American Medical Association Magazine Article

The AMA has an excellent article this month about VA healthcare and the Bush Administrations positions, towards Category 8 veterans (those without service connected medical issues, and whose income is over 28,000 a year) I will snip and clip a few of the most telling quotes

Thanks to recent advances in battlefield medicine, more servicemen and women are surviving severe injuries, CBO said. But they require more costly medical care when they return. The rapid influx of new enrollees has helped strain a system that already was under pressure from caring for the veterans of yesterday's wars. In 1995, fewer than 3 million veterans received VA health services. That number had increased to 5 million last year.

Many of the resulting access problems start at the very beginning of the enrollment process, said Donna E. Shalala, PhD, president of the University of Miami and former Dept. of Health and Human Services secretary. She co-chaired a presidential commission on care for America's "wounded warriors" that convened earlier this year after news reports exposed substandard conditions and a mass of red tape at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Although the Dept. of Defense and VA need to work together to foster a patient-centered continuum of care for each veteran, the commission found evidence that returning personnel were not experiencing a smooth transition from military health care to the veterans system, Dr. Shalala said.

then this is a memory most disabled veterans will NOT ever forget

Although Congress in recent years has kept up a steady stream of funding that has satisfied many advocates, the process has not been without missteps.

The department weathered an embarrassing episode in 2005 when then-Secretary R. James Nicholson went to Congress with a request for $2.6 billion in additional funding because it had vastly underestimated the number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who would require care.

Washington State Senator Patty Murray attempted twice in 2005 to get the Senate to give 2 billion dollars for healthcare and PTSD, Secretary Nicholson will be forever remember stating to the Senate VA Committee "We have plenty of money" in March 2005 at a Senate VA Hearing then in June he came back hat in hand not once but twice, once for 1 billion and the second time for 1.5 billion.

Veterans can be waitlisted or shut out as a result.

"If the VA was able to get the funding on time and was able to know beforehand what that funding level was going to be, a lot of those access problems would be solved," he said.

The department opposes mandatory funding because the process would not easily adapt to changes in clinical practice or enrollee demographics, said W. Paul Kearns III, VA chief health financial officer.

I am not the smartest person in the room, but why would the agency OPPOSE mandatory funding, similar to what Medicare gets, to ensure they have the funds to treat the nations veterans, after all that is the only reason they exist, is to care for the veterans who served this nation, they are not giving out "aid" they are paying a debt we as a nation promised these men and women who served in the military, it is what is known as the "PROMISE" remember President George W Bush's 2004 campaign slogan "A Promise Made Is A Promise Kept" well it's time to keep it.

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Editorial on PTSD by the NY Post

NY Post Editorial

So it's good - for veterans, their families and everyone else - that the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs now do two screenings of veterans returning from the Persian Gulf and the Hindu Kush. Veterans are first evaluated upon their return from active duty. Then, three to six months later, they are contacted and urged to be screened again. Veterans' groups have been calling for several years for better ways to uncover and treat mental illness, and they have welcomed this new policy. It shouldn't have taken so long to get it up and running.

The new practice was adopted after a study conducted at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that examining soldiers twice may help clinicians catch far more mental health problems.




The process helps identify those who need further treatment at VA hospitals. All VA hospitals, among them the highly regarded medical center in Northport, have geared up to deal with the outcome of the new policy.

The predictable result is that the number of veterans needing health care has risen sharply. Last month, the VA said that more than 100,000 soldiers were being treated for mental health problems, half of those specifically for PTSD. In the study, initial screenings of nearly 89,000 veterans uncovered 4.4 percent needing treatment. Six months later, after a second look, the total was 11.7 percent.

The new policy addresses a problem that should have been solved long ago. Large numbers of veterans have lacked proper treatment so far. That's a great disservice to those who have served this country.

