"San Francisco Chronicle" staff writer Bob Egelko has reported that The US Attorney's Office claims that veterans have no specific right to mental health services. "The arguments, filed Wednesday in federal court in San Francisco, strike at the heart of a lawsuit filed on behalf of veterans that claims the health care system for returning troops provides little recourse when the government rejects their medical claims."
The Chronicle published another Egelko article, January 11, reporting, "Veterans' advocates can proceed with a lawsuit claiming that the federal government's health care system for troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan illegally denies care and benefits."Â That ruling came on an initial claim by the Government that the Federal Courts lacked jurisdiction over Veterans Administration Health care.
Egelko reports that "U.S. District Judge Samuel Conti, a conservative jurist and a World War II veteran, rejected Bush administration arguments that civil courts have no authority over the Department of Veterans Affairs' medical decisions or how it handles grievances and claims.
If the plaintiffs can prove their allegations, Conti said, they would show that 'thousands of veterans, if not more, are suffering grievous injuries as the result of their inability to procure desperately needed and obviously deserved health care.'"
The lawsuit was filed by two Veteran's Advocacy Groups as a class action following widespread reports of serious mental health issues for up to one third of all returning combat veterans. The government contends that despite funding earmarked specifically for VA Mental Health Care the government has the right to decide how to use the funds.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/05/MNQLUQ4IS.DTL&hw=Veteran+Mental+Health&sn=001&sc=1000
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/11/BAKDUDEB5.DTL&hw=Veteran+Mental+Health&sn=003&sc=327
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Comments: 15
It makes me SICK that these are not just the lay people who claim to support the troops, but really don't - these people are the MILITARY THEMSELVES!!!!! This whole mess is totally insane.
Thanks, Karl. Just another tidbit of disgusting sickness our society has slipped to.
I think it is because they know it is an illegal occupation and actually deep down agree with the people they are killing. If some other country occupied our country, WE would be the insurgants. The very fact that so many of our troops support Ron Paul is an indication that they want out of there and know what they are ordered to do is WRONG. Mental problems rise when men and women are ordered to do things that are contrary to their nature and sense of right and wrong.
I'm visiting my nephew here who got shot in Iraq last month. He's at an Army recovery hospital and getting absolutely world class care here. On top of it all, the people here are unbelievably friendly and helpful. They let me see him whenever I want to.
This is even better than the VA hospital in Chicago that I volunteer at.
Oh, I'm sorry, were you saying something?
Besides, when did the Left suddenly become interested in our stuff? Have you guys now found your "come to Jesus" topic? LOL. We can only hope.
Oh, wait............you guys want to pull out of Iraq, don't you? I suppose by making a news story of how the troops aren't well taken care of, you think you've found a way to kick up mud on our mission in Iraq, right?
LOL, you're mistaken.
Yes I want out of Iraq, creating business for hospitals, psychiatrists and undertakers is a little outside the purview of what I consider the requirements of democracy.
I've been sparring with Karl Leuba for a long time now. I know he's extremely Left Wing, and I also knew you'd eventually find each other.
One hater finds another = a hate-fest.
I know Karl is ex-military, and I salute his service to the country. Unfortunately, Karl had a bad experience along the line and it turned him Left...........never to return. His Leftist view of the world is somewhat strange among veterans - but it does happen.
Is he a troop hater? I can't really say. Ask him, I'm sure he'll tell you.
Does he want to see America defeated? I think that's fairly obvious, don't you? I can only go by what he's said in the past.
Talk trash, Tony? I'll tell Karl the "way it is" just like I would with anyone. His being ex-military makes no difference to me.
Tony, Karl has never been to Iraq, he doesn't speak any of the local languages, he doesn't know any of the customs, and he definitely doesn't know the people. I do, because I've been there. I have a differing opinion because I'm not a Left Wing activist, like Karl is. We've had two very different lives, and thank God for that.