Just because you didn't know something was happening doesn't mean it wasn't.
I received an email with the link to this video. The person sending it was shocked to discover it was going on. I wasn't.
Think about what could have been done in all these years if they had a single clue.
In the video you'll hear the name Dr. Ira Katz. When you listen to what he is tied to keep in mind that NAMI gave him an award after this. I resigned from NAMI Veterans Council because of it.
Here are a few more things tied to this that you didn't know about because the media dropped the ball on reporting what was happening.
Murray seeks resignation of top VA mental health official
Committee chairman accuses VA of criminal negligence
Returning Vets: Shh! Don't worry
But it gets worse. Over 22 a day now. Top that off with the fact 2012 was the worst year on record for folks in the military (including National Guards and Reservists) that keep getting forgotten about. The DOD says that the civilian population suicides have gone up too but what they fail to mention is the simple fact that while veterans are only 7% of the civilian population they are almost a quarter of the suicides.
Showing posts with label Senator Patty Murray. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Senator Patty Murray. Show all posts
Friday, May 10, 2013
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Senator Sanders to head Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
Thank you Senator Murray for the work you did. I just hope Senator Sanders will take a good look at all the failures that have happened leading to suicides and attempted suicides going up while Congress kept funding the same failures instead of changing them.
Sen. Murray steps down from head of vets’ panel
Army Times
By Rick Maze
Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Nov 15, 2012
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who stood toe to toe with the Obama administration on expanding government assistance for the caregivers of severely disabled combat veterans, will step down as chairwoman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to take on a new and bigger role in shaping the federal budget.
Murray announced Thursday she will seek the chairmanship of the Senate Budget Committee in the 113th Congress, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of current chairman Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.
Her move, which will receive almost certain approval from her fellow Senate Democrats, provides an opportunity for Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont, an independent who caucuses with and receives committee assignments from Democrats, to become the new chairman of the veterans’ committee.
Murray’s move is no surprise. She has been part of the Senate Democratic leadership and was the Senate chairwoman of the 2011 Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction that tried, unsuccessfully, to reach a bipartisan agreement on taxes and spending.
“I had to really think about stepping down from the [veterans’] committee because these issues have been such a passion for me,” Murray said in an interview. “As I thought about it, I decided I could really fight for veterans just as strong on the budget committee.”
read more here
Friday, July 6, 2012
The military is a lousy healer, congress is a lousy watchdog
The military is a lousy healer, congress is a lousy watchdog
by Chaplain Kathie
Senator Murray is right but when she said "We need to be much further along." it didn't answer why it is we are not.
It is not that the DOD has any excuses left. After all we're talking about 40 years of government funded research on Combat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder they had the in their hands. So far they haven't even acknowledged the fact that PTSD caused by combat is a different type of it any more than they have been able to tell the servicemen and women why they have it while others don't. They just keep pushing programs that don't work.
Congress has not held a single person accountable after all the "experts" testified during the endless parade heading into Washington to advise congress. The DOD has held no one accountable for failures. As for groups congress turns to, they end up giving awards to people doing the failing.
As in the case of Dr. Ira Katz was given an award from NAMI after Veterans for Common Sense exposed what he had done.
Congress has been hearing the same stories of suffering veterans and their families, the same stories about what the backlog of claims has been doing to them as the suicides went up along with attempted suicides.
Soldiers are waiting for congress to do their jobs and find solutions. They want to see someone held accountable just as much as they want help!
by Chaplain Kathie
Senator Murray is right but when she said "We need to be much further along." it didn't answer why it is we are not.
It is not that the DOD has any excuses left. After all we're talking about 40 years of government funded research on Combat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder they had the in their hands. So far they haven't even acknowledged the fact that PTSD caused by combat is a different type of it any more than they have been able to tell the servicemen and women why they have it while others don't. They just keep pushing programs that don't work.
Congress has not held a single person accountable after all the "experts" testified during the endless parade heading into Washington to advise congress. The DOD has held no one accountable for failures. As for groups congress turns to, they end up giving awards to people doing the failing.
As in the case of Dr. Ira Katz was given an award from NAMI after Veterans for Common Sense exposed what he had done.
Congress has been hearing the same stories of suffering veterans and their families, the same stories about what the backlog of claims has been doing to them as the suicides went up along with attempted suicides.
Soldiers are waiting for congress to do their jobs and find solutions. They want to see someone held accountable just as much as they want help!
Invisible wounds of war: The military is a lousy healer
Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)
Two service members who went into harm’s way to fight America’s 21st Century wars met a different challenge on Monday, facing a battery of TV cameras to talk of what Sen. Patty Murray called “the invisible wounds of war.”
Sgt. Stephen Davis, having been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, had the diagnosis withdrawn and was accused by a doctor of “exaggerating my symptoms.” Sgt. David Leavitt, another victim of PTSD, told his superiors in Afghanistan, “I’m not O.K. I need help.”
He received very little help there, with no followup back home. Leavitt looked down at his service dog and said: She’s save my life and given me purpose.”
The treatment of those who have served and served well — Sgt. Davis earned a purple heart and bronze star, Sgt. Leavitt has done tours in Iraq and Afghanistan — has raised the ire of Sen. Murray. She has brought activist leadership to what used to be a Senate backwater as chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
“‘Toughen up!’ they hear that all the time,” Murray said. “I believe that in this day and age, we should be much further along in dealing with military mental health issues. We need to be much further along.”
She has captured the ear of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, but Murray feels Congress should set some parameters. She is introducing legislation called the Mental Health Access Act of 2012, and hopes to make it bipartisan.
read more here
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Bill proposed to change PTSD military programs
Bill proposed to change PTSD military programs
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., on Monday submitted legislation that would reshape behavioral health programs in the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs based in part on her review of controversial post-traumatic stress diagnoses at Madigan Army Medical Center.
ADAM ASHTON; STAFF WRITER
Published: 06/26/12
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., on Monday submitted legislation that would reshape behavioral health programs in the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs based in part on her review of controversial post-traumatic stress diagnoses at Madigan Army Medical Center.
For much of this year, Murray has pushed the Defense Department to “standardize” its post-traumatic stress programs across the service. She has been troubled by service members receiving different diagnoses from different doctors, as well as by reports of veterans experiencing long wait times for mental health services at the VA.
“The Department of Defense and the VA are losing the battle against the mental and behavioral wounds of these wars,” Murray said in introducing her bill. “To see that, you don’t need to look any further than the tragic fact that already this year over 150 active-duty service members have taken their own lives.”
Murray’s bill has a long road before it can become a law. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, which Murray leads as chairwoman, will hold a hearing Wednesday on the legislation.
Her bill aims to:
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., on Monday submitted legislation that would reshape behavioral health programs in the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs based in part on her review of controversial post-traumatic stress diagnoses at Madigan Army Medical Center.
ADAM ASHTON; STAFF WRITER
Published: 06/26/12
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., on Monday submitted legislation that would reshape behavioral health programs in the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs based in part on her review of controversial post-traumatic stress diagnoses at Madigan Army Medical Center.
For much of this year, Murray has pushed the Defense Department to “standardize” its post-traumatic stress programs across the service. She has been troubled by service members receiving different diagnoses from different doctors, as well as by reports of veterans experiencing long wait times for mental health services at the VA.
