Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
No VA Coverage Of In Vitro Fertilization Leaves Disabled Veterans Struggling To Have Kids
CBS News: Disabled Veteran Denied Chance To Fulfill Family Dream
Many veterans depend on the VA for medical care. But some say that they are being denied a chance to fulfill their dreams because there is one battle wound for which the VA does not offer a solution. After two and a half years in the hospital and 30 surgeries, Kevin Jaye is out of the army but still dealing with the VA. (Martin, 8/5)
The Seattle Times: Veterans' Wait Times Drop For Mental Health Services, But Rise For Primary Care
Despite a big push to hire more staff, Puget Sound VA officials say average wait times for a primary-care appointment rose during the past year from just under eight days to 11 days. But they have had greater success offering Western Washington veterans quick access to mental-health services. They say veterans typically are able to see a mental-health provider with little more than a one-day wait, far better than the national average of almost five days. (Bernton, 8/5)
McClatchy: Cerner Ready To Tackle Military Health Records
Cerner Corp. is confident it can handle the mammoth task of upgrading the U.S. military’s medical records – and it already has a model system ready to go, says the company’s president, Zane Burke. (Wise, 8/4)
