New Task Force For New Vets

[Berta]

email from VA media:

"Recent VA News Releases

To view and download VA news release, please visit the following

Internet address:

http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel

Federal Task Force Launches Web Site

Secretary invites feedback on services

WASHINGTON (March 15, 2007) - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim

Nicholson, head of the new inter-agency task force examining the

processes for combat veterans seeking services and benefits from the

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal agencies,

announced the creation of a dedicated Web page to solicit input on the

ease of accessing federal services.

"As the task force moves forward in studying how we can enhance services

and cut red tape, we believe it's important to provide veterans, their

family members and others with the opportunity to share their ideas and

experiences," said Nicholson.

People can email their comments to the task force at TFHeroes@va.gov or

fax comments to 202-273-9599. Task Force information and mailing

address can be obtained on the VA home page, www.va.gov/taskforce.

The Web page allows active duty service members, veterans, family

members and others to comment directly to the task force on the

accessibility, timeliness and delivery of services. Comments will be

studied by the task force, used in the panel's evaluation of gaps in

service and form the basis of recommended solutions.

Called the "Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes," the

panel consists of the secretaries of Defense, Labor, Health and Human

Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, plus the

administrator of the Small Business Administration and the director of

the Office of Management and Budget.

Under the terms of the executive order creating the task force, the

group has 45 days to identify and examine existing federal services for

returning Global War on Terror service members; identify gaps in such

services; seek recommendations from federal agencies on ways to fill

those gaps and ensure that appropriate federal agencies are

communicating and cooperating effectively."

[Cavman]

These idiots don`t even know what a combat vet needs the day he gets home. He needs some type of adjustment period where he has to stay on base, but can be visited daily by family and friends. At least for a couple weeks. He doesn`t need a damn website! I know how hard it is to be in a firefight on Thursday and climb upon a bar stool on Saturday when you get back home.

Cavman

[kkp]

Cavman I couldn't agree more. and don't mention anything about a fire fight while sitting on that bar stool, or they will want to know where the weiner roast is. It was truly a different world we lived and fought in. I feel sorry for those coming back from war zones today. But it was different when we came back.

kkp

[Berta]

yeah- of the mil was really successfully debriefing these men and women there would not be so many PTSD related claims---

and then there are those vets who- many years in the future- will develop symptoms they dont have now-

my neighbor- 2 tours Iraq- denies PTSD and went right back to his Civ job- school teacher- but his family is getting the brunt of his anger and stress-

I bet he holds it all in for decades - he is afraid of the VA-and eve afraid to be with other vets- SOP for many- but the reality is they SHOULD keep in good touch with their unit after discharge.

[Testvet]

they can't take care of all the problems from the Cold War and Vietnam and we are supposed to believe that creating new systems for the "new" veterans is going to make things better, for who, what about all the "Old" vets that are still getting screwed by the messed up system

Giving priority treatment to any veterans is wrong

[Berta]

For those of you who get Senate news on VA from Jeff- this is the CORRECTED version:

(45 days? where did they come up with that-maybe to get some results ASAP ????)

"The Dole/Shalala panel will complete their work on June 29. They have not yet established a website… The website reference earlier is for a panel established by Secretary Jim Nicholson. This corrected release contains the proper information.

------

NEWS FROM THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

CRAIG ENCOURAGES VETERANS TO CONTACT DOLE/SHALALA PANEL

New website and contact information launched

March 16, 2007

Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093

(Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Larry Craig, the top Republican on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, is encouraging veterans and their family members with concerns about VA and military health care to contact a new task force established by VA Secretary Jim Nicholson.

"The purpose of that panel is to identify problems so that we can take action to fix the identified problems," Craig said. "The panel is only going to be operational for approximately 45 days, so it is important that people with concerns act quickly. Of course, the Senate committee I serve on will continue its oversight of VA operations long after the presidential panel completes its report."

People can email their comments to the panel at TFHeroes@va.gov or fax comments to 202-273-9599. Task Force information and mailing address can be obtained on the VA home page, www.va.gov/taskforce.

On Thursday Sen. Craig met the Co-Chairs of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, which is led by retired U.S. Senator Bob Dole and Donna Shalala. She served as the U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services during the Clinton administration.

"We are all committed to improving the lives of all injured servicemembers. The main objective is to see that our service wounded members receive the finest care available," Craig said.

According to VA officials, comments veterans make will be studied by the task force, used in the panel’s evaluation of gaps in service and form the basis of recommended solutions. In addition to Senator Dole and Secretary Shalala, other members include:

Marc Giammatteo, a former U.S. Army captain whose leg was severely injured during an attack in Iraq. He has undergone more than 30 surgeries at Walter Reed.

Jose Ramos, a student at George Mason University. While in the Navy, he treated soldiers injured in Iraq. In 2004, during his second tour of duty in Iraq, he lost an arm in combat.

Tammy Edwards, a research assistant at the Geneva Foundation. In 2005, her husband was severely burned in Iraq when a 500-pound bomb exploded under his vehicle.

Kenneth Fisher, chairman of the Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit that builds "Fisher Homes" for families of hospitalized veterans.

Dr. C. Martin Harris, a medical doctor who has served on other government and private commissions that have examined health care problems.

Edward Eckenhoff, a leader president of the National Rehabilitation Hospital.

Dr. Gail Wilensky, an economist and senior fellow at Project HOPE. She was Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration from 1990-92, during the senior President Bush’ administration

That panel will complete its work on June 29. Related information: President Bush Meets with the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors."

####

[Pete53]

Berta:

It does not seem that the panel Jim Nicholson came up with years ago did anything?