“The Department of Defense and the VA are losing the battle against the mental and behavioral wounds of these wars,” Murray said in introducing her bill. “To see that, you don’t need to look any further than the tragic fact that already this year over 150 active-duty service members have taken their own lives.”
Murray’s bill has a long road before it can become a law. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, which Murray leads as chairwoman, will hold a hearing Wednesday on the legislation.
Her bill aims to:
• Compel the Defense Department to standardize its various behavioral health and suicide-prevention programs.
• Provide more behavioral health services for families through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Create opportunities for veterans and active-duty service members to counsel each other as peers.
• Require the VA to create “credible” staffing plans and performance goals.
read more here
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Army to review mental health compensation
Army to review mental health compensation
by Gregg Zoroya
Jun. 05, 2012
USA TODAY News
Tucson Citizen
The Army says it will pore through — in less than 90 days — about 190,000 medical files of current and former soldiers dating to 2001 to see whether any were shortchanged on retirement compensation for mental health problems.
Army Secretary John McHugh had announced the unprecedented review three weeks ago, but details about the scope of the effort surfaced this week.
The estimated 190,000 cases represent about 160,000 soldiers who went through medical examinations — in some cases more than once — since 2001, says Lt. Col. Richard Paz, executive officer for a task force leading the effort.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who has pushed hard for a broad review, says she was pleased “that the Army is taking sweeping steps to review this problem, (but) it will be essential that it’s done right. That means prompt attention to the problems of servicemembers identified during the review and quick action to implement and enforce solutions.”
The 10-year review was prompted by a scandal at the Madigan Army Medical Center near Tacoma, Wash., where post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnoses of soldiers seeking medical retirements were downgraded, potentially reducing pension payments.
“(The review is) going to be hard to execute,” says Maj. Gen. Richard Thomas, new head of the Army’s Western Regional Medical Command. “But let’s satisfy these soldiers.”
read more here
by Gregg Zoroya
Jun. 05, 2012
USA TODAY News
Tucson Citizen
The Army says it will pore through — in less than 90 days — about 190,000 medical files of current and former soldiers dating to 2001 to see whether any were shortchanged on retirement compensation for mental health problems.
Army Secretary John McHugh had announced the unprecedented review three weeks ago, but details about the scope of the effort surfaced this week.
The estimated 190,000 cases represent about 160,000 soldiers who went through medical examinations — in some cases more than once — since 2001, says Lt. Col. Richard Paz, executive officer for a task force leading the effort.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who has pushed hard for a broad review, says she was pleased “that the Army is taking sweeping steps to review this problem, (but) it will be essential that it’s done right. That means prompt attention to the problems of servicemembers identified during the review and quick action to implement and enforce solutions.”
The 10-year review was prompted by a scandal at the Madigan Army Medical Center near Tacoma, Wash., where post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnoses of soldiers seeking medical retirements were downgraded, potentially reducing pension payments.
“(The review is) going to be hard to execute,” says Maj. Gen. Richard Thomas, new head of the Army’s Western Regional Medical Command. “But let’s satisfy these soldiers.”
read more here
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Manager at VA said "we don't want to know or we'll have to treat it"
Wednesday's hearing before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs followed the release of an inspector general's report Monday that found the VA has greatly overstated how quickly it provides mental-health care for veterans.
By Steve Vogel
The Washington Post
One manager directed the staff to focus only on the immediate reason for an appointment and not to ask the veteran about any other problems because "we don't want to know or we'll have to treat it," according to Tolentino.
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs' mental-health-care system suffers from a culture where managers give more importance to meeting meaningless performance goals than helping veterans, according to testimony before a Senate committee Wednesday.
The hearing before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs followed the release of an inspector general's report Monday that found the VA has greatly overstated how quickly it provides mental-health care for veterans.
"They need a culture change," Linda Halliday, the VA's assistant inspector general for audits and evaluations, told the committee.
"They need to hold facility directors accountable for integrity of the data."
VA practices "greatly distorted" the waiting time for appointments, Halliday said, enabling the department to claim that 95 percent of first-time patients received an evaluation within 14 days when, in reality, fewer than half were seen in that time.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., chairman of the committee, said the findings show a "rampant gaming of the system."
Nicholas Tolentino, a former mental-health administrative officer at the VA Medical Center in Manchester, N.H., told the committee that managers pressed the staff to see as many veterans as possible while providing the most minimal services possible.
read more here
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Army Surgeon General makes changes after Madigan on PTSD
Army Surgeon General issues new directive on PTSD
Sen. Patty Murray: 'This is an overdue but very welcome step'
Web reporter
Q13 Fox News Online
April 21, 2012
SEATTLE
The Army Surgeon General's Office has issued a new directive for diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder after questions arose about Madigan Army Medical Center’s reversal of more than 300 soldiers’ PTSD diagnoses in the past five years.
The Madigan Army Medical Center is the chief military hospital for Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma. Members of the base's units have seen extensive action in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
The new policy, first reported by the Seattle Times, was confirmed by the office of Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who had been pressing for changes in the way the Army handles PTSD cases.
read more here
Sen. Patty Murray: 'This is an overdue but very welcome step'
Web reporter
Q13 Fox News Online
April 21, 2012
SEATTLE
The Army Surgeon General's Office has issued a new directive for diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder after questions arose about Madigan Army Medical Center’s reversal of more than 300 soldiers’ PTSD diagnoses in the past five years.
The Madigan Army Medical Center is the chief military hospital for Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma. Members of the base's units have seen extensive action in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
The new policy, first reported by the Seattle Times, was confirmed by the office of Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who had been pressing for changes in the way the Army handles PTSD cases.
read more here
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Murray helps meet the nation's obligation to all the casualties of war
Murray helps meet the nation's obligation to all the casualties of war
The armed services have an ally in Washington's U.S. Sen. Patty Murray to help them rethink how they deal with post-traumatic stress disorder within their ranks, and to help veterans after they leave active duty.
Seattle Times Editorial
AMERICANS who saw heavy combat suffer a toll in health, happiness, marital status and earning power as civilians. So concluded a major study in 1985, followed by others.
The devastating traumas of combat experience, and exposure to the hazards and tensions of a war zone, are as old as the Trojan War, and as fresh as the multiple deployments of U.S. troops spread across two conflicts.
One thing has changed. Washington Sen. Patty Murray, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, has emerged as a tenacious advocate for service personnel and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and related mental health issues.
What apparently has not changed is the military's own ambivalence about the condition. Anyone who wants to stay in the service believes it's a career-ender to acknowledge the flashbacks, nightmares and depression that characterize PTSD. At the very least, it could compromise a promotion.
read more here
The armed services have an ally in Washington's U.S. Sen. Patty Murray to help them rethink how they deal with post-traumatic stress disorder within their ranks, and to help veterans after they leave active duty.
Seattle Times Editorial
AMERICANS who saw heavy combat suffer a toll in health, happiness, marital status and earning power as civilians. So concluded a major study in 1985, followed by others.
The devastating traumas of combat experience, and exposure to the hazards and tensions of a war zone, are as old as the Trojan War, and as fresh as the multiple deployments of U.S. troops spread across two conflicts.
