The general's fight
Source: Charles.net
By
Robert Behre (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, July 27, 2007
Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Tom Mikolajcik urged the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs' Health Subcommittee to push for three changes:
--Extending Veterans Administration benefits to veterans of all wars who suffer from ALS. In 2001, the VA extended those benefits to Gulf War veterans, but a 2005 study showed veterans who served at any time in the 20th century are at a 60 percent greater risk of getting ALS. Mikolajcik said extending the benefits would be an easy step, and Rep. Henry Brown later said VA Secretary R. James Nicholson may take that step before he leaves office in September.
--Compiling a national registry of ALS patients to collect information on their health backgrounds, tissues, genes, DNA, etc. Four years ago, the VA began a voluntary ALS registry of its patients. Of the 1,993 that have taken part, 1,024 already have died. A national registry would compile information from thousands more patients that could prove valuable for future research. Last week, a separate House subcommittee voted in favor of creating such a registry.
--A congressionally directed ALS task force to be formed within 30 days. Within 60 days, he asked that it choose which government agency will be in charge of its work, and within 90 days, it should develop a strategic plan outlining research and necessary funding. Mikolajcik acknowledged this was an ambitious request. "Let's look back to 1961, when our nation made a commitment to put a man on the moon within the decade. One government agency was put in charge and it was supported by other agencies, as well as private industry and individuals," he said. "My proposal is very similar. It worked then, it should also work now. ... Let's do what it takes to finish this enemy off once and for all."
~Best viewed with a positive attitude~