June 5, 2009

House Subcommittee Approves PTSD Compensation Bill.

In continuing coverage, CongressDaily (6/5, Kreisher) reports, "The House Veterans Affairs Disability Assistance Subcommittee on Wednesday approved a bill that would make it easier for veterans to receive financial compensation" for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) "resulting from service in Iraq and Afghanistan." The bill, which gained approval "despite votes against it from at least two" of the panel's "three Republican members, would "allow a veteran to qualify for the monthly compensation for combat-related PTSD just by demonstrating that the psychological disorder was caused by something that happened while he or she was serving in the 'combat theater' as defined by the Defense secretary. Currently, the Veterans Affairs Department requires proof that the stress occurred during 'combat with the enemy.'" CongressDaily noted that US Rep. John Hall (D-NY), the bill's sponsor, "promised to work with...Republicans on possibly refining the qualification criteria before the bill goes to the full committee, perhaps next week."
 US Army: Unlicensed Psychologists In Iraq Did Not Violate Regulations. The AP (6/5, Hefling) reports, "The practice of sending unlicensed psychologists to Iraq to treat troops did not violate" US Army "regulations, according to a military inspector general's investigation instigated by a complaint" from a father whose son committed suicide in Iraq in 2005, three weeks after an unlicensed psychologist evaluated him "and sent him back to his unit." The AP adds, "Prior to a change in policy in 2006, it was a common practice in Iraq for the military to deploy unlicensed providers with the stipulation that they work under supervision." But that policy "was changed after the military determined supervision was difficult to do in a combat setting."
Impact: PTSD Compensation Bill

VA Facility Could Be Relocated To Downtown Section Of City In Idaho.

The Idaho Press Tribune (6/4, Dooley) said, "With a resolution to more than a year of flood map negotiations finally in sight," officials with the city of Caldwell, Idaho, "hope to begin work on part" of the Caldwell's "downtown plan soon. If everything lines up, officials hope to complete the portion of a planned mixed-use facility that would house...a new Veterans Affairs center by September 2010." Caldwell Mayor Garret Nancolas "said if, as officials expect, an agreement can be reached" with the US Bureau of Reclamation "regarding operation of the New York Canal, construction for...the VA center could begin by this fall. That also depends on whether the VA decides to relocate downtown."
Impact: Caldwell, ID VA

Director Proud Of "Camaraderie" At Golden Age Games.

The Golden Age Games continued to generate coverage in multiple news sources, ones which primarily focused on the background of specific event participants. For example, in a story that was covered by 63 US news outlets, including the Washington Post (6/5), the Los Angeles Times (6/5), and the Houston Chronicle (6/5), the AP (6/5, Johnson) profiles several of the "more than 700 veterans over the age of 55 participating" in this week's National Veterans Golden Age Games. Dewayne Vaughn, director of the games for the US Department of Veterans Affairs, "said some older veterans train all year for the competition. 'The purpose is to keep them in shape. It helps them live long, full lives and the camaraderie they have here is amazing,'" Vaughn said.
 With VA's Help, Veteran Regains Passion For Sports. The online NewsBlaze (6/3) profiled Vietnam-era veteran Martin Lopez, a "former Los Angeles Dodgers ballplayer" who suffered a "debilitating stroke" that left "him partially paralyzed and unable to speak. Depression soon followed, and for Lopez, the will to live slipped further away with each passing day." But Lopez "was challenged by VA medical center staff to not give up on his passion for sports." VA's "persistence paid off," and now, Lopez is participating in the Golden Age Games, which are co-sponsored by the VA, Veterans Canteen Service, and Help Hospitalized Veterans.
 First-Times Games Participant Excited About Event, Meeting New People. The Springfield (MO) News-Leader (6/5) profiles games participant Terry Morehouse, "an Army veteran from Springfield" who "currently receives care at the VA medical facility in Palo Alto, Calif." In a VA press release, Morehouse said, "I'm excited about participating in the Golden Age Games for the first time," and having "a chance to get to know some new people."
 Two Vets From Connecticut Win Gold Medals. The Waterbury (CT) Republican-American (6/5) reports, "Two local athletes won gold medals" at this year's Golden Age Games. Samuel Marabottini, "85, of Waterbury and Stephen Mondak, 82, of Watertown each won their first event at the games, which are open" to US "military veterans age 55 and older who are receiving medical care through" the VA.
 New Jersey Woman Competes In Golden Age, Wheelchair Games. On its "South Jersey Life" blog, the Gloucester County (NJ) Times (6/4, O'Connell) profiled "Jersey native" Carole Atkinson, who is competing in this year's Golden Age Games and "has been competing" in both "the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and Golden Age Games since 1998." According to the News, both events "are designed to further the rehabilitation treatments of veterans." WCFT-TV Birmingham, AL (6/4, 6:22 p.m. CT), which also aired a report on this year's games, broadcast that closing ceremonies take place Saturday night.
Impact: VA Golden Age Games

Defense launches campaign and Web site to destigmatize traumatic stress

By Bob Brewin 05/26/2009

The Defense Department launched a multimedia campaign that includes a new Web site designed to reduce the stigma that combat veterans and their families say they feel when seeking mental health care.  The effort includes the new Real Warriors Web site, which is hosted deliberately outside a military Internet domain because troops have reported that seeking help for mental health problems could harm their military careers.
Impact: DoD, PTSD Campaign