One thing has changed. Washington Sen. Patty Murray, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, has emerged as a tenacious advocate for service personnel and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and related mental health issues.
What apparently has not changed is the military's own ambivalence about the condition. Anyone who wants to stay in the service believes it's a career-ender to acknowledge the flashbacks, nightmares and depression that characterize PTSD. At the very least, it could compromise a promotion.
read more here
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
40% of PTSD cases at Madigan were reversed
40% of PTSD cases at Madigan were reversed
A Madigan Army Medical Center screening team reversed more than 40 percent of the post-traumatic stress disorder diagnoses of patients under consideration for medical retirement since 2007, according to information released by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.
By Hal Bernton
Seattle Times staff reporter
A Madigan Army Medical Center screening team reversed more than 40 percent of the post-traumatic stress disorder diagnoses of patients under consideration for medical retirement since 2007, according to information released by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.
The statistics were compiled as part of an ongoing Army Medical Command investigation into the screening team's practices. The team has been suspended from PTSD evaluations, and the Army Medical Command is offering new evaluations to patients whose diagnoses were reversed.
Citing a need to "protect the integrity of the process" during ongoing investigations, the Western Regional Medical Command, in a statement released to The Seattle Times, declined to comment on the statistics released by Murray.
The investigation was triggered, in part, by soldiers who were concerned by the decision to take away their PTSD diagnoses and, in some cases, tag them as possible malingerers.
Originally diagnosed by other Army or Department of Veterans Affairs doctors, some had been receiving extensive treatment for months or years when the screening team evaluated them.
A PTSD diagnosis can qualify a soldier for the considerable financial benefits of a medical retirement. Those include a pension, health insurance for spouse and dependents and commissary privileges.
read more here
A Madigan Army Medical Center screening team reversed more than 40 percent of the post-traumatic stress disorder diagnoses of patients under consideration for medical retirement since 2007, according to information released by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.
By Hal Bernton
Seattle Times staff reporter
A Madigan Army Medical Center screening team reversed more than 40 percent of the post-traumatic stress disorder diagnoses of patients under consideration for medical retirement since 2007, according to information released by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.
The statistics were compiled as part of an ongoing Army Medical Command investigation into the screening team's practices. The team has been suspended from PTSD evaluations, and the Army Medical Command is offering new evaluations to patients whose diagnoses were reversed.
Citing a need to "protect the integrity of the process" during ongoing investigations, the Western Regional Medical Command, in a statement released to The Seattle Times, declined to comment on the statistics released by Murray.
The investigation was triggered, in part, by soldiers who were concerned by the decision to take away their PTSD diagnoses and, in some cases, tag them as possible malingerers.
Originally diagnosed by other Army or Department of Veterans Affairs doctors, some had been receiving extensive treatment for months or years when the screening team evaluated them.
A PTSD diagnosis can qualify a soldier for the considerable financial benefits of a medical retirement. Those include a pension, health insurance for spouse and dependents and commissary privileges.
read more here
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Sen. Patty Murray hears more problems from veterans with PTSD
Vets get Sen. Patty Murray's ear during roundtable
Six local veterans brought their concerns to U.S. Sen. Patty Murray in a listening session Monday at Harbor Wholesale Foods in Lacey. Murray, who chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, periodically holds the roundtables to get feedback.
MATT BATCHELDOR; STAFF WRITER
Published: 02/21/12
Returning from war with post-traumatic stress disorder, but being discouraged from receiving treatment. Waiting for more than two months for a doctor’s appointment with Veterans Administration. Being afraid to write the word “veteran” on a job application.
Those were among the concerns that six local veterans brought to U.S. Sen. Patty Murray in a listening session Monday at Harbor Wholesale Foods in Lacey. Murray, who chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, periodically holds the roundtables to get feedback.
Each veteran described the often difficult transition from war to civilian life.
“My unit suffered a lot of casualties,” said Sarah Lilegard, an intelligence analyst for four years who deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 with a Stryker brigade, the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
She was diagnosed with PTSD shortly after returning from combat, “and at the time I just wanted to feel kind of normal,” she said. “But when it’s you, you really don’t want to admit to it.”
read more here
Six local veterans brought their concerns to U.S. Sen. Patty Murray in a listening session Monday at Harbor Wholesale Foods in Lacey. Murray, who chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, periodically holds the roundtables to get feedback.
MATT BATCHELDOR; STAFF WRITER
Published: 02/21/12
Returning from war with post-traumatic stress disorder, but being discouraged from receiving treatment. Waiting for more than two months for a doctor’s appointment with Veterans Administration. Being afraid to write the word “veteran” on a job application.
Those were among the concerns that six local veterans brought to U.S. Sen. Patty Murray in a listening session Monday at Harbor Wholesale Foods in Lacey. Murray, who chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, periodically holds the roundtables to get feedback.
Each veteran described the often difficult transition from war to civilian life.
“My unit suffered a lot of casualties,” said Sarah Lilegard, an intelligence analyst for four years who deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 with a Stryker brigade, the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
She was diagnosed with PTSD shortly after returning from combat, “and at the time I just wanted to feel kind of normal,” she said. “But when it’s you, you really don’t want to admit to it.”
read more here
Friday, January 13, 2012
Broken bodies, broken minds, broken system
Broken bodies, broken minds, broken system
Sympathetic Sen. Murray gets an earful at VFW post from veterans decrying care system
BY MIKE FAULK
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Local veterans told U.S. Sen. Patty Murray on Thursday that they’ve been mistreated, ignored and in some cases totally forgotten by the federal government in seeking medical care and applying for benefits.
"There’s no worse tragedy than being forgotten," Graciela Marroquin, an Iraq War veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, said at a panel discussion on veterans’ issues held Thursday at Yakima’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 379.
Among the biggest concerns voiced: lack of access to specialized medical care in the region. Many are forced to drive more than two hours to Veterans Administration hospitals in Walla Walla or Seattle to see specialists.
Panelists also warned that problems are likely to increase as more veterans return from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Among those testifying to the difficulties in obtaining proper care was Maggie Pezzullo, a 28-year-old Iraq War veteran. Pezzullo, who said she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and severe back pain from combat injuries suffered in 2003 and 2004, said VA representatives had tried to cut her number of chiropractor visits in half by offering her narcotics instead of physical therapy.
read more here
It is a shame that not much has changed since this letter from Senator Murray in 2006.
Sympathetic Sen. Murray gets an earful at VFW post from veterans decrying care system
BY MIKE FAULK
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Local veterans told U.S. Sen. Patty Murray on Thursday that they’ve been mistreated, ignored and in some cases totally forgotten by the federal government in seeking medical care and applying for benefits.
"There’s no worse tragedy than being forgotten," Graciela Marroquin, an Iraq War veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, said at a panel discussion on veterans’ issues held Thursday at Yakima’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 379.
Among the biggest concerns voiced: lack of access to specialized medical care in the region. Many are forced to drive more than two hours to Veterans Administration hospitals in Walla Walla or Seattle to see specialists.
