How about doing that by BRINGING THEM HOME and DIAGNOSING THEM CORRECTLY for starters, huh?
Considering that WAR-PROFITEERING CONTRACTORS get paid anyway for fraud, I find this next item disgusting.
They are SHORT-CHANGING the TROOPS, folks!!!!
Also See: V.A. To Combat Combat Stress
"VA denies money was a factor in stress disorder diagnoses; Staff psychologist to testify before Senate panel" by Hope Yen, Associated Press | June 4, 2008
WASHINGTON - A Veterans Affairs psychologist denies that she was trying to save money when she suggested that counselors make fewer diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder in injured soldiers.
Norma Perez, who helps coordinate a post-traumatic stress disorder clinical team in central Texas, indicated she might have been out of line to cite growing disability claims in her March 20 e-mail titled "Suggestion." She said her intent was simply to remind staff members that stress symptoms could also be adjustment disorder. The less severe diagnosis could save the VA millions of dollars in disability payouts.
"In retrospect, I realize I did not adequately convey my message appropriately, but my intent was unequivocally to improve the quality of care our veterans received," Perez said in testimony prepared for delivery today before a Senate panel.
What a SHAMELESS LIAR!
The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and the VA inspector general are investigating whether there were broader VA policy motives behind the e-mail, which was obtained and disclosed last month by two watchdog groups. The VA has strenuously denied that cost-cutting is a factor in its treatment decisions.
"One question that was raised repeatedly about this latest e-mail was, 'Why would a clinician be so concerned about the compensation rolls?' " said Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Democrat of Hawaii, who chairs the Senate panel. "As an oversight body, we must know whether the actions of these VA employees point to a systemic indifference to invisible wounds."
VA Secretary James B. Peake has called Perez's e-mail suggestion "inappropriate." VA officials this week said her e-mail was taken out of context.
Yeah, sure it was. Like everything this administration says or does, right, prick?
"The e-mail, as characterized by others, does not reflect the policies or conduct of our healthcare system," said Michael Kussman, VA's undersecretary for health, in testimony prepared for the Senate hearing. "We certainly agree that it could have been more artfully drafted."
Translation: We could have said it better, that's the problem. It's all in the LANGUAGE!
I guess these guys would describe a rape as a passionate love session, huh, readers?
In her e-mail to staff members at the VA medical center in Temple, Texas, Perez wrote, "Given that we are having more and more compensation-seeking veterans, I'd like to suggest that you refrain from giving a diagnosis of PTSD straight out. . . . We really don't have time to do the extensive testing that should be done to determine PTSD."
Do I really need to say anything?
Yeah, support the troops, right.
.... In her testimony, Perez said symptoms for PTSD and adjustment disorder are often similar, as are the treatments for them.
Oh, so now they are going to call it "adjustment disorder" so they can get out of paying these guys (and gals) what they deserve!!!
She said by making an initial diagnosis of a lesser disorder, VA staff can begin treatment right away without going through the arduous process of deeming it PTSD.
Perez also noted that awarding disability benefits is not part of her staff's work, but she did not say why she chose to cite that as a factor in urging fewer PTSD diagnoses. Veterans diagnosed with PTSD are eligible to receive up to $2,527 a month in government benefits.
That's it? That's ALL our vets are getting for their service?
$600 bucks a week?
While Halliburton, KBR, Bechtel and the rest GOUGE the U.S. taxpayers for BILLIONS in WAR LOOT?!
Pffffffffttttt!!!!
A recent Rand Corp. study found that about 300,000 US military personnel who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are suffering from PTSD or major depression. Lesser diagnoses in benefits decisions could save the government millions of dollars.
Yup, worried about our troops getting a few extra bucks while WAR LOOTERS RIP US ALL OFF!!
Fuck these abominable occupations!!!!
Oh, yeah, and SUPPORT the TROOPS!!!!
Perez's testimony was made after Peake was called to Capitol Hill last month to answer questions about internal e-mails suggesting that VA officials were hiding the number of veterans who tried to kill themselves. One of the e-mails started with "Shh!"
But the VA wasn't trying to cover anything up or screw the troops!
Un-fucking-believable!!!!!
