From the NY Times: Nearly a third of female veterans say they were sexually assaulted or raped while in the military, and 71 percent to 90 percent say they were sexually harassed by the men with whom they served.
So when they return seeking care at V.A. facilities, what will they encounter? Will they receive the equivalent quality of care as male veterans? Very likely- no.
The V.A. has acknowledged it "may have gaps" which means they they aren't actually acknowledging it. They may or they may not is the interpretation. Recently, the VA told Congresswomen Murray that "they just didn't have the money to implement a lot of the initiatives included in her proposed legislation to research the needs of female veterans."
Although, the V.A. was "absolutely committed to making (female veterans) feel welcome." The other analysis of this is, "as long as they don't ask us to be trained in military sexual trauma or don't ask us to not be a male oriented medical system."
There is a tremendous need for actual training on MST. A female vet goes into an exam room with a doctor who barks"take your clothes off." That is intimidating to a women with MST. Getting any genital exam is stressful for women with MST. Female vets are warned to not need a Urologist because they are usually men. The clinic will be filled with posters of male genitalia explaining the male reproductive system (Atlanta V.A.) Female veterans are challenged by clerks as to if they are "really" veterans" and forced to show their ID cards while men are not. (N.J. V.A.)
In another case, a female veteran goes into a room with no window coverings and is told, "take your shirt off for the exam." That is intimidating to a female with MST. Waiting in a clinic waiting room full of men is also difficult for women with MST. So, is there a need to educate medical providers and staff to be sensitive to severely traumatized female vets? You decide.
ANJYL
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Iraq Death Toll Mounts While Congress Adds Gas to Fire
NY Times June 28, 2008
The Department of Defense has identified 4,096 American service members who have died since the start of the Iraq war.
Yet, the Senate yesterday, on a In a 92 to 6 vote, approved unrestricted funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that allows continuation of the current military course of action through the end of President Bush's term and beyond.
When do we as Americans demand our Congress listen to we, who elected them? The 4,096 who are now confirmed dead are only the tip of the iceberg. Easily, five times that number are returning with permanent disabilities. These young men and women are our country's greatest national resource yet we are allowing Congress to had fuel to the flames- destroying our legacy- our children.
Think about it. Then take action by letting your congressman know what you feel about the war in the Mideast. There is a difference between supporting the brave individuals who fight for our country and allowing wholesale destruction of our country's greatest legacy- our children.
ANJYL
The Department of Defense has identified 4,096 American service members who have died since the start of the Iraq war.
Yet, the Senate yesterday, on a In a 92 to 6 vote, approved unrestricted funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that allows continuation of the current military course of action through the end of President Bush's term and beyond.
When do we as Americans demand our Congress listen to we, who elected them? The 4,096 who are now confirmed dead are only the tip of the iceberg. Easily, five times that number are returning with permanent disabilities. These young men and women are our country's greatest national resource yet we are allowing Congress to had fuel to the flames- destroying our legacy- our children.
Think about it. Then take action by letting your congressman know what you feel about the war in the Mideast. There is a difference between supporting the brave individuals who fight for our country and allowing wholesale destruction of our country's greatest legacy- our children.
ANJYL
Friday, June 27, 2008
Military Sexual Trauma- Low Priority With V.A.
Capitol Hill Watch Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Approves Bill That Would Improve Female Veterans' Health Care
[Jun 27, 2008] The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on Thursday approved by voice vote legislation that would improve health care for female veterans, the Tacoma News Tribune reports. The bill (S 2799) would require new studies about the problems women face when seeking treatment at the Department of Veterans Affairs and expand staff and training for VA personnel attending to female patients. VA, along with the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, would be commissioned to study health consequences for women returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a VA pilot program would be created to provide child care services for female veterans requiring intensive outpatient care. The measure also would authorize new programs to improve care for victims of military sexual trauma.
VA officials told lawmakers that they already have begun efforts to improve care for women and that they opposed many provisions of Murray's bill. The measure was combined with others into omnibus legislation for the voice vote. According to the News Tribune, "Prospects of the bill reaching the Senate floor were uncertain, with the chamber's legislative calendar already jammed and lawmakers hoping to go home in the early fall to campaign" (Tacoma News Tribune, 6/27). http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=53008
The bottom line is the Senate is in a hurry to take their session break and this proposed care for MST will end up never coming to pass. The V.A. doesn't consider MST a priority- that is clear.
ANJYL
[Jun 27, 2008] The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on Thursday approved by voice vote legislation that would improve health care for female veterans, the Tacoma News Tribune reports. The bill (S 2799) would require new studies about the problems women face when seeking treatment at the Department of Veterans Affairs and expand staff and training for VA personnel attending to female patients. VA, along with the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, would be commissioned to study health consequences for women returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a VA pilot program would be created to provide child care services for female veterans requiring intensive outpatient care. The measure also would authorize new programs to improve care for victims of military sexual trauma.
VA officials told lawmakers that they already have begun efforts to improve care for women and that they opposed many provisions of Murray's bill. The measure was combined with others into omnibus legislation for the voice vote. According to the News Tribune, "Prospects of the bill reaching the Senate floor were uncertain, with the chamber's legislative calendar already jammed and lawmakers hoping to go home in the early fall to campaign" (Tacoma News Tribune, 6/27). http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=53008
The bottom line is the Senate is in a hurry to take their session break and this proposed care for MST will end up never coming to pass. The V.A. doesn't consider MST a priority- that is clear.
