Recently a federal appeals court scolded the Veterans Administration for failing to care for the returning veterans who are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder at alarming rates that are not leveling, even with all the Outreach programs.
The U.S 9th Circuit Court of Appeals stated in a 2-1 ruling that the delays are so “egregious” that they “violate a veterans constitutional rights.”
I do not see it that way. There is little doubt that the approximately 6500 suicides a year must be addressed with urgency and budget allocations. Yet I do not see that it is the sole job of the VA to ameliorate a seeming intractable problem that is owned by the entire war making machine.
The data is showing that an average of 18 returning Armed Service members commit suicide each day. Most folks cannot even allow this to seep into their own activities of daily living, let alone a national psyche.
The genesis of the problem is not the VA. While the Courts tried to no avail to get the VA to “work faster” in providing mental health care, I do not see how one provides “fast” mental health care. And I do not quite grasp what the fraternal veterans organizations that filed suit two years ago are going to achieve with more pressure piled on a system that is already maxed with personnel shortages and adequately trained staff that can deal with PTSD.
PTSD is not like the flu. This syndrome begs for a degree of bonding between the therapist and client that does not suit itself to “fast” therapy. If the ruling from Judge Steven Reinhardt and Judge Procter Hug is intended to speed up the disability claim process, I am on their side. If the intent is to speed up mental health care, I am in opposition. Insensitive “check list” therapy can well be the cause of suicides. Many of the staff Psychiatrists and Psychologists in the nations VA Mental Health clinics have resigned prematurely and in quiet protest over the mandated 45 minutes allowed with each veteran. The VA monitors the time spent with each suffering soul. Time In, Time Out. I suggest that herein lies some of the problem with suicide prevention programs.
The slam bam thank you mam atmosphere that is created in a crisis of care and with political voyeurs looking on for their own gain of popularity is part of the zeitgeist that exacerbates the problem. This decision by the 9th Court is like sending a pregnant woman to Weight Wathchers.
The ruling goes on to state, “the VA’s unchecked incompetence has gone on long enough; no more veterans should be compelled to agonize or perish while the government fails to perfom its obligations.” Might I simply transpose that sentence to state that the incompetence of corporate America to take up the mantle of responsibility, in the context of ungodly war profiteering, and provide the funding for private sector outreach clinics in every neighborhood and library in America.
Where is the chorus of Tea Party patriots on this, “support the troops,” issue? Michele Bachman wants the Government out of our daily lives. Does she have a non-federalist solution to this epidemic?
The dissenting Judge Kozinski stated, “much as the VA’s failure to meet the needs of returning veterans with PTSD might shock and outrage us, we may not step in and boss it around.” Why are we as a nation not shocked and outraged at the 4 and 5 tours these troops are serving? Never since the days of Continental Army have our combatants served 5 tours in defense of the country. The Department of Defense in its back door draft, coupled with the intense ongoing need to provide bodies for the war on terror, have created a hybrid human being that is not amenable to “speeded up,” treatment regimens.
With all of the siren cries for more private sector involvement in the operation of our government, how about some tax breaks for the Halliburton Suicide Prevention Centers? Or the Blackwater Center For Transition Warriors. They are making hundreds of millions of dollars on the backs of these suicides. This is not the VA’s problem. They are not the sole culpable party. War has many accomplices. Most as unseen as the interiority of PTSD itself. Lets bring them into the light with some fiscal responsibility for a ten year long war, that is not ending soon. Maybe even a few of the Swiss bank accounts for offshore corporations could be tapped when Johnnie comes marching home.
When Veterans For Common Sense and Veterans United For Truth filed suit four years ago alleging systematic failures in the processing of disability claims, they were on track. Like I said earlier, if the focus is the processing of claims, they have my undying support. I was a volunteer Veteran Service Officer, and know well the ramifications of the delays and the the unbearable burden of the soldier and their families. The Mental Health Stategic Plan that was submitted in 2004,(seven more years of war have passed), mandated deadlines for treatment requests and benefit claims. General Shinseki was not the head of the VA then. Those mandates have taken root.
