PTSD Diagnostic Test Unveiled
For veterans suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), obtaining disability benefits always has meant overcoming obstacle after obstacle in order to prove they are disabled by this condition. Why? Because until very recently, there were no diagnostic tools available to detect PTSD; no empirical evidence to satisfy the VA. However, researchers at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and the University of Minnesota may have changed some of that with the development of a new diagnostic test called magnetoencephalography.
The researchers identified a biological marker in the brain that distinguishes those with PTSD from the control group of 250 people, and they were able to do so with 90% accuracy. A group of 74 veterans participated in this study, and the research was funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; maybe change is in the air.
Before it was known as PTSD, this condition was known as shell shock or battle fatigue syndrome. Although it affects many veterans, PTSD is not exclusively a result of war. In fact, people who have experienced severe trauma such as assault, rape, or the loss of a loved one can be left with PTSD.
What Are The Symptoms?
Most often, people with PTSD don’t put all of the pieces together; many times they simply do not understand why they aren’t feeling themselves. They experience symptoms including:
- Irritability
- Flashbacks (reliving the trauma over and over again)
- Nightmares
- Sleep interruption
- Displaced anger
- Paranoia
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Extreme physical reactions when remembering the trauma
- Hypervigilance
According to Dr. Apostolos Georgopoulas, lead researcher in this study, the magnetoencephalography is “a method that records the magnetic fields that are generated in the brain when cells communicate with one another.” Their research illustrates that PTSD can be observed as over-activity in the posterior part of the brain. Say Georgopoulas, “This is the first time we are able to show there’s a brain difference; that there’s a different way that brain areas communicate among themselves.”
What Could This Mean Moving Forward?
For veterans suffering with PTSD, the magnetoencephalography may mean the road to obtaining the disability benefits they rightly deserve will be smoother. At the very least, the magnetoencepholography may prove a veteran actually has PTSD, although it will not provide the service connection needed for disability eligibility. For others with PTSD, it could mean having a leg to stand on when having to fight their insurance companies. We will see.
Federal Employees Get Reprieve On Proposed Health Care Tax
Everybody’s been talking about it; some have been dreading it. I’m talking about the recent proposal to tax high-cost (or Cadillac) health insurance plans. This week, thanks in large part to federal employee workers’ unions and other interested parties, this proposed tax on federal employees has been postponed.
While at first blush, taxing Cadillace health care plans may seem fair, upon closer examination this practice would adversely affect many middle class Americans forcing them to pay even more for health coverage than they already pay.
Originally, organized Labor negotiated a postponement of this tax proposal to an effective date of 2018; but only for state and local employees and plans negotiated through collective bargaining (FEHBP is not negotiated through collective bargaining).
Senators Want Extension Of COBRA And Unemployment Benefits (Source: akaka.senate.gov)
Senators Harry Reid and Max Baucus were urged by a group of 31 senators to extend unemployment benefits and the COBRA Premium Assistance Program through December 31, 2010. This extension is critical for the almost 40 percent of the unemployed (over 6.1 million Americans) who have been out of work for six months or more. So many of these individuals have lost their health care coverage as a result of losing their jobs.
The senators wrote: “As our nation continues to battle double digit unemployment rates, we must act right away to continue vital safety net coverage for the American family . . . Based on these figures (unemployment statistics), Congress must extend unemployment benefits and eligibility for the COBRA Premium Assistance Program through the end of the year . . . Short term extensions, while still helpful to families, only add strain to state agencies that must constantly re-tool their computer systems, and at the same time, continue to assist the millions still searching for work. As our economy continues on a path to recovery, we need a robust extension of safety net programs that have provided a lifeline to families since the recession began.”
Legislative News . . .
Hastings Introduces the Veterans Pensions Protection Act – Source: alceehastings.house.gov
On January 27, 2010, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) introduced the Veterans Pensions Protection Act, intended to protect veterans from losing their pension benefits if they’ve received payments to cover expenses incurred after an accident, theft, loss or casualty loss.
Says Congressman Hastings, “My legislation will fix a loophole under existing law to ensure that pensions are issued to veterans who legitimately meet the criteria and rely on such benefits to survive.”
Currently, if a veteran is seriously injured in an accident or is the victim of a theft and receives insurance compensation to cover his or her medical expenses or the cost of replacement of the stolen items, he or she will likely lose their pension.
“Such a tragedy happened to one of my constituents, a disabled veteran with muscular dystrophy who was hit by a truck when crossing the street in his wheelchair,” says Hastings. “His pension was abruptly cut off after he received an insurance settlement payment to cover medical expenses for himself and his service dog, and material expenses to replace his wheelchair. As a result, he could not cover his daily expenses and mortgage payments and almost lost his home. To me, this is unacceptable.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) considers a variety of sources of revenue to determine a veteran’s annual income. If such an income exceeds the income limit set by the VA,the veterans does not qualify for a pension or loses his or her benefits. The VA considers any reimbursement that compensates veterans for their expenses due to accidents, theft or loss as income. The Veterans Pensions Protection Act will exempt these reimbursements from being included into the determination of a veteran’s income.
“Current law effectively punishes veterans when they suffer from such an accident, theft or loss. My legislation will ensure that no veterans will have their benefits unfairly depreciated or cancelled. After serving our country so valiantly, our veterans deserve no less that the very best benefits.”
Rep. Lynch Thinks Pharmacy Benefits Managers Need Oversight
Representative Stephen Lynch (D-MA) introduced a bill to give the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) oversight responsibility over companies that negotiate prescription drug prices for individuals in the federal work force. Although those (the Pharmacy Benefits Managers) negotiating with Big Pharma do so on behalf of federal employees, they actually “work” for the insurance carriers. So, yes, these folks do need some watching.
The bill is H.R. 4489, and it reads: “To amend chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to ensure program integrity, transparency, and cost savings in the pricing and contracting of prescription drug benefits under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.” A primary purpose of this bill is to make sure that any savings, in the form of rebates are passed on to federal employees. It also would require transparency on the part of Pharmacy Benefits Managers and would hold down costs for the federal government.
History Quiz
Who Was This Great American?
Daughter of a Baptist minister and a church activist, this great American grew up during segregation in Houston, Texas. She graduated magna cum laude from Texas Southern University and received her law degree from Boston University in 1959.
She was the first African American since Reconstruction to serve in the Texas Senate. Known as a brilliant attorney, orator, politician and professor, this great American served in the U.S. House of Representatives 1973-1979. She once said: “One thing is clear to me: We, as human Beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves.”
Answer: Representative Barbara Charline Jordon