Soldiers face neglect, frustration, at army's top medical facility.

[Lady's Human]

The article was wrong. BG Janis Karpinski, the commander of the MP Brigade that was in charge of Abu Ghirab, was reduced in rank to Colonel and retired.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Is this article wrong too?

The Pentagon's Defense Health Program—which includes the Tricare health-insurance plan, used by 9.1 million veterans and involving 65 inpatient clinics, 414 medical and dental clinics, and 257 veterans centers—has actually had its budget cut the past two years. In fiscal year 2006, the program's budget for medical care went up from $15.9 billion to $21.2 billion. But since then, it's gone down slightly—to $20.8 billion in FY 2007 and a proposed $20.7 billion in FY 2008.

These numbers understate the magnitude of the cuts. To keep up with inflation in the cost of goods and payroll, the Defense Department actually had to cut medical-care programs by $1.6 and $1.4 billion in FY07 and FY08, respectively.

Money is similarly tight at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA's budget for medical care has risen in the past few years—from $28.8 billion in FY 2006 to $29.3 billion in FY 2007 to a request for $34.2 billion in FY 2008—but this hasn't been enough. In each of the past four years, according to a March 1 report by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the VA has systematically underestimated the number of veterans applying for benefits in the coming fiscal year. The result is a shortfall of $2.8 billion in the FY08 budget, just to cover the current level of medical services.

The administration is trying to make up for some of this by raising deductibles on prescription drugs (from $8 to $15) and by imposing an annual enrollment fee (ranging from $250 to $750)—in short, by shifting costs to the veterans themselves. (Even so, these charges would make up only $450 million, or about one-sixth of the shortfall.)

[Lady's Human]

In part, Yes. Tricare is a system designed primarily for active duty servicemembers and families. All others are served on an as available basis. When the number of servicemembers in uniform drops, as it has over the past few years (The USAF alone cut 40K airmen), the budget for tricare drops, as the number of servicemembers they are expected to care for is reduced. Tricare's priorities are active servicemembers, dependents, reserve servicemembers, and it trickles down from there.

Col Karpinski was subject to a 15-6 investigation, the military equivalent of a grand jury investigation. She was given a reduction in rank, a letter of reprimand, and was forced to retire. 6 other officers form the brigade were also investigated, and a military intelligence (MJA? I think, don't remember, his name wasn't in the news for more than a second or two) officer was also found guilty.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Well....I would like to see our veterans get the care they deserve...whether there are less people in the airforce or not.

So did either of these officers do any TIME? Jail, brig...whatever?

[Lady's Human]

No, they were not given jail time, as there are limitations within the UCMJ and the Manual for Courts Martial as far as what punishments you can give for what crime. An officer relieved with cause and reduced in grade has no military career left, and many civilian jobs are no longer open to them.


As far as the article goes, DHP is aimed at active and reserve servicemembers, not veterans. The VA is the PRIMARY route for former servicemembers to get care. The others fill in when available. Fewer active duty personnel for DHP to cover=less money.

[Edwina's Secretary]

. An officer relieved with cause and reduced in grade has no military career left, and many civilian jobs are no longer open to them.

If they are interested in a career with the government or a sub-contractor that requires employees to have clearance they may have a problem.

However, no other civilian employer can even ASK the reason for discharge from the military. That leaves a whole lot of employers for the former officers.

Private employers can ask about felony convictions however....which affects the grunts...

[Lady's Human]

Where do most former military officers get jobs?

Defense contractors. Especially for those who earned senior ranks.

A reduction in grade carries with it an instantaneous revocation of a clearance, no clearance, no job in defense industries. (One of the more obnoxious things about the way Pentagon procurement works........ Retire from the Pentagon, get a job with the contractor you just assisted in getting the multi-million XYZ contract, and get your replacement to shift contracts your way)

[Edwina's Secretary]

The article was wrong. BG Janis Karpinski, the commander of the MP Brigade that was in charge of Abu Ghirab, was reduced in rank to Colonel and retired.

But was she charged with a crime? Prosecuted?