I return to my thesis. The co-mingling of mental health treatment and the claims process is not good problem solving.
Since the presidency of Abraham Lincoln we have afforded the legal guarantee to veterans that they will receive treatment for war wounds. Why does all that treatment have to be conducted on the grounds of Veterans Administration? If we can farm out the work of private mercenaries, why not dole out some cotracts for mental health care?
There are 25 million veterans in the United States. 1.8 million have served in Iraq or Afghanistan in the last 11 years. And the show ain’t over. The Rand Institute study that was competed in 2008 estimated that 300,000 plus returning veterans suffer from PTSD. Think that is a big enough risk pool for a private contractor? Throw in the residual Vietnam Veterans and the lingering population of Korean War veterans who are still under Doctors orders and you have a business plan.
I travel alot. I have visited many VA Hospitals and Vet Centers. I do not see an open wound in the offering of mental health care in these facilities. Is it possible that this crisis of care is arranged so as to privatize? Naomi Klein’s theory in her book, “The Shock Doctrine,” may apply.
I see your point. More cattle-herding style treatment may come about, and that is NOT acceptable. Plus, you misspelled “a lot”. You put “alot”. Please don’t do that, it hurts my brain. (lol)
Thanks for the correction. I stay up too late sometimes.
I don’t really think this is a time to go calling out political parties. But since you did, here is part of the reason the Republicans and Tea Party can’t go screaming down doors: We’re broke. Thanks to Nobama care we will be further broke. It used to be in this country to get free health care you had to serve your country. Now all you have to do is be a lazy bum. We’d rather take care of the people who choose not to do anything with their lives than take care of the people who put their lives on the line for everybody else. Yes, there is a huge problem with PTSD and other issues. YES it is the VA that needs to deal with it instead of trying to dole it out to other places. If it can be done and done right, then do it, but they need to start working a LOT harder on it themselves until they can figure that out. It is ENTIRELY the VA’s job to deal with the influx of PTSD and other war wounds that come from this ‘war machine.’ If you think differently, you really need to reconsider your stance as an veterans advocate.
-Brian
San Diego, CA
We are broke because Bush started two wars and cut taxes. The author of the article is saying that companies that profit from war should contribute to the care of the soldiers who come back with health problems. That sounds like a good idea to me.
Your comment about Obama shows that you obviously don’t understand the Affordable Care Act, which is projected to save the government money by giving out less “free health care”.
You, like most Americans, want security and lower taxes at the same time. The wounded warriors deserve the best care money can buy, and that might require Americans to pay higher taxes. I would be happy to pay a few hundred dollars more in taxes each year so veterans get the care they need.
Me too, so long as they are “dedicated funds.” If we can give a dollar at Pets Mart for orphaned animals, can we not find a way to fund a little more mental health care for veterans, sans the Government. Thanks for your clarifications Medicareblogger. It is fact based dialogue that elevates us and moves toward problem solving as opposed to incessant carping that masquerades as dialogue.
It is political parties that determine budgets. And, last I looked the VA has a budget that is stretched. Yes “We” the Government are broke. We agree there. Ergo, the very reason I beseech the private sector to assist….they are the ones we are defending. This is pretty simple math. It is either the Feds or the private sector. The money does not come from Mars. My premise is that our VA system needs some help…that is called advocacy. I have been a veterans advocate since 1973. I feel confident about the ground I stand on in this arena. Were you to ask any of the near 300 combat veterans I have assisted with claims since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, my stance would not have to be “reconsidered.” Thanks for you comments, that is what this is all about.
I believe that the last comment completely misses the point of this article – which hits the nail on the head, in my opinion. Yes the VA needs to do its part and yes the system that deals with claims is terribly flawed and needs to be fixed, now. But to think that this is solely the problem of the VA is to deny any responsibility for the effects of these wars on the people who return (and their families, friends, communities, schools, etc.) Its easy to blame based on political persuasion, but the human truth of this is that it is our brothers, sisters, mothers and and fathers who are in these wars, and we all need to be part of the solution to it.
