The Final Report from the President's Commission on Care for American's Returning Wounded Warriors has been released. It is available for download below for registered users.
The Commissioners wrote that they wanted to serve the multiple injured service members and their families, support them in their recovery and simplify the delivery of medical care and disability programs. They called for "fundamental changes in care management and the disability system".
Here are the recommendations contained in the report:
1. Immediately Create Comprehensive Recovery Plans to Provide the Right Care and Support at the Right Time in the Right Place
Recommendation: Create a patient-centered Recovery Plan for every seriously injured service member that provides the right care and support at the right time in the right place. A corps of well-trained, highly-skilled Recovery Coordinators must be swiftly developed to ensure prompt development and execution of the Recovery Plan.
Goals: Ensure an efficient, effective and smooth rehabilitation and transition back to military duty or civilian life; establish a single point of contact for patients and families; and eliminate delays and gaps in treatment and services.
2. Completely Restructure the Disability and Compensation Systems
Recommendation: DoD maintains authority to determine fitness to serve. For those found not fit for duty, DoD shall provide payment for years served. VA then establishes the disability rating, compensation and benefits.
Goals: Update and simplify the disability determination and compensation system; eliminate parallel activities; reduce inequities; and provide a solid base for the return of injured veterans to productive lives.
3. Aggressively Prevent and Treat Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury
Recommendation: VA should provide care for any veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). DoD and VA must rapidly improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of both PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI). At the same time, both Departments must work aggressively to reduce the stigma of PTSD.
Goals: Improve care of two common conditions of the current conflicts and reduce the stigma of PTSD; mentally and physically fit service members will strengthen our military into the future.
4. Significantly Strengthen Support for Families
Recommendation: Strengthen family support programs including expanding DoD respite care and extending the Family and Medical Leave Act for up to six months for spouses and parents of seriously injured.
Goals: Strengthen family support systems and improve the quality of life for families.
5. Rapidly Transfer Patient Information Between DoD and VA
Recommendation: DoD and VA must move quickly to get clinical and benefit data to users. In addition, DoD and VA should jointly develop an interactive “My eBenefits” website that provides a single information source for service members.
Goals: Support a patient-centered system of care and efficient practices.
6. Strongly Support Walter Reed By Recruiting and Retaining First-Rate Professionals Through 2011
Recommendation: Until the day it closes, Walter Reed must have the authority and responsibility to recruit and retain first-rate professionals to deliver first-rate care. Walter Reed Army Medical Center has a distinguished history and, with one in five injured service members going directly to Walter Reed, continues to play a unique and vital role in providing care for America’s military.
Goals: Assure that this major military medical center has professional and administrative staff necessary for state-of-the art medical care and scientific research through 2011.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Final report_July 24.doc | 1.08 MB |
