Court Orders VA To Overhaul Mental Health Care System
On Tuesday, the Ninth U.S. District Court of Appeals ordered a major overhaul of the Department of Veterans Affairs' mental health programs because they fail to provide adequate care for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions. VA is required to provide a mental health assessment within 30 days of any veteran requesting help. However, the ruling stated that such applications face delays of months or years, and those needing care are relegated to waiting lists.
- "Court Orders Major Overhaul of VA's Mental Health System" (Williams, Los Angeles Times, 5/11).
- "Court Blasts VA for Mental Health Care" (Steele, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/10).
- "Veterans' Health Care Claims Backed by U.S. Court" (Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, 5/11).