or a friend can call the Health Fund and pre-certify the patient.  If this happens on a week end the patient has 48 hours in which to pre-certify.  However, it is the responsibility of the patient to ask and determine if the doctor is in-network.

             What can you do if this happens to you?  Go to the hospital or to the doctor and bargain the extra billing down.  They may or may not agree, but argue the point of the unfairness of the extra billing.  I suggest that when arguing this point that you remain calm and composed while presenting your case.  Sometimes more often than not, offering a fully paid discounted amount will be accepted.

SAPOA  EVENT CANCELLATIONS
Out of concern for the health and well-being of participants, organizers,
and the community, the difficult decision has been made to cancel
THE FOLLOWING EVENTS FOR THIS YEAR.

- The SAPOA picnic has been CANCELLED. The County has cancelled all events at all County Parks.


- The SAPOA Annual Val Lopez Memorial Intramural Softball Tournament, normally held in October, CANCELLED.
- The SAPOA Bowling Turkey Shoot, which usually occurs in November, CANCELLED.

Attention All Retired SAPD Officers!
The Firearms staff will be holding Retiree Qualifications on the following
dates: October 26, November 23, and December 21.

There will be a morning qualification at 0900 and an afternoon qualification
at 1400.  When you call to sign up please specify which date and time you would like
to sign up for.  We are limited to 30 shooters per time slot so we will absolutely be taking
no walk-ins.

If you are not signed up for the specified time/date, you will not be allowed to qualify.  No exceptions.
As usual, you will need your firearm, at least two magazines, a holster, 50
rounds of ammo and a check payable to COSA.

 MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES EXCEPT ON THE FIRING LINE, NO  EXCEPTIONS.

Your own eye and ear protection is highly recommended.  Call 210-207-6229
during normal business hours to get on the schedule.
 (NOTE: Leaving a message does not sign you up)

From: Armando Ynostrosa 
Subject: Flu shots
I have had a couple of retired officers saying that when they called the
clinic, Health Designs, for an appointment for a flu shot
They were asked, “Are you over 65 yrs old”, and they were over 65 yrs,     
to call back later to make an appointment. They had no vaccine.

I notified Alex Perez and Henry Trevino about members being told by the
Health Care Clinics they could not get a Flu shot. Ask them to check into it.

Response was Quick from our Police and Fire Health Rep’s.
From: Alex Perez / Henry Trevino – Health Benefit Retirees Rep. 
Subject: Flu shots
Armando, I followed up with James at the Health Fund and he checked on the
issue of Flu shots at the Health Clinics.
We found out the clinics ran out of the vaccine for the retirees over 65,
but have the regular flu vaccine for those retirees under 65 years of age.

The CDC recommends that people over the age 65 receive the extra strength
flu vaccine which is the vaccine that the clinics ran out of.
They did not receive the Full Shipment for the extra strength vaccine.
They are waiting for the next shipment to come in hopefully within the next week.
If retirees over the age of 65 call in, the clinic’s will take their names
and call them back when the extra strength vaccines arrives.
The Clinic does not want to make the appointments when they don’t know when
the vaccine will be in.
We ask the retirees to be patient and we will get back with them as soon as
we can.
Thanks, Alex Perez – Police Health Benefit Trustee