In addition, contracts for supplies or other services takes 6 to 9 months to establish. He says that a lot of companies won't even bid on VA contracts because of this. This results in higher costs, with the exception of pharmaceuticals, because the VA has "exerted its marketing clout" in this area." (Mayo, 2006) Oliver (2007) states that "Republicans want still tighter eligibility criteria, re-restricting the VHA entirely to

Veterans experience a variety of mental health problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, aggression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia (Wooten, 2015). More specifically, statistics indicate that up to 50% of veterans experience PTSD (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2013). These problems often stem from exposure to combat. Mental health problems among veteran are further compounded by other problems such as financial difficulties, joblessness, marriage problems, social isolation, and homelessness (Smith

(2011) report that cognitive therapy "especially cognitive restructuring…can help correct faulty perceptions of danger, improve perceived self-control of memories and accompanying negative emotions and strengthen adaptive coping responses under conditions of distress." (p.1) Cognitive therapy or restructuring is "one of the best validated PTSD treatments, designed to help the patient review and challenge distressing trauma-related beliefs." (Foa, Keane and Friedman, 2000; Yerkes and Holloway, 1996 in: Ruzek, et al.,

There is a culture inside the military that continues to harass those who try to take advantage of mental health services (Hall, 2008). Because of its continuing and transient nature, chronic suicidal ideation (CSI) compared to active suicidal thinking is often not an indication for hospitalization. This can be a difficult factor in treatment of veterans with PTSD. For many who have experienced considerable trauma in their past and continue

Veterans & Retirees; Is Government Keeping its Promise This study aimed at exploring the experiences and perceptions of Veterans belonging to Lousiana and Mississippi about three variables; the accessibility of organization; the accessibility of benefits and availability and adequacy of the facilities being provided by government through VA. The respondents were also asked to suggest whether there is a need for improvement and what should VA do to provide benefits and

In particular, the attorneys working on this issue claim that the VA is "structurally unsuitable" for dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which is "a signature problem" veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are suffering from (Weinstein). Symptoms of PTSD include: "…intense anxiety, persistent nightmares, depression, uncontrollable anger, and difficulties coping with work, family, and social relationships" (Weinstein). There an estimated 1.6 million men and women who have served