Government

Army makes progress in helping disabled soldiers

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 24, 2008

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The Army significantly improved its treatment and support of disabled soldiers in the past year but still faces challenges reaching its goals, according to a Government Accountability Office report.

The report followed up on a series of Washington Post articles in February 2007 revealing substandard care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

In response to the scrutiny, the Army established Warrior Transition Units, which assign a team of medical staff to each eligible soldier. It has increased key staffing of these positions by almost 75% since September 2007 but hasn't filled every position due to a competitive market for medical personnel, wrote the GAO.

The departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs piloted a streamlined disability evaluation process but have not finalized the criteria for expanding it outside the Washington area.

Overall, the Army should be commended for its response but needs to sustain its efforts, concluded the report, which lawmakers discussed at a Feb. 27 House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee hearing.

Rep. John F. Tierney (D, Mass.), who chairs the National Security and Foreign Affairs subcommittee, promised to monitor the Army's progress and hold additional hearings if necessary.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/03/24/gvbf0324.htm.

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