Government Struggles to Care For Wounded GI's
By MARILYNN MARCHIONE (AP)
More than 800 of them have lost an arm, a leg, fingers or toes. More than 100 are blind. Dozens need tubes and machines to keep them alive. Hundreds are disfigured by burns, and thousands have brain injuries and mangled minds.
These are America's war wounded, a toll that has received less attention than the 3,500 troops killed in Iraq. Depending on how you count them, they number between 35,000 and 53,000.
More than 800 of them have lost an arm, a leg, fingers or toes. More than 100 are blind. Dozens need tubes and machines to keep them alive. Hundreds are disfigured by burns, and thousands have brain injuries and mangled minds.
These are America's war wounded, a toll that has received less attention than the 3,500 troops killed in Iraq. Depending on how you count them, they number between 35,000 and 53,000.
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More of them are coming home, with injuries of a scope and magnitude the government did not predict and is now struggling to treat.
According to Dr. Jeffrey Drazen. a medical editor and adviser to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "The military simply wasn't prepared for its own success" at keeping severely wounded soldiers alive.
More of them are coming home, with injuries of a scope and magnitude the government did not predict and is now struggling to treat.
According to Dr. Jeffrey Drazen. a medical editor and adviser to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "The military simply wasn't prepared for its own success" at keeping severely wounded soldiers alive.
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As of June 2, 25,830 troops had been wounded in action. Another 27,103 had non-battle-related air transports. Of those, 7,188 had injuries.
President Bush, we have got to bring our troops home. Now!!!
* For every U.S. soldier or Marine killed in Iraq, 15 others have survived illness or injury.
* Traumatic brain injury is prevalent, with only an estimated 2,000 cases treated.
* Back home, concerns about care are rising among Republicans and Democrats.
* Mental health problems loom large.
No one knows what the ultimate cost will be, with estimates the lifetime health-care tab for these troops will be $250 billion to $650 billion.
* Traumatic brain injury is prevalent, with only an estimated 2,000 cases treated.
* Back home, concerns about care are rising among Republicans and Democrats.
* Mental health problems loom large.
No one knows what the ultimate cost will be, with estimates the lifetime health-care tab for these troops will be $250 billion to $650 billion.
Shifting Focus From The War, George Throws Black Music Month PartyAs of June 2, 25,830 troops had been wounded in action. Another 27,103 had non-battle-related air transports. Of those, 7,188 had injuries.
President Bush, we have got to bring our troops home. Now!!!