Federal Policy Related to Combat Issues
AOTA and Congress
Bills at Hand
Veterans’ Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitative Services’ Improvement Act of 2011
- AOTA has been engaging with members of Congress and their staffs to educate them about the importance of occupational therapy (OT) for wounded soldiers who have Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as well as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is the goal of OT to return these soldiers to a productive, meaningful life. Several bills have been introduced/passed in Congress relating not only to TBI and PTSD in aspects of returning veterans, but also through access to healthcare in terms of family caregivers and rural settings of veterans.
- AOTA is actively meeting with the sponsors of this and other TBI related bills as a way to educate members and their staffs about the important role of OT in treating these conditions and helping our wounded warriors with functional reintegration into the previous level of lifestyle (lives, homes, and communities).
- AOTA continues to lobby members of Congress on the matter of expediting and assuring continuous and effective care for PTSD and other mental health issues. There is ongoing concern about service delivery and efficiency including continuity of care, extended benefits, and access to small Veteran Centers in the soldier’s community, as opposed to large VA hospitals. Occupational therapists are involved with this lobby and were represented in a July 2011 hearing held by the House Committee on Veterans Affairs entitled, Mental Health: Bridging the Gap Between Care and Compensation for Veterans. The transcript of this hearing is available here. AOTA federal affairs staff continue to educate members of the Veterans Affairs Committee to educate them on the role of OT in helping soldiers maximize occupational performance and reintegrate into community life after experiencing mental health barriers.
- "Currently a 100% disabled U.S veteran who is unemployed, receives compensation payments from the VA of $2,471 per month" (Kanter, 2007, p. 6).
- "During a 50-year period, this could total more than $1.4 million for one individual, without adjustment for inflation. the annual budget for the VA Benefits Administration is actually greater than that for the VA Health Administration" (Kanter, 2007, p. 6).
- Veterans treated for polytrauma are increasingly handled by a program the army calls Warrior Transition Units.
- Created in 2004
- Providing personalized care and support for severely wounded warriors whose injuries/disabilities require extensive medical treatment of 6 months or longer.
- OTs are very important in this organization set up by the army as they aid in developing realistic goals and transition back in to their previous level of performance in life.
Bills at Hand
Veterans’ Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitative Services’ Improvement Act of 2011
- Includes individualized rehabilitation and
reintegration plans for veterans with TBI. This Act will provide veterans with the extended care they need after returning
home from war. It manifests a goal of maximizing the individual's
independence and quality of life, which is key to the purpose of occupational
therapy. With this Act,
advancement in services may result in improving veterans' behavioral and mental
health functioning
- This bill improves outpatient medical care for wounded soldiers at military health care facilities. It restores integrity and efficiency to disability evaluations. It improves the transition of wounded service members from the Armed Forces to the VA system. The law also required the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a comprehensive policy on the care, management, and transition from the military to VA or civilian life of service members with combat-related injuries or illnesses. Innovative pilot programs are in the works to improve future transitions, including increased training of caseworkers and social workers to help identify and treat veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental illnesses. Many OTs work to help in the assistance of veterans to returning home as well as reintegration to previous functioning levels.
- This law will provide assistance to family members of veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs requiring personal care services because of serious injuries during active duty. This Act meets the basic needs of severely injured veterans, including training and technical support, respite care, counseling, health coverage, and modest financial support.
- The current policies in place for returning soldiers covers a wide range of needs for the those who have TBI and PTSD.
- Access to care is immediate for returning soldiers
- Length of stay in rehabilitation services
- Some rural areas do not have effective means of care
- Access to care can be very difficult for some veterans as long distances from services hinder recovery efforts.
- Lacking in connection to OT