My response is quoted below:

This is a great first step in getting active duty troops treatment, there is still the problem with National Guard and reservists that go home to small towns and their regular jobs who will fall thru the cracks with this program. Then there is also the stigma attached to PTSD and many soldiers will not be fully forthcoming about the problems due to perceived weakness, distrust among fellow soldiers, the tendency to say" I don't have a problem, other people have problems, they don't react to me the way they used to, they treat me different".

But, I applaud the government finally stepping up to the plate, even if it is five years to late, they knew this was possible due to the studies of Vietnam veterans, so to throw 2 wars and not plan for mental health care, was as irresponsible as planning the invasion of Iraq, without planning the occupation.

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Military Spouses try for a Presidential Debate at Fort Hood

Military Spouses for Change are attempting to do what no one before them has ever done, get a Bipartisian Presidential Debate about issues that pertain to military families and veterans. So we can seek answers to "our problems" that have become legendary over the past 50 years. Answers on how they will change the status quo and let DOD keep manipulating funding for base housing, dependent programs, barracks etc and how many of the issues families depend on are seem to be ignored by Congress and the administration.

We are electing a president who will probably spend the bulk of his or her first term managing military conflicts and performing extensive foreign policy damage control. In 2008, the next President will inherit at least two wars and the costs of those wars, internally as well as internationally, will continue to grow long after the last service member comes home.


Consequently, Military Spouses for Change[1] is inviting the presidential candidates from both parties to Fort Hood, Texas (Killeen), on February 1st, to talk about foreign policy, our military, our veterans, our wounded warriors, and our military families.

Fort Hood is the largest military installation in the United States. There are almost 46,000 soldiers assigned to Fort Hood and more than 24,000 spouses. On any given day, at least a third of these soldiers are deployed to Iraq and every week at least two soldiers from Fort Hood (on average) are killed in Iraq. (I am 34 and I know more widows than my mother knows.)



This kind of event has never been done before and it needs to be done now. Not only because Americans on both side of the aisle need to be reminded (before Super Tuesday) that we are electing the next Commander-in-Chief, but also because our service members and their families deserve to be addressed and heard by the people who wish to be elected in that position.



We also think this country’s large veteran community should know which candidates truly value the military and veteran vote (if not for moral reasons, then for practical reasons). There are approximately 1.4 million active duty service members in America and 1.2 million in the National Guard/Reserves. If you include the spouses, that comes to a total of 4.1 million votes.



Meanwhile, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1 in 8 adults were veterans (26.4 million) in 2003. If we assume that at least half of those adults were married, then we have approximately 39 million vet couples giving us a total of almost 43 million American adults who are currently serving in the military, have served in the military, or are married to someone serving or who had served. That is not an insignificant number.



As an organization and as military spouses, clearly U.S. foreign policy is important to us. But the American public has an interest in this as well, not only for fiscal reasons (e.g., we have spent 447 billion dollars on the war in Iraq alone), but for national security reasons.



Furthermore, what about the depletion of our states' National Guard and reserve units? How are we going to replenish those units so that individual states can respond to a natural disaster or, heaven forbid, another 9/11?

So far 1.5 million service members have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. What are the candidates’ positions on the possibility of reinstating the draft if, for example, we become engaged with Iran before he or she enters office?



Since September 11, 2001, the Department of Defense has reported more than 64,000 wounded and 4,000 killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. The Department of Veterans Affairs, however, has reported treating 250,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, including 95,000 for mental health conditions.

Meanwhile, an estimated 700,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are expected to seek care from the VA within the next ten years, at a projected cost of 7 to 9 BILLION dollars. A recent DoD taskforce assessing the mental health capabilities of the military announced: "The system of care for psychological health that has evolved over recent decades is insufficient to meet the needs of today's forces and their beneficiaries, and will not be sufficient to meet their needs in the future." (http://www.ha.osd.mil/dhb/mhtf/MHTF-Report-Final.pdf)

What do the candidates propose to do for our returning wounded warriors and their families? How do we effectively identify their mental, physical, social, and financial needs and how do we effectively meet those needs?

