Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Report: Estimates Of Veterans Harmed By Treatment Delays Were Incorrect
The Department of Veterans Affairs misled Congress and members of the media about how many veterans died or suffered serious harm as a result of extreme treatment delays, according to a new report by the department's top watchdog. (Griffin, Devine and Black, 12/15)
Military personnel facing less-than-honorable discharge would have their cases reviewed by at least one mental-health professional under the defense-spending bill that Congress sent to President Obama late last week. The requirement, attached to this year鈥檚 National Defense Authorization Act, was inspired by war veteran Kristofer Goldsmith, who says he was removed from service without a proper diagnosis. (Hicks, 12/15)
The bipartisan bill passed in the House last week. But Coburn was the final hurdle to passing the legislation before the Senate adjourns for the year. H.R. 5059 would have required the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to annually arrange for an independent evaluation of the VA and DOD mental health care and suicide prevention programs. (Cox, 12/15)
