Claire McCaskill Helps Military Sexual Trauma Victim Cut Through Red Tape

Claire McCaskill posted the story of a veteran, Terri Odom, who her office helped cut through red tape to get her benefits. Terri had been wrangling with the Department of Veterans Affairs to get needed medical procedures approved. When she contacted Claire's office four years ago, the roadblocks disappeared the same day, allowing her to get the treatment she needed.

Terri had many of her teeth knocked out thanks to military sexual trauma (MST). MST may include any sexual activity performed against one's will, either through physical force, threats of negative consequences, implied promotion, promises of favored treatment, or sex without consent due to intoxication etc. Other events that may be categorized as MST may include: unwanted sexual contact, threatening, offensive remarks and unwelcome sexual advances.

The post notes:

In the Senate, Claire worked to fix this problem so that victims get the support they need on base and off. Claire was able to work with the military to increase access to counseling services for victims of MST, strengthened the military's system of Sexual Assault Response Coordinators and Victim Advocates, and made it easier for victims to seek justice in court.

For Terri's complete story, visit the link here.

McCaskill Supports Addition of Veterans’ Mental Health Providers

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today released the following statement in response to the plan released by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to make good on promises to hire nearly 2,000 workers nationwide to treat and assist military veterans requiring mental health services:

“Veterans in Missouri and across the country need to have access to the best possible care—period—and that’s especially important when we’re talking about issues of mental health. I’ve fought to increase veterans’ access to mental health care, and I’m thrilled that additional providers will be hired in Missouri.  But I’m not going to rest for a second until our veterans are receiving the care that they need and have earned.”

VA medical centers in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, and Poplar Bluff are slated to receive additional mental health clinicians.  According to the VA, the number of additional staff to be added at each facility is based on the veteran population in the service area, the mental health needs of veterans in that population, and the range and complexity of mental health services provided in the service area.

McCaskill has been a champion for military veterans and servicemembers since coming to the Senate in 2006.  McCaskill has fought to increase funding for veterans health programs, and in 2009, helped pass the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, legislation that enables advanced appropriations for Veterans Health Administration accounts in order to provide greater stability and support to critical veterans care programs.  In 2010, McCaskill introduced the TRICARE Mental Health Care Access Act, legislation intended to improve veterans' access to mental health services. The bill aimed to expand access to mental health services for military families and retirees by cutting through red tape that prevented licensed mental health counselors from participating in the TRICARE system. The change was signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2011 National Defense Authorization Act.

Read more about McCaskill’s work for veterans by clicking HERE.

Over $402,000 in VA Compensation and Pension Provided to Worth County Veterans in 2010

According to FY 2010 data recently released by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, over $1 billion in compensation and pension payments were awarded to Veterans, surviving spouses, and dependents in Missouri by the VA, an increase of $115 million from the previous year. Of this, $402,000 was provided to Worth County veterans.

Compensation and pension funds are Veterans’ compensation for service-connected disability; dependency and indemnity compensation for service-connected death; Veterans’ pension for non service-connected disabilities; and burial and other benefits to Veterans and their survivors.

“These payments are just a small part of what is owed for those who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Larry D. Kay, Executive Director of the Missouri Veterans Commission, “Not only do these funds help improve the quality of life of the Veteran or family member, they help support the local economy as well.”

Total expenditure reports for the fiscal year which ended September 30, 2010 showed the VA spent over $2.28 billion in Missouri, including $121 million on Veterans education and employment, and $977 million on medical care while treating 130,997 Veterans at VA medical centers and outpatient clinics throughout the state.

If you are a Veteran, or the spouse or dependent of a Veteran and would like to know which benefits you may be eligible for, please contact the Missouri Veterans Commission at 1-866-VET-INFO or online atwww.mvc.dps.mo.gov.