Durbin Meets with Local Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans to Discuss Care at North Chicago VA Medical Center

Press Release

DURBIN MEETS WITH LOCAL IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN VETERANS TO DISCUSS CARE AT NORTH CHICAGO VA MEDICAL CENTER

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Iraq/Afghanistan veterans at the North Chicago Veterans Affairs Medical Center (NC-VAMC) who are dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other war-related medical problems.

"Without treatment, veterans with PTSD are at high risk for alcohol and drug abuse, relationship problems, employment problems and worse," Durbin said. "America's veterans deserve better."

Last week, the Senate passed a supplemental appropriations bill that contained $1.8 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Health Administration was to receive $454 million for medical services, including $100 million for mental health enhancements and $201 million in additional funds to treat Iraq/Afghanistan veterans. The president is threatening to veto the bill, but Durbin said he hopes to include the additional VA funding in the bill that will soon be signed into law.

Estimates on the prevalence of PTSD in returning Iraqi and Afghan veterans range from 15 to 30 percent. The wide range in estimates shows the difficulty in diagnosing PTSD and the complicated road ahead for VA treatment centers. A study released last month by the Archives of Internal Medicine says the high end of that estimate is accurate. The study reports that one-third of veterans coming back from the war who seek care at the VA have mental health / social issues such as PTSD and severe depression. Injured troops come home to find, in too many cases, substandard outpatient care and a big fight on their hands to justify the need for ongoing care. High rates of PTSD and brain injury complicate the VA's task.

At the NC-VAMC, 74% of in-patient visits are for mental health, substance abuse and PTSD treatment. Only 17% were admitted for medical reasons, critical care services and rehabilitation. Approximately 35% of out-patient visits at NC-VMAC are for mental health treatment and social work services.

Durbin said, in the coming weeks, he intends to continue visiting VA medical centers throughout the state. He will also be introducing legislation to improve the way this country responds to the many veterans who sustained brain injury during combat. In Vietnam and previous 20th Century wars, brain injuries accounted for 12% of injuries. In Iraq and Afghanistan, brain injuries account for 22% of injuries.

Approximately, 1.6 million Iraq/Afghanistan vets have completed their service and are entering the VA system. That means 320,000 returning troops are likely to require some sort of screening and/or treatment for traumatic brain injury - a number that grows with every new soldier, sailor, marine, and airman deployed.

Source