In April 2016, the Gitenstein Institute for Health Law and Policy at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University hosted a conference entitled “Mission Critical Veterans Health Summit: Addressing the Invisible Wounds of Our Nation’s Veterans.” Experts from the public and private sectors came together to address issues ranging from veteran suicide to “bad paper” discharges (“BPDs”); veteran health care and the signature injuries of our current conflicts, post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury; and the impact of the foregoing invisible wounds and challenges in treating them on families as well as veterans. There was a full day of panel discussions in front of an engaged audience, and participants included representatives from higher education, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), veteran service organizations (“VSOs”), and the private sector. It was evident from the medical and legal professionals, and veterans and supporters in the room, that there remains much work to be done to ensure that our veterans are receiving the medical and legal assistance they need to identify and address their health issues, particularly those invisible to others. Working across sectors and disciplines is the most effective way to address the complex needs of our veterans and their families in a holistic manner.
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