Volume 9
Champions Edition
who are getting the job done with proven results . Evaluate results of providers based on veterans ’ feedback , not the recommendations of a doctor or psychologist , and close down programs that have proven not to work .”
Spooner and the Warriors Heart team want to emphasize that the impact of this shortage of mental health professionals for “ warriors ” is even greater because of the lack of trained licensed specialists for warriors . Treating PTSD for a civilian is very different from healing PTSD for a warrior who has been on the frontline of combat or protecting our homeland .
After receiving a Medicare approval , the final step is TRICARE and TriWest approvals . To reduce veteran suicide and long VA waitlists , a fast-track approval process for private providers must be a VA reform priority .
To treat veterans now , Warriors Heart established the Operation Warriors Heart Foundation where individuals and organizations can donate to help sponsor scholarships for warriors who don ’ t have the private pay ability or no other insurance .
Spooner urges everyone to consider making a donation before year-end to help heal warriors because this VA reform may take time . Every day and every dollar can make a difference to heal our veterans and first responders . Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars speak as they wait for U . S . Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to speak at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention in Charlotte , North Carolina , U . S . July 26 , 2016 . ( Image Credit : Chris
Keane , Reuters )
To get our warriors help faster , Spooner stresses the need for new systems to make the private provider accreditation and veteran insurance approval process much more efficient . Warriors Heart recently received the Gold Seal of Approval ® for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation from The Joint Commission , and is now waiting for Medicare approval , which can take 90-120 days .
( Lisa Lannon discusses the mission and purpose of Warriors Heart in anticipation of the grand opening . Courtesy of Warriors Heart and YouTube )
About Tom Spooner
Tom Spooner ’ s service to our nation in the U . S . Army spanned nearly twenty-one years ( 1990-2011 ). His career included time in the 82nd Airborne , as a Green Beret in the US Army ’ s 7th Special Forces Group and , ultimately , in the US Army ’ s 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta as an Operator . His military career included 12 combat rotations for a total of 40 months time in combat .
After retiring from the Army , Tom approached his struggles
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