Panelists also warned that problems are likely to increase as more veterans return from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Among those testifying to the difficulties in obtaining proper care was Maggie Pezzullo, a 28-year-old Iraq War veteran. Pezzullo, who said she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and severe back pain from combat injuries suffered in 2003 and 2004, said VA representatives had tried to cut her number of chiropractor visits in half by offering her narcotics instead of physical therapy.
read more here
It is a shame that not much has changed since this letter from Senator Murray in 2006.
Murray Requests Hearing on VA Mental Health Services
June 27, 2006
Senator calls on leadership of VA Committee to look into supply and demand of mental health care servicesFor Immediate Release:
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) – a key member of the Senate Veterans Affairs (VA) Committee – today sent a letter to Senate VA Committee Chairman Larry Craig (R-ID) and Ranking Member Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), requesting a hearing of the Committee on the status of mental health services provided by the VA."We need real answers from the VA and the Bush Administration. No gimmicks. No games," Murray said. "I am requesting a hearing on the mental health services provided by the VA so we can learn more about the need for mental health care, how to meet that demand, and what changes need to be made to provide our veterans with the care they need and deserve."
Murray's call for a hearing follows an article in the May edition of Psychiatric News in which Frances Murphy, M.D., Undersecretary for Health Policy Coordination at the VA, indicates that the agency is ill-prepared to serve the mental health needs of our nation's veterans. In the article, Dr. Murphy notes that some VA clinics don't provide mental health or substance abuse care, or if they do, "waiting lists render that care virtually inaccessible."
"With an estimated one third of the 1.3 million Americans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan facing mental health challenges upon their return, I am concerned that they are not getting the services they need," Murray wrote. "It is unacceptable that they are encountering VA waiting lists that render mental health care 'virtually inaccessible.'"The full text of Senator Murray's letter to Sen. Craig and Akaka follows:
June 16, 2006
The Honorable Larry Craig
Chairman
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Senate Russell Office Building
Room 412Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Daniel Akaka
Ranking Member
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Senate Russell Office Building
Room 412Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Craig and Ranking Member Akaka:
I recently read an article in Psychiatric News that leads me to believe the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is unprepared to serve the mental health care needs of our nation’s veterans.The article reads as follows:“Frances Murphy, M.D., undersecretary for Health Policy Coordination at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), said the growing numbers of veterans seeking mental health care has put emphasis on areas in which improvement is needed. She noted that some VA clinics do not provide mental health or substance abuse care, or if they do, ‘waiting lists render that care virtually inaccessible.’” As you know, access to mental health services is vital to America’s veterans.
The VA must ensure that resources are available to them whether facing challenges from PTSD and depression or other ailments. If we fail to provide these men and women with the care they need, we will set our nation up for the future cost and complications of veterans struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness and other conditions.In addition, with an estimated one third of the 1.3 million Americans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan facing mental health challenges upon their return, I am concerned that they are not getting the services they need.
It is unacceptable that they are encountering VA waiting lists that render mental health care “virtually inaccessible.”
I am requesting that the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hold a hearing on the status of mental health services provided by the VA. I believe the committee needs to learn more about the demand for mental health care, how the VA is meeting that demand, and what changes need to be made to rectify access problems within the current system.
I know you both share my concerns with the VA’s ability to care for the needs of our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and I look forward to working with you to ensure the VA is addressing the mental health needs of America’s veterans.Thank you for taking my request into consideration.
Sincerely,
Patty Murray
United States Senator
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Veterans, their advocates tell Murray they need jobs, housing
When President Obama offered up a plan to put veterans back to work by giving incentives to companies to hire them, it was a good start but not the final answer.
Where has common sense in this country gone? We keep hearing some folks in congress screaming about protecting the "job creators" when they demand the tax discounts for the wealthy be continued but we haven't seen jobs created here. They are created overseas. Congress had made it easier for these companies to just hang onto their money instead of spend it, invest it and hire more workers. Why not tie these tax discounts to jobs right here? If they hire workers right here, then they can keep their discounts. If they hire workers in other countries, they lose them. Wouldn't that be the right thing to do if the folks in congress are really serious about what they claim? All they have done is whine about needing to cut this program and that program but they have not heard the cries of the American people out of work and unable to pay their bills. Put Americans back to work and then you'll see better days in this country for everyone including the veterans who put their lives on the line and need to get out of the unemployment line.
Where has common sense in this country gone? We keep hearing some folks in congress screaming about protecting the "job creators" when they demand the tax discounts for the wealthy be continued but we haven't seen jobs created here. They are created overseas. Congress had made it easier for these companies to just hang onto their money instead of spend it, invest it and hire more workers. Why not tie these tax discounts to jobs right here? If they hire workers right here, then they can keep their discounts. If they hire workers in other countries, they lose them. Wouldn't that be the right thing to do if the folks in congress are really serious about what they claim? All they have done is whine about needing to cut this program and that program but they have not heard the cries of the American people out of work and unable to pay their bills. Put Americans back to work and then you'll see better days in this country for everyone including the veterans who put their lives on the line and need to get out of the unemployment line.
Veterans, their advocates tell Murray they need jobs, housing
Debt panelists take role seriously, senator says
By Kathie Durbin
Columbian Staff Reporter
Originally published August 16, 2011
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, in Vancouver Tuesday for a “listening session” with veterans and their advocates, said she’ll do her best to protect veterans’ benefits as she steps into a high-profile role as co-chair of the new deficit-reduction supercommittee. The 12-member panel is assigned the task of finding another $1.5 trillion in federal budget cuts by Thanksgiving.
But in response to pundits who say her spending decisions could be influenced by major defense industry campaign donors, Murray said no one should prejudge any of the committee members — three Democrats and three Republicans each from the Senate and House. By law, the committee must begin its work by mid-September.
“I have reached out individually to each member of the committee,” Washington’s senior senator told The Columbian. “I’ve been impressed that they consider this a serious responsibility.” Not only is the nation’s fiscal health at stake, she said, but committee members understand that they must “show that a democracy can work.”
“The pundits and journalists should not pigeonhole any one of us,” she said. “That will allow us to move forward.”
read more here
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Lack of DOD-VA coordination hurts treatment of combat wounded
Senators blast DoD, VA for bad coordination
"Army reporting 14 percent of soldiers have been prescribed an opiate, with a third of them being prescribed more than once." Senator Patty Murray
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday May 18, 2011 13:47:48 EDT
Combat veterans are being poorly served as a result of weak coordination between the Defense and Veteran Affairs departments, a key senator said Wednesday.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee chairwoman, said drug abuse and suicides among recently separated combat veterans can be partly blamed on inadequate coordination as service members leave the military and become the responsibility of VA.
A lack of coordination also hurts treatment of combat-related wounds. Amputees are an example, Murray said.
“Where DoD has outstanding prosthetics, VA needs to do much better,” she said. “I was shocked to hear of a veteran who, after receiving advanced prosthetics from the military, went to VA to have them adjusted and maintained. When the veteran got to the prosthetic clinic, the VA employees were fascinated by the device, having never seen that model before, and were more interested in examining it than the veteran.”
The services have used narcotics heavily to treat service members, with the Army reporting 14 percent of soldiers have been prescribed an opiate, with a third of them being prescribed more than once, Murray said.
