http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2007/07/30/dailylight/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/letter2.txtTo the Editor,
Maybe you missed it between Lindsay Lohan and Michael Vick, but Bob Dole and Donna Shalala have delivered their report on the conditions in the VA and for returning active duty injured.The report indicated many areas where treatment was substandard, and gave many recommendations. Among these are:
Boost staff and money for Walter Reed until it closes in the coming years. Also urges Pentagon to work with the VA to create “integrated care teams” of doctors and nurses to see injured troops through their recovery.
Restructure the disability pay systems to give the VA more responsibility for awarding benefits.
Require comprehensive training programs in post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries for military leaders, VA and Pentagon personnel.
Create a “My eBenefits” Web site, developed jointly by the VA and Pentagon, that would allow service members and doctors to access private medical information as the injured move from facility to facility to receive treatment.
Provide better family support, because one-third of injured Iraq war veterans reported that a family member or close friend had to relocate to care for them. It calls for training and counseling for families of service members who require long-term care and improved family leave and insurance benefits for family members.
We must petition our elected officials to act, not just talk, and make these changes happen. It would be an extreme disservice to our wounded veterans if, like the Webb-Hagel Amendment, this becomes a victim of partisan bickering. Support our troops. Call Senators Hutchison and Cornyn and Congressman Barton and ask them to support these recommendations and our troops.
Their track record hasn’t been real great so far.
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