Schrader Amendments Adopted: Military Medical Notifications and DOD Inspector General Report

Press Release

Schrader Fight's to Protect the Rights of Oregon's Returning Soldiers

Today Congressman Kurt Schrader had two amendments adopted by the United States House of Representatives and added to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011.

"My amendments respond to the poor treatment received by some of the Oregon National Guard's soldiers returning from Iraq with the 41st Brigade," said Schrader. "These amendments ensure our brave men and women will receive the care they need and deserve."

The first of Schrader's amendments requires the Secretary of Defense to ensure each member of the National Guard and Army Reserve is provided with a clear and comprehensive statement of medical care and treatment they entitled to under Federal law. The second of his amendments instructs the Department of Defense Inspector General to conduct a study assessing the medical processing of National Guard and Reserve Soldiers mobilizing and demobilizing in support of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The United States House of Representatives adopted Schrader's amendments as part of group of non-controversial bipartisan measures.

On May 17, 2010 Schrader along with Oregon Senator Ron Wyden called for an investigation into the Army's programs for providing medical treatment to National Guard troops before and after combat deployment, by issuing letters to Secretary of the Army John McHugh, the Department of Defense Inspector General, and the Government Accountability Office. The letters and amendments come in response to several disturbing reports of Oregon National Guard Soldiers being sent home without receiving appropriate medical care.

Earlier this month, staff from Congressman Schrader's office quickly discovered reports of soldiers not receiving the care they need and are entitled to under Federal law and discovered that they were not isolated incidents. Staff at Ft. Lewis-McChord provided training for mobilizing and demobilizing soldiers in the form of a PowerPoint presentation which labeled Oregon National Guard soldiers as "Weekend Warriors" and encouraged staff to quickly complete the demobilization process.

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