Staffing at Vet Centers lagging

[sabra]

Source: USAToday

Iraq, Afghan wars increase clinic use

WASHINGTON — The number of returning Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans visiting Department of Veterans Affairs walk-in clinics has more than doubled since 2004, while the clinics' staff has increased by less than 10%, agency records show.

The clinics, known as Vet Centers, are meant to make it easier for combat veterans to receive help. Last year, 21,681 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans visited the centers, up from 8,965 in 2004. The number of clinic staff members rose from 992 to 1,063 during the same period, according to the VA records.

A VA survey of clinic team leaders that the agency provided to USA TODAY on Thursday shows that 114 of the 209 Vet Centers need at least one additional psychologist or therapist to help with the influx of veterans. The VA is only slated to add 61 new staff.

Al Batres, the national director of Vet Center operations, says he will fill those additional slots over time. In addition, he says he has the budget to open 23 new centers across the country by September 2008, the end of the next budget year. He says the new centers will help serve the growing number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.


Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070420/1a_lede20_dom.art.htm

[lonestarnot]

1. Meaning those that are bedridden are forced to lay in their own feces and urine.

[saigon68]

2. BUT BUT BUT FREEDOM IS ON THE MARCH

And so is the opportunity for Halliburton to make a PROFIT from the US tax payer

[lonestarnot]

3. Oh yeah.

[lonestarnot]

4. Kick

[Monkeyman]

5. No Shit oh I didn't know why when I take these kids in lost records or nine hours waits K&R

[lonestarnot]

6. nine hours. That's just pathetic!

[SpiralHawk]

7. Why do Republicons hate America's Veterans ?

republicons just HATE anyone who actually served the United States of America with honor.

They prefer chickenhawks like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly.

Republicons -- lacking in honor.