“It is imperative that these individuals receive a truly seamless handoff to VA medical care so a provider there can manage those medications after the individual has left the service,” Murray said. “If that link is not made, those new veterans become far more likely to abuse drugs, become homeless or commit suicide.”
read more here
Senators blast DoD, VA for bad coordination
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday May 18, 2011 13:47:48 EDT
Combat veterans are being poorly served as a result of weak coordination between the Defense and Veteran Affairs departments, a key senator said Wednesday.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee chairwoman, said drug abuse and suicides among recently separated combat veterans can be partly blamed on inadequate coordination as service members leave the military and become the responsibility of VA.
A lack of coordination also hurts treatment of combat-related wounds. Amputees are an example, Murray said.
“Where DoD has outstanding prosthetics, VA needs to do much better,” she said. “I was shocked to hear of a veteran who, after receiving advanced prosthetics from the military, went to VA to have them adjusted and maintained. When the veteran got to the prosthetic clinic, the VA employees were fascinated by the device, having never seen that model before, and were more interested in examining it than the veteran.”
The services have used narcotics heavily to treat service members, with the Army reporting 14 percent of soldiers have been prescribed an opiate, with a third of them being prescribed more than once, Murray said.
“It is imperative that these individuals receive a truly seamless handoff to VA medical care so a provider there can manage those medications after the individual has left the service,” Murray said. “If that link is not made, those new veterans become far more likely to abuse drugs, become homeless or commit suicide.”
read more here
Senators blast DoD, VA for bad coordination
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Families of severely wounded veterans still waiting for help
Families of severely wounded veterans still waiting for help
By ROB HOTAKAINEN
McClatchy Newspapers
Fabienne Uran quit her job after her son, Matthew, broke his neck and fractured his skull and pelvis in a helicopter crash in the Kuwaiti desert in 2005.
Now she takes care of the former pilot on a full-time basis. For her efforts, she figures she should get paid at least $600 a week by federal taxpayers.
"I'm modest about my expectations," said Uran, 60, of Bellevue, Wash.
Like thousands of others who are taking care of wounded veterans at home, Uran had hoped to be getting checks from the Department of Veterans Affairs by now.
In May, President Barack Obama signed a new law that promised - for the first time in history - to pay family members and others who care for severely wounded soldiers at home. To qualify, soldiers had to be injured after Sept. 11, 2001.
But the VA missed a Jan. 30 deadline to get the program up and running. That's angering many families of wounded veterans and many members of Congress, who are accusing the Obama administration of dragging its feet.
On Wednesday, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, gave a public scolding to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, telling him the VA isn't complying with the law.
Read more:
Families of severely wounded veterans still waiting for help
By ROB HOTAKAINEN
McClatchy Newspapers
Fabienne Uran quit her job after her son, Matthew, broke his neck and fractured his skull and pelvis in a helicopter crash in the Kuwaiti desert in 2005.
Now she takes care of the former pilot on a full-time basis. For her efforts, she figures she should get paid at least $600 a week by federal taxpayers.
"I'm modest about my expectations," said Uran, 60, of Bellevue, Wash.
Like thousands of others who are taking care of wounded veterans at home, Uran had hoped to be getting checks from the Department of Veterans Affairs by now.
In May, President Barack Obama signed a new law that promised - for the first time in history - to pay family members and others who care for severely wounded soldiers at home. To qualify, soldiers had to be injured after Sept. 11, 2001.
But the VA missed a Jan. 30 deadline to get the program up and running. That's angering many families of wounded veterans and many members of Congress, who are accusing the Obama administration of dragging its feet.
On Wednesday, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, gave a public scolding to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, telling him the VA isn't complying with the law.
Read more:
Families of severely wounded veterans still waiting for help
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Senator Murray slams VA for limiting caregiver benefits
Murray slams VA for limiting caregiver benefits
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Feb 10, 2011 10:25:39 EST
Many caregivers of severely disabled veterans will be unnecessarily excluded from a new benefits and support program because of limitations proposed by the Obama administration, the new chairwoman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee says.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., appointed chairwoman just two weeks ago, is launching a high-profile fight with the Veterans Affairs Department over eligibility rules for benefits for the caregivers of severely injured Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. When Congress passed the benefits law last year, lawmakers believed about 3,500 families would be helped. But Murray said Wednesday VA’s criteria for determining who is eligible would “severely limit” who is covered.
MORE ON CAREGIVERS
• VA outlines plan to help caregivers of wounded
• Senators: Why is help for caregivers delayed?
“I’m not going to let VA minimize the impact of the bill that we passed,” Murray said in a statement.
At issue is a proposed rule that would provide benefits and support only in cases where severely disabled veterans needs a minimum of six months of continuous support from a caregiver or would otherwise have to be hospitalized because of their medical condition, inability to care for themselves or personal safety. What the caregiver is doing cannot duplicate services provided by another entity.
VA officials said the idea is to narrow eligibility to veterans who are “most at need” and to a population that can be supported.
Murray said that is “simply not good enough.” VA intends “to limit this benefit to an even smaller group of caregivers than intended by Congress, which is unacceptable,” she said.
read more here
Murray slams VA for limiting caregiver benefits
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Feb 10, 2011 10:25:39 EST
Many caregivers of severely disabled veterans will be unnecessarily excluded from a new benefits and support program because of limitations proposed by the Obama administration, the new chairwoman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee says.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., appointed chairwoman just two weeks ago, is launching a high-profile fight with the Veterans Affairs Department over eligibility rules for benefits for the caregivers of severely injured Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. When Congress passed the benefits law last year, lawmakers believed about 3,500 families would be helped. But Murray said Wednesday VA’s criteria for determining who is eligible would “severely limit” who is covered.
MORE ON CAREGIVERS
• VA outlines plan to help caregivers of wounded
• Senators: Why is help for caregivers delayed?
“I’m not going to let VA minimize the impact of the bill that we passed,” Murray said in a statement.
At issue is a proposed rule that would provide benefits and support only in cases where severely disabled veterans needs a minimum of six months of continuous support from a caregiver or would otherwise have to be hospitalized because of their medical condition, inability to care for themselves or personal safety. What the caregiver is doing cannot duplicate services provided by another entity.
VA officials said the idea is to narrow eligibility to veterans who are “most at need” and to a population that can be supported.
Murray said that is “simply not good enough.” VA intends “to limit this benefit to an even smaller group of caregivers than intended by Congress, which is unacceptable,” she said.
read more here
Murray slams VA for limiting caregiver benefits
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Veteran Suicides Prompts Immediate Response and Action
Veteran Suicides Prompts Immediate Response and Action from VA and SEN. Murray
The Military Wire received numerous emails regarding yesterday's news of the government report acknowledging double digit increases in veteran suicides. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, reach out. Suicide is final. It has generational impact - on a personal note, my family experienced this in October 2009 and it will stay with us forever.
Post this number: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
The military and our government are not taking yesterday's news lightly. The VA stated that suicide rates among veterans between the age 18 - 29 went up 26 percent from 2005 to 2007 and continued to climb in 2008 and 2009, reaching record levels in 2009.
This has prompted the VA to consider more stringent protocols be put in place on how to handle veterans contemplating suicide
read more here
Veteran Suicides Prompts Immediate Response and Action
The Military Wire received numerous emails regarding yesterday's news of the government report acknowledging double digit increases in veteran suicides. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, reach out. Suicide is final. It has generational impact - on a personal note, my family experienced this in October 2009 and it will stay with us forever.