The suicide rate is the highest in almost 30 years and the propensity to serve is at a 20 year low. Consequently, the Army and Marine Corps are relying on reenlistment and recruiting bonuses that will cost nearly 2.5 billion dollars next year.

I support this idea 100% sounds like a great idea to me.....

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Senator Clinton to introduce legislation to stop bonus collection of wounded veterans

November 21, 2007



Learn about Senator Clinton's Support for Troops, Veterans, Military Retirees and Families by Clicking Here



“Requiring soldiers who are being medically discharged to return their bonuses is outrageous. It dishonors their service and undermines the Army's solemn commitment to soldiers and their families,” Senator Clinton said. “If the Administration does not reverse this misguided policy, Congress should pass legislation to set this right.”





SENATOR CLINTON CALLS ON PENTAGON TO END OUTRAGEOUS REQUIREMENT THAT WOUNDED SOLDIERS TO RETURN SIGNING BONUSES



Legislation to Guarantee Full Payment to Veterans to be Introduced by Clinton



Senator Hillary Clinton today called on the Pentagon to immediately end a policy that requires repayment of enlistment bonuses by medically discharged wounded soldiers. She also requested that the Army disclose the number of wounded soldiers who have been affected by this policy and promised to introduce new legislation to guarantee the fully payment of bonuses and incentives to wounded veterans.



In the wake of recent news reports of wounded combat veterans forced to repay thousands of dollars in signing bonuses to the Army because they could not complete their tour of duty (see: http://kdka.com/kdkainvestigators/military.signing.bonuses.2.571660.html), Senator Clinton sent a letter to Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, strongly urging a reversal of policy.



“Requiring soldiers who are being medically discharged to return their bonuses is outrageous. It dishonors their service and undermines the Army's solemn commitment to soldiers and their families,” Senator Clinton said. “If the Administration does not reverse this misguided policy, Congress should pass legislation to set this right.”



Senator Clinton announced that she will introduce legislation that requires the military services to continue to pay certain bonuses to a member of the Armed Forces who is medically retired or separated due to a combat-related injury. The legislation would amend Title 37 of the United States Code to guarantee full payment for various incentive payments for wounded servicemembers.



[A copy of Senator Clinton’s letter is attached].





November 21, 2007







The Honorable Pete Geren

Secretary of the Army

Department of the Army

Washington, D.C. 20310





Dear Mr. Secretary:



I write to request the immediate reversal of an Army policy that requires repayment of enlistment bonuses by medically discharged wounded soldiers. According to recent media reports, the Army is directing wounded soldiers who have been medically discharged to repay their enlistment bonuses because they are unable to complete their term of enlistment. This policy is outrageous and should be reversed immediately. Soldiers who have enlisted in the Army have made a commitment to serve our nation. With our nation at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, we should honor those who make that commitment. By agreeing to serve and then suffering wounds during their service, these soldiers have earned their bonuses. To ask soldiers who are being medically discharged to return their bonuses dishonors their service and undermines the Army's stated commitment to soldiers and their families.



Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, wounded soldiers have faced numerous bureaucratic hurdles that have resulted in treatment that does not measure up to their service and sacrifice. Whether it is the disgraceful treatment as outpatients at Walter Reed Army Medical center or the pay problems experienced by wounded soldiers, many wounded soldiers have been treated with indifference and neglect.



As a Senator on the Armed Services Committee, I have continuously raised the problems faced by wounded soldiers to Army leadership at hearings, meetings, through correspondence and by offering legislation. At each point, I have been assured by the Army and Defense Department leadership that they are working to improve the treatment of wounded soldiers. In light of this history, it shocks the conscience that the Army could demand that wounded soldiers return their enlistment bonuses.



