SOURCE: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA
http://iava.org/press-room/press-releases/statement-dr-coughlins-testimony-todays-house-veterans-affairs-subcommitte
Statement on Dr. Steven Coughlin's Testimony at Today's House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Hearing on VA’s Care of Gulf War Veterans
CONTACT: Zack Baddorf (212) 982-9699 or press@iava.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Follow us on twitter.com/IAVA
Follow us on twitter.com/IAVA
Statement on Dr. Steven Coughlin's Testimony at Today's House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Hearing on VA’s Care of Gulf War Veterans
NEW YORK (March 13, 2013) -- Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America released the following statement from its founder and CEO, Paul Rieckhoff:
“If these allegations are true, today’s House Veterans Affairs subcommittee hearing gives veterans of all generations more reason to doubt our country’s commitment to taking care of our men and women in uniform. This alleged behavior on the part of the VA would be a total breach of trust with all veterans and their families. Dr. Coughlin’s claim about the institutional failure to reach over 2,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with suicidal ideations is especially shocking. His testimony makes IAVA’s advocacy work at Storm the Hill next week even more important, as we convene our membership in Washington to call for an end to the disability benefits backlog. If the VA is withholding data that would oblige them to provide care and compensation to even more Gulf War-era veterans, the current 600,000 deep claims backlog could be just the tip of the iceberg. IAVA expects President Obama to respond swiftly and strongly. Our veterans deserve accountability in their government.”
Next week at Storm the Hill, IAVA will be holding two events in Washington, DC. On Monday, there will be a Hill Briefing to introduce our 2013 Policy Agenda, and on Thursday there will be a press event at the Capitol Triangle where Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will be calling on President Obama to appoint a Presidential Commission to end the VA benefits backlog.
“If these allegations are true, today’s House Veterans Affairs subcommittee hearing gives veterans of all generations more reason to doubt our country’s commitment to taking care of our men and women in uniform. This alleged behavior on the part of the VA would be a total breach of trust with all veterans and their families. Dr. Coughlin’s claim about the institutional failure to reach over 2,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with suicidal ideations is especially shocking. His testimony makes IAVA’s advocacy work at Storm the Hill next week even more important, as we convene our membership in Washington to call for an end to the disability benefits backlog. If the VA is withholding data that would oblige them to provide care and compensation to even more Gulf War-era veterans, the current 600,000 deep claims backlog could be just the tip of the iceberg. IAVA expects President Obama to respond swiftly and strongly. Our veterans deserve accountability in their government.”
Next week at Storm the Hill, IAVA will be holding two events in Washington, DC. On Monday, there will be a Hill Briefing to introduce our 2013 Policy Agenda, and on Thursday there will be a press event at the Capitol Triangle where Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will be calling on President Obama to appoint a Presidential Commission to end the VA benefits backlog.
No comments:
Post a Comment