Wednesday, April 23, 2014

HVAC to Examine VA Traumatic Brain Injury and Mental Health Care Treatment, Benefits

HVAC to Examine VA Traumatic Brain Injury and Mental Health Care Treatment, Benefits

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Thursday, April 24, 2014, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations will hold an oversight field hearing entitled,  "Access to Mental Health Care and Traumatic Brain Injury Services:  Addressing the Challenges and Barriers for Veterans." The hearing will begin at 1:00 PM MST at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Building 4, Conference Rooms A and B, 3601 South Sixth Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85723.

 

Traumatic Brain Injury is widely regarded as a signature wound of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. According to the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, more than 287,000 service members sustained traumatic brain injuries between 2000 and the third quarter of 2013.  Though all veterans receiving VA medical care are required to undergo screening for TBI, many have faced challenges in getting timely and adequate access to TBI treatments and related benefits. 

 

This hearing will examine the long-term impacts TBI is having on veterans and VA's ability to provide proper disability ratings and timely access to care for those suffering from TBI and mental health conditions.

 

The following event is open to the press:

WHO:       Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations

WHAT:    Field Hearing:  "Access to Mental Health Care and Traumatic Brain Injury Services: Addressing the Challenges and Barriers for Veterans"

WHEN:    1:00 PM MST, Thursday, April 24, 2014

WHERE: Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Building 4, Conference Rooms A and B, 3601 South Sixth Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85723

 

Witness list

 

Panel 1

Mr. Derek Duplisea

Regional Alumni Director, West

Wounded Warrior Project

 

Ms. Ariana Del Negro

Co-Founder

Veterans Leadership Assistance

 

Captain Charles Gatlin, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Veteran

 

Mr. David Anderson

Veteran and American Legion Commander, Post 51

Sacaton, Arizona

 

Mr. Jerry Boales

Veteran and Chairman of Rock Soldiers for Wounded Warriors

 

Mr. John Davison

Father of a Wounded Warrior

 

Mr. Bradley Hazell

Veteran

 

Panel 2

Lisa Kearney, PhD

Senior Consultant, National Mental Health Technical Assistance

Office of Mental Health Operations

Veterans Health Administration

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 

Accompanied by:

 

Dr. Joe Scholten, M.D.

National Director of Special Projects

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services

Veterans Health Administration

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 

Mr. Jonathan H. Gardner, MPA, FACHE

Director, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System

Veterans Health Administration

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 

Mr. Joshua D. Redlin, LCSW

Team Leader

Tucson Vet Center

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 

Mr. Rod Sepulveda

Rural Health Program Manager

Northern Arizona VA Health Care System

Veterans Health Administration

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

 

Statement for the Record

Ms. Tana Ostrowski, COTA/L, CBIS

Community Bridges

Rehabilitation Institute of Montana

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 Sean Eagan


 Life Member VFW NY Post 53
 American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
Web: http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog: Cold War Veterans Blog
Email: Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:  716 720-4000 
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