Chiarelli promises review of Guard health care

[unhappycamper]

Chiarelli promises review of Guard health care
By Manuel Valdes - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday May 18, 2010 21:39:35 EDT

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. — The Army’s vice chief of staff said it’s a priority to investigate complaints from injured Oregon Army National Guard troops who accuse the Army of forcing many of them off active duty while they still need medical care.

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Chiarelli said Tuesday there’s need for one Army-wide processing standard for active and reserve troops to ensure all soldiers receive the same level of health care, and are not rushed through the system.

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He added that an internal investigation has been launched at the base to look into the complaints from the Oregon reservists.

Army commanders said that misperception, paperwork and misunderstandings may have led to reservists feeling slighted by the Army.

On Monday, The Oregonian of Portland reported complaints as many as 185 injured soldiers from the 41st Infantry Brigade Team were wrongly being forced off active duty. The reports state that personnel accused accusing some guardsmen of feigning injuries to extend their active-duty paychecks, which can be thousands of dollars more than their Guard pay.