Post this number: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
The military and our government are not taking yesterday's news lightly. The VA stated that suicide rates among veterans between the age 18 - 29 went up 26 percent from 2005 to 2007 and continued to climb in 2008 and 2009, reaching record levels in 2009.
This has prompted the VA to consider more stringent protocols be put in place on how to handle veterans contemplating suicide
read more here
Veteran Suicides Prompts Immediate Response and Action
Friday, July 3, 2009
VA clinic opens in Mount Vernon
VA clinic opens in Mount Vernon
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, joined with veterans and Veterans Affairs officials Thursday to mark the recent opening of a new outpatient clinic in Mount Vernon. The clinic serves some 2,200 Western Washington veterans, many of whom previously had to travel to the Puget Sound area for treatment.
go here for more
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009414526_webvaclinic03.html
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, joined with veterans and Veterans Affairs officials Thursday to mark the recent opening of a new outpatient clinic in Mount Vernon. The clinic serves some 2,200 Western Washington veterans, many of whom previously had to travel to the Puget Sound area for treatment.
go here for more
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009414526_webvaclinic03.html
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Will the "right" talking talents feel safe to complain now?
In 2001 when President Bush sent the troops into Afghanistan, the "right" talking talents on cable and radio didn't complain about the lack of planning the DOD and VA did when it came to getting ready for the wounded. Not many people complained about anything back then if Bush wanted it. The problem is, no one complained when the troops were sent into Iraq on top of Afghanistan. The VA budget was cut and nothing was in place to take care of the wounded created by two military campaigns.
With both producing more and more wounded, the VA had less doctors and nurses on staff than they had after the Gulf War. Claims were already backlogged and appeals delayed for older veterans but no one thought of any of them.
When the Washington Post came out with the report about the conditions at Walter Reed, the "right" talking talents on cable and radio went ballistic over the reporting and not that it was a fact the wounded were being treated as poorly as they were. This kept on with all the other reports coming out concerning the troops and including reports of contaminated water, exposures to depleted uranium, illnesses caused by immunizations, being fed spoiled food all the way up to being electrocuted in showers. None of them raised issue with the Bush Administration as the rest of the country was talking about all of it going on and the fact our troops were paying for it and our veterans were suffering because of what was not being done.
They were dying for attention from people like Hannity and O'Reilly and the rest of the people on FOX cable programs along with radio personalities like Rush. None of them complained about any of it leaving the impression on their listeners that all was well. After all, unless they had a family member on the receiving end of the suffering, no one would have a way of knowing anything.
When reports came out that suicides were rising and many killed themselves because they couldn't get into the VA for the help they needed, again there was silence from the "right" talking talents when they had the chance to raise the issue. When reports came out about homeless veterans, people like O'Reilly denied them and in turn denied them the help they could have received. Later when he was forced to admit there were homeless veterans, he dismissed them as being "drug addicts and alcoholics" as if they were no longer worthy of help from this nation.
Now President Obama is in charge, the man they love to hate, and I really have to wonder if any of them will finally begin to address anything the troops and our veterans need. Will they inform their viewers of any of the problems they have been dealing with for years? Will I ever be able to have a conversation with a listener to these people and not have them stunned with by the facts of the abysmal care the veterans have been receiving? It is not that the Republican voters don't care about the troops or our veterans because most of them are very active in doing things for them. They care deeply but when they are excluded from facts by people with their own agenda instead of providing them with information, there is little they will do because they simply don't know.
Yet if they do begin to complain about President Obama, will they be forced to acknowledge when the problems began? Will they be forced to admit the Republican majority all the years before caused most of the problems our troops and veterans faced? Will they be able to be honest once and for all and admit they were part of the problem because they kept defending Bush and the GOP instead of making them live up to their obligations?
With both producing more and more wounded, the VA had less doctors and nurses on staff than they had after the Gulf War. Claims were already backlogged and appeals delayed for older veterans but no one thought of any of them.
When the Washington Post came out with the report about the conditions at Walter Reed, the "right" talking talents on cable and radio went ballistic over the reporting and not that it was a fact the wounded were being treated as poorly as they were. This kept on with all the other reports coming out concerning the troops and including reports of contaminated water, exposures to depleted uranium, illnesses caused by immunizations, being fed spoiled food all the way up to being electrocuted in showers. None of them raised issue with the Bush Administration as the rest of the country was talking about all of it going on and the fact our troops were paying for it and our veterans were suffering because of what was not being done.
They were dying for attention from people like Hannity and O'Reilly and the rest of the people on FOX cable programs along with radio personalities like Rush. None of them complained about any of it leaving the impression on their listeners that all was well. After all, unless they had a family member on the receiving end of the suffering, no one would have a way of knowing anything.
When reports came out that suicides were rising and many killed themselves because they couldn't get into the VA for the help they needed, again there was silence from the "right" talking talents when they had the chance to raise the issue. When reports came out about homeless veterans, people like O'Reilly denied them and in turn denied them the help they could have received. Later when he was forced to admit there were homeless veterans, he dismissed them as being "drug addicts and alcoholics" as if they were no longer worthy of help from this nation.
Now President Obama is in charge, the man they love to hate, and I really have to wonder if any of them will finally begin to address anything the troops and our veterans need. Will they inform their viewers of any of the problems they have been dealing with for years? Will I ever be able to have a conversation with a listener to these people and not have them stunned with by the facts of the abysmal care the veterans have been receiving? It is not that the Republican voters don't care about the troops or our veterans because most of them are very active in doing things for them. They care deeply but when they are excluded from facts by people with their own agenda instead of providing them with information, there is little they will do because they simply don't know.
Yet if they do begin to complain about President Obama, will they be forced to acknowledge when the problems began? Will they be forced to admit the Republican majority all the years before caused most of the problems our troops and veterans faced? Will they be able to be honest once and for all and admit they were part of the problem because they kept defending Bush and the GOP instead of making them live up to their obligations?
Some fear "perfect storm" for VA with 2 wars, economy
By DAVID GOLDSTEIN
McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON -- From the economic crisis at home to a troop increase in Afghanistan, veterans' advocates are warning of a "perfect storm" that could flood an already beleaguered health care network for former service members.
Even with the troop count in Iraq scheduled to wind down, the demands on the Department of Veterans Affairs could increase.
"The crisis is not going away," said Paul Sullivan, the executive director of Veterans for Common Sense, a nonpartisan advocacy group. "Everyone thinks that with bringing the troops back from the war, things (at the VA) are going to get better. They're not."
The VA has treated 400,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans since 2001, but it's often underestimated how many of those former troops would need its help.
What impact the pullout from Iraq will have is unclear. President Barack Obama wants to withdraw around 100,000 of the 142,000 U.S. troops there by August of next year.
"It is something we need to be watching," said Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state, a leading veterans' advocate in Congress. "We don't yet know the percentage of those who will be coming home, but we do know there will be some. There is a combination of factors that are sending a big, yellow, blinking caution light."
