Despite progress by VA in providing “timely information” to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom servicemembers and their families, according to a new Government Accountability Office report, the agency still faces hurdles in electronically accessing necessary DOD medical records, says Rep. Michael Bilarkis (R. Fla.) The report notes that the records are crucial in providing follow-up care for veterans and servicemembers getting treatment at VA facilities. Bilirakis, who is chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, declares, “There is no reason that DOD today cannot share all medical information on our severely wounded service members with their VA polytrauma rehablitation center staff counterparts. I fully intend to follow up with VA and DOD to determine if the obstacles are technical or cultural.”
Members of the Air Force Reserve’s 920th Rescue Wing helped save 11 airplane crash survivors off the coast of Florida on May 12. The Reserve Airmen were flying an HC-130J Combat King II and an HH-60W Jolly Green II on a routine training flight when a Coast Guard call diverted…