Memo on PTSD costs sparked Army review

[unhappycamper]

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/02/07/138095/memo-on-ptsd-costs-sparked-army.html


Memo on PTSD costs sparked Army review
By Hal Bernton | The Seattle Times
Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2012

SEATTLE — In a lecture to colleagues, a Madigan Army Medical Center psychiatrist said a soldier who retires with a post-traumatic-stress-disorder diagnosis could eventually receive $1.5 million in government payments, according to a memo by a Western Regional Medical Command ombudsman who attended the September presentation.

The psychiatrist went on to claim the rate of such diagnoses eventually could cause the Army and Department of Veterans Affairs to go broke.

"He (the psychiatrist) stated that we have to be good stewards of the taxpayers' dollars, and we have to ensure that we are just not 'rubber-stamping' a soldier with the diagnoses of PTSD," stated the ombudsman's memo.

~snip~

The Army Medical Command's investigation is being monitored by Sen. Patty Murray, who chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. She said that doctors should not be taking financial considerations into account as they make a mental-health diagnosis.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

1. Are they saying our men and women aren't worth it?

Because looks to me like that's the direction they are taking this. Hmmmmm....
How about this for a solution...... No More stupid illegal rich mans wars!

[unhappycamper]

3. That sounds reasonable to moi.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

6. Kind of a no brainier

xo

J is busy here working towards occupying a foreclosed home. I just put in appearances
When they need strength in numbers. You need to come see the farm

[DCKit]

2. What Patty said.

Now, let's talk about the economic benefits of not starting the illegal wars that result in PTSD.

[unhappycamper]

4. All wars generate PSTD

When I was growing up in the 1950s, my mom and I used to visit her brother who was confined to a VA hospital with 'shell-shock' from his Korean experience. (Uncle Al died in the mid-sixties.)

Vietnam introduced a new generation of Americans into the club.

Ditto Gulf War I.

Ditto the current adventures.

I've been reading about the fallout in the military rags for a while now.

War is good for bidness but it sucks for people.

[DCKit]

5. Thank you teacher. May I have another? nt

[sarge43]

8. I'd venture to say that no one leaves a combat zone alive without a wound.

Most just aren't Purple Heart types.

[sarge43]

7. Blaming the victim again

I bet I could call that shrink's political philosophy.

$2,765 a month is just above poverty level and with 100% disability discharge based on PTSD, I'm guessing veteran will never have a decent paying job. Hell, vets without any disability are struggling to find one.