Give 'em nothing.
Washington, D.C. - New data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are "strong proof" that the Administration's budget is insufficient to meet the mental health care needs of veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. That is the conclusion of Illinois Rep. Lane Evans, Ranking Democratic Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Maine Rep. Michael Michaud, Ranking Democratic Member of the Committee's Subcommittee on Health.
Evans and Michaud had requested the data, which showed that in the first three months of FY 2006, VA saw a 21% increase in the number of veterans from Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) who have sought care at the VA. The department has seen 144,424 returning veterans through the first quarter of FY 2006, 33,858 more than the Administration had estimated in its budget proposal for the entire year.
Digest that thought for just a minute. 33,858 more in the first quarter than BushCo budgeted for FOR THE YEAR!
"VA's data show a 30% increase in the number of OIF/OEF veterans who have an initial diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder from the end of FY 2005. I applaud the courage of these veterans who have sought help, but the Administration refuses to acknowledge fully the demand and need for mental health services," said Rep. Michaud. "The Administration projects it will treat approximately 18,000 OIF/OEF veterans for PTSD in the current fiscal year, but VA data show it is already treating 20,638 OIF/OEF veterans for PTSD as of the first three months."
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We used to have a semi-humorous saying in the Army, "Nothing's too good for our troops, so fuck 'em, give them nothing". This Maladministration obviously applies that philosophy to Veterans, too.
