Commission Says "America's Veterans Deserve Much Better"; Veteran Health Services Agrees

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 6, 2016 (Newswire.com) - In a report released today, the Commission on Care determined that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – despite administering better than average care to America’s service men and women – still suffers from “profound deficiencies.”

The 15-member Commission on Care was established by Congress following the VA wait list scandal of 2014. Its final report – endorsed by 12 of the 15 commission members – calls for urgent reform within the Veterans Health Administration and cites inconsistencies between VA facilities, as well numerous accessibility, service, and process issues.

The Commission on Care unequivocally states that “America’s veterans deserve much better.”

Veteran Health Services president and CEO, Stephen Goldberg, MD, agrees.

Suicide rates for veterans have climbed to record highs in recent years, Dr. Goldberg said. More than 300,000 individuals who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depression and approximately 20 percent of female veterans have reported PTSD related to military sexual trauma. 

“Our veterans are returning home with serious mental health issues. And, despite the best efforts of dedicated agencies, people and charities across the U.S., they remain woefully underserved,” Dr. Goldberg said. “Veteran Health Services intends to make a significant difference for those veterans and their families.”

Based in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, Veteran Health Services is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is committed to providing uncompromised mental and behavioral health care to America’s service men and women, and their families.

A board certified psychiatrist, business executive, and entrepreneur, Dr. Goldberg was inspired to create Veteran Health Services following more than two decades spent working in veteran hospitals throughout the U.S. and caring for veterans within the state hospital and criminal justice systems. His experiences in the public and private sectors, too, as well as in local, state and national healthcare systems further equipped him with the wherewithal to help a population that is both deserving of and in dire need of specialized services.

Veteran Health Services’ presiding goal is to offer mental and behavioral health, substance abuse, and trauma-related care to veterans and their families, regardless of their level of service connection, ability to pay, or a third party’s concept of “medical necessity.” According to Dr. Goldberg, care will be provided by clinicians who have at least 80 hours of specialized training in military culture and veteran issues, in addition to their base credentials, and their services will be provided in an environment that is a source of catharsis and pride.

“The Commission on Care’s exhaustive report brings to light the many inadequacies that continue to burden America’s heroes who continue to look for a place to turn,” Dr. Goldberg said. “Veteran Health Services is ahead of the curve.  We are already hard at work addressing what a two-year commission just now concluded.”

The non-profit organization recently unveiled its nationwide “Give 5 Drive.” The social media and crowdfunding initiative seeks to elicit donations of $5 from millions of supporters with the assurance that 100 percent of all proceeds will be used to fund its development, launch, and clinical operations, while laying the foundation for future Veteran Health Services locations, and that its executives will never receive performance bonuses.

This Give 5 Drive will allow the organization to purchase and renovate a Class-A building to house the first of several state-of-the-art mental and behavioral health and substance abuse treatment clinics.

The first clinic is planned for the Baltimore/Washington D.C. corridor and donors have the opportunity to vote for the next Veteran Health Services location from a list of 5 sites that include Norfolk, VA, Charlotte, NC, San Diego, CA, Seattle, WA and Jacksonville, FL. 

Veteran Health Services anticipates opening doors for service in the first quarter of 2017.

For more information, watch Veteran Health Services’ introductory video, and visit www.veteranhealthservices.org.

Source: Veteran Health Services