This is a response to the rethos article: “Nightmares and Numbers”

Dear Readers,

I am grateful to Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez for her thoughtful response to my questions regarding what we can do, whatever our opinions of the present war, to help our returning veterans. I felt it was best to list her suggestions and information as soon as possible.

Kudos to Congresswoman Velazquez for demonstrating brave leadership in her consistent opposition to the war, and thanks to Gail O’Connor and Dan Wiley from her office for their help in making this information available to Rethos members.

Information database -- Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD resource page -- http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/information/

Contact information:

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez (N Ms. Velazquez has my vote forY-12), Representative for New York’s 12th Congressional District, (202) 225-2361, http://www.house.gov/velazquez

House Committee on Veterans Affairs, (202) 225-9756, http://veterans.house.gov

House Armed Services Committee, (202) 225-4151, http://armedservices.house.gov

Recent Legislation:

H.R. 2199, Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007.  A full description of the bill can be found below.  The bill was approved by the House of Representatives in May 2007, and Section 2 of the bill was signed into law as part of the Defense Authorization Act of 2008.  Interested parties can still contact their Representatives to find out what more is going to be done on this bill and to help veterans with PTSD.  For more information on this and other pieces of legislation, visit www.thomas.gov.

H.R. 2199 would:

1.      Require the Secretary to establish a screening program to screen veterans for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). 
2.      Require the Secretary to submit a report on the number of veterans screened, prevalence of TBI symptoms, and recommendations for improving care.

3.      Require the Secretary to establish a comprehensive program of long-term care of post-acute traumatic brain injury rehabilitation at four geographically dispersed polytrauma network sites designated by the Secretary.  Require the Secretary to submit a report containing the description of the program, number of veterans provided care under the program, and the annual cost of operating the program.

4.      Require the Secretary to establish a TBI transition office at each Department polytrauma network site to coordinate health care and services to veterans who suffer from moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries.

5.      Authorize the Secretary the authority to arrange health care and services through cooperative agreements with public or private entities who have established long-term neurobehavioral rehabilitation and recovery programs.

6.      Require the Secretary to establish and maintain a registry of those members who served in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) who exhibit symptoms associated with TBI.

7.      Require the Secretary to notify those listed in the Registry of developments in research on health consequences of military service in OEF/OIF theaters.

8.      Require the Secretary to establish centers for TBI research, education, and clinical activities. 
9.      Require the Secretary to submit a report on the status and activities of the centers to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and house of Representatives.

10.     Authorize appropriations to the VA for the centers in the amount of $10 million for FY 2008 and $20 million for each fiscal year 2009 through 2011.

11.     Require the Secretary to establish a Committee on the care of veterans with TBI.  The Committee will assess the capability of the Veterans Health Administration’s to meet the treatment and rehabilitation needs of veterans with TBI.

12.     Require the Secretary to submit a report annually on the activities of the committee to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives. 

13.     Require the Secretary to carry out a pilot program for three years to provide mobile readjustment counseling, related mental health services, benefits outreach, and to the extent practicable, assistance with claims for veterans’ benefits to veterans in five Veterans Integrated Services Networks (VISNs 1, 16, 19, 20, and 23).

14.     Require the Secretary to submit a report not later than 90 days after the termination of the pilot program to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives.

15.     Authorize appropriations of $7.5 million for FY 2008 and each subsequent fiscal year. 
16.     Require the Secretary to establish an Advisory Committee on Rural Veterans that will advise the Secretary with respect to the administration of benefits for rural veterans, reports and studies pertaining to rural veterans, and the medical, mental and long-term care needs of rural veterans.

17.     Require the Secretary to submit the reports and recommendations of the Committee annually to Congress.