Senator Murray's Veterans Update


April 18 , 2007

The Latest Veterans News from U.S. Senator Patty Murray

     
Historic Joint Hearing of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee
Wenatchee Clinic, TBI
& Walter Reed 		Historic Joint Hearing of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee
Low Disability Ratings
 

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Dear Friend:

We’re making progress in the Senate on issues that affect our veterans and service members.

I’m writing to share the latest developments with you.

In the past few weeks in our state, I’ve:

  • Visited the Seattle VA's Poly-Trauma Care Unit

  • And met with service members and families at Camp Murray

Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., I've been working on these issues:

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Fixing a Broken Disability System

Last Thursday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray called on top officials at the
Historic Joint Hearing of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee
Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to investigate reports of service members being "low-balled" on their disability ratings. Murray also demanded a rating system that will accurately rate service members with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and called for an investigation of a so called "Wal-Mart greeter standard" that has been reported by soldiers at Fort Lewis. The questioning occurred at a historic joint hearing of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senior officials from both the DoD and VA appeared before the panel.

Full Story full story

"Army, VA hit hard in hearings in Senate" – Tacoma News Tribune

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Faster Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injuries

Last Thursday, Senator Murray got key support from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary to have the Pentagon document explosions on the battlefield that could result in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) for U.S. service members.

VA Secretary Jim Nicholson agreed to write to Defense Secretary Robert Gates in support of the idea. In addition, the VA's chief medical officer said it would be especially helpful in uncovering cases of mild to moderate TBI, which are often hard to diagnose.

Full Story full story

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Wenatchee Veterans Clinic: Murray Tells VA Secretary: “Move It Along!”

Last Thursday, at a Senate hearing, Senator Murray pressed Veterans' Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson
Historic Joint Hearing of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee
to quickly open the Wenatchee VA Clinic without any further delays.

Murray raised the issue at a hearing of the Senate's Appropriations Subcommittee for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. Secretary Nicholson deferred the question to Dr. Michael Kussman, the VA's Acting Under Secretary for Health.

Unsatisfied with Dr. Kussman's response, Murray turned it back to the Secretary and got a commitment from him that he will promptly find out the status and "move it along."

Full Story full story

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Washington National Guard: I Brought Our Concerns to the Chief of the National Guard

Last Wednesday, Senator Murray questioned Lt. General H. Steven Blum, Chief of the U.S.
Murray questions Lt. General H. Steven Blum, Chief of the U.S. National Guard
National Guard Bureau, on concerns she heard from Washington state Guard members just two days ago on a visit to Tacoma's Camp Murray National Guard Base. The questioning was part of a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on and the National Guard and Army Reserve's budgets.

While meeting with Guard members at Camp Murray on Monday, Murray heard their frustration at being given insufficient notice before being called to active duty. Murray heard how the lack of preparation time - in some cases just four weeks - poses significant problems in acquiring healthcare, preparing families for a loved one's departure, and informing employers.

Full Story full story

"Murray questions readiness of National Guard units heading to war" – Seattle Times

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Walter Reed Revelation: They Knew About it in 2004

At a Senate hearing on Thursday, a top Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) official confirmed to Senator Murray that the VA and Pentagon were aware of some bureaucratic problems at Walter Reed three years before they were publicly exposed.

Until now, the Bush Administration had claimed that it was unaware of problems at Walter Reed before they were exposed by the Washington Post in February 2007.

"The warning lights were flashing at Walter Reed years ago, but the Bush Administration chose to ignore the problem and our injured service members paid the price," Murray said after the hearing.

Full Story full story

Listen to Senator Murray Questioning Acting VA Undersecretary for Health Dr. Michael Kussman (discussion starts at 6:58)

"New Walter Reed questions" – Salon.com

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See our last updates:

http://murray.senate.gov/vetupdates/update19.html
http://murray.senate.gov/vetupdates/update18.html
http://murray.senate.gov/vetupdates/update17.html