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| Posted: August 1, 2007 |
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Since inadequate facilities were uncovered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, new attention has been given to veterans' health needs. Two experts on veterans' medical care answer your questions. |
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| Robert L. Larkin of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., asks: |
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| I am a retired Marine who, after 10 years, finally completed my VA paperwork and physical exams. Do retirees using military hospitals have an impact on services to active duty personnel? Are facilities available to nurses, doctors and other staff? |
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| Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Ward Casscells responds: |
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Medical care at the Military Treatment Facilities is provided by military medical practitioners and licensed civilian and contract medical professionals. All wounded service personnel, regardless of rank or profession, are provided the highest priority care available. Retirees are treated at the MTFs on a space-available basis. Where demand for retiree care outstrips the capacity of an MTF, the TRICARE network is the safety net designed to handle the overload by directing patients to civilian providers.
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| Jason Forrester of Veterans for America responds: |
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Due to the demand placed on Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) by active-duty service members, it is often quite difficult for military retirees to access health care at MTFs. Additionally, even though facilities are available, staff with adequate training are often not available. Across the armed services, providers are leaving the military in large numbers, creating shortages, especially in the mental health field.
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