Politics As Usual
Shining a Light on Power and Policy
Tom Shine covers congressional politics for ABC News.
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"...I Would Like To Suggest That You Refrain From Giving A Diagnosis Of PTSD Straight Out."
June 04, 2008 9:01 AM
The e-mail starts this way. "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. Consider a diagnosis of adjustment disorder, R/O PTSD."
"Additionally, WE REALLY DON'T HAVE TIME to do the EXTENSIVE TESTING that should be done to determine PTSD..."
The author of that e-mail, Norma J. Perez, PhD, former coordinator of the PTSD clinical team at the Temple, Texas VA medical center will appear before a Senate committee this morning and Washington State Democrat Patty Murray is all fired up to ask Perez to explain just exactly what she meant and why she sent the e-mail. Was it all about the bottom line?
June 4, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (4)
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I doubt that this policy originated with Dr. Perez. This sounds just like the Bush way of doing things. Once a military member is no longer fit for duty, they try to do anything possible to avoid giving them another dime.
Most of our service members perform their duties with honor and distinction, but the way the administration treats them is anything but honorable.
Posted by: Bob | Jun 4, 2008 9:21:58 AM
As a military member, I find a knee jerk anti administration response to be inadequate.
There are some bad docs in the military and VA system who will treat soldiers poorly, there is human error, and there are soldiers with wrong motives who are looking for free money.
Money is always going to motivate people. The prospect of free money for the rest of your life that can be had by claiming difficult-to-verify symptoms is going to prove too much of a temptation for some. This ought to be self evident.
Doctors who evaluate soldiers must look at both sides of the issue. To fail to do so is incompetence.
Posted by: Ben | Jun 4, 2008 9:35:34 AM
I am a wife of a diabled vet and have had to deal with the VA for over 15 years. These findings do not surprise me or my family.
I, too was raised military, have a disabled Vietnam vet brother, and still we are so disappointed in how the VA could treat our troops and beloved citizens.
Get a clue-would you want your loved one treated this way?
I could write a book on how long and how much work it takes to get help for our so deserving vets.
I am sure we are not the only outraged family in this situation.
Posted by: Veronica | Jun 11, 2008 12:49:13 PM
WTG Veronica! I totally agree with you as I am a wife of a disabled vietnam vet I could write a book on the horrible doctors treatments and the I dont give a damn people the VA hires
Posted by: Patti | Aug 5, 2008 6:44:31 PM
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