Veterans and Major Depression

Veterans & Major Depressive Episode: New Data 01/24/09. An estimated 9.3 percent of veterans age 21 to 39—312,000 persons—experienced at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year, according to a recent report from SAMHSA. To download the full report in PDF format, visit SAMHSA’s Office of Applied Studies Web site at www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/veteransDepressed/veteransDepressed.pdf. SAMHSA

Challenges for Women Veteerans

Women in Military: Overcoming Challenges 01/24/09. From mental health issues to sexual harassment, women veterans face special challenges. The Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services and two military women discuss what's being done to help. SAMHSA

New Administration on Veterans' Care

Administration Sets Agenda for Veteran Care 01/24/09. President Barack Obama has promised to deliver the care and benefits the nation’s military veterans deserve while transforming the Department of Veterans Affairs into a 21st century organization, according to an administration agenda posted on the White House Web site. Military Health System

Father, Son Share Insights into PTSD

Father, Son Share Insights on Service-Related Stress 01/24/09. Rich Glasgow and his son, Robert, served in different military services at different times, but they know what it’s like to deal with the same psychological enemy. And both have recommendations for the military. Military Health System

VA Long-Term Care Plan Falls Short

VA Health Care: Long-Term Care Strategic Planning and Budgeting Need Improvement. GAO-09-145 01/24/09. In its 2007 long-term care strategic plan, VA reported planned increases for some long-term care workload, but the workload information VA provided for both nursing home and noninstitutional care was incomplete. GAO

Red Tape Cut for Severely Wounded

Defense, VA Cut Red Tape for Severely Wounded 01/24/09. Severely wounded troops returning home now have fewer bureaucratic barriers between them and their veterans’ benefits. The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments today announced a new, faster means for handling troops with “catastrophic” injuries who seek the veterans’ status that allows them access to VA medical and other entitlements. DefenseLink

Review of the VA San Diego Healthcare System

Combined Assessment Program Review of the VA San Diego Healthcare System San Diego, California 01/24/09. During the week of November 17–21, 2008, the OIG conducted a Combined Assessment Program (CAP) review of the VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS), San Diego, CA. The purpose of the review was to evaluate selected operations, focusing on patient care administration and quality management (QM). During the review, we also presented fraud and integrity awareness training to 328 employees. The VASDHS is part of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 22. VAOIG

Shinseki Takes Oath Of Office as Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Shinseki Sworn In, Vows 21st Century Service to Veterans 01/24/09. Retired Army Gen. Eric K. Shinseki took the oath of office as Secretary of Veterans Affairs on Jan. 21. Shinseki was born in Hawaii in 1942 and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1965. He served two combat tours and was wounded in action in Vietnam. He served with distinction in Europe, the Pacific and stateside, eventually becoming the senior officer in the U.S. Army in June 1999. He retired from the Army in August 2003. VA

Electronic Health Record Glitch

Electronic health record glitch put VA patients at risk 01/24/09. Glitches in Veterans Affairs Department electronic medical records software led to problems in the treatment of nine patients in three facilities in October and November 2008, drawing the ire of a key congressional overseer. The software problems came about after VA distributed version 27 of its Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to medical facilities in late August. The software was to be installed by Oct. 6. Government Health IT