Obama, Bayh send letter to Pentagon on traumatic brain injuries
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/08/04/art.obama.iraq.jpg
caption="Obama met with Gen. Petraeus while visiting Iraq last month."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - As speculation over the number two slot rises, presidential candidate Barack Obama and potential v.p. contender Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana joined forces Monday, signing a letter with eight other senators that urges Defense Secretary Robert Gates to increase medical coverage and care for Iraq war veterans left with serious brain injuries.
Watch: Obama pledges help for veterans
The senators point to a recent study from the RAND Corporation that estimates 320,000 troops from the two Iraq wars experienced a traumatic brain injury, or TBI.
Earlier: Obama camp launches military families working group
"We are concerned that at a time when TBI is recognized as the signature wound of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan," the senators write, "one of the most widely accepted and critical rehabilitative treatments for this injury… cognitive rehabilitation therapy, is excluded by the military's … health insurance program."
The other senators signing on to the letter include political notables Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass and Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-CT. Obama and Bayh's name are clearly perched at the top.
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it's so sad that so many anti-obama people really think he does not like the troops. with one vets group, mccain's record is an F. with another, it's 20%.
for obama, his record is a B+ with one group and 80% with another. it's false to say he didn't visit the troops while overseas. even the ad mccain put out included footage of him playing ball with the troops on that trip! and there was coverage of him having breakfast with the troops on that same trip! he wasn't able to visit the troops on one leg of the trip only.
in the meantime, mccain mocks one small line of several pages of energy plans, wasting time and money. i'm not sure why people would fear electing a smart president again. do you really want to elect a president who wastes money this way and has no time to address serious issues?
No Hillary no vote.
You comprehend that Barry?
"He wouldn't even see the troops in Germany when there was no photo-op. Pandering, plain and simple, but at least the vets may get some benefit from it."
Already proven false.. do your research please.
As for "changing opinions"... well McCain changed his on offshore drilling as well. So please don't talk to me about changing opinions... McCain has flipped on so many things it isn't even funny.
Go Obama!
Is it my imagination or is Obama's hair turning gray around the edges since he started his campaigning? If this guy is turning gray now can you imagine what he will look like if he gets elected? Every day brings a new flip-flop – he just isn't Presidential – he just wants the world to believe he is. Nice acting job.
More ideas from the Obama campaign. Wheres the ides from McCain..? Oh yea, I remember, not IDEAS just high school gossip and lies! More of the same McCain supporters need to get smart QUICK!! Come on people why trash ideas?..just like the trashing of a tire gague..just a tire gauge huh?..look at the whole plan people, then again McCain supporters can't retain that much information, they only understand the one or two sentence gimmicks and lies. All we hear from republicans is , ahh Paris, ahh Brittney, ahh Muslim...and they call Obama out of touch and elitist?..give me a TBI. How narrow minded and out of touch is this $600 pair of shoe wearing elitist McCain?..so out of touch he thinks we'll fall for the "off-shore drilling" to destroy some more of our environment, and fill the pockets of their big oil buddies!!..that way they can all get some $600 Ferragamo's!! Let's get smart America..pursue ideas and facts, and dont trash and idea just because Obama changed his mind to it..wouldn't we rather have someone in office that would embrace the right ideas and be ok with being wrong than have another bush that would ruin our country just to not admit that he was wrong!!
Let's get it right this time!!!
Hussein Obama has no desire to help the vets...he is just trying to get votes. I don't believe the military personnel will vote for a person that wants to cut the military and our homeland security by getting rid of the nuclear power. You Democrats need to read his book to see how he really feels about Americans and his Muslim religion. You need to read before you make your offhanded remarks.
Why is pro war Loserman's name appearing as Democrat? He was indeed elected on Democratic Party's ticket, but has turned his coat and now supports McWar.
Please name one veterans group that supports John McCain. He has voted against the majority of bills that would help vets yet he always says he is the one who supports the veterans. Get the facts. Don't believe it just because he says it. Obama has voted much more often to support benefits for the troops. Check that out. It's the truth!
lieberman is not a democrat as the article indicates. correct this error please.
McCain has had government provided health insurance since the day he was born.
Have you?
Great, get them moving on this urgent matter. Too much time has been wasted on helping our troops.
Obama did go see troops when he could or when it would not be seen as a political move. Mccain has not been so honorable when he sees our toops he makes a point of policalizing his visits. People please for the good of our country stop accepting the lies of the republicans.
IF NOTHING, ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH, DOESN'T TELL YOU
THAT MCSENILE IS JUST A LOW LIFE SLEAZE BALL,
HIS LACK OF SUPPORT FOR OUR VETS SHOULD MAKE IT
CRYSTAL CLEAR. HEROES AT WAR & HOMELESS AT HOME.
THERE IS NOTHING SADDER THAN LOOKING INTO
THE EYES OF AN INJURED VET, THAT FEELS BETRAYED
BY HIS OWN LAND. OUR TITANS COME HOME BROKEN
& IT IS OUR PATRIOTIC RESPONSIBILITY TO HEAL THEIR
BODIES & MINDS IN ANY WAY HUMANLY POSSIBLE.
Actually Obama has been quite supportive of mental health advocacy for veterans. I work in the mental health field-legislatively, and the VA and the Administration routinely reject the notion that veteran mental health services are inadequate. I have never seen McCain’s name appear in contradiction to the VA or Bush, he is rather silent on this issue.
Bayh is by far the most qualified VP candidate. He has both executive and legislative experience and knows how to win in a Red state. Bayh as the VP gets my vote, my campaign volunteer time, and my monetary campaign contribution.
Thank you OBAMA and BAYH for taking this issue withing our troops so seriously.
This is clearly the way to GO.
While mcCAIN (an angry man) is going negative again, OBAMA is focusing on what matters to the american people.
"Obama, Bayh send letter to Pentagon on traumatic brain injuries"
Gosh, I sure hope that Obama and Bayh can help the Pentagon and the White House with all of the traumatic brain injuries on staff!
I think this is wonderful.
McIdiot is a vet. Maybe they can get him some help.
Steven....FYI Lieberman stated yesterday on Meet The Press that "he was an Independent Democrat who supports john McCain"...you can verify that on the web. In any case he is sure to get a cool reception from Democrats including myself.
Hillary or PUMA