ANJYL
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Military Sexual Trauma
The number of female veterans seeking medical services from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs is expected to double within the next five years. There are currently about 1.7 million female veterans, or 7 percent of the nation's nearly 25 million veterans. More than 250,000 women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Female veterans have complained that the VA has a male-dominated atmosphere that can make them uncomfortable and that the VA has been to slow to provide such things as mammograms and pap smears.
The Senate Armed Forces Committee is discussing a bill to look into the unique aspects of Military Sexual Trauma. There is a long overdue mandate to train specialist in the care of female and male veterans victimized by sexual assault.
God Bless-
ANJYL
Female veterans have complained that the VA has a male-dominated atmosphere that can make them uncomfortable and that the VA has been to slow to provide such things as mammograms and pap smears.
The Senate Armed Forces Committee is discussing a bill to look into the unique aspects of Military Sexual Trauma. There is a long overdue mandate to train specialist in the care of female and male veterans victimized by sexual assault.
God Bless-
ANJYL
Iraq V.A. Health Care
www.veteransptsdclassaction.org
This is a site for additional info on the Veterans lawsuit in S.F., CA.
Remember veterans are entitled to five years of care through the V.A. after discharge. For service connected disabilities, they could be eligible longer.
God Bless-
ANJYL
This is a site for additional info on the Veterans lawsuit in S.F., CA.
Remember veterans are entitled to five years of care through the V.A. after discharge. For service connected disabilities, they could be eligible longer.
God Bless-
ANJYL
Federal Lawsuit in San Francisco
http://www.injuryboard.com/national-news/mental-health-benefits-for-veterans-lawsuit-dismissed.aspx?googleid=242562
A lawsuit that accused the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of failing to take care of the mental health needs of returning troops, has been dropped by a federal judge in San Francisco.
The groups had been seeking a court order to improve the mental health care of troops from all around the country and to streamline the processing and delivery of benefits. The ruling follows a two-week trial last month.
The groups want to better address the high rate of suicide among veterans who commit between three and more than seven times more than the national average.
There are reportedly 18 suicides a day among all veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 1,000 attempts a month among those who are receiving benefits under the VA.
A study earlier this year said that at least nine percent of returning U.S. troops have experienced PTSD.
PTSD is characterized by sudden outbursts of anger, an inability to sleep and concentrate, hopelessness and reliving the event.
Another study conducted by The Institutes of Medicine, had indicated that about 12.6 percent of Iraq servicemen and women and 6.2 percent of those in Afghanistan have experienced PTSD.
Headlines across America talk about returning veterans who go ballistic.
One took an AK-47 assault rifle into a late night 7-11 wearing his combat uniform. The 20-year-old needed alcohol to sleep. Matthew Sepi allegedly killed who he perceived to be an enemy. He is facing murder charges.
The New York Times found 121 cases of veterans committing or being charged with killings after returning from the war. Alcohol abuse, family disruption, and mental instability all become part of the picture. Some turned on family members, some turned on other soldiers. Most of the veterans were still in the military.
The groups say that mental health treatment is virtually unavailable, and that
A lawsuit that accused the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of failing to take care of the mental health needs of returning troops, has been dropped by a federal judge in San Francisco.
The groups had been seeking a court order to improve the mental health care of troops from all around the country and to streamline the processing and delivery of benefits. The ruling follows a two-week trial last month.
The groups want to better address the high rate of suicide among veterans who commit between three and more than seven times more than the national average.
There are reportedly 18 suicides a day among all veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 1,000 attempts a month among those who are receiving benefits under the VA.
A study earlier this year said that at least nine percent of returning U.S. troops have experienced PTSD.
PTSD is characterized by sudden outbursts of anger, an inability to sleep and concentrate, hopelessness and reliving the event.
Another study conducted by The Institutes of Medicine, had indicated that about 12.6 percent of Iraq servicemen and women and 6.2 percent of those in Afghanistan have experienced PTSD.
Headlines across America talk about returning veterans who go ballistic.
One took an AK-47 assault rifle into a late night 7-11 wearing his combat uniform. The 20-year-old needed alcohol to sleep. Matthew Sepi allegedly killed who he perceived to be an enemy. He is facing murder charges.
The New York Times found 121 cases of veterans committing or being charged with killings after returning from the war. Alcohol abuse, family disruption, and mental instability all become part of the picture. Some turned on family members, some turned on other soldiers. Most of the veterans were still in the military.
The groups say that mental health treatment is virtually unavailable, and that
San Francisco Case Against V.A.
Court Rules in PTSD Class Action Suit: Vets Should Seek Remedy in ...Congress.
Somehow, I expected nothing less. The V.A. has tremendous political clout.
Veterans for Truth were told to seek redress from Congress and through the V.A.
Nothing new there. Our elected legislators will promise anything until they become elected/ Each veteran must get out and vote for Representatives who will support us.
This election is more important than most. Veterans, make it happen!
God Bless-
ANJYL
Somehow, I expected nothing less. The V.A. has tremendous political clout.
Veterans for Truth were told to seek redress from Congress and through the V.A.
Nothing new there. Our elected legislators will promise anything until they become elected/ Each veteran must get out and vote for Representatives who will support us.
This election is more important than most. Veterans, make it happen!
God Bless-
ANJYL
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