Tbi Vtes Still Getting

[Berta]

Article in part:

"During the past few decades, scientists have become increasingly persuaded that people who suffer brain injuries benefit from what is called cognitive rehabilitation therapy — a lengthy, painstaking process in which patients relearn basic life tasks such as counting, cooking or remembering directions to get home.

Many neurologists, several major insurance companies and even some medical facilities run by the Pentagon agree that the therapy can help people whose functioning has been diminished by blows to the head.

Key Findings

Tricare analysis of cognitive rehabilitation discounted studies showing patients benefited from the therapy.

Confidential scientific reviews denounced the analysis as a "misuse" of science.

The Pentagon's stance has created a disparity: troops without aggressive advocates or high-level connections have been denied care or never sought treatment.

Some civilian brain clinics say they have been reluctant to treat troops and veterans for fear that they will not receive payment.

But despite pressure from Congress and the recommendations of military and civilian experts, the Pentagon’s health plan for troops and many veterans refuses to cover the treatment — a decision that could affect the tens of thousands of service members who have suffered brain damage while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tricare, an insurance-style program covering nearly 4 million active-duty military and retirees, says the scientific evidence does not justify providing comprehensive cognitive rehabilitation. Tricare officials say an assessment of the available research that they commissioned last year shows that the therapy is not well proven.

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/20/132145959/pentagon-health-plan-wont-cover-brain-damage-therapy-for-troops

and available at VAWatchdogToday

(Shades of Dr. Van Boven's travails- VA canned him for questioning the way VA was spending TBI research money-http://www.vawatchdog.org/10/nf10/nfaug10/nf080310-1.htm )

Dishing out those PD diagnoses didnt work so now the idea seems to be just limit the care for TBI veterans.

A national disgrace.

[john999]

You know with the budget deficits it will probably get worse. The military is one of the worst deadbeats when it comes to taking care of their own. They want to push this onto the VA that cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. The DOD would rather just discharge soldiers with complicated medical problems and then let someone else pick up the tab. I can't get access to my VAMC without a struggle. How is someone with TBI going to do it? This is rationing of care.