Therefore, I again request a reversal of the flawed policy of requiring wounded soldiers to repay their enlistment bonuses. I also request any data that reflects the total number of medically discharged wounded soldiers who have been affected by this enlistment bonus repayment policy to date and the total amount of enlistment bonus repayment money collected to date.



With soldiers bravely serving every day in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, it is important that we demonstrate our commitment to soldiers and their families by reversing this flawed policy.



Thank you for your consideration.



Sincerely yours,







Hillary Rodham Clinton





Cc: The Honorable Robert M. Gates

Secretary of Defense



Admiral Mike Mullen

Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff







Hillary Clintons link for Veterans

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Senator Clintons Thanksgiving Thoughts for the Troops

Senator Clinton’s Thanksgiving Day Message to Our Troops:

Thinking of our Troops on Thanksgiving

“Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends. Our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the globe help make our Thanksgiving possible. When I gather around the table with my family, we will give thanks for the troops who honor our nation with their service. We remember them on this day when they are so far away from family and loved ones, and we keep them in our thoughts and prayers. The service of those in our armed forces reminds me of our larger mission as a nation -- to build a "more perfect union" worthy of their sacrifice and striving to be a just and free nation for all people. This Thanksgiving, let us all celebrate, honor, and give thanks for the members of our armed services. I join with their families and friends praying for their safety and for a peace that will soon bring them home.”


Hillary Clintons Veterans Link

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Canadian Soldiers exposed in Nevada Atomic tests file suit

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=f2fc65ab-9673-45cf-a80d-38a702803a5d
Atomic veterans launch suit
1957 Nevada Test; 'We were sent there without knowing'

Jack Aubry
CanWest News Service, CANDA


Wednesday, November 07, 2007


OTTAWA - A group of veterans exposed to radiation during atomic weapons tests in Nevada in 1957 will launch a class-action lawsuit against the federal government after receiving word that they will be offered a "pathetic" $24,000 each in compensation.

Jim Huntley, who is one of the surviving soldiers from the tests, told a news conference on Parliament Hill yesterday that the group is being ignored by Defence Minister Peter MacKay, with their phone calls no longer being returned by officials in his office.

He said the widows of veterans who have died from radiation exposure should be compensated $150,000 each.

"We were sent there without knowing," Mr. Huntley said.

"We can't be training aids or guinea pigs but that's what we were. They were also trying to figure out how the soldier would react when that bomb went off. Whether he'd go forward and fight or quit and go the other way.

"Now, I can't get a call from anybody for two or three weeks. I don't trust them, I don't like them, they've lied to us and it just keeps going and going. And I am tired of it, and frustrated, and I think lawyers will do a better job than I have done."

He said the atomic veterans were told the government would announce the package last month but that promise appears to have been scrapped after Gordon O'Connor was shuffled out of the defence portfolio and replaced by Mr. MacKay.

Mr. Huntley said the veterans, many of whom have had to deal with cancer and other ailments since the tests, have been fighting for more than 20 years to get the government to acknowledge that they were exposed to radiation during atomic blasts.

He noted that the U.S. government decided in the 1980s to recognize the plight of its veterans who took part in the tests, granting $75,000 payments to veterans who have developed any of more than a dozen types of conditions, mainly cancers.

"There are widows who have lost their husbands from these tests and it's not right that they not only have received no compensation, but they haven't even been recognized," said Mr. Huntley, 68, of Balzac, Alta.

A spokesman for the Canadian Atomic Veterans Association, he said he would be contacting the group's lawyers as soon as he returned to Calgary.

A January, 2007, report, produced for Mr. O'Connor, found that the levels of protection the men used were questionable during the tests and some personnel were "exposed to radioactive contamination on the testing grounds where they had to live, sometimes for months at a time."

Mr. Huntley said the government continues to ask the veterans to prove that their illnesses are related to the atomic weapons tests they were exposed to 50 years ago.

