Army to release health care study at JBLM following record number of suicides

With military suicides hitting record levels, the Secretary of the Army ordered a complete review of how returning soldiers are being treated and if their mental health needs are being met.

Secretary John McHugh will release the findings Monday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The review was also triggered by accusations that Madigan Army Medical Center was changing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnoses to save money.

This is the secretary’s third visit to JBLM. Last April, McHugh said improving the health care system for returning vets was a top priority, “To make sure that they can meet their mission in providing the best quality medical care to our heroes, to our wounded warriors,” he said.

Improving the mental health care for returning soldiers could stem the tide of military suicides which hit a record 325 last year, more than the number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan.