QUINN UNVEILS "ILLINOIS VETERANS’ HEALTH INITIATIVE"

CHICAGO – January 30, 2005

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn today unveiled the “Illinois Veterans’ Health Initiative” to aid soldiers returning from service in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hotspots in the war against terrorism with post-traumatic stress disorders, homelessness, health problems, disability benefits and long term care.

“Sunday is Election Day in Iraq, where thousands of U.S. troops are risking everything so democracy may triumph over tyranny,” Quinn said. “Many will come home suffering from physical or mental health problems, or facing inadequate health care or even homelessness. The Illinois Veterans’ Health Initiative is a voluntary way to help address these problems.”

Quinn unveiled legislation to create the “Illinois Veterans Assistance Trust Fund” to be funded in part by a new lottery scratch-off game modeled on West Virginia’s popular “Veterans Cash 5” game which raised $2.4 million to benefit West Virginia veterans’ nursing homes. A similar game here would generate a projected $10-12 million, as well as attract new players who ordinarily don’t play the Illinois State Lottery.

Quinn was joined by Dr. Ron Davidson (UIC Department of Psychiatry), Dr. Joseph Flaherty (Dean, UIC School of Medicine), Kathy Donohue (Catholic Charities), Dr. Quentin Young (Past President, American Public Health Association), and representatives of the American Legion, VFW and AmVets.

More than 14 million Iraqis are registered to vote in Sunday’s historic election. The first democratically-elected government in more then three decades will include a Presidency Council, Transitional National Assembly, Provincial Councils and Kurdistan National Assembly.

Illinois is home to more than 900,000 veterans of wars dating back to World War II. There are currently 5,900 Illinois National Guard members and reservists on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Quinn - who visited troops in Iraq last year - will describe difficult conditions front-line soldiers confront daily which could understandably lead to the increasing incidence among returning troops of post-traumatic stress disorders such as sleep disorders, panic attacks, violent outbursts and acute anxiety.

“Many active duty and returning soldiers, as well as family members, are now reporting clinical signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, such as depression or marital and family discord,” Dr. Davidson said. “Knowing when and where to turn for help as early as possible is critically important.”

These PTSD symptoms often combine with substance abuse, resulting in an unusually high number of homeless veterans. A 2003 national survey estimated nearly a half million veterans experience homelessness (25 percent of all homeless males.) Further, there are about 20,000 veterans without roofs over their heads in Illinois, yet the VA funds fewer than 200 beds at Illinois homeless shelters.

“Initiatives such as Catholic Charities’ planned 120-bed St. Leo’s Residence for Veterans will make a dent in the homeless veterans population, but thousands more of these heroes still live under viaducts or in dumpsters,” Quinn said.

Many of those veterans lucky enough to have a home may, however, lack health insurance. A recent study – “America’s Neglected Veterans” – revealed 1.7 veterans nationwide neither had health care nor received ongoing care at VA hospitals.

“This is a community health crisis that affects everyone,” said Dr. Young, a nationally-recognized public health advocate. “Brave men and women have sacrificed everything for our safety, “ Quinn said. “Yet, they return from war only to face another battle at home - the battle for basic health coverage.”

Some veterans, though, have allies in their battle with bureaucracy. Service organizations such as the VFW, American Legion and AmVets have assisted tens of thousands of veterans to process their claims to state or federal entitlements. For example, the VFW has more than 100 trained field service officers available to assist any Illinois veteran, and their efforts have resulted in the recovery of hundreds of millions of dollars. The influx of returning troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, however, may overwhelm the capacity of these organizations to provide such assistance.

“Let’s strengthen this partnership so Illinois vets get what they deserve when they come home,” Quinn said.

 Archived Lt. Governor's News Conference
 Archived Lt. Governor's News Conference