You are absolutely right. I think that supportive care and attention and individualized services to aid with reintegration are essential. We identified the problem of transitioning from active duty to life as a veteran. I think improvements are underway in that regard, and they are being well received.
What is currently missing—and I should say that this is not just a problem for veterans, but also, unfortunately, everyone, because these are new concepts that are not well provided for in the legislation or in society—is supportive care that targets work rehabilitation, up to the stage of returning to the workplace. Even health professionals have a lot of trouble providing that kind of care, meaning, getting away from the health setting and going into the workplace.
In the case of veterans administration, in particular, one thing is simple: the strength of the veterans administration versus contact with employers. Veterans have options that may not be available in other systems or fields. The need to improve rehabilitation is very real. Numerous studies are piling up that show just that. Work rehabilitation cannot happen without ties to the workplace. The workplace aspect of rehabilitation is the most important part. I showed that, as have a number of my colleagues. A study is coming out soon in the British Medical Journal, one of the most prestigious publications of its kind in the world, and it confirms that ties with the workplace are crucial.
We need to use this transition to the new charter as an opportunity to really introduce this new knowledge into the system of veteran reintegration.