A CBS News investigation found that some veterans are being prescribed deadly amounts of prescription pain medications by VA hospitals after returning home from war. Ricky Green, a 43-year-old veteran of the first Gulf War, was given prescription narcotics for back pain by VA doctors in 2011. His wife, Kimberly, says he wanted to stop
A CBS News investigation found that some veterans are being prescribed deadly amounts of prescription pain medications by VA hospitals after returning home from war. Ricky Green, a 43-year-old veteran of the first Gulf War, was given prescription narcotics for back pain by VA doctors in 2011. His wife, Kimberly, says he wanted to stop taking them, but after discussing his concern with doctors, he was told to continue taking all of the medications. He died of an accidental overdose while sleeping just a month later. Now, Congress is holding a hearing to take a closer look at how medications are prescribed by the VA. Rep. Jeff Miller, who chairs the House Veterans Affairs committees, explains, "Unfortunately, it has become a routine way of dealing with our veterans, is to give them a prescription. Masking the pain only temporarily takes it away. It's the underlying cause that absolutely has to be treated." More veterans are returning home, but VA hospitals may not have enough pain management specialists to go around.
CBS News, 10/9/13
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