Suicides Cover-up Causes Stir in Congress

Suicides Cover-up Causes Stir in Congress
April 23, 2008
Associated Press

WASHINGTON: A Democratic senator demanded on Tuesday that the chief mental health official of the Department of Veterans Affairs resign for allegedly trying to cover up the rising number of veterans' suicides.

US Sen. Patty Murray said Dr. Ira Katz, the VA's mental health director, deliberately withheld crucial information on the true suicide risk among veterans.

"Doctor Katz's irresponsible actions have been a disservice to our veterans, and it is time for him to go," said Murray, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. "The number one priority of the VA should be caring for our veterans, not covering up the truth."

Murray and other Democratic senators said they were appalled at e-mails showing Katz and other VA officials apparently trying to conceal the number of veterans who had killed themselves. An e-mail message from Katz disclosed as part of a lawsuit that went to trial in San Francisco this week starts with "Shh!" and refers to the 12,000 veterans per year who attempt suicide while under department treatment.

"Is this something we should (carefully) address ourselves in some sort of release before someone stumbles on it?" the e-mail asks.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/suicides-coverup-causes-stir-in-congress.html?wh=wh

soldiers have died in a high speed crash either on motorcycle or car.. I know its high..