BernieHund: The Political Watchdog

NPR reported today

One year ago this month, a series of articles in the Washington Post exposed squalid living conditions and poor care for some soldiers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. A new report by the Government Accountability Office says the Army is now doing many things well — but it may not be able to keep up with the growing number of injured soldiers.

In the State of the Union address, January 28, 2008

“Over the past 7 years, we have increased funding for veterans by more than 95 percent. As we increase funding, we must also reform our veterans system to meet the needs of a new war and a new generation.”

That statement by the Commander in Chief followed a November article in the New York Times that stated

“The new study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, estimated that in 2004 nearly 1.8 million veterans were uninsured and unable to get care in veterans’ facilities.”

Additionally on January 18, 2008 USA Today reported

A task force study — completed last May but not made public until Thursday — found fault with several issues, including efforts to identify and treat soldiers suffering mild traumatic brain injury often resulting from exposure to roadside bomb blasts.

Although victims often show no outward sign of the injury, it can affect brain functions dealing with short-term memory, problem solving and sleep, and cause nausea, dizziness and headaches. Treatment often involves pulling a soldier out of combat temporarily or permanently, and treating the symptoms.

Screening efforts show 10% to 20% of Marines and soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq may have suffered this wound, according to the Army. The task force last May found that “major gaps” in identifying and treating the injury “were created by a lack of coordination and policy-driven approaches.”

Are we to believe that health care has made a sudden change over the past year?  Probably not.  But, is something being done to improve the situation?  Probably.

The situation is not one that can handle more government bureaucracy.  When our Marines and soldiers come home, they need immediate care that is continuing.  Brain injury, much like spinal cord injury isn’t one that can wait until we get around to it.  Brain injury and spinal cord injuries are time sensitive. 

Over the past five or six years there has been a tremendous shortcoming in the funding for the VA Health Care program.  With the war still being waged, and troops returning with injuries to filled to capacity hospitals, we must stay vigilant and demand the proper health care and continuity of health care for those us have sacrificed physically and/or mentally in during their time of service.

Again, I am totally against the War in Iraq, have been from day one and will be until the last Marine, soldier, sailor, and airman engaged in battle are brought home.  But, we must stay vigilant to the conditions to which they come.  Every person who has seen the sand in Iraq and engaged in battle must be screened and tested for brain injury and PTSD.

Now, today The GAO says things are going better.  The question is, do we believe them?  They never mentioned when things weren’t going well, so I do have a problem with them saying things have improved. 

And, just in case you have forgotten, there are veterans sleeping on the streets and under a cold bridge somewhere tonight.  Let us not forget them and our failed duty to them and their sacrifices.