Bill, Ashland, OR
From my personal experience, at least, the VA in Tucson offers some of the best care possible. However, how to continue providing adequate care with the ever increasing demand, is a complex and monumental problem. Mr. Brewer’s commentary is quite an accurate assessment from a broad and educated perspective.
Generalizations and baseless opinions as found in Brian’s audacious commentary serve no purpose in seeking genuine solutions. The use of the term “Nobama care” (a proper word play would have it as one word) implies disdain for intelligent discourse and limits credibility. As implied in Mr. Brewer’s article, if we want to find answers, it’s necessary to see the whole picture in it’s proper perspective, not from a fragmented point of view.
Here’s part of the reason the VA mental health care system don’t work:Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2011 12:22 PM
Subject: Fwd: FW: Veterans BewareThis may not be applicable to you at this time…but look and beware.
Dale
A word to the wise – be careful~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Subject: VA and Concealed Carry
Please pass this on to all the other retired guys and gun owners…Thanks From a Vietnam Vet and retired Police Officer: I had a doctors appointment at the local VA clinic yesterday and found out something very interesting that I would like to pass along. While going through triage before seeing the doctor, I was asked at the end of the exam, three questions : 1 . Did I feel stressed? 2. Did I feel threatened? 3. Did I feel like doing harm to someone? The nurse then informed me, that if I had answered yes to any of the questions, I would have lost my concealed carry permit as it would have gone into my medical records and the VA would have reported it to Homeland Security. Looks like they are going after the vets first. Other gun people, like retired law enforcement will probably be next. Then when they go after the civilians, what argument will they have? Be forewarned and be aware. The Obama administration has gone on record as considering veterans and gun owners potential terrorists. Whether you are a gun owner veteran or not, you’ve been warned.. If you know veterans and gun owners, please pass this on to them.
Be Very cautious about what you say and to whom.I received this from a VA Mental Health worker. You can’t have real mental health care if you have to worry about every word you say to ANY type medical worker.
There is not an ounce of truth in this narrative that has been flying around the Internet for 10 years. You only need be concerned about your concealed license if you have felonies coupled with documented threats. As a retired private investigator, I checked this out when the rumors first started being promulgated.
I don’t know what is going on with the VA but I do know that things have changed and not necessarily for the good. I know the Va hospital mental health that my husband goes to has reviewed it medicine list and has cut down on the types of med’s that the guys can get for there PTSD. My husband is a Vietnam Vet. and he suffers from very severe PTSD and he can’t even get some of the med’s that he had always gotten from the VA. Even at the same Va mental health facility he had on doctor that when he went to see him we were only in his office for less than 5 minute. Now you tell me how he could treat my husband in the proper manner? Something needs to be done to the system and for the good of the system not the bad. These boys coming home from the middle east are sick individuals and need help.
Mr. Brewer, I thought the “speedy” care was meant to solve the enormous wait times we endure to see a practitioner, especially for those in crisis? My interpretation of the lawsuit implies that access to the Doc is the problem, not the length or type of treatment. My personal experiences with the VA include a 24 month claim processing time and frequent roadblocks from VA support staff (gatekeepers) who regularly ignore emails and voicemails in my search for care. A shining example of the unconstitutional behavior of the VA is my 6 week attempt to secure an opthomologist for a rapid and recent reduction in vision from a TBI. Life, limb and eyesight injuries will get a Soldier a rapid Medevac to Germany; but apparently loss of visual acuity means nothing to the VA gatekeepers. I like your war tax for the corporations who profit from these wars, but that is a dream that will never flourish as we all know our so called representatives are on the take for thousands in political contributions from those same private companies. We the people no longer own our government. Perhaps that in itself is the true cause of our nations PTSD epidemic? I know my moral compass was destroyed knowing that so much death and suffering was delivered by me, and to me, for lies told by these same representatives. In the end I greatly appreciate the work of Vets for Common Sense, and believe that the embarrassment of our government for their failings, is truly one way to force positive change. It’s that, or violence, and I can speak for many of us in saying I have had a lifetimes share of that in two tours, and wish to experience no more. Thanks for the article, and keep up the good work of speaking for those of us who cannot speak or write as well as you. We recent Veterans can never repay the earlier generations of Veterans who regularly and selflessly fight for the OIF/OEF Veterans now. From me; Thank You!!
