Blast Injury Treatment Centers

Why is it in all these speeches the press seems to think are so important, like those of the shrill voiced hockey puck mom, who's son served or is still serving, and anyone attached to this so called 'tea party', as they rail against taxes and more, do we not hear mention of the funding nor sacrifice as to those serving or have served!

Seems the only time the military soldier and veterans of, are mentioned is when a meme needs to be added as flag is wrapped around their 'patriotism?'!

Many are the same that never mention defense budgets, except wanting them to grow even more, nor gave any mention to military and veterans care as they beat the drums of war louder and louder, and still do!

Lawmakers question management, progress at blast injury treatment centers

April 14, 2010 Three years after Congress required the Defense Department to create medical centers of excellence focused on treating blast injuries, only two of five planned centers are up and running, and those are failing to meet expectations, lawmakers said on Tuesday.
"The first appropriation for this purpose was made almost three years ago," said Rep. Susan Davis, D-Calif., chair of the House Armed Services Committee panel on personnel. Thus far, Defense has established centers for assessing treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, which have been combined into a single Defense Center of Excellence. Centers for treating vision, hearing and extremity injuries are still in the planning stages.

"We are concerned about the department's slow pace in developing such an important function. However, excessive delays are not our only issue," Davis said. "The Defense Center of Excellence, or DCoE, while having achieved some notable small-scale successes, has not inspired great confidence or enthusiasm thus far. The great hope that it would serve as an information clearinghouse has not yet materialized. The desire that the center become the preeminent catalogue of what research has been done, what is being done, and what needs to be done has not been realized," she said. -->-->-->

What's really interesting about this report, and showing more proof of the lack of Congressional priorities especially once again as to the Military and us Veterans, 'Nam '70-'71, is starting off that this wasn't proposed until three years ago! Not five or six, or seven or eight, or before, especially before sending soldiers into two long running Occupations of Choice, Afghan theater stopped being about 9/11 as soon as the drums beat towards Iraq! Add to the rest of the proof from the previous decade of corrupt, criminal and incompetent leadership, executive branch and congress especially!

The rest is typical DoD and where they're ever growing defense budget monies get funneled to. As well as the citizens of this country and their embrace of the ever growing defense budgets with no questions asked as many complain about tax monies for other society needs and growth, that which most use on a daily basis. But especially as to the citizens their lack of concern, while ignoring the reports that come out from Veterans, to build the VA care system into the best in the World after they loose interest in the wars of choice they cheer on!

The Hearing:

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 – 5:30pm – 2118 Rayburn – Open The Military Personnel Subcommittee will meet to receive testimony on Department of Defense Medical Centers of Excellence.

Opening Statement

Video Webcast

Witnesses:

Dr. Charles Rice ( pdf testimony )

Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs

President, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

Department of Defense

Lieutenant General Eric Schoomaker, USA ( pdf testimony)

Surgeon General

U.S. Army

Vice Admiral Adam Robinson, USN ( pdf testimony )

Surgeon General

U. S. Navy

Lieutenant General Charles Bruce Green, USAF ( pdf testimony )

Surgeon General

U.S. Air Force