[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 57 (Thursday, May 11, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H2506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        GAO PTSD REPORT RELEASE

  (Mr. MICHAUD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to make my colleagues aware of a GAO 
study being released today.
  GAO studied services at the Department of Defense and the VA to help 
identify and treat veterans of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom 
who may be at risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
  GAO found only 22 percent of personnel who were at risk for PTSD were 
referred by DOD providers for further evaluation.
  When 78 percent who were at risk do not get referrals, then this is 
clear the assessment system is not working. Health assessment and 
reassessment are absolutely the right thing to do, and I applaud DOD 
for these programs.
  But if we are not confident that those who need further evaluation 
will actually receive it, what purpose does it serve?
  We need early assessment, diagnosis and counseling to prevent the 
effects of PTSD. This Congress needs to press both DOD and VA to do a 
better job in helping veterans with PTSD and other mental health 
issues.

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