Some are trying to fix the problem.
That is, military hospitals and clinics--like hospitals everywhere--occasionally get it wrong and somebody dies. The thing is, families have no recourse with military hospitals, even when against the complaints of the military patient, they insist that what turns out to be melanoma is just a wart; when they bungle what appears to be a routine appendectomy; and something as simple as pneumonia goes undiagnosed and, therefore, treated not only in ways that will not help, but ways that will hurt.
The other side of the story is that the military's funds are limited. To allow soldiers and their families to sue could raise the already astronomical costs of keeping our military viable.
So, in the words of Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?" Isn't there a compromise out there that would allow military courts, as an example, to adjucate such cases with a liberal attitude (and pocketbook) to soldiers and the families of soldiers who are as the LA Times titles their article on the subject, "Willing to die but not this way." Wouldn't having some kind of malpractice model in place help the military to spot problems better and keep their system running well?
To read the full story go to the LA Times, Page A1 and A22, April 20, 2008. It was reported by Times Staff Writer, Walter F. Roche Jr.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.
Monday, April 21, 2008
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1 comment:
Carolyn, I would love to share with you the public records and military investigation into SSGT DEAN WITTs case. I think once you read the "other side of the story" you will realize these documents tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. There is no one sided story where accusations are freely flying. SSGT DEAN WITT's family has uncovered powerful evidence(documents) to back up their claim. I think after you read these legal binding documents you will definately change your tune about "astronomical costs of keeping our military viable". It is time for accountability... If this Major who killed the first young man in October of 2002(CW) was held accountable, SSGT DEAN WITT would be alive today. Now you have to ask why yourself, why would the government allow this Major to continue providing any type of care to our military members or their families? The Feres Doctrine protects this Major from accountability and continues to allow this Major to kill as many military men and women that she wants. Just so you know, this Major is currently providing medical care to children of our military men and women. If you don't believe me- write back to your own blog and provide me your e-mail and I will provide you these public documents that identifies this Major by name with all the details I have noted. It is time America wakes up and keep their comments wrapped up until they are educated in the subject. Perhaps one day, she will be treating your grandson. Let that sink in. There is NO compromise when it comes to gross negligence. Wake Up!
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