Since 2001, the twin wars have stretched the VA's capacity as it's been called on to provide long-term treatment for the kinds of devastating physical wounds that have become signatures of modern combat, as well as a host of unseen, but no less searing, mental health traumas.
Veterans' advocates said they were concerned about the agency's ability to handle more patients since its health system already was operating at full tilt.
go here for more
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1041039.html
Monday, March 16, 2009
Senator Murray introduces legislation for women veterans
I was sent this from Cornelia Huebscher. Please pass this on and make some calls as soon as you can. Do this in memory of the fight my friend Irish waged for so many years.
NAMI VETERANS COUNCIL
Cornelia Huebscher
Veteran/ U.S. Army
NAMI Alaska Liaison to NVC
Chair/Women Veterans Subcommittee to NVC
Chair/NAMI Vets Alaska
huebscher@acsalaska.net
http://www.nami.org/
Von: McAlvanah, Matt (Murray)
Datum: 16-Mar-09 10:28:25
An: undisclosed-recipients:,
Betreff: WOMEN VETERANS: Murray Introduces Bi-Partisan Legislation to Prepare VA for Rapidly Growing Number of Women Veterans
United States Senate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alex Glass (Murray) – (202)-224-2834
Monday, March 16, 2009 Jeff Sadosky (Hutchison) - (202) 224-9767
Disabled American Veterans - (202) 554-3501
Rachel MacKnight (Mikulski) - (202)-228-1122
Natalie Ravitz or David Frey (Boxer) - (202) 224-8120
Julia Wanzco (Snowe) - (202) 224-1304
Julianne Fisher (Johnson) – (202) -224-1638
Katie Laning Niebaum (Lincoln) - (202) 224-4843
Michael Brumas (Murkowski) - (202) 224-9301
Meghan Dubyak (Brown) - (202) 224-3978
WOMEN VETERANS: Murray Introduces Bi-Partisan Legislation to Prepare VA for Rapidly Growing Number of Women Veterans
Legislation will address unique needs of women veterans, provide improved care for Military Sexual Trauma, and explore the effects service in Iraq and Afghanistan has had on female veterans
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced major bi-partisan legislation to prepare the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the influx of women veterans who will access care there in the coming years. Senator Murray’s bill, the Women Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2009, will address many of the unique needs of female veterans, particularly those women who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) is the lead co-sponsor of the legislation and has also played a vocal role in ensuring the VA meets the unique needs of female veterans.
“Women have stepped up to serve at unprecedented levels,” said Senator Murray. “Which means the VA is now faced with unprecedented challenges in caring for them as they return home. This bill addresses the unique challenges women face by providing specialized care for the visible and invisible wounds of war. As more women begin to transition home, and step back into lives as mothers, wives, and citizens, the VA must be there for them.”
“Women serving in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan and performing dangerous missions throughout the world make up an important and growing segment of our veteran population. The number of women veterans receiving care through the VA is expected to double in less than five years,” said Senator Hutchison. “Our bill will help improve access to quality health care services for women who have bravely served in our armed forces.”
“Generations of women have served honorably in all of this country’s major conflicts. These women have earned the right to expect the same high quality health care services and benefits as their male counterparts,” said Dave Gorman, Executive Director of Disabled American Veterans (DAV). “While significant progress has been made in recent years to remove institutional barriers that often discourage women veterans from seeking assistance at VA facilities, more needs to be done. The Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act will help ensure these women have equal access to VA benefits and services. DAV is proud to have worked on this legislation with Senator Murray, who has proven herself time and again to be a steadfast and effective champion for all of America’s veterans.”
Senators Murray and Hutchison’s bill was co-sponsored by Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Susan Collins (R-ME), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Lisa Murkowski (D-AK), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).
“The brave women of our military have been fighting side-by-side in Iraq and Afghanistan with our men in uniform so that we may live in freedom – they deserve the same support from the government when they return home,” Senator Mikulski said. “There is currently an unprecedented number of women defending their country at war. We owe them a debt of gratitude, and that means making sure they have a VA health care system that meets their needs.”
“More women are serving in the military today than at any time and this number is only growing. They face unique challenges and the VA must be prepared to meet their needs,” said Senator Boxer.
“With over 10,000 women veterans in Maine, and almost two million across the nation, each are patriots that have answered their nation’s call, and it is essential the nation be there for them when they return to the homefront and their families,” Senator Snowe said. “I am honored to join with my colleagues to introduce this bill today that rightfully recognizes and addresses issues with which many of these veterans and their families are managing today.”
“Our women vets have served courageously and selflessly alongside their fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. The time has come that we recognize the unique needs of these veterans by respecting their differences and addressing the inequities that may exist in the system,” said Senator Johnson, Chairman of the Senate Military Construction / VA Appropriations Subcommittee.
“This legislation will help ensure that our women in the military return home to a high quality health care system that they certainly deserve and have earned. I am proud to recognize the invaluable service that our service members have made, and I will continue to assist those who do so much to protect our nation,” said Senator Lincoln.
“For far too long, the VA has operated with a “one size – fits all” culture,” said Senator Murkowski. “Those days are gone. The physical, mental and reproductive health challenges that face women veterans may require a different menu of services, delivered in a different way than the VA has grown accustomed. This legislation sends a powerful wake-up call that America’s 1.7 million women veterans earned their benefits too and it is time for the VA to step up and meet its needs.”
“American service women need to know that their commitment to this country is both recognized and honored,” said Senator Brown. “We must meet the obligations of every veteran in a way that reflects their bravery and sacrifice. This bill would expand the VA’s resources to address gaps in services and provide women with access to benefits they have earned.”
Among other things, the legislation introduced today will:
· Require the VA to implement a program to train, educate, and certify VA mental health professionals to care for women with sexual trauma
· Require the VA Secretary to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the barriers women are facing in accessing care at the VA.
· Authorize a report to Congress on the effects the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have had on the physical, mental, and reproductive health of women who have served there.
· Require the VA to begin a pilot program that provides child care to women veterans that seek mental health care services at the VA.
· Require the VA to begin a pilot program that provides readjustment counseling to women veterans in group retreat settings.
Senators Murray and Hutchison introduced similar legislation last year in the 110th Congress which passed the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee before the Senate session ended.
For Detailed Information on the Women Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2009 visit: http://murray.senate.gov/veterans/women-vets-2009.pdf
Matt McAlvanah
Press Secretary
U.S. Senator Patty Murray
202-224-0228
matt_mcalvanah@murray.senate.gov
Friday, January 16, 2009
Veterans explain why they give up on the VA
When you know you do not leave the service the same way you went into it, it's easy to know it happened because you went in. You know you have health problems and then you read about chemicals being used where you were and you know why you're sick. This happened to veterans exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam and the veterans exposed while processing it, loading it and delivering it. Veterans that never set foot in Vietnam were exposed to it along with other chemical contaminations on bases like Fort McClellan .
They filed claims for what was caused by their willingness to serve, but the claims were denied. They tried to fight but sooner or later, they figured they couldn't fight anymore something they shouldn't have had to fight at all for. Some of my friends are still fighting.
When women were sexually assaulted, again because they were willing to serve, they were rebuffed and denied justice for the criminal actions of someone else and the results of the attacks when they ended up with PTSD. They fought to have claims approved and then gave up.
