Senate unveils bill to improve care of wounded troops

[babylonsister]

http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/news/nation/17370169.htm

Senate unveils bill to improve care of wounded troops
By David Whitney
McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON - Legislation to ensure quality care for wounded troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan was unveiled in the Senate Thursday, winning instant praise from veterans organizations.

"The days of not paying attention to our service members are over," declared Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a leading force behind the legislation for the Senate Democratic leadership.

The bipartisan legislation, called the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act, follows reports of deplorable housing for wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

But similar conditions and bureaucratic red tape interfering with the treatment of troops injured on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan were found at facilities around the country.

The legislation requires a comprehensive policy on the care of veterans as they move from active military duty into Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, including adoption of the VA standards for assigning disability levels.

Wounded veterans have complained that the Defense Department under-reports the extent of their injuries to avoid having to pay medical retirement. Then when they move into the VA system, it takes weeks to get appointments for treatment of conditions often found to be worse than reported by the Defense Department.

The sweeping legislation had the instant support of veterans organizations, including two of the biggest - Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.

more...

[MadMaddie]

1. So is beezlebub going to veto this bill?

[babylonsister]

2. He might; that would add to his legacy...

:eyes:

[Cabcere]

3. Probably; after all, nothing shows you "support the troops" like vetoing funds

for their care and survival. :eyes:

[otherlander]

4. Maybe he'll let it pass

Just for the PR... Here's hoping. :shrug:

[babylonsister]

5. I don't know; there's already veto talk in the wind:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1114839&mesg_id=1114839

[blondeatlast]

6. How organized crime of him--extortion.

The man just does not give a good goddamn. I'm beginning to hope that there is a hell and I hope he rots in a one of his own making.