Update: The Real Cost of War in Iraq

Posted on | January 10, 2007 | Comments Off on Update: The Real Cost of War in Iraq

Some months back, I outlined the untold stories of the war in Iraq — specifically, the devastating health impacts including the long-term injuries (that can be both mental and physical) that are increasing among our U.S. military veterans.

Now, President Bush, in spite of the recent mid-term elections, has signaled his intent to further escalate U.S. involvement. One of the first votes confronting the now Democratic-controlled Congress will be another “supplemental” budget request for $100 billion to stay and grow in Iraq. That’s a lot of money, but it doesn’t even begin to describe the true, full cost. The VA Health Care System has now received three times the number of Vets for care than it projected, with predictable results including waiting lists and budget crises.

Here are a few additional health-related costs as outlined by Linda Bilmes, Harvard professor of public finance and co-author of the report “The Economic Cost of the Iraq War: An Appraisal”:

— More than 3,000 Americans have died

— More than 50,000 Americans have been injured

— 16 injuries for every death (Vietnam and Korea – 3 injuries for every death)

— More than 200,000 veterans who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan have been treated in VA facilities

— More than 70,000 have been treated for mental illness

— 144,000 Vets have sought care in one of the 207 VA walk-up clinics, but waiting lists are growing

— 1.4 million service members have been involved in the wars and 900,000 (64%) are still deployed on active duty

— Veterans for America projects, before it is all done, 750,000 more American soldiers will seek care from the VA

— Cost of long-term disability to U.S. taxpayers is now projected to be $300 billion to $600 billion

As our leaders struggle to act responsibly and accept accountability, it’s important to recognize the full and complete, long-term implications of our actions on the health and wellbeing of our soldiers, the lives of Iraqi civilians, and the fabric of our nation.

For those with a special interest in “The Mental Health Needs of Returning Soldiers and Their Families,” consider the conference by the same name forwarded to me by Dr. Eliot Sorel ([email protected]), President of the World Psychiatric Association. The conference takes place on March 8-10, 2007, in Columbia, Missouri. (For information contact [email protected], 573-445-3823.)