When will this country ever get this right? People working with claims get all defensive about denying claims stating that it's up to the veteran to prove the claim. The veterans' view is the VA should have to prove their disability was not caused by service to the country. After all, when VA doctors, trained by the VA to know what they're talking about link the illness with the service, it's only logical that they are not making baseless claims.
Take a veteran with PTSD. They have flashbacks. They are not having flashbacks of life outside of Vietnam, but of events during their time in Vietnam. When they have nightmares, it's about Vietnam not of things that have nothing to do with Vietnam. Same thing with the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. It's always about the events causing the traumatic reactions. The VA tells them they have to prove it. The last thing on the minds of the troops is getting names and phone numbers in case they needed to have claims substantiated years in the future. Most Vietnam veterans never saw the people they were with again because they were deployed alone under DEROS. (Date Expected Return From Over Seas) They would get orders to go, catch a plane from the states and end up in Vietnam in with a bunch of strangers they would end up bonding with for their year and then never see them again.
If you go onto the Lost and Found site, you'll read about Vietnam veterans still looking for people they were with online.
Some are trying to just find friends they used to have but most of them are trying to find someone that can tell the VA what they say happened really happened. In a perfect world you'd assume the military has records of all of it and who was there at the time, but they don't. Records get lost and paperwork ends up in someone else's file because of clerical errors and wrong social security numbers. This happened to my husband when his social security number was typed on documents about six different ways. Yet when veterans file claims, the VA doesn't care if they have all the paperwork they were handed or not. It's not the fault of the processors because they cannot just approve claims. They have to back up their decisions. If they decide wrongly in favor of the veteran, there is hell to pay but if they decide wrongly in favor of the VA, well then, that's a different story. They have to make sure all the "i" are dotted and the "t" are crossed. If not, then the claim is denied and then the veteran has to file an appeal.
There are over 800,000 cases waiting to be processed and over 300,000 appeals waiting. It's not a matter of a one shot appeal because often there are multiple appeals filed. The veteran is given so much time to respond and if they do not within the time the VA gives them, the claim begins fresh. In other words, the claim, if approved finally, does not go back to the original filing unless they meet every deadline. The veteran keeps going to the VA seeking treatment but without an approved claim and an act by Congress, they have to pay for the treatment because in the eyes of the VA, it's not service connected until the claim is approved. Imagine having a disability you and your doctor know is connected to your service, then finding out you have to pay for the treatment! Would you be angry? Would you want to give up?
Read the following and find out why they feel the way they do.
Fort McClellan
Home to the US Army Military Police and US Army Chemical Schools (Chemical Defense Training Facility - CDTF).
They filed claims for what was caused by their willingness to serve, but the claims were denied. They tried to fight but sooner or later, they figured they couldn't fight anymore something they shouldn't have had to fight at all for. Some of my friends are still fighting.
When women were sexually assaulted, again because they were willing to serve, they were rebuffed and denied justice for the criminal actions of someone else and the results of the attacks when they ended up with PTSD. They fought to have claims approved and then gave up.
When will this country ever get this right? People working with claims get all defensive about denying claims stating that it's up to the veteran to prove the claim. The veterans' view is the VA should have to prove their disability was not caused by service to the country. After all, when VA doctors, trained by the VA to know what they're talking about link the illness with the service, it's only logical that they are not making baseless claims.
Take a veteran with PTSD. They have flashbacks. They are not having flashbacks of life outside of Vietnam, but of events during their time in Vietnam. When they have nightmares, it's about Vietnam not of things that have nothing to do with Vietnam. Same thing with the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. It's always about the events causing the traumatic reactions. The VA tells them they have to prove it. The last thing on the minds of the troops is getting names and phone numbers in case they needed to have claims substantiated years in the future. Most Vietnam veterans never saw the people they were with again because they were deployed alone under DEROS. (Date Expected Return From Over Seas) They would get orders to go, catch a plane from the states and end up in Vietnam in with a bunch of strangers they would end up bonding with for their year and then never see them again.
If you go onto the Lost and Found site, you'll read about Vietnam veterans still looking for people they were with online.
Army Lost and Found
Some are trying to just find friends they used to have but most of them are trying to find someone that can tell the VA what they say happened really happened. In a perfect world you'd assume the military has records of all of it and who was there at the time, but they don't. Records get lost and paperwork ends up in someone else's file because of clerical errors and wrong social security numbers. This happened to my husband when his social security number was typed on documents about six different ways. Yet when veterans file claims, the VA doesn't care if they have all the paperwork they were handed or not. It's not the fault of the processors because they cannot just approve claims. They have to back up their decisions. If they decide wrongly in favor of the veteran, there is hell to pay but if they decide wrongly in favor of the VA, well then, that's a different story. They have to make sure all the "i" are dotted and the "t" are crossed. If not, then the claim is denied and then the veteran has to file an appeal.
There are over 800,000 cases waiting to be processed and over 300,000 appeals waiting. It's not a matter of a one shot appeal because often there are multiple appeals filed. The veteran is given so much time to respond and if they do not within the time the VA gives them, the claim begins fresh. In other words, the claim, if approved finally, does not go back to the original filing unless they meet every deadline. The veteran keeps going to the VA seeking treatment but without an approved claim and an act by Congress, they have to pay for the treatment because in the eyes of the VA, it's not service connected until the claim is approved. Imagine having a disability you and your doctor know is connected to your service, then finding out you have to pay for the treatment! Would you be angry? Would you want to give up?
Read the following and find out why they feel the way they do.
Veterans testify about health problems
By MIKE BARBER
P-I REPORTER
A special Veterans Affairs panel aiming to do justice for the long-neglected veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War convened in Seattle on Wednesday -- at the same time retired Gen. Eric Shinseki was testifying at a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday to be the new VA secretary.
While Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., spoke at Shinseki's hearing about the need to change the current culture of the VA, several veterans in Seattle told the 14-member Advisory Committee about problems they had after returning from Operation Desert Storm 18 years ago.
Each veteran had fallen ill in the 1990s and never recovered from similar, mysterious symptoms they said they were discouraged from reporting or treating after returning from war:
"I felt kicked out, humiliated ... I looked elsewhere for answers" and dropped all contact with the VA in 1996, said Mark Nieves, 38, of Seattle. He came home ill displaying a variety of mysterious symptoms after serving as a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division in the 1991 Iraq invasion.
Lee Christopherson, 47, of Seattle, a former Coast Guard commander who also served in the Iraq war in 2003, was urged to attend the meeting by his mom, who said she wanted him to share what she had seen him bottle up over the years, including multiple strokes, blood clotting, vascular dementia, severe joint pain, fatigue, sweats, and involuntary muscle spasms all over his body.
"I had significant medical issues but I avoided recording them due to the fear of repercussions to my career," said Christopherson, who has been waiting since 2004 for a decision on his disability claim.
Beckie Wilson, a retired enlisted sailor and veteran of Desert Storm in 1991, said she gave up seeking VA treatment 10 years ago, opting for private doctors, in part from feeling vulnerable as a woman and made to feel "crazy."
"I didn't feel like the VA is changing so why bother? Is it truly changing? Are you truly trying to do something for us?" she asked. click link above for more
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