TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Patty Murray is questioning military and Veterans’ Affairs officials over concerns that cost has been a factor in reversing diagnoses of soldiers found to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Murray’s questioning came Wednesday at a Tacoma field hearing of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which she chairs.
The concerns arose over recent disclosures that medical screeners at the Madigan Army Medical Center have since 2007 reversed hundreds of diagnoses of PTSD for soldiers up for medical retirement.
Murray last week launched an investigation into the prevalence of the practice nationwide. She sought assurances from military and VA officials that the problem is being addressed.
The officials pointed out that it is not U.S. policy to deny soldiers and veterans necessary medical care or benefits for financial reasons.
