CRS Issue Statement on Health Care for Military Personnel and Veterans

Don J. Jansen, Coordinator
Analyst in Defense Health Care Policy

Current military operations in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) present a number of policy challenges for the second session of the 111th Congress. One serious issue is the care of U.S. servicemembers wounded during these long combat engagements. Medical technology available on the battlefields and in U.S. medical facilities is saving the lives of a high percentage of severely wounded soldiers, but they then often face long-term recovery and rehabilitation challenges. Especially prominent or problematic are cases of amputations, brain injuries, and a variety of operational stress injuries to mental health. During the first session of the 111th Congress, oversight hearings were held on the implementation of previously enacted legislation and efforts by the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) to redress longstanding problems in the administrative processes affecting wounded soldiers.


Date of Report: January 12, 2010
Number of Pages: 3
Order Number: IS40322
Price: $7.95

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