© National Post 2007

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VA fights back against CBS report

UPDATE: VA LASHES OUT AT CBS FOR "VETERANS AND

SUICIDE" REPORTING -- Says CBS used a "questionable

journalistic tactic" in compiling reports. But, VA's

arguments don't hold water.






The VA is striking back at CBS News for their reporting on veterans and suicide.

http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfNOV07/nf111607-1.htm

The first CBS report is here... http://www.
vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfNOV07/nf111407-10.htm
The second is here... http://www.vaw
atchdog.org/07/nf07/nfNOV07/nf111507-10.htm

But, the VA's arguments, against CBS and for their own advocacy, do NOT hold water.

VA's self-congratulatory press release (below) speaks of all they have done in the area of suicide prevention. Truth be told, VA has virtually ignored the problem of veterans and suicide until this year.

In the wake of the Walter Reed scandal and the ensuing stories about problems in VA healthcare, the VA added more suicide counselors.

Their suicide hotline did not get started until late July of this year.

Now, regarding their complaints about CBS.

The VA release states, "VA is concerned that the data CBS presented in its broadcast was not reviewed by independent scientists as most legitimate academic studies are."

This is completely wrong. CBS did not do or claim to do an academic study...they merely reviewed statistical data. And, to make sure they had it right, CBS sent that statistical data to a statistician outside of CBS for independent review as shown in the first report. This statement by the VA is deliberately misleading.

The VA also states, "We are reviewing the limited information that CBS has made available to us..."

Let's make something clear. VA could have had this same data had they gone out to the individual states and asked for it.

VA did NOT do that because they didn't want to know about the suicide problem because then they would have had to address it...as they have been forced to do now.

Once again, the VA is trying to back away from their mistakes. They should be ashamed of using the old "kill the messenger" tactic instead of taking this damning information to heart and doing something about it.

And, to Acting VA Secretary Gordon Mansfield who had ample time to try to do something about the suicide problem during his tenure at the VA: "Mr. Secretary, you are a disgrace. A disgrace for not taking responsibility for the shortcomings of your agency and a disgrace for trying to lay them off on someone else."

For more about veterans and suicide, use the VA Watchdog search engine...click here... http://www.yourv
abenefits.org/sessearch.php?q=suicide&op=and

VA press release here... http://www.
vawatchdog.org/07/vap07/vap111407-1.htm

Press release below:

Learn More about how to get a VA Loan today -- Click Here


-------------------------

Statement on CBS News Stories Aired November 13 and 14

November 14, 2007



WASHINGTON – Every suicide in America is a tragedy. VA cares about each veteran and their physical and mental health. We have more than 10,000 mental health workers who have dedicated themselves to helping veterans cope with the issues and crises they face. We operate a veteran suicide hotline which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help any veteran in need. That number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). VA has suicide prevention coordinators at each of our VA Medical Centers.

VA strongly encourages veterans who may be considering harming themselves in some way to seek treatment from VA or other health care providers in their communities. Our people are there to help during a crisis. VA's care and treatment works and is available for veterans with PTSD, depression and other mental health problems.



VA operates the largest mental health care system in the country, spending $3 billion each year on its mental health programs, and has taken several measures to increase its mental health services in recent years. Those include new programs bringing mental health into primary care, intensified rehabilitation for those with serious mental illnesses, and expanded programs for homeless veterans and those with substance abuse problems.

VA is concerned that the data CBS presented in its broadcast was not reviewed by independent scientists as most legitimate academic studies are. Regardless of this questionable journalistic tactic, VA takes the problem of suicide very seriously and wants veterans to come to VA for help if they are under stress or in crisis.

VA is constantly reviewing scientific findings, both from our own research and that of others, to guide us in improving care for veterans. We are reviewing the limited information that CBS has made available to us and are accelerating our own research to ensure we are doing everything possible to improve the information available to the medical and research communities about suicides in veterans as a means of better understanding how to prevent these tragedies.

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