House Armed Services Committee hearing on AMAP

At the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the Army’s Medical Action Plan and Other Services’ Support for Wounded Service Members, Subcommittee Chairwoman Susan Davis (D-CA) said “our challenge and our responsibility” is to make sure that the military as a whole, not just the health care system, remains focused on the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded soldiers and their families.

Congressman John M. McHugh (R-NY), ranking Republican on the Military Personnel Subcommittee, said he is concerned about reports from Fort Drum highlighting an apparent disconnect between the Army and the Department of Veterans Affairs personnel as to the type of support to be provided disabled soldiers.

In a joint prepared statement by Army Surgeon General Lieutenant General Eric B. Schoomaker and Assistant Army Surgeon General Brigadier General Mike Tucker, they said that because of the extraordinary success of modern battlefield medicine, there are many more wounded soldiers with injuries that are now struggling to recover. Walter Reed Army Medical Center is trying to support a population of outpatients that is six times greater than it was designed to support. Wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers are under the command and control of the medical treatment facility commander, in medical facilities called Warrior Transition Units. There are 35 Warrior Transition Units, and they are at full operational capability but staffed at 90%. One of the issues, they said, is of “sustainability.”

Navy surgeon General Vice Admiral Adam Robinson said “our focus is to get the family back to ‘normal’ as soon as possible.” Families, he said, are part of the care team and their needs are integrated into the planning process. Beginning in 2006, he said, Navy Medicine established Deployment Health Centers (DHCs) to provide care for Marines and Sailors who self-identify mental health concerns on the Post Deployment Health Assessment and Reassessment. From 2006 through January 2008, 28% of visits were for mental health issues.

Air Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. James Roudebush said to be assured that the Air Force’s Medical Services is ready for today’s challenges. To execute their broad missions, he said, all military sections must work together, and also independently, as we are in the trust of today’s All-Volunteer Military.