R: Walter Reed, Military Medicine, a New Commission

[Ronald Gross]

peter,

No doubt that a little less war would be nice - and so would a winning
lottery, neither of which you or I (well, maybe you...) will see any
time soon.  So at the present time, and for the forseeable future, I
would suggest that the malaria research be done by the governments that
have a much more vested interest in the disease given their own
citizens' vulnerability to the parasite; the US needs to focus on the
healthcare of the soldiers in the areas that the MAJORITY of its
soldiers will be forced to deal - and that just isn't the malaria
"epidemic" in our soldiers.

Just my 2 cents.

Ron

PS - I wrote to Dodds and Lieberman.  I plan on writing again.  I did
not hear Lieberman this AM (on trauma call and getting abused) but I
hope to hear what he had to say so that I could target his comments a
bit more closely.  I ask that all on this list with an interset in the
well-being of the kids who are bleeding and dying for us all please
write and let your views known.  I think that Ken's "talking points are
right on, and I for one intent to repeat my thoughts - which are almost
identical to his - to as many elected officials, including our
President, as I can and have the time to do.

>>> "peter" <taliente at tiscalinet.it> 03/05/07 8:40 AM >>>
I think that maybe a little less war is better rather than reduce the
spending on research, malaria is a world wide problem that causes
millions
of deaths in one year. I think that is very relevant rsearch!!
Peter

-----Messaggio originale-----
Da: trauma-list-bounces at trauma.org
[mailto:trauma-list-bounces at trauma.org]
Per conto di KMATTOX at aol.com
Inviato: lunedì 5 marzo 2007 14.11
A: med-events at ccm-l.org; trauma-list at trauma.org
Oggetto: Walter Reed, Military Medicine, a New Commission

Senator Lieberman was just on National TV and made many of the points a 

great number of you have made on this list and to your Senators and  
Representatives.   It is obvious that there will be a Congressional  and
Administrative 
investigation and Commissions.   I have several  suggestions as you
continue
to 
communicate your views to your congress people. 
 
1.    The fired Commanding Officer at Walter Reed was a  sacrificial
lamb.  
His career is ruined by this knee jerk firing, when  others should have
been

the focus of reprisials.   He might should be  reinstated.  
 
2.    BRAC did make some good recommendations at the  time, but those 
recommendations need to be reanalyzed in view of current  war.   Maybe
other
closures 
and consolidations are in order while  expansions are in order in other 
areas.   BRAC should have  representatives from the civilian sector
 
3.    A new Military Medicine Commission must not be  politicized, but
must 
include representatives from critical care, trauma,  emergency medicine,
etc.   
 
 
4.    Many within the Military Industrial Complex are  spending money on

things NOT of major concern during the time of THIS war.   We have had
over
16,000 
MAJOR open amputations during the last 5 years in Iraq  and Afghanistan
and 
spent about $100,000 on research in this area.  The  Army and Navy spent
$100 
million on research on Malaria treatment last year  while only 25
military 
people got malaria, most from not taking their  drugs.   I do not say
get
rid of 
appropriate research and development,  just keep it relative.  
 
5.    It is long time that military medicine had a  DEPUTY Secretary of 
Defense for Health Affairs rather than several layers down  having an
Assistant 
Secretary several layers down.   
 
6.    Except for Special Operations it is long overdue  time that the 
military medical services be FUSED for that is the way they work  right
now,
and very 
effectively.   Military Medicine as taught by  Uniformed Services
University

for Health Sciences at Bethesda is ALL SERVICE and  serves as a model of
the

direction military medicine should go.   A  3-4 star general doctor
should
also 
r
epresent ALL military medicine at the joint  chiefs of staff. leadership.   Obviously some on this list have been able to  communicate
with Senator 
Lieberman, who is taking a lead in the Senate  Commission.  Let us help
him
and 
others keep focused.
 
Kenneth L. Mattox, MD
Houston
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