Thank you Bruce for your insightful comments. I was hoping more OIF/OEF Vets would chime in to talk with us. I too had a head injury in Vietnam, and never did get care that was nuanced to the nature of the injury. My claim took about 3 years from start to finish with those wonderful “gatekeepers” assuming the mantle.
Are you serious? You may have visited the VA Centers, but did you actually talk to any of the Vets who are having to put up with the egregious violations of lack of care? These men and women are coming back, being held out for about 5 years before they see any real treatment, are required to self-advocate at a time when they are least capable of so doing, and often do not have mental health service even available to them. The service is available at the larger centers, but not in the outlying clinics. The “experts” get 2.5 days of training to be considered a specialist. This isn’t politics. This is incompetence and intransigence. The VA was tasked with trying to mediate the situation; they did nothing of the sort. The process is set up so as to defeat the Vets if they contest the findings of the VA, and they’re not allowed to have an attorney until several years down the road. The protections of the VA were instituted beginning with Lincoln. This isn’t process that is being challenged, it is malpractice! I have dealt with too many Vets who tell the same tale. They come home with what used to be considered shell shock, now known as PTSD. They run into the equivalent of a government worker who doesn’t much care, and they are lost. The system is broken and must be fixed. These men and women who put their lives on the line come home with loss of limb or eyesight and then have to be mentally defeated by a system that was there to assist them in reintegrating into society. It was designed to detox them. Nothing could be further than the truth. Don’t talk to the workers at the VA. Talk to the Vets themselves. Do you think they really wanted to sue for the due process that was guaranteed them. Honestly.
Y’all forgot all about the Dead Soldiers. Suicide. It isn’t about money, honey.
Focus, boys. Not everything is a talking point.
Oh…and….Alcohol is usually involved.
AMEN on a reality article!!
May I add, it’s been a Decade Plus, of the recent conflicts, that few are Demanding ‘Sacrifice’ in the greater population especially the ones claiming ‘patriotism?’, with their ‘purple heart bandages’, Vietnam ’70-’71 In-Country Navy last of my four, as they didn’t in the decades previous!! Finally we have VA leadership, a few tried before with a certain party obstructing as they recently have, who is trying to upgrade the agency and correct what wasn’t done nor mentioned as we waged these two wars of choice!
Small footnote that never made MSM news. This Administration passed a firm budget for the VA, before the end of the calender year, twice now. It allowed them to plan in advance for returning soldiers. This has never happened in the previous 26 years. But then as they say in journalism, “you cannot tell a story about..there was NO plane wreck today.”
As a Corpsman I dealt with a lot of mental health issues from attempted suicides to drug and alcohol related injuries and abuses. After I got out, I started volunteering for disaster relief efforts both here in the United States and abroad. I found many other veterans do the same thing after their active duty service. Every veteran volunteer I’ve talked to said they did it to help people in need as well as help themselves recover from their personal experiences in the military. By helping others rebuild their lives they gain a renewed sense of self worth and the confidence to live productive lives again.
Roger that. I volunteer at the Merritt Retreat Center Veteran Program. It is free to all veterans and one of the best kept secrets in the nation. I know tons of vets rated 100% disabled who spend all their waking hours helping fellow vets. We are a fortunate nation to have that underground workforce that is accessible to their brothers and sisters of war.