Obama to order VA to add staff, see suicidal vets

Link to original source.

"WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will sign an executive order Friday directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand mental health services and suicide prevention efforts.

The president will make the announcement in a speech to troops at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he’ll also hold a roundtable with soldiers and their families.

Much of what's outlined in the executive order are initiatives that were previously announced earlier this summer by the VA.

Obama is instructing the VA to ensure that any veteran with suicidal thoughts is seen by a mental health professional within 24 hours -- a standard already set for the VA, but which the department often fails to meet.

To help the understaffed VA meet that ambitious requirement — there are areas of the country where the dearth of psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers means veterans wait months for appointments — the order directs the VA to partner with the Department of Health and Human Services to tap into community services to help meet demand.

The two agencies will create 15 pilot sites in underserved areas by contracting with local facilities. They’ve also been ordered to develop a plan for rural areas, which are lacking in all health services. The plan is to include a way for areas to share mental health providers."

does that silly negro think that this is going to buy him military votes?

VA response... well country-wide response.... to mental health issues has been woefully inadequate since forever. Nice that it takes an election year for anyone to bring this particular issue out from under the rug.

This should work well with slashing the military budget

I'm convinced that Barry would issue an Executive Order directing that the sun rise in the east every morning. And take full credit for it when it happens.

Gilligan said:

I'm convinced that Barry would issue an Executive Order directing that the sun rise in the east every morning. And take full credit for it when it happens.

Click to expand...

And blame Bush and/or the obstructionist republicans when it didn't.

nhboy said:

Link to original source.

"WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will sign an executive order Friday directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand mental health services and suicide prevention efforts.

The president will make the announcement in a speech to troops at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he’ll also hold a roundtable with soldiers and their families.

Much of what's outlined in the executive order are initiatives that were previously announced earlier this summer by the VA.

Obama is instructing the VA to ensure that any veteran with suicidal thoughts is seen by a mental health professional within 24 hours -- a standard already set for the VA, but which the department often fails to meet.

To help the understaffed VA meet that ambitious requirement — there are areas of the country where the dearth of psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers means veterans wait months for appointments — the order directs the VA to partner with the Department of Health and Human Services to tap into community services to help meet demand.

The two agencies will create 15 pilot sites in underserved areas by contracting with local facilities. They’ve also been ordered to develop a plan for rural areas, which are lacking in all health services. The plan is to include a way for areas to share mental health providers."

Click to expand...

So he's issuing an order telling them to do what they have already said they are going to do? What exactly is the purpose,other than to try to claim credit for someone else's idea/ work?

That does seem to be his pattern though.

Too bad Obama couldn't sign an executive order to get the VA to get up off their lazy butts and do some work!!!

Took 2 1/2 years to get a compensation claim pocessed for a co-worker.

Thats TWO AND A HALF YEARS!!!!!

On top of that... it was filed wrong and now he is waiting for the correction to be processed (9 months and counting!)

SG_Player1974 said:

Too bad Obama couldn't sign an executive order to get the VA to get up off their lazy butts and do some work!!!

Took 2 1/2 years to get a compensation claim pocessed for a co-worker.

Thats TWO AND A HALF YEARS!!!!!

On top of that... it was filed wrong and now he is waiting for the correction to be processed (9 months and counting!)

Click to expand...

No THAT...is beyond disgusting. My next door neighbor's son has been treated in a similarly poor fashion and is essentially "adrift"...

I watched the lad grow up....watching what he goes through now is beyond sad.

Has anyone considered that Obongo is pressing the Vets Hospitals to increase their mental health capabilities because there will be more of this soon?