Gillibrand Urging Gates To Cut Red Tape On Two MRI Machines

Utica, NY (WIBX) - Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, (D-NY) is pushing to expedite the purchase and delivery of two MRI machines for troops serving in Afghanistan. In a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the senator suggests Gates use his authority to purchase the two equipment that are currently going through a lengthy bidding process.

Gillibrand says the process is hampered in government red tape, and is jeopardizing the care of those suffering from Traumatic Brain Injuries, (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (PTSD). The senator's call for immediate action follows Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen's request to expedite the process and get the critical equipment to military medical personnel treating injured troops.

Gillibrand said the two MRI machines will not be available for four months under the current competitive bidding process and added that, "if purchased outright, the machines could, in a matter of weeks, be operational in Afghanistan, aiding in the treatment and diagnosis of hundreds of American troops."

The Senator's letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates:

Dear Mr. Secretary,

I was troubled to learn recently that Admiral Mullen and senior Army and Marine Corps leaders are frustrated by the inability to quickly get magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment to Afghanistan.

It is our senior military leaders? judgment that the introduction of MRI machines to Afghanistan could significantly assist military medical professionals treating our troops with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Their judgment is backed by medical evidence. The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center indicates that MRIs are often used to diagnose the extent of the head injury and help identify mild, moderate, severe or penetrating TBI. Scientists leading a collaborative TBI study between the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center and Columbia University lauded the use of a functional MRI to help identify traumatic brain injury in ?patients [who] have symptoms of injury, but the physical evidence is not obvious."

With over 300 U.S. troops a month incurring concussions in Afghanistan in the last year, we owe it to our brave men and women to provide them the best possible medical care. I strongly support the Chairman?s position and am requesting you use your authorities to expedite the procurement and deployment of MRI equipment. If there is anything I can do to assist you in completing this action, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

United States Senator