Wounded Warrior Care and Reintegration Requires a Public-Private Partnership

In present day combat, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Explosively Formed Projectiles (EFPs) are the enemy's principal weapons of choice. Due to medical advances, many service men and women are alive today who would have died from their injuries in the past, thus creating an increased burden on the government for their care. Existing infrastructure and care providers at Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals are insufficient to deal with the long-term inpatient care of 50,806 wounded warriors (excluding Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder numbers, which are often outpatient care; when included the numbers rise to 266,810 and 800,000 respectively). Even though some upgrades to existing hospitals have occurred and some new facilities have been built, the military medical system is overwhelmed. An integral part of the National Security Strategy and the moral imperative that guides this country is the obligation to assist veterans during their recovery. Because of the current fiscal status of the nation and sequestration, the present model is unsustainable. We now require a construct that is financially supportable and that includes a public-private partnership with American society to properly care for and reintegrate wounded warriors. A public-private partnership with universities and philanthropic organizations will bring the care to wounded warriors that the government is unable to provide. Furthermore, a public-private partnership with nonprofit organizations will move society closer to those who serve, raising awareness and creating potential funding streams for reintegration. This thesis advocates the need to establish a formalized public-private partnership with nonprofit organizations, universities, and philanthropic organizations to address the growing number of existing and returning veterans who require support services, care, and reintegration.