News
Filner Releases Statement on VA Blue Ribbon Commissions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2008
“Yesterday, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake announced the creation of two panels with a handful of members appointed to recommend improvements to the Department concerning suicide prevention, suicide research and suicide education.
“The VA can set up five commissions – yet the real problem goes unresolved. We all know that convening meetings to study an issue in order to formulate a report to offer recommendations IS NOT ACTION. I strongly encourage the VA to proactively reach out to all our returning veterans now. Veterans cannot wait – and should not have to wait – for a blue ribbon panel to come out yet again with another report.
“We KNOW what needs to be done. Each and every service member, Reservist and Guardsman must be given a thorough and mandatory medical evaluation by competent medical personnel when they separate from military service for PTSD and TBI. The VA Secretary was asked to do this weeks ago.
“The time for panels has past. I expect immediate action to